University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The Ducal Library.—Cosmo, seated with Chiostro.
Cosmo.
The grandeur of Antiquity uplifts
Each soul, whose natural energies expand
In space sufficient for its by-gone worlds.
Greece in its infancy, and unborn Rome,
Trac'd thro' their glorious rise and branchings vast,
As tho' we'd watch'd seeds set in paradise
Take root, and then inherit all the sun;
Breed thoughts and visions, such as Time himself
Might pause remorseful o'er his scythe, to scan.
[They rise, and advance.
With deep-set interest have I listen'd to thee;
And do account myself most fortunate
In the high service rendered to my mind,
As to Giovanni's, by so learned a man.

Chios.
Your Highness' sympathy with all my labours,
Large as the favours I have else receiv'd,
Is to my heart most grateful.

Cosmo.
Now, Chiostro,
'Tis fit thine office in the Ducal palace
Thou shouldst resign. Since thou art valuable,
I must not longer hoard thy merit thus:
The Florentine Academy hath need
Of one like thee:—I place thee at its head;
And this thy present office we shall give
Unto some scholar who may be in want,
Having, by passion for the wisdom past,
Forgot all present means wherewith to live.
I've such a one in view; and much I fear
Blind time owns many.

Chios.
For the individual,
'Twere well if men, so minded, first did think
Of their own state; but then, the general weal—

Cosmo.
Would starve: 'twould make the world change places with them,
In all save merit.

Chios.
May your Highness live
To a sublime old age; while secret prayers,
Pour'd forth in cloister'd shades and lone retreats,
Bless your bright name—ascendant o'er the tomb!
I will forthwith prepare to do your pleasure
In my new office, and direct with care
The Laurentinian studies.

Cosmo.
They will prosper:
The best example precepts best can give.
Please you, send here my son.
[Exit Chiostro.
It is a change
That brings the eagle-circles of the mind
Down from their cloudy range, to belt the earth:
But Sovereigns must be statesmen. Yet, not only
Is this mere policy and cold design
Of aggrandizement: it is said she's fair,
And with her love Giovanni will be blest.
Enter Giovanni.
Thanks for this haste!—why, thou look'st pale, my son;
But I have somewhat that should make the blood
Tingle thine ears, and flush thine orient cheek,
Like to a Persian's at his morning prayer!
Listen, Giovanni.

Giov.
Sir, I do, seriously.

Cosmo.
Thou know'st the present stature of my power;
My precedence o'er all Italia's States,
And the far influence thence by me possess'd,
Did not fall whole into my opening hands!
I sat not playing with toy-coronets,
In calm assurance, near my nurse's chair,
Of a large birthright—waiting for my growth;
But, when of years sufficient, forth I stept,
Seiz'd what was mine from rebel parricides,
Blinded conspiracy with lightning-shafts,
In its gross ashes sowing triumphs wide,
And made my realm expand, with constant care,
By energy in peace more than in war.
Though now we flourish, wherefore not increase,
And plant tall cedars in a foreign land,
Progressively to rise and bow their heads
To this domain, whoe'er may govern it?
Thou art the medium of our present need:
'Tis for thine own high fortune, more than mine,
Since I may live not till the full result.

Giov.
Sir, I do owe you reverence, love and duty,
And trust I shall approve the manifold debt
With glad obedience. What are your commands?

Cosmo.
Briefly, my son;—I have a fix'd design,
Which to accomplish I will strain all means
Consistent with my dignity.

[He pauses.
Giov.
(aside.)
My knees
Can scarce sustain the substance of this pause:
It crushes like death's shadow!

Cosmo.
It is thy union
With an Imperial house.

Giov.
(aside.)
Then am I crown'd
With iron wretchedness—thron'd on despair!

Cosmo.
Thou art confounded!—nay, what ails my son?
Think'st thou I contemplate to outrage nature
By an unfit alliance; youth with age,
Or thy most fair proportions with some form
That's odious to each sense? The youngest daughter
Of the Imperial Ferdinand is now
In beauty's prime; and were she of less state,
Had long since been the sweet domestic goddess
Of some devoted youth, chosen from a host!

Giov.
'Tis—'tis a serious thought—

Cosmo.
(smiling.)
Requiring time?—
Thou dost receive intelligence of splendour
With a most leaden, unresponsive heart!
But come, sir, come; we'll to the Picture Gallery:
'Tis the serene dominion of high minds;
Or wouldst thou rather the Botanic Gardens,
Where old physicians, like arm-folded shades,
Brood o'er defeated graves, and sometimes smile
At the expectant darkness? Come, Giovanni:
Anon we'll of the Princess further speak.

[Exeunt.