It is since you have begged Messer Francesco, here, to assist us that I opine you mean to give the knave a trial." "Would you credit this dear Gonzaga with so much bloodthirstiness ?" she asked Francesco.

"Do you, sir, share his opinion that the captain should hang unheard?
I fear me you do, for, from what I have seen of them, your ways do not incline to gentleness." Gonzaga smiled, gathering from that sentence how truly she apprised the coarse nature of this stranger.

Francesco's answer surprised them.
"Nay, I hold Messer Gonzaga's an ill counsel.

Show mercy to Fortemani now, where he expects none, and you will have made a faithful servant of him.

I know his kind." "Ser Francesco speaks without the knowledge that we have, Madonna," was Gonzaga's rude comment.