12
THE FOOL'S REVENGE.
TORELLI.
Scurrile knave!
But I'll be even with thee!
BERTUCCIO.
That were pity.
A hump would be a sore disfigurement
Upon a back that you're so fond of showing!
ASCOLTI.
This rogue needs gagging.
BERTUCCIO (to Ascolti).
What, for speaking truth?
I cry you mercy! I forgot how ugly
It must sound to a Florentine Ambassador—
MANFREDI.
Well thrust, Bertuccio!
ORDELAFFI (angrily).
My lord! my lord!
The slave is paid to find us wit—
BERTUCCIO (interrupting).
Hold there!
No man is bound to impossibilities,—
'T is a known maxim of the Roman law;
How then can I find wit for Ordelaffi?
[All laugh but Ordelaffi.
But look! there 's Serafino, big with a sonnet:
I must help him to reason for his rhymes.
MANFREDI.
Stay!
