University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Chamber in Durazzo's Palace.
Durazzo, Marcellus, and Camillo.
DURAZZO.
Not so, not so; deem me not lost to reason;
My breast is ever open to receive you.
Though Fulvia's son, I hold you not allied
To Fulvia's enmity, and violence.
Nay, were we foes, (which I should grieve to think,)
The qualities and virtue of Marcellus
Could find no tongue more prompt in their report,
Than old Durazzo's.

MARCELLUS.
My much honour'd lord,
These friendly sounds are cordials to my ear.
Soon as I heard my mother's frantick tale,
(Though tears and exclamations scarce gave room
For her distemper'd rage to tell the story,)
Such consternation seiz'd me, as if earth
Convuls'd had yawn'd at once beneath my feet,
And livid flames shot upwards to consume me.

DURAZZO.
Did I not scorn to mate a woman's malice,
What vengeful spunge, though steep'd in Stygian gall,
Could wipe away my deep-dy'd injuries?
My house's ancient honour set at nought;
The little spark of health, which, just rekindling,
Glow'd in the cheek of my dear innocent child,
And warm'd her father's hopes, rudely extinguish'd;
Her name that like a holy word was utter'd,
Grace and good will still ushering the sound,
Cast for vile question to the publick streets,
'Midst scurril casuists, and the lees of Genoa:—
By my just rage, the sanctity of virtue
Never sustain'd so gross a profanation.

MARCELLUS.
With burning blushes, as the shame were mine,
And hooting crowds made me derision's scoff,
I own the justice of a father's anger.
Descend, mild patience, to her harrow'd breast!
What fortitude can arm her feeling heart
Against the rankling barb of this fell arrow?
'Gainst galling taunts, 'gainst mortal accusations,
From lips whose every sound should sooth and bless her?

DURAZZO.
The malice of a foe may be endur'd;
But friendship's stab,—the very plank we cling to
Turn'd to a barbarous engine for destruction!—
And yet her gentle, her forgiving nature
Unwillingly permits my just reproach;
She checks my indignation, by rememb'ring,
How kind, how tender, Fulvia once was to her;
And how the exalted virtues of her soul
Transcend her frailties, and efface this error.