University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

NAPLES. PALACE OF BUTELLO. Butello and Rupert.
Butello
(reads).
“We, Urban, by the grace of God . .”

Rupert.
Well, well;
That is all phrase and froth; dip in the spoon
A little deeper; we shall come at last
To the sweet solids and the racy wine.

Butello.
Patience, good Frate, patience!

Rupert.
Now, Butello,
If I cried patience, wouldst not thou believe
I meant delay? So do not cry it then.
Read on . . about the middle. That will do . .
Pass over love, solicitude, grief, foresight,
Paternal or avuncular. Push on . .
There . . thereabout.

Butello.
Lift off thy finger, man,
And let me, in God's name, read what wants reading.

Rupert.
Prythee be speedy . . Where thou seest my name . .

Butello
(reads).
“If that our well-beloved Frate Rupert
Shall, by his influence thereunto directed
By the blest saints above, and the good will
Which the said Frate Rupert ever bore us,
Before the expiration of one month,
So move the heart of Carlo of Durazzo
That the said Carlo do invade and seize . .

Rupert.
What would his Holiness have next?

Butello.
Wait, wait.
“Naples, a kingdom held by our permission . .

Rupert.
Ho! is that all? 'Tis done.

Butello.
Hear me read on.
“From those who at this present rule the same . .

Rupert.
This present is already past. I've won.

Butello.
“And shall consign a princely fief thereof,
Hereditary, to our foresaid nephew
Gieronimo Butello, We, by power
Wherewith we are invested, will exalt
Our trusty well-beloved Frate Rupert
Unto the highest charge our Holy Church
Bestows upon her faithful servitors.”

Rupert.
Would not one swear those words were all engrossed,
And each particular letter stood bolt-upright,
Captain'd with taller at the column-head?
What marshall'd files! what goodly companies!
And, to crown all, the grand heaven-sent commission
Seal'd half-way over with green wax, and stiff
With triple crown, and crucifix below it.
Give me the paper.

Butello.
Why?

Rupert
(impatient).
Give me the paper.

Butello.
His Holiness hath signed it.

Rupert.
Let me see.

Butello.
Look.

Rupert.
Nay but give it me.

Butello.
A piece of paper!

Rupert.
. . Can not be worth a principality.

Butello
(giving it).
There then.

Rupert.
What dukedom has the grandest sound?

Butello.
Dukedom! the Pope says principality.

Rupert.
Thou soon shalt blazon.

Butello.
I rely on you:
Adieu, my lord!

Rupert.
My prince, adieu! (Alone.)
Who knows
If this will better me! Away from court?
No; never. Leave the people? When he leaves it,
The giant is uplifted off the earth
And loses all his strength. My foot must press it.
Durazzo, in things near, is shrewd and sighted:
I may not lead him. If I rule no more
This kingdom, yet ere long my tread may sound
Loud in the conclave, and my hand at last
Turn in their golden wards the keys of heaven.