42 
MORTADELLO 
 
MORTADELLO.  [Looking out.]  Thank God !  the guards are 
firm.  We’ll drive 
These angry-buzzing bees of Venice to the hive. 
THE DOGE.  I am surrounded by a gang of sots. 
MORTADELLO. 
 
The knave ! 
THE DOGE. Oh, Magdalena !  oh my daughter !  Did the grave 
That yawned for my old bones catch thy young antelope 
spring  ? 
MORTADELLO.  Mother of God !  to find the slave that did this 
thing. 
I’ll torture first the torturers to stimulate 
Device and practice. 
ORLANDO.  [Rushing from behind the altar.]  Now look up and 
face thy fate ! 
It is Orlando !  Did you think to steal my swan, 
Defile the blue-veined breasts this head has slept upon ? 
MORTADELLO.  Detested dog of Hell !  Black spawn o’ the 
pit !  Have at thee ! 
[They cross swords. 
ORLANDO.  I tupped her ! 
MORTADELLO.  By the unknown black bastard that begat thee, 
You shall do the like no more. 
ORLANDO. 
 
Thou puny puking patch, 
White-livered, yellow-bellied wittol ! 
MORTADELLO. 
Ha ! 
 
 
 
[He wounds ORLANDO. 
ORLANDO. 
A scratch. 
There’s for your heart, if you have one !  Christ but you 
were near 
Hell then ! 
MORTADELLO.  Help !  Help !  I’m mastered ! 
ORLANDO. 
 
You’re Damnation’s peer