University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FOURTH.

Eleonora, Garcia, Cosmo, with naked Sword, Guards with Torches and Arms.
Cos.
On every side
Close up the avenues.—Where is the traitor?
Slunk to his mother's arms. In vain ...

Gar.
From thence
I've freed myself. What wouldest thou with me?
What have I done?

Ele.
Pity! thou art a father ...

Cos.
I was so once.

Ele.
Oh heavens! ...

Gar.
What have I done?

Cos.
Askest thou that, when thou hast slain Diego?

Ele.
My son! ...

Gar.
My brother! ...

Cos.
Lady, get thee hence ...

Ele.
Yet he's thy son ...

Gar.
Behold my breast ...

Ele.
Ah! pause ...

Cos.
Die! die!

Ele.
Thy son! ... Oh blow! ...

Cos.
Impious! is he
To thee a son, he who hath slain a son?

Gar.
We all ... are impious ... Never did the day
Visit a more flagitious race than ours.—
Father ... I swear to thee ... I knew it not ...
If ... by this hand of mine ... Diego fell,
Piero ... plann'd ... the execrable scheme.
Father ... I ... die ... and dying ... I invoke ...
The heavens ... to witness ... that ... I speak the truth.

Cos.
Beloved Diego! I lose thee! ... Oh heavens! ...
And in the life-blood of another son
I've bathed this dagger! In the arms of death
My consort lies: ... on my remaining son
Frightful suspicions fall ... Oh state! ... To whom
Can I now turn? ... Alas! ... In whom confide?