CENCI. (He has been conversing with Camillo during the first part of Beatrice's speech; he hears the conclusion, and now advances.) I hope my good friends here Will think of their own daughters-or perhaps BEATRICE. (Not noticing the words of Cenci.) None answer? Can one tyrant overbear CAMILLO. A bitter wish for one so young and gentle; COLONNA. Nothing that I see. Count Cenci were a dangerous enemy: Yet I would second any one. A CARDINAL. And I. CENCI. Retire to your chamber, insolent girl! BEATRICE. Retire thou impious man! Aye hide thyself And start if thou but hear a human step: 130 135 140 145 150 155 Seek out some dark and silent corner, there, My friends, I do lament this insane girl Good night, farewell; I will not make you longer Another time.-(Exeunt all but CENCI and BEATRICE.) 160 Give me a bowl of wine! (To Beatrice) Thou painted viper! I know a charm shall make thee meek and tame, (Exit BEATRICE.) (Drinking the wine) Be thou the resolution of quick youth As if thou wert indeed my children's blood Which I did thirst to drink! The charm works well; It must be done; it shall be done, I swear! (Exit.) 166 170 175 END OF THE FIRST ACT. ACT II. SCENE I. AN APARTMENT IN THE CENCI PALACE. ENTER LUCRETIA AND BERNARDO. LUCRETIA. Weep not, my gentle boy; he struck but me BERNARDO. Oh more, more, That have you been to me! Had he not been LUCRETIA. Alas! Poor boy, what else couldst thou have done? BEATRICE (In a hurried voice). Did he pass this way? Have you seen him, brother? Ah! No, that is his step upon the stairs; 'Tis nearer now; his hand is on the door; A duteous child, now save me! Thou, great God, Almighty God, how merciful thou art! 'Tis but Orsino's servant.-Well, what news? 10 15 20 SERVANT. My master bids me say, the Holy Father Has sent back your petition thus unopened. (Giving a paper) And he demands at what hour 'twere secure 26 At the Ave Mary. (Exit Servant.) So, daughter, our last hope has failed; Ah me! How pale you look; you tremble, and you stand Wrapped in some fixed and fearful meditation, As if one thought were over strong for you: Your eyes have a chill glare; O, dearest child! Are you gone mad? If not, pray speak to me. BEATRICE. You see I am not mad; I speak to you. LUCRETIA. You talked of something that your father did. Than when he smiled, and cried, My sons are dead! To see if others were as white as he? And every one looked in his neighbour's face At the first word he spoke I felt the blood 85 40 Rush to my heart, and fell into a trance; BEATRICE. What can now What is it that you say? I was just thinking VOL. I. 45 50 55 LUCRETIA. Oh, talk not so, dear child! Tell me at once Oh, sister, sister, prithee, speak to us! BEATRICE. (Speaking very slowly with a forced calmness) It was one word, Mother, one little word; 60 65 One look, one smile. (wildly) Oh! He has trampled me (recovering herself.) Ah! No, 'tis nothing new The sufferings we all share have made me wild: I should preserve my senses for your sake. LUCRETIA. Nay, Beatrice; have courage my sweet girl, If any one despairs it should be I Who loved him once, and now must live with him Till God in pity call for him or me. For you may, like your sister, find some husband, 70 And smile, years hence, with children round your knees; & BEATRICE. Talk not to me, dear lady, of a husband. |