University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Fra Rupert, Caraffa.
Fra Rupert.
Where walls are living things, have ears, eyes, mouths,
Deemest thou, son Francesco! I alone
Heard those most violent words about Andrea?

Caraffa.
What words? I never thought about the man;
About his wife some little; true enough.
Some little? criminal it were to say it:
He who thinks little of such . . such perfection,
Has left his thoughts among the worms that creep
In charnel-houses, among brainless skulls,
Dry bones, without a speck of blood, a thread
Of fibre, ribs that never cased a heart.
The volumes of the doctors of the church
Could not contain a tithe of it: their clasps,
Strong enough to make chains for Saracens,
Their timbers to build argosies, would warp
And split, if my soul's fire were pent within.

Fra Rupert.
Remember, son Francesco! prince Andrea,
King rather (such the husband of a queen
Is virtually, and should be) king Andrea
Lives under my protection.

Caraffa.
Well, what then?

Fra Rupert.
What? Into mine own ear didst thou not breathe
Traitorous threats?

Caraffa.
I? Threats? About his queen?

Fra Rupert.
Filthy! most filthy!

Caraffa.
No, no: wandering thoughts
Fluttered in that direction; one thought, rather.
Doves have hot livers.

Fra Rupert.
Be adultery
Bad as it will, yet treason, son Francesco!
Treason is far more difficult to deal with.

Caraffa.
I do suspect it may be.

Fra Rupert.
Saidst thou not
Thou couldst half-strangle that Hungarian?

Caraffa.
Spake I so rashly?

Fra Rupert.
I am a Hungarian.

Caraffa.
Evident: but that noble mien would daunt
Moor, Usbeck, Abyssinian: and that strength!
A Switzer bear could not half-strangle it.

Fra Rupert.
'Twere martyrdom, 'twere martyrdom. The life
Of kings hath swords and scaffolds round about it;
A word might fling thee on them.

Caraffa.
Such a word
Must fall from holy lips, thenceforth unholy.

Fra Rupert.
Guided by me and courage, thou art safe.