University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—The Interior of the Duke's Palace.
Enter Leonora and Fiametta.
LEONORA.
If the Count Beltran shall attend upon me,
You may admit him. To none else, just now,
Can I give audience. Leave me; I would be
Some little space alone.
[Exit Fiametta.
(Unfolding a paper.)
It is the pest of birth still to be subject
To insolent scrawls like these, born of the plots
And machinations of the coarse attendance
That throngs the heels of greatness. Base-born wretches!
Now could I be indignant with myself,
To think that such a petty thing as this
Should ruffle me one moment. But they say
The smallest pebble, cast into the ocean,
Must alter its great surface. Nor can I
Forget, perforce, what I yet scorn to think:
And yet 'tis strangely levell'd. I have noted
The Prince oft struggles with a melancholy
Which he will not give tongue to; but his friend,
The Signor Giovanni, did assure me
Those clouds which sometimes pass across his mind,
Like skyey shadows o'er the mountain's side,
But prove its clearness, as the slightest breath
Will dim the brightest mirror.
Enter Beltran.
Count, this visit,
I trust, may be to you, as 'tis to me,
A pleasure.

BELTRAN.
Gracious Princess, to behold
Your happiness is still the sum of mine.

LEONORA.
My happiness?—What! is there such a word?
Count, you have soon forgot your moral lessons.

BELTRAN.
And well I may; for who would not forget,
Beholding one so fair who hath not learn'd them?
And may experience long defer the instruction!—
But Heaven forbid I have not preach'd too well;
What I forget, can you remember, madam?

LEONORA.
If I did not, I should be put in mind!

BELTRAN.
Impossible. Has aught disturb'd your highness?
Trust me, you look but pale; and pardon me
For daring thus to see it.

LEONORA.
Oh! 'tis nothing,
Or little; sooth, I have been just annoy'd—
Teazed beyond patience with the low petitions,
The courtesies and familiarity
Of a vile throng, that ever haunt the heels
Of those above them, who will stoop to them.
I marvel that the Prince Ignatio
Should bear such homely bondage.

BELTRAN.
Nay, your highness
May blame too hastily; he may be counsell'd;
Haply 'tis policy.

LEONORA.
If 'tis, I care not;
I shall not buy such love at such a rate;
And yet it may, for Signor Giovanni
Told me the Prince, more than his warlike father
With all his deeds, was met by popular praise.

BELTRAN.
No doubt! The Duke is fear'd as well as loved;
The—what's his name? Oh!—Signor Giovanni,
Whoe'er he be, might have remember'd that
In his wise estimate, as, if I knew him,
I should make bold to prompt him.

LEONORA.
If you knew him!
Your memory, Count, is doubtless sore oppress'd
With things of greater weight; but yet methinks
The Prince's friend need not be titled twice.

BELTRAN.
Your highness' pardon. Memory sometimes,
Like to a froward child, will cast away
Just what it ought not; else I had remember'd
The Signor Giovanni. Such a man,
Who, underneath the cloak of gravity,
Conceals so many virtues, gay ones too,
When they get holiday!

LEONORA.
Come, sir, this trifling
Is something ill-timed. Signor Giovanni
Hath been the Prince Ignatio's long tried friend;
And is his eldest.

BELTRAN.
I cry mercy, madam;
Far be it from me, e'er to impeach his worth.
No doubt—no doubt he is a trusty friend,
And useful too; a meet, scholastic comrade,
Of deep, and rare, and infinite endowment,
For one of studious habit, like his highness.
Surely I've heard—ay, now I think upon't—
I have heard it said 'twas difficult to tell
Who was the master of that pretty villa
The Prince laid out for him, fast by the Arno;
So constantly they shared it. It is sweet
To see a mind, which power and luxury court,
Thus bound to science, to deep contemplation,
And learning's chasten'd pleasures.

LEONORA.
Count, I shall not;
No, shall not condescend to think you dare
To trifle with me when I have forbidden it;
But yet your seriousness still speaks in riddles.
What is this villa—this companionship,
I mean—you talk so strangely of?

BELTRAN.
Nay, madam;
Now were it possible that the Princess could,
On any one occasion, condescend
To trifle with her subject, I should deem
That this were it—when she is pleased to ask
Where stands a paradise, to which all Italy
Can scarce produce a fellow! Plague upon't,
An if my dull stupidity has not marr'd
A pretty complot to surprise your highness.
I'll wager my poor revenue to a doit,
The Prince intended that this second Eden
Should not be known, till seen by her who only
Can be its worthy Queen.—Tongue, foolish tongue,
I e'en must curb thee, if thou bring'st me still
To these dilemmas!
Madam, sure your highness
Is something indisposed, for you grow pale.

LEONORA.
I am, indeed,—no; stir not. It is nothing—
'Tis nothing, sir—believe me.

BELTRAN.
Gracious madam,
I cannot think it nothing, when one instant
Can blanch the living roses of your cheek.

LEONORA.
A transient faintness—that was all. Retirement
Shall be a ready cordial.

BELTRAN.
Then permit me—
(Within there!)—let me hope it may—to be
No further interruption; rest your highness.

Enter Fiametta.
LEONORA.
I thank you, Count; anxiety's not needed—
I shall be well anon. To-night we hope
Your presence at the banquet.

FIAMETTA.
Please your highness
Now to retire?

LEONORA.
I do; attend upon me.

[Exeunt Leonora and Fiametta.
BELTRAN.
I've set the torch, and surely; for already
The flame begins to mount. Fev'rous suspicion,
On whose hot lids sleep sheds her dews in vain,
Shall never let it slacken. This brief transport,
Sudden and short, as suddenly subsiding,
Is only the first signal of the fire
That's kindled at the heart. 'Tis the precursor
Of other and more vehement stirrings up,
Until the untameable spirit shall o'erboil
Into some violent course. I know her nature;
'Tis like mine own. Sit fast, Ignatio;
And keep thy bride, or thou may'st lose thy dukedom.

[Exit.