University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

[Bianca's chamber at midnight. She sits on a couch in a white undress, and Sforza beside her in his armor.]
BIANCA.
Dost think this ring a pretty one, my Lord!

SFORZA.
Ay, 'tis a pretty ring! I have one here
Marancio gave me—Giacomo Marancio.
The ring his wife sent—but you've heard the story?

BIANCA.
I think I never heard it.

SFORZA.
She's a woman
The heart grows but to speak of. She was held
A hostage by the Milanese, (I pray you
Pardon the mention,) when twixt them and me
Marancio held a pass. Her life was threatened
If by his means I crossed the Adige. She—
(Brave heart! I warm to speak of her!) found means
To send to him this ring; wherein is writ
“He who loves most, loves honor best.” You'll see it
Here o' th' inside.

BIANCA.
Did you see this lady?

SFORZA.
I hazarded a battle three days after
With perilous odds, only to bring her off—
And would have sold my life for't.

BIANCA.
Did you see her?

SFORZA.
I gave her to Marancio when I took
The ring of him.

BIANCA.
My Lord! speak you so warmly
Of any other woman?

SFORZA,
(rising and taking his helmet.)
Nay, I know not.
There are some qualities that women have
Which are less worthy, but which warm us more
Than speaking of their virtues. I remember
The fair Giovanna in her pride at Naples.
Gods! what a light enveloped her! She left
Little to shine in history—but her beauty
Was of that order that the universe
Seem'd govern'd by her motion. Men look'd on her
As if her next step would arrest the world;
And as the sea-bird seems to rule the wave
He rides so buoyantly, all things around her—
The glittering army, the spread gonfalon,
The pomp, the music, the bright sun in heaven—
Seem'd glorious by her leave.

BIANCA,
(rising and going to the window.)
There's emulation
Of such sweet? praise, my Lord! Did you not hear
The faint note of a nightingale?

SFORZA.
More like
A far heard clarion, methought! They change
The sentinels perchance. 'Tis time Rossano
Awaits me on the ramparts,

BIANCA.
Not to-night.
Go not abroad to-night, my Lord!

SFORZA.
For a brief hour, sweet! The old soldier loves
To gossip of the fields he's lost and won,
And I, no less, to listen. Get to bed!
I'll follow you anon.
[Exit Sforza.

BIANCA.
He does not love me!
I never dream'd of this! To be his bride
Was all the Heav'n I look'd for! Not to love me
When I have been ten years affianced to him!—
When I have liv'd for him—shut up my heart,
With every pulse and hope, for his use only—
Worshipp'd—oh God! idolatrously lov'd him!
[OMITTED]
Why has he sought to marry me? Why still
Renew the broken pledge my father made him?
Why, for ten years, with war and policy,
Strive for my poor alliance?
[OMITTED] He must love me,
Or I shall break my heart! I never had
One other hope in life! I never link'd
One thought, but to this chain! I have no blood—
No breath—no being—separate from Sforza!
Nothing has any other name! The sun
Shined like his smile—the lightning was his glory—
The night his sleep, and the hush'd moon watch'd o'er him;—
Stars writ his name—his breath hung on the flowers—
Music had no voice but to say I love him,
And life no future, but his love for me!
Whom does he love? Marancio's wife? He prais'd
Only her courage! Queen Giovanna's beauty?
'Tis dust these many years! There is no sign
He loves another; and report said ever
His Glory was his mistress. Can he love?
Shame on the doubt! T'was written in the ring
“He who loves most loves honor best”—and Sforza
Is made too like a god to lack a heart.
And so, I breathe again! To make him love me
Is all my life now! to pry through his nature,
And find his heart out. That's wrapt in his glory!
I'll feed his glory then! He praised Giovanna
That she was royal and magnificent—
Ay—that's well thought on, too! How should an eye,
Dazzled with war and warlike pomp like Sforza's,
Find pleasure in simplicity like mine!
(Looks at her dress.)
I'm a Duke's daughter, and I'll wear the look on't!
Unlock my jewels and my costly robes,
And while I keep his show-struck eye upon me,
Watch for a golden opportunity
To build up his renown!
[OMITTED] And so farewell
The gentle world I've liv'd in! Farewell all
My visions of a world for two hearts only—
Sforza's and mine! If I outlive this change,
So brief and yet so violent within me,
I'll come back in my dreams, oh childish world!
If not—a broken heart blots out remembrance.

[Exit into her bridal chamber, which is seen beyond on opening the door.]