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THE HOMICIDE: A TRAGEDY.
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ARDUSOFFE.

See how he gathers in his wrung and withering features, as if he cursed us all in the very agonies of death.

CLAUDIEN.

Say not so! say not so! Who can divine the thoughts of a dying man, be he ever so wicked?—He is dead now, and I may soon be as him.

VAN MAURICE (alarmed).

What sayest thou? There is blood from thy side: thou art wounded.

CLAUDIEN.

I am faint and sick: let me have air, I pray you.

Re-enter the Judges, and resume their seats.

SENIOR JUDGE.

This is our decision. Forasmuch as the murder of Hartman was not a premeditated act, but perpetrated, though unjustifiably, in a moment of provocation and passion; and further, that the criminal hath delivered himself up to justice, making full confession of the crime, we remit the punishment of death, and condemn the Count Claudien of Denmark to perpetual banishment from the city and territories of Lubeck. In four and twenty hours from this time, thou must