Page:Dramas 1.pdf/90

Words follow thoughts, acts follow words, and all
The steps of infamy, from which the mind
By nature shrinks, are thus familiar made.
A blighting bane, corroding to its core

Beauty and innocence. (Mimicking the voice of a nurse.)—"My dearest child!

Thou need'st not fear to tell thy thoughts to me;

I know thy tender heart, I know thy fears."

Would the whole race were blasted from the earth! (In his own voice, and stamping on the ground.)

Enter Jerome

What brings thee here?

JEROME.

Old Pietro is below,

And craves to speak with you.

ROMIERO.

The irksome fool!

He trows that I am always in the humour
To hear his prosing proverbs.

JEROME.

He does, my Lord; and oft presuming on it,

Has grown familiar.

ROMIERO.

Art thou his judge?