SCENE IV.
Fra Rupert, Caraffa, and Caraccioli.
Lady! these nobles bring me with them hither,
Fearing they might not win an audience
On what concerns the welfare of the state,
In such an hour of such a day as this.
Giovanna.
Speak, gentlemen! You have much wronged yourselves,
And me a little, by such hesitation.
No day, methinks, no hour, is half so proper,
As when the crown is placed upon my brow,
To hear what are its duties.
Caraffa.
Gracious queen!
We come to represent . .
Fra Rupert
(behind).
Speak out . . wrongs . . rights . .
Religion.
Caraffa
(to him).
You distract me.
Fra Rupert
(to Caraccioli).
Speak then thou.
See how attentively, how timidly,
She waits for you, and blushes up your void!
Caraccioli.
'Tis therefore I want words.
Fra Rupert.
Hear mine then, boys!
[Walks toward Giovanna.
Imprest with awe before such majesty,
The hopes of Naples, whom their fathers deem
On this occasion, this gay hour, from high
Nobility, from splendour of equipments,
Beauty of person, gracefulness of mien,
And whatsoever courts are courtly by,
Most fitted, and most likely to prevail
Against those ancient frauds and artifices
Which certain dark offenders weave about them . .
These unsophisticated youths, foredoom'd
Longest and most impatiently to suffer,
Lay humbly at the footstool of your throne
A list of grievances yet unredrest.
Giovanna.
Give it me, gentlemen, we will peruse it Together.
Fra Rupert.
They are more than scribe could pen.
Giovanna
(to Fra Rupert).
Are they of native or imported growth?
Your Reverence hath some practice in the sorting.
Permit me to fill up your pause, Fra Rupert!
On this occasion, this gay hour, methinks
To urge impatience and foredoom of suffering
Is quite untimely. High nobility
And splendour of equipment are the last
Of merits in Caraffas and Caracciolis
[To them.
The delicacy that deferr'd the tender
Of your important service, I appreciate,
Venturing to augur but a brief delay.
Gentlemen! if your fathers bade you hither,
I grieve to owe them more than I owe you,
And trust, when next we see you, half the pleasure,
Half, if not all, may be your own free gift.
[She rises, they go.
