Pagina 402 de 1118

Is it not true, gentlemen, that there is a band of tyrants who

reverse the tenth commandment; who commit injuries on the

peaceful and the poor, and in the end make it out that they act

justly? And even when they have committed a greater villany than

usual, they carry their heads higher then ever. There are some

such even in Milan."

"Too many," said a voice.

"I say it, I do," resumed Renzo; "it has even reached our ears.

And then the thing speaks for itself. By way of illustration, let

us suppose one of those to whom I allude to have one foot in

Milan, and the other elsewhere; if he is a devil there, will he

be an angel here? Tell me, gentlemen, have you ever seen one of

these people with a countenance like Ferrer's? But what renders

their practices more wicked, I assure you that there are printed

proclamations against them, in which their evil deeds are clearly

pointed out, and a punishment assigned to each, and it is

written, 'Whoever he be, ignoble and plebeian, &c. &c.' But go

now to the doctors, scribes, and pharisees, and demand justice

according to the proclamation; they listen to you as the pope

does to rogues: it is enough to make an honest man turn rascal!

It is evident, that the king and those who govern would willingly

punish the villains, but they can do nothing, because there is a

league among them.