University of Virginia Library

SCENE I

Scene.—Midnight. A dark part of the gardens of the palace; various followers of Anselmo assembled with torches. To them enter Anselmo with four followers, also carrying torches.
Anselmo.
Comrades, to this dark garden, and in night
I have swiftly summoned you: you all well know
That I have followed Tornielli's star,
Howe'er it wavered in the heavens; and you
How often have I led to the desperate breach,
Or to that timely charge which all decides.
And yet you can recall that oftentimes
Here were we foiled, or here: and this the cause,
Ever a woman's face Pietro marred.
The weakness in his blood undid our toil.
Now at Siena, crown of all our hopes,
And destined to the Tornielli rule,
When vengeance is demanded, he falls short;
And cannot lift his hand against the face
Too beautiful, of Luigi's sister. Him
Easily he condemned to die at dawn,
Yet he would not complete the task imposed.
He wavers through the night, and will not act.
Now none hath been more faithful to his star
Than I, but I that star will follow not
If at the supreme hour we must be fooled.
You as you please will act: but now no more
Lean upon me to lead you as of old.

A Soldier.
I will speak bolder than our Captain. What
If he should be persuaded by this girl
To spare the brother's life? [Angry murmurs.]
How do we stand?
Were ever soldiers on such errand fooled?
I say that on this very night, perhaps,
While here we stand, she hath persuaded him
To cancel the decree of death at dawn.
So is our march, our battery, our spoil
Made vain for ever: who henceforth will trust
A ruler palpably to beauty weak,
At mercy of red lips and drooping eyes?
Shall this man rule Siena? Never man
In all Siena will to this consent.
Pietro Tornielli can fight well,
is not in courage backward, but this fault
Will leave him unsupported and alone.

[Angry shouts and murmurs.
Anselmo.
Friends, let us see what darkness brings to light,
If then my apprehension be revealed,
Or worse, our comrades' fear; at least at dawn
Let us assemble here: with knowledge then,
We our own way can take, e'en tho' it be
To assault the palace and slay Pietro. Speak!
Is this agreed? [Shouts. All drawing swords.
Anselmo, 'tis agreed.

[The scene closes.]