 | Dramas, Discourses, and other Pieces |  |
SCENE I.
A magnificent saloon, illuminated with festive splendor: crowds of cavaliers and ladies engaged in conversation, or dancing, or walking about. The family of Belvederé dispersed among the company. Orsini aloof, in observation.Ors.
Pray Heaven, good come of it!—Poor thing!
This wrings her soul. I see it; and 't is strange!—
Is that a face of cunning?—Can a look
Of bosomed grief like that conceal a heart
So black?
(Gazing round.)
Tinsel! all tinsel to pure gold!
Never saw I the form of loveliness
So near angelic, beauty exquisite
As Guido's dreams. Well might he wail her loss;
If no foul play,—which I indeed suspect.
(A cavalier approaches Orsini, who turns away to avoid him.)
Cavalier.
(accosting him.)
Signor, a splendid company.
Ors.
Truly, my lord.
Cav.
Have you been long from Pisa?
Ors.
No, my lord.
Cav.
What lady is 't that sits alone—just there—
Beneath the brilliant?—pale,—with a handkerchief,—
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In Padua green, bordered with silver? There—
D' ye see her, Sir?—a chaplet of white flowers?
Ors.
'T is the Count's youngest daughter.
Cav.
Ah! is it she?—the Dian Belvederé?
For so admiring Florence calls her. Faith!
The huntress Queen need shine her brightest.—Signor,
Methinks this revelry displeases her.
Ors.
Why so?
Cav.
Observe her but a little: I have marked her.—
While Cosmo and his bride knelt in the chapel,
A shudder seemed to pass across her; drops,
Great drops, not tears, stood on her face: she looked
Like sculptured agony. Remarked you not?
Ors.
I stood more distant,—watched less heedfully.
Cav.
Nay, 't was apparent.
Ors.
Parting with her sister,—
The touching ceremony,—these might move her.
Adieu, my lord. (Bows and disappears in the crowd.)
Cav.
Truly; but scarce to such a fixed woe.
De' Medici!
2d Cav.
(turning.)
Ha, Alighieri!
1st Cav.
Know you that lady?
2d Cav.
Which? in white?
1st Cav.
The next.
2d Cav.
O!—
That 's a divinity.
1st Cav.
But by what title may she be invoked?
2d Cav.
Her sect adores her under ten or twenty;
As Daphne, Dian, Lucrece, La Madonna,
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The darling of the name Amerigo?
Enchanting, sweet, and gentle as the maids
Vespucci tells of, Eves of his new world,
That, plumed and garlanded, sing all day long
Under the nodding palm-trees?
1st Cav.
Pray present me.
2d Cav.
Not know her?
1st Cav.
No, in faith.
2d Cav.
Come, then;—why, she 's the fairest star o' the night.
(They move to the side where Demetria sits. Cosmo passes slowly by.)
Cos.
Dearly she 's paid the price!—Now, God! let loose
The elements!—Storm! wrack! make all like this
Fell bosom!—Curse the tumult!—Twenty thousand
Torches seem stuck about my brain!—Ha! who 's that?—
(Seeing the two cavaliers address Demetria, advances towards them. Folding doors are flung open; discovering a suit of apartments brilliantly lighted for the banquet. A grand symphony strikes up, and the company pass through.)
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