University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Fra Rupert, Del Balzo.
Fra Rupert.
Confessionals are close; and closer still
The heart that holds one treasure.

Del Balzo.
Father Rupert!
What brought thee hither at this busy hour?

Fra Rupert.
My duty: I must not delay my duty.

Del Balzo.
What is it?

Fra Rupert.
I would fain absolve from sin
(Far as the Church allows) the worst of sinners.

Del Balzo.
In few plain words, who sent for thee?

Fra Rupert.
In fewer,
I scorn thy question.

Del Balzo.
Father! thou must wait.
The prince's death involves some powerful ones,
Whose guilt or innocence shall presently
Be ascertained.

Fra Rupert.
What! and shall man hear first
The guilty soul confess its secret sin?
Shall not the angels carry up the tale
Before the people catch it?

Del Balzo.
They, no doubt,
Already have done this.

Fra Rupert.
Not half, not half.

Del Balzo.
Father! it seems thou knowest more about it
Than I or any else. Why reddenest thou?

Fra Rupert.
Dost think, Del Balzo, any word escapes
The sanctuary of consciences? the throne
Of grace and mercy on our earth below?
The purifier, the confessional?
So then! some powerful ones are apprehended
For what they did! O merciful Del Balzo!
Be sparing of a woman's blood, Del Balzo!
And age hath claims upon our pity too;
And so hath youth, alas! and early ties
Suddenly broken shock far round about.
Beside; who knows . . thou canst not certainly . .
If any can . . they may be innocent,
Each of the three, one more, one less, perhaps:
Innocent should be all whose guilt lacks proof.
O my poor child Andrea, pardon me!
Thou wouldst not have sought blood for blood, Andrea!
Thou didst love all these women! most of all
Her . . but there's justice, even on earth, Andrea!

[Goes.
Del Balzo.
'Tis so! that stern proud bosom bursts with grief.