University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

—The Market-place. Citizens, &c. Sound of tumult, and a bell tolling in the distance.
1ST CITIZEN.
They fly before Castruccio; but a band,
With Count Gonsalvi, keep the western gate.

2ND CITIZEN.
They will not keep it long; the Florentines
Know our Castruccio.

1ST CITIZEN.
Did the prisoner pass
While I was gone?

2ND CITIZEN.
The moment that you left;
I wait to see the body brought this way.

1ST CITIZEN.
Lo! where they come.

(The crowd press together; and, as the body, covered on a bier, is brought in on one side, Claricha enters at the other. The bearers set down the body.)
CLARICHA.
I cannot urge my way—in Heaven's name,
I pray you, let me pass.

1st Citizen.
Rest you a little while, poor child, beside me:
You cannot pierce the crowd.

CLARICHA.
I must go on; oh, for your parents' sake,
Make but a little way!

1ST CITIZEN.
The crowd will soon disperse—they pause to gaze
On Count Arrezi.

CLARICHA.
Help me—I am his child—I bring his pardon.
Now, in your children's—in your fathers' name—
Let me pass on.

1ST CITIZEN.
It is too late.

(Claricha springs forward with a shriek, the crowd give way, and she reaches the bier.)
CLARICHA.
Who lies beneath that mantle?

OFFICER.
The traitor, Count Arrezi.

(Claricha drops by the bier. Flourish of trumpets, acclamations.)
Enter Castruccio, Gonsalvi, Florentine prisoners, Soldiers, &c.
Gonsalvi
(offering his sword to Castruccio).
Thus I yield up my sword as vanquish'd twice;
Once by your arm, more by your courtesy.

CASTRUCCIO.
Keep it, my lord; and with it take your freedom:
We only ask of victory for peace.

Enter Cesario.
CESARIO.
The envoys of the emperor await
Your leisure, to acknowledge you the lord
Of Lucca.

CASTRUCCIO.
Then Lucca's freedom is assured. High Heaven
I thank thee! (Addressing the crowd.)
My friends,
Not on a day of victory and peace,
Shall justice sternly ask its penalty
Freely ye will forgive your enemies.
Last night's conspirators I pardon here—
Be they set free.

OFFICER.
That has been done by death!
There lies the Count Arrezi.

(The crowd opens, and Claricha is seen lying by the bier.)
CASTRUCCIO.
Oh, miserable mockery of fate!
Look up, Claricha.

(She starts at his voice.)
CLARICHA.
His voice—ah! let it wake me from my dream.
I've had a fearful dream—Castruccio mine—
But I am safe, thus nestled in thine arms!

CASTRUCCIO
(attempting to bear her away).
Come with me, love—this is no place for thee.

CLARICHA
(springing from him).
Why am I here, and wherefore is this crowd?
There's fear in every face—they look on me
With pity or with horror, and your eyes
Are not familiar—ah! you turn aside—
Speak to me—smile as you once did, Castruccio—
Still do you turn away—what have I done?
There are too many here—I cannot ask you—
A strange confusion mixes up my thoughts,
And at my heart there is a faint sick pain.

CASTRUCCIO.
Lean on me, love.

CLARICHA
(looking towards the bier).
Who are those men—those dark and fearful men?
What do the black folds of yon mantle hide?
I seem as I had look'd on them before;
There is a weight upon my struggling soul—
'Tis blood—my father's blood—
It is my father murder'd by his child!

(Sinks in Castruccio's arms.)
GONSALVI.
Give way, the lady faints!

CASTRUCCIO.
I tell you it is death—look up, my love!
Silence those trumpets; ah! she doth not hear.
Claricha—my Claricha—so long lost,
So lately found—youth—joy and hope are gone!
Gone, my pale beauty—we shall love no more!

CESARIO.
Oh, come, my lord, all Lucca sees your tears!

CASTRUCCIO.
Lucca should be their witness; for her sake—
For my fair country's sake—I have kept down
Natural emotions, young and cheerful thoughts,
Yet were they warm and eager at my heart.
With her they perish! Fate has claim'd the last,
Cruel and terrible the sacrifice!
All but my country shares Claricha's grave—
(Raising her in his arms.)
This, Lucca, is my latest offering!

The Curtain drops.