University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—AN APARTMENT IN CIMARO's PALACE.
Enter Raffaelle and Servants.
Raffaelle.
Who waits this morning?

Servant.
Signior Lodovico
Attends you, sir, and other gentlemen
Are in the hall.

Raffaelle.
I'll see them; (Exit Servant.)

They are industrious; my last night's feast
Would weary stronger natures:—I am sick
Of this dull round:—that fair one whom I saw
Would give new zest unto my luxuries,
Quicken the lazy current of my blood,
And rouse my soul to energetic action.
I cannot live in apathy, and crawl
Unheeded and unknown; this vaulting spirit
Fate never form'd to animate a worm.
Enter Lodovico and Gentlemen.
Good morrow, friends.

Lodovico.
We rise to greet you, sir,
And pay the tribute of our wond'ring homage
To the artificer of last night's glories.

Raffaelle.
Nay, my dear friend,—

1 Gent.
No ducal pageant more
Shall ever hold regard in Mantua.

Raffaelle.
You're pleasant, sir.

2 Gent.
'Tis far short of the truth:
Nature was shamed with art's magnificence.

Raffaelle.
Nay, pray you—

Lodovico.
And the lady de Commenes
Grac'd well the hand of Mantua's prime lord.

Raffaelle.
The lady de Commenes—I knew her not—

Lodovico.
The beauteous lady honor'd by your favour:

Raffaelle.
This is worth hearing;—she has beauty truly.

1 Gent.
Mantua waits but your award to say so.

Raffaelle.
Her wealth and influence are great in Mantua.

Lodovico.
Next to my lord's.

Raffaelle.
Her wit is well enough.

Lodovico.
'Tis counted rare.

Raffaelle.
And I suppose—to end
This list of her perfections—she has suitors,
A regiment or so.

Lodovico.
They are not few, sir,
Alphonso—and the noble Claudio—
He indeed is most favoured.

Raffaelle.
Claudio!
My friend whose life's in danger; is't not he?

Lodovico.
The same, my lord.

Raffaelle,
He's worthy of her hand;
And when the world gives out too that she loves him,
Perchance, tho' she ne'er thought of it before,
It may be that she'll marry him;—how think you?

Lodovico.
To-day, I guess, my lord—will prove the truth.

Raffaelle.
To-day?

Lodovico.
His cause to day the duke will judge;
At noon the court will meet.

Raffaelle.
I will attend it:
Faith I should feel an interest in their union;
'Tis very soon, yet 'twill be time enough.
(Aside.)
How stands he, think you?

Lodovico.
By the evidence
Of lord Lorenzo he will sure be cleared.

Raffaelle.
(Aside)
Not if a dagger's found in Mantua:
Waits Julio there?

Servant.
He does, my lord.

Raffaelle.
'Tis well;
Perchance I may have need of him directly
On urgent business. Then Lorenzo saw
Vincentio attack him?

Lodovico.
So he says, sir,

Raffaelle.
I'm glad his life rests on so sure a cause;
I would I were his judge; and yet I doubt not
The duke will deal as nobly by him as I should:
I would do much to serve him in his suit,
Knew I the means—there was no other witness,
Save this Lorenzo?

Lodovico.
None, my lord.

Raffaelle.
Nor needs there;
I think that is his villa near the road,
Where this encounter happened.

Lodovico.
Aye, my lord,—

Raffaelle.
It is a sweet retreat, and were it mine
I should prefer it to the city—he,
I think, is seldom from it?

Lodovico.
Very rarely;
To-day he comes here to attend the trial.

Raffaelle.
'Tis fortunate indeed, he is the witness:
My friends, now I bethink me I have need
Of a few minutes leisure, you will walk
Into my gardens; last night's sports are gone;
But there is yet some poor amusement for you:
Open the doors there.

(Folding doors are opened in the back ground and discover a natural and beautiful garden with rural seats, &c.)
Lodovico.
The pageant's gone:

1 Gent.
'Tis wonder upon wonder!

Raffaelle.
Nay, nay, a trifle: I'd not have the ruin
Of a fool's sport remain to mock my poverty
When 'tis gone by a year; nay, pray you walk,
I conjure not by day-light.
(They go out very obsequiously, and with much wonder on their countenances.)
Louisa de Commenes! the vaunt of Mantua!
The pride of Italy! she's not for Claudio—
Lorenzo shall not save him,—Julio!
Enter Julio.
Her wealth, her influence, 'bove all her beauty,
Should grace no less than Raffaelle Cimaro—
Curs are no mates for lions: Claudio!
Beware my greater nature! little men
Are but the cyphers that make up my sum
Of power and greatness. Julio!

Julio.
My lord:

Raffaelle.
A beggar feed upon such royal cates!
Julio, ere noon I must have one dispatch'd;
Lorenzo—on his evidence depends
The safety of my dear friend Claudio;
And I would find some fearless evidence
To swear that Claudio attacked Vincentio,
And speak of other matters, which kind fortune
Has giv'n me knowledge of. I saw Vincentio
At lord Alphonso's on the very day,
Where he conceal'd himself, and from that somewhat.—
The needy monk I yesterday relieved
Seek and bring to me. Hold! I must begone
To the lady de Commenes—within a half-hour
Call with him at her palace; but beware
She sees him not. Here's money for the hand
That takes Lorenzo's life—about it straight.
Stay—if thou find'st another that may serve
To fix his death on Claudio—bring him to me—
Lorenzo will be passing from his palace—
(Exit Julio.)
She must be mine; with her I should outstep
The ducal pomp; I'd pass on pleasure's wing
The wildest flights of fancy; to my will
All nature should be chain'd: methinks already
I swell with the intoxicating thought.
Come, for the means.—Oh! this indeed is power
In its full use—to pile, and pile,—and heap,
Till the proud temple, rising to the clouds,
Leaves e'en the artificer in joyous wonder.
I see—I see—ha! ha! when I have doted
Awhile in waking dreams on the idea
I'll rise and form it to reality.

(Exit.)