University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Savonarola. Frà Domenico.
FRÀ DOMENICO.
The cunning of this sly Franciscan bodes
No blessing to the Convent. He hath ne'er
Forgiven your diversion of the ears
Of Florence from his preaching.

SAVONAROLA.
Let him come,
Bring he or ban or blessing to our cells.
Christ lives, Christ reigns.

[Enter from the Convent Frà Mariano da Genezzano, with Ecclesiastical Attendants. At the same time the Monks of San Marco pour into the cloister.]
FRÀ MARIANO.
I bear with me the Brief
In every church in Florence to be read,
Of Excommunication launched against
Savonarola, Frà Girolamo,
Who calls himself the Prior of Saint Mark.
[He reads.]
“This Frà Girolamo, obeying not
Our apostolic admonition, sent
Time after time, that he repair to Rome,
And duly make submission at our feet;
And equally neglecting our decree,
Which in the Congregation newly formed
Of Rome and Tuscany hath henceforth merged
The Convent of Saint Mark, he claims to rule,
Is hereby excommunicate, and must
By all as such be held, who well are warned,
That, holding converse or communion
With this same Frà Girolamo, they will
Themselves incur an equal penalty.”

SAVONAROLA.
Have you your mission executed?

FRÀ MARIANO.
Yes.

SAVONAROLA.
Then leave me with my brethren. I can lend
No further welcome here.

[Exeunt Frà Mariano and his Attendants.]
SAVONAROLA.
My sons, you have heard;
And hearing, now decide. Are you content
In this new Congregation to be merged?

FRÀ DOMENICO.
Never; save, Father, you abandon us.
Is not that so?

MONKS.
It is! It is!

SAVONAROLA.
Remember,
Once merged in it your rule were lighter far
Than that I place upon you. You would have
Less prayer and fewer fasts, more sleep, more taste
Of carnal comfort.

FRÀ SILVESTRO.
But we wish them not.

MONKS.
Nor we.

OTHER MONKS.
Nor we!

SAVONAROLA.
Beware how you decide.
This road may lead to martyrdom. The Keys
Of Peter now are grasped by one who gained,
Through means notoriously simoniacal,
The Papal Chair. Christ's Vicar he is not,
And there must be a Council of the Church
To test his claims. But meanwhile he will plot
With our sworn enemies in Florence here
To baffle this intent. Are you prepared
To follow me, if need be, to the stake,
To purify the Church of God, and keep
Christ as the King of Florence?

MONKS.
Yes, all, all, all.

SAVONAROLA.
Then shall I preach again,
Though when, I know not; but I cannot live,
Live and not preach.

[The Monks make way for Savonarola, who enters the Chapel of the Convent alone.]