University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

—A SALOON OPENING BY FOLDING-DOORS INTO AN ILLUMINATED GARDEN, IN WHICH FOUNTAINS ARE SEEN PLAYING, THE VIEW TERMINATED BY A RUSTIC TEMPLE OF SILVER BOUGHS ENTWINED.
Gentlemen and Ladies masked,—Alphonso with others, habited in rich Arcadian dresses discovered —among these Raffaelle, similiarly habited, steals unperceived—a dance—after which Raffaelle comes forward.
Raffaelle.
He'as 'scaped the lion's gripe; I'm held at bay;
But I've another effort ere I fall:
Thinks he to baffle my endeavours yet;
I am urged on by millions of desires,
And each desire hath many several hands,
To gain the full completion of my wishes:
Yet on one chance rests all my hopes—one chance!—
If it be lost, I have no care but death:
And both shall grace the glory of my ruin.
I am not fool enough to die alone:
I'll hold immortal int'rest in Louisa—
My spirit shall o'ermatch her Claudio's.

Enter Claudio and Gentlemen.
Claudio.
Nay, name it not; would I could find Cimaro,
He might seek out the villain—but no matter;
Do not, I pray you, interrupt the sport,
By speaking of th' attack.

2 Gentleman.
We will not, sir,

Raffaelle.
(To Alphonso)
Our guests seem somewhat heated by the dance;
Let us fill wine to them—pour out a bowl—
For my lord Claudio.

Claudio.
Is it you, Cimaro?
To-morrow I will speak with you, so please you:
The ancient malice of my unknown foe
Is not e'en yet appeas'd.

Raffaelle.
(Aside)
Nor will it be,
Until your life is made the atonement. How
Has he again, attempted on your life?

Claudio.
Ev'n here beside your gates I was attack'd
By one, who being disarm'd fled hither.

Raffaelle.
Hither!
I'll search the palace.

Claudio.
Not so—pray you, Raffaelle;
Louisa must not know this.

(Alphonso brings wine which Raffaelle takes and puts a powder into it.)
Raffaelle.
(To Alphonso)
My lord Manlio,
I thank you, will you drink my gentle lord? (To Claudio.)


Claudio.
I'm somewhat heated by this strange encounter.

Raffaelle.
(Laying his hand on Claudio's, which holds the cup.)
I must prepare the sights in yonder temple.
One word—beware Alphonso!—

(Raffaelle passes to the back ground, and is busied with the crowd—as Claudio raises the cup to his lips, Louisa comes up.)
Claudio.
I was about to taste this generous wine—
Will't please you add a sweet to it Louisa?
Your lips do breathe a blessing on the bowl,
And make it sacred to the god of love.

(She sips it—He drinks it.)
Louisa.
What was it that detained you, Claudio?

Claudio.
'Twas but some matters that related to
The treachery of my foes, my friend Cimaro
Thinks he has found them—but no more of that—

(Alphonso takes the bowl from Claudio. Claudio and Louisa walk up.)
Raffaelle.
(Viewing the bowl in Alphonso's hand)
Yes, he has drain'd the venom to the bottom;
His minutes now are measured, strait 'twill work.

Enter Julio.
Julian.
(To Alphonso)
My lord, will you permit me to conduct you
Into the temple—to command the changes
That wait but for your presence—

Alphonso.
Lead me thither, (Exeunt.)


Raffaelle.
Why this is brave—all's suited to my wishes.
This is such joy—that were the fiery bolt
Of vengeance winged already 'gainst my head
I would exult in the short interim—
And it is like I shall have longer time,
For now-a-days are miracles disused,
And man creates what prodigies he will,
Without the answer of celestial portents.
See, see, already is his cheek grown pale—
His knees begin to totter—I will to him.

(Meets Claudio, Louisa hanging upon Claudio's arm. During this speech many go out.)
Louisa.
Claudio, you tremble; what is't, my dear Claudio?

Claudio.
Nay, nothing, nothing.

Louisa.
And your speech is faint—
Oh, heaven! your eyes!

Raffaelle.
Indeed I think your fears
Are just—he is not well—a chair here quickly.

(A chair is brought—Claudio sits.
Louisa.
Look, look up, Claudio—

Raffaelle.
Soft—his eye grows fix'd;
A film grows o'er it: what a thrill was there!
Look on his quiv'ring lip!

Claudio.
I'm faint, my love,
And fear the grasp of death encircles me—
His icy hand weighs heavy on my heart—

Raffaelle.
Oh speak not so:—here rest your head, my friend, (lifting his head)

Say but another word—have hope, dear lady.

Claudio.
Louisa,—should I die,—my friend
Cimaro— (a pause—he struggles for utterance)


Raffaelle.
He cannot—see—cold drops roll down his cheek;
His heart beats low and softly—

Louisa.
Mercy, Heav'n!

Raffaelle.
She swoons—oh bear her from this fatal place;
Feed her with hope should she revive—

(Exit some with Louisa)
Claudio.
Cimaro!
Protect Louisa—farewell—oh! (dies)


Raffaelle.
Great Heaven!
My friend!—dear Claudio's! gone? aye, gone for ever— (a pause.)

That goblet was I fear the fatal cause.

1 Gentleman.
The goblet that Alphonso gave, my lord?

Raffaelle.
Alphonso! ha! Alphonso! 'twas lord Manlio.

2 Gentleman.
No, good my lord— (discovering himself.)
I did not—

Raffaelle.
Cursed fate!
This was my fear;—ah me! should he be poison'd!
Heav'ns peace be with thee, my unhappy friend;
O that the wretch who did this damned act,
May feel ev'n here the poison of that chalice.
Dear Claudio! Good my friends; retire, I pray you;
It were not well to noise this in the halls.
My absence will not be remarked—Alphonso
Will take the alarm;—therefore speak not of this—
I hope he has not done't;—but if 'tis so—
I pray you now retire and close the doors,
My grief's to me companion—he is cold—
(Kneeling and clasping his hand.)
(Exeunt Gentlemen, and close the doors.)
Yes, he is cold! the warmth of life is gone!—
'Twas kind too to commend me to Louisa:
A dying husband's words will be obey'd,
Who leaves the world upon his wedding-day;
And his request, methinks, was not so harsh.
Fond, doting, foolish Claudio! Ere I'd yield,
Ev'n in death, Louisa to another,
I'd see her reeking in her ruddy gore,
And writhing in death's agony round my feet.
Men say his nature though was soft and kindly,
And what means that—that they could prey on him:
No, while I live, I live unto myself;
And seeming generosity's a part
Of the great plan: for that I pitied Claudio—
For that I feast yon tribe of empty fools;
And done for that, his death upon my soul
Weighs not the lightest flagging of the wind.
Ho! Julio!
(Enter Julio.)
Remove this carrion hence,
And lay it out with pomp upon a bed;
Let there be mutes, tapers, and mummery,
And store of monks, and masses, and all mourning.
Dead, I will honour him beyond all parallel:
And it is fit: he was Cimaro's rival.
Hence! put my house into a shew of grief—
Call in your fellows—let the rumour be,
Alphonso poison'd him: for me, I am
Retired to my chamber—I'll not spare
Tears or laments—then to my sweet Louisa.
(Exit Julio.)
For her I wear this mockery of woe—
In her my happiness will be more perfect,
Than Paris', when he bore fair Helena
In jocund triumph from the Spartan shore.
He doted on a woman, and he gain'd her;
But, at my beck, wealth, love, pre-eminence,
Come crowding in confusion of delight;
My fame not merely saved without a blemish,
But greeted with the shouts of Mantua,
For generous friendship, constancy and truth.

(Exit.)