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Antonia

A Tragedy
  
  
  

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SCENE VIII.
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SCENE VIII.

Carravagio and Ferdinando.
CARRAVAGIO.
How now, friend Ferdinando. Know you not
That you have kept me idle all the morning?

FERDINANDO.
I was not hired to act a jewish priest.
Sir, I have other duty in my place.

CARRAVAGIO.
The count has said whene'er I wanted you,
All other service should be then postponed.

FERDINANDO.
But I have business, sir, in town to-day.

CARRAVAGIO.
Does not the count return?

FERDINANDO.
I cannot tell.


170

CARRAVAGIO.
Were you not with him at the Villa Fresca?
I heard you were, and came home late last night.

FERDINANDO.
Who told you that?

CARRAVAGIO.
The countess did herself.
Alas, poor lady! she is much distress'd.

FERDINANDO.
Is she?

CARRAVAGIO.
She is knave!—Hast thou done aught wrong?

FERDINANDO.
What! I sir?

CARRAVAGIO.
Yes.

FERDINANDO.
Did she say aught of me?

CARRAVAGIO.
Thou hast a masterly command of feature.
But there is fear and trouble in thine eye.
'Tis not contrition. No: and a wild hope
Gleams now and then upon thy troubled fear;
Like glimpsing sunshine on the wint'ry waves.
What mischief hast thou done?


171

FERDINANDO.
Mischief! What I?

CARRAVAGIO.
What hast thou done that yet may be conceal'd?

FERDINANDO.
You much amaze me, sir, by what you say.

CARRAVAGIO.
I am but in this house, professional;
Nor does it suit my nature thus to pry.
But thou hast done, or I mistake my trade,
Some guilty deed, that flatters thee with hope.