University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

PALACE, NAPLES. Margarita. Durazzo.
Margarita.
I can not see what mighty things indeed
My aunt Giovanna ever did for me:
Can you?

Durazzo.
They long are over, if she did.

Margarita.
Beside . .

Durazzo.
Now what beside?

Margarita.
I had almost
Said such a foolish thing!

Durazzo.
You! Margarita!

Margarita.
I was about to say she did no more
For me than you. If she loved me, she loved me
Because she loved my mother, her own sister;
Where is the wonder? where the merit?

Durazzo.
None.

Margarita.
She even loved another sister, her
Whom people called Fiammetta; God knows why;
No Christian name, nought Christian-like about it.
She was the one of Sicily, who fancied
(O shame upon her!) somebody . . a writer.

Durazzo.
What writer?

Margarita.
Is not that enough? a writer!

Durazzo.
There is not much to thank her for, if all
Partake of her affection, even those
Who sink so low.

Margarita.
She played with you the most;
Perhaps because she thought you like her child.
She did show pleasure when she fondled me;
But 'twas not to make me the happier,
Although it did so, but herself . . herself.
Yet, Carlo, would you think it! there are times
When I am ready to desire of you
That you would let her out of such a den
At Muro.

Durazzo.
Had you mentioned it before,
As wishing it . . why, then indeed . .

Margarita.
So, then,
You would have let her out? How very kind!

Durazzo.
If we could have persuaded her to go.

Margarita.
Persuaded her? what! out of prison?

Durazzo.
Do not
Term it so harshly: who can bear to hear
Of prisons?

Margarita.
Is the tower indeed not lockt
Nor bolted?

Durazzo.
People would run into it
And trouble her devotions. At this time
She needs them most particularly.

Margarita.
Why?

Durazzo.
Her health declines.

Margarita.
Is she in danger?

Durazzo.
Some.

Margarita.
Imminent?

Durazzo.
There are fears.

Margarita.
About her life?

Durazzo.
Men shake their heads.

Margarita.
O Carlo! O my Carlo!
I have . . (will God forgive me?) been ungrateful.
And all this time! . . when, but one moment of it . .
My hand in hers, or hers upon my head . .

Durazzo.
Hush! Margarita! thou'rt a queen: be calm,
And worthy of the station we enjoy.

[He leads her out.