Camilla. 
’Fly, then; for we are match’d to try
Which is the idiot, thou or I’

Michiella. 
Graceless Camilla!’

          Orso
               ’Senseless girl! 
        I cherished thee a precious pearl,
        And almost owned thee child of mine.’

          Camilla. 
       ’Thou kept’st me like a gem, to shine,
        Careless that I of blood am made;
        No longer be the end delay’d. 
        ’Tis time to prove I have a heart—­
        Forth from these walls of mine depart! 
        The ghosts within them are disturb’d
        Go forth, and let thy wrath be curb’d,
        For I am strong:  Camillo’s truth
        Has arm’d the visions of our youth. 
        Our union by the Head Supreme
        Is blest:  our severance was the dream. 
        We who have drunk of blood and tears,
        Knew nothing of a mortal’s fears. 
        Life is as Death until the strife
        In our just cause makes Death as Life.’

Orso
‘’Tis madness?’

Leonardo. 
‘Is it madness?’

Camilla. 
’Men! 
’Tis Reason, but beyond your ken. 
There lives a light that none can view
Whose thoughts are brutish:—­seen by few,
The few have therefore light divine
Their visions are God’s legions!—­sign,
I give you; for we stand alone,
And you are frozen to the bone. 
Your palsied hands refuse their swords. 
A sharper edge is in my words,
A deadlier wound is in my cry. 
Yea, tho’ you slay us, do we die? 
In forcing us to bear the worst,
You made of us Immortals first. 
Away! and trouble not my sight.’

   Chorus of Cavaliers:  Rudolfo, Romualdo, Arnoldo, and others.

       ’She moves us with an angel’s might. 
        What if his host outnumber ours! 
        ‘Tis heaven that gives victorious powers.’

   [They draw their steel.  Orso, simulating gratitude for their
   devotion to him, addresses them as to pacify their friendly ardour.]

          Michiellato Leonardo (supplicating). 
       ’Ever my friend I shall I appeal
        In vain to see thy flashing steel?’

          Leonardo(finally resolved). 
       ’Traitress! pray, rather, it may rest,
        Or its first home will be thy breast.’

          Chorus of Bridal Company. 
       ’The flowers from bright Aurora’s head
        We pluck’d to strew a happy bed,
        Shall they be dipp’d in blood ere night? 
        Woe to the nuptials! woe the sight!’

Rudolfo, Romualdo, Arnoldo, and the others, advance toward Camillo.  Michiella calls to them encouragingly that it were well for the deed to be done by their hands.  They bid Camillo to direct their lifted swords upon his enemies.  Leonardo joins them.  Count Orso, after a burst of upbraidings, accepts Camillo’s offer of peace, and gives his bond to quit the castle.  Michiella, gazing savagely at Camilla, entreats her for an utterance of her triumphant scorn.  She assures Camilla that she knows her feelings accurately.