(_Who has risen and prays earnestly, with hands folded across her breast._) Lord God in Heaven, Thou who hast compassion upon all the poor and miserable, preserve us from this!
See now, you are a brave lad and have your heart in the right place! I shall certainly not bring you again soon to a sitting of the court. You must rewrite the whole minutes from memory at home. You will learn more from that than if you studied through the whole _corpus juris_!
(_Who, after the judges have left the chamber, has taken a package of bread and butter, a flask and a glass from his robe. Re places the flask and glass in front of him, and then comes forward, busy with his breakfast._) Now, Gigi, wasn't that a Ciceronian defence that I made for you? But what do you know about Cicero! You will allow me to breakfast, of course. At first, I had the intention of sprinkling my defence with a little _curiculum vitæ_, a moving description of your cattle tending, etc. But, to be frank, Gigi, I don't believe that either would have helped you much with those (_pointing_) dunderheads out there!
You have my thanks for your pains, worthy Doctor Ezzelino.
(_The judges return from the council-chamber and resume their places._)
(_Reading from his notes._) The defendant, Ludovicus, recently a tailor's apprentice in Perugia, and formerly employed in the tending of cattle in the village of Baschi, is accused of the crime of blasphemy against the holy person of the king, and is found guilty of this crime upon the evidence of unanimous testimony, as well as by his own admission. In consideration of his previous good character, as well as in consideration of his free confession, the defendant is sentenced to two years' incarceration----
Young fellow, will you hold your tongue while the judge is speaking!
----and, furthermore, to ten years' deprivation of all the rights and honors of citizenship, as well as to banishment from the city of Perugia for the whole term of his life, under pain of death in case of his return.
(_To Alma._) Write, my lad! Write! This is the most important of all!
(_Continuing his reading._) In view of the important fact that the defendant has not shown the least trace of regret for his deed, the sentence provides that he shall spend his two years' incarceration in the most rigid solitary confinement.----Given in the name of the king, on the third day of the month of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and ninety-nine. (_Turning to the guards._) Take away the prisoner! (_Rising. To the court._) I hereby declare to-day's session closed.