 | A Legend of Florence |  |
SCENE THE LAST.
Another Room in Rondinelli's House. Agolanti and Colonna, in loud dispute, with their Swords drawn, Da Riva interposing.Agolanti.
I say—
Colonna.
What say you then?
Da Riva.
Well, let him speak.
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I say, that nothing upon earth, no insolence—
Colonna.
House-coward!
Da Riva.
Hush.
Agolanti.
Nor prudent friend—
Colonna.
Still, coward.
Agolanti.
Nor talk of law, nor threats of church itself,
Shall move my foot one jot from where I stand,
Till she whom law, church, heaven and earth join'd to me,
Shall join me again, and quit this infamous house.
Da Riva.
To be twice slain in thine?
Colonna.
And twice thrust forth,
If she return to fright thee?
Agolanti.
I've seen the page here;
Seen you; guess at your women; and shall know
What hideous trap has steep'd her soul in blushes,
If she come not.
Colonna
(going to attack him)
Blush in thy grave to say so.
Enter Rondinelli with Ginevra, followed by his Mother, Olimpia, Diana, Giulio, Fiordilisa, and Servants.
Rondinelli.
Forbear! an angel comes. Take her, and pray
Just Heaven to make her happy as thyself.
Colonna.
Antonio, thou art damn'd to think it. See—
Da Riva.
He shrinks from her again in very fear,
Which in his rage of vanity he'll avenge.
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I hear not what they say, my poor Ginevra,
Thinking of thee alone.—Come, bear thee up,
And bravely,—as thou dost. We'll leave this place—
This way—So—so—
Da Riva.
Antonio, will you let him?
Think of herself.—'Tis none of yours, this business,
But the whole earth's.
Rondinelli.
She will not have me stay him—
I dare not—My own house too—See, she goes with him.
Da Riva.
Call in the neighbours—
Colonna.
Do, there's a right soul—
Tell all.
Agolanti.
She's with me still! She's mine! Who stays us.
Olimpia and Diana.
Ginevra! sweetest friend!
Agolanti.
Who triumphs now? Who laughs? Who mocks at pandars,
Cowards, and shameless women?
Ginevra
(bursting away from him).
Loose me, and hearken.
Madness will crush my senses in, or speak:—
The fire of the heavenward sense of my wrongs crowns me;
The voice of the patience of a life cries out of me;
Every thing warns me. I will not return.
I claim the judgment of most holy church.
I'll not go back to that unsacred house,
Where heavenly ties restrain not hellish discord,
Loveless, remorseless, never to be taught.
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Tears, and find triumph; peace, and a loud sword.
The convent walls—Bear me to those—In secret,
If it may be; if not, as loudly as strife,—
Drawing a wholesome tempest through the streets;
And there, as close as bonded hands may cling,
I'll hide, and pray for ever, to my grave.—
Come you, and you, and you, and help me walk.
Agolanti.
Let her not stir. Nor dare to stir one soul,
Lest in the madness of my wrongs I smite ye.
Ginevra
(to Agolanti).
Look at me, and remember. Think how oft
I've seen as sharp a point turn'd on thyself
To fright me; how, upon a weaker breast;
And what a world of shames unmasculine
These woman's cheeks would have to burn in telling.—
The white wrath festers in his face, and then
He's devilish.
Rondinelli.
Will you let her fall? She swoons.
[He catches her in his arms.
Agolanti
(turning to kill him).
Where'er she goes, she shall not go there.
Colonna
(intercepting him with his own sword).
Dastard!
Strike at a man so pinion'd?
Agolanti.
Die then for him. (Strikes at Colonna.)
Diana and Olimpia.
Help! Help!
[The doors fly open, enter Giulio followed by Officer and Guard.
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'Tis here! Part them, for mercy's sake.
Colonna.
Die thou. (He pierces him.)
Da Riva.
He's slain! What hast thou done?
Colonna.
The deed
Of his own will. One must have perish'd, sir (to Officer);
One, my dear friend (to Da Riva.)
Which was the corse to be?
Da Riva
(looking at it).
There's not a heart here, but will say, 'Twas he.
[Curtain falls.
| A Legend of Florence | |