ACT · V

Dungeon of the Palace. PALICIO discovered. A door at back of prison isL.of centre.PALICIO.I cannot think of death. ImaginationIs barren on that point, and hath no picture;—2220To be so near should better prick the fancy.—I see a grave—but stand beside the grave ...Nothing.—And yet I am so near.—I judgeFrom this how dizzily deep rides the division’Twixt this world and the next; tho’ in Time’s face’Tis thin, ay, more invisibly sharp than isThe axe’s edge, which makes it.—Is our life’s stuffSo different? All the joys and hopes of earthWrought of too coarse a fibre to investAn inkling of that other unseen world,Which hath this only entrance? Wherefore my mind2231Wanders in wasteful contemplation backO’er what I have done, pitifully seekingTo wear renewed the robe of those proud deeds,To dream again her disappointed dreams;And over all is Margaret, ever Margaret;Floating before these vain soul-treacherous eyes,—My tempter and tormentor.Enter Gaoler.GAOLER.A priest sent from the archbishop. Shall he enter?Pal.Yea: bid him enter. But I pray thee now,2240Thou execrable minion of that devilWho sucks our people’s blood, come not thyself:Each time I see thee I must wish to kill thee.Thou art my soul’s last peril. Keep away.Gaoler.Whate’er I be, I can be civil, sir.[Exit.Pal.Ay, I was wrong. Now must I ask his pardon.I am not yet fit to die. Yet is’t not written“If hand or foot offend thee, cut it off;If thine eye, pluck it out”? I have done all this;Yet lurks there something in the accusing balanceWhich my soul sickens at. What if I have lostMy world and soul? This good priest comes in time.Enter Manuel disguised as priest.2252Father, if thou be come to shrive my soul,I need thee sorely.MANUEL.I am here for that.Pal.There’s comfort in thy face. I have much to tell.Thou know’st me, who I am?Man.Ay, son.Pal.I prayWhat said the archbishop of me?Man.Pause not nowTo ask and weigh man’s judgment, who so soonMust answer to the Judge of all.Pal.Nay, nay.If thou bring hither such a thought of me,2260What can I tell thee? How shall I begin?Man.If there be any one thing on your mind,More than another, which now brings you shame,Begin with that.Pal.Ay: such a thing there is.Man.What is’t?Pal.’Tis the story of the mischief,Which makes me need thee; which hath sent me here.For I was single-hearted, single-eyed,As thou or any of the saints, who holdTheir place in heaven secure, three days ago,—But three days: If thou then hadst come to me2270I should have said, My sins are all forgiven;I only beg of thee the heavenly breadTo be my passport to my home prepared.My earthly sword hath won a heavenly crown.I have not left undone aught, save where God’s willForbade accomplishment, and if I have doneAught unpermitted ’twas in zeal’s excess.My errors are the saints’—three days ago ...And now my boast is gone, my soul is stained.Hark, while I tell. Satan, who saw me thus2280Pure-hearted and elect, an envied prey,Used all his skill to take me: Ay, he cameAnd showed me, in the room where I lay sick,Wounded, and weak and faint, a beauteous woman,And all love’s world. He said,Take this; but IWas ready awhile, and answered,Not for me.I thread the narrow way; I climb at heaven.If I touch this, I perish.But he said,Not so, ’tis thy due prize. Take it, Palicio!’Twas the old tale—“Thou shalt not surely die.”2290I took it. God deserted me that hour:My friends suspected me: all things went ill:And now ...Man.Stay. First, this woman, who misled you,Is she your wife?Pal.Nay, ’tis but now three days ...Man.You say she is not your wife. Is then your sinTo have leapt the bounds which hold unmarried lovers?Pal.O, father, thou couldst never ask such thingIf thou didst know who ’twas. Nay, thou mayst know:’Twas Manuel’s sister,—Margaret of Palermo.Man.(partly discovering). See, I am Manuel. * * ** * * Ay, and so far is well.2300Now say, did Margaret contrive thy flight?Pal.... (assents).Man.And after followed thee to Monreale?And met thee on the hills?Pal.... (assents).Man.Then tell me nowWhy hast thou left her?Pal.Nay. Question me not.Man.Why hast thou left her?Pal.Why come to me thus?I needed but a priest to comfort me,And show me on death’s road: thou drag’st me backTo torture me. Thou canst not understand.Man.Thou ow’st to me more than to any priest,Who for thy sake might hear, to tell me true.Why hast thou left her?2310Pal.If thou wert a priest,Then wouldst thou see how well the stalking fiendSnared for my soul. I planned for yesternightTo storm the palace: and I had promised MargaretTo make no further venture if that failed,But sail with her to Rome and there be married,Using thy interest to reclaim my rank.But on the day I gave that word, my menWere all betrayed, taken, and led to prison.I was with Margaret, as well they knew:2320My love for her, my shelter at thy house,My flight permitted, set them on the thoughtThat I had been corrupted, was the traitor.Fly with me, then cried Margaret. Ay, the fiend tooSaid,Fly: go safe. I foiled him. I came here.That was my only answer.Man.And didst thou notBetray them?Pal.I! Palicio! when did IBetray?Man.Stay, while in turn I shew to theeAnother tale made of the self-same matter.—A price set on thy head, pursued by justice,2330Bleeding to death, thou camest to my houseAsking for shelter, begging but for life.I gave it at my risk,—how great that riskI’ll shew thee soon;—there at my house my sisterSecretly tended thee, and won thy cure.Thou in return didst, all unknown to me,Obtain her love, and use it to break trust,Flying by stealth at night: and then, being fled,Didst scruple not to use thy flight, to workThe very thing for which thy life was owed.2340Further, when that went wrong, merely for fearMen should think ill of thee, thou didst desertHer, to whose love was due that thou wert free;Wronging her then again, as me before ...Pal.Manuel, forbear; thee I confess I wronged:For the rest thy taunts are vain.Man.Wait: there is more.—Thy refuge being discovered, I was chargedWith treason, and in course shipped hence for Spain.My ship was sunk, and I, but for God’s mercy,Drowned. My disgrace and rumoured death so wrought2350On Constance, that she lies in life’s last hope.To all of us thou hast done unmeasured ill:What is thy plea?Pal.Though God himself should curse me,My purpose hath been good.Man.Ay, that I’ll grant:Thou’rt for the right, but being too hot upon itMistakest right. Thou art numbered with the madmenWho, thinking the whole world’s unhappinessHangs on one string, tread all else underfootSo they may reach to cut it.—And where’s the good?Thyself, too, in what plight, that after all2360This sacrifice of others’ rights, thou rushestTo die to save thine honour from a stain,That needs no washing!Pal.Enough: there let it end:I die to-morrow.Man.Nay, thou must escape:Retrieve all that thou canst. I now shall goTo Margaret, whom before I feared to meet.She will be working for thee. If she fail,The archbishop yet hath power to stay thy deathTill I can serve thee. If thy love for her,And hers for thee abide, you must be married.Nay, all she urged was good.2370Pal.O, ’tis impossible.Work not for my escape: ’tis best I die.Man.Nay, nay. Thou that canst fight, fight with thyself.The brave despair that fear not: that’s the shockThe strongest suffer. Thou wast ill of late;Wert thou now strong, shame would not crush thy spirit.[Going.Pal.Manuel, go not!Man.Yes, I must go. RememberMy name is Father Thomas. None must guessWho hath been with thee.—Farewell. Fight with thyself;Palicio, with thyself. Thou shalt be saved.[Exit.ACT · VSCENE · 1The same. PALICIO as before.PALICIO.2380Threehours have fully passed since first I markedYon grated hole grow rosy, and exchangeMoonlight for dawn. Now soon will Margaret come:And I must go forth to the world disgraced,To fly my country or hide: ay, at the cueOf the chief justiciary, led by a woman.Hast thou the heart, Giovann Palicio,To call this freedom. Nay, since thy right handWas raised ’gainst wrong in vain, and thou thyselfArt charged with wrong, and must admit the wrong,Were’t not now best to end, and shroud thy fortune2391In veils of death? Thou that hast led the people,Hast thou a knee for favours? Will thy tongueConfess I wronged thee, Manuel, I come forthTo be thy prisoner: and I wronged thee, Margaret:I will come forth to be thy pensioner?Shame: rather would I die.Enter Margaret.MARGARET.’Tis I, Giovanni: all is well: thou’rt safe,Manuel has told me all. Thou dost repent.All is prepared. Ask not my pardon: give me2400One kiss—I have forgiven thee. Be not sad.’Twas like thee as I love thee, nobly done:And being so cruel to thyself ’twas easyThou shouldst forget what I too now forget,Recovering thee. I saw thee ride away,And guessed before the letter. O, Giovanni,Thank God, thou’rt safe. Look, I have brought the moneyTo serve thee on thy journey till the dayWe meet again; and more. Thy ship will sailBut to Messina: there thou wilt disbark.2410Nay, take the money; thou wilt need it, love,’Tis Manuel’s gift, not mine.Pal.(taking).I have no heart,Margaret, for what is done on my behalf.I thank him, but ...Mar.Alas, alas! Giovanni:I looked to find thee glad of heart and happy.Our troubles all are over. Manuel lives,Whom we thought drowned: Constance, who lay in death,Hath risen from her bed: and even our marriageIs furthered by my brother. How can it beThou art so dismal, and thy kiss as coldAs is this prison?2420Pal.I would not leave this prison.Mar.Thou wouldst not leave it?Pal.No: dankness and darknessAre now my friends. I have failed. How can I wishTo step in the light of heaven?Mar.O, then I seeThis death-delivering dungeon hath o’ercome thee.——There’s news. This morn the ships arrived from Spain.They must bring tidings of the king’s accession.We shall learn all to-day. When he’s proclaimed,There’s nought that thou couldst do if thou wert free.What thou hast done may have determined much.Pal.When shall I hear of it?2430Mar.Love, thou must sailQuickly and secretly: and canst not hearUntil thou come to land. But then if IShould meet thee there with Manuel, oh, what joy,Could I be first to tell thee.Pal.Dost thou thinkThat Manuel hath forgiven me for the wrongI did him, stealing from his house by night?Mar.That was my theft, Giovanni; and he forgives:Cry not thou forfeit.—See, I bring thy dagger.Pal.But, Margaret, I wronged thee too. I fledFrom thee; canst thou forgive me?2440Mar.Ask not meIf I have forgiven. Hearken, I will tell thee,—This dagger is the dagger which the woman,Whose name thou didst not know, brought thee in prison:By help of this thou madest thy first escape.’Tis I that bring it now. These two days past,These days of misery, I have held and worn itBut for one purpose; that if thou shouldst die,I might have something which had once been thineTo end my life with.Pal.Thou!Mar.Ay. I had promised2450This caseless blade my empty heart for sheath.Pal.Margaret!Mar.Now take it. I have better hope.[Palicio takes dagger, and puts it in his breast.Thou shouldst be armed.Pal.And thou hast thought of death?Mar.Only if thou hadst died.Pal.O, Margaret,Margaret, I am not worthy of thy love.Thou seest I am not. Look how poor a heartI bring to take thee: ’tis too base. I thoughtI loved thee overmuch. Now, fool, I seeI love too little.Mar.’Tis this hateful prisonHath chilled thy spirits. When again thou’rt freeThou’lt be Giovanni.2460Pal.Canst thou love me so?Mar.O, what hath come to thee? Did I not loveThe hour I bound thy wound: the day I broughtRosso to heal thee, and led thee by the hand,Threading the blindest midnight silently,To set thee free? Dost thou forget?Pal.But then,Then I was brave, a leader of the peopleAgainst their tyrant: thou didst hold of meAs of a hero: now I have failed, I am shamed.Mar.O no, Giovanni; thou mistakest sadlyMy love for thee.2470Pal.I am no more myself.Mar.Then dare I prove to thee how much I love thee,How little thy renown. Remember, thou didst schemeTo burn the palace.Pal.Ay.Mar.Didst thou not promiseMe, trembling for thy life, that if that failed,Thou wouldst to Rome with me?Pal.My scheme miscarried:I broke my promise.Mar.The cause of that miscarriageWas the betrayal?Pal.How should I forget?Mar.Now wilt thou say I love but thy success?’Twas I betrayed thy men.Pal.Ha! thou was’t! was’t thou?(Leaping up from Margaret, who staggers against the wall.)2480From me, sorceress, thou viper, go from me!Traitress, was’t thou? Thou wast my secret curse!Sent by the devil, wast thou, to destroy me,To kill my soul? And bringest now thy money[Strews it about.To buy thy happiness: and of thy lovePratest, and sayst,Come forth with me! With thee?Rather all deaths, a thousand deaths of shame,—The axe, the gallows. O, my faithful men,My brave men! and for them!—Ah! I will loveMy executioner more than thee. Love thee!2490There is not any tyrant or crowned fiendWhom I will hate like thee.Mar.Then kill me, Giovanni.[Swoons falling.Pal.(taking out dagger). This dagger in my heart, and I am avenged.Nay, nay, O God, I am adding wrong to wrong.[Putting dagger back.And Manuel. Alas! what have I done?[Runs to Margaret.I spake too roughly, Margaret; I was angry:I knew not what I said. Margaret, I am sorry.Forgive me, Margaret. Nay, I meant it not.I am not angry with thee now. I thinkI can forgive thee. Hear me! She doth not hear me.2500She doth not breathe. Her eyes are fixed and sightless.Her hands are cold.My God, oh, if I have killed her! Margaret, Margaret!Dost thou not hear?—I have killed her.—Margaret!I do forgive thee. I forgive thee all.O God, she is dead, she is dead.—Now if I kiss her,If she can feel (kissing). She stirs. O, Margaret,Hear me. I do forgive thee all.Mar.Giovanni:I did it for thy love.Pal.Thank God, thank God.Now thou dost breathe and speak. O, I was cruel;2510I was too angry.—Margaret, forgive me.Kiss me, forgive.[Noise at door.Mar.Hark, at the door they come;’Tis now thy time to fly.Pal.How can I leave thee?I cannot thus.Enter Blasco with sword drawn, Livio and two soldiers.Mar.Go for thy life, Giovanni:Fly, fly: think not of me!BLASCO.Stay, not so fast,You pretty pair of loving turtle-doves,Cooing your sweet farewells in such a cote;We shall not separate you yet so far.Mar.Ah me!Pal.What means this insult?Bl.Forward, fellows.Take ye the lady to the cell I shewed,And bind her arms.Pal.Who dares?2520Bl.Fool, stand aside!Seest thou my sword?Pal.Ho! villain, die!Palicio springs on Blasco suddenly, and stabs him with dagger in his left. Seizing Blasco’s sword in his right, which he has disengaged from the sling, he kills another with that; and when the rest fly is left standing with a bloody weapon in each hand.Bl.God! I am slain.[Falls.Pal.And thou, Thinking to find me here unarmed, go thou!Soldier.Ah![Dies ... the rest fly.Pal.Two are escaped.Mar.And one was Livio.Pal.What means this damnable design?Mar.Giovanni,I see, I know. Fly now—take thou the sword.Give me the dagger. Follow. I know the way.2528There will be none to stay thee. If there be,Serve them as Blasco. Come, come; follow quickly.[Exit.Pal.(following). Margaret, Margaret.[Exit.SCENE · 2Room in the Palace. MANUEL, disguised as priest, meeting ROSSO.ROSSO.In good time, Manuel: welcome. All is well.MANUEL.Thank God. And doth she know?Ros.Ay, thou shalt hear.’Twas Margaret’s doing: all night long she satBy Constance’ bed, and there with gentlest presenceAnd soft accustomed voice most graduallyShe soothed and won the wandering spirit back.But, oh, the sweetest skill!—she, as she sawConstance take note of her, made no discovery,But spoke of thee and all things else, as if2540There never had been change: and that so well,That Constance, who lay gazing on the wall,And questioning of her error, whence it grew,Soon laid it on herself, and by and byTold Margaret of her dream, and asked how longShe had lain so sick in bed; nor ever learnedHow real had her woe been, till she knewThat all was over.Man.I thank God,—and thee,Rosso, thee too. Margaret has had some causeTo blame herself,—to have helped in the repairWill ease her heart of much. May I see Constance?2551Ros.At once. But come prepared to find her weak.Enter Philip.PHILIP.Father, a word.Man.I pray you excuse me now.Ph.’Tis that I know thy errand that I ask.I would speak through thee to the lady Constance.Man.What would you say?Ph.Let me be private with thee.Man.(to Ros.) Doctor, I’ll follow. (Aside.) Now to act my best.[Exit Rosso.Ph.Thou seest in me the man who wrought this ill.I’d have thee use thine office with the lady,To win her grace, that I may make confessionOf that which burdens me.2560Man.How! what is this?What should I say?Ph.I’ll tell thee: and thou must knowFirst, that I once was Manuel’s friend and pupil,—My pride, alas! self-wrested to my shame—And in those early days loved her, whom heShould at this time have married. Five years spentIn graceless life meanwhile had far removedMy heart from my first love, nor had my thoughtOnce ventured back to think or wish her mine:But, as it happened,—and being at the time2570Stung by the sharp remorse of idle hours,—Chance sent me hither, and her presence soonAwaked those memories that I had thought were dead.Then vainly felt I worthier than I was,Seeing my better part desired to winWhat I too surely had deserved to lose.Constance denied me:—but now hear my crime.I won her father’s ear; and then, being lodgedIn Manuel’s house, I lit on a discoveryOf some suspicion, and contrived thereby—2580Betraying him who was my friend and host—His absence and disgrace: whence by ill fateHis death and all this lady’s trouble sprung.Man.’Tis a sad tale you tell.Ph.I was misledTo think he loved the lady less than I.Yet urge I no excuse, nor look for pardon:But if ’twould not add sorrow to her sorrow,I would discharge this burden from my soul.Man.Do so: for you shall find pity and pardon.Ph.Nay, nay: that could not be.Man.Though hard it seem,Ay, and may force awhile some generous tears;2591She cannot yet fail in the foremost dutyOf all that sin. I shall prepare her well.Ph.I thank thee, father.[Exit Manuel.There is in these menA quiet strength, which shames our self-esteem.Enter Ferdinand and Hugo with despatches.HUGO.Philip, we have the news. Frederick is crowned.See, here’s for thee. (Gives a despatch.) It bears the new king’s seal.Ph.Well, ’twill help nought. (Opens.)Hu.I pray there may be nothingThat meddles with my place.Ph.Read here, your excellence.[Reads.By reason of advices late received,The kings commands are that the sealed despatch2600Writ for emergency be now held valid,And put in force by you.Hu.There’s the despatch?FERDINAND.’Tis in my keeping.Hu.(to Philip).Know’st thou its contents?Ph.Nay, sir; not I.Hu.Pray let us see it, straight.Ph.Adjourn we to my secretary’s chamber:A moment will discover it.[Exeunt.SCENE · 3Reception-room at the Palace. As first scene of first act. CONSTANCE, ROSSO, and MANUEL disguised.CONSTANCE.Nay, I can walk. I am very well. See, Manuel,There’s no one here: thou mayst be ManuelYet awhile. Is not this, love, a recovery2610To make the memories of sickness glad?The days seem years since I stood here. But nowMust I see Philip?MANUEL.Be kind to him, Constance.The self-condemned need more than full forgivenessEre they forgive themselves.Con.I am too happyTo be unkind. And where is Margaret?I long to rally her about her lover.Sweet Margaret caught: Margaret who mocked us all.Hath she not chosen a madcap brother for us?Man.Well, I had wished for Rosso, love; but womenFavour strange fellows.ROSSO.2620She was difficultTo win, and now at least she has met her match.Man.I pray all may go well. Indeed I have hopeThat Hugo is by this possessed of ordersWhich will resolve all trouble.Con.Hush, father Thomas;See, here they come.Enter Hugo, Philip, Livio, and Ferdinand.HUGO.My dearest daughter, ’tis a happy day.Thy health and safety—Ay, I am glad to seeThy face of happiness, and I can addNow to thy joy. King Frederick is crowned,And I shall rule in Sicily.2630Man.(aside).How is this?Con.Then for this happy news grant me, dear father,One favour. Philip here will join in asking.PHILIP.Ere it be asked, I wish before all hereTo say some words. Good father, hast thou wonThe lady’s ear for me?Man.I have, your grace.Ph.May I speak, Constance?Con.Philip, you may speak.Ph.Once I asked this, and thou didst bid me thenSpeak and end all. Hear while I speak my last.I have wronged thee, Constance.Con.That is now forgiven.Hu.O, well done, Constance.2640Ph.And I wronged Manuel.I violated friendship, and the bondOf hospitality.Con.All that I know,And all forgive.Hu.Forgive him, and forget it.So should it be.Ph.Yet if thou sayest that,Thou dost not know that ’twas my treacheryProcured his exile, whence ensued his death.Con.All this I know, and I forgive it all.Hu.(aside). This is too soft. Doth her mind wander still?Ph.Thou understandest? Knowest thou that did he live2650To-day he were the ruler of his country?Con.Nay; now, sir, this is new. How came you by it?Ph.In a despatch I hold, his full appointmentIs writ and sealed.Con.He will be very gladTo hear of this.Ph.What sayst thou, then?Hu.(aside).O misery!Con.I know you call him dead; but still to meHe makes his visitations. I have seen himThis morning in my chamber. Nay, I say,I see him now.Hu.What saith she?(To Livio.) Alas, alas!Thy sister’s mind is gone. This was the reasonOf her strange cheerfulness.2660Ph.May God forgive usOur fatal mischief.Con.Give me the despatch:I’ll shew it him, sirs, else he might not believe me:But if I take it ...Ph.(to Hu.).What, sir, shall I do?Ros.Humour her fancy, I will lead her out.Hu.Ferdinand, give it to her. Alas, alas!Con.(taking). I thank thee, sir. (To Man.) Now, father, here’s a matterTo make us laugh within.[Exeunt Rosso, Constance, and Manuel.Hu.Philip, she is mad.Ph.I see it, and I the cause.Hu.A laughing idiot. O, cruel heavens,2670Ye had no stroke more fearful. Would to GodThat Manuel yet were living, tho’ I hate him,Rather than this.[Shouting without of “Palicio,” etc.]What noise is that?LIVIO.The rebels, sir, again.Enter an Officer.OFFICER.The city, sire, is risen; and the people,With John Palicio at their head, demandThe king’s despatches.Hu.John Palicio!Is he escaped again? Send Blasco hither.Livio, where is he?Liv.Sir, I do not know.Hu.’Tis this accursed rebellion hath done all:2679I have been too merciful. I tell thee, Philip,That was the cause of all, of Constance’s madness,Of Manuel’s death. By heaven, the sword shall fall.I will have blood for blood, and wail for wail.None of these villains whom I hold in prisonShall see the sunset. Send me Blasco hither.Call out the troops.Ph.Pray you remember, sire,Pardon to all is urged in the despatch.Hu.Send pardon to the devil. Oppose me not!I’ll teach these rebels I am master now.[Cries heard without.Enter Manuel (as himself, with paper in hand) and Constance. Margaret, Lucia, and Rosso following.Manuel! why, Manuel!Ph.O, Manuel,My friend, I am saved.2690Con.My father,Let me present to you my ghostly father;And at your will my loving living husband.Hu.Why, what! How’s this? Is’t thou? Is this a trick?Man.Ay: but a trick of fortune. Let my escape,Which makes you wonder, be explained hereafter.But now, since here I hold my title, sire,I’ll fill my place at once. Philip, I pray theeGo to the window, and make known to allThese latest tidings. Send the people home.[Philip goes to window.Meanwhile, sir; if before thou hadst some warrant2701For anger shewn against me, now I askThy pardon; and for wrongs against me doneAssure thee, that if freely thou make overThy daughter for my wife, there is in my loveMeans for full reconcilement. May I sayConstance is mine?Hu.I see that she is thine.Man.I pray thou never shalt regret this day.Ph.(returning from window). There is John Palicio, with half the townAt their old cries. I can make nothing of him.2710Man.Bid him surrender as my prisoner.I will receive him here.Hu.Thou must not thinkHe comes at asking thus.Man.He will obey.But I will shew myself.[Goes to window.Hu.How comes he out of prison?MARGARET.That I can tell.Your secretary Blasco promised me,Who desired nothing more than the releaseOf John Palicio, that he would contriveTo free him, if on my part I returnedA certain letter to his hands, wherein,[Shewing.2720As you may read, he had betrayed your personTo John Palicio for a price. Then I,As holder of this written ransom, cameTo see my kinsman freed; when in the dungeonFalse Blasco, with two villains and another,Who was your son, appeared before us armed:And thinking there to find PalicioDefenceless, would have slain him, and forced meTo give them back this writing: but PalicioSprang up, slew Blasco, and escaped.Ph.His deathWas due from me.2730Hu.Give me the letter, pray.Say, Livio, is this true?Liv.I never knewOf this betrayal, sir; I trusted Blasco.Mar.He counts for nothing, since he ran away.Enter Palicio.Hu.Is this the man?Man.Thou art my prisoner.PALICIO.I make submission to your excellence.[Offering (Blasco’s) sword.Man.Dost thou surrender of thy own free-willTo me, as legal viceroy of this island,Under King Frederick, and now abjuringThy late rebellion, wilt thou trust henceforth2740The people’s welfare to my lawful hands?Pal.I do, and all will trust thee as do I.Man.That is thy pardon. (Takes sword.) For the king’s good willIs grace to all. Yet there will be for theeQuestion in Blasco’s death. But now I needElsewhere thy presence. (Returning sword.) Go forth to the people,And make it known that I am their governour:And that for all disorder ere this dayThere will be pardon, but from this day none.Bid them disperse.Pal.Those hundred men of mine,2750Who lie in prison: is their pardon granted?Mar.’Tis I should plead for them. ’Twas I betrayed them.Hu.Thou didst betray them?Mar.Ay, sir.Hu.’Tis nought but wonder.Man.(to Pal.). This is a day of grace. None will resentOur stretching mercy. I shall grant their pardon,But not without some cautions; for among them—Hear me, Palicio, thou who so dost cryAgainst the taxes—many among thy menAre a most burdensome and fruitless tax.They go free but to work, and with such measuresAs will ensure it.[Palicio is going.2760Now, sir, ere thou goest,Is there none here to whom a word is due?Pal.O, Manuel, I dare not, nay,—I pray thee,Be not too generous towards me: since my heartHas fallen so far, let me have trial yetThat I may win what I but falsely stole,And now would leave in thy security,Till I may bring some right to claim it. YetI lack the worth to ask. But there’s one thingWhich I will ask (goes to Margaret), forgiveness; and for thatI kneel.2770Mar.I will not hide it from thee, sir,That in the mutual interchange of pardons,Which is our friendly game, I have had some painStanding out in the cold, merely for lackOf such a suit as thine. I have looked and longedTo find a debtor; and I will take thee.Rise, sir. I must present thee to a kinsman.[Leads Palicio to Hugo.(To Hugo.) Do you remember, sir, a cruel sayingSpoken to me against this gentleman?Since that I have been his friend, ay, and yours too,2780For I betrayed his people to your hands,When they were setting forth to burn the palace;And so prevented Blasco’s treachery;From which him too I saved, and for that deedHe takes me now in marriage.Hu.All thou saystMargaret, with much of what hath happed to-dayNeeds explanation. I must see so farThat Livio by his conduct is cut off:But if you tell me now that you will marryThis man ...Man.Palicio is of noble blood,My lord. Yourself have given him oft such praise2791As by an enemy must be well deservedEre it be spoken. The king’s pardon provesJustification: he is quit of treason.We shall restore his rank, the loss of which,Due to his grandsire in the civil wars,Brings him no stain: nay, we shall further make himChief secretary, where his ancient zealFor all the commons’ rights may still be shewn.Con.Margaret, we may be married the same day.2800Hu.I see indeed this is a day of grace,Of wondrous grace: and where I take so muchI should be churlish did I not rejoiceThat I may rank behind no one of youIn the free dispensation of my favour.And there’s one act would set the balance even,Lay it even lower against me: it is this,For I will do it: John Palicio,I do forgive thee ...Mar.Now I thank thee, sire.Pal.And I, my lord, who never thought to do it,2810Will forgive thee.DO YOU FORGIVE US ALL..

Dungeon of the Palace. PALICIO discovered. A door at back of prison isL.of centre.

PALICIO.

I cannot think of death. ImaginationIs barren on that point, and hath no picture;—2220To be so near should better prick the fancy.—I see a grave—but stand beside the grave ...Nothing.—And yet I am so near.—I judgeFrom this how dizzily deep rides the division’Twixt this world and the next; tho’ in Time’s face’Tis thin, ay, more invisibly sharp than isThe axe’s edge, which makes it.—Is our life’s stuffSo different? All the joys and hopes of earthWrought of too coarse a fibre to investAn inkling of that other unseen world,Which hath this only entrance? Wherefore my mind2231Wanders in wasteful contemplation backO’er what I have done, pitifully seekingTo wear renewed the robe of those proud deeds,To dream again her disappointed dreams;And over all is Margaret, ever Margaret;Floating before these vain soul-treacherous eyes,—My tempter and tormentor.

I cannot think of death. Imagination

Is barren on that point, and hath no picture;—

To be so near should better prick the fancy.—

I see a grave—but stand beside the grave ...

Nothing.—And yet I am so near.—I judge

From this how dizzily deep rides the division

’Twixt this world and the next; tho’ in Time’s face

’Tis thin, ay, more invisibly sharp than is

The axe’s edge, which makes it.—Is our life’s stuff

So different? All the joys and hopes of earth

Wrought of too coarse a fibre to invest

An inkling of that other unseen world,

Which hath this only entrance? Wherefore my mind

Wanders in wasteful contemplation back

O’er what I have done, pitifully seeking

To wear renewed the robe of those proud deeds,

To dream again her disappointed dreams;

And over all is Margaret, ever Margaret;

Floating before these vain soul-treacherous eyes,—

My tempter and tormentor.

Enter Gaoler.

GAOLER.

A priest sent from the archbishop. Shall he enter?

Pal.Yea: bid him enter. But I pray thee now,2240Thou execrable minion of that devilWho sucks our people’s blood, come not thyself:Each time I see thee I must wish to kill thee.Thou art my soul’s last peril. Keep away.

Pal.Yea: bid him enter. But I pray thee now,

Thou execrable minion of that devil

Who sucks our people’s blood, come not thyself:

Each time I see thee I must wish to kill thee.

Thou art my soul’s last peril. Keep away.

Gaoler.Whate’er I be, I can be civil, sir.[Exit.

Pal.Ay, I was wrong. Now must I ask his pardon.I am not yet fit to die. Yet is’t not written“If hand or foot offend thee, cut it off;If thine eye, pluck it out”? I have done all this;Yet lurks there something in the accusing balanceWhich my soul sickens at. What if I have lostMy world and soul? This good priest comes in time.

Pal.Ay, I was wrong. Now must I ask his pardon.

I am not yet fit to die. Yet is’t not written

“If hand or foot offend thee, cut it off;

If thine eye, pluck it out”? I have done all this;

Yet lurks there something in the accusing balance

Which my soul sickens at. What if I have lost

My world and soul? This good priest comes in time.

Enter Manuel disguised as priest.

2252Father, if thou be come to shrive my soul,I need thee sorely.

Father, if thou be come to shrive my soul,

I need thee sorely.

MANUEL.

I am here for that.

Pal.There’s comfort in thy face. I have much to tell.Thou know’st me, who I am?

Pal.There’s comfort in thy face. I have much to tell.

Thou know’st me, who I am?

Man.Ay, son.

Pal.I prayWhat said the archbishop of me?

Pal.I pray

What said the archbishop of me?

Man.Pause not nowTo ask and weigh man’s judgment, who so soonMust answer to the Judge of all.

Man.Pause not now

To ask and weigh man’s judgment, who so soon

Must answer to the Judge of all.

Pal.Nay, nay.If thou bring hither such a thought of me,2260What can I tell thee? How shall I begin?

Pal.Nay, nay.

If thou bring hither such a thought of me,

What can I tell thee? How shall I begin?

Man.If there be any one thing on your mind,More than another, which now brings you shame,Begin with that.

Man.If there be any one thing on your mind,

More than another, which now brings you shame,

Begin with that.

Pal.Ay: such a thing there is.

Man.What is’t?

Pal.’Tis the story of the mischief,Which makes me need thee; which hath sent me here.For I was single-hearted, single-eyed,As thou or any of the saints, who holdTheir place in heaven secure, three days ago,—But three days: If thou then hadst come to me2270I should have said, My sins are all forgiven;I only beg of thee the heavenly breadTo be my passport to my home prepared.My earthly sword hath won a heavenly crown.I have not left undone aught, save where God’s willForbade accomplishment, and if I have doneAught unpermitted ’twas in zeal’s excess.My errors are the saints’—three days ago ...And now my boast is gone, my soul is stained.Hark, while I tell. Satan, who saw me thus2280Pure-hearted and elect, an envied prey,Used all his skill to take me: Ay, he cameAnd showed me, in the room where I lay sick,Wounded, and weak and faint, a beauteous woman,And all love’s world. He said,Take this; but IWas ready awhile, and answered,Not for me.I thread the narrow way; I climb at heaven.If I touch this, I perish.But he said,Not so, ’tis thy due prize. Take it, Palicio!’Twas the old tale—“Thou shalt not surely die.”2290I took it. God deserted me that hour:My friends suspected me: all things went ill:And now ...

Pal.’Tis the story of the mischief,

Which makes me need thee; which hath sent me here.

For I was single-hearted, single-eyed,

As thou or any of the saints, who hold

Their place in heaven secure, three days ago,—

But three days: If thou then hadst come to me

I should have said, My sins are all forgiven;

I only beg of thee the heavenly bread

To be my passport to my home prepared.

My earthly sword hath won a heavenly crown.

I have not left undone aught, save where God’s will

Forbade accomplishment, and if I have done

Aught unpermitted ’twas in zeal’s excess.

My errors are the saints’—three days ago ...

And now my boast is gone, my soul is stained.

Hark, while I tell. Satan, who saw me thus

Pure-hearted and elect, an envied prey,

Used all his skill to take me: Ay, he came

And showed me, in the room where I lay sick,

Wounded, and weak and faint, a beauteous woman,

And all love’s world. He said,Take this; but I

Was ready awhile, and answered,Not for me.

I thread the narrow way; I climb at heaven.

If I touch this, I perish.But he said,

Not so, ’tis thy due prize. Take it, Palicio!

’Twas the old tale—“Thou shalt not surely die.”

I took it. God deserted me that hour:

My friends suspected me: all things went ill:

And now ...

Man.Stay. First, this woman, who misled you,Is she your wife?

Man.Stay. First, this woman, who misled you,

Is she your wife?

Pal.Nay, ’tis but now three days ...

Man.You say she is not your wife. Is then your sinTo have leapt the bounds which hold unmarried lovers?

Man.You say she is not your wife. Is then your sin

To have leapt the bounds which hold unmarried lovers?

Pal.O, father, thou couldst never ask such thingIf thou didst know who ’twas. Nay, thou mayst know:’Twas Manuel’s sister,—Margaret of Palermo.

Pal.O, father, thou couldst never ask such thing

If thou didst know who ’twas. Nay, thou mayst know:

’Twas Manuel’s sister,—Margaret of Palermo.

Man.(partly discovering). See, I am Manuel. * * ** * * Ay, and so far is well.2300Now say, did Margaret contrive thy flight?

Man.(partly discovering). See, I am Manuel. * * *

* * * Ay, and so far is well.

Now say, did Margaret contrive thy flight?

Pal.... (assents).

Man.And after followed thee to Monreale?And met thee on the hills?

Man.And after followed thee to Monreale?

And met thee on the hills?

Pal.... (assents).

Man.Then tell me nowWhy hast thou left her?

Man.Then tell me now

Why hast thou left her?

Pal.Nay. Question me not.

Man.Why hast thou left her?

Pal.Why come to me thus?I needed but a priest to comfort me,And show me on death’s road: thou drag’st me backTo torture me. Thou canst not understand.

Pal.Why come to me thus?

I needed but a priest to comfort me,

And show me on death’s road: thou drag’st me back

To torture me. Thou canst not understand.

Man.Thou ow’st to me more than to any priest,Who for thy sake might hear, to tell me true.Why hast thou left her?

Man.Thou ow’st to me more than to any priest,

Who for thy sake might hear, to tell me true.

Why hast thou left her?

2310Pal.If thou wert a priest,Then wouldst thou see how well the stalking fiendSnared for my soul. I planned for yesternightTo storm the palace: and I had promised MargaretTo make no further venture if that failed,But sail with her to Rome and there be married,Using thy interest to reclaim my rank.But on the day I gave that word, my menWere all betrayed, taken, and led to prison.I was with Margaret, as well they knew:2320My love for her, my shelter at thy house,My flight permitted, set them on the thoughtThat I had been corrupted, was the traitor.Fly with me, then cried Margaret. Ay, the fiend tooSaid,Fly: go safe. I foiled him. I came here.That was my only answer.

Pal.If thou wert a priest,

Then wouldst thou see how well the stalking fiend

Snared for my soul. I planned for yesternight

To storm the palace: and I had promised Margaret

To make no further venture if that failed,

But sail with her to Rome and there be married,

Using thy interest to reclaim my rank.

But on the day I gave that word, my men

Were all betrayed, taken, and led to prison.

I was with Margaret, as well they knew:

My love for her, my shelter at thy house,

My flight permitted, set them on the thought

That I had been corrupted, was the traitor.

Fly with me, then cried Margaret. Ay, the fiend too

Said,Fly: go safe. I foiled him. I came here.

That was my only answer.

Man.And didst thou notBetray them?

Man.And didst thou not

Betray them?

Pal.I! Palicio! when did IBetray?

Pal.I! Palicio! when did I

Betray?

Man.Stay, while in turn I shew to theeAnother tale made of the self-same matter.—A price set on thy head, pursued by justice,2330Bleeding to death, thou camest to my houseAsking for shelter, begging but for life.I gave it at my risk,—how great that riskI’ll shew thee soon;—there at my house my sisterSecretly tended thee, and won thy cure.Thou in return didst, all unknown to me,Obtain her love, and use it to break trust,Flying by stealth at night: and then, being fled,Didst scruple not to use thy flight, to workThe very thing for which thy life was owed.2340Further, when that went wrong, merely for fearMen should think ill of thee, thou didst desertHer, to whose love was due that thou wert free;Wronging her then again, as me before ...

Man.Stay, while in turn I shew to thee

Another tale made of the self-same matter.—

A price set on thy head, pursued by justice,

Bleeding to death, thou camest to my house

Asking for shelter, begging but for life.

I gave it at my risk,—how great that risk

I’ll shew thee soon;—there at my house my sister

Secretly tended thee, and won thy cure.

Thou in return didst, all unknown to me,

Obtain her love, and use it to break trust,

Flying by stealth at night: and then, being fled,

Didst scruple not to use thy flight, to work

The very thing for which thy life was owed.

Further, when that went wrong, merely for fear

Men should think ill of thee, thou didst desert

Her, to whose love was due that thou wert free;

Wronging her then again, as me before ...

Pal.Manuel, forbear; thee I confess I wronged:For the rest thy taunts are vain.

Pal.Manuel, forbear; thee I confess I wronged:

For the rest thy taunts are vain.

Man.Wait: there is more.—Thy refuge being discovered, I was chargedWith treason, and in course shipped hence for Spain.My ship was sunk, and I, but for God’s mercy,Drowned. My disgrace and rumoured death so wrought2350On Constance, that she lies in life’s last hope.To all of us thou hast done unmeasured ill:What is thy plea?

Man.Wait: there is more.—

Thy refuge being discovered, I was charged

With treason, and in course shipped hence for Spain.

My ship was sunk, and I, but for God’s mercy,

Drowned. My disgrace and rumoured death so wrought

On Constance, that she lies in life’s last hope.

To all of us thou hast done unmeasured ill:

What is thy plea?

Pal.Though God himself should curse me,My purpose hath been good.

Pal.Though God himself should curse me,

My purpose hath been good.

Man.Ay, that I’ll grant:Thou’rt for the right, but being too hot upon itMistakest right. Thou art numbered with the madmenWho, thinking the whole world’s unhappinessHangs on one string, tread all else underfootSo they may reach to cut it.—And where’s the good?Thyself, too, in what plight, that after all2360This sacrifice of others’ rights, thou rushestTo die to save thine honour from a stain,That needs no washing!

Man.Ay, that I’ll grant:

Thou’rt for the right, but being too hot upon it

Mistakest right. Thou art numbered with the madmen

Who, thinking the whole world’s unhappiness

Hangs on one string, tread all else underfoot

So they may reach to cut it.—And where’s the good?

Thyself, too, in what plight, that after all

This sacrifice of others’ rights, thou rushest

To die to save thine honour from a stain,

That needs no washing!

Pal.Enough: there let it end:I die to-morrow.

Pal.Enough: there let it end:

I die to-morrow.

Man.Nay, thou must escape:Retrieve all that thou canst. I now shall goTo Margaret, whom before I feared to meet.She will be working for thee. If she fail,The archbishop yet hath power to stay thy deathTill I can serve thee. If thy love for her,And hers for thee abide, you must be married.Nay, all she urged was good.

Man.Nay, thou must escape:

Retrieve all that thou canst. I now shall go

To Margaret, whom before I feared to meet.

She will be working for thee. If she fail,

The archbishop yet hath power to stay thy death

Till I can serve thee. If thy love for her,

And hers for thee abide, you must be married.

Nay, all she urged was good.

2370Pal.O, ’tis impossible.Work not for my escape: ’tis best I die.

Pal.O, ’tis impossible.

Work not for my escape: ’tis best I die.

Man.Nay, nay. Thou that canst fight, fight with thyself.The brave despair that fear not: that’s the shockThe strongest suffer. Thou wast ill of late;Wert thou now strong, shame would not crush thy spirit.[Going.

Man.Nay, nay. Thou that canst fight, fight with thyself.

The brave despair that fear not: that’s the shock

The strongest suffer. Thou wast ill of late;

Wert thou now strong, shame would not crush thy spirit.[Going.

Pal.Manuel, go not!

Man.Yes, I must go. RememberMy name is Father Thomas. None must guessWho hath been with thee.—Farewell. Fight with thyself;Palicio, with thyself. Thou shalt be saved.[Exit.

Man.Yes, I must go. Remember

My name is Father Thomas. None must guess

Who hath been with thee.—Farewell. Fight with thyself;

Palicio, with thyself. Thou shalt be saved.[Exit.

The same. PALICIO as before.PALICIO.2380Threehours have fully passed since first I markedYon grated hole grow rosy, and exchangeMoonlight for dawn. Now soon will Margaret come:And I must go forth to the world disgraced,To fly my country or hide: ay, at the cueOf the chief justiciary, led by a woman.Hast thou the heart, Giovann Palicio,To call this freedom. Nay, since thy right handWas raised ’gainst wrong in vain, and thou thyselfArt charged with wrong, and must admit the wrong,Were’t not now best to end, and shroud thy fortune2391In veils of death? Thou that hast led the people,Hast thou a knee for favours? Will thy tongueConfess I wronged thee, Manuel, I come forthTo be thy prisoner: and I wronged thee, Margaret:I will come forth to be thy pensioner?Shame: rather would I die.Enter Margaret.MARGARET.’Tis I, Giovanni: all is well: thou’rt safe,Manuel has told me all. Thou dost repent.All is prepared. Ask not my pardon: give me2400One kiss—I have forgiven thee. Be not sad.’Twas like thee as I love thee, nobly done:And being so cruel to thyself ’twas easyThou shouldst forget what I too now forget,Recovering thee. I saw thee ride away,And guessed before the letter. O, Giovanni,Thank God, thou’rt safe. Look, I have brought the moneyTo serve thee on thy journey till the dayWe meet again; and more. Thy ship will sailBut to Messina: there thou wilt disbark.2410Nay, take the money; thou wilt need it, love,’Tis Manuel’s gift, not mine.Pal.(taking).I have no heart,Margaret, for what is done on my behalf.I thank him, but ...Mar.Alas, alas! Giovanni:I looked to find thee glad of heart and happy.Our troubles all are over. Manuel lives,Whom we thought drowned: Constance, who lay in death,Hath risen from her bed: and even our marriageIs furthered by my brother. How can it beThou art so dismal, and thy kiss as coldAs is this prison?2420Pal.I would not leave this prison.Mar.Thou wouldst not leave it?Pal.No: dankness and darknessAre now my friends. I have failed. How can I wishTo step in the light of heaven?Mar.O, then I seeThis death-delivering dungeon hath o’ercome thee.——There’s news. This morn the ships arrived from Spain.They must bring tidings of the king’s accession.We shall learn all to-day. When he’s proclaimed,There’s nought that thou couldst do if thou wert free.What thou hast done may have determined much.Pal.When shall I hear of it?2430Mar.Love, thou must sailQuickly and secretly: and canst not hearUntil thou come to land. But then if IShould meet thee there with Manuel, oh, what joy,Could I be first to tell thee.Pal.Dost thou thinkThat Manuel hath forgiven me for the wrongI did him, stealing from his house by night?Mar.That was my theft, Giovanni; and he forgives:Cry not thou forfeit.—See, I bring thy dagger.Pal.But, Margaret, I wronged thee too. I fledFrom thee; canst thou forgive me?2440Mar.Ask not meIf I have forgiven. Hearken, I will tell thee,—This dagger is the dagger which the woman,Whose name thou didst not know, brought thee in prison:By help of this thou madest thy first escape.’Tis I that bring it now. These two days past,These days of misery, I have held and worn itBut for one purpose; that if thou shouldst die,I might have something which had once been thineTo end my life with.Pal.Thou!Mar.Ay. I had promised2450This caseless blade my empty heart for sheath.Pal.Margaret!Mar.Now take it. I have better hope.[Palicio takes dagger, and puts it in his breast.Thou shouldst be armed.Pal.And thou hast thought of death?Mar.Only if thou hadst died.Pal.O, Margaret,Margaret, I am not worthy of thy love.Thou seest I am not. Look how poor a heartI bring to take thee: ’tis too base. I thoughtI loved thee overmuch. Now, fool, I seeI love too little.Mar.’Tis this hateful prisonHath chilled thy spirits. When again thou’rt freeThou’lt be Giovanni.2460Pal.Canst thou love me so?Mar.O, what hath come to thee? Did I not loveThe hour I bound thy wound: the day I broughtRosso to heal thee, and led thee by the hand,Threading the blindest midnight silently,To set thee free? Dost thou forget?Pal.But then,Then I was brave, a leader of the peopleAgainst their tyrant: thou didst hold of meAs of a hero: now I have failed, I am shamed.Mar.O no, Giovanni; thou mistakest sadlyMy love for thee.2470Pal.I am no more myself.Mar.Then dare I prove to thee how much I love thee,How little thy renown. Remember, thou didst schemeTo burn the palace.Pal.Ay.Mar.Didst thou not promiseMe, trembling for thy life, that if that failed,Thou wouldst to Rome with me?Pal.My scheme miscarried:I broke my promise.Mar.The cause of that miscarriageWas the betrayal?Pal.How should I forget?Mar.Now wilt thou say I love but thy success?’Twas I betrayed thy men.Pal.Ha! thou was’t! was’t thou?(Leaping up from Margaret, who staggers against the wall.)2480From me, sorceress, thou viper, go from me!Traitress, was’t thou? Thou wast my secret curse!Sent by the devil, wast thou, to destroy me,To kill my soul? And bringest now thy money[Strews it about.To buy thy happiness: and of thy lovePratest, and sayst,Come forth with me! With thee?Rather all deaths, a thousand deaths of shame,—The axe, the gallows. O, my faithful men,My brave men! and for them!—Ah! I will loveMy executioner more than thee. Love thee!2490There is not any tyrant or crowned fiendWhom I will hate like thee.Mar.Then kill me, Giovanni.[Swoons falling.Pal.(taking out dagger). This dagger in my heart, and I am avenged.Nay, nay, O God, I am adding wrong to wrong.[Putting dagger back.And Manuel. Alas! what have I done?[Runs to Margaret.I spake too roughly, Margaret; I was angry:I knew not what I said. Margaret, I am sorry.Forgive me, Margaret. Nay, I meant it not.I am not angry with thee now. I thinkI can forgive thee. Hear me! She doth not hear me.2500She doth not breathe. Her eyes are fixed and sightless.Her hands are cold.My God, oh, if I have killed her! Margaret, Margaret!Dost thou not hear?—I have killed her.—Margaret!I do forgive thee. I forgive thee all.O God, she is dead, she is dead.—Now if I kiss her,If she can feel (kissing). She stirs. O, Margaret,Hear me. I do forgive thee all.Mar.Giovanni:I did it for thy love.Pal.Thank God, thank God.Now thou dost breathe and speak. O, I was cruel;2510I was too angry.—Margaret, forgive me.Kiss me, forgive.[Noise at door.Mar.Hark, at the door they come;’Tis now thy time to fly.Pal.How can I leave thee?I cannot thus.Enter Blasco with sword drawn, Livio and two soldiers.Mar.Go for thy life, Giovanni:Fly, fly: think not of me!BLASCO.Stay, not so fast,You pretty pair of loving turtle-doves,Cooing your sweet farewells in such a cote;We shall not separate you yet so far.Mar.Ah me!Pal.What means this insult?Bl.Forward, fellows.Take ye the lady to the cell I shewed,And bind her arms.Pal.Who dares?2520Bl.Fool, stand aside!Seest thou my sword?Pal.Ho! villain, die!Palicio springs on Blasco suddenly, and stabs him with dagger in his left. Seizing Blasco’s sword in his right, which he has disengaged from the sling, he kills another with that; and when the rest fly is left standing with a bloody weapon in each hand.Bl.God! I am slain.[Falls.Pal.And thou, Thinking to find me here unarmed, go thou!Soldier.Ah![Dies ... the rest fly.Pal.Two are escaped.Mar.And one was Livio.Pal.What means this damnable design?Mar.Giovanni,I see, I know. Fly now—take thou the sword.Give me the dagger. Follow. I know the way.2528There will be none to stay thee. If there be,Serve them as Blasco. Come, come; follow quickly.[Exit.Pal.(following). Margaret, Margaret.[Exit.

The same. PALICIO as before.

PALICIO.

2380Threehours have fully passed since first I markedYon grated hole grow rosy, and exchangeMoonlight for dawn. Now soon will Margaret come:And I must go forth to the world disgraced,To fly my country or hide: ay, at the cueOf the chief justiciary, led by a woman.Hast thou the heart, Giovann Palicio,To call this freedom. Nay, since thy right handWas raised ’gainst wrong in vain, and thou thyselfArt charged with wrong, and must admit the wrong,Were’t not now best to end, and shroud thy fortune2391In veils of death? Thou that hast led the people,Hast thou a knee for favours? Will thy tongueConfess I wronged thee, Manuel, I come forthTo be thy prisoner: and I wronged thee, Margaret:I will come forth to be thy pensioner?Shame: rather would I die.

Threehours have fully passed since first I marked

Yon grated hole grow rosy, and exchange

Moonlight for dawn. Now soon will Margaret come:

And I must go forth to the world disgraced,

To fly my country or hide: ay, at the cue

Of the chief justiciary, led by a woman.

Hast thou the heart, Giovann Palicio,

To call this freedom. Nay, since thy right hand

Was raised ’gainst wrong in vain, and thou thyself

Art charged with wrong, and must admit the wrong,

Were’t not now best to end, and shroud thy fortune

In veils of death? Thou that hast led the people,

Hast thou a knee for favours? Will thy tongue

Confess I wronged thee, Manuel, I come forth

To be thy prisoner: and I wronged thee, Margaret:

I will come forth to be thy pensioner?

Shame: rather would I die.

Enter Margaret.

MARGARET.

’Tis I, Giovanni: all is well: thou’rt safe,Manuel has told me all. Thou dost repent.All is prepared. Ask not my pardon: give me2400One kiss—I have forgiven thee. Be not sad.’Twas like thee as I love thee, nobly done:And being so cruel to thyself ’twas easyThou shouldst forget what I too now forget,Recovering thee. I saw thee ride away,And guessed before the letter. O, Giovanni,Thank God, thou’rt safe. Look, I have brought the moneyTo serve thee on thy journey till the dayWe meet again; and more. Thy ship will sailBut to Messina: there thou wilt disbark.2410Nay, take the money; thou wilt need it, love,’Tis Manuel’s gift, not mine.

’Tis I, Giovanni: all is well: thou’rt safe,

Manuel has told me all. Thou dost repent.

All is prepared. Ask not my pardon: give me

One kiss—I have forgiven thee. Be not sad.

’Twas like thee as I love thee, nobly done:

And being so cruel to thyself ’twas easy

Thou shouldst forget what I too now forget,

Recovering thee. I saw thee ride away,

And guessed before the letter. O, Giovanni,

Thank God, thou’rt safe. Look, I have brought the money

To serve thee on thy journey till the day

We meet again; and more. Thy ship will sail

But to Messina: there thou wilt disbark.

Nay, take the money; thou wilt need it, love,

’Tis Manuel’s gift, not mine.

Pal.(taking).I have no heart,Margaret, for what is done on my behalf.I thank him, but ...

Pal.(taking).I have no heart,

Margaret, for what is done on my behalf.

I thank him, but ...

Mar.Alas, alas! Giovanni:I looked to find thee glad of heart and happy.Our troubles all are over. Manuel lives,Whom we thought drowned: Constance, who lay in death,Hath risen from her bed: and even our marriageIs furthered by my brother. How can it beThou art so dismal, and thy kiss as coldAs is this prison?

Mar.Alas, alas! Giovanni:

I looked to find thee glad of heart and happy.

Our troubles all are over. Manuel lives,

Whom we thought drowned: Constance, who lay in death,

Hath risen from her bed: and even our marriage

Is furthered by my brother. How can it be

Thou art so dismal, and thy kiss as cold

As is this prison?

2420Pal.I would not leave this prison.

Pal.I would not leave this prison.

Mar.Thou wouldst not leave it?

Pal.No: dankness and darknessAre now my friends. I have failed. How can I wishTo step in the light of heaven?

Pal.No: dankness and darkness

Are now my friends. I have failed. How can I wish

To step in the light of heaven?

Mar.O, then I seeThis death-delivering dungeon hath o’ercome thee.——There’s news. This morn the ships arrived from Spain.They must bring tidings of the king’s accession.We shall learn all to-day. When he’s proclaimed,There’s nought that thou couldst do if thou wert free.What thou hast done may have determined much.

Mar.O, then I see

This death-delivering dungeon hath o’ercome thee.

——There’s news. This morn the ships arrived from Spain.

They must bring tidings of the king’s accession.

We shall learn all to-day. When he’s proclaimed,

There’s nought that thou couldst do if thou wert free.

What thou hast done may have determined much.

Pal.When shall I hear of it?

2430Mar.Love, thou must sailQuickly and secretly: and canst not hearUntil thou come to land. But then if IShould meet thee there with Manuel, oh, what joy,Could I be first to tell thee.

Mar.Love, thou must sail

Quickly and secretly: and canst not hear

Until thou come to land. But then if I

Should meet thee there with Manuel, oh, what joy,

Could I be first to tell thee.

Pal.Dost thou thinkThat Manuel hath forgiven me for the wrongI did him, stealing from his house by night?

Pal.Dost thou think

That Manuel hath forgiven me for the wrong

I did him, stealing from his house by night?

Mar.That was my theft, Giovanni; and he forgives:Cry not thou forfeit.—See, I bring thy dagger.

Mar.That was my theft, Giovanni; and he forgives:

Cry not thou forfeit.—See, I bring thy dagger.

Pal.But, Margaret, I wronged thee too. I fledFrom thee; canst thou forgive me?

Pal.But, Margaret, I wronged thee too. I fled

From thee; canst thou forgive me?

2440Mar.Ask not meIf I have forgiven. Hearken, I will tell thee,—This dagger is the dagger which the woman,Whose name thou didst not know, brought thee in prison:By help of this thou madest thy first escape.’Tis I that bring it now. These two days past,These days of misery, I have held and worn itBut for one purpose; that if thou shouldst die,I might have something which had once been thineTo end my life with.

Mar.Ask not me

If I have forgiven. Hearken, I will tell thee,—

This dagger is the dagger which the woman,

Whose name thou didst not know, brought thee in prison:

By help of this thou madest thy first escape.

’Tis I that bring it now. These two days past,

These days of misery, I have held and worn it

But for one purpose; that if thou shouldst die,

I might have something which had once been thine

To end my life with.

Pal.Thou!

Mar.Ay. I had promised2450This caseless blade my empty heart for sheath.

Mar.Ay. I had promised

This caseless blade my empty heart for sheath.

Pal.Margaret!

Mar.Now take it. I have better hope.

[Palicio takes dagger, and puts it in his breast.

Thou shouldst be armed.

Pal.And thou hast thought of death?

Mar.Only if thou hadst died.

Pal.O, Margaret,Margaret, I am not worthy of thy love.Thou seest I am not. Look how poor a heartI bring to take thee: ’tis too base. I thoughtI loved thee overmuch. Now, fool, I seeI love too little.

Pal.O, Margaret,

Margaret, I am not worthy of thy love.

Thou seest I am not. Look how poor a heart

I bring to take thee: ’tis too base. I thought

I loved thee overmuch. Now, fool, I see

I love too little.

Mar.’Tis this hateful prisonHath chilled thy spirits. When again thou’rt freeThou’lt be Giovanni.

Mar.’Tis this hateful prison

Hath chilled thy spirits. When again thou’rt free

Thou’lt be Giovanni.

2460Pal.Canst thou love me so?

Pal.Canst thou love me so?

Mar.O, what hath come to thee? Did I not loveThe hour I bound thy wound: the day I broughtRosso to heal thee, and led thee by the hand,Threading the blindest midnight silently,To set thee free? Dost thou forget?

Mar.O, what hath come to thee? Did I not love

The hour I bound thy wound: the day I brought

Rosso to heal thee, and led thee by the hand,

Threading the blindest midnight silently,

To set thee free? Dost thou forget?

Pal.But then,Then I was brave, a leader of the peopleAgainst their tyrant: thou didst hold of meAs of a hero: now I have failed, I am shamed.

Pal.But then,

Then I was brave, a leader of the people

Against their tyrant: thou didst hold of me

As of a hero: now I have failed, I am shamed.

Mar.O no, Giovanni; thou mistakest sadlyMy love for thee.

Mar.O no, Giovanni; thou mistakest sadly

My love for thee.

2470Pal.I am no more myself.

Pal.I am no more myself.

Mar.Then dare I prove to thee how much I love thee,How little thy renown. Remember, thou didst schemeTo burn the palace.

Mar.Then dare I prove to thee how much I love thee,

How little thy renown. Remember, thou didst scheme

To burn the palace.

Pal.Ay.

Mar.Didst thou not promiseMe, trembling for thy life, that if that failed,Thou wouldst to Rome with me?

Mar.Didst thou not promise

Me, trembling for thy life, that if that failed,

Thou wouldst to Rome with me?

Pal.My scheme miscarried:I broke my promise.

Pal.My scheme miscarried:

I broke my promise.

Mar.The cause of that miscarriageWas the betrayal?

Mar.The cause of that miscarriage

Was the betrayal?

Pal.How should I forget?

Mar.Now wilt thou say I love but thy success?’Twas I betrayed thy men.

Mar.Now wilt thou say I love but thy success?

’Twas I betrayed thy men.

Pal.Ha! thou was’t! was’t thou?

(Leaping up from Margaret, who staggers against the wall.)

2480From me, sorceress, thou viper, go from me!Traitress, was’t thou? Thou wast my secret curse!Sent by the devil, wast thou, to destroy me,To kill my soul? And bringest now thy money

From me, sorceress, thou viper, go from me!

Traitress, was’t thou? Thou wast my secret curse!

Sent by the devil, wast thou, to destroy me,

To kill my soul? And bringest now thy money

[Strews it about.

To buy thy happiness: and of thy lovePratest, and sayst,Come forth with me! With thee?Rather all deaths, a thousand deaths of shame,—The axe, the gallows. O, my faithful men,My brave men! and for them!—Ah! I will loveMy executioner more than thee. Love thee!2490There is not any tyrant or crowned fiendWhom I will hate like thee.

To buy thy happiness: and of thy love

Pratest, and sayst,Come forth with me! With thee?

Rather all deaths, a thousand deaths of shame,—

The axe, the gallows. O, my faithful men,

My brave men! and for them!—Ah! I will love

My executioner more than thee. Love thee!

There is not any tyrant or crowned fiend

Whom I will hate like thee.

Mar.Then kill me, Giovanni.

[Swoons falling.

Pal.(taking out dagger). This dagger in my heart, and I am avenged.Nay, nay, O God, I am adding wrong to wrong.

Pal.(taking out dagger). This dagger in my heart, and I am avenged.

Nay, nay, O God, I am adding wrong to wrong.

[Putting dagger back.

And Manuel. Alas! what have I done?

[Runs to Margaret.

I spake too roughly, Margaret; I was angry:I knew not what I said. Margaret, I am sorry.Forgive me, Margaret. Nay, I meant it not.I am not angry with thee now. I thinkI can forgive thee. Hear me! She doth not hear me.2500She doth not breathe. Her eyes are fixed and sightless.Her hands are cold.My God, oh, if I have killed her! Margaret, Margaret!Dost thou not hear?—I have killed her.—Margaret!I do forgive thee. I forgive thee all.O God, she is dead, she is dead.—Now if I kiss her,If she can feel (kissing). She stirs. O, Margaret,Hear me. I do forgive thee all.

I spake too roughly, Margaret; I was angry:

I knew not what I said. Margaret, I am sorry.

Forgive me, Margaret. Nay, I meant it not.

I am not angry with thee now. I think

I can forgive thee. Hear me! She doth not hear me.

She doth not breathe. Her eyes are fixed and sightless.

Her hands are cold.

My God, oh, if I have killed her! Margaret, Margaret!

Dost thou not hear?—I have killed her.—Margaret!

I do forgive thee. I forgive thee all.

O God, she is dead, she is dead.—Now if I kiss her,

If she can feel (kissing). She stirs. O, Margaret,

Hear me. I do forgive thee all.

Mar.Giovanni:I did it for thy love.

Mar.Giovanni:

I did it for thy love.

Pal.Thank God, thank God.Now thou dost breathe and speak. O, I was cruel;2510I was too angry.—Margaret, forgive me.Kiss me, forgive.[Noise at door.

Pal.Thank God, thank God.

Now thou dost breathe and speak. O, I was cruel;

I was too angry.—Margaret, forgive me.

Kiss me, forgive.[Noise at door.

Mar.Hark, at the door they come;’Tis now thy time to fly.

Mar.Hark, at the door they come;

’Tis now thy time to fly.

Pal.How can I leave thee?I cannot thus.

Pal.How can I leave thee?

I cannot thus.

Enter Blasco with sword drawn, Livio and two soldiers.

Mar.Go for thy life, Giovanni:Fly, fly: think not of me!

Mar.Go for thy life, Giovanni:

Fly, fly: think not of me!

BLASCO.

Stay, not so fast,You pretty pair of loving turtle-doves,Cooing your sweet farewells in such a cote;We shall not separate you yet so far.

Stay, not so fast,

You pretty pair of loving turtle-doves,

Cooing your sweet farewells in such a cote;

We shall not separate you yet so far.

Mar.Ah me!

Pal.What means this insult?

Bl.Forward, fellows.Take ye the lady to the cell I shewed,And bind her arms.

Bl.Forward, fellows.

Take ye the lady to the cell I shewed,

And bind her arms.

Pal.Who dares?

2520Bl.Fool, stand aside!Seest thou my sword?

Bl.Fool, stand aside!

Seest thou my sword?

Pal.Ho! villain, die!Palicio springs on Blasco suddenly, and stabs him with dagger in his left. Seizing Blasco’s sword in his right, which he has disengaged from the sling, he kills another with that; and when the rest fly is left standing with a bloody weapon in each hand.Bl.God! I am slain.[Falls.Pal.And thou, Thinking to find me here unarmed, go thou!Soldier.Ah![Dies ... the rest fly.Pal.Two are escaped.

Pal.Ho! villain, die!

Bl.God! I am slain.[Falls.

Pal.And thou, Thinking to find me here unarmed, go thou!

Soldier.Ah!

[Dies ... the rest fly.

Pal.Two are escaped.

Mar.And one was Livio.

Pal.What means this damnable design?

Mar.Giovanni,I see, I know. Fly now—take thou the sword.Give me the dagger. Follow. I know the way.2528There will be none to stay thee. If there be,Serve them as Blasco. Come, come; follow quickly.[Exit.

Mar.Giovanni,

I see, I know. Fly now—take thou the sword.

Give me the dagger. Follow. I know the way.

There will be none to stay thee. If there be,

Serve them as Blasco. Come, come; follow quickly.[Exit.

Pal.(following). Margaret, Margaret.[Exit.

Room in the Palace. MANUEL, disguised as priest, meeting ROSSO.ROSSO.In good time, Manuel: welcome. All is well.MANUEL.Thank God. And doth she know?Ros.Ay, thou shalt hear.’Twas Margaret’s doing: all night long she satBy Constance’ bed, and there with gentlest presenceAnd soft accustomed voice most graduallyShe soothed and won the wandering spirit back.But, oh, the sweetest skill!—she, as she sawConstance take note of her, made no discovery,But spoke of thee and all things else, as if2540There never had been change: and that so well,That Constance, who lay gazing on the wall,And questioning of her error, whence it grew,Soon laid it on herself, and by and byTold Margaret of her dream, and asked how longShe had lain so sick in bed; nor ever learnedHow real had her woe been, till she knewThat all was over.Man.I thank God,—and thee,Rosso, thee too. Margaret has had some causeTo blame herself,—to have helped in the repairWill ease her heart of much. May I see Constance?2551Ros.At once. But come prepared to find her weak.Enter Philip.PHILIP.Father, a word.Man.I pray you excuse me now.Ph.’Tis that I know thy errand that I ask.I would speak through thee to the lady Constance.Man.What would you say?Ph.Let me be private with thee.Man.(to Ros.) Doctor, I’ll follow. (Aside.) Now to act my best.[Exit Rosso.Ph.Thou seest in me the man who wrought this ill.I’d have thee use thine office with the lady,To win her grace, that I may make confessionOf that which burdens me.2560Man.How! what is this?What should I say?Ph.I’ll tell thee: and thou must knowFirst, that I once was Manuel’s friend and pupil,—My pride, alas! self-wrested to my shame—And in those early days loved her, whom heShould at this time have married. Five years spentIn graceless life meanwhile had far removedMy heart from my first love, nor had my thoughtOnce ventured back to think or wish her mine:But, as it happened,—and being at the time2570Stung by the sharp remorse of idle hours,—Chance sent me hither, and her presence soonAwaked those memories that I had thought were dead.Then vainly felt I worthier than I was,Seeing my better part desired to winWhat I too surely had deserved to lose.Constance denied me:—but now hear my crime.I won her father’s ear; and then, being lodgedIn Manuel’s house, I lit on a discoveryOf some suspicion, and contrived thereby—2580Betraying him who was my friend and host—His absence and disgrace: whence by ill fateHis death and all this lady’s trouble sprung.Man.’Tis a sad tale you tell.Ph.I was misledTo think he loved the lady less than I.Yet urge I no excuse, nor look for pardon:But if ’twould not add sorrow to her sorrow,I would discharge this burden from my soul.Man.Do so: for you shall find pity and pardon.Ph.Nay, nay: that could not be.Man.Though hard it seem,Ay, and may force awhile some generous tears;2591She cannot yet fail in the foremost dutyOf all that sin. I shall prepare her well.Ph.I thank thee, father.[Exit Manuel.There is in these menA quiet strength, which shames our self-esteem.Enter Ferdinand and Hugo with despatches.HUGO.Philip, we have the news. Frederick is crowned.See, here’s for thee. (Gives a despatch.) It bears the new king’s seal.Ph.Well, ’twill help nought. (Opens.)Hu.I pray there may be nothingThat meddles with my place.Ph.Read here, your excellence.[Reads.By reason of advices late received,The kings commands are that the sealed despatch2600Writ for emergency be now held valid,And put in force by you.Hu.There’s the despatch?FERDINAND.’Tis in my keeping.Hu.(to Philip).Know’st thou its contents?Ph.Nay, sir; not I.Hu.Pray let us see it, straight.Ph.Adjourn we to my secretary’s chamber:A moment will discover it.[Exeunt.

Room in the Palace. MANUEL, disguised as priest, meeting ROSSO.

ROSSO.

In good time, Manuel: welcome. All is well.

MANUEL.

Thank God. And doth she know?

Ros.Ay, thou shalt hear.’Twas Margaret’s doing: all night long she satBy Constance’ bed, and there with gentlest presenceAnd soft accustomed voice most graduallyShe soothed and won the wandering spirit back.But, oh, the sweetest skill!—she, as she sawConstance take note of her, made no discovery,But spoke of thee and all things else, as if2540There never had been change: and that so well,That Constance, who lay gazing on the wall,And questioning of her error, whence it grew,Soon laid it on herself, and by and byTold Margaret of her dream, and asked how longShe had lain so sick in bed; nor ever learnedHow real had her woe been, till she knewThat all was over.

Ros.Ay, thou shalt hear.

’Twas Margaret’s doing: all night long she sat

By Constance’ bed, and there with gentlest presence

And soft accustomed voice most gradually

She soothed and won the wandering spirit back.

But, oh, the sweetest skill!—she, as she saw

Constance take note of her, made no discovery,

But spoke of thee and all things else, as if

There never had been change: and that so well,

That Constance, who lay gazing on the wall,

And questioning of her error, whence it grew,

Soon laid it on herself, and by and by

Told Margaret of her dream, and asked how long

She had lain so sick in bed; nor ever learned

How real had her woe been, till she knew

That all was over.

Man.I thank God,—and thee,Rosso, thee too. Margaret has had some causeTo blame herself,—to have helped in the repairWill ease her heart of much. May I see Constance?

Man.I thank God,—and thee,

Rosso, thee too. Margaret has had some cause

To blame herself,—to have helped in the repair

Will ease her heart of much. May I see Constance?

2551Ros.At once. But come prepared to find her weak.

Ros.At once. But come prepared to find her weak.

Enter Philip.

PHILIP.

Father, a word.

Man.I pray you excuse me now.

Ph.’Tis that I know thy errand that I ask.I would speak through thee to the lady Constance.

Ph.’Tis that I know thy errand that I ask.

I would speak through thee to the lady Constance.

Man.What would you say?

Ph.Let me be private with thee.

Man.(to Ros.) Doctor, I’ll follow. (Aside.) Now to act my best.

[Exit Rosso.

Ph.Thou seest in me the man who wrought this ill.I’d have thee use thine office with the lady,To win her grace, that I may make confessionOf that which burdens me.

Ph.Thou seest in me the man who wrought this ill.

I’d have thee use thine office with the lady,

To win her grace, that I may make confession

Of that which burdens me.

2560Man.How! what is this?What should I say?

Man.How! what is this?

What should I say?

Ph.I’ll tell thee: and thou must knowFirst, that I once was Manuel’s friend and pupil,—My pride, alas! self-wrested to my shame—And in those early days loved her, whom heShould at this time have married. Five years spentIn graceless life meanwhile had far removedMy heart from my first love, nor had my thoughtOnce ventured back to think or wish her mine:But, as it happened,—and being at the time2570Stung by the sharp remorse of idle hours,—Chance sent me hither, and her presence soonAwaked those memories that I had thought were dead.Then vainly felt I worthier than I was,Seeing my better part desired to winWhat I too surely had deserved to lose.Constance denied me:—but now hear my crime.I won her father’s ear; and then, being lodgedIn Manuel’s house, I lit on a discoveryOf some suspicion, and contrived thereby—2580Betraying him who was my friend and host—His absence and disgrace: whence by ill fateHis death and all this lady’s trouble sprung.

Ph.I’ll tell thee: and thou must know

First, that I once was Manuel’s friend and pupil,—

My pride, alas! self-wrested to my shame—

And in those early days loved her, whom he

Should at this time have married. Five years spent

In graceless life meanwhile had far removed

My heart from my first love, nor had my thought

Once ventured back to think or wish her mine:

But, as it happened,—and being at the time

Stung by the sharp remorse of idle hours,—

Chance sent me hither, and her presence soon

Awaked those memories that I had thought were dead.

Then vainly felt I worthier than I was,

Seeing my better part desired to win

What I too surely had deserved to lose.

Constance denied me:—but now hear my crime.

I won her father’s ear; and then, being lodged

In Manuel’s house, I lit on a discovery

Of some suspicion, and contrived thereby—

Betraying him who was my friend and host—

His absence and disgrace: whence by ill fate

His death and all this lady’s trouble sprung.

Man.’Tis a sad tale you tell.

Ph.I was misledTo think he loved the lady less than I.Yet urge I no excuse, nor look for pardon:But if ’twould not add sorrow to her sorrow,I would discharge this burden from my soul.

Ph.I was misled

To think he loved the lady less than I.

Yet urge I no excuse, nor look for pardon:

But if ’twould not add sorrow to her sorrow,

I would discharge this burden from my soul.

Man.Do so: for you shall find pity and pardon.

Ph.Nay, nay: that could not be.

Man.Though hard it seem,Ay, and may force awhile some generous tears;2591She cannot yet fail in the foremost dutyOf all that sin. I shall prepare her well.

Man.Though hard it seem,

Ay, and may force awhile some generous tears;

She cannot yet fail in the foremost duty

Of all that sin. I shall prepare her well.

Ph.I thank thee, father.[Exit Manuel.There is in these menA quiet strength, which shames our self-esteem.

Ph.I thank thee, father.[Exit Manuel.

There is in these men

A quiet strength, which shames our self-esteem.

Enter Ferdinand and Hugo with despatches.

HUGO.

Philip, we have the news. Frederick is crowned.See, here’s for thee. (Gives a despatch.) It bears the new king’s seal.

Philip, we have the news. Frederick is crowned.

See, here’s for thee. (Gives a despatch.) It bears the new king’s seal.

Ph.Well, ’twill help nought. (Opens.)

Hu.I pray there may be nothingThat meddles with my place.

Hu.I pray there may be nothing

That meddles with my place.

Ph.Read here, your excellence.[Reads.By reason of advices late received,The kings commands are that the sealed despatch2600Writ for emergency be now held valid,And put in force by you.

Ph.Read here, your excellence.[Reads.

By reason of advices late received,

The kings commands are that the sealed despatch2600

Writ for emergency be now held valid,

And put in force by you.

Hu.There’s the despatch?

FERDINAND.

’Tis in my keeping.

Hu.(to Philip).Know’st thou its contents?

Ph.Nay, sir; not I.

Hu.Pray let us see it, straight.

Ph.Adjourn we to my secretary’s chamber:A moment will discover it.[Exeunt.

Ph.Adjourn we to my secretary’s chamber:

A moment will discover it.[Exeunt.

Reception-room at the Palace. As first scene of first act. CONSTANCE, ROSSO, and MANUEL disguised.CONSTANCE.Nay, I can walk. I am very well. See, Manuel,There’s no one here: thou mayst be ManuelYet awhile. Is not this, love, a recovery2610To make the memories of sickness glad?The days seem years since I stood here. But nowMust I see Philip?MANUEL.Be kind to him, Constance.The self-condemned need more than full forgivenessEre they forgive themselves.Con.I am too happyTo be unkind. And where is Margaret?I long to rally her about her lover.Sweet Margaret caught: Margaret who mocked us all.Hath she not chosen a madcap brother for us?Man.Well, I had wished for Rosso, love; but womenFavour strange fellows.ROSSO.2620She was difficultTo win, and now at least she has met her match.Man.I pray all may go well. Indeed I have hopeThat Hugo is by this possessed of ordersWhich will resolve all trouble.Con.Hush, father Thomas;See, here they come.Enter Hugo, Philip, Livio, and Ferdinand.HUGO.My dearest daughter, ’tis a happy day.Thy health and safety—Ay, I am glad to seeThy face of happiness, and I can addNow to thy joy. King Frederick is crowned,And I shall rule in Sicily.2630Man.(aside).How is this?Con.Then for this happy news grant me, dear father,One favour. Philip here will join in asking.PHILIP.Ere it be asked, I wish before all hereTo say some words. Good father, hast thou wonThe lady’s ear for me?Man.I have, your grace.Ph.May I speak, Constance?Con.Philip, you may speak.Ph.Once I asked this, and thou didst bid me thenSpeak and end all. Hear while I speak my last.I have wronged thee, Constance.Con.That is now forgiven.Hu.O, well done, Constance.2640Ph.And I wronged Manuel.I violated friendship, and the bondOf hospitality.Con.All that I know,And all forgive.Hu.Forgive him, and forget it.So should it be.Ph.Yet if thou sayest that,Thou dost not know that ’twas my treacheryProcured his exile, whence ensued his death.Con.All this I know, and I forgive it all.Hu.(aside). This is too soft. Doth her mind wander still?Ph.Thou understandest? Knowest thou that did he live2650To-day he were the ruler of his country?Con.Nay; now, sir, this is new. How came you by it?Ph.In a despatch I hold, his full appointmentIs writ and sealed.Con.He will be very gladTo hear of this.Ph.What sayst thou, then?Hu.(aside).O misery!Con.I know you call him dead; but still to meHe makes his visitations. I have seen himThis morning in my chamber. Nay, I say,I see him now.Hu.What saith she?(To Livio.) Alas, alas!Thy sister’s mind is gone. This was the reasonOf her strange cheerfulness.2660Ph.May God forgive usOur fatal mischief.Con.Give me the despatch:I’ll shew it him, sirs, else he might not believe me:But if I take it ...Ph.(to Hu.).What, sir, shall I do?Ros.Humour her fancy, I will lead her out.Hu.Ferdinand, give it to her. Alas, alas!Con.(taking). I thank thee, sir. (To Man.) Now, father, here’s a matterTo make us laugh within.[Exeunt Rosso, Constance, and Manuel.Hu.Philip, she is mad.Ph.I see it, and I the cause.Hu.A laughing idiot. O, cruel heavens,2670Ye had no stroke more fearful. Would to GodThat Manuel yet were living, tho’ I hate him,Rather than this.[Shouting without of “Palicio,” etc.]What noise is that?LIVIO.The rebels, sir, again.Enter an Officer.OFFICER.The city, sire, is risen; and the people,With John Palicio at their head, demandThe king’s despatches.Hu.John Palicio!Is he escaped again? Send Blasco hither.Livio, where is he?Liv.Sir, I do not know.Hu.’Tis this accursed rebellion hath done all:2679I have been too merciful. I tell thee, Philip,That was the cause of all, of Constance’s madness,Of Manuel’s death. By heaven, the sword shall fall.I will have blood for blood, and wail for wail.None of these villains whom I hold in prisonShall see the sunset. Send me Blasco hither.Call out the troops.Ph.Pray you remember, sire,Pardon to all is urged in the despatch.Hu.Send pardon to the devil. Oppose me not!I’ll teach these rebels I am master now.[Cries heard without.Enter Manuel (as himself, with paper in hand) and Constance. Margaret, Lucia, and Rosso following.Manuel! why, Manuel!Ph.O, Manuel,My friend, I am saved.2690Con.My father,Let me present to you my ghostly father;And at your will my loving living husband.Hu.Why, what! How’s this? Is’t thou? Is this a trick?Man.Ay: but a trick of fortune. Let my escape,Which makes you wonder, be explained hereafter.But now, since here I hold my title, sire,I’ll fill my place at once. Philip, I pray theeGo to the window, and make known to allThese latest tidings. Send the people home.[Philip goes to window.Meanwhile, sir; if before thou hadst some warrant2701For anger shewn against me, now I askThy pardon; and for wrongs against me doneAssure thee, that if freely thou make overThy daughter for my wife, there is in my loveMeans for full reconcilement. May I sayConstance is mine?Hu.I see that she is thine.Man.I pray thou never shalt regret this day.Ph.(returning from window). There is John Palicio, with half the townAt their old cries. I can make nothing of him.2710Man.Bid him surrender as my prisoner.I will receive him here.Hu.Thou must not thinkHe comes at asking thus.Man.He will obey.But I will shew myself.[Goes to window.Hu.How comes he out of prison?MARGARET.That I can tell.Your secretary Blasco promised me,Who desired nothing more than the releaseOf John Palicio, that he would contriveTo free him, if on my part I returnedA certain letter to his hands, wherein,[Shewing.2720As you may read, he had betrayed your personTo John Palicio for a price. Then I,As holder of this written ransom, cameTo see my kinsman freed; when in the dungeonFalse Blasco, with two villains and another,Who was your son, appeared before us armed:And thinking there to find PalicioDefenceless, would have slain him, and forced meTo give them back this writing: but PalicioSprang up, slew Blasco, and escaped.Ph.His deathWas due from me.2730Hu.Give me the letter, pray.Say, Livio, is this true?Liv.I never knewOf this betrayal, sir; I trusted Blasco.Mar.He counts for nothing, since he ran away.Enter Palicio.Hu.Is this the man?Man.Thou art my prisoner.PALICIO.I make submission to your excellence.[Offering (Blasco’s) sword.Man.Dost thou surrender of thy own free-willTo me, as legal viceroy of this island,Under King Frederick, and now abjuringThy late rebellion, wilt thou trust henceforth2740The people’s welfare to my lawful hands?Pal.I do, and all will trust thee as do I.Man.That is thy pardon. (Takes sword.) For the king’s good willIs grace to all. Yet there will be for theeQuestion in Blasco’s death. But now I needElsewhere thy presence. (Returning sword.) Go forth to the people,And make it known that I am their governour:And that for all disorder ere this dayThere will be pardon, but from this day none.Bid them disperse.Pal.Those hundred men of mine,2750Who lie in prison: is their pardon granted?Mar.’Tis I should plead for them. ’Twas I betrayed them.Hu.Thou didst betray them?Mar.Ay, sir.Hu.’Tis nought but wonder.Man.(to Pal.). This is a day of grace. None will resentOur stretching mercy. I shall grant their pardon,But not without some cautions; for among them—Hear me, Palicio, thou who so dost cryAgainst the taxes—many among thy menAre a most burdensome and fruitless tax.They go free but to work, and with such measuresAs will ensure it.[Palicio is going.2760Now, sir, ere thou goest,Is there none here to whom a word is due?Pal.O, Manuel, I dare not, nay,—I pray thee,Be not too generous towards me: since my heartHas fallen so far, let me have trial yetThat I may win what I but falsely stole,And now would leave in thy security,Till I may bring some right to claim it. YetI lack the worth to ask. But there’s one thingWhich I will ask (goes to Margaret), forgiveness; and for thatI kneel.2770Mar.I will not hide it from thee, sir,That in the mutual interchange of pardons,Which is our friendly game, I have had some painStanding out in the cold, merely for lackOf such a suit as thine. I have looked and longedTo find a debtor; and I will take thee.Rise, sir. I must present thee to a kinsman.[Leads Palicio to Hugo.(To Hugo.) Do you remember, sir, a cruel sayingSpoken to me against this gentleman?Since that I have been his friend, ay, and yours too,2780For I betrayed his people to your hands,When they were setting forth to burn the palace;And so prevented Blasco’s treachery;From which him too I saved, and for that deedHe takes me now in marriage.Hu.All thou saystMargaret, with much of what hath happed to-dayNeeds explanation. I must see so farThat Livio by his conduct is cut off:But if you tell me now that you will marryThis man ...Man.Palicio is of noble blood,My lord. Yourself have given him oft such praise2791As by an enemy must be well deservedEre it be spoken. The king’s pardon provesJustification: he is quit of treason.We shall restore his rank, the loss of which,Due to his grandsire in the civil wars,Brings him no stain: nay, we shall further make himChief secretary, where his ancient zealFor all the commons’ rights may still be shewn.Con.Margaret, we may be married the same day.2800Hu.I see indeed this is a day of grace,Of wondrous grace: and where I take so muchI should be churlish did I not rejoiceThat I may rank behind no one of youIn the free dispensation of my favour.And there’s one act would set the balance even,Lay it even lower against me: it is this,For I will do it: John Palicio,I do forgive thee ...Mar.Now I thank thee, sire.Pal.And I, my lord, who never thought to do it,2810Will forgive thee.DO YOU FORGIVE US ALL..

Reception-room at the Palace. As first scene of first act. CONSTANCE, ROSSO, and MANUEL disguised.

CONSTANCE.

Nay, I can walk. I am very well. See, Manuel,There’s no one here: thou mayst be ManuelYet awhile. Is not this, love, a recovery2610To make the memories of sickness glad?The days seem years since I stood here. But nowMust I see Philip?

Nay, I can walk. I am very well. See, Manuel,

There’s no one here: thou mayst be Manuel

Yet awhile. Is not this, love, a recovery

To make the memories of sickness glad?

The days seem years since I stood here. But now

Must I see Philip?

MANUEL.

Be kind to him, Constance.The self-condemned need more than full forgivenessEre they forgive themselves.

Be kind to him, Constance.

The self-condemned need more than full forgiveness

Ere they forgive themselves.

Con.I am too happyTo be unkind. And where is Margaret?I long to rally her about her lover.Sweet Margaret caught: Margaret who mocked us all.Hath she not chosen a madcap brother for us?

Con.I am too happy

To be unkind. And where is Margaret?

I long to rally her about her lover.

Sweet Margaret caught: Margaret who mocked us all.

Hath she not chosen a madcap brother for us?

Man.Well, I had wished for Rosso, love; but womenFavour strange fellows.

Man.Well, I had wished for Rosso, love; but women

Favour strange fellows.

ROSSO.

2620She was difficultTo win, and now at least she has met her match.

She was difficult

To win, and now at least she has met her match.

Man.I pray all may go well. Indeed I have hopeThat Hugo is by this possessed of ordersWhich will resolve all trouble.

Man.I pray all may go well. Indeed I have hope

That Hugo is by this possessed of orders

Which will resolve all trouble.

Con.Hush, father Thomas;See, here they come.

Con.Hush, father Thomas;

See, here they come.

Enter Hugo, Philip, Livio, and Ferdinand.

HUGO.

My dearest daughter, ’tis a happy day.Thy health and safety—Ay, I am glad to seeThy face of happiness, and I can addNow to thy joy. King Frederick is crowned,And I shall rule in Sicily.

My dearest daughter, ’tis a happy day.

Thy health and safety—Ay, I am glad to see

Thy face of happiness, and I can add

Now to thy joy. King Frederick is crowned,

And I shall rule in Sicily.

2630Man.(aside).How is this?

Man.(aside).How is this?

Con.Then for this happy news grant me, dear father,One favour. Philip here will join in asking.

Con.Then for this happy news grant me, dear father,

One favour. Philip here will join in asking.

PHILIP.

Ere it be asked, I wish before all hereTo say some words. Good father, hast thou wonThe lady’s ear for me?

Ere it be asked, I wish before all here

To say some words. Good father, hast thou won

The lady’s ear for me?

Man.I have, your grace.

Ph.May I speak, Constance?

Con.Philip, you may speak.

Ph.Once I asked this, and thou didst bid me thenSpeak and end all. Hear while I speak my last.I have wronged thee, Constance.

Ph.Once I asked this, and thou didst bid me then

Speak and end all. Hear while I speak my last.

I have wronged thee, Constance.

Con.That is now forgiven.

Hu.O, well done, Constance.

2640Ph.And I wronged Manuel.I violated friendship, and the bondOf hospitality.

Ph.And I wronged Manuel.

I violated friendship, and the bond

Of hospitality.

Con.All that I know,And all forgive.

Con.All that I know,

And all forgive.

Hu.Forgive him, and forget it.So should it be.

Hu.Forgive him, and forget it.

So should it be.

Ph.Yet if thou sayest that,Thou dost not know that ’twas my treacheryProcured his exile, whence ensued his death.

Ph.Yet if thou sayest that,

Thou dost not know that ’twas my treachery

Procured his exile, whence ensued his death.

Con.All this I know, and I forgive it all.

Hu.(aside). This is too soft. Doth her mind wander still?

Ph.Thou understandest? Knowest thou that did he live2650To-day he were the ruler of his country?

Ph.Thou understandest? Knowest thou that did he live

To-day he were the ruler of his country?

Con.Nay; now, sir, this is new. How came you by it?

Ph.In a despatch I hold, his full appointmentIs writ and sealed.

Ph.In a despatch I hold, his full appointment

Is writ and sealed.

Con.He will be very gladTo hear of this.

Con.He will be very glad

To hear of this.

Ph.What sayst thou, then?

Hu.(aside).O misery!

Con.I know you call him dead; but still to meHe makes his visitations. I have seen himThis morning in my chamber. Nay, I say,I see him now.

Con.I know you call him dead; but still to me

He makes his visitations. I have seen him

This morning in my chamber. Nay, I say,

I see him now.

Hu.What saith she?(To Livio.) Alas, alas!Thy sister’s mind is gone. This was the reasonOf her strange cheerfulness.

Hu.What saith she?(To Livio.) Alas, alas!

Thy sister’s mind is gone. This was the reason

Of her strange cheerfulness.

2660Ph.May God forgive usOur fatal mischief.

Ph.May God forgive us

Our fatal mischief.

Con.Give me the despatch:I’ll shew it him, sirs, else he might not believe me:But if I take it ...

Con.Give me the despatch:

I’ll shew it him, sirs, else he might not believe me:

But if I take it ...

Ph.(to Hu.).What, sir, shall I do?

Ros.Humour her fancy, I will lead her out.

Hu.Ferdinand, give it to her. Alas, alas!

Con.(taking). I thank thee, sir. (To Man.) Now, father, here’s a matterTo make us laugh within.

Con.(taking). I thank thee, sir. (To Man.) Now, father, here’s a matter

To make us laugh within.

[Exeunt Rosso, Constance, and Manuel.

Hu.Philip, she is mad.

Ph.I see it, and I the cause.

Hu.A laughing idiot. O, cruel heavens,2670Ye had no stroke more fearful. Would to GodThat Manuel yet were living, tho’ I hate him,Rather than this.

Hu.A laughing idiot. O, cruel heavens,

Ye had no stroke more fearful. Would to God

That Manuel yet were living, tho’ I hate him,

Rather than this.

[Shouting without of “Palicio,” etc.]

What noise is that?

LIVIO.

The rebels, sir, again.

Enter an Officer.

OFFICER.

The city, sire, is risen; and the people,With John Palicio at their head, demandThe king’s despatches.

The city, sire, is risen; and the people,

With John Palicio at their head, demand

The king’s despatches.

Hu.John Palicio!Is he escaped again? Send Blasco hither.Livio, where is he?

Hu.John Palicio!

Is he escaped again? Send Blasco hither.

Livio, where is he?

Liv.Sir, I do not know.

Hu.’Tis this accursed rebellion hath done all:2679I have been too merciful. I tell thee, Philip,That was the cause of all, of Constance’s madness,Of Manuel’s death. By heaven, the sword shall fall.I will have blood for blood, and wail for wail.None of these villains whom I hold in prisonShall see the sunset. Send me Blasco hither.Call out the troops.

Hu.’Tis this accursed rebellion hath done all:

I have been too merciful. I tell thee, Philip,

That was the cause of all, of Constance’s madness,

Of Manuel’s death. By heaven, the sword shall fall.

I will have blood for blood, and wail for wail.

None of these villains whom I hold in prison

Shall see the sunset. Send me Blasco hither.

Call out the troops.

Ph.Pray you remember, sire,Pardon to all is urged in the despatch.

Ph.Pray you remember, sire,

Pardon to all is urged in the despatch.

Hu.Send pardon to the devil. Oppose me not!I’ll teach these rebels I am master now.

Hu.Send pardon to the devil. Oppose me not!

I’ll teach these rebels I am master now.

[Cries heard without.

Enter Manuel (as himself, with paper in hand) and Constance. Margaret, Lucia, and Rosso following.

Manuel! why, Manuel!

Ph.O, Manuel,My friend, I am saved.

Ph.O, Manuel,

My friend, I am saved.

2690Con.My father,Let me present to you my ghostly father;And at your will my loving living husband.

Con.My father,

Let me present to you my ghostly father;

And at your will my loving living husband.

Hu.Why, what! How’s this? Is’t thou? Is this a trick?

Man.Ay: but a trick of fortune. Let my escape,Which makes you wonder, be explained hereafter.But now, since here I hold my title, sire,I’ll fill my place at once. Philip, I pray theeGo to the window, and make known to allThese latest tidings. Send the people home.

Man.Ay: but a trick of fortune. Let my escape,

Which makes you wonder, be explained hereafter.

But now, since here I hold my title, sire,

I’ll fill my place at once. Philip, I pray thee

Go to the window, and make known to all

These latest tidings. Send the people home.

[Philip goes to window.

Meanwhile, sir; if before thou hadst some warrant2701For anger shewn against me, now I askThy pardon; and for wrongs against me doneAssure thee, that if freely thou make overThy daughter for my wife, there is in my loveMeans for full reconcilement. May I sayConstance is mine?

Meanwhile, sir; if before thou hadst some warrant

For anger shewn against me, now I ask

Thy pardon; and for wrongs against me done

Assure thee, that if freely thou make over

Thy daughter for my wife, there is in my love

Means for full reconcilement. May I say

Constance is mine?

Hu.I see that she is thine.

Man.I pray thou never shalt regret this day.

Ph.(returning from window). There is John Palicio, with half the townAt their old cries. I can make nothing of him.

Ph.(returning from window). There is John Palicio, with half the town

At their old cries. I can make nothing of him.

2710Man.Bid him surrender as my prisoner.I will receive him here.

Man.Bid him surrender as my prisoner.

I will receive him here.

Hu.Thou must not thinkHe comes at asking thus.

Hu.Thou must not think

He comes at asking thus.

Man.He will obey.But I will shew myself.[Goes to window.

Man.He will obey.

But I will shew myself.[Goes to window.

Hu.How comes he out of prison?

MARGARET.

That I can tell.Your secretary Blasco promised me,Who desired nothing more than the releaseOf John Palicio, that he would contriveTo free him, if on my part I returnedA certain letter to his hands, wherein,[Shewing.2720As you may read, he had betrayed your personTo John Palicio for a price. Then I,As holder of this written ransom, cameTo see my kinsman freed; when in the dungeonFalse Blasco, with two villains and another,Who was your son, appeared before us armed:And thinking there to find PalicioDefenceless, would have slain him, and forced meTo give them back this writing: but PalicioSprang up, slew Blasco, and escaped.

That I can tell.

Your secretary Blasco promised me,

Who desired nothing more than the release

Of John Palicio, that he would contrive

To free him, if on my part I returned

A certain letter to his hands, wherein,[Shewing.

As you may read, he had betrayed your person

To John Palicio for a price. Then I,

As holder of this written ransom, came

To see my kinsman freed; when in the dungeon

False Blasco, with two villains and another,

Who was your son, appeared before us armed:

And thinking there to find Palicio

Defenceless, would have slain him, and forced me

To give them back this writing: but Palicio

Sprang up, slew Blasco, and escaped.

Ph.His deathWas due from me.

Ph.His death

Was due from me.

2730Hu.Give me the letter, pray.Say, Livio, is this true?

Hu.Give me the letter, pray.

Say, Livio, is this true?

Liv.I never knewOf this betrayal, sir; I trusted Blasco.

Liv.I never knew

Of this betrayal, sir; I trusted Blasco.

Mar.He counts for nothing, since he ran away.

Enter Palicio.

Hu.Is this the man?

Man.Thou art my prisoner.

PALICIO.

I make submission to your excellence.

[Offering (Blasco’s) sword.

Man.Dost thou surrender of thy own free-willTo me, as legal viceroy of this island,Under King Frederick, and now abjuringThy late rebellion, wilt thou trust henceforth2740The people’s welfare to my lawful hands?

Man.Dost thou surrender of thy own free-will

To me, as legal viceroy of this island,

Under King Frederick, and now abjuring

Thy late rebellion, wilt thou trust henceforth

The people’s welfare to my lawful hands?

Pal.I do, and all will trust thee as do I.

Man.That is thy pardon. (Takes sword.) For the king’s good willIs grace to all. Yet there will be for theeQuestion in Blasco’s death. But now I needElsewhere thy presence. (Returning sword.) Go forth to the people,And make it known that I am their governour:And that for all disorder ere this dayThere will be pardon, but from this day none.Bid them disperse.

Man.That is thy pardon. (Takes sword.) For the king’s good will

Is grace to all. Yet there will be for thee

Question in Blasco’s death. But now I need

Elsewhere thy presence. (Returning sword.) Go forth to the people,

And make it known that I am their governour:

And that for all disorder ere this day

There will be pardon, but from this day none.

Bid them disperse.

Pal.Those hundred men of mine,2750Who lie in prison: is their pardon granted?

Pal.Those hundred men of mine,

Who lie in prison: is their pardon granted?

Mar.’Tis I should plead for them. ’Twas I betrayed them.

Hu.Thou didst betray them?

Mar.Ay, sir.

Hu.’Tis nought but wonder.

Man.(to Pal.). This is a day of grace. None will resentOur stretching mercy. I shall grant their pardon,But not without some cautions; for among them—Hear me, Palicio, thou who so dost cryAgainst the taxes—many among thy menAre a most burdensome and fruitless tax.They go free but to work, and with such measuresAs will ensure it.[Palicio is going.2760Now, sir, ere thou goest,Is there none here to whom a word is due?

Man.(to Pal.). This is a day of grace. None will resent

Our stretching mercy. I shall grant their pardon,

But not without some cautions; for among them—

Hear me, Palicio, thou who so dost cry

Against the taxes—many among thy men

Are a most burdensome and fruitless tax.

They go free but to work, and with such measures

As will ensure it.[Palicio is going.

Now, sir, ere thou goest,

Is there none here to whom a word is due?

Pal.O, Manuel, I dare not, nay,—I pray thee,Be not too generous towards me: since my heartHas fallen so far, let me have trial yetThat I may win what I but falsely stole,And now would leave in thy security,Till I may bring some right to claim it. YetI lack the worth to ask. But there’s one thingWhich I will ask (goes to Margaret), forgiveness; and for thatI kneel.

Pal.O, Manuel, I dare not, nay,—I pray thee,

Be not too generous towards me: since my heart

Has fallen so far, let me have trial yet

That I may win what I but falsely stole,

And now would leave in thy security,

Till I may bring some right to claim it. Yet

I lack the worth to ask. But there’s one thing

Which I will ask (goes to Margaret), forgiveness; and for that

I kneel.

2770Mar.I will not hide it from thee, sir,That in the mutual interchange of pardons,Which is our friendly game, I have had some painStanding out in the cold, merely for lackOf such a suit as thine. I have looked and longedTo find a debtor; and I will take thee.Rise, sir. I must present thee to a kinsman.

Mar.I will not hide it from thee, sir,

That in the mutual interchange of pardons,

Which is our friendly game, I have had some pain

Standing out in the cold, merely for lack

Of such a suit as thine. I have looked and longed

To find a debtor; and I will take thee.

Rise, sir. I must present thee to a kinsman.

[Leads Palicio to Hugo.

(To Hugo.) Do you remember, sir, a cruel sayingSpoken to me against this gentleman?Since that I have been his friend, ay, and yours too,2780For I betrayed his people to your hands,When they were setting forth to burn the palace;And so prevented Blasco’s treachery;From which him too I saved, and for that deedHe takes me now in marriage.

(To Hugo.) Do you remember, sir, a cruel saying

Spoken to me against this gentleman?

Since that I have been his friend, ay, and yours too,

For I betrayed his people to your hands,

When they were setting forth to burn the palace;

And so prevented Blasco’s treachery;

From which him too I saved, and for that deed

He takes me now in marriage.

Hu.All thou saystMargaret, with much of what hath happed to-dayNeeds explanation. I must see so farThat Livio by his conduct is cut off:But if you tell me now that you will marryThis man ...

Hu.All thou sayst

Margaret, with much of what hath happed to-day

Needs explanation. I must see so far

That Livio by his conduct is cut off:

But if you tell me now that you will marry

This man ...

Man.Palicio is of noble blood,My lord. Yourself have given him oft such praise2791As by an enemy must be well deservedEre it be spoken. The king’s pardon provesJustification: he is quit of treason.We shall restore his rank, the loss of which,Due to his grandsire in the civil wars,Brings him no stain: nay, we shall further make himChief secretary, where his ancient zealFor all the commons’ rights may still be shewn.

Man.Palicio is of noble blood,

My lord. Yourself have given him oft such praise

As by an enemy must be well deserved

Ere it be spoken. The king’s pardon proves

Justification: he is quit of treason.

We shall restore his rank, the loss of which,

Due to his grandsire in the civil wars,

Brings him no stain: nay, we shall further make him

Chief secretary, where his ancient zeal

For all the commons’ rights may still be shewn.

Con.Margaret, we may be married the same day.

2800Hu.I see indeed this is a day of grace,Of wondrous grace: and where I take so muchI should be churlish did I not rejoiceThat I may rank behind no one of youIn the free dispensation of my favour.And there’s one act would set the balance even,Lay it even lower against me: it is this,For I will do it: John Palicio,I do forgive thee ...

Hu.I see indeed this is a day of grace,

Of wondrous grace: and where I take so much

I should be churlish did I not rejoice

That I may rank behind no one of you

In the free dispensation of my favour.

And there’s one act would set the balance even,

Lay it even lower against me: it is this,

For I will do it: John Palicio,

I do forgive thee ...

Mar.Now I thank thee, sire.

Pal.And I, my lord, who never thought to do it,2810Will forgive thee.DO YOU FORGIVE US ALL..

Pal.And I, my lord, who never thought to do it,

Will forgive thee.DO YOU FORGIVE US ALL..

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