SCENE II.

_A Street._

_Enter_ VINCENTIO _and_ LEONARDO, _followed by several citizens_.

VINCENTIO.

Courage, my friends! this way leads to his prison. We’ll break those bars, and drag their gloomy secrets Into unwonted light.

LEONARDO.

Nay--by such madness You cast away success.

VINCENTIO.

Shall we shrink back Even on its threshold?

LEONARDO.

One false step, bethink you, May lose you all. Look--yonder they approach!

VINCENTIO.

Now is the moment.

LEONARDO.

No--’twould but endanger Yourselves--and serve not him. Pray you--be patient ’Till they have reached the palace; then surround it, And with your prayers, which more than threats avail, Besiege their ears.

VINCENTIO.

To be repulsed and mocked!

LEONARDO.

If so, despair; no force of yours can save him. The Senate would but laugh at you. _To citizens._] Depart! We are safe no longer here. [_Exeunt._