University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Corridor of the Ducal Palace.—Enter Cosmo, and an Attendant.
Cosmo.
Is my son's body placed as I directed?

Atten.
It is, my liege.

Cosmo.
The curtain hung in front,
Effectually concealing what's behind?

Atten.
Closely, your Highness; and beyond suspicion,
Save to the second-sight of guilt.

Cosmo.
Ha!—that is well!—woe to his body and soul
Who knows what's there without examining!

Atten.
Shall I light tapers round the corse?

Cosmo.
No—no!
(Aside).
He who hath done it will not need a light;
For hell's reflexion on his startled soul
Will make all clear.

Atten.
He was a noble planet,
Whose body, once so bright, now spots—

Cosmo.
How looks he?

Atten.
Shadows of decay
Fix on the surface: shadows from within—
Unlike all other shadows—that ne'er pass.

Cosmo.
But bear the substance with them. Hark you, sir!
Spare me your morals—death is common, sir;
And hath exhausted man's impertinence
In words.

Atten.
But murder—pardon me, my liege—
That is not common?

Cosmo.
How!—old man, be silent!
Who told thee he was murder'd?—who dares say so?

Atten.
I humbly crave your Highness' pardon!—no one!

Cosmo.
Enough, grey Sapience!—the plague's in Florence—
A plague that clots the banners of our house,
And will incarnadine the dust of time
While heavily they wave. Why stare you thus?
Lock up thy gadding tongue—but mark my orders!
Seek privately the Cavalier Dalmasso:
Bid him attend me, here i' the corridor,
Within two hours—not sooner, but precise.
[Exit Attendant.
Now will I go and gaze on my dead son,
And in that human ruin see my hopes
Ended: our house defrauded of its line,
By so much excellence gone into mere clay;
Or left, mere clay for its sole sponsor here.
What follows next?—his murderer shall die—
And speedily—that penalty is fix'd.
So sure as this my hand did wed his mother—
Most wretched in that demon of her womb;
So sure as 'twas his hand his brother slew;
So sure by mine he falls! Now solemn prayer,
Shall purify and fit me for the hour!

[Exit.