University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

—Castruccio alone in his Chamber, writing.
CASTRUCCIO.
There is a heavy weight upon my heart
That I would fling aside, yet cannot fling;
But that I hold all such presentments vain,
I should think there was evil on this hour.
Yet where should be the evil? yonder star
That brings the golden promise of the day,
Is, as my fortunes, rising to their noon.
Victory bears my crimson banner onwards;
Love nestles in its shadow; and, subdued,
Mine enemies are prostrate at my feet.
Bear witness, Lucca! in this silent hour,
That my first thought is thine; I have not ask'd
A transitory name for thee or me;
My conquests have but sought to keep our gates
Steadfast against a foreign foe; within
Have I kept order and security.
The iron power, made selfish by the few,
Have I subdued, and temper'd in its use.
The citizens have learnt to know their strength,
And in that strength lies freedom.

(The panel at the back begins to open, and Leoni appears. He advances towards Castruccio, who starts, but instantly composes himself, and appears occupied by the papers on the table.)
CASTRUCCIO
(Aside).
I hear the secret lock I thought none knew
Turn in the panel, and I hear a step;
It is too stealthy for a friendly one—
Let me be on my guard—it comes more near.
I see a shadow darken on the ground:
There is a dagger in the hand. I'll seem
Busy among these letters while I watch.

(Leoni attempts to stab him, but Castruccio springs up, and snatches the dagger.)
CASTRUCCIO.
The Count Leoni turn'd assassin?

(Throws down the dagger.)
LEONI.
Now curses on the worthless hand that fail'd
With life and honour trusted to its strength!

CASTRUCCIO.
Honour! that is no word for lip of thine—
A coward murderer in the silent night.
Does not thy noble name cry shame upon thee?

LEONI.
It cries for vengeance!

CASTRUCCIO.
What cause hast thou to be my enemy?

LEONI.
An hundred years our houses have been foes;
To that I add my individual hate.
There is no path of fortune where thy step
Has not cross'd mine; in war, ambition, love,
Still hast thou been my rival! call thy guards,
Tyrant! but, ere they come, I'll try my sword.

CASTRUCCIO.
I'll call no other guard than my right hand.

(They fight.—As he disarms Leoni, Cesario and the Attendants rush in.)
CASTRUCCIO.
Bear hence the traitor! you are just in time.

CESARIO.
He bleeds to death.

LEONI.
But yet with strength enough
For hatred and defiance; 'tis in vain—
Fate is against me—curse the hand and sword
That have betray'd me in my utmost need!
Yet hark, Castruccio! thou hast many foes—
Dagger and cup are armed against thy life!
And with my dying breath I bid them speed.
But I am dizzy—no—I dare not leave
Word for my kind old kinsman or Bianca:
Now can I neither save, nor yet revenge.

CESARIO.
Die with more christian words upon your lips,
For the dear sake of thy immortal soul!

Leoni
(springing up for a moment).
I'll peril it on my last word—I hate him!

(Dies.)
CASTRUCCIO.
Bear him away, and instantly prepare
Arrezi's scaffold; I will make my power
Show itself fearful: they must learn my strength.

[Exeunt Attendants bearing the body.
CESARIO.
Can you be hurt my lord? you look so pale.

CASTRUCCIO.
I am more sad than is my wont, Cesario!
My hand has slain yon traitor, but he once
Was my familiar friend—yet scarce my friend,
For friendship asks as much as love—of faith—
Of mingling qualities and confidence;
Friends, then, we were not, but such gay companions
As are remember'd pleasant in our age;
They wear the freshness of our youth about them,
And bring back hours untramell'd by a care!
Many a midnight have we pass'd together
In glad carousal, when the purple cup
Gave its own gaiety; we've fought together,
'Neath the same banner was our earliest field!
We've sat beside the watch-fire half the night,
Talking of friends and of our native city,
Yet yonder doth he lie, slain by my hand!

CESARIO.
Better ten thousand perish'd such as he,
Than peril life so dear as your's to Lucca.

CASTRUCCIO.
Lucca—that is the watchword of my heart!
My native city! you are young, Cesario,
And do not know with how intense a love
The exile clingeth to his mother earth.
I was an exile once—and Lucca rose
Each night more beautiful among my dreams;
Each day a deeper longing seized my soul
To see her walls once more; at length I came,
And found disorder, tyranny and death!
It matters not to tell you of my youth;
Enough, it left me with no home-affection,
None of those gentler ties that fill the thoughts
Of other men—my country was my all!
My hopes, my fears, my future were for Lucca.

CESARIO.
And you have made our Lucca what she is,
Peace in her streets, and victory at her gates.

CASTRUCCIO.
I know my power—alas! I also know
Power is a sad and solitary thing;
It cuts you off from old companionship,
It needeth iron heart and iron eye,
For its resolves are terrible, when life
Waits on your word, and when you know one breath—
One little breath—takes what it cannot give!
I yield the Count Arrezi to the axe,
But have no word that could recall the blow!

CESARIO.
His doom is just!

CASTRUCCIO.
And needful; vain, indeed, my present mood—
Power must submit to its dark comrade—death!
Attendant enters.
A lady craves a moment's speech, my lord.

CASTRUCCIO.
Let her approach: leave us awhile, Cesario.
[Exeunt.
I know the step:—(Enter Claricha)
—my sweet lady here,
What would she ask?

CLARICHA.
What thou hast once denied,
A pardon for Arrezi.

CASTRUCCIO.
Let me entreat thy silence—grieve me not
With useless prayers I may not—dare not grant;
Thy hand is cold—your lip is white—sweet love,
For my sake, wear not such wild wretchedness.

CLARICHA.
You cannot dream what misery brings me to you;
Hear me: it is my father's life I seek—
My father's!

CASTRUCCIO.
What does this mean?

CLARICHA.
You could not leave a crime upon my soul
So terrible! Arrezi is my parent!

CASTRUCCIO.
Your parent! How is this?

CLARICHA.
Secret he wedded one of your proud line
Who parted them, and never till this hour
Knew he his wife, nor yet his orphan's fate.
I am that wretched child!

CASTRUCCIO.
Can this be true?

CLARICHA.
Oh! do not cruelly waste time in doubt,
But let my agony attest the truth;
His life—my life—now hang upon a word.
Be merciful, Castruccio! speak that word,
Or see me die before you!

CASTRUCCIO.
There is no doubt?

CLARICHA.
None—none! Now, by our love, I do implore you!
He was my benefactor and my friend—
He is my father!

CASTRUCCIO.
I cannot let her hand—her innocent hand—
Redden for ever with a parent's blood!
Nature, thy ties are sacred, and I yield.
Haste with my signet; love, your father lives,
And you shall be his hostage.

CLARICHA.
Let my haste thank you. Oh! my noble lord,
Long years of happiness reward this pardon!

[Exit.
Tumult without. Cesario and others rush in.
CESARIO.
My lord, some treachery has been at work.
Through the west gate the Florentines have won
Their secret entrance, and the Count Gonsalvi
Raises his war-cry in our streets.

CASTRUCCIO.
'Tis well;
Long have I sought to meet him face to face,
And now a single blow may end the war.