University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Apartment in the Palace, lighted, decorated, and filled with Guests, some of whom are masked and some not. The Duke, Duchess, Cicilia, and Prince of Andria, enter.—The Music ceases, the Guests rise.
DUKE.
The time is chosen for our mirth, not ceremony.
We will accept no homage from our guests
And claim no power but this—to bid them welcome.
Their presence brings us honor—we behold
The stars which make our firmament so glorious—
The light and health of Naples.

[Enter Arezzi and ten others, with masks and scarfs.
DUCHESS.
Let us think
That none is here who loves us not, and so
Once more—all welcome!

PRINCE ANDRIA
(to the DUCHESS.)
Look—the scarfs and vizars!
Right to a man—their leader makes eleven.
We must not seem to watch.

DUCHESS.
Then call the music.

Song.

DUCHESS.
I cannot find Arezzi here—this boy
Is not come yet.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
It may be he is masked.

DUCHESS.
Why will he ever thwart us thus!

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Be patient—
And let him rest awhile—I think not of him:
These traitors must be dealt with first.

DUCHESS.
See!—see!—
They part and walk asunder.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Good—you have
A servant at the back of each—our followers
Are near enough behind.

DUCHESS.
That tallest seems
To lead the rest.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
I have mine eyes upon him—
He is their guide, no doubt.

DUKE.
When shall we see his face?

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Wait till the rest are safe—let us not scare—
By shooting at their leading stag too soon—
The herd behind.

DUKE.
Now where is Count Arezzi?

DUCHESS.
Either not here or masked.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
When these are netted,
We shall unvizar all—look for him then.

CICILIA.
They walk this way!

PRINCE ANDRIA.
No matter—let your eyes
Pass lightly over them.

[Arezzi and one Conspirator approach.
DUCHESS.
Our guests seem idle.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
The music—ho! there—will your highness dance?
We must deceive the time.

DUKE.
Cousin, dance with me.
The Count Arezzi will not envy this,
Or let him come and claim you. He forgets
His promise to us all—What pale and trembling!
Room there—and music. (A Dance.)


AREZZI.
Ah! she smiled at that—
What was it that he said?

CONSPIRATOR.
Arezzi claims you—
Now let him come and take you.

AREZZI.
So I will—
Wait but a minute, both.

CONSPIRATOR.
They watch us yet—

AREZZI.
How long Cimbelli loiters.

CONSPIRATOR.
Hark—a noise—
Voices below.

AREZZI.
Be ready then—they come—
I did not hear it.

CONSPIRATOR.
Now—both cries and weapons—

AREZZI.
If so, it is Cimbelli—hold!

CONSPIRATOR.
Again!

AREZZI.
This music stuns me—what was that?

CONSPIRATOR.
Hush—hush!
Prince Andria's eyes are on us.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Louder music!
These pipers sleep!

AREZZI.
Now there is something stirring—
I hear it plain enough at last—fall back,
And join the rest.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Their captain seems to shake.

DUCHESS.
Look! look! he leads Cicilia toward the door!
The audacious traitor! whispering in her ear!

AREZZI.
Fly, princess—go this way.

CICILIA.
From what?

AREZZI.
Grief—shame—
The sight of danger.

CICILIA.
Whither?

AREZZI.
To the church.

CICILIA.
Who is it that bids me fly?

AREZZI.
One that has loved—
Still loves and pities!

CICILIA.
Who is it? Arezzi?
If thou canst love or pity, fly thyself—
Lost!—thou art lost—betrayed! O! madman, traitor!

DUCHESS.
Peace! still a tumult, Andria!

PRINCE ANDRIA.
I hope their strength
Is less than what we meet it with!
[Enter an Officer.
Now? quick—

OFFICER.
It is all ended.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Safely?

OFFICER.
Some are dead—
The rest, my lord, are ours.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Go—watch the doors.
Silence that music—guard the duke who love him—
Let none go out.—Treason! conspiracy!
Look all this way—and now unmask—thou traitor!

[Prince Andria plucks the mask from Arezzi, and while the Conspirators attempt to draw their swords, the masked Attendants rush upon them, and bind them.
GUESTS.
Arezzi! Count Arezzi!

DUCHESS.
Merciful God!
It is our child!

DUKE.
Carry the princess out—
Call help there!—haste!

[Prince Andria gazes at Arezzi, and dashes the mask on the ground.
PRINCE ANDRIA.
Thou traitor!

AREZZI.
I am none—
Naples shall judge her children—which are faithful!
I would have sent the usurper home to Spain,
And loosed her from her shame—but ye are traitors—
Ye hold your rotten fortunes from a thief
Who stole them ere he gave them. Slaves of Spain!
It is your gold which gilds the calf you worship.
I did not mean to live—all that we lose
Is Naples' loss, not our's.

PRINCE ANDRIA.
Take them away—
What is it that you wait for?

DUCHESS.
Let me speak—

[The Conspirators are taken out.
PRINCE ANDRIA.
O! peace—not now. I do adjure your highness!
It is my prayer—make me not mad—quite mad!—
His Grace would be in private.

DUKE.
Leave us, friends,
Till we can meet more happily—farewell!
[The Guests retire, the Duchess sits down and covers her face with her hands.
[Enter Asti.
The ships and Mole are safe.

DUKE.
Then Heaven be praised!

PRINCE ANDRIA.
I would be thankful if I could—this boy
Perverts my prayers, and what were asked as mercies,
Are maledictions to us both!—now go—pray go,
[To Filippo.
Keep them all separate—dost thou understand me?
Well, what dost stare and gape at? get thee gone—
Divide their leaders—lodge Arezzi singly—
We will direct the rest.

DUKE.
Good aunt, take comfort.
You shall distribute mercy where you please—
I know you love Arezzi.

DUCHESS.
You may grant him
A base and shameful life—and I will ask it.
But honor—none can beg or give again.

[Exit with Prince Andria.
DUKE.
Are many hurt?

ASTI.
The most of those below;
And some are dead. Their captain led them madly—
Yet wisely too for one who hates a rope—
Twice through the guards up stairs. His neck seems charmed—
Perhaps the gibbet may have better luck;
But none of these could break it.

DUKE.
Is he known?

ASTI.
He was the Count's companion—one Cimbelli.

[Exeunt.