The Gardener’s Dog

1Quick, Tristan! Run!

2Who’s there?

3Discovered!

4Down quickly!

5Stay, sir, stay! Such effrontery before my door? Turn, stop, stay! Up, my people! Not a man astir in the house? I have seen a solid shade, no wisp of dreams. Hello! Does the Palace sleep?

6My lady calls –

7You are as cool by my troth as I hot by my call. Run, fool, thou quintessence of folly, and bring me the scoundrel’s name who this moment passed my door.

8I see no scoundrel, lady.

9Reply by speed. Fly quickly!

10I vanish.

11His name on your life!

12In this wicked world? … Ah me!

13Though I heard your voice I could not believe that at this hour Your Excellency called so loudly.

14O thou Flicker of the Faltering Flare, at what hour crept you to sleep? You rouse from a soft bed right smartly. There are men in my house making the dark hours hideous even at the very portal of my chamber! Can such insolence be, Ottavio? And when I call, like a faithless squire you nod in my extremity.

15Though I heard your voice I could not believe that at this hour Your Excellency called so loudly.

16No, I did not call. Back to bed! To dream! Repose!

17Signora –

18He flew.

19Flew?

20Like a hawk.

21Whose hood was fringed with gold?

22I looked down the stair –

23Yes, you looked while he flew! Must I call my women?

24Signora, struck by his hat, the light went out. A shadow crossed the court and at the portal drew, and away!

25Oh my gallant Fabio!

26It happened just as I have told you.

27‘Fore the world you should have thrust him through on the spot where he stood!

28Most imprudent, lady. If he had defended himself your good name would have been haled before the people.

29Ottavio, flight is the coward’s remedy.

30Countess, a thousand gentlemen seek your hand in Naples, among whom, by search and due diligence, we may encounter the stranger who has conducted this retreat which Fabio has so prudently observed from the stair.

31He has suborned my servants. Ottavio, they have been corrupted in my house. The hat was plumed … Confess! Mayhap a stray feather remains upon the stair. Run! Look!

32For a feather?

33White plumes waved as he crossed the hall.

34A light, ho!

35I will solve this mystery if it undoes Naples.

36Signora, come what may disdain incites the lover. Pride will not brook denial, but accepts the challenge, rather, spurred on to rivalry and rash endeavor. These are stratagems of love.

37Vainglory. The offense is mortal in my sight.

38Pardon, Signora. On every side you are inaccessible as fair. Unhappy the gallant who would woo the title of Belflor!

39I came upon this hat, and of hats it is the very worst that ever was out o’ nights.

40This?

41It’s a hat, save the mark.

42Give it to me.

43All greasy and discolored!

44Exactly.

45You found this?

46A work of art.

47These were plumes, belike.

48He’s a thief, that’s plain.

49A robber and thereto dangerous.

50Peace! –while I compose myself. Peace! Pray, no more.

51He left his hat.

52And all the plumes I saw, waving in the air, resolve their excess into this?

53He cast it at the light and no doubt they burned, consumed together. Mounting to the sun Icarus singed his plumes, and fell a victim in the white plumes of the sea. The rascal had at the lamp in place of the sun, he flung a hat being no Icarus, and the plumes fell short of the water, whereupon I picked up the remains on the grand staircase.

54Fabio, I am in no jesting humor. What’s to be done?

55Institute an inquiry, Signora.

56Inquiry, Ottavio?

57Investigating in the morning thoroughly. The brain cools with sleep.

58I shall not sleep till I have probed this mystery, or my name is not Diana! Summon my women before me.

59Signora, must be abuse the lateness of the night?

60Ottavio, sleep flees my eyes, affronted as I am, my house violated in the dark –

61Inquire discreetly and with composure that the quest may cunningly entrap the secret.

62Ottavio, you are overmuch discreet. To sleep upon a mystery methinks is to put the mystery to sleep.

63I brought the more seemly ones, for the others are too dull to have guilty knowledge, besides which, to speak truth, they were fast asleep. These, for all I know, might have outsat the night.

64[Aside]The wind rises and storm-clouds gather.

65Countess, your ladies await your will.

66Truly? Gentlemen, retire.

67 (To Ottavio.)Heigh ho!

68The Countess is sorely vexed.

69Chase a feather!

70Dorotea, my faithful Dorotea, come to me. You have served me long and well.

71Aye, my lady.

72Nay, draw near. Dorotea, as you recall, what gentlemen frequent this street?

73Signora, at the moment I recall only the Marquis Riccardo and, upon occasion, the County Paris.

74Recall precisely, Dorotea, speedily, or forever be barred from favor.

75I have no secrets from my lady.

76With whom, pray, do these gentlemen speak, Dorotea?

77Signora, I could not answer though you burned me in a thousand flames, for I have seen them speak with no one, save only with yourself.

78But surely they have bestowed tokens, gifts even it may be? Or has some page been entertained in the house?

79None that I recall, Signora.

80On behalf of the master? Speak, Dorotea.

81[Aside to Anarda]An inquisition.

82She examines her.

83Retire. – Anarda!

84 (Advancing)Countess?

85A man passed my door.

86A man passed your door, Signora?

87A word in your ear. Who admitted him at my portal? Who had intelligence with the street? I know your ways.

88Signora, we are not so careless of your honor. We protect and guard you, Signora, we watch over you night and day.

89If that be true, does one of my women flaunt a lover in the house?

90Signora, your ladies are chaste as fair. Only Marcella has pledged her heart and that so shyly that the man remains a mystery even to us, for all his love and service.

91Anarda, deception is not confession. You have disclosed the fault, reveal the guilty.

92Pardon, lady. The secret is another’s, though the pain of keeping it be mine. Marcella deserves no blame –as yet the fruit of love is hope.

93Shall folly rule the age? When the mistress is betrothed light loves inhabit the house. Heaven attest my chastity before the Count who is my Lord and Master!

94No blemish, lady, appears, nor shall. The man forced no door nor entered the house, nor can he ever be detected, coming to see her.

95Then he is one of my train? Oh, surpassing insolence!

96Love, Signora.

97Love has a name.

98Teodoro.

99My secretary?

100They have met often, though this be idle to say.

101Anarda, you have said too much.

102Lady, as you will.

103Retire. [Aside](At least reproach is removed, seeing that the offense offers not at my door.) (Aloud.)Oh, Marcella!

104Signora?

105Approach, Marcella.

106Signora, humbly, in all love. [Aside](And fear.)

107You have enjoyed, Marcella, my confidence and trust.

108Believe no slanders of me, lady, reflecting on my loyalty.

109Shall slander point at you?

110How have I offended?

111Is it no offense to introduce a man into the house in the dark, who ventures even to this chamber, pursuing you by stealth?

112The man is Teodoro, Countess, admitted openly by day.

113Happy girl to be sought at all hours and all seasons, yes, upon all occasions, for love thrives upon occasion!

114Mounting as to heaven! Countess, his voice is soft and soothing, and his soul lies on his lips, trembling, transported as it lies.

115But what a singular location! What does his soul say as it lies?

116I don’t remember.

117Lip to lip?

118He told me once that love had drowned in my eyes. Again he said: “I burn in your eyes. Last night I could not sleep for my thoughts were roaming fondly over all your great store of beauty.” Another time he asked me to lend him one of my hairs to do up his wayward thoughts and still their roving. But I would not.

119No, you refused and remained virtuous by a hair.

120The purpose of Teodoro’s love is holy marriage. He is honourable and brave.

121Yes, love’s livery is marriage if it be brave. I will promote his suit, Marcella. You have done well. Be assured of favor.

122A thousand thanks, Signora! Oh, cap our joy! Here in the presence of my mistress I bare my heart, for there is no man living so wise, so prudent and so learned, nay so truly loving, so complete through all the range of this fair city.

123As to his intelligence, that I have sampled myself, because of the capacity in which he serves.

124Reading, repeating the words of others is a frigid thing compared with the livid torrent that tumbles from his lips, so dearly and so sweetly moved, shaping fond phrases of love.

125Marcella, you should marry, Marcella, you must marry –and right swiftly! Love is a sudden, a devouring flame, whose fierce heat consumes both life and honor. Better you remain apart, meanwhile, expectant, coy … [Aside](Must I abet this, I?) (Aloud.)Be discreet. Seek not the advantage of occasion until the fateful day. Let prudence rule with modesty. Avoid his presence always, nor in word nor deed suffer aught that may offend my dignity. Teodoro is gentle, while you, Marcella, sharing my blood, surpass in virtue the other ladies of my train.

126I am all yours, Countess, prostrate.

127Nay, rise! Leave me.

128A thousand times I kiss your hand.

129Enough! Leave me, leave me …

130[Aside to Marcella]She hangs her head.

131Ah me!

132Dismissed?

133Crowned with happiness! My cup is full.

134Manly of feature and as handsome fair,

135I could not sleep.

136We are lost if discovered. Sleep? Say you sent her to bed and the maid refused to go.

137Who turns his back on love?

138Yes, but to return again and again!

139As the masters do.

140If you were a master you would sense the approach of danger.

141Did she know us?

142Yes and no. She didn’t know us, but, oh, she suspects that she knows!

143It was a miracle that I missed Fabio as he followed down the stairs.

144When I threw my hat at the lamp it was a hit!

145He stopped short, blinded. If he had taken another step I should have run him through.

146I winked at the lamp not to know us, at which it blinked brighter, whereupon I let go with the hat. Well, I can’t complain.

147Tristan, I die this very day.

148Pshaw! Lovers, they don’t die.

149How escape, Tristan? Snares lie thick around us.

150Forget Marcella, for the Countess, should she be aroused, will delve to the bottom of this, and toss us both out of the palace instanter.

151Must I give her up, must I forget?

152Master, pray you ask me the anatomy of love.

153No rhyme without reason, man!

154Art helps the good, so acquire a little and follow the proper way. First, you make a resolution to forget, and push out of your mind positively the idea that you can’t help loving her, and that forever, for it if ever gets into your head that you can begin all ever again, you’ll never forget, for hope, they say, gives fools short rope. Why shouldn’t a man forget a woman? He swears he’ll be true and see what life brings along! Be resolved, call on reason, and these flurries of fancy put to sleep. Take the cord from the clock and the wheels no longer go round. Well, a man must proceed with will and accord, or no hope can be found.

155You have small faith in memory, which prods in a thousand places, awakening desire for the good that we may enjoy.

156Desire pricks us daily, as the Spanish poet declares, or wrote, wherefore we must contrive to circumvent desire.

157How, how?

158Thinking up faults instead of graces, for the discreet, to forget, put faults in their places. Never picture love upon a balcony, perfectly proportioned and shod, for that is parade. A philosopher discovered once that beauty was what we owed the tailor. Think of a woman as a sinner condemned to torment, yes, and drape no glories about her. Defects are the best physic as has been proved time and again, just as bad food cures the appetite. Signor, recall her defects, and if your memory proves good enough love is done.

159A country doctor brings no cure. Apply the prescription to yourself. You’re a physician by guesswork, Tristan, who deals in ignorance, for women are pure, serenely crystalline, transparent like shimmering glass.

160Glass? Yes, and well and often, too, they break. But since you can think up no defects I’ll do it for you, trusting only to spur on your forgetting. In God’s name I loved a saddle-bags of old lies long past fifty, which is ten times five, who, besides two thousand things the matter with her, had a belly so big, on top of other defects, that it could not stow a desk, yielding nothing to the Trojan horse which contained a hundred Greeks alive. A walnut-tree grew in a village I heard of and made a house for an alderman, his wife and all their children, where all had plenty of room, or so they said, and in likewise she held in her inside, or could have, a weaver and his staff together. Wishing to forget her for the benefit of my health, I saw what a sorry mistake I was making, thinking only of lilies and jasmines and her, of silver, white ivory and pure snow, and something, too, of that curtain devised for our salvation, the blessed skirt, all of which worked the wrong way. Then I took a firm resolve, and bethought me what she truly looked like, which was several hampers of fat squashes, a heap of decrepit rags, sacks of mail bulging over, and filthy stuffing of hoary mattresses, so that love and longing turned to loathing and from that receptacle was I delivered for ever and ever, amen! And never again! It was so big that the very wrinkles engulfed the handle with the hand.

161Marcella has no defects, only graces, nor shall I forget her nor ever try.

162Invite your own undoing to the bitter end. Very well. Suffer! Die!

163She walks in beauty. I expire!

164The Countess will promote the expiration. Hello! –And do it now.

165Call Teodoro.

166[Aside]Discovered!

167Ah, Teodoro –

168Lady, I attend.

169There will be departures from the palace, as say three, and no mistake. Right swiftly.

170A dear friend, not wholly certain of her pen, requests some lines of me, which I submit to you. Friendship may not stay, deaf to the importunings of love. Teodoro, if love has sought your heart, pray take them and read.

171Beside yours my thoughts were poor, Signora, though vaulting my presumption. Send the missive to the lady unread.

172No, read my lines.

173I venture beyond my depth into the mysteries of love.

174But Teodoro, you have loved?

175Never, knowing my defects. I observe far off.

176Muffled, perhaps, in the dark?

177I, Signora? How?

178Doubtless you adventure from time to time, shyly, as my majordomo tells me, in the dark?

179Fabio and I play foolish pranks together, Countess. We laugh and jest o’ nights.

180Nay, read. The lines are honest.

181Some enemy has slandered me.

182Who but a jealous one? Read.

183These are idle tales.

184Judgment, secretary.

185If this be addressed to a man it could not well be more direct, though I fail to understand how love can be born of jealousy when, as the world knows, it is jealousy’s sire.

186The lady, meseems, would possess her lover, yet as he is attracted elsewhere, jealousy intervenes and tempers desire. How think you? Write.

187It might be. Yet, Signora, mark you jealousy was the child and love the parent, as effects follow causes but never the cause the effect.

188Teodoro, the lady is no philosopher, for she tells me that she never felt inclination toward the gentleman till she learned that he was in love, when of a sudden a thousand mad desires came on her, stripping her heart bare of that virgin honor in which till then she had been wont to live.

189You have written charmingly and well. I should fall far short of this great merit.

190Modesty betrays you. Nay! –

191I should not dare.

192But you must. Write.

193Your Excellency will expose my want of skill.

194Pass in. I shall await you here.

195By your leave.

196Out of my sight, Tristan! You offend me.

197I depart, although apologizing for these old breeches because my master, the secretary, earns little in these days. Seeing that I serve him as a mirror, as a lantern and a shield, he does ill not to fit out his servant well. Somebody called a lackey a step-ladder, because by him a suitor climbs to the master’s ear, even if he rides a horse, than which an ass can say no more.

198Tristan, enough! No, now I reflect, a word with you. What manner of man is your master? Is he given to play, a devotee of chance?

199Play? My master? Would to God he might take it up! A gamester, here and there, has money. At one time kings learned a profession so they could support themselves in case they lost their crowns. Every boy, I say, is a potential better, and if he isn’t God help him! It requires no brains to bet. Painters empty their crowns producing pictures that any fool pronounces not worth twelve of them, but let a gamester cry “I win!” and it pays him a hundred to one.

200So your master lacks zest for the sport?

201He likes to win just the same, be that as it may.

202The ladies agree that he is a great lover.

203A great lover? Oh, oh! No, no! He froze once and since then he has never quite thawed out.

204A man of his parts, gallant, young, discreet, surely entertains affections that are honest.

205Bed and board are his chief affections. A secretary has no leisure for ladies.

206How is he o’ nights?

207Indifferent, though I don’t follow him, being lame, having sat down unpleasantly –confidentially– recently –

208No, Tristan?

209I remain myself of the husband with the scab on his face, caused by a blow –he was walking on air.

210He should have put the best foot first.

211I did, and rolled down to the bottom, counting the steps every one, tum, tum, tum!

212Was that when you aimed your hat at the lamp, Tristan?

213[Aside]Glory be, a hit! Holy Virgin, she has me!

214The light sputtered, too, and went out.

215I can’t remember –Oh, yes! The light? A flock of bats entered the house. I doffed my hat, and one paused in front of the light, so I hit the lamp instead, and, plop, my two feet went out from under me and down the stairs I rode, and I can tell you when I hit the bottom!

216A strange tale, though a book I read once recommended blood-letting as an ideal hair remover, that is for bats. We shall do some presently, with your cooperation, which I shall appreciate if you care to volunteer –for a brother bat?

217[Aside]God help me, she means to bleed me! Before I’m done she’ll ship me to the galleys for assault and battery.

218[Aside]Still I persevere.

219The Marquis Riccardo.

220Prepare chairs.

221Spurred on by love, Diana, toward the goal of fair acceptance, I admire and worship, avid of the largess of a promise. Since beauty connotes virtue, a glance discloses you as wholly fair, exceeding in loveliness, Countess, joyous, proud and gay, which to ignore were folly, by none to be excused. Eager and suppliant, sovereign Diana, clearly fair, I would learn what fate is mine in syllables of breathing beauty.

222Bred in Italy, Your Excellency transmutes dull smiles to sunlight, blending taste with art. If you would know your fate question not, for my eyes are too weak, admiring, to measure or appraise.

223Love captivates desire, both confessing speedy marriage as a common aim. As my suit finds favor with your kin, vouchsafe consent, to lift me blithely from despair. A lord of power and rule whose sway equals even his proud birth, were I master from the burning south to the regions of the trappings of the dawn, did I command gold which is so good to man, or the frozen tears of heaven, descending hail, or mines of oriental gems whose gleam has ploughed a furrow through the heaving hillocks of the sea, I would lay them at your feet, and delve beyond the confines of the light, my lady, leaving the sun today, even in your service, and, finally, upon the salty rolling plain stride forth in wooden boots, my boats, voyaging in them to the remotest austral strand where dauntless man has struck his power.

224Marquis, love knows no sweeter phrases, disposing the heart to favor, till it yields, ah me! … But then I bethink me of Count Federigo.

225The Count is noble, not unworthy in lineage or address. Judge my proffer justly, averting the eye from glitter and false show.

226The lines are ready, Countess.

227Excellency, alas, I bar the path of duty?

228A note to Rome, a trifle that I must despatch, demands my labor.

229Who beguiles must not impede. I depart. Addio!

230But you remove my heart.

231In trust. Borrowers return rare treasures. [Aside to Celio]How fare we, Celio? What says love to-day?

232Master, love speaks love’s language.

233Have you finished?

234Here are the words, writ haltingly, as by force or on compulsion.

235Deliver the paper!

236Read.

237These lines:

238It was not shaped for laughter.

239God of my heart, have mercy!

240You make no reply.

241I weigh both, Teodoro, and award the palm to yours.

242Ah, the servant is undone who outdoes the master! A king mistrusted a paper he had written and required his favorite to present another. When it was read it outdid the king’s, as the king himself declared, whereupon the favorite fled for his life. On being reproached by his sons, he replied; “Why the King has discovered that I know more than he does!” And a like peril besets this letter.

243Teodoro, though I judge yours the more excellent, it is for the purpose of my friend’s conceit, without warranty that your fancy surpasses mine. True, I am a woman and subject to error –it may be, too, partial at best. The inferior, you say, offends the superior, but in love this is otherwise, for surely the inferior cannot love too much, but rather offends by disdain. Do you follow me?

244So indeed it would seem, but Phaeton and Icarus both fell, one with golden steeds down a precipice and the other with waxen wings, which melted in the sun.

245The sun’s is no small heat. Loving a noble lady, dare and have faith. Though love be eternal women are not flint. Give me the paper that I may examine it in further study.

246It is most imperfect, lady.

247Winged words to me!

248You honor me unduly. Here is yours.

249Keep it, or it may be, rather, tear it up.

250Tear it up?

251Ah me! What are words when the heart is lost?

252She goes. A sudden impulse reveals her love. Where am I? Wise and noble, she never spoke like this before. “What are words when the heart is lost?” But here are words, here throbs the woman! The Countess is artful, too, and thus to speak humbles her high spirit. Princes of Naples court her, whose meanest slave I could not hope to be. My uncertainty is great. Perceiving I serve Marcella, she contrives this jest. Yet if jesting only why does she blush? Why quiver before my quavering heart? What rose, weeping at dawn, it leaves all tear-bedewed, but unfolds its petals, purple petals, for all its weeping laughing in the sun, even as she mocks me now, her pallid beauty enamelled with a crimson stain? What I hear and what I see strike scant root in truth, and may be by folly planted. My thoughts aspire in pride to beauty, which God grant I may achieve! O wise, O proud Diana! Sovereign Diana, beauty’s queen!

253Teodoro, joy! Our love is blest!

254What, sweet Marcella? This is a precious moment. Gladly I face death.

255Ten thousand lives are too few to purchase this, for I have awaited the hour like a caged bird, and when dawn tapped Apollo and bade him rise to light the East with gold, I knew my own Apollo would make haste to greet me. Through the long and horrid night the Countess stormed until she learned our secret, betrayed by envy to destroy our troth, for there are no friends in service. All is seeming there. Like the moon Diana peers at lovers, rising only to deny, but when she saw our love was honest and your purpose marriage, she smiled, sharing our happiness. We shall be united, Teodoro, by her command. I trembled as I praised you, fancied myself banished, confined, cut off, but her warm and noble nature, her generous heart pays instant tribute to deserving. Happy a thousand times are we that serve the just and fair!

256You say we shall be married and with her consent? By her command?

257Wed as she promises.

258[Aside]Am I mistaken then? The Countess toys with me –Proudly she swoops upon her prey, crushing vain ambition!

259Rejoice, dear fount of love!

260Marcella, she turned away, displeased, reproving me for my exploit by night, muffled, before her door.

261Teodoro, ask no questions. Soon we shall be one, only, love, we must be more secret than before. Give no sign. It is her whim to aid our passion.

262By abstention? Ah, the labyrinth of love!

263Shall we be happy?

264Married?

265How happy? Oh, how happy? Is it heaven?

266Be this the measure, for love’s emblem is an embrace, an ecstasy of intertwining arms!

267Frank and most expressive! No occasion to blush or to separate. No, no.

268Signora, I left this room last night, as I was explaining to Marcella, distressed exceedingly lest Your Excellency might judge my purpose to have been an offense against this house. But you have consented that we marry, and I press her to my breast a thousand times, rejoicing that in decisive battles the victor always must be truth.

269Teodoro, the truth is not in you, nor regard for her you serve. My generosity breeds only presumption. Who flaunts love courts disaster. Marcella shall be confined to her chamber until in due course I execute my purpose, nor shall lewd displays demoralize my women, seducing them into lusty marriages. –Dorotea, ho! Come quickly, Dorotea!

270My lady called?

271Turn this key upon Marcella who will remain in my apartment until further command –and sew!

272[Aside]What have you done?

273An unhappy star blots true love out. Ah, Teodoro!

274I am your friend. Jealousy closes no doors whose master-key is love.

275The dream shifts strangely.

276By your leave, I go. Pray you, the offense was not great, nor so dark as painted. Envy speaks with scorpions’ tongues. If Ovid had served he would not have settled it in the country nor sent it up a mountain, but kept it at home in the palaces of the great where it rules with unchallenged sway.

277You would persuade me almost that you never loved Marcella.

278Marcella is no goddess, lady.

279Yet heroes worship her?

280Lip-service only. We are men. Ah, were I a votary of love!

281But you make advances, your lips seek out the willing ear.

282Words, lady. I have the gift.

283Of words? What words, what words, Teodoro? What words have you whispered in her ear?

284Words of love and longing, lady, a thousand fancies veiling but a single aim, and that but thinly.

285What words, what words, Teodoro?

286Lady, you press me sorely. Though she is a woman, I told her once she brought the light. “Your mouth,” I said, “discovers pearls set amid corals, where each outglows the other.”

287A pretty conceit and fashioned cleverly to please.

288The language of love, my lady, of love and desire!

289Ah, Teodoro, who would scoff at love? Yet Marcella excels in faults, not graces. She pales among my women. She is not neat, she is not nice, always I reprove her –but this is to discourage love. My mind treasures all, foul or fair, watchful of your nurture. But forget the simple maid. What shall we do, my constant lover, in the affair of my noble friend, consumed and lost for love, and that of a man of humble birth? In loving she forgets herself, denying reason, while the man, poor fool, though in all else a god, hangs his head and droops and smiles, too innocent to see that her soul is wrapped in fire.

290Lady, I am ignorant of love, unskilled in counsel, captive only to my vision, which is small.

291And to Marcella? Ah, cajole and plead, exact love’s tribute! Oh, that these walls, these doors, had tongues!

292They might speak but have naught to say.

293Why do you blush? The cheek confesses what the lips deny.

294To prevaricate were folly. Once I did take her hand and straightway let it go. Does she charge me with presumption?

295There are hands, lily hands, that men would kiss and kiss…

296Marcella lies. I dared and drew back ashamed, thinking I had buried my lips in lilies and cold snow.

297Lilies and cold snow? Fair images both, spring in the heart. Nay, what shall my friend do? Advise me.

298If she loves this man without desert, and so offends her honor, might she not by cleverness veil her passion, yet render covert tribute to love?

299Secrecy spells danger. No, no, best kill the man.

300Marcus Aurelius presented the blood of a certain fencing-master to his wife, Faustina, as physic for desire. Virtue was Roman in the ancient day.

301Lucrece is gone, Torquato dead, and Virginius forgotten, yet be mindful, Teodoro, , that Faustina, Poppaca and Messalina were born in their very laps. Write me of these women, write me fully … Ah, ah! (She falls.) Did I fall? Why do you look? Come, give me your hand. Come! I fainted.

302Respect detains me.

303You touch my hand through your cloak? In discourtesy or fear?

304As Ottavio offers his, correctly, going to Mass.

305I ask not his hand, which has been one, alas, for seventy years and so is blenched with death. Teodoro, the lowly must rise by the means that come to hand. Who demands armor before assisting a friend, returning to find him dead? An honest hand requires no glove nor mask.

306May merit in some small part warrant this dispensation!

307A squire offers his hand wrapped in his cape, a secretary never. He walks upright, assured. Nor does he betray the passion of his mistress.

308Can I, can I trust and believe? I can.

309You say she passed this way?

310Footing like dawn over the meadow, flecking the soft carpet with light; nor should devotion detain her long, for the priest has the wit to be brief.

311Shall I accost her?

312Being her cousin, you cannot very well refrain.

313Leonido, love prevails over kinship, though timidity be the child of love. A gentleman may visit a lady freely, a relative or a friend, so there be no further purpose, but let love enter in, though concealed, and he turns shy, fearing to speak or even to appear. Thus my suit bars me from the Countess, my cousin, till I languish an exile, desolate, since all my joy was to see her daily.

314She comes afoot, attended.

315The church being opposite we may admire her beauty as she illuminates the street.

316Have you seen the sun on a bright morning rise in the east with his golden beams, gilding the pallid bull that pastures in the crimson celestial fields? –for so they look in the early morning, the poets tell us. Well, who outdoes two suns in beauty and perfection but the loveliest Diana, Countess of Belflor?

317If I am a lover you are a painter, at least in the morning early. She is a sun, and we signs in the zodiac of her glory. Is that Count Federigo, posted where he expects a ray to fall?

318Which of you is the pallid bull ready to be gilded?

319He, being first, preëmpts the dignity. As a later entrant, I shall enlist under the lion.

320 (To Leonido.)Is that Riccardo?

321The Marquis.

322It were a marvel did he fail at the church.

323How smartly he is beribboned for worship!

324Leonido, I, not you, should be jealous. Peace, prithee, peace!

325Jealous? I?

326I am jealous even of your praise.

327But Diana will have neither of you, which I take it eliminates the jealousy.

328She is a woman, and of necessity inclines to love.

329But she is vain, proud and then disdainful, which again is assurance to you both.

330Ah, beauty has title to be proud!

331There’s not much beauty in ingratitude, however.

332 (To Riccardo.)Diana comes, my lord.

333Day breaks! Night flees.

334Shall we speak?

335The Count anticipates us –

336 (To Diana.)Desire has chained me to this pillar in your eternal service.

337Count, welcome support a thousand times!

338 (Coming forward.)Lady, with all good will now and ever must I adore and guard you.

339Marquis, here is double happiness, redoubled grace.

340Lady, favor is born of love.

341 (To Leonido.)Her speech was short, her mien abrupt.

342Count, have courage! Follow her.

343Ah, Leonido, when words are vain shall silence spell surrender?

344Poor thought of mine, distraught by every wind, I laugh at your presumption, forgetting you are mine. Hold, stay! I bid you go and yet I call you back. If the intention be idle as the prize is great, how care I whence or whither, for imprudence is my undoing? Since expectation breeds my claim let reason feed it openly. I love my mistress, and I have warrant by these eyes. Tell them, hope, that diamond towers on no wisps of straw are builded. Then if I fail I blame my eyes, but, seeing her, how then are they to blame? No, no, poor hope, sprung from my soul to the height and pinnacle of love, here I stand below amazed, and tremble at your flight. When one is wronged, the wrong foregone justifies the aggressor, assuming itself the fault; so be you bold to justify your guilt, for though we both be lost ours is a common cause, since your ruin springs of me while I fall from your fond height, stone blinded. Go and ask not where, even facing death, for a brave fight is always victory. The victor’s laurels ours, the praise be ours despite our loss, for such an overthrow converts the world henceforth to the worship of misfortune.

345If a letter from Marcella would help, here it is, inasmuch as forgetting her predicament she thinks only of you and waits outside, for I told her you were busy, that being the fashion at court. When a man becomes great his friends call at all hours, but let him lose what he has and they avoid him like the very plague and forget to call. I suggest we discourage the note by a bath.

346Fool, the note has had more than a bath, transmitted through you. Give it to me. (Reads.) “To my dear husband, Teodoro.” What is this? Her husband? Effrontery!

347Rather forward, I should suppose.

348Having risen, must I now crush this butterfly?

349Read in your wisdom, for wine hatches mosquitoes. To-day Marcella seems a poor butterfly but I remember when she was a soaring eagle to you.

350Mounting to the golden circlets of the sun, I plunge me down and marvel that I saw her.

351Well put, tersely; but how about the note?

352Behold!

353You tear it up?

354Thus.

355Why, master?

356It is the most explicit answer.

357I call it most ungallant.

358You are no judge. Watch me.

359No, you lovers are the very apothecaries of love, concocting notes and billets like the prescriptions they compound. Prescription for jealousy, blue violet water; prescription for disdain, borage to temper the blood and abate its rage; prescription for desertion, a mustard-plaster over the heart, which draws best, they say, in the city; prescription in case of matrimony, store of syrups and physic till cured with antimony, not before ten days; prescription for the signum celeste, which Capricornius dicetur, death to the patient unless, by the horn, he has the philosophy to combat laughter; prescription for abstracting goods and chattels from a shop, a couple of tablets slipped deftly into the clerk’s pocket –to be continued for your profit at our leisure. As soon as the money is paid, tear up the prescription and the patient, God help him, lives or dies. But Marcella’s account is closed already and the complaint lies unread on the floor.

360Your wit is most foul to-day.

361You take high ground now you fly so high.

362Tristan, fortune waits; to turn away is to have none, nor might I be Count of Belflor.

363Master, a duke named Cæsar took “Cæsar or nothing” for his motto once. The result was he made out so badly that a friend scribbled beneath it “Good! And that includes everything. They named you Cæsar and they got nothing.”

364Tristan, no! I challenge fortune, come what may.

365Since we have companioned so dearly, we no longer have secrets. We are sisters.

366You proved yourself, Dorotea, while I languished in the Countess’ chamber. Anarda believes that I encourage Fabio, which is the reason she betrayed Teodoro to the Countess.

367Enviously. I see Teodoro –

368Teodoro?

369Caution, Marcella! Not so loud!

370I adore you openly and proclaim it everywhere.

371Take care what you do! In palaces the very tapestries speak. Why are figures woven on them unless to warn us that bodies may be lurking behind? Seeing the king his father murdered, a deaf-mute cried out, since when we can well believe even pictures may shout.

372Did you read my letter?

373No, I tore it up, having sacrificed enough for love. It condemns us both, and as for the letter you can retrieve the pieces from the floor.

374Are these my scattered words?

375Marcella, the remains. Exactly.

376Do you flaunt me to my face?

377Shielding you from disaster. If you are wise you will speak no word of this, nor refer to love nor write to me again.

378By your command?

379I cannot further displease the Countess.

380Oh, this confirms my fears, seeing what I have seen.

381God be with you, Marcella. We are friends and no more, discarding sentiment and false pretense.

382Teodoro, do you do this? Do you defy me, your Marcella?

383In the name of decency, of common respect for the house in which I serve.

384He insults me.

385Have your own way.

386Is this your reply to a lady?

387A lady anticipates a reply.

388Tristan, Tristan!

389Yes, indeed! Well, well! Who spoke?

390What does this mean?

391A change of heart. Teodoro has mastered the ways of woman.

392Yes, what woman?

393Oh, one that is fair, a dispenser of milk and honey. Oh, oh!

394Go to him –

395Am I so simple? Never! I am sheath to the sword, seal to the letter, box to the hat, the piece of felt that dulls the spur, a dark winter’s day, a cryptic figure tripped by dancer’s feet, a post-horse trotting off smartly, the tail to a comet, a wayward summer thunder-storm, the shadow of myself, and not to put it too thickly, my own finger-nail which, when it is cut off, no one can possibly say belongs to me.

396What do you make of this?

397Mostly nonsense, the reverse of sense.

398Yet he says he does not talk!

399He never stops.

400My Teodoro!

401Marcella, believe me, he was right, though, about the tapestries.

402Jealousy banishes fear. Were the Countess less proud I could believe thatTeodoro aimed at her. Has he pined, brooding apart these many days for nothing?

403You are beside yourself with jealousy.

404I am not so gentle but that I shall take revenge. And I prepare the blow.

405Have you seen the secretary?

406The secretary is no longer himself.

407In God’s name, my lady desires him in a flash.

408Fabio, desire him as she may, Dorotea be witness that this secretary, this Teodoro, is a complete imposter.

409No doubt, Marcella, I agree. What tricks are these to-day?

410Cupid’s quiver, Fabio.

411Yes, I scent deception in the air.

412Fabio, I flattered Teodoro, taunting him, but I love only one, and that one a man made in your own image.

413Now I mistrust myself. Hello! –

414You are twin brothers.

415Twins, Marcella?

416Fabio, there is only one. You tempt, you madden me, your figure pleases, and I am yours, dear Fabio, or desire will kill me! The worst of deaths is an unrequited love.

417Guileful but persuasive maiden, die and so restore the heart which you have taken from me. In jest or earnest, which?

418Fabio, ask no questions. Fortune smiles. Marcella loves you and you know her true heart speaks.

419If it be true I’ll believe her truly, even though she speaks.

420Teodoro has released Marcella, and to-day she plights her faith to you.

421I run, Marcella. You are a love-letter addressed to Teodoro and delivered to me. I pardon the impropriety in the hope of more, for I am yours to the purpose, good or evil –your friend– freely.

422How could you, Marcella?

423I don´t know where I am nor what I do. Anarda loves Fabio –

424But that is spite.

425Passion, vengeance, hate. Love is god of envy, god of hate!

426 (To Anarda.)In any case persistence becomes impertinence. Their suit wearies me.

427They have given proof of rare devotion. – Is that Marcella with Dorotea? Yes …

428Whispering? The wiles of woman. – Marcella, leave us. To your room! Be gone.

429I go, Dorotea. [Aside](Call this favor! Or is it jealousy?)

430Oh, for a magic word!

431Salve, salve my poor heart, Anarda.

432Both noblemen are mad for love of you. You outdo the indifference of Anaxarete and the chastity of Lucrece. Love cannot reject so many –

433I am surfeited with vanity and show.

434Two princes among men! The Marquis Riccardo, as gallant as generous, equals or exceeds the best, nor was there ever maiden born too noble for your cousin, Federigo. Why despatch them in this frenzy of disdain?

435Because one is mad, the other a fool, and you, failing to distinguish, Anarda, more accomplished in folly than they. Though I love, I love neither, loving in despite of reason.

436Then this is love’s quandary.

437I am a woman all compact of love.

438Yes, but refrigerated, so that the sun himself could shine all day and not warm you, either.

439Anarda, I melt, dissolve before a man, and no luminary.

440Who is the man? Confess.

441Shame prevents me, conscious of my state –I cannot tell. Enough that he is one whose birth must cloud my honor.

442Pasiphae loved a bull, Semiramis a horse, and other ladies various animals I shall not specify, for reasons of breeding. You may well love a man, whatever his rank or station.

443Ah, love is wayward and belies itself, appearing in monstrous shapes and forms, perversely. Or love may turn from love.

444Yes, but what lover can?

445I can, loving when I will, for love dies the heart unwilling. (Music within.) What is this fitful music?

446Fabio with Clara, singing.

447Languid strain, sound again!

448Sing on! Music and love blend in concord of desiring.

450The song answers no. Love cannot hate.

451In the song. But in my heart I love and hate at pleasure.

452You defy the rule of nature.

453Signora, Fabio bids me seek you.

454Delay, why delay so long?

455I come in haste, asking forgiveness for my insufficiency.

456Have you considered these gentlemen who address me hourly in the name of love? Speak truly.

457I have observed them, lady, truly.

458Both are fair, of good report.

459Of stately carriage, both.

460How choose? Which shall I accept? Advise me.

461Lady, how can I advise when the decision must rest in your heart? I prefer as master the noblemen who yields his love unreservedly to you.

462Teodoro, choose, or betray my confidence in a decision of extreme, nay vital, import.

463Lady, there are others with more experience than I. Ottavio, the majordomo, commands the wisdom of years and may counsel you accordingly.

464Ah, but the master must be supreme, loved alike by old and young, for he must be lord of all, throned in my people’s hearts. Do you prefer the Marquis to my cousin? Speak.

465The Count? I do –I do, in figure, lady.

466I elect the Marquis, then. Bear you the tidings to him instantly. Addio!

467Why! How sudden! This is most unwelcome. Can she change so quickly! She deserts me. O sun, consumed my flight, for you have shrivelled the daring plumes that offered at heaven’s glory! Down, down, Belflor! Oh, how trust me to the uncertain seas of love? Can there be unequal love, alas? What wonder that her eyes deceived me when they would seduce even the sage Ulysses? I blame myself, yet why? How am I harmed? Some virus filled my mind, I dreamed delicious dreams. Poor heart, in fancy only deck thyself in the proud trappings of Belflor! Turn hence thy gaze, descend upon the old familiar strand, Marcella, gentle Marcella, affection’s daughter! Love joins equals only. Vain imaginings, air-born, to air return, for those fall who rise above their state, fondly, without deserving.

468Did you find my lady?

469I spoke with her, Fabio, to my great content, for the Countess yields to marriage. She has chosen the chief among her suitors, rightly fixing on the Marquis.

470She hits the mark there.

471I am deputed messenger to bear the news, but, Fabio, I cede the privilege to you. Go, for the reward will not be slight.

472I fly in a receptive spirit, thanks again to you. The Marquis may congratulate himself for it was no small achievement to subdue the Countess.

473I’m half a man if what I hear is true.

474Tristan, it is, it is. Collapse, my house of cards!

475Teodoro, I have seen the pair many a time seated in two arm-chairs like two sticks, cajoling Diana, but that she had a fancy for one, or that it was possible, no, no, I would have laid twenty oaths against it.

476Tristan, this fair, fickle sunflower, this nimble weathervane, this prismatic glass, this river rolling to the sea, tossed back by every tide, this Diana touched with moonlight, this woman all enchantment, this prodigy of instability, who willed my undoing to grace her victory, just now, this moment past, bade me say which of these noblemen to choose, for she will marry upon my pleasure! I stood stock-still, dying. Had I raved it had been the voice of reason. So she decided in favor of the Marquis, and I was to inform him, delicious privilege, as my reward.

477So she has chosen a husband, has she, honestly?

478The Marquis Riccardo.

479Oh, she wants to bring you to, not to heap affliction on you, so she relieves you now of that unnecessary importance, the result of aspiring to be Count.

480Who aspires, expires, Tristan.

481A fool’s a fool, I agree to that.

482He is, and include the race of women. Never trust one, either.

483Teodoro, there is no poison like a woman’s eye.

484Correct. I gazed, Tristan, and wondered, but then awoke, and here I bury my love in an unmarked grave.

485I shed tears. Shall I summon Marcella?

486She is a forgiving angel.

487Can love be feigned when love has flown the heart?

488Marcella –

489Ah! Who?

490I, Marcella. You have not forgotten me –

491I have forgotten you so completely that I am not myself save thinking of you, for then I hate, and to refrain I constrain my soul, which hates and hates. Do you dare speak to me? Do your lips form my name?

492I try your constancy which vanishes before the trial. Your attentions have found my successor, as I hear.

493Teodoro, never tempt the strength of woman nor test glass. But this was no proof. I know you, Teodoro, dreams of gold! Does she reject your suit? Love at what cost? The mere perception of beauty is itself a pleasure. Come! Speak! Blush not, Teodoro –say a storm drives you to me, a great way down. Do you jest, bringing me hope, Teodoro, this happy day?

494You are avenged, Marcella, wholly. As love is noble, be kind, nor slay me. I am yours, Marcella, having failed. Pardon repentance, not because the quest was vain but for that despair turned to memory, waking the old love to be transformed to new-born victory.

495Who would say a lover nay? Sue, be bold, nor suffer doubt, never surrender, bravely pursue your goal as I shall mine. I love Fabio, Teodoro, so fare you well, or as you may. God knows your treachery, than which I say no more except to Fabio, for we are to be man and wife.

496Wife? – Tristan, she forsakes me.

497Signora, signora, to stop having loved you is only to begin all over again! This is an apology if ever there was one. Marcella, stay!

498He insults me, Tristan.

499Stay! Listen! Who can say?

500[Aside]Ah, Teodoro and Marcello?

501An encounter to the point!

502Step behind this arras hastily. [Aside](Jealousy rein love!)

503Tristan, let me go. Away!

504 (To Diana.)Tristan is the go-between.

505The pander who blinds my sight.

506The dumb beauty of the Countess, who worships him, dazzled him momentarily. He despises her gold as dross beside your beauty. Love, like the comet, struck him and has fled.–Say it did, Teodoro.

507[Aside]Immortal liar!

508If Marcella loves Fabio, hope is vain, Tristan.

509So you need encouragement also? Advance!

510He has promised her marriage.

511He believes what she says. –Here! Get out! Give me your hand and make up instantly.

512Knave, what would you?

513Signor, do it for me. Where is your hand?

514How can Marcella say I love another? It was she, she!

515Oh, you are simple and she plays you cunningly.

516My wrongs complain to heaven.

517Sh, he’ll believe you! Hearten him. (To Teodoro.)Courage, sir! Here’s a pretty how do you do.

518I kneeled to her! God knows I can do no more.

519He leaves me.

520No! Not that either –

521 (To Tristan.)I die with love yet linger here.

522Master, forward! Courage!

523[Aside]Devil of a lackey! How does he know so much?

524Tristan, I depart.

525Tristan, let her go.

526Well, then, I obey. No hope –

527Stop her.

528I vanish proudly.

529Both stand their ground and require no stopping.

530Dear heart, I cannot go!

531Nor I, for love is firm as the rocky islands of the sea.

532Come to my arms!

533I fly!

534If this was prearranged, why, I had all my work for nothing! They stay.

535 (To Diana.)Revolting!

536Trust a man with a woman!

537How your words wounded me!

538That embrace was satisfactory, and as a third party, too, it is all I am likely to get.

539If I ever exchange your love for the world, or for Fabio’s, my beloved, give me death!

540Marcello, young love is born to-day. If I slight you, heaven punish me with the happiness of Fabio!

541You must renounce your infidelities, my dear, every one.

542Rather bid me conquer kingdoms.

543Will you swear that all women are unattractive beside me, and hideous as well?

544Beside you they are. Obviously.

545Since we belong to each other, love, do we need Tristan standing by?

546Yes, but objecting to me is like protesting at yourselves.

547Swear the Countess is a scullion and a jade.

548Worse than that, she is the devil.

549And an ass to boot?

550At both ends.

551A prig, too?

552A bore.

553 (To Anarda.)This has gone far enough! Have I chills or do I burn?

554Lady, they know not what they say.

555If you think you can describe the Countess, just listen to me.

556[Aside]What will he do? No, no –

557First, to begin –

558There will be no second for this fool. Appear!

559Teodoro, fly!

560[Aside]The Countess!

561[Idem] The Countess!

562Did I surprise you, Teodoro?

563Signora!

564Thunder crashes, and forked lightning makes me run!

565A pen, Anarda. Teodoro will take a letter that has been forming in my mind.

566[Aside]I have outstepped assurance.

567[Aside]Love, open my eyes! I excel Marcella bodily, yet he loves her and my people laugh. They laugh!

568[Aside]She does not look, she does not speak. True, tapestries have ears and palace walls have tongues.

569Here is the smaller desk to write upon.

570Your pen, Teodoro.

571Countess! [Aside](Death or banishment?)

572Nay, write.

573Begin.

574With one knee upon the ground? A pillow, Anarda.

575I rest easily.

576A pillow, Anarda!

577[Aside]An evil omen. Men kneel to executioners. (Aloud.)Will you begin?

578Mark well as you write.

579[Aside]There is no mercy.

580When a noble lady declares herself to a commoner, that man may not approach another. Those who are blind to fortune see themselves as fools.

581As fools, my lady. No more?

582No more. Seal the letter, Teodoro.

583Lady, what is this?

584Love’s folly.

585Love of whom?

586Oh, to be deaf and never hear, for in my house the stones shout!

587The letter is not yet addressed, though sealed.

588Deliver it, Teodoro, and never a word to Marcella. God grant you comprehension as you read!

589She goes! Oh, this woman loves, but intermittently, as one who bleeds and the pulse wavers!

590Are we banished? Poison? I trembled behind the portal.

591Marcella, she gives you to Fabio, and dictated this letter to your home inquiring as to the dowry. Nothing else.

592Now heaven forbid!

593May you prosper, and when you are a wife, never mention my name again, in jest, reproof or praise.

594I can’t believe it.

595What is done is done. Here is the letter. Fare you well.

596Am I in love with change, a phantom? She has bewitched him. He is like a bucket that, going down, the water fills, coming up to be emptied over and over. Foolish Teodoro, slave of greatness! She smiles, you smile on her; she frowns, you sigh to me. A light head tries all patience.

597Fabio, I might not stay, hastening to avow in joyance my everlasting fealty.

598Marcella, advise my lady that our lord the Marquis waits.

599[Aside]Jealousy, is this some new legend of misfortune?

600The Marquis waits.

601I go.

602Our lord and master.

603To-morrow, Fabio, accept a thousand pounds at my palace, to which upon occasion I shall add a Neapolitan horse of purest breed.

604I rejoice beyond all gratitude.

605Though you serve Diana henceforth count yourself my friend.

606I prostrate myself in joy.

607Augmenting still my debt.

608I greet Your Excellency with smiles.

609Summoned by Fabio, I cast myself at your feet in divine ecstasy. Duty and pleasure vie, dowering my passion with an ardor that would be presumption in any save a husband, master of the heart. I neither deserve you, lady, no, nor deserve even to desire you. But you are supremely mine!

610What is this? I am too amazed to speak. Who summoned you? Who makes mock of my name?

611Mock? Fabio –

612I ran with the news, despatched by Teodoro.

613Ah, Riccardo, my secretary is to blame! I praised your person beyond my cousin Federigo’s, slighting his bearing, and Teodoro transformed my idle words to oaths. Excellency, pardon! These dull fools lack wit or true perception.

614Fabio is pardoned in your presence for a lack-wit, nowhere else. Spare us these empty vaunts, which are the antidote to love! Addio!

615This was your doing, knave.

616Signora, forgive me. Pardon.

617Summon Teodoro. [Aside](Shall popinjays leer while I die of love?)

618Off trots the horse with the thousand crowns!

619What would you, love? Now, now my heart was free

620The Marquis would have run me through at mention of the thousand crowns.

621Nay, nay, persist, Fabio. Shift, temper the attack.

622Am I mad?

623The Marquis’s good fortune infuriates the Count. Run to him with word of this reverse and it nets you another thousand.

624I believe it does and am there already.

625Run!

626A hopeful creature. –Lady!

627The fool had the grace to go.

628Lady, I have studied your note with understanding. The heart of service is respect, yet I am at fault to hesitate or delay, for which reason I here confess y passion, all love and worship, and stand trembling at the image of my temerity.

629Teodoro, you forget yourself. Clearly, your duty is to love me, and well you may, for I have favored you above all others in my house. But to presume –

630This is the language of command.

631Teodoro, press not beyond the bound. Your place is here. A noble lady, looking upon you, brightens your base birth by the refulgence of her gleam, which remains the solace of your poor, dull life.

632Lady, pardon if, baffled, I have presumed. Why grant me hope, dashing me down so rudely that I fall ill, lying an entire month helpless? I cool and you flame in beauty. I burn and you congeal as ice. Leave me to Marcella, for this is the tale of the gardener’s dog. I may not marry her, yet, abstaining, you abstain from me, and in the joy of my dream bid me wake. Lady, choose or refuse, for I can no longer endure these contraries, and from this moment I shall love where there is hope of reward.

633Teodoro, forget Marcella and learn wisdom. Choose a mistress, so it be not she.

634Lady, Marcella loves me and I love her, in perfect faith. My heart is my own, and follows where love leads. Adoring Marcella, she worships me in truth and constancy.

635Indecent strumpet! I will behead you both.

636Excellency!

637Filthy lackey, have it in the face!

638A moment! Step back –

639Ah, Fabio! It is too late –I fear that we intrude. (Advancing.)Gentle greetings, fairest lady.

640Oh, I was speaking with my secretary.

641Conferring? Advisedly.

642You are very welcome.

643Nay, I presume, unannounced –

644Federigo, I have indulged a sportive humor since I was a child. Come, and we will laugh over the poor Marquis.

645Fabio –

646Signor?

647This melody suggests a theme.

648In God’s name, Count, I marvel at this abuse of Teodoro. The Countess showers him with her favor.

649He has flushed a noble red.

650If this be aught but love, what can love be?

651Am I a coward? I always arrive too late.

652Tristan, Tristan! Leave me.

653What is this, sir? Blood?

654Blood? Jealousy writes love in crimson characters.

655Sweet Savior, but it employs a beastly ink!

656No harm is done. Mad, enraged at her own desire, she assails my face where her shame is reflected, leaving it frightful.

657Master, if Lucia or Giovanna quarrel with me and scratch me an endearment, clawing me or hauling my hair out because I’ve played them a trick falsely, they are light women with heavy stockings and a friar’s leaden shoes, but a noble lady debases herself raging thus vilely.

658Ah, Tristan, she adores and hates me. She will not have me, she will not yield me to Marcella. I come, she goes. She is the gardener’s dog which will neither eat nor permit others to do so, nor is in nor is out nor is neither.

659A professor-doctor who was thought very well of, had a boy who could never agree with his housekeeper. They fought at dinner, they fought at supper, the poor man could not sleep in his house, there was no peace nor quiet, till one day he came home from a class suddenly and found the pair in bed together. “Thank God,” he said, “they get on somewhere.” May He preserve you from a like calamity.

660Teodoro! Teodoro!

661Lady?

662[Aside]She surprises us at the improper moment!

663Are you hurt, Teodoro?

664As you see.

665Did I hurt you?

666Hurt me?

667You could reply more gently.

668I cannot do more, tried as I am, alas –harried!

669My sweet hero!

670Poor, abused, distressed! Words fly, blows fall; I go, you call me back; I stay, you strike me. I forget, you write; I remember, you forget. You would have me follow the hint to play the fool, always, everywhere, eternally, but no! I will live and die, I will have an end of these extremities!

671Did I draw blood, Teodoro? Oh …

672Oh?

673Lend me a handkerchief.

674No –

675Give it to me. There, there …

676But you take it?

677Yes, to keep. Ottavio will give you two thousand crowns, Teodoro.

678Ottavio will?

679To buy handkerchiefs.

680Oh, woman, woman!

681Woman, what a wooing!

682Two thousand crowns?

683She can hit me all day for another two.

684She took my handkerchief and they will buy others.

685But this was blooded. Evidently she intends to take good care of your nose.

686Tristan, dogs fawn after they bite.

687Remember the doctor’s housekeeper! But you haven’t the crowns yet –

688No, God forbid!

689You came upon them?

690Surprising her in full career.

691But did she strike him?

692A servant may be remiss but scarcely to such degree. When a lady is moved to violence clearly there must be provocation. The man’s arrogance knows no bounds.

693She is noble, he a clown.

694She plays with fire. A very moral philosopher contrived a fable of two jars, one clay and the other copper, or it might be iron, which floated down a stream from the mountains, whereupon the clay jar drifted away from the copper one so as not to smash, a precaution that is advisable when a man and woman get together, so as not to smash.

695I admire Diana’s dash and pride, and far be that day! But Teodoro rides resplendent, well attended. At whose charge? Gold, apparel and servants become no secretary.

696There has been comment in Naples, true or false, which impugns the family honor. Let the man die.

697Death were a mercy, though to one a deprivation.

698Yes, but how remove him?

699Quietly. There are men in Naples who live by the trade, drawing blood for gold. Seek out a bully and have done.

700By all means. To-day!

701He shall meet a sudden end.

702Here come four bravos.

703Born to the trade.

704Outraged heaven seals our judgment.

705By the wine, lad, since your coat tops the rest.

706He’s the man to buy. Tristan, wine!

707Red wine, friends! The thing I’ll gladly do.

708LIRANO Bully cloak!

709Friends, this is a beginning, a glint of the grandeur to appear. If fortune be true, hail the secretary’s secretary!

710The Countess flatters your master, Tristan.

711He’s her brain, her right hand, the door to her favor. Cursed fortune I say! Give me a drink!

712The tavern offers Lachrimae and Malmsey to such as thirst.

713Yes, give me good Greek wine. I drink Greek, I spout Greek.

714[Aside]That dark one with the fiery face is the fiercest, meseems. The other flatters and wait upon him. –What, Celio!

715Master?

716Summon that great hulk.

717 (To Tristan.)Ah, sir, before entering the chapel, please you to speak a word with my master, the Marquis?

718Friends, the Prince attends me; I cannot refuse. Enter, toss off seven or eight cups, and thereto add abundant cakes, the while we communicate. ANTONELLO Better not be long.

719I’m with you now.

720What would Your Excellency?

721Marvelling at your valor, speaking for the Count Federigo and myself, are you the man to kill a man?

722[Aside]God bless us, the Countess’ lovers! Oho, how’s this?

723Well?

724Your nobility esteems my bravery, for by the mighty Tower of Strength no sword in Naples but shivers at my name! Have you heard of Hector? Hector trifles not with me. Hector conquered Troy, I Italy!

725Marquis, this is our man. We speak under secrecy. Would you adhere to your reputation and kill a man, receiving in recompense the sum you name?

726Two hundred crowns and go to the devil!

727We’ll pay three hundred. Kill him to-night.

728His name first, and a slight advance.

729Have you heard, by chance, of Diana, Countess of Belflor?

730I have men in her house this very moment.

731Will you kill one of her servants?

732I’ll kill her men-servants and her maid-servants and the team that draws her coach.

733The man is Teodoro.

734Gentlemen, as a team, that will require address, since he already fears you, and so sulks at home o’ nights. However, he has sought my protection. I will serve him and duly stick him through, after which in pace requiescat, for no man dare suspect me. Do you agree?

735You are the one man in Naples to put him to sleep. Serve him, run him through, and then to us.

736A hundred crowns on the spot!

737This purse contains fifty. You shall have a hundred more when you introduce yourself into Diana’s house, and there will be added store to boot.

738Omit the boot. Excellencies, addio. Mastranzo awaits me, He of the Iron Hand, Arfuz, Devil-May-Care and The Great Wall-Breaker. If they suspect –

739No, by the rood!

740We have indeed been fortunate.

741Teodoro is dead already.

742A prodigy of strength, this bully.

743Hello, Master!

744Oh, Tristan, my friend, I walk dazed, not knowing why or whither, pursuing fancy which mounts even to the sovereign sun! Yesterday Diana smiled, yet to-day languishes, nor deigns to greet me, till Marcella laughs at my discomfiture.

745Come home at once. You cannot be seen abroad with me.

746With you? Indeed?

747Upon the way I will unfold a plot to murder you.

748Murder me? How now?

749Not so loud and look this way. The Count and the Marquis have engaged me to attend to it.

750They have?

751Since that boxing-match they suspect you, and I have been hired as a suitable bully, fixing the price at a hundred doubloons, on which there is an advance of fifty crowns already paid. I said that you had appealed to me for protection so I would take the job to kill you, and in this way the whole plot’s private.

752Would God you would kill me! I neither live nor die!

753It is a predicament.

754Yet I scent victory. Tristan, if Diana could discover an excuse, she would marry me. She is afraid, and, burning, freezes, and lacks the will to move.

755What would you say if I could provide an accelerator?

756You? That you had the cunning of Ulysses.

757If you had, you would dig up a father, as good as the best, produce him, and then what of the Countess, Master? You would marry her.

758Surely.

759Twenty years ago Count Lodovico, an ancient, haughty nobleman, lost a son named Teodoro, voyaging to Malta to visit his uncle the Master there. He was captured by the Moors of Biserta and never heard of again. I undertake, sir, to secure the Count as your father.

760Tristan, these are knavish tricks. If you would live, refrain. Walk the paths of honor.

761Home at last, God help you! You will marry Diana by midday to-morrow.

762I had not thought till now love could give ground

763Teodoro, look up! Be not downcast.

764Sorrow adds savor to love. I would not be cured for I am only sad imagining a change. There are ills so sweet that they grace even death. I only regret that I must remove beyond my good and evil.

765Go away? Perish the fancy!

766They threaten to take my life.

767Pray who would kill you? Ah, many willingly, I know!

768Envying my state, which for a time waxed proud. I crave permission to travel into Spain.

769A clever avoidance! Your love will be cured, my eyes will be dried, and my door freed at your departure. Since the day I reproved you, Federigo has redoubled his ardor. Fly to Spain, if you will, with my blessing and six thousand crowns God-speed.

770Hereafter generosity must assume your name. Farewell!

771Teodoro, enough! Leave me. I can bear no more, Alas, I am a woman!

772She weeps.

773Teodoro, have you gone?

774I go, lady.

775Stay! No, go –Speak to me.

776Your pleasure?

777What? Go, go.

778I do.

779I am faint. What fiercer torment than the inconstancy of love? –Have you gone?

780I go, lady, now.

781He leaves me. Oh God, this heavy curse of honor! What weight to heap upon the breast! Who made thee, honor? Oh, penance and punishment for our great sins, bulwark and barbican against upswelling evil!

782May I go to-day?

783Why ask, Teodoro, when the very sight of you is poison, fatal to repose?

784Lady, no, I came here for myself, not you, for else I exist not. I must take myself away and you must give myself to me.

785I cannot, for you may be lost again. Go, while love struggles with honor that it may be victor. Go, Teodoro, go, nor ask me aught, for it you stay you steal away the heart of me!

786God keep you, lady!

787Honor, farewell, for you bar the soul from its dear quest! The light of my eyes is dimmed, snuffed out! Oh, weary, heavy eyes that cannot see, but weep! Eyes, since you have forgot your office, pay for your treachery in tears! I am not to blame. Yet do not weep, for weeping heals the pain, and I would torture you. How well you weep, how ill you see! And have you your excuse? The sun, too, shines on the clay, the sun is high and beautiful! No, shed not another tear. Cease, eyes, but suffer, close … How well you weep, how ill you see!

788If constancy deserve its due, lady, it lies in your power to reward me, and, giving ground, assure my happiness.

789Reward you, Marcella? In what way? Nay, gladly.

790Teodoro sails for Spain, in peril of his life. Will you send me with him, married, that exile may be transformed to glory?

791Let him request the boon. The man should speak.

792I speak for him with full knowledge of his heart.

793Repeating, no doubt, his words?

794Over and over to eternity.

795[Aside]Supreme insolence!

796We have discussed the voyage and arranged our departure.

797[Aside]Honor, honor, forgive me, for love knows but extremes! But to-day the remedy lies in my power.

798Lady, be generous.

799Marcella, can I bring myself to part with you? You bask in my love and Fabio’s, who is your predestined mate. No, no, I shall give you to Fabio and let Teodoro go.

800I love Teodoro and detest Fabio.

801[Aside]This is no time to falter. My heart, be bold! (Aloud.)Fabio is the better husband.

802Lady –

803Obey, nor dare replay.

804How can the passion of the aching heart

805Otherwise abandon hope of succession.

806My age deters me. Although the excuse suffice, my misgivings must prevail, nor could I assure myself an heir though married. A woman whose husband is advanced in years suggests the ivy embracing the elm, prospering though the tree wither. The mere mention of marriage, Camillo, awakens memories that have passed into history and reopens wounds long forgotten. I have prayed for Teodoro daily but twenty years have passed, leaving me bereft, forlon and dejected.

807Excellency, a Greek merchant waits at the door.

808Admit him presently.

809Reverence, sir, and heaven rain down obeisance with mercy.

810You are right welcome. What brings you to this remote strand?

811From Constantinople we touched at Cyprus, steering thence for Venice with a cargo of rich Persian cloths, when I bethought me of a desire to visit this fair city of Naples, the while my men landed the cloth. It has beauty and proportion.

812Naples does possess both beauty and proportion.

813Agreed. Signor, my father was a merchant of Greece whose chief profit lay in buying and selling slaves. One day, entering the fair at Azteclerophon he purchased a boy, a prodigy of nature, as to show what she could do. He bought him from the Turks in a very special lot which a Turkish bashaw had taken out of a Maltese galley which they captured in Cephalonia.

814Camillo, I faint! Attend!

815Fancying the boy, he bore him to Armenia, where he was nourished and brought up with me and with my sister.

816Hold, hold, friend! Stay! I am shaken to the very marrow.

817[Aside]Not bad for a start.

818What was this boy’s name?

819Teodoro, sir.

820God! I am overcome, having word at last. Tears bedew my beard –

821Serpalitonia, my sister, as I explained, and this rarely beautiful boy, having occasion, fell in love, as you will understand, at a tender age, in fact sixteen, and one day, when father was away, took steps to make it apparent in her, which so alarmed Teodoro that he disappeared, while more and more it appeared in Serpalitonia. Then Catiborrades –who was my father– wept over the loss and would not be consoled. In a word grief killed him and we baptised the child, as in that section of Armenia Christianity prevails, though with peculiar rites. We named the boy Terimaconiophorus, and he is grown up now in the city of Tepecacia where he lives. I thought of this as I was wandering about Naples, admiring the views, and took the paper from my pocket on which Teodoro had written his address. I questioned a Greek slave at the tavern where I stayed, who exclaimed “Why, if it isn’t Count Lodovico’s son!” The suggestion struck me, I determined to follow it, and, inquiring for your house, by mistake I found myself in that of the Countess of Belflor, and the very first man that I met there –

822Speak, speak!

823Was Teodoro.

824Teodoro? Impossible!

825He tried to run, his strength failed –I hesitated, not being certain of his beard, then pursued him, seized him at last, forced him to speak, confessing fully, but he said that he had never told any man who he was nor that he had been a slave in Armenia, nor should I. “You are of this land,” said I, “and nobly born, fear not the taint of chains!” He laughed and I, confused, came on to you to verify the story, for if it be true I give you not only a child but a grandchild, and this without any claim upon the part of my sister, though she will bring him to Naples, for marriage is her pet aversion. She is anxious only to show Terimaconiophorus his illustrious ancestor.

826Come to my arms for my soul tells me that this story is true, every word, and I rejoice. Ah, my son, my son, after the stretch of years art thou found, art thou found? Camillo, advise me. I must go to him in haste!

827Assuredly. Run, fly, and in his arms revive after these weary years!

828Friend, come with me and share my rejoicing, or if you would repose, remain expectant. My house and all I have are yours. I cannot stay!

829Go, for I must dispose of certain diamonds in my care. Anon I return. Come, Mercaponiades.

830Step firmly.

831He swallows it wholides.

832Whollyphorus.

833Sonorous.

834[Aside]Their native speech.

835Camillo, come quickly!

836Are they gone? Is it safe?

837The old man runs ahead, forgetting coach and people.

838What if this were so and the son were Teodoro, truly?

839There is no truth in those lies.

840Smuggle these robes somewhere, for we must get rid of them. I can’t afford to be seen by my acquaintances.

841Make haste.

842A father’s love is a beautiful thing.

843Will you pick me up farther on?

844By the house under the elm tree, Furio.

845I run.

846Brains will work miracles. (Advancing.) I fold my cloak under like a half cassock, for I could never leave that in the portal with the Armenian turban and that Greek skirt.

847Is this the bully who promised to make way with Teodoro?

848Stand, sir! When fulfil you your promises, made so brashly? Is this the measure of your reputation?

849Signor!

850Would you cozen us like your own kind?

851Sir, you speak upon impulse. I have entered the wretched fool’s service and he shall die, but your good name will not permit that my sword should drip red. Prudence is heaven-born, hence it was the virtue the ancients loved. Teodoro shall lie with his fathers. The shadow descends, the man remains in his chamber by night, no doubt a prey to care. A cold thrust will chill his breath, but anon. I know when to deal out death.

852Marquis, he speaks with conviction, has entered his service, perfected his plan, and now has only to commit the murder.

853I count the man as good as dead already.

854Conceal your exultation.

855Having satisfied you, gentlemen, I must ask you for fifty additional crowns. I require a horse to make my escape.

856Receive our bounty thus. The principal part of this business is payment.

857My life to the purpose. And farewell, for we must not be seen from the balcony of the Countess.

858He has skill in knavery.

859I’ll show you how.

860Courage is a gift.

861He is more than audacious.

862Would that we could be present at the death!

863I’d like to see him do it.

864The most wonderful and strange of miracles! A very fable!

865Here, Celio! You pass us by. Hello!

866It’s singular and unpalatable, sirs, to you. Do you see that crowd before Count Lodovico’s door?

867Is he dead?

868Attend, I pray you. They flock to congratulate him because his lost son is found.

869I have no objection, I am sure, but wish him all manner of good fortune.

870Being both suitors to Diana, does it please you that her secretary, Teodoro, should turn out to be the Count’s own son?

871My soul sickens. His son?

872The Count’s son? How can he know that?

873It’s quite a story and the variations are so numerous that the devil could not reconcile them all.

874This is the acme of the unpleasant.

875My enthusiasm evaporates completely.

876Let us hasten, however, to present ourselves.

877With our compliments. Count, jointly we press our suit.

878Better to support the blow.

879Must you go, Teodoro?

880Alas, for both! No good can come from an unequal fight.

881The excuse is empty as your love. Despising me for Diana, now despair drives you to forget.

882Diana? I?

883By turns you cower and have dared all, impelled by a mad desire. You feared her, Teodoro, remembering her state, and then presumed, forgetting your humility. But snow-capped mountains rise between the plains of love and honor. I am avenged although I love you still, burying my love in vengeance. Remember, but remember that I hate you, and love will spring again, because hate, though pretended only, is the progenitor of love.

884How can you talk so when your lips long for Fabio?

885You drive me to him, maddened by disdain.

886As Teodoro will depart presently, Marcella, I concede you the few moments that remain. Jealousy can do no further harm for it will have to make a sea-voyage to get at me.

887Are you leaving to-day?

888Instantly.

889My lady comes to say farewell.

890Are you still my voyager?

891Would I had wings, lady, or at least, a keen pair of spurs! Verily.

892Ready without! What of the linen and the velvets?

893All is prepared, lady.

894 (To Marcella.)We shall be rid of him in earnest.

895Don’t talk to me.

896 (To Teodoro.)A word before you go, Teodoro.

897As you will.

898You go, Teodoro, knowing I adore you.

899Therefore I go.

900Tell me, tell me, being who I am, what shall I do? How live?

901Don’t cry, lady.

902A speck of dust floated into my eye.

903Say, rather, it was love.

904It was, it floated in a long time ago, and I must pluck it out.

905Lady, I go. I go without my soul, which I leave here. I take nothing from you, for the homage of beauty is no less than a man’s soul. What would you? I am yours entirely.

906Oh tragic day!

907I go, lady. I go without my soul.

908Don’t cry.

909No, a speck, too, has floated into my eye. A speck –

910A spark of jealousy.

911It is, lady!

912You have a box from me, filled with a thousand trifles, which are all a maid can give. When you open it you will say “Diana packed this with her tears,” for they are the trophies of your victory.

913 (To Dorotea.)Love has undone them both.

914Love will not be denied.

915They exchange sighs and tokens. This is to stay …

916Poor Diana, the gardener’s dog!

917She holds his hand.

918Eat or others may.

919Noble Diana, joy be my sponsor, together with my years, for this unexpected visitation!

920Count, I am honoured. What is this?

921Your ignorance, haply, is unique in Naples. The news spread like wild-fire so that I could scarcely make my way through the streets nor arrive unmobbed to greet my son.

922Your son? But is this a public carnival?

923Has Your Excellency never heard how twenty years ago I sent my son to Malta with his uncle, only to be captured by the galleys of Ali Pasha?

924I recall the tale vaguely.

925Heaven has restored my son to me after proving him in a thousand adversities and trials.

926Count, I thank you for these tidings, for, indeed, you bear good news.

927Signora, in exchange for the news I must ask you to return my son, who is in your service, ignorant that I am his father. Would that his mother had lived to see this happy day!

928Your son in my service? It must be Fabio!

929No, Signora, not Fabio, but Teodoro!

930Teodoro?

931Certainly.

932How is this?

933Teodoro, is the Count your father?

934Oh, so this is Teodoro?

935Count, Your Excellency, I –

936Son of my soul, ask no questions but let me die in your arms!

937Well, you take amazement from me!

938Lady, Teodoro is a gentleman of the bluest blood and primacy, as I always knew.

939Sir, you leave me speechless, dumb. Am I your son?

940Had it not already been triply proved, one look were enough! You have not changed one jot!

941No? Or title. Pardon a thousand times …

942Say no more for I am in ecstasy. What a face, what a figure! God shower blessings on you. What royal bearing! Teodoro, your birth is written on your brow by Nature. Let us hence. Come, come to take possession of my house and home, my rich estate, through portals crowned by the noblest scutcheons in all this kingdom!

943Signor, I was about to set forth for Spain and you disquiet me greatly.

944Spain? Good! Your Spain is here. Fly to my arms!

945Count, I beg you let Teodoro stay, compose himself a little, and then repair to you with the trappings of his rank. I cannot send your son forth from my house amid the press and shouting thus.

946Well considered, though I grudge even the briefest instant, but as rumor bruits the news abroad on eagle’s wings I take my leave, upon Your Excellency’s promise that he shall lodge within my doors ere night-fall.

947I pledge my word.

948Teodoro, come again to these arms!

949I prostate myself at your feet.

950Camillo, I am ready. Bid me die!

951Teodoro is the perfect paragon of the age.

952Realizing my joy I shall go mad, mad, mad!

953We congratulate you.

954The noble can afford to be generous.

955We have a special claim to your favor, secretary.

956The good win over enemies. Embrace us warmly.

957No, for this is no time for frivolity. Give place! And throw wide both your arms, Excellency, my Lord Teodoro!

958I worship you more now than in my need, Countess and my queen!

959Leave us! Go! We will remain together.

960Well, Fabio! This suits me perfectly.

961 (To Anarda.)I can’t breathe or see.

962So our lady is not the gardener’s dog after all?

963Will she eat?

964Will she?

965She will burst.

966Must you go to Spain?

967I?

968“I go, lady. I go without my soul.”

969When fortune smiles why laugh at me?

970High or low, still waver.

971Let us ever be friends as becomes our hearts, both noble.

972I look upon you and I see the perfect nobleman.

973To the cooling of desire. Would you have me great, or else your slave? For love I nature’s course knows only slaves.

974No, husbands. You are mine, and this very night we shall be married.

975My place is to yield, not to gainsay fate.

976I am the happiest woman in the world. Hurry and change, that your attire may befit your rank.

977I will visit my estate and this father I have found, I know not how nor the meaning.

978Count, God go with you.

979May God keep you, Countess.

980Before you go, oh … oh …

981Oh?

982Oh yes! Why not? Fealty to a lady.

983Complying with my obligation, I become your lord.

984No more attentions for Marcella, now, though the course be open.

985Noblemen know no maidservants.

986Nobleman, be honest!

987She doubts me.

988Who has a better right?

989The right of a wife?

990The gates of Paradise! Fortune, hold, hold! –as I shall Teodoro!

991May friends express sympathy upon the culmination of this happy day?

992Your Excellencies, indeed, stand in need of greater sympathy than you know.

993We felicitate you upon the rare fortune of your servant.

994Gentlemen, be advised that Count Teodoro is to be my husband.

995And she leaves us!

996I am troubled, mightily.

997Has not that bully killed him by this?

998Speak of the devil –

999[Aside]All goes well so far. Good! It shows how a lackeyophorus with genius can lord it over Naples.

1000Stop, Tristan, or whatever your name may be!

1001May be? My name is Murder-Many.

1002Yes, but when?

1003Now! If they hadn’t made him Count to-day, I’d have stuck him on the spot.

1004But you did not!

1005At the time I bargained for the three hundred crowns, this Teodoro was a servant, and of no account. Count Teodoro will cost you more, in the reward let there be more to count, for he is worth from four to six servants dead, who for the most part starve or are scared to death anyway, and so pass out naturally, or through force of habit.

1006What will it cost to get rid of our man this very night?

1007A thousand crowns. Cash.

1008Done!

1009A deposit first.

1010Take this chain.

1011Collect your money.

1012We shall amass it instantly.

1013Sudden death and prompt payment!

1014Well, we shall be ready for you.

1015Keep the secret.

1016I saw you speak to those villains.

1017They are the supreme gulls of the city. I have this chain on account of a thousand crowns if I make way with you to-night.

1018Yes, but what is this business? I do not like it, Tristan.

1019Teodoro, if you had heard me speak Greek, you’d award me more than a chain. I take to Greek naturally. All you do is run on, which I did, but believe me I unloaded a cargo –Azteclerophon, Catiborraphorus, Serpalitonia, Xipides, Atecadarsis, Philomocleontes, which are Greek enough in all conscience, and for all I know may be Greek authentic.

1020I am mortified and depressed. If this trick is discovered they will behead us at the very least. I have a thousand reasons for protest. Desist!

1021Desist? You are a hard man to satisfy.

1022I am undone, ruined!

1023Drift along a little, why not, and see? See what happens.

1024Here comes the Countess.

1025I disappear.

1026Teodoro, you will disappoint your father.

1027My heart is heavy. Once more, let me pursue my purpose and bury myself in Spain.

1028Have you seen Marcella, my storm-tossed weather-vane?

1029Marcella?

1030You are not yourself to-day.

1031Doubts assail me, pangs that I would not reveal.

1032Nay, Teodoro, speak. Throw off this melancholy.

1033Tristan, in whose honor liars might well erect statues, knaves pronounce eulogies and Crete render up her labyrinths, sympathizing with my love and bethinking him of this lost son of Count Lodovico, has reared this fabric of fancy upon my poor shoulders, who am a son of the soil, and fatherless, for all I know, save for my wit, my education and my pen. The Count believes the story. I might marry you and possess fortune, a name, but the native temper of my soul forbids, for I am a man born to be honest. Thus I request once more permission to depart for Spain, for I would not offend your love, your birth or dignities.