ACT · III

ACT · IIISCENE · 1Hall in Manuel’s house. MANUEL and MARGARET.MANUEL.Nay, ’twas ill done. The open window shewsHe made a breakneck leap into the street.I searched the room, in case he might have left1190Some explanation written: there was none.I am vexed. ’Tis a most graceless breach of trust.MARGARET.What promise made he?Man.None was asked. The knowledgeOf duty were enough to bind a manFar less obliged. And then ’tis thankless, Margaret.Twice have we saved his life: first I, then thou:And while we sleep he flies. I blame myself,I should have pledged his word.Mar.Hadst thou so done,He would have stayed.Man.I know not. Now he is gone ...Go set his room as if he had never been.1200We must forget the matter. I have summonsFrom Hugo, and must leave.Mar.And when I have doneThy bidding, may I go to Monreale?Man.You wish it?Mar.Yes.Man.What calls you there?Mar.A visit.I’ll take Lucia, and can ride Rosamund.Man.Nay, nay, I would not have it. Thou wilt meetWith Rosso’s people, maybe Rosso himself;And he might misinterpret ... and I thinkSo soon after your game of blindman’s buff,That since thou canst not love him ...Mar.Manuel, I promise—1210Man.I want no promises; but if thou goestRemember ...Mar.Why, I’ll promise ...Man.Nay, I bid.Only be wise. Wilt thou be back to-night?Mar.To-morrow, may I stay so long?Man.Ay, stay.Have good care of thyself. Farewell.[Exit.Mar.Farewell.(Calling.) Lucia, Lucia; come, Lucia, come!Enter Lucia.LUCIA.My lady.Mar.To horse, Lucia! we start at once.Order the horses.Lu.Holy Mary, defend us!It cannot be thou meanest ...Mar.What is this, now?Last night didst thou not promise?Lu.If I did,’Twas madness: think of the risk.1220Mar.I take the risk.Lu.Consider.Mar.I have considered.Lu.O, dear mistress,I fear all will not end well; think again.Think what thou leavest.Mar.I think I shall leave thee.Lu.But when shall we return?Mar.Maybe to-morrow.Order the horses. I shall go without thee.Quick, quick, begone!Lu.Well, well. Thou hast found a man:I being a woman must help thee, tho’ ’tis madness.Mar.Go, girl: I know it. Thou’lt be true, Lucia:Only be quick.Lu.Well, well: may heaven forgive us.[Exit.1230Mar.Forgive, she saith. Forgive me rather, oh heaven!The sourness of my spirit hitherto:Yet now forgive me not if I dare tamperWith this intrinsic passion. O joy, my joy!This beauteous world is mine:All Sicily is mine:This morning mine. I saw the sun, my slave,Poising on high his shorn and naked orbFor my delight. He there had stayed for me,Had he not read it in my heart’s delight1240I bade him on. The birds at dawn sang to me,Crying ’Is life not sweet? O is’t not sweet?’I looked upon the sea; there was not one,Of all his multitudinous waves, not one,That with its watery drift at raking speedTold not my special joy. O happy loversIn all the world, praise God with me: his angelsEnvy us, seeing we are his favourites.What else could grant such joy? Now on my journeyMust I set forth, to be a brigand’s wife ...That’s but the outward of it, and looks strange:1251For, oh, the heart of it is a fire of passionTo lick up trifling life. Away, such dainty stuff:Let me stand forth myself.—Yet ere I goI must send Constance word. To whom to trustMy letter? Ah, Philip ...Enter Philip.PHILIP.Good morning, Margaret.Mar.Good morning, duke: thou goest to the palace?Ph.Ay.Mar.May I ask thee, then, to bear this letterTo Constance? I’d not trust it willinglyWhere it might wander.Ph.’Twill pass from my handsTo hers.1260Mar.Pray tell her, for my health I goTo Monreale, or would have come myself.Ph.I’ll tell her so. I pray the change restore thee,—And soon. Indeed thou look’st not well. Farewell.Mar.Farewell. (Aside.) Look I then ill? I never feltSo light and keen in spirit.[Exit.Ph.(solus). This fits in, too. She is sent to Monreale,Lest she should make discovery. ’Tis thusI join the threads. Palicio climbed the wall,Came hither thro’ the garden: here he stayedAnd bound his wound. So far the track. There has been1271At least no care to hide it; and now he liesIn the room across the courtyard: wherefore elseDrawn curtains, and the lamp, which yesterdayBurnt, as I saw, in the afternoon? All creditTo the king’s commissioner. Yet must I dissemble,And not appear in the matter. ’Tis incredibleOf Manuel. What will he allege? He is goneTo the palace now: thither must I, and face him.[Exit.SCENE · 2On the hills above Monreale. Brigands fantastically dressed and armed are seated about on the rocks, with drinking-cups and remains of feast. PALICIO, in a black suit, his right arm in a sling. Much talking and singing, or the scene may open with the following song—SONG.I would not change the hills that I range1280For a house in the city street:Nor the price on my head for a tax on my bread.Liberty, lads, is sweet.(Palicio getting up on a rock waves them to silence.)SQUARCIALUPU.Long live Lord Palicio!All.Huzzah! Huzzah!PALICIO.Thank you, my men. Now silence; I must tell youThe feast is o’er, our meeting at an end.We have laid our plans: but their success dependsOn zealous preparation. Ye must to work.A brigand.We have another song yet, captain.Pal.See ye the sun is on this side of the city.1290Brigands.The song, the song!Pal.What is this song ye call for?A brigand.May’t please your honour,If Squarcia sing we’ll be content.Sq.I knowWhat they would have.Pal.Sing then: and cut it short.Sq.Nay, that lies with the chorus. Who hath the lute?SONG.If you’d hear me sing,Why give me a skin of wine.Creatures have their several ways,Edod! and I have mine,Chor..And I have mine.(ad lib.)1300Edod! and I have mine.If you’d see me fight,Why let me taste good cheer.Was not I as good as my word?Edod! am I not here?Chor..Am I not here?(ad lib.)(Palicio gets up as before.)Sq.Enough, enough! silence! Now were ye notA set of loons ... make silence for the captain.Pal.Hark, men: I bid you leave, each silentlyAnd separately to his allotted task.1310Gather your companies at tryst to-night;Acquaint them of our plans. Once, ere ye go,Look on those tyrannous towers, and swear revenge.Revenge on them that grind the people down!That tax our bread and wine! To-morrow nightHugo shall need no candles.Brigands.Revenge, revenge. Huzzah! Death to Hugo!Burn him!Pal.Not him, the palace: ’tis to burn the palace.Him we must take alive.Brigands.Not kill him, no.Treat him as he would us.1320Pal.If ye love colour,His gold is ruddier than his coward blood.Brigands.Ay, ay, his gold—a ransom. Bleed his bags.Pal.Above all, none forget good Manuel’s kindness,And what I have told you. If any meet with himAnd hurt a hair of his head, ’tis ...Brigands.Death.Pal.’Tis death.Swear all, ’tis death.All.We swear.Pal.Now to your work.Brigands.Huzzah!Pal.Secretly, then. Farewell! To-morrow nightI’ll meet you all. God grant us a good meeting.Farewell.[Exit.1330Brigands.Huzzah!During following scene the brigands going, carrying off things to cave.Sq.Come, help clear off this gear to the cave.A brigand.Any wine in yon skin, good Squarcia?Sq.Ay, for the chewing.Brig.Thank ye. I’m off. Good-day, lads.[Exit.Sq.Did I not well, I say?A brigand.But how didst thou find him?—tell us.Sq.Trust me. Not that ’twas a thing within thebounds of mortal cleverness if a man should wantluck. But I’d buy the dog that would have run asstraight for him, as ’twere denoted by scent or instinct.To climb the very wall, and in at the window,and there to see him just face to face: on a finecouch in a pleasant chamber enough, with his arm1344bandaged ...Brig.Is his arm broke?Sq.Ay, and where the nerve runs to the heart:the lady told me a thousand times that ’twere mortalto move it; and the surgeon who bound it said thathis balance hung by a thread.Brig.The lady was with him, then. Didst thou1351see her?Sq.It’s not all I see I’m bound to tell. But if shewas not there, how should she be here? And hadI not persuaded her, would she have let him come,think you? And that a matter of disputation, an hourand more.Brig.How could she stay him?Sq.Let alone wounds and surgeons, shall a ladyhave nothing to say? And she’s hard hit, I take it.1360A fine piece, and brings money with her.Brig.And what may spoil his fighting.Sq.Wilt thou grudge the captain what he has fairlywon? Or must thou be served first?Brig.Serve me soon, and serve me well. Yet I likenot the lady.[Exit.Sq.Nay, nor the coin neither, I’ll go bound. Howshould he? Nay ... Wouldn’t old Beedo now haveliked to have been here?A brigand.Well, he would.1370Another.Why came he not?Sq.A bad reason, man, but a good excuse.Brig.How mean you?Sq.As if thou hadst never been on the wrong sideof four walls! tell not me.[Exeunt.Enter Palicio and Margaret.Pal.Now thou know’st all.MARGARET.But is that all, Giovanni?Pal.Saw’st thou them well from where thou wert?Mar.Ay, tell me:The man in the blue jacket, who is he?Pal.That’s Squarcialupu: he’s my first lieutenant.Did they not greet me?Mar.I could count eighteen.Are there no more?1380Pal.The least of these can musterTwenty as brave.Mar.That’s not six hundred men.Pal.But with them I can raise the town.Mar.’Tis pityThe barons stand aloof.Pal.They hold togetherOn certain claims that touch their own estate.But in their hate of Hugo they will join usAt first report of our success; and thatI’ll make flame forth.Mar.Alas! what canst thou do,Having so little means?Pal.To-morrow night1389We shall surround the palace and capture Hugo.Mar.One regiment could drive all thy men away.Pal.He dare not give the word.Mar.How know’st thou that?Pal.I have sprung a cranny in his council-board,Thro’ which crumbs fall to me.Mar.Nay, but you force him ...The viceroy to yield up his power to a rebel!Hugo, his person to your hated hands!Pal.Well, he may fly; and then my word is,SackAnd fire the palace.Mar.Giovanni, if he fight,Thou wilt be killed or taken.Pal.And what of that?Mar.What, askest thou! ask what! Methinks the worldHolds but one treasure—thee: and thou dost wrong1401Creation, staking all her store at onceOn such a sleight of fortune. It shall not be.Nay, for my sake it shall not. Dost thou love me?Pal.Love thee? O, Margaret, when I look on thee,And see the dazzling wealth, with which I hardlyShall scrape to heaven, may God forgive me, love,But I would be for ever pinched in hell,Rather than miss thee.Mar.To me art thou as precious:Therefore be wise. Where is the list of names?Pal.’Tis here.Mar.What read I here? These are thy captains,1411Palicio: these thy rivals, Margaret!Why, ’mongst these names—nay, tho’ I here see namesRenowned for outrage—there is not one nameOf such respect, that I can think it possibleIts leadership can bid thee cast awayThy life, my life, our love.Pal.They are all brave men.Mar.They are ignorant, desperate, and reckless men.Pal.’Tis by such recklessness I come at right.Mar.’Tis recklessness throughout. See, thou art woundedAnd weak; a price upon thy head: think of it,—1421And trust the people’s rights to Manuel;Leave them to the barons: we’ve a better task:Sail o’er to Rome, there reassume thy rank;Let us be married, and await the dayThat Manuel finds thy pardon.Pal.Tempt me not, Margaret.Mar.Else are we lost.Pal.Nay, fear not: there’s a traitorIn the enemy’s camp; from whom I’ll have such tidingsAs will ensure success.Mar.Who is it?Pal.Blasco.Mar.Blasco!Pal.He hath your money; and for that price1430Will tell how Hugo may be best surprised.That is my venture, Margaret ... If it fail ...Mar.Thou wilt be slain.Pal.Nay, I may still escape.Mar.And then thou’lt come?Pal.I will.Mar.Promise but that:That if this venture fail, and thou escape,Thou wilt not risk again.Pal.Ay, if I fail.Mar.Promise.Pal.I promise.Mar.Thou wilt lose nothing, for my brother aloneCan do much more than thou with these base men,Who stain the cause. One favour more.Pal.What is it?Mar.’Tis that this evening, love, be spent together.Pal.I mean it should. To-night our fellows meet1442In various rendezvous, as you may seeUpon the paper. There are ten in allThey will not need my presence till to-morrow,When the bands join at sundown. O, Margaret:I knew that thou wouldst come.Mar.I think, Giovanni,Thou shouldst have met me first thyself: thy menAre rough.Pal.Was any rude?Mar.Nay, ’twas well meant,But sounded strangely.Pal.Say but who it was.1450Mar.No, ’tis forgiven.Pal.(going).Kiss me.Mar.Ah, now, Giovanni,Where wilt thou go?Pal.But for one hour, my dearest,I must be absent. Then shall I be yoursFor all the day.Mar.Farewell. And prithee sendLucia. I will await thee.Pal.Farewell.[Exit.Mar.I have his promise,If this scheme fail. ’Tis mine to make it fail.O, ’tis too dangerous: to trust so farThat dollar-ballasted Iscariot,The weather-trimming Blasco.—The paper! the list!I’ll have their names. Where can I write them? Ah!My prayer-book. I will send them straight to Hugo.Poor Constance! Burn the palace! Ay, and thee,For aught they care. Now, who comes first? Bendettu1463Jacupu ... and your place?—within the cloisterOf Santo Spirito. Next, Squarcialupu ...Why, that’s the ruffian who would like a dozenWives such as I. He’ll find one were too many.Go you to prison, sir, and cool your thoughts.You burn the palace!—Messer VincentiuLazaru ... at his peltry shed at Baido.Now there’s two pages of them: the little prayersWill hardly shrive them ... here’s one I cannot read.1472B-o-n-o-Bononio, now I have him.Why who could trust such men? Set them in powerBut for a day ... say this next villain here,Fardello ... he’s a murderer—ay, for himI write his death, maybe: but for the restI’ll take such care that Manuel’s voice shall easeTheir accusation. Now I have them all.Lucia! Ho, Lucia!Enter Lucia.See, take this book:1480Return straight to Palermo: find some friend,Whom thou canst trust: commit it to her hands;Tell her to give it secretly to Livio,Bidding him read what is writ down in the margins;And say ’twas given to her by one she knew not,And with that message. All our happinessIs staked on this. Begone. Haste for thy life.LUCIA.Alas! what’s this?Mar.Why, have I frighted thee?Be brave: I tell thee on this single threadMy life is hanging.Lu.Trust me, lady, I’d riskTen lives for that.1490Mar.Hide it. I trust thee. Go.I have played a bold stroke here: but if it prosper,For Constance, and Giovanni, and myself,’Tis not ill done.[Exeunt.SCENE · 3A room in the Palace. Enter HUGO and CONSTANCE.HUGO.Thou hast a daughter’s duty, I a father’s:’Tis mine to seek thy good, thine to obey.CONSTANCE.I pray thee, father, hear me.Hu.I have heard thee.Thou tellest me nought but what I know. The dukeHath been with me: his purpose to renewHis suit hath my support. ’Tis very honourable—1500It shall be welcome. Though thy words to himBetrayed reluctance, that makes yet no reasonTo shun him. He will presently be here:Stay and receive him.Con.O, if I do not dream,Heaven help me now!Hu.Constance, I pray, be sober.I am sorry for thee: but what seems thy griefWill be thy comfort, when thou learn’st the causeWhich presses me to urge it.Con.What lies behind?What misery? Say!Hu.Manuel, whom late we trusted,Hath turned against me. He hath joined the rebels.1510Con.Who dares to slander him?Hu.Fact makes no roomFor slander. The devil himself could not inventA tale to blacken him. First to the courtHe hath writ of me in secret, in the senseThat I have stirred the king’s men to rebellionBy my misrule; and all the while at homeHe feeds the mischief, and most treacherouslyFavours the rebels, so to magnifyThe blame on me he charges.Con.The crime’s too great.1519If this be all I breathe again. The timeWhen thou wilt prove this ’twill away like smoke.Not till ’tis proved question our marriage, father.Hu.The question now with him is not of marriage,But of his head.Con.Shame, shame! if these be words,What is their sense?Hu.To-morrow, or to-day,I shall have proof.Con.I knew ’twas all unproven.Who brought this lie, and propped it with the promiseTo make it true?Hu.Go, girl, I hear the duke.He must not see thee thus.Con.So far is well.I gladly go.—Dear father!Hu.Go take thy grief1530Where thou canst comfort it. This ManuelHath not deceived thee more than me, and meWould have more grossly wronged.Con.Alas! alas![Exit.Hu.The proof will be to search his house, and soBoth knaves are caught at once. Now to that endLest he get wind of it I have bid him hither,And shall detain him till ’tis done.Enter Philip.Your grace,I have stayed for you.PHILIP.’Tis well. I bring conviction.Palicio lies in Manuel’s house. His roomIs locked and darkened: save for that, and orders1540That none shall enter, there is no precaution.Hu.The abominable Pharisee!Ph.Now Margaret hath been hurried from the houseOn plea of health: I bear a letter from herTo Constance.Hu.Give’t me.Ph.Pardon, your excellence;I promised I would see it in Constance’s hands.Hu.My hands are hers: a daughter cannot readLetters her father may not. Nay, the moreSuch right’s resented, more’s the need to use it.—And from a traitor’s house!Ph.(giving).Your privilege, sir,1550Invades my honour.Hu.Tut, tut, tut, ’tis mine:[Takes it.Be not so squeamish.[Reads.I can write all’s well.Yet, as thou lovest Manuel, breathe no wordOf aught I saw. I go from home to-day;Will see thee when returned.—Why, this is nothing.Ph.Taken alone ’twere nothing; but there’s nothingCould better fit our knowledge; nay it addsTo what we know. I see that Margaret fliesFrom the discovery that she hath made herself;And fears for Manuel. I grieve but for her.1560His enmity to you precludes all pity.I have come to see his papers, which containCharges against your excellence, preparedWith such unfriendly skill, that to discredit them,Should ever they reach court, would cost far moreThan any price or pains you now might spendIn their suppression.Hu.O, the double-facedPretentious Greek! But in this other matterWe have him. I’ll charge the deed to his face. He’ll notDeny it. The embassy delayed last night1570May sail this evening, and with them aboardShall Manuel fare to the king with his accusers.We shall at least be rid of him. I will call him.[Rings a bell.Thou hast done me a good service.Ph.Shall I remain?Hu.I beg you. The cursed villain!Enter Servant.I awaitThe chief justiciary. Shew him hither.[Exit servt.Ph.(aside). I shall not face him well. He must not guessMy part in this: say he be proved a traitor,And I abhor all such as undermineThe fabric of the throne,—yet have I shared1580His guilt at heart, both in my wish to find itAnd from my profit in it! ’Twould seem less foulTo steal a man’s fair earnings than to gleanThe waste of his crime. I’ll stand and take what comes.Enter Manuel.MANUEL.My service to your excellence.Hu.Ay, well.’Tis of thy service I would speak. Attend me.Thou art an honest man; in all PalermoNo name so fair as thine. There’s none would dreamThat thou at any press wouldst blink the rightIn thine own interest: now for these three years1590Thou hast done justice honour, holding upHer majesty for worship: we ourselvesHave strained or waived opinion oftentimesIn trust of thee. ’Twas not then at first hearingWe took the tale which strong concurrent proofsNow make me charge thee with. Know that ’tis saidThat thou hast given a refuge in thy houseTo John Palicio. Deny’t, I pray thee.Man. ’Tis true, your excellence.Hu.Then first I bid theeReturn him into custody.Man.Last night1600He left me without warning.Hu.Gone! Then, by heaven!Thou’rt doubly guilty.Man.I admit my guiltUpon the point of negligence: for the restI beg your excellence will hear my plea.Palicio is my kinsman: he was drivenWithout his purpose, nor with my connivance,To shelter in my house. The claim of natureWithstood the challenge of my royal dutySuspended now in the interregnum ...Hu.Enough!Thou dost admit the act: ’tis downright treason.I’ll hear no answer. Though thou wouldst deny1611My authority, thou shalt not doubt my power.Thou art my prisoner. To-night the embassyWill sail for Spain. Thou goest with them to pleadThy cause before the king.Man.I shall be ready, sire.Hu.Thou wilt be here detained until thy houseIs searched: which done thou wilt go home, and thereResign thy keys. Knowing thy doings, sir,I treat thee as I find thee. We are enemies.1619Man.I pray your excellence, for your daughter’s sake ...Hu.My daughter! could I wed her to a traitor,Would she herself consent?Enter LIVIO with the book, and BLASCO.Man.Call me not traitor,Ere I be proved one.Hu.(to Bl.). Ho! call in the guard.[Exit Blasco.(To Liv.) What bring you, son?[Talks with him.Man.(to Ph.).Philip, before I go;—Thou see’st my case. Fate would look black upon me,Left I no friend to speak for me: but theeI trust. Tell Constance what thou knowest; the restMargaret can tell you. Add thereto assuranceBoth of my innocence and speedy acquittal.Re-enter Blasco with Guards.One word and I am gone. Beware of Blasco.1630He bears two faces. See he be not trustedWith aught of moment.Hu.(to officer of guard). The chief justiciary is your prisonerOn charge of treason. Guard him in the palaceTill you hear more.Man.(to Ph.). Stand my friend, and God aid thee.[Exit guarded.Ph.(aside). And so I may. I am not yet stepped so farThat I must push my purpose, where it woundsSuch ample trust.Hu.Philip, see here.Ph.What, sire?Hu.From some most friendly hand we have full tidingsOf all the rebels; where they may be seizedThis very night.Ph.(to Liv.). You bring it?1640Liv.They are betrayedBy some one of themselves.Hu.’Twill end the matter.Ph.How came you by it?Liv.A woman brought it me,Who said ’twas thrust into her hands by oneShe knew not, who escaped. She hath since confessedThat ’twas a maid of Manuel’s.Bl.Look you, tho’,How close this follows the discoveryOf Manuel’s treason. It must be that some,On whom he used constraint, smelling his fallReturn to loyalty.Hu.Most like. Now, Livio,1650Seize them to-night. See thou observe in allThe dispositions which I have shewn thee. Stay,There’s first a vacancy to fill: I make theeJusticiary in Manuel’s place: in thineI will take Blasco for my secretary.Meanwhile I lend him thee: thou wilt have needOf his experience.Liv.I thank thee, father.Bl.And I, your excellence.Hu.Now to your work.And then to Manuel’s house, and take possessionOf all thy office gives thee.[Exeunt Livio and Blasco.Hu.(to Ph.). Thy matter next:I will fetch Constance.1660Ph.Not now, I pray, not now!Hu.Nay, wherefore wait? This business shall be settledIn a few words. I’ll bring her to thee straight.[Exit.Ph.I pray you. Nay, he is gone. I must stand to it.I play to win; and now the stakes are mine;Unless against myself for friendship’s claimI should uphold my rival. And he’s guilty.The papers were his own: them he confessed,And only deepened treason by the excuseOf kinship with the rebel. And then his servants1670Cognizant.—On the other hand his confidenceStaggering the evidence: his trust in meTo comfort Constance. How should Margaret knowMore than the facts, or I deny the facts,Should I plead for him? And yet against the factsThe man himself: his soul revealed to me;And my persuasion of him. O, he has fallenTo the popular side. Moreover, his acquittalWere Hugo’s ruin. I cannot help him: nay,Not though I would; and Fate, which thrusts him down,Is kind to me.Re-enter Hugo with Constance.1680Hu.Constance, see here the duke:He hath asked your hand of me: and I most happyIn such a match have granted it.Con.I am hereFooled by a promise of evil, but not this.This is not Manuel’s treason. First of that:Where’s the pretended proof?Hu.He hath confessed it.Con.This tale convicts itself. Treason is close,And doth not bare the breast. Though here the manYe wrong were likelier to confess such crimeThan once be guilty of it.Hu.He both is guiltyAnd hath confessed.1690Con.To what hath he confessed?What deed that hatred thus can magnify?Hu.’Twas he contrived Palicio’s late escape;And being detected and charged by me therewith,He hath here this hour confessed it. Since which timeOne of his household hath been traced in leagueWith the conspirators.Con.I believe it not.Would he speak for you, he were here to speak.Hu.But if at least he hath gone out from the palaceUnder strict guard, and sails to-night for Spain?1700Con.He is gone?Hu.He is gone.Con.Under constraint?Hu.Most certain,And charged with treason.Con.(turning to Ph.). Now, Philip, I bid thee speak.Ph.Ay, Constance, it is true, but ...Con.Ay? thou too.Ay and but: falsest falsehood, seeking graceIn shame. I knew devilry lurked aboutWhen I came hither. I’ll go. I’ll not believe.I shall know truth at last.[Going.Hu.Nay, Constance, stay.Philip will answer thee. Thou questionest him;Hear him with patience. I shall leave thee with him.Thou hast been a duteous daughter hitherto,1710Recover my good grace ere I return.(To Ph.) ’Twas an omission, duke, I gave no orderTo seize the villain’s servants. I’ll go do it.Use thy occasion.[Exit.Ph.Constance, I beg thy favour.Con.I stay, your grace,—why should I go? My fatherHath bid me hear thee: and ’tis nought to me.Say what thou wouldst: speak on, nor be officiousTo suit thy meaning to me, for there’s nothingI can believe or doubt.Ph.O, Constance, think notThat could I end thy sorrow by denialOf what thou hast heard, I would not. All is true.1721My kindest office is to unmask the illThat this ill hath prevented, and to show theeA balance of good. There lies ’gainst ManuelFar more than we have charged and he confessed:He loves thee, thinkest thou?—He hath used his placeTo plot against thy father. I here have papersIn which thyself mayst see what accusationHe hath writ in secret. They are addressed to Spain,And would have been presented ...Con.’Tis his writing.1730Whence was this filched?Ph.He gave them me himself.Con.O, a most open foe. Did he enjoin theeTo bear them to my father?Ph.Nor have I done so.Con.Then this, duke, yet remains for thee to do.Take them at once. I know not what they mean:But if ’tis secret it may be betrayed.Do it, I pray thee, do it.[Exit.Ph.And I could winceAt such reproach, had I dissembled furtherThan loyalty may deign, grappling with treason.1739Her anger springs but of that noblenessWhich makes her love worth winning; and in the endIt shall be mine again.[Exit.SCENE · 4

Hall in Manuel’s house. MANUEL and MARGARET.MANUEL.Nay, ’twas ill done. The open window shewsHe made a breakneck leap into the street.I searched the room, in case he might have left1190Some explanation written: there was none.I am vexed. ’Tis a most graceless breach of trust.MARGARET.What promise made he?Man.None was asked. The knowledgeOf duty were enough to bind a manFar less obliged. And then ’tis thankless, Margaret.Twice have we saved his life: first I, then thou:And while we sleep he flies. I blame myself,I should have pledged his word.Mar.Hadst thou so done,He would have stayed.Man.I know not. Now he is gone ...Go set his room as if he had never been.1200We must forget the matter. I have summonsFrom Hugo, and must leave.Mar.And when I have doneThy bidding, may I go to Monreale?Man.You wish it?Mar.Yes.Man.What calls you there?Mar.A visit.I’ll take Lucia, and can ride Rosamund.Man.Nay, nay, I would not have it. Thou wilt meetWith Rosso’s people, maybe Rosso himself;And he might misinterpret ... and I thinkSo soon after your game of blindman’s buff,That since thou canst not love him ...Mar.Manuel, I promise—1210Man.I want no promises; but if thou goestRemember ...Mar.Why, I’ll promise ...Man.Nay, I bid.Only be wise. Wilt thou be back to-night?Mar.To-morrow, may I stay so long?Man.Ay, stay.Have good care of thyself. Farewell.[Exit.Mar.Farewell.(Calling.) Lucia, Lucia; come, Lucia, come!Enter Lucia.LUCIA.My lady.Mar.To horse, Lucia! we start at once.Order the horses.Lu.Holy Mary, defend us!It cannot be thou meanest ...Mar.What is this, now?Last night didst thou not promise?Lu.If I did,’Twas madness: think of the risk.1220Mar.I take the risk.Lu.Consider.Mar.I have considered.Lu.O, dear mistress,I fear all will not end well; think again.Think what thou leavest.Mar.I think I shall leave thee.Lu.But when shall we return?Mar.Maybe to-morrow.Order the horses. I shall go without thee.Quick, quick, begone!Lu.Well, well. Thou hast found a man:I being a woman must help thee, tho’ ’tis madness.Mar.Go, girl: I know it. Thou’lt be true, Lucia:Only be quick.Lu.Well, well: may heaven forgive us.[Exit.1230Mar.Forgive, she saith. Forgive me rather, oh heaven!The sourness of my spirit hitherto:Yet now forgive me not if I dare tamperWith this intrinsic passion. O joy, my joy!This beauteous world is mine:All Sicily is mine:This morning mine. I saw the sun, my slave,Poising on high his shorn and naked orbFor my delight. He there had stayed for me,Had he not read it in my heart’s delight1240I bade him on. The birds at dawn sang to me,Crying ’Is life not sweet? O is’t not sweet?’I looked upon the sea; there was not one,Of all his multitudinous waves, not one,That with its watery drift at raking speedTold not my special joy. O happy loversIn all the world, praise God with me: his angelsEnvy us, seeing we are his favourites.What else could grant such joy? Now on my journeyMust I set forth, to be a brigand’s wife ...That’s but the outward of it, and looks strange:1251For, oh, the heart of it is a fire of passionTo lick up trifling life. Away, such dainty stuff:Let me stand forth myself.—Yet ere I goI must send Constance word. To whom to trustMy letter? Ah, Philip ...Enter Philip.PHILIP.Good morning, Margaret.Mar.Good morning, duke: thou goest to the palace?Ph.Ay.Mar.May I ask thee, then, to bear this letterTo Constance? I’d not trust it willinglyWhere it might wander.Ph.’Twill pass from my handsTo hers.1260Mar.Pray tell her, for my health I goTo Monreale, or would have come myself.Ph.I’ll tell her so. I pray the change restore thee,—And soon. Indeed thou look’st not well. Farewell.Mar.Farewell. (Aside.) Look I then ill? I never feltSo light and keen in spirit.[Exit.Ph.(solus). This fits in, too. She is sent to Monreale,Lest she should make discovery. ’Tis thusI join the threads. Palicio climbed the wall,Came hither thro’ the garden: here he stayedAnd bound his wound. So far the track. There has been1271At least no care to hide it; and now he liesIn the room across the courtyard: wherefore elseDrawn curtains, and the lamp, which yesterdayBurnt, as I saw, in the afternoon? All creditTo the king’s commissioner. Yet must I dissemble,And not appear in the matter. ’Tis incredibleOf Manuel. What will he allege? He is goneTo the palace now: thither must I, and face him.[Exit.

Hall in Manuel’s house. MANUEL and MARGARET.

MANUEL.

Nay, ’twas ill done. The open window shewsHe made a breakneck leap into the street.I searched the room, in case he might have left1190Some explanation written: there was none.I am vexed. ’Tis a most graceless breach of trust.

Nay, ’twas ill done. The open window shews

He made a breakneck leap into the street.

I searched the room, in case he might have left

Some explanation written: there was none.

I am vexed. ’Tis a most graceless breach of trust.

MARGARET.

What promise made he?

Man.None was asked. The knowledgeOf duty were enough to bind a manFar less obliged. And then ’tis thankless, Margaret.Twice have we saved his life: first I, then thou:And while we sleep he flies. I blame myself,I should have pledged his word.

Man.None was asked. The knowledge

Of duty were enough to bind a man

Far less obliged. And then ’tis thankless, Margaret.

Twice have we saved his life: first I, then thou:

And while we sleep he flies. I blame myself,

I should have pledged his word.

Mar.Hadst thou so done,He would have stayed.

Mar.Hadst thou so done,

He would have stayed.

Man.I know not. Now he is gone ...Go set his room as if he had never been.1200We must forget the matter. I have summonsFrom Hugo, and must leave.

Man.I know not. Now he is gone ...

Go set his room as if he had never been.

We must forget the matter. I have summons

From Hugo, and must leave.

Mar.And when I have doneThy bidding, may I go to Monreale?

Mar.And when I have done

Thy bidding, may I go to Monreale?

Man.You wish it?

Mar.Yes.

Man.What calls you there?

Mar.A visit.I’ll take Lucia, and can ride Rosamund.

Mar.A visit.

I’ll take Lucia, and can ride Rosamund.

Man.Nay, nay, I would not have it. Thou wilt meetWith Rosso’s people, maybe Rosso himself;And he might misinterpret ... and I thinkSo soon after your game of blindman’s buff,That since thou canst not love him ...

Man.Nay, nay, I would not have it. Thou wilt meet

With Rosso’s people, maybe Rosso himself;

And he might misinterpret ... and I think

So soon after your game of blindman’s buff,

That since thou canst not love him ...

Mar.Manuel, I promise—

1210Man.I want no promises; but if thou goestRemember ...

Man.I want no promises; but if thou goest

Remember ...

Mar.Why, I’ll promise ...

Man.Nay, I bid.Only be wise. Wilt thou be back to-night?

Man.Nay, I bid.

Only be wise. Wilt thou be back to-night?

Mar.To-morrow, may I stay so long?

Man.Ay, stay.Have good care of thyself. Farewell.[Exit.

Man.Ay, stay.

Have good care of thyself. Farewell.[Exit.

Mar.Farewell.(Calling.) Lucia, Lucia; come, Lucia, come!

Mar.Farewell.

(Calling.) Lucia, Lucia; come, Lucia, come!

Enter Lucia.

LUCIA.

My lady.

Mar.To horse, Lucia! we start at once.Order the horses.

Mar.To horse, Lucia! we start at once.

Order the horses.

Lu.Holy Mary, defend us!It cannot be thou meanest ...

Lu.Holy Mary, defend us!

It cannot be thou meanest ...

Mar.What is this, now?Last night didst thou not promise?

Mar.What is this, now?

Last night didst thou not promise?

Lu.If I did,’Twas madness: think of the risk.

Lu.If I did,

’Twas madness: think of the risk.

1220Mar.I take the risk.

Mar.I take the risk.

Lu.Consider.

Mar.I have considered.

Lu.O, dear mistress,I fear all will not end well; think again.Think what thou leavest.

Lu.O, dear mistress,

I fear all will not end well; think again.

Think what thou leavest.

Mar.I think I shall leave thee.

Lu.But when shall we return?

Mar.Maybe to-morrow.Order the horses. I shall go without thee.Quick, quick, begone!

Mar.Maybe to-morrow.

Order the horses. I shall go without thee.

Quick, quick, begone!

Lu.Well, well. Thou hast found a man:I being a woman must help thee, tho’ ’tis madness.

Lu.Well, well. Thou hast found a man:

I being a woman must help thee, tho’ ’tis madness.

Mar.Go, girl: I know it. Thou’lt be true, Lucia:Only be quick.

Mar.Go, girl: I know it. Thou’lt be true, Lucia:

Only be quick.

Lu.Well, well: may heaven forgive us.[Exit.

1230Mar.Forgive, she saith. Forgive me rather, oh heaven!The sourness of my spirit hitherto:Yet now forgive me not if I dare tamperWith this intrinsic passion. O joy, my joy!This beauteous world is mine:All Sicily is mine:This morning mine. I saw the sun, my slave,Poising on high his shorn and naked orbFor my delight. He there had stayed for me,Had he not read it in my heart’s delight1240I bade him on. The birds at dawn sang to me,Crying ’Is life not sweet? O is’t not sweet?’I looked upon the sea; there was not one,Of all his multitudinous waves, not one,That with its watery drift at raking speedTold not my special joy. O happy loversIn all the world, praise God with me: his angelsEnvy us, seeing we are his favourites.What else could grant such joy? Now on my journeyMust I set forth, to be a brigand’s wife ...That’s but the outward of it, and looks strange:1251For, oh, the heart of it is a fire of passionTo lick up trifling life. Away, such dainty stuff:Let me stand forth myself.—Yet ere I goI must send Constance word. To whom to trustMy letter? Ah, Philip ...

Mar.Forgive, she saith. Forgive me rather, oh heaven!

The sourness of my spirit hitherto:

Yet now forgive me not if I dare tamper

With this intrinsic passion. O joy, my joy!

This beauteous world is mine:

All Sicily is mine:

This morning mine. I saw the sun, my slave,

Poising on high his shorn and naked orb

For my delight. He there had stayed for me,

Had he not read it in my heart’s delight

I bade him on. The birds at dawn sang to me,

Crying ’Is life not sweet? O is’t not sweet?’

I looked upon the sea; there was not one,

Of all his multitudinous waves, not one,

That with its watery drift at raking speed

Told not my special joy. O happy lovers

In all the world, praise God with me: his angels

Envy us, seeing we are his favourites.

What else could grant such joy? Now on my journey

Must I set forth, to be a brigand’s wife ...

That’s but the outward of it, and looks strange:

For, oh, the heart of it is a fire of passion

To lick up trifling life. Away, such dainty stuff:

Let me stand forth myself.—Yet ere I go

I must send Constance word. To whom to trust

My letter? Ah, Philip ...

Enter Philip.

PHILIP.

Good morning, Margaret.

Mar.Good morning, duke: thou goest to the palace?

Ph.Ay.

Mar.May I ask thee, then, to bear this letterTo Constance? I’d not trust it willinglyWhere it might wander.

Mar.May I ask thee, then, to bear this letter

To Constance? I’d not trust it willingly

Where it might wander.

Ph.’Twill pass from my handsTo hers.

Ph.’Twill pass from my hands

To hers.

1260Mar.Pray tell her, for my health I goTo Monreale, or would have come myself.

Mar.Pray tell her, for my health I go

To Monreale, or would have come myself.

Ph.I’ll tell her so. I pray the change restore thee,—And soon. Indeed thou look’st not well. Farewell.

Ph.I’ll tell her so. I pray the change restore thee,—

And soon. Indeed thou look’st not well. Farewell.

Mar.Farewell. (Aside.) Look I then ill? I never feltSo light and keen in spirit.[Exit.

Mar.Farewell. (Aside.) Look I then ill? I never felt

So light and keen in spirit.[Exit.

Ph.(solus). This fits in, too. She is sent to Monreale,Lest she should make discovery. ’Tis thusI join the threads. Palicio climbed the wall,Came hither thro’ the garden: here he stayedAnd bound his wound. So far the track. There has been1271At least no care to hide it; and now he liesIn the room across the courtyard: wherefore elseDrawn curtains, and the lamp, which yesterdayBurnt, as I saw, in the afternoon? All creditTo the king’s commissioner. Yet must I dissemble,And not appear in the matter. ’Tis incredibleOf Manuel. What will he allege? He is goneTo the palace now: thither must I, and face him.

Ph.(solus). This fits in, too. She is sent to Monreale,

Lest she should make discovery. ’Tis thus

I join the threads. Palicio climbed the wall,

Came hither thro’ the garden: here he stayed

And bound his wound. So far the track. There has been

At least no care to hide it; and now he lies

In the room across the courtyard: wherefore else

Drawn curtains, and the lamp, which yesterday

Burnt, as I saw, in the afternoon? All credit

To the king’s commissioner. Yet must I dissemble,

And not appear in the matter. ’Tis incredible

Of Manuel. What will he allege? He is gone

To the palace now: thither must I, and face him.

[Exit.

On the hills above Monreale. Brigands fantastically dressed and armed are seated about on the rocks, with drinking-cups and remains of feast. PALICIO, in a black suit, his right arm in a sling. Much talking and singing, or the scene may open with the following song—SONG.I would not change the hills that I range1280For a house in the city street:Nor the price on my head for a tax on my bread.Liberty, lads, is sweet.(Palicio getting up on a rock waves them to silence.)SQUARCIALUPU.Long live Lord Palicio!All.Huzzah! Huzzah!PALICIO.Thank you, my men. Now silence; I must tell youThe feast is o’er, our meeting at an end.We have laid our plans: but their success dependsOn zealous preparation. Ye must to work.A brigand.We have another song yet, captain.Pal.See ye the sun is on this side of the city.1290Brigands.The song, the song!Pal.What is this song ye call for?A brigand.May’t please your honour,If Squarcia sing we’ll be content.Sq.I knowWhat they would have.Pal.Sing then: and cut it short.Sq.Nay, that lies with the chorus. Who hath the lute?SONG.If you’d hear me sing,Why give me a skin of wine.Creatures have their several ways,Edod! and I have mine,Chor..And I have mine.(ad lib.)1300Edod! and I have mine.If you’d see me fight,Why let me taste good cheer.Was not I as good as my word?Edod! am I not here?Chor..Am I not here?(ad lib.)(Palicio gets up as before.)Sq.Enough, enough! silence! Now were ye notA set of loons ... make silence for the captain.Pal.Hark, men: I bid you leave, each silentlyAnd separately to his allotted task.1310Gather your companies at tryst to-night;Acquaint them of our plans. Once, ere ye go,Look on those tyrannous towers, and swear revenge.Revenge on them that grind the people down!That tax our bread and wine! To-morrow nightHugo shall need no candles.Brigands.Revenge, revenge. Huzzah! Death to Hugo!Burn him!Pal.Not him, the palace: ’tis to burn the palace.Him we must take alive.Brigands.Not kill him, no.Treat him as he would us.1320Pal.If ye love colour,His gold is ruddier than his coward blood.Brigands.Ay, ay, his gold—a ransom. Bleed his bags.Pal.Above all, none forget good Manuel’s kindness,And what I have told you. If any meet with himAnd hurt a hair of his head, ’tis ...Brigands.Death.Pal.’Tis death.Swear all, ’tis death.All.We swear.Pal.Now to your work.Brigands.Huzzah!Pal.Secretly, then. Farewell! To-morrow nightI’ll meet you all. God grant us a good meeting.Farewell.[Exit.1330Brigands.Huzzah!During following scene the brigands going, carrying off things to cave.Sq.Come, help clear off this gear to the cave.A brigand.Any wine in yon skin, good Squarcia?Sq.Ay, for the chewing.Brig.Thank ye. I’m off. Good-day, lads.[Exit.Sq.Did I not well, I say?A brigand.But how didst thou find him?—tell us.Sq.Trust me. Not that ’twas a thing within thebounds of mortal cleverness if a man should wantluck. But I’d buy the dog that would have run asstraight for him, as ’twere denoted by scent or instinct.To climb the very wall, and in at the window,and there to see him just face to face: on a finecouch in a pleasant chamber enough, with his arm1344bandaged ...Brig.Is his arm broke?Sq.Ay, and where the nerve runs to the heart:the lady told me a thousand times that ’twere mortalto move it; and the surgeon who bound it said thathis balance hung by a thread.Brig.The lady was with him, then. Didst thou1351see her?Sq.It’s not all I see I’m bound to tell. But if shewas not there, how should she be here? And hadI not persuaded her, would she have let him come,think you? And that a matter of disputation, an hourand more.Brig.How could she stay him?Sq.Let alone wounds and surgeons, shall a ladyhave nothing to say? And she’s hard hit, I take it.1360A fine piece, and brings money with her.Brig.And what may spoil his fighting.Sq.Wilt thou grudge the captain what he has fairlywon? Or must thou be served first?Brig.Serve me soon, and serve me well. Yet I likenot the lady.[Exit.Sq.Nay, nor the coin neither, I’ll go bound. Howshould he? Nay ... Wouldn’t old Beedo now haveliked to have been here?A brigand.Well, he would.1370Another.Why came he not?Sq.A bad reason, man, but a good excuse.Brig.How mean you?Sq.As if thou hadst never been on the wrong sideof four walls! tell not me.[Exeunt.Enter Palicio and Margaret.Pal.Now thou know’st all.MARGARET.But is that all, Giovanni?Pal.Saw’st thou them well from where thou wert?Mar.Ay, tell me:The man in the blue jacket, who is he?Pal.That’s Squarcialupu: he’s my first lieutenant.Did they not greet me?Mar.I could count eighteen.Are there no more?1380Pal.The least of these can musterTwenty as brave.Mar.That’s not six hundred men.Pal.But with them I can raise the town.Mar.’Tis pityThe barons stand aloof.Pal.They hold togetherOn certain claims that touch their own estate.But in their hate of Hugo they will join usAt first report of our success; and thatI’ll make flame forth.Mar.Alas! what canst thou do,Having so little means?Pal.To-morrow night1389We shall surround the palace and capture Hugo.Mar.One regiment could drive all thy men away.Pal.He dare not give the word.Mar.How know’st thou that?Pal.I have sprung a cranny in his council-board,Thro’ which crumbs fall to me.Mar.Nay, but you force him ...The viceroy to yield up his power to a rebel!Hugo, his person to your hated hands!Pal.Well, he may fly; and then my word is,SackAnd fire the palace.Mar.Giovanni, if he fight,Thou wilt be killed or taken.Pal.And what of that?Mar.What, askest thou! ask what! Methinks the worldHolds but one treasure—thee: and thou dost wrong1401Creation, staking all her store at onceOn such a sleight of fortune. It shall not be.Nay, for my sake it shall not. Dost thou love me?Pal.Love thee? O, Margaret, when I look on thee,And see the dazzling wealth, with which I hardlyShall scrape to heaven, may God forgive me, love,But I would be for ever pinched in hell,Rather than miss thee.Mar.To me art thou as precious:Therefore be wise. Where is the list of names?Pal.’Tis here.Mar.What read I here? These are thy captains,1411Palicio: these thy rivals, Margaret!Why, ’mongst these names—nay, tho’ I here see namesRenowned for outrage—there is not one nameOf such respect, that I can think it possibleIts leadership can bid thee cast awayThy life, my life, our love.Pal.They are all brave men.Mar.They are ignorant, desperate, and reckless men.Pal.’Tis by such recklessness I come at right.Mar.’Tis recklessness throughout. See, thou art woundedAnd weak; a price upon thy head: think of it,—1421And trust the people’s rights to Manuel;Leave them to the barons: we’ve a better task:Sail o’er to Rome, there reassume thy rank;Let us be married, and await the dayThat Manuel finds thy pardon.Pal.Tempt me not, Margaret.Mar.Else are we lost.Pal.Nay, fear not: there’s a traitorIn the enemy’s camp; from whom I’ll have such tidingsAs will ensure success.Mar.Who is it?Pal.Blasco.Mar.Blasco!Pal.He hath your money; and for that price1430Will tell how Hugo may be best surprised.That is my venture, Margaret ... If it fail ...Mar.Thou wilt be slain.Pal.Nay, I may still escape.Mar.And then thou’lt come?Pal.I will.Mar.Promise but that:That if this venture fail, and thou escape,Thou wilt not risk again.Pal.Ay, if I fail.Mar.Promise.Pal.I promise.Mar.Thou wilt lose nothing, for my brother aloneCan do much more than thou with these base men,Who stain the cause. One favour more.Pal.What is it?Mar.’Tis that this evening, love, be spent together.Pal.I mean it should. To-night our fellows meet1442In various rendezvous, as you may seeUpon the paper. There are ten in allThey will not need my presence till to-morrow,When the bands join at sundown. O, Margaret:I knew that thou wouldst come.Mar.I think, Giovanni,Thou shouldst have met me first thyself: thy menAre rough.Pal.Was any rude?Mar.Nay, ’twas well meant,But sounded strangely.Pal.Say but who it was.1450Mar.No, ’tis forgiven.Pal.(going).Kiss me.Mar.Ah, now, Giovanni,Where wilt thou go?Pal.But for one hour, my dearest,I must be absent. Then shall I be yoursFor all the day.Mar.Farewell. And prithee sendLucia. I will await thee.Pal.Farewell.[Exit.Mar.I have his promise,If this scheme fail. ’Tis mine to make it fail.O, ’tis too dangerous: to trust so farThat dollar-ballasted Iscariot,The weather-trimming Blasco.—The paper! the list!I’ll have their names. Where can I write them? Ah!My prayer-book. I will send them straight to Hugo.Poor Constance! Burn the palace! Ay, and thee,For aught they care. Now, who comes first? Bendettu1463Jacupu ... and your place?—within the cloisterOf Santo Spirito. Next, Squarcialupu ...Why, that’s the ruffian who would like a dozenWives such as I. He’ll find one were too many.Go you to prison, sir, and cool your thoughts.You burn the palace!—Messer VincentiuLazaru ... at his peltry shed at Baido.Now there’s two pages of them: the little prayersWill hardly shrive them ... here’s one I cannot read.1472B-o-n-o-Bononio, now I have him.Why who could trust such men? Set them in powerBut for a day ... say this next villain here,Fardello ... he’s a murderer—ay, for himI write his death, maybe: but for the restI’ll take such care that Manuel’s voice shall easeTheir accusation. Now I have them all.Lucia! Ho, Lucia!Enter Lucia.See, take this book:1480Return straight to Palermo: find some friend,Whom thou canst trust: commit it to her hands;Tell her to give it secretly to Livio,Bidding him read what is writ down in the margins;And say ’twas given to her by one she knew not,And with that message. All our happinessIs staked on this. Begone. Haste for thy life.LUCIA.Alas! what’s this?Mar.Why, have I frighted thee?Be brave: I tell thee on this single threadMy life is hanging.Lu.Trust me, lady, I’d riskTen lives for that.1490Mar.Hide it. I trust thee. Go.I have played a bold stroke here: but if it prosper,For Constance, and Giovanni, and myself,’Tis not ill done.[Exeunt.

SONG.

I would not change the hills that I range1280For a house in the city street:Nor the price on my head for a tax on my bread.Liberty, lads, is sweet.

I would not change the hills that I range

For a house in the city street:

Nor the price on my head for a tax on my bread.

Liberty, lads, is sweet.

(Palicio getting up on a rock waves them to silence.)

SQUARCIALUPU.

Long live Lord Palicio!

All.Huzzah! Huzzah!

PALICIO.

Thank you, my men. Now silence; I must tell youThe feast is o’er, our meeting at an end.We have laid our plans: but their success dependsOn zealous preparation. Ye must to work.

Thank you, my men. Now silence; I must tell you

The feast is o’er, our meeting at an end.

We have laid our plans: but their success depends

On zealous preparation. Ye must to work.

A brigand.We have another song yet, captain.

Pal.See ye the sun is on this side of the city.

1290Brigands.The song, the song!

Brigands.The song, the song!

Pal.What is this song ye call for?

A brigand.May’t please your honour,If Squarcia sing we’ll be content.

A brigand.May’t please your honour,

If Squarcia sing we’ll be content.

Sq.I knowWhat they would have.

Sq.I know

What they would have.

Pal.Sing then: and cut it short.

Sq.Nay, that lies with the chorus. Who hath the lute?

SONG.

If you’d hear me sing,Why give me a skin of wine.Creatures have their several ways,Edod! and I have mine,Chor..And I have mine.(ad lib.)1300Edod! and I have mine.If you’d see me fight,Why let me taste good cheer.Was not I as good as my word?Edod! am I not here?

If you’d hear me sing,

Why give me a skin of wine.

Creatures have their several ways,

Edod! and I have mine,

Chor..And I have mine.(ad lib.)

Edod! and I have mine.

If you’d see me fight,

Why let me taste good cheer.

Was not I as good as my word?

Edod! am I not here?

Chor..Am I not here?(ad lib.)

(Palicio gets up as before.)

Sq.Enough, enough! silence! Now were ye notA set of loons ... make silence for the captain.

Sq.Enough, enough! silence! Now were ye not

A set of loons ... make silence for the captain.

Pal.Hark, men: I bid you leave, each silentlyAnd separately to his allotted task.1310Gather your companies at tryst to-night;Acquaint them of our plans. Once, ere ye go,Look on those tyrannous towers, and swear revenge.Revenge on them that grind the people down!That tax our bread and wine! To-morrow nightHugo shall need no candles.

Pal.Hark, men: I bid you leave, each silently

And separately to his allotted task.

Gather your companies at tryst to-night;

Acquaint them of our plans. Once, ere ye go,

Look on those tyrannous towers, and swear revenge.

Revenge on them that grind the people down!

That tax our bread and wine! To-morrow night

Hugo shall need no candles.

Brigands.Revenge, revenge. Huzzah! Death to Hugo!Burn him!

Brigands.Revenge, revenge. Huzzah! Death to Hugo!

Burn him!

Pal.Not him, the palace: ’tis to burn the palace.Him we must take alive.

Pal.Not him, the palace: ’tis to burn the palace.

Him we must take alive.

Brigands.Not kill him, no.Treat him as he would us.

Brigands.Not kill him, no.

Treat him as he would us.

1320Pal.If ye love colour,His gold is ruddier than his coward blood.

Pal.If ye love colour,

His gold is ruddier than his coward blood.

Brigands.Ay, ay, his gold—a ransom. Bleed his bags.

Pal.Above all, none forget good Manuel’s kindness,And what I have told you. If any meet with himAnd hurt a hair of his head, ’tis ...

Pal.Above all, none forget good Manuel’s kindness,

And what I have told you. If any meet with him

And hurt a hair of his head, ’tis ...

Brigands.Death.

Pal.’Tis death.Swear all, ’tis death.

Pal.’Tis death.

Swear all, ’tis death.

All.We swear.

Pal.Now to your work.

Brigands.Huzzah!

Pal.Secretly, then. Farewell! To-morrow nightI’ll meet you all. God grant us a good meeting.Farewell.[Exit.

Pal.Secretly, then. Farewell! To-morrow night

I’ll meet you all. God grant us a good meeting.

Farewell.[Exit.

1330Brigands.Huzzah!

Brigands.Huzzah!

During following scene the brigands going, carrying off things to cave.

Sq.Come, help clear off this gear to the cave.

A brigand.Any wine in yon skin, good Squarcia?

Sq.Ay, for the chewing.

Brig.Thank ye. I’m off. Good-day, lads.[Exit.

Sq.Did I not well, I say?

A brigand.But how didst thou find him?—tell us.

Sq.Trust me. Not that ’twas a thing within thebounds of mortal cleverness if a man should wantluck. But I’d buy the dog that would have run asstraight for him, as ’twere denoted by scent or instinct.To climb the very wall, and in at the window,and there to see him just face to face: on a finecouch in a pleasant chamber enough, with his arm1344bandaged ...

Sq.Trust me. Not that ’twas a thing within the

bounds of mortal cleverness if a man should want

luck. But I’d buy the dog that would have run as

straight for him, as ’twere denoted by scent or instinct.

To climb the very wall, and in at the window,

and there to see him just face to face: on a fine

couch in a pleasant chamber enough, with his arm

bandaged ...

Brig.Is his arm broke?

Sq.Ay, and where the nerve runs to the heart:the lady told me a thousand times that ’twere mortalto move it; and the surgeon who bound it said thathis balance hung by a thread.

Sq.Ay, and where the nerve runs to the heart:

the lady told me a thousand times that ’twere mortal

to move it; and the surgeon who bound it said that

his balance hung by a thread.

Brig.The lady was with him, then. Didst thou1351see her?

Brig.The lady was with him, then. Didst thou

see her?

Sq.It’s not all I see I’m bound to tell. But if shewas not there, how should she be here? And hadI not persuaded her, would she have let him come,think you? And that a matter of disputation, an hourand more.

Sq.It’s not all I see I’m bound to tell. But if she

was not there, how should she be here? And had

I not persuaded her, would she have let him come,

think you? And that a matter of disputation, an hour

and more.

Brig.How could she stay him?

Sq.Let alone wounds and surgeons, shall a ladyhave nothing to say? And she’s hard hit, I take it.1360A fine piece, and brings money with her.

Sq.Let alone wounds and surgeons, shall a lady

have nothing to say? And she’s hard hit, I take it.

A fine piece, and brings money with her.

Brig.And what may spoil his fighting.

Sq.Wilt thou grudge the captain what he has fairlywon? Or must thou be served first?

Sq.Wilt thou grudge the captain what he has fairly

won? Or must thou be served first?

Brig.Serve me soon, and serve me well. Yet I likenot the lady.[Exit.

Brig.Serve me soon, and serve me well. Yet I like

not the lady.[Exit.

Sq.Nay, nor the coin neither, I’ll go bound. Howshould he? Nay ... Wouldn’t old Beedo now haveliked to have been here?

Sq.Nay, nor the coin neither, I’ll go bound. How

should he? Nay ... Wouldn’t old Beedo now have

liked to have been here?

A brigand.Well, he would.

1370Another.Why came he not?

Another.Why came he not?

Sq.A bad reason, man, but a good excuse.

Brig.How mean you?

Sq.As if thou hadst never been on the wrong sideof four walls! tell not me.[Exeunt.

Sq.As if thou hadst never been on the wrong side

of four walls! tell not me.[Exeunt.

Enter Palicio and Margaret.

Pal.Now thou know’st all.

MARGARET.

But is that all, Giovanni?

Pal.Saw’st thou them well from where thou wert?

Mar.Ay, tell me:The man in the blue jacket, who is he?

Mar.Ay, tell me:

The man in the blue jacket, who is he?

Pal.That’s Squarcialupu: he’s my first lieutenant.Did they not greet me?

Pal.That’s Squarcialupu: he’s my first lieutenant.

Did they not greet me?

Mar.I could count eighteen.Are there no more?

Mar.I could count eighteen.

Are there no more?

1380Pal.The least of these can musterTwenty as brave.

Pal.The least of these can muster

Twenty as brave.

Mar.That’s not six hundred men.

Pal.But with them I can raise the town.

Mar.’Tis pityThe barons stand aloof.

Mar.’Tis pity

The barons stand aloof.

Pal.They hold togetherOn certain claims that touch their own estate.But in their hate of Hugo they will join usAt first report of our success; and thatI’ll make flame forth.

Pal.They hold together

On certain claims that touch their own estate.

But in their hate of Hugo they will join us

At first report of our success; and that

I’ll make flame forth.

Mar.Alas! what canst thou do,Having so little means?

Mar.Alas! what canst thou do,

Having so little means?

Pal.To-morrow night1389We shall surround the palace and capture Hugo.

Pal.To-morrow night

We shall surround the palace and capture Hugo.

Mar.One regiment could drive all thy men away.

Pal.He dare not give the word.

Mar.How know’st thou that?

Pal.I have sprung a cranny in his council-board,Thro’ which crumbs fall to me.

Pal.I have sprung a cranny in his council-board,

Thro’ which crumbs fall to me.

Mar.Nay, but you force him ...The viceroy to yield up his power to a rebel!Hugo, his person to your hated hands!

Mar.Nay, but you force him ...

The viceroy to yield up his power to a rebel!

Hugo, his person to your hated hands!

Pal.Well, he may fly; and then my word is,SackAnd fire the palace.

Pal.Well, he may fly; and then my word is,Sack

And fire the palace.

Mar.Giovanni, if he fight,Thou wilt be killed or taken.

Mar.Giovanni, if he fight,

Thou wilt be killed or taken.

Pal.And what of that?

Mar.What, askest thou! ask what! Methinks the worldHolds but one treasure—thee: and thou dost wrong1401Creation, staking all her store at onceOn such a sleight of fortune. It shall not be.Nay, for my sake it shall not. Dost thou love me?

Mar.What, askest thou! ask what! Methinks the world

Holds but one treasure—thee: and thou dost wrong

Creation, staking all her store at once

On such a sleight of fortune. It shall not be.

Nay, for my sake it shall not. Dost thou love me?

Pal.Love thee? O, Margaret, when I look on thee,And see the dazzling wealth, with which I hardlyShall scrape to heaven, may God forgive me, love,But I would be for ever pinched in hell,Rather than miss thee.

Pal.Love thee? O, Margaret, when I look on thee,

And see the dazzling wealth, with which I hardly

Shall scrape to heaven, may God forgive me, love,

But I would be for ever pinched in hell,

Rather than miss thee.

Mar.To me art thou as precious:Therefore be wise. Where is the list of names?

Mar.To me art thou as precious:

Therefore be wise. Where is the list of names?

Pal.’Tis here.

Mar.What read I here? These are thy captains,1411Palicio: these thy rivals, Margaret!Why, ’mongst these names—nay, tho’ I here see namesRenowned for outrage—there is not one nameOf such respect, that I can think it possibleIts leadership can bid thee cast awayThy life, my life, our love.

Mar.What read I here? These are thy captains,

Palicio: these thy rivals, Margaret!

Why, ’mongst these names—nay, tho’ I here see names

Renowned for outrage—there is not one name

Of such respect, that I can think it possible

Its leadership can bid thee cast away

Thy life, my life, our love.

Pal.They are all brave men.

Mar.They are ignorant, desperate, and reckless men.

Pal.’Tis by such recklessness I come at right.

Mar.’Tis recklessness throughout. See, thou art woundedAnd weak; a price upon thy head: think of it,—1421And trust the people’s rights to Manuel;Leave them to the barons: we’ve a better task:Sail o’er to Rome, there reassume thy rank;Let us be married, and await the dayThat Manuel finds thy pardon.

Mar.’Tis recklessness throughout. See, thou art wounded

And weak; a price upon thy head: think of it,—

And trust the people’s rights to Manuel;

Leave them to the barons: we’ve a better task:

Sail o’er to Rome, there reassume thy rank;

Let us be married, and await the day

That Manuel finds thy pardon.

Pal.Tempt me not, Margaret.

Mar.Else are we lost.

Pal.Nay, fear not: there’s a traitorIn the enemy’s camp; from whom I’ll have such tidingsAs will ensure success.

Pal.Nay, fear not: there’s a traitor

In the enemy’s camp; from whom I’ll have such tidings

As will ensure success.

Mar.Who is it?

Pal.Blasco.

Mar.Blasco!

Pal.He hath your money; and for that price1430Will tell how Hugo may be best surprised.That is my venture, Margaret ... If it fail ...

Pal.He hath your money; and for that price

Will tell how Hugo may be best surprised.

That is my venture, Margaret ... If it fail ...

Mar.Thou wilt be slain.

Pal.Nay, I may still escape.

Mar.And then thou’lt come?

Pal.I will.

Mar.Promise but that:That if this venture fail, and thou escape,Thou wilt not risk again.

Mar.Promise but that:

That if this venture fail, and thou escape,

Thou wilt not risk again.

Pal.Ay, if I fail.

Mar.Promise.

Pal.I promise.

Mar.Thou wilt lose nothing, for my brother aloneCan do much more than thou with these base men,Who stain the cause. One favour more.

Mar.Thou wilt lose nothing, for my brother alone

Can do much more than thou with these base men,

Who stain the cause. One favour more.

Pal.What is it?

Mar.’Tis that this evening, love, be spent together.

Pal.I mean it should. To-night our fellows meet1442In various rendezvous, as you may seeUpon the paper. There are ten in allThey will not need my presence till to-morrow,When the bands join at sundown. O, Margaret:I knew that thou wouldst come.

Pal.I mean it should. To-night our fellows meet

In various rendezvous, as you may see

Upon the paper. There are ten in all

They will not need my presence till to-morrow,

When the bands join at sundown. O, Margaret:

I knew that thou wouldst come.

Mar.I think, Giovanni,Thou shouldst have met me first thyself: thy menAre rough.

Mar.I think, Giovanni,

Thou shouldst have met me first thyself: thy men

Are rough.

Pal.Was any rude?

Mar.Nay, ’twas well meant,But sounded strangely.

Mar.Nay, ’twas well meant,

But sounded strangely.

Pal.Say but who it was.

1450Mar.No, ’tis forgiven.

Mar.No, ’tis forgiven.

Pal.(going).Kiss me.

Mar.Ah, now, Giovanni,Where wilt thou go?

Mar.Ah, now, Giovanni,

Where wilt thou go?

Pal.But for one hour, my dearest,I must be absent. Then shall I be yoursFor all the day.

Pal.But for one hour, my dearest,

I must be absent. Then shall I be yours

For all the day.

Mar.Farewell. And prithee sendLucia. I will await thee.

Mar.Farewell. And prithee send

Lucia. I will await thee.

Pal.Farewell.[Exit.

Mar.I have his promise,If this scheme fail. ’Tis mine to make it fail.O, ’tis too dangerous: to trust so farThat dollar-ballasted Iscariot,The weather-trimming Blasco.—The paper! the list!I’ll have their names. Where can I write them? Ah!My prayer-book. I will send them straight to Hugo.Poor Constance! Burn the palace! Ay, and thee,For aught they care. Now, who comes first? Bendettu1463Jacupu ... and your place?—within the cloisterOf Santo Spirito. Next, Squarcialupu ...Why, that’s the ruffian who would like a dozenWives such as I. He’ll find one were too many.Go you to prison, sir, and cool your thoughts.You burn the palace!—Messer VincentiuLazaru ... at his peltry shed at Baido.Now there’s two pages of them: the little prayersWill hardly shrive them ... here’s one I cannot read.1472B-o-n-o-Bononio, now I have him.Why who could trust such men? Set them in powerBut for a day ... say this next villain here,Fardello ... he’s a murderer—ay, for himI write his death, maybe: but for the restI’ll take such care that Manuel’s voice shall easeTheir accusation. Now I have them all.Lucia! Ho, Lucia!

Mar.I have his promise,

If this scheme fail. ’Tis mine to make it fail.

O, ’tis too dangerous: to trust so far

That dollar-ballasted Iscariot,

The weather-trimming Blasco.—The paper! the list!

I’ll have their names. Where can I write them? Ah!

My prayer-book. I will send them straight to Hugo.

Poor Constance! Burn the palace! Ay, and thee,

For aught they care. Now, who comes first? Bendettu

Jacupu ... and your place?—within the cloister

Of Santo Spirito. Next, Squarcialupu ...

Why, that’s the ruffian who would like a dozen

Wives such as I. He’ll find one were too many.

Go you to prison, sir, and cool your thoughts.

You burn the palace!—Messer Vincentiu

Lazaru ... at his peltry shed at Baido.

Now there’s two pages of them: the little prayers

Will hardly shrive them ... here’s one I cannot read.

B-o-n-o-Bononio, now I have him.

Why who could trust such men? Set them in power

But for a day ... say this next villain here,

Fardello ... he’s a murderer—ay, for him

I write his death, maybe: but for the rest

I’ll take such care that Manuel’s voice shall ease

Their accusation. Now I have them all.

Lucia! Ho, Lucia!

Enter Lucia.

See, take this book:1480Return straight to Palermo: find some friend,Whom thou canst trust: commit it to her hands;Tell her to give it secretly to Livio,Bidding him read what is writ down in the margins;And say ’twas given to her by one she knew not,And with that message. All our happinessIs staked on this. Begone. Haste for thy life.

See, take this book:

Return straight to Palermo: find some friend,

Whom thou canst trust: commit it to her hands;

Tell her to give it secretly to Livio,

Bidding him read what is writ down in the margins;

And say ’twas given to her by one she knew not,

And with that message. All our happiness

Is staked on this. Begone. Haste for thy life.

LUCIA.

Alas! what’s this?

Mar.Why, have I frighted thee?Be brave: I tell thee on this single threadMy life is hanging.

Mar.Why, have I frighted thee?

Be brave: I tell thee on this single thread

My life is hanging.

Lu.Trust me, lady, I’d riskTen lives for that.

Lu.Trust me, lady, I’d risk

Ten lives for that.

1490Mar.Hide it. I trust thee. Go.I have played a bold stroke here: but if it prosper,For Constance, and Giovanni, and myself,’Tis not ill done.[Exeunt.

Mar.Hide it. I trust thee. Go.

I have played a bold stroke here: but if it prosper,

For Constance, and Giovanni, and myself,

’Tis not ill done.[Exeunt.

A room in the Palace. Enter HUGO and CONSTANCE.HUGO.Thou hast a daughter’s duty, I a father’s:’Tis mine to seek thy good, thine to obey.CONSTANCE.I pray thee, father, hear me.Hu.I have heard thee.Thou tellest me nought but what I know. The dukeHath been with me: his purpose to renewHis suit hath my support. ’Tis very honourable—1500It shall be welcome. Though thy words to himBetrayed reluctance, that makes yet no reasonTo shun him. He will presently be here:Stay and receive him.Con.O, if I do not dream,Heaven help me now!Hu.Constance, I pray, be sober.I am sorry for thee: but what seems thy griefWill be thy comfort, when thou learn’st the causeWhich presses me to urge it.Con.What lies behind?What misery? Say!Hu.Manuel, whom late we trusted,Hath turned against me. He hath joined the rebels.1510Con.Who dares to slander him?Hu.Fact makes no roomFor slander. The devil himself could not inventA tale to blacken him. First to the courtHe hath writ of me in secret, in the senseThat I have stirred the king’s men to rebellionBy my misrule; and all the while at homeHe feeds the mischief, and most treacherouslyFavours the rebels, so to magnifyThe blame on me he charges.Con.The crime’s too great.1519If this be all I breathe again. The timeWhen thou wilt prove this ’twill away like smoke.Not till ’tis proved question our marriage, father.Hu.The question now with him is not of marriage,But of his head.Con.Shame, shame! if these be words,What is their sense?Hu.To-morrow, or to-day,I shall have proof.Con.I knew ’twas all unproven.Who brought this lie, and propped it with the promiseTo make it true?Hu.Go, girl, I hear the duke.He must not see thee thus.Con.So far is well.I gladly go.—Dear father!Hu.Go take thy grief1530Where thou canst comfort it. This ManuelHath not deceived thee more than me, and meWould have more grossly wronged.Con.Alas! alas![Exit.Hu.The proof will be to search his house, and soBoth knaves are caught at once. Now to that endLest he get wind of it I have bid him hither,And shall detain him till ’tis done.Enter Philip.Your grace,I have stayed for you.PHILIP.’Tis well. I bring conviction.Palicio lies in Manuel’s house. His roomIs locked and darkened: save for that, and orders1540That none shall enter, there is no precaution.Hu.The abominable Pharisee!Ph.Now Margaret hath been hurried from the houseOn plea of health: I bear a letter from herTo Constance.Hu.Give’t me.Ph.Pardon, your excellence;I promised I would see it in Constance’s hands.Hu.My hands are hers: a daughter cannot readLetters her father may not. Nay, the moreSuch right’s resented, more’s the need to use it.—And from a traitor’s house!Ph.(giving).Your privilege, sir,1550Invades my honour.Hu.Tut, tut, tut, ’tis mine:[Takes it.Be not so squeamish.[Reads.I can write all’s well.Yet, as thou lovest Manuel, breathe no wordOf aught I saw. I go from home to-day;Will see thee when returned.—Why, this is nothing.Ph.Taken alone ’twere nothing; but there’s nothingCould better fit our knowledge; nay it addsTo what we know. I see that Margaret fliesFrom the discovery that she hath made herself;And fears for Manuel. I grieve but for her.1560His enmity to you precludes all pity.I have come to see his papers, which containCharges against your excellence, preparedWith such unfriendly skill, that to discredit them,Should ever they reach court, would cost far moreThan any price or pains you now might spendIn their suppression.Hu.O, the double-facedPretentious Greek! But in this other matterWe have him. I’ll charge the deed to his face. He’ll notDeny it. The embassy delayed last night1570May sail this evening, and with them aboardShall Manuel fare to the king with his accusers.We shall at least be rid of him. I will call him.[Rings a bell.Thou hast done me a good service.Ph.Shall I remain?Hu.I beg you. The cursed villain!Enter Servant.I awaitThe chief justiciary. Shew him hither.[Exit servt.Ph.(aside). I shall not face him well. He must not guessMy part in this: say he be proved a traitor,And I abhor all such as undermineThe fabric of the throne,—yet have I shared1580His guilt at heart, both in my wish to find itAnd from my profit in it! ’Twould seem less foulTo steal a man’s fair earnings than to gleanThe waste of his crime. I’ll stand and take what comes.Enter Manuel.MANUEL.My service to your excellence.Hu.Ay, well.’Tis of thy service I would speak. Attend me.Thou art an honest man; in all PalermoNo name so fair as thine. There’s none would dreamThat thou at any press wouldst blink the rightIn thine own interest: now for these three years1590Thou hast done justice honour, holding upHer majesty for worship: we ourselvesHave strained or waived opinion oftentimesIn trust of thee. ’Twas not then at first hearingWe took the tale which strong concurrent proofsNow make me charge thee with. Know that ’tis saidThat thou hast given a refuge in thy houseTo John Palicio. Deny’t, I pray thee.Man. ’Tis true, your excellence.Hu.Then first I bid theeReturn him into custody.Man.Last night1600He left me without warning.Hu.Gone! Then, by heaven!Thou’rt doubly guilty.Man.I admit my guiltUpon the point of negligence: for the restI beg your excellence will hear my plea.Palicio is my kinsman: he was drivenWithout his purpose, nor with my connivance,To shelter in my house. The claim of natureWithstood the challenge of my royal dutySuspended now in the interregnum ...Hu.Enough!Thou dost admit the act: ’tis downright treason.I’ll hear no answer. Though thou wouldst deny1611My authority, thou shalt not doubt my power.Thou art my prisoner. To-night the embassyWill sail for Spain. Thou goest with them to pleadThy cause before the king.Man.I shall be ready, sire.Hu.Thou wilt be here detained until thy houseIs searched: which done thou wilt go home, and thereResign thy keys. Knowing thy doings, sir,I treat thee as I find thee. We are enemies.1619Man.I pray your excellence, for your daughter’s sake ...Hu.My daughter! could I wed her to a traitor,Would she herself consent?Enter LIVIO with the book, and BLASCO.Man.Call me not traitor,Ere I be proved one.Hu.(to Bl.). Ho! call in the guard.[Exit Blasco.(To Liv.) What bring you, son?[Talks with him.Man.(to Ph.).Philip, before I go;—Thou see’st my case. Fate would look black upon me,Left I no friend to speak for me: but theeI trust. Tell Constance what thou knowest; the restMargaret can tell you. Add thereto assuranceBoth of my innocence and speedy acquittal.Re-enter Blasco with Guards.One word and I am gone. Beware of Blasco.1630He bears two faces. See he be not trustedWith aught of moment.Hu.(to officer of guard). The chief justiciary is your prisonerOn charge of treason. Guard him in the palaceTill you hear more.Man.(to Ph.). Stand my friend, and God aid thee.[Exit guarded.Ph.(aside). And so I may. I am not yet stepped so farThat I must push my purpose, where it woundsSuch ample trust.Hu.Philip, see here.Ph.What, sire?Hu.From some most friendly hand we have full tidingsOf all the rebels; where they may be seizedThis very night.Ph.(to Liv.). You bring it?1640Liv.They are betrayedBy some one of themselves.Hu.’Twill end the matter.Ph.How came you by it?Liv.A woman brought it me,Who said ’twas thrust into her hands by oneShe knew not, who escaped. She hath since confessedThat ’twas a maid of Manuel’s.Bl.Look you, tho’,How close this follows the discoveryOf Manuel’s treason. It must be that some,On whom he used constraint, smelling his fallReturn to loyalty.Hu.Most like. Now, Livio,1650Seize them to-night. See thou observe in allThe dispositions which I have shewn thee. Stay,There’s first a vacancy to fill: I make theeJusticiary in Manuel’s place: in thineI will take Blasco for my secretary.Meanwhile I lend him thee: thou wilt have needOf his experience.Liv.I thank thee, father.Bl.And I, your excellence.Hu.Now to your work.And then to Manuel’s house, and take possessionOf all thy office gives thee.[Exeunt Livio and Blasco.Hu.(to Ph.). Thy matter next:I will fetch Constance.1660Ph.Not now, I pray, not now!Hu.Nay, wherefore wait? This business shall be settledIn a few words. I’ll bring her to thee straight.[Exit.Ph.I pray you. Nay, he is gone. I must stand to it.I play to win; and now the stakes are mine;Unless against myself for friendship’s claimI should uphold my rival. And he’s guilty.The papers were his own: them he confessed,And only deepened treason by the excuseOf kinship with the rebel. And then his servants1670Cognizant.—On the other hand his confidenceStaggering the evidence: his trust in meTo comfort Constance. How should Margaret knowMore than the facts, or I deny the facts,Should I plead for him? And yet against the factsThe man himself: his soul revealed to me;And my persuasion of him. O, he has fallenTo the popular side. Moreover, his acquittalWere Hugo’s ruin. I cannot help him: nay,Not though I would; and Fate, which thrusts him down,Is kind to me.Re-enter Hugo with Constance.1680Hu.Constance, see here the duke:He hath asked your hand of me: and I most happyIn such a match have granted it.Con.I am hereFooled by a promise of evil, but not this.This is not Manuel’s treason. First of that:Where’s the pretended proof?Hu.He hath confessed it.Con.This tale convicts itself. Treason is close,And doth not bare the breast. Though here the manYe wrong were likelier to confess such crimeThan once be guilty of it.Hu.He both is guiltyAnd hath confessed.1690Con.To what hath he confessed?What deed that hatred thus can magnify?Hu.’Twas he contrived Palicio’s late escape;And being detected and charged by me therewith,He hath here this hour confessed it. Since which timeOne of his household hath been traced in leagueWith the conspirators.Con.I believe it not.Would he speak for you, he were here to speak.Hu.But if at least he hath gone out from the palaceUnder strict guard, and sails to-night for Spain?1700Con.He is gone?Hu.He is gone.Con.Under constraint?Hu.Most certain,And charged with treason.Con.(turning to Ph.). Now, Philip, I bid thee speak.Ph.Ay, Constance, it is true, but ...Con.Ay? thou too.Ay and but: falsest falsehood, seeking graceIn shame. I knew devilry lurked aboutWhen I came hither. I’ll go. I’ll not believe.I shall know truth at last.[Going.Hu.Nay, Constance, stay.Philip will answer thee. Thou questionest him;Hear him with patience. I shall leave thee with him.Thou hast been a duteous daughter hitherto,1710Recover my good grace ere I return.(To Ph.) ’Twas an omission, duke, I gave no orderTo seize the villain’s servants. I’ll go do it.Use thy occasion.[Exit.Ph.Constance, I beg thy favour.Con.I stay, your grace,—why should I go? My fatherHath bid me hear thee: and ’tis nought to me.Say what thou wouldst: speak on, nor be officiousTo suit thy meaning to me, for there’s nothingI can believe or doubt.Ph.O, Constance, think notThat could I end thy sorrow by denialOf what thou hast heard, I would not. All is true.1721My kindest office is to unmask the illThat this ill hath prevented, and to show theeA balance of good. There lies ’gainst ManuelFar more than we have charged and he confessed:He loves thee, thinkest thou?—He hath used his placeTo plot against thy father. I here have papersIn which thyself mayst see what accusationHe hath writ in secret. They are addressed to Spain,And would have been presented ...Con.’Tis his writing.1730Whence was this filched?Ph.He gave them me himself.Con.O, a most open foe. Did he enjoin theeTo bear them to my father?Ph.Nor have I done so.Con.Then this, duke, yet remains for thee to do.Take them at once. I know not what they mean:But if ’tis secret it may be betrayed.Do it, I pray thee, do it.[Exit.Ph.And I could winceAt such reproach, had I dissembled furtherThan loyalty may deign, grappling with treason.1739Her anger springs but of that noblenessWhich makes her love worth winning; and in the endIt shall be mine again.[Exit.

A room in the Palace. Enter HUGO and CONSTANCE.

HUGO.

Thou hast a daughter’s duty, I a father’s:’Tis mine to seek thy good, thine to obey.

Thou hast a daughter’s duty, I a father’s:

’Tis mine to seek thy good, thine to obey.

CONSTANCE.

I pray thee, father, hear me.

Hu.I have heard thee.Thou tellest me nought but what I know. The dukeHath been with me: his purpose to renewHis suit hath my support. ’Tis very honourable—1500It shall be welcome. Though thy words to himBetrayed reluctance, that makes yet no reasonTo shun him. He will presently be here:Stay and receive him.

Hu.I have heard thee.

Thou tellest me nought but what I know. The duke

Hath been with me: his purpose to renew

His suit hath my support. ’Tis very honourable—

It shall be welcome. Though thy words to him

Betrayed reluctance, that makes yet no reason

To shun him. He will presently be here:

Stay and receive him.

Con.O, if I do not dream,Heaven help me now!

Con.O, if I do not dream,

Heaven help me now!

Hu.Constance, I pray, be sober.I am sorry for thee: but what seems thy griefWill be thy comfort, when thou learn’st the causeWhich presses me to urge it.

Hu.Constance, I pray, be sober.

I am sorry for thee: but what seems thy grief

Will be thy comfort, when thou learn’st the cause

Which presses me to urge it.

Con.What lies behind?What misery? Say!

Con.What lies behind?

What misery? Say!

Hu.Manuel, whom late we trusted,Hath turned against me. He hath joined the rebels.

Hu.Manuel, whom late we trusted,

Hath turned against me. He hath joined the rebels.

1510Con.Who dares to slander him?

Con.Who dares to slander him?

Hu.Fact makes no roomFor slander. The devil himself could not inventA tale to blacken him. First to the courtHe hath writ of me in secret, in the senseThat I have stirred the king’s men to rebellionBy my misrule; and all the while at homeHe feeds the mischief, and most treacherouslyFavours the rebels, so to magnifyThe blame on me he charges.

Hu.Fact makes no room

For slander. The devil himself could not invent

A tale to blacken him. First to the court

He hath writ of me in secret, in the sense

That I have stirred the king’s men to rebellion

By my misrule; and all the while at home

He feeds the mischief, and most treacherously

Favours the rebels, so to magnify

The blame on me he charges.

Con.The crime’s too great.1519If this be all I breathe again. The timeWhen thou wilt prove this ’twill away like smoke.Not till ’tis proved question our marriage, father.

Con.The crime’s too great.

If this be all I breathe again. The time

When thou wilt prove this ’twill away like smoke.

Not till ’tis proved question our marriage, father.

Hu.The question now with him is not of marriage,But of his head.

Hu.The question now with him is not of marriage,

But of his head.

Con.Shame, shame! if these be words,What is their sense?

Con.Shame, shame! if these be words,

What is their sense?

Hu.To-morrow, or to-day,I shall have proof.

Hu.To-morrow, or to-day,

I shall have proof.

Con.I knew ’twas all unproven.Who brought this lie, and propped it with the promiseTo make it true?

Con.I knew ’twas all unproven.

Who brought this lie, and propped it with the promise

To make it true?

Hu.Go, girl, I hear the duke.He must not see thee thus.

Hu.Go, girl, I hear the duke.

He must not see thee thus.

Con.So far is well.I gladly go.—Dear father!

Con.So far is well.

I gladly go.—Dear father!

Hu.Go take thy grief1530Where thou canst comfort it. This ManuelHath not deceived thee more than me, and meWould have more grossly wronged.

Hu.Go take thy grief

Where thou canst comfort it. This Manuel

Hath not deceived thee more than me, and me

Would have more grossly wronged.

Con.Alas! alas![Exit.

Hu.The proof will be to search his house, and soBoth knaves are caught at once. Now to that endLest he get wind of it I have bid him hither,And shall detain him till ’tis done.

Hu.The proof will be to search his house, and so

Both knaves are caught at once. Now to that end

Lest he get wind of it I have bid him hither,

And shall detain him till ’tis done.

Enter Philip.

Your grace,I have stayed for you.

Your grace,

I have stayed for you.

PHILIP.

’Tis well. I bring conviction.Palicio lies in Manuel’s house. His roomIs locked and darkened: save for that, and orders1540That none shall enter, there is no precaution.

’Tis well. I bring conviction.

Palicio lies in Manuel’s house. His room

Is locked and darkened: save for that, and orders

That none shall enter, there is no precaution.

Hu.The abominable Pharisee!

Ph.Now Margaret hath been hurried from the houseOn plea of health: I bear a letter from herTo Constance.

Ph.Now Margaret hath been hurried from the house

On plea of health: I bear a letter from her

To Constance.

Hu.Give’t me.

Ph.Pardon, your excellence;I promised I would see it in Constance’s hands.

Ph.Pardon, your excellence;

I promised I would see it in Constance’s hands.

Hu.My hands are hers: a daughter cannot readLetters her father may not. Nay, the moreSuch right’s resented, more’s the need to use it.—And from a traitor’s house!

Hu.My hands are hers: a daughter cannot read

Letters her father may not. Nay, the more

Such right’s resented, more’s the need to use it.—

And from a traitor’s house!

Ph.(giving).Your privilege, sir,1550Invades my honour.

Ph.(giving).Your privilege, sir,

Invades my honour.

Hu.Tut, tut, tut, ’tis mine:[Takes it.Be not so squeamish.[Reads.

Hu.Tut, tut, tut, ’tis mine:[Takes it.

Be not so squeamish.[Reads.

I can write all’s well.Yet, as thou lovest Manuel, breathe no wordOf aught I saw. I go from home to-day;Will see thee when returned.—Why, this is nothing.

I can write all’s well.

Yet, as thou lovest Manuel, breathe no word

Of aught I saw. I go from home to-day;

Will see thee when returned.—Why, this is nothing.

Ph.Taken alone ’twere nothing; but there’s nothingCould better fit our knowledge; nay it addsTo what we know. I see that Margaret fliesFrom the discovery that she hath made herself;And fears for Manuel. I grieve but for her.1560His enmity to you precludes all pity.I have come to see his papers, which containCharges against your excellence, preparedWith such unfriendly skill, that to discredit them,Should ever they reach court, would cost far moreThan any price or pains you now might spendIn their suppression.

Ph.Taken alone ’twere nothing; but there’s nothing

Could better fit our knowledge; nay it adds

To what we know. I see that Margaret flies

From the discovery that she hath made herself;

And fears for Manuel. I grieve but for her.

His enmity to you precludes all pity.

I have come to see his papers, which contain

Charges against your excellence, prepared

With such unfriendly skill, that to discredit them,

Should ever they reach court, would cost far more

Than any price or pains you now might spend

In their suppression.

Hu.O, the double-facedPretentious Greek! But in this other matterWe have him. I’ll charge the deed to his face. He’ll notDeny it. The embassy delayed last night1570May sail this evening, and with them aboardShall Manuel fare to the king with his accusers.We shall at least be rid of him. I will call him.

Hu.O, the double-faced

Pretentious Greek! But in this other matter

We have him. I’ll charge the deed to his face. He’ll not

Deny it. The embassy delayed last night

May sail this evening, and with them aboard

Shall Manuel fare to the king with his accusers.

We shall at least be rid of him. I will call him.

[Rings a bell.

Thou hast done me a good service.

Ph.Shall I remain?

Hu.I beg you. The cursed villain!

Enter Servant.

I awaitThe chief justiciary. Shew him hither.[Exit servt.

I await

The chief justiciary. Shew him hither.[Exit servt.

Ph.(aside). I shall not face him well. He must not guessMy part in this: say he be proved a traitor,And I abhor all such as undermineThe fabric of the throne,—yet have I shared1580His guilt at heart, both in my wish to find itAnd from my profit in it! ’Twould seem less foulTo steal a man’s fair earnings than to gleanThe waste of his crime. I’ll stand and take what comes.

Ph.(aside). I shall not face him well. He must not guess

My part in this: say he be proved a traitor,

And I abhor all such as undermine

The fabric of the throne,—yet have I shared

His guilt at heart, both in my wish to find it

And from my profit in it! ’Twould seem less foul

To steal a man’s fair earnings than to glean

The waste of his crime. I’ll stand and take what comes.

Enter Manuel.

MANUEL.

My service to your excellence.

Hu.Ay, well.’Tis of thy service I would speak. Attend me.Thou art an honest man; in all PalermoNo name so fair as thine. There’s none would dreamThat thou at any press wouldst blink the rightIn thine own interest: now for these three years1590Thou hast done justice honour, holding upHer majesty for worship: we ourselvesHave strained or waived opinion oftentimesIn trust of thee. ’Twas not then at first hearingWe took the tale which strong concurrent proofsNow make me charge thee with. Know that ’tis saidThat thou hast given a refuge in thy houseTo John Palicio. Deny’t, I pray thee.

Hu.Ay, well.

’Tis of thy service I would speak. Attend me.

Thou art an honest man; in all Palermo

No name so fair as thine. There’s none would dream

That thou at any press wouldst blink the right

In thine own interest: now for these three years

Thou hast done justice honour, holding up

Her majesty for worship: we ourselves

Have strained or waived opinion oftentimes

In trust of thee. ’Twas not then at first hearing

We took the tale which strong concurrent proofs

Now make me charge thee with. Know that ’tis said

That thou hast given a refuge in thy house

To John Palicio. Deny’t, I pray thee.

Man. ’Tis true, your excellence.

Hu.Then first I bid theeReturn him into custody.

Hu.Then first I bid thee

Return him into custody.

Man.Last night1600He left me without warning.

Man.Last night

He left me without warning.

Hu.Gone! Then, by heaven!Thou’rt doubly guilty.

Hu.Gone! Then, by heaven!

Thou’rt doubly guilty.

Man.I admit my guiltUpon the point of negligence: for the restI beg your excellence will hear my plea.Palicio is my kinsman: he was drivenWithout his purpose, nor with my connivance,To shelter in my house. The claim of natureWithstood the challenge of my royal dutySuspended now in the interregnum ...

Man.I admit my guilt

Upon the point of negligence: for the rest

I beg your excellence will hear my plea.

Palicio is my kinsman: he was driven

Without his purpose, nor with my connivance,

To shelter in my house. The claim of nature

Withstood the challenge of my royal duty

Suspended now in the interregnum ...

Hu.Enough!Thou dost admit the act: ’tis downright treason.I’ll hear no answer. Though thou wouldst deny1611My authority, thou shalt not doubt my power.Thou art my prisoner. To-night the embassyWill sail for Spain. Thou goest with them to pleadThy cause before the king.

Hu.Enough!

Thou dost admit the act: ’tis downright treason.

I’ll hear no answer. Though thou wouldst deny

My authority, thou shalt not doubt my power.

Thou art my prisoner. To-night the embassy

Will sail for Spain. Thou goest with them to plead

Thy cause before the king.

Man.I shall be ready, sire.

Hu.Thou wilt be here detained until thy houseIs searched: which done thou wilt go home, and thereResign thy keys. Knowing thy doings, sir,I treat thee as I find thee. We are enemies.

Hu.Thou wilt be here detained until thy house

Is searched: which done thou wilt go home, and there

Resign thy keys. Knowing thy doings, sir,

I treat thee as I find thee. We are enemies.

1619Man.I pray your excellence, for your daughter’s sake ...

Man.I pray your excellence, for your daughter’s sake ...

Hu.My daughter! could I wed her to a traitor,Would she herself consent?

Hu.My daughter! could I wed her to a traitor,

Would she herself consent?

Enter LIVIO with the book, and BLASCO.

Man.Call me not traitor,Ere I be proved one.

Man.Call me not traitor,

Ere I be proved one.

Hu.(to Bl.). Ho! call in the guard.[Exit Blasco.(To Liv.) What bring you, son?[Talks with him.

Hu.(to Bl.). Ho! call in the guard.[Exit Blasco.

(To Liv.) What bring you, son?[Talks with him.

Man.(to Ph.).Philip, before I go;—Thou see’st my case. Fate would look black upon me,Left I no friend to speak for me: but theeI trust. Tell Constance what thou knowest; the restMargaret can tell you. Add thereto assuranceBoth of my innocence and speedy acquittal.

Man.(to Ph.).Philip, before I go;—

Thou see’st my case. Fate would look black upon me,

Left I no friend to speak for me: but thee

I trust. Tell Constance what thou knowest; the rest

Margaret can tell you. Add thereto assurance

Both of my innocence and speedy acquittal.

Re-enter Blasco with Guards.

One word and I am gone. Beware of Blasco.1630He bears two faces. See he be not trustedWith aught of moment.

One word and I am gone. Beware of Blasco.

He bears two faces. See he be not trusted

With aught of moment.

Hu.(to officer of guard). The chief justiciary is your prisonerOn charge of treason. Guard him in the palaceTill you hear more.

Hu.(to officer of guard). The chief justiciary is your prisoner

On charge of treason. Guard him in the palace

Till you hear more.

Man.(to Ph.). Stand my friend, and God aid thee.

[Exit guarded.

Ph.(aside). And so I may. I am not yet stepped so farThat I must push my purpose, where it woundsSuch ample trust.

Ph.(aside). And so I may. I am not yet stepped so far

That I must push my purpose, where it wounds

Such ample trust.

Hu.Philip, see here.

Ph.What, sire?

Hu.From some most friendly hand we have full tidingsOf all the rebels; where they may be seizedThis very night.

Hu.From some most friendly hand we have full tidings

Of all the rebels; where they may be seized

This very night.

Ph.(to Liv.). You bring it?

1640Liv.They are betrayedBy some one of themselves.

Liv.They are betrayed

By some one of themselves.

Hu.’Twill end the matter.

Ph.How came you by it?

Liv.A woman brought it me,Who said ’twas thrust into her hands by oneShe knew not, who escaped. She hath since confessedThat ’twas a maid of Manuel’s.

Liv.A woman brought it me,

Who said ’twas thrust into her hands by one

She knew not, who escaped. She hath since confessed

That ’twas a maid of Manuel’s.

Bl.Look you, tho’,How close this follows the discoveryOf Manuel’s treason. It must be that some,On whom he used constraint, smelling his fallReturn to loyalty.

Bl.Look you, tho’,

How close this follows the discovery

Of Manuel’s treason. It must be that some,

On whom he used constraint, smelling his fall

Return to loyalty.

Hu.Most like. Now, Livio,1650Seize them to-night. See thou observe in allThe dispositions which I have shewn thee. Stay,There’s first a vacancy to fill: I make theeJusticiary in Manuel’s place: in thineI will take Blasco for my secretary.Meanwhile I lend him thee: thou wilt have needOf his experience.

Hu.Most like. Now, Livio,

Seize them to-night. See thou observe in all

The dispositions which I have shewn thee. Stay,

There’s first a vacancy to fill: I make thee

Justiciary in Manuel’s place: in thine

I will take Blasco for my secretary.

Meanwhile I lend him thee: thou wilt have need

Of his experience.

Liv.I thank thee, father.

Bl.And I, your excellence.

Hu.Now to your work.And then to Manuel’s house, and take possessionOf all thy office gives thee.

Hu.Now to your work.

And then to Manuel’s house, and take possession

Of all thy office gives thee.

[Exeunt Livio and Blasco.

Hu.(to Ph.). Thy matter next:I will fetch Constance.

Hu.(to Ph.). Thy matter next:

I will fetch Constance.

1660Ph.Not now, I pray, not now!

Ph.Not now, I pray, not now!

Hu.Nay, wherefore wait? This business shall be settledIn a few words. I’ll bring her to thee straight.

Hu.Nay, wherefore wait? This business shall be settled

In a few words. I’ll bring her to thee straight.

[Exit.

Ph.I pray you. Nay, he is gone. I must stand to it.I play to win; and now the stakes are mine;Unless against myself for friendship’s claimI should uphold my rival. And he’s guilty.The papers were his own: them he confessed,And only deepened treason by the excuseOf kinship with the rebel. And then his servants1670Cognizant.—On the other hand his confidenceStaggering the evidence: his trust in meTo comfort Constance. How should Margaret knowMore than the facts, or I deny the facts,Should I plead for him? And yet against the factsThe man himself: his soul revealed to me;And my persuasion of him. O, he has fallenTo the popular side. Moreover, his acquittalWere Hugo’s ruin. I cannot help him: nay,Not though I would; and Fate, which thrusts him down,Is kind to me.

Ph.I pray you. Nay, he is gone. I must stand to it.

I play to win; and now the stakes are mine;

Unless against myself for friendship’s claim

I should uphold my rival. And he’s guilty.

The papers were his own: them he confessed,

And only deepened treason by the excuse

Of kinship with the rebel. And then his servants

Cognizant.—On the other hand his confidence

Staggering the evidence: his trust in me

To comfort Constance. How should Margaret know

More than the facts, or I deny the facts,

Should I plead for him? And yet against the facts

The man himself: his soul revealed to me;

And my persuasion of him. O, he has fallen

To the popular side. Moreover, his acquittal

Were Hugo’s ruin. I cannot help him: nay,

Not though I would; and Fate, which thrusts him down,

Is kind to me.

Re-enter Hugo with Constance.

1680Hu.Constance, see here the duke:He hath asked your hand of me: and I most happyIn such a match have granted it.

Hu.Constance, see here the duke:

He hath asked your hand of me: and I most happy

In such a match have granted it.

Con.I am hereFooled by a promise of evil, but not this.This is not Manuel’s treason. First of that:Where’s the pretended proof?

Con.I am here

Fooled by a promise of evil, but not this.

This is not Manuel’s treason. First of that:

Where’s the pretended proof?

Hu.He hath confessed it.

Con.This tale convicts itself. Treason is close,And doth not bare the breast. Though here the manYe wrong were likelier to confess such crimeThan once be guilty of it.

Con.This tale convicts itself. Treason is close,

And doth not bare the breast. Though here the man

Ye wrong were likelier to confess such crime

Than once be guilty of it.

Hu.He both is guiltyAnd hath confessed.

Hu.He both is guilty

And hath confessed.

1690Con.To what hath he confessed?What deed that hatred thus can magnify?

Con.To what hath he confessed?

What deed that hatred thus can magnify?

Hu.’Twas he contrived Palicio’s late escape;And being detected and charged by me therewith,He hath here this hour confessed it. Since which timeOne of his household hath been traced in leagueWith the conspirators.

Hu.’Twas he contrived Palicio’s late escape;

And being detected and charged by me therewith,

He hath here this hour confessed it. Since which time

One of his household hath been traced in league

With the conspirators.

Con.I believe it not.Would he speak for you, he were here to speak.

Con.I believe it not.

Would he speak for you, he were here to speak.

Hu.But if at least he hath gone out from the palaceUnder strict guard, and sails to-night for Spain?

Hu.But if at least he hath gone out from the palace

Under strict guard, and sails to-night for Spain?

1700Con.He is gone?

Con.He is gone?

Hu.He is gone.

Con.Under constraint?

Hu.Most certain,And charged with treason.

Hu.Most certain,

And charged with treason.

Con.(turning to Ph.). Now, Philip, I bid thee speak.

Ph.Ay, Constance, it is true, but ...

Con.Ay? thou too.Ay and but: falsest falsehood, seeking graceIn shame. I knew devilry lurked aboutWhen I came hither. I’ll go. I’ll not believe.I shall know truth at last.[Going.

Con.Ay? thou too.

Ay and but: falsest falsehood, seeking grace

In shame. I knew devilry lurked about

When I came hither. I’ll go. I’ll not believe.

I shall know truth at last.[Going.

Hu.Nay, Constance, stay.Philip will answer thee. Thou questionest him;Hear him with patience. I shall leave thee with him.Thou hast been a duteous daughter hitherto,1710Recover my good grace ere I return.(To Ph.) ’Twas an omission, duke, I gave no orderTo seize the villain’s servants. I’ll go do it.Use thy occasion.[Exit.

Hu.Nay, Constance, stay.

Philip will answer thee. Thou questionest him;

Hear him with patience. I shall leave thee with him.

Thou hast been a duteous daughter hitherto,

Recover my good grace ere I return.

(To Ph.) ’Twas an omission, duke, I gave no order

To seize the villain’s servants. I’ll go do it.

Use thy occasion.[Exit.

Ph.Constance, I beg thy favour.

Con.I stay, your grace,—why should I go? My fatherHath bid me hear thee: and ’tis nought to me.Say what thou wouldst: speak on, nor be officiousTo suit thy meaning to me, for there’s nothingI can believe or doubt.

Con.I stay, your grace,—why should I go? My father

Hath bid me hear thee: and ’tis nought to me.

Say what thou wouldst: speak on, nor be officious

To suit thy meaning to me, for there’s nothing

I can believe or doubt.

Ph.O, Constance, think notThat could I end thy sorrow by denialOf what thou hast heard, I would not. All is true.1721My kindest office is to unmask the illThat this ill hath prevented, and to show theeA balance of good. There lies ’gainst ManuelFar more than we have charged and he confessed:He loves thee, thinkest thou?—He hath used his placeTo plot against thy father. I here have papersIn which thyself mayst see what accusationHe hath writ in secret. They are addressed to Spain,And would have been presented ...

Ph.O, Constance, think not

That could I end thy sorrow by denial

Of what thou hast heard, I would not. All is true.

My kindest office is to unmask the ill

That this ill hath prevented, and to show thee

A balance of good. There lies ’gainst Manuel

Far more than we have charged and he confessed:

He loves thee, thinkest thou?—He hath used his place

To plot against thy father. I here have papers

In which thyself mayst see what accusation

He hath writ in secret. They are addressed to Spain,

And would have been presented ...

Con.’Tis his writing.1730Whence was this filched?

Con.’Tis his writing.

Whence was this filched?

Ph.He gave them me himself.

Con.O, a most open foe. Did he enjoin theeTo bear them to my father?

Con.O, a most open foe. Did he enjoin thee

To bear them to my father?

Ph.Nor have I done so.

Con.Then this, duke, yet remains for thee to do.Take them at once. I know not what they mean:But if ’tis secret it may be betrayed.Do it, I pray thee, do it.[Exit.

Con.Then this, duke, yet remains for thee to do.

Take them at once. I know not what they mean:

But if ’tis secret it may be betrayed.

Do it, I pray thee, do it.[Exit.

Ph.And I could winceAt such reproach, had I dissembled furtherThan loyalty may deign, grappling with treason.1739Her anger springs but of that noblenessWhich makes her love worth winning; and in the endIt shall be mine again.[Exit.

Ph.And I could wince

At such reproach, had I dissembled further

Than loyalty may deign, grappling with treason.

Her anger springs but of that nobleness

Which makes her love worth winning; and in the end

It shall be mine again.[Exit.

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