University of Virginia Library

ACT IV

A Chamber in the Palace—late evening of the second day after Giovanni's departure.
Giovanni discovered, stained as from hard riding. Carlo and Retainers attending him. Wine on table.
Gio.

The Lady Lucrezia—is she in the
house?

Car.
She is, sir.

Gio.
Tell her that I am returned,
And ask some words with her. Well, why do you
Stand bursting with some news that you must tell?
What sudden thing has happened?

Car.
Nothing, sir.

Gio.
Nothing? You then that huddle all together,
Like cattle against thunder—what hath chanced?

An Attendant.
I know of nothing, sir.

2nd Atten.
Nor I.

3rd Atten.
Nor I.

Gio.
Leave me and take my message!
[Exeunt Carlo and Attendants.
Lies he so
Quiet that none hath found him? They are driven
Out from the city and are fugitives.
Ne'er did I strike and hew as yesterday,
And that armed ghost of Paolo by me rode.

[He pours out wine and drinks.
Enter Lucrezia.
Luc.
So soon returned, Giovanni?

Gio.
A few hours'
Fast fighting ended it, Lucrezia.
What news at home?

Luc.
O, Paolo is returned!

Gio.
Paolo returned! What, from the grave?

Luc.
The grave?

Gio.
I left him dead, or going to his death.

Luc.
What do you mean?

Gio.
I heard from his own mouth
That he and she did for each other burn.

Luc.
He told you?

Gio.
No, not me: but yet I heard.

Luc.
And you on the instant killed him?

Gio.
No, he stole
Away to die: I thought him dead: 'twere better.
Now like a thief he creeps back to the house!
To her for whom I had begun to long
So late in life that now I may not cease
From longing!

Luc.
Her that you must drug to kiss!
Will you not smell the potion in her sigh?
A few more drops, then what a mad caress!

Gio.
He hath crept back like a thief into the house—
A thief—a liar—he feigned the will to die.
Lucrezia, when old Angela foretold,
I feared not him: when he was pointed at,
I doubted still: even after his own words,
Then, then had I forgiven him, for he
Went out as to a grave. But now I am changed—
I will be wary of this creeping thing.
O, I have no emotion now, no blood.
No longer I postpone or fight this doom:
I see that it must be, and I am grown
The accomplice and the instrument of Fate,
A blade! a knife!—no more.

Luc.
He has been here
Since yestermorn.

Gio.
Yet I'll be no assassin,
Or rashly kill: I have not seen them kiss.
I'll wait to find them in each other's arms,
And stab them there enfolded and entwined,
And so to all men justify my deed.
Yet how to find them where to kill is just?

Luc.
Give out that this is no return, but merely
An intermission of the war: that you
Must ride back to the camp within the hour,
And for some days be absent: he and she
Will seize upon the dark and lucky hour
To be together: watch you round the house,
And suddenly take them in each other's arms.

Gio.
This plan commends itself to my cold heart.

Luc.
Here comes Francesca. Shall I stay, then?

Gio.
Stay!

Enter Francesca.
Franc.
Sir, you have asked for me. I did not know
You were so soon returned.

Gio.
Soldiers' returns
Are sudden and oft unexpected.

Franc.
Sir,
How pale you are! You are not wounded?

Gio.
No!
A scratch perhaps. Give me some wine, Francesca,
For suddenly I must be gone again.

Franc.
I thought this broil was ended?

Gio.
No! not yet.
Some days I may be absent, and can go
More lightly since I leave you not alone.
To Paolo I commend you, to my brother.
Loyal he is to me, loyal and true.
He has also a gaiety of mind
Which I have ever lacked: he is beside
More suited to your years, can sing and play,
And has the art long hours to entertain.
To him I leave you, and must go forthwith.
[He makes to go, then turns
Come here, Francesca, kiss me—yet not so,
You put your lips up to me like a child.

Franc.
'Tis not so long ago I was a child.
[Seizing his arm.
O sir, is it wise, is it well to go away?

Gio.
What do you mean?

Franc.
I have a terror here.

Gio.
Can you not bear to part with me some hours?

Franc.
I dread to be alone: I fear the night
And yon great chamber, the resort of spirits.
I see men hunted on the air by hounds:
Thin faces of your house, with weary smiles.
The dead who frown I fear not: but I fear
The dead who smile! The very palace rocks,
Remembering at midnight, and I see
Women within these walls immured alive
Come starving to my bed and ask for food.

Gio.
Take some one then to sleep with you—Lucrezia,
Or little Nita else: lie not alone.

Franc.
[Still detaining him.]
Yet go not, sir.

Gio.
What is it that you fear?

Franc.
Sir, go not, go not!

Gio.
Child, I cannot stay
For fancies, and at once I'll say farewell
To both of you. I hear my courser fret.
[Exit Giovanni.

Franc.
[Looking after him, and turning slowly.]
Lucrezia, will you lie with me to-night?

Luc.
I will, Francesca, if you'll have it so.

Franc.
O, some one I can touch in the thick night!—
What sound is that?

Luc.
[Going to window.]
Your husband galloping
Away into the dark [She looks from the window, then turns]
: now he is gone.
I left young Paolo pacing up and down;
[Looking steadfastly at her.
He seemed as faint for company as you.
Say, shall I call him in as I go out?
He will help waste the tardy time.

Franc.
[Quickly.]
No, no!

Luc.
Is there some little feud 'twixt you and him?
For when you meet words slowly come to you—
You scarce look in each other's eyes.

Franc.
No feud.

Luc.
Remember, when Giovanni married you
These two were to each other all in all;
And so excuse some natural jealousy
Of you from him.

Franc.
I think he means me well.

Luc.
Then shall I call him in?

Franc.
O, why so eager?
Where would all those about me drive me? First
My husband earnestly to Paolo
Commends me; and now you must call him in.
[Wildly]
Where can I look for pity? Lucrezia,
You have no children?

Luc.
None.

Franc.
Nor ever had?

Luc.
Nor ever had.

Franc.
But yet you are a woman.
I have no mother: let me be your child
To-night: I am so utterly alone!
Be gentle with me; or if not, at least
Let me go home; this world is difficult.
O, think of me as of a little child
That looks into your face, and asks your hand.
[Lucrezia softly touches Francesca's hair.
Why do you touch my head? Why do you weep?
I would not pain you.

Luc.
Ah, Francesca! You
Have touched me where my life is quivering most.
I have no child: and yet if I had borne one
I could have wished her hair had been this colour.

Franc.
I am too suddenly cast in this whirl!
Too suddenly! I had but convent thoughts,
O woman, woman, take me to you and hold me!

[She throws herself into Lucrezia's arms.
Luc.
[Clasping Francesca to her.]
At last the long ice melts, and O relief
Of rain that rushes from me! Child, my child!
I clasp you close, close—do you fear me still?
Have you not heard love is more fierce than hate?
Roughly I grasp what I have hunted long.
You cannot know—how should you?—that you are
More, so much more, to me than just a child.

Franc.
I seem to understand a little.

Luc.
Close,
I hold you close: it was not all in vain,
The holy babble and pillow kissed all o'er!
O my embodied dream with eyes and hair!
Visible aspiration with soft hands;
Tangible vision! O, art thou alive,
Francesca, dost thou move and breathe? Speak, speak!
Say human words out, lest thou vanish quite!
Your very flesh is of my sighs composed,
Your blood is crimson with my passioning!
And now I have conceived and have brought forth;
And I exult in front of the great sun:
And I laugh out with riches in my lap!
And you will deem me mad! but do not, Sweet:
I am not mad, only I am most happy.
I'll dry my tears—but O, if thou should'st die?
[Aside.]
And ah my God!

Franc.
Why did you start?

Luc.
[Aside.]
To stay him!
[To Francesca, taking her hands.]
But I should be the shadow of a mother
If here I ceased. Francesca, I well know
That 'twixt bright Paolo and dark Giovanni
You stand—you hinted at some peril there.
I ask to know no more: but take these words—
Be not in company with Paolo
To-night. [Aside.]
Giovanni must be found. My child,
I have some business on the moment, but
Within the hour I will return— [Aside.]
How find him?
And sleep with you— [Aside.]
I'll search all secret places.
Kiss me. Remember, then! [Aside.]
'Tis not too late!
What meshes have I woven for what I love?
[Exit Lucrezia.

Enter Nita on the other side, with a lamp.
Nita.
Lady, shall I come in?

Franc.
Set the lamp here,
Nita, and take some sewing: I am alone
To-night, and you shall sit with me until
Lucrezia is returned. What lamp is that?

Nita.
It is the same I set you in the arbour
That night you could not sleep.

Franc.
Yes, I remember.

Nita.
Are you unhappy, mistress?

Franc.
I am lonely,
Nita, most lonely.

Nita.
That were easily—
Pardon the saying, mistress—remedied.

Franc.
And how?

Nita.
If I myself were married young,
Perhaps without my leave to some old man,
And found a younger gallant in the house,
I think I would not shun him.

Franc.
Well, say on.

Nita.
No! And I think I would maintain some show
Of love to my grey husband: it is easy
To keep in humour an old man—a kiss,
A little look, a word will satisfy,
And I would have my pleasure.

Franc.
I have listened
So far to you: you do not understand.
O Nita, when we women sin, 'tis not
By art; it is not easy, it is not light;
It is an agony shot through with bliss:
We sway and rock and suffer ere we fall.

[She walks up and down.
Nita.
I scarcely understand, my lady. I
Am ever gay, and this is a gay world;
And if we girls are prudent but a little,
'Tis easy to enjoy.

[A knock.
Franc.
Who knocked, then? See!

Nita
[Going to door and returning.]
It is Lord Paolo who asks for you.

Franc.
Tell him I cannot see him. Is he gone?

Nita.
Yes, and so sad! He sighed so [sighs]
, and he went.
Shall I now call him back?

Franc.
No, no! Sit down.
[Speaking quickly.]
Tell me some story, Nita.

Nita.
Alas! I cannot:
Only the village talk I can repeat,
And how—

Franc.
[Starting.]
Listen! What step is that without?
A sad step, and it goeth to and fro.
Look out!

Nita.
It is Lord Paolo, my lady.

Franc.
[Quickly.]
Come from the window! [Aside.]
O where tarries she,
This new-found mother? Tell me then this tale!

Nita.
Lucia, my sister, has a lover whom
She thought so true: but he the other night—

Franc.
Listen again!

Pao.
[Without.]
Francesca!

Nita.
'Tis his voice!
My lady, you are trembling!

Franc.
[Aside.]
Why did he
Speak? The sweet sound has floated to my brain.

Pao.
Francesca!

Franc.
[Aside.]
Soft it comes out of the night.
Go to the window, Nita. What says he?

Nita.
He does entreat he may come in to you
A moment. Shall I answer?

Franc.
[Walking to and fro and putting her hand to her heart.]
Let him come.

Nita.
I will go tell him. [Aside.]
They'll not want me: I
Can meet Bernardo now.
[Exit Nita.

Franc.
O voice too sweet!
And like the soul of midnight sending words!
Now all the world is at her failing hour,
And at her faintest: now the pulse is low!
Now the tide turns, and now the soul goes home!
And I to Paolo am fainting back!
A moment—but a moment—then no more!

Enter Paolo.
Pao.
I am by music led into this room,
And beckoned sweetly: all the breezes die
Round me, and in immortal ecstasy
Toward thee I move: now am I free and gay—
Light as a dancer when the strings begin.

Franc.
What glow is on thy face, what sudden light?

Pao.
It seems that I am proof against all perils.

Franc.
And yet I fear to see thy air so glad.

Pao.
To-night all points of swords to me are dull.

Franc.
And still I dread the bravery of your words.
Kiss me, and leave me, Paolo, to-night.

Pao.
What do you fear?

Franc.
One watches quietly.

Pao.
Who?

Franc.
I know not: perhaps the quiet face
Of God: the eternal Listener is near.

Pao.
I'll struggle now no more. Have I not fought
Against thee as a foe most terrible?
Parried the nimble thrust and thought of thee,
And from thy mortal sweetness fled away,
Yet evermore returned? Now all the bonds
Which held me I cast off—honour, esteem,
All ties, all friendships, peace, and life itself.
You only in this universe I want.

Franc.
You fill me with a glorious rashness. What!
Shall we two, then, take up our fate and smile?

Pao.
Remember how when first we met we stood
Stung with immortal recollections.
O face immured beside a fairy sea,
That leaned down at dead midnight to be kissed!
O beauty folded up in forests old!
Thou wast the lovely quest of Arthur's knights—

Franc.
Thy armour glimmered in a gloom of green.

Pao.
Did I not sing to thee in Babylon?

Franc.
Or did we set a sail in Carthage bay?

Pao.
Were thine eyes strange?

Franc.
Did I not know thy voice?
All ghostly grew the sun, unreal the air
Then when we kissed.

Pao.
And in that kiss our souls
Together flashed, and now they are one flame,
Which nothing can put out, nothing divide.

Franc.
Kiss me again! I smile at what may chance.

Pao.
Again, and yet again! and here and here.
Let me with kisses burn this body away,
That our two souls may dart together free.
I fret at intervention of the flesh,
And I would clasp you—you that but inhabit
This lovely house.

Franc.
Break open then the door,
And let my spirit out. Paolo, kill me!
Then kill thyself: to vengeance leave these weeds,
And let our souls together soar away.

Pao.
[Recoiling.]
You are too beautiful for human blow!
[Francesca starts.
Why did you shiver and turn sudden cold?

Franc.
[Slowly.]
I felt a wind pass over me.

Pao.
I too:
Colder than any summer night could give.

Franc.
A solitary wind: and it hath passed.

Pao.
[Embracing her.]
Do you still fear?

Franc.
Ah, Paolo! if we
Should die to-night, then whither would our souls
Repair? There is a region which priests tell of
Where such as we are punished without end.

Pao.
Were we together, what can punish us?

Franc.
Nothing! Ah! think not I can love you less—
Only I fear.

Pao.
What can we fear, we two?
O God, Thou seest us Thy creatures bound
Together by that law which holds the stars
In palpitating cosmic passion bright;
By which the very sun enthrals the earth,
And all the waves of the world faint to the moon.
Even by such attraction we two rush
Together through the everlasting years.
Us, then, whose only pain can be to part,
How wilt Thou punish? For what ecstasy
Together to be blown about the globe!
What rapture in perpetual fire to burn
Together!—where we are is endless fire.
There centuries shall in a moment pass,
And all the cycles in one hour elapse!
Still, still together, even when faints Thy sun,
And past our souls Thy stars like ashes fall,
How wilt Thou punish us who cannot part?

Franc.
I lie out on your arm and say your name—
“Paolo!” “Paolo!”

Pao.
“Francesca!”

[They slowly pass through the curtains. A pause.
Enter Nita.
Nita.
Ah!
Where are my lady and Lord Paolo?
Gone out into the moonlight! It is well
For her to meet her lover when she choose:
And I must run in from Bernardo's arms.
'Tis very late! I'll sit and end this sewing—
I cannot work. [Walks up and down.]
Where can my mistress be?

[Nita touches abstractedly the strings of a mandolin.
Lucrezia enters hurriedly.
Luc.
[Aside.]
O he is subtly hidden—and where?—and where?
I have set that on which now I cannot stay.
Nita, you are alone! Where is your mistress?

Nita.
I cannot tell, my lady.

Luc.
Look in my eyes!
You left her?

Nita.
But a moment.

Luc.
And alone?

Nita.
Lord Paolo—

Luc.
[Seizing her arm.]
Ah!

Nita.
My lady, hurt me not.

Luc.
Stammer the truth out!

Nita.
He came to the door—

Luc.
No further?

Nita.
And she sighed out, “Let him come.”

Luc.
And you left them together?

Nita.
I went out—

Luc.
Together then! Now, now! Quick, dry those tears
For we must use our wit.

Nita.
And you, too, tremble!

Luc.
And he—Lord Malatesta?

Nita.
Know you not
He hath ridden off to the camp?

Luc.
But might return!

Nita.
[Trembling.]
O, but he must not!

Luc.
Yet some accident—

Nita.
There would be noise and stir at his return.

Luc.
You have heard no sound? Remember fiercely! Nothing?
I do not mean of hooves, nor armour chink—
You have heard not even a step?

Nita.
[Trembling.]
What mean you?—No.

Luc.
Not even a soft step?

Nita.
I am faint with fear.

[She staggers.
Luc.
[Seizing her hand.]
Which way went they, these two?

Nita.
I cannot tell.

Luc.
This door is fast!—then through the curtains?

Nita.
Yes.

Luc.
They seem to tremble still! Come with me, quick!

Nita.
I am faint.

Luc.
Come with me.
[She drags her to the curtain.
Ah! whose hand is that?

[Giovanni, parting the curtains from the other side, comes slowly through.
Nita.
O sir! we had not thought you back so soon.

Gio.
Where is your mistress?

Nita.
Sir, I cannot tell.

Gio.
Is it not time you dressed her all in white,
And combed out her long hair as for a sleep?

Nita.
'Tis past the hour.

Gio.
You have a curl awry,
And falling o'er your eyebrow—bind it up.

Nita.
I cannot, sir.

Gio.
Well, leave us: when your mistress
Is ready, I will call for you.

[Exit Nita. There is a pause, in which Giovanni and Lucrezia gaze at each other.
Luc.
[Going slowly up to him.]
O, sir!
I would beseech of you— [She starts.]
Ah! Giovanni,
You have hurt your hand: there's blood upon it here.

[Takes his hand and looks at it.
Gio.
'Tis not my blood!

Luc.
O, then—

Gio.
“O, then!” is all.
[As in a frenzy.]
And now their love that was so secret close
Shall be proclaimed. Tullio, Carlo, Biagi!—
They shall be married before all men. Nita!
Rouse up the house and bring in lights, lights, lights!
There shall be music, feasting and dancing.
Wine shall be drunk. Candles, I say! More lights!
More marriage lights! Where tarry they the while,
The nuptial tapers? Rouse up all the house!

[All this while Servants and others, half dressed, are continually rushing in with lights and torches. They stand whispering.
Gio.
[Slowly.]
Carlo, go through the curtains, and pass in
To the great sleeping-chamber: you shall find
Two there together lying: place them, then,
Upon some litter and have them hither brought
With ceremony.
[Exeunt Carlo and Four Servants. Giovanni paces to and fro.
The curse, the curse of Cain!
A restlessness has come into my blood,
And I begin to wander from this hour
Alone for evermore.

Luc.
[Rushing to him.]
Giovanni, say
Quickly some light thing, lest we both go mad!

Gio.
Be still! A second wedding here begins,
And I would have all reverent and seemly:
For they were nobly born, and deep in love.

Enter blind Angela, slowly.
Ang.
Will no one take my hand? Two lately dead
Rushed past me in the air. O! are there not
Many within this room all standing still?
What are they all expecting?

Gio.
Lead her aside:
I hear the slow pace of advancing feet.

Enter Servants bearing in Paolo and Francesca dead upon a litter.
Luc.
Ah! ah! ah!

Gio.
Break not out in lamentation!

[A pause ... The Servants set down the litter.
Luc.
[Going to litter.]
I have borne one child, and she has died in youth!

Gio.
[Going to litter.]
Not easily have we three come to this—
We three who now are dead. Unwillingly
They loved, unwillingly I slew them. Now
I kiss them on the forehead quietly.

[He bends over the bodies and kisses them on the forehead. He is shaken.]
Luc.
What ails you now?

Gio.
She takes away my strength.
I did not know the dead could have such hair.
Hide them. They look like children fast asleep!

[The bodies are reverently covered over.]
Curtain.