University of Virginia Library

SCENE II

the same.
[A number of Citizens enter (left Frateschi, Arrabbiati, and Piagnoni; but the Frateschi and Piagnoni have discarded their distinctive garb.]
CORSINI.
Let us listen to their talk,
'Twill edify good sense.

FIRST ARRABBIATO.
So you're convinced
He's an impostor?

FIRST PIAGNONE.
Who can doubt of it?
Why, hasn't he confessed it with his hand?

SECOND ARRABBIATO.
And you, my comrade?

SECOND PIAGNONE.
Thoroughly satisfied.
Here is the copy of a letter sent
By friars of San Marco to the Pope.
Want you to hear?

FIRST PIAGNONE.
Yes, read it; and speak up.

SECOND PIAGNONE.
[Reads aloud.]

“Not only we, but men of much greater penetration, were taken in by the astuteness of Frà Girolamo. The correctness of his doctrine, the rectitude of his

life, the sanctity of his manners, his ostensible devotion, the reputation he acquired by expelling from the city evil customs, usury, and every feature of vice, the many events which, foretold and verified beyond the power of mere human imagination, confirmed his prophecies;—all these were so striking, that if he himself had not recanted, avowing that his words did not proceed from God, we never should have been able to withdraw our faith from him. And so thoroughly did we believe in him, that we were all ready to expose our bodies at the stake in confirmation of his doctrine. Let it satisfy your Holiness to have got hold of the source and origin of our errors, Frà Girolamo Savonarola. Let him bear the fitting penalty, if such can be devised, for so much wickedness. We, poor strayed sheep, return to the true shepherd.”

THIRD PIAGNONE.
What more can any one want? Proof positive
This Prior was a charlatan.

FOURTH PIAGNONE.
A rogue.
'Tis patent as a syllogism.

CORSINI.
But, friends!
How if this recantation spurious be?

[Bettuccio, who has entered (right), comes forward, with a paper in his hand.]
BETTUCCIO.
As specious, spurious, lying, sure it is.

FIRST ARRABBIATO.
Bettuccio!

SECOND ARRABBIATO.
Nay, Frà Benedetto now,
Gone cracked since they interred his lady-love!

BETTUCCIO.
Where is the autograph Process? 'Tis destroyed.
Where the four hundred ducats, promised bribe
To Ser Ceccone, the false notary?
He gets but fifty; for his dirty work
Has proved not foul enough. And tell me this:
Why were two hundred citizens shut out
From the Grand Council when the Signory
Elected was anew? Why Doffo Spini,
His first, his worst, his bitterest enemy,
Placed on the jury that examined him?
Why never in his presence, nor before
All the Grand Council, was the Process read,
As is by law appointed?

FIRST PIAGNONE.
Why, because
Savonarola feared he would be stoned.

BETTUCCIO.
Afraid of being stoned! Then go and see
This coward die. But ere you go, hear this.
This is a later Process, garbled too,
But with the truth not utterly shut out.

VOICES.
Enough of Processes!

OTHER VOICES.
More than enough!

[A number of people, running, enter (left).]
FIRST CITIZEN.
Come on, good folks! Come quick! Or you'll be late.

FIRST ARRABBIATO
What! Is it time?

SECOND PIAGNONE.
Then let us go!

ALL.
Come on!

[Exeunt all (right), save Corsini, Bonsi, and Bettuccio.]
BONSI.
[To bettuccio.]
You might as well distinguish with the wind,
As intercept the crowd's conclusion
By pointing to the premiss. When this storm
Is beggared of its fury, write a book,
And tell the world of this strange episode.
You poets are the best historians,
And in your cloister, novice, you will have
Abundant leisure. [To Corsini and Vespuccio.]

Shall we go in to breakfast?

[The Scene changes.]