poison I had prepared for her and
her lover. I crave it for myself, but
she will not let me die; she gives
me bread, and I eat it.
“I have done well to eat and live;
I had not reckoned on robbers!”
“Yes, Eccellenza, when those fools
the honest men are asleep, we are
wide awake.”
“Oh, Rinaldo, all I possess shall
be yours; we will share my treasure
like brothers; I would give you
everything--even to my Duchy----”
“Eccellenza, procure from the
Pope an absolution _in articulo mor-
tis_. It would be of more use to me
in my walk of life.”