University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Andrea.
We have a cousin in the house, my queen!
What dost thou blush at? why art troubled? sure
We are quite grand enough for him: our supper
(I trust) will answer all his expectations.

Maria.
So you have lookt then at the supper-table?

Andrea.
'Twould mortify me if Giovanna's guests
Were disappointed.

Giovanna.
Mine! and not yours too?

Andrea.
Ah sly one! you have sent then for Taranto
And would not tell me! Cousin to us both,
To both he should be welcome as to one.
Another little blush! Why, thou art mine,
And never shalt, if love's worth love, repent it.

Giovanna.
Never, my own Andrea! for such trust
Is far more precious than the wealthiest realms,
Or all that ever did adorn or win them.

Andrea.
I must not wait to hear its value told,
We shall have time to count it out together.
I now must go to greet our cousin yonder,
He waits me in the balcony; the guards
Have sent away the loiterers that stood round,
And only two or three of his own friends
Remain with him. To tarry were uncourteous.

Maria
(earnestly).
I do believe Luigi is below.

Andrea.
Do not detain me: we have never met
Since your proud sister spoke unkindly to him,
And, vaulting on his horse, he hurried home.

[Goes.
Maria.
The soldiers there do well to guard the balcony,
And close the folding-doors against intrusion.

[Cry is heard.
Fiammetta.
Ha! some inquisitive young chamber-lady,
Who watcht Luigi enter, pays for it.
Those frolicsome young princes are demanding
A fine for trespass.

Giovanna.
Nay, they are too rude,
Permitting any rudeness. Struggles! sobs!
Andrea never caused them.

Maria.
Shame, Taranto!

Giovanna.
Stifling of screams! Those nearer are alarmed;
Those farther off are running for the staircase;
And many come this way! What can they mean?
See, they look angry as they run, and dash
Their hands against their foreheads! [Very alarmed.

Where's a page?

[A page stands masked in the doorway; crowds of unmasked behind him.
Maria.
A page! a page!

Page
(to himself).
I am one; and discovered!

[Advances.
Giovanna.
Run; see what those young courtiers round the princes
Are doing in the balcony. Below;
Not there.

Page.
I might mistake the Prince Andrea,
Not having ever seen him.

Maria.
Who then are you.

Page.
The Prince Luigi's page, whom I awaited,
To say his groom and horse are near at hand.

Maria.
He goes then?

Page.
Ere it dawn.

Giovanna.
O! hasten! hasten
Below, and instantly run back again,
Reporting me what you can discover there.

Page
(returns).
Lady! the lamps about the balcony
Are all extinguisht.

Giovanna.
Is the wind so high?
What didst thou hear, what didst thou note, beside?

Page
(hesitating).
Against the gentlest, the most virtuous queen,
Opprobrious speech, threats, imprecations . .

Giovanna.
Pass it.

Page.
Upon the stairs; none from the gardens.

Giovanna.
There
What sawest thou?

Page.
Over the balcony
Downward some burden swang.

Giovanna.
Some festive wreath
Perhaps.

Page.
Too heavy; almost motionless.

Maria.
Several damask draperies thrown across.

Page.
May-be. The wind just stirr'd the bottom of them:
I had no time to look: I saw my prince
Fighting.

Maria.
O heaven! was ever night like this . .

Page.
For gallant sword! it left two proofs behind:
The third man, seeing me (poor help for arm
So valiant!) fled.

Maria.
O! we are safe then, all.

[Very joyous.
Page.
No cap lost they, nor did the one who fled:
Whose in the world of Naples, can be this? [He takes from under his richly embroidered cloak the cap of Andrea. Giovanna clasps it to her face, and falls with a stifled scream.
[Another Page brings in Andrea's ermine cloak.

This cloak fell near me from the balusters.

Maria.
His own! Ha! this dark speck is not the ermine's.

Filippa.
See! she revives! Hide it away! O guests
Of our unhappy festival, retire.