University of Virginia Library

Scene I.

—Apartment in the Arrezi Palace.
CLARICHA.
(Seated at an embroidering-frame.)
The past it is my world: ah! but for that,
How could I bear the present? In the past
Is garner'd all most precious to my soul.
It is not true that love decays or dies
With time or absence: years have pass'd away,
Yet still my dreams are faithful to one thought.
One voice makes secret music in my ear,
Distinct as when it breathed its earliest vow.
Long since hath hope grown faint, but weary never!
Fate may have said that we shall meet no more!
But rather would I live upon the love
Whose only food is memory, than forget,
And ask oblivion for its cold content.

Enter Leoni.
LEONI.
Nay, I must not disturb you: pray resume
Your graceful task.

CLARICHA.
Pardon me, sir.

—(Going—he detains her.)
LEONI.
'Tis long since I have seen so fair a face,
And cannot part with it so readily.

CLARICHA.
I will announce your coming to my lady.

LEONI.
She knows it, sweet, and will be here anon.
The time will not seem long with those dark eyes
To count the minutes by.

CLARICHA.
You must excuse my stay.

[Snatches her hand from him—exit.
Leoni
(Solus).
Women exaggerate all things—most of all
Our flatteries and their power. Foolish girl!
She might have pass'd my waiting pleasantly.
But soft! here comes my uncle.

Enter Arrezi.
ARREZI.
Welcome, fair nephew, once again to Lucca.

LEONI.
Thanks, my kind kinsman; but, before I say
A word of greeting, tell me of your news.

ARREZI.
This 'twixt ourselves—I bring the very worst.
Castruccio is again the lord of Lucca.

LEONI.
It cannot be.

ARREZI.
The people rose and freed him from his prison,
Bore him in triumph to the senate-house,
And, once among us, all gave way before him.

LEONI.
What! did ye yield, so many as ye were?

ARREZI.
What could we do? strong as the angry sea,
The people gather'd fiercely at the gates,
And many of the younger nobles lean'd
Towards his side, chafed at the thoughts of peace
Bought by submission to the Florentines.

LEONI
(Aside).
Cowards and traitors to themselves. (Aloud.)
And now
What is the course ye mean to follow?

ARREZI.
Our power is broken, and we must submit.

LEONI.
Is it the head of our most noble house
Who names submission to the Castrucani?

ARREZI.
What can we do? he's brave and eloquent.
His sword subdues the Florentines, his tongue
Enchants the people!

LEONI.
What can ye do?—resist.

ARREZI.
What has resulted from our late resistance
But a more firm assurance to his sway?

LEONI.
Fools, that could let a prison stand between
Their enemy and death!

ARREZI.
We must conciliate now.

LEONI.
He is to wed
The fair Bianca.

ARREZI.
We shall share his power.

LEONI.
I like no sharing but the lion's share.
This was not once the temper of our house:
The Castrucani owed their banishment
To us and ours.

ARREZI.
Ah! those were glorious days.
None question'd, then, our rightful sovereignty.

LEONI.
Which half the citizens now laugh to scorn.
As yet I have not been an hour in Lucca,
Yet I can see all things are changed.

ARREZI.
Too true!

LEONI.
Your servants are your masters; where are gone
Your old respect and high authority?

ARREZI.
I do not know the times in which I live,
So much of change lies heavy on each hour!
Castruccio comes to-night—now greet him fair.

LEONI.
What! when he comes a suitor to my cousin?

ARREZI.
Such an alliance will secure us all.

LEONI.
I tell you, count, that it shall never be;
Think upon what you owe your ancient line:
Its feuds are bonds its honour must hold dear.
We hate the Castrucani!

ARREZI.
I have small cause, if you knew all, to love them.

LEONI.
And yet you yield and tamper with Castruccio.

ARREZI.
And once again, I say, what can we do?

LEONI
(Aside).
He wavers—ancient hatred is too strong
For the new bond of interest and of fear,
But yet I dare not trust him with the scheme
That rises dark and vague upon my mind.
I must think more. (Aloud.)
—Again, I say, resist!
But wisely, calmly; never should the sword
Flash till it strikes.

ARREZI.
I'll tell you truly, kinsman,
I like not this alliance: it is forced
On us by evil days and evil fortunes.
Now, more than ever, do we need such aid,
For I misdoubt but that Castruccio knows
'Twas not to serve him that I sought the council
When he was prisoner.

LEONI.
Bid him, as you said,
To a gay banquet here, and bid with him
All his chief followers; let us seem friends:
And, if we watch our hour, that hour will come.

ARREZI.
I'll to the Castrucani palace straight,
And urge our welcome.

[Exit.
LEONI.
(Solus).
And he will come; danger escaped but makes
The brave more daring; and Castruccio's brave.
It is a desperate game that I must try,
And yet our only chance. There's little time,
But haste is the friend of enterprise:
I will but snatch a moment with Bianca,
Then to my task.

[Exit.