Guido
My good Lord Cardinal, in a Christian land,
With Lord Christ’s face of mercy looking down
From the high seat of Judgment, shall a man
Die unabsolved, unshrived? And if not so,
May I not tell this dreadful tale of sin,
If any sin there be upon my soul?
Duchess
Thou dost but waste thy time.
Cardinal
Alack, my son,
I have no power with the secular arm.
My task begins when justice has been done,
To urge the wavering sinner to repent
And to confess to Holy Church’s ear
The dreadful secrets of a sinful mind.
Duchess
Thou mayest speak to the confessional
Until thy lips grow weary of their tale,
But here thou shalt not speak.
Guido
My reverend father,
You bring me but cold comfort.