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CONSTANTINE PALEOLOGUS;


CROWD (on Constantine's side).

Long live brave Constantine! brave Paleologus!

Huzza! huzza!

CROWD (on the opposite side).

No; bread, and peace, and Mahomet, say we!

(Both parties call out tumultuously, and threaten one another, and Rodrigo, Justiniani, and Othus rush down amongst them, leaving their other friends to guard the door of the palace.)


SECOND CROWD.

Ay, thou sea-lion! thou too needs must come

To growl upon us. (To Rodrigo.)

RODRIGO.

No, faith! I know you well: ye are at large

A set of soft, luxurious, timid slaves,
On whom a cat with muffled paws might mew,
And ye would turn from it.—But still amongst you,
I would upon it pledge my main and claws,
There are some honest souls who have ere now
Quaff'd their full bumpers to a brave man's health,
And I, in sooth, am come, with their good leave,

To shake hands with them all. (Holding out his hand invitingly to the opposite crowd.)
Come; who loves valiant worth and Paleologus,

Give me his hand.