Alb. With most obsequious sleek-brow’d entertain,
They all embrace it as most gracious.
Pier. Are proclamations sent through Italy,
That whosoever brings Andrugio’s head,
Or young Antonio’s, shall be guerdonèd 70
With twenty thousand double pistolets,
And be endearèd to Piero’s love?
Foro. They are sent every way: sound policy,
Sweet lord.
Feli. [Aside.] Confusion to these limber sycophants!
No sooner mischiefs born in regency,
But flattery christens it with policy.[56]
Pier. Why, then,—O me cœlitum excelsissimum!
The intestine malice and inveterate hate
I always bore to that Andrugio, 80
Glories in triumph o’er his misery;
Nor shall that carpet-boy[57] Antonio
Match with my daughter, sweet-cheek’d Mellida.
No; the public power makes my faction strong.
Feli. Ill, when public power strength’neth private wrong.
Pier. ’Tis horse-like not for man to know his force.
Feli. ’Tis god-like for a man to feel remorse.[58]
Pier. Pish! I prosecute my family’s revenge,
Which I’ll pursue with such a burning chase,
Till I have dried up all Andrugio’s blood; 90
Weak rage, that with slight pity is withstood.—
[The cornets sound a flourish.