SCENE III
_An apartment next to the Borgia Tower, which is reached by a passage on which the door gives._ DON MICHELOTTO CORELLA _stands in the centre, the door being open. Suddenly_ DUKE CESARE DE VALENTINOIS DELLA ROMAGNA _comes to him in a blaze of passion_.
CESARE.
Eigh, Michelotto, shall a vermin kill? Conceive! Alfonso flicked me with an arrow, Shot from the chamber where Lucrezia watches.
MICHELOTTO.
The Duchess did not see?
CESARE.
It makes no matter, It is of no account.... Swift, Michelotto, A rope.... Conceive! This little pipe of breath, This spawn, this Naples sought the overthrow Of my large destinies ... and his kind Duchess Simmers the pipkin that he may not die Of poisoned food! Not even the sharp vendetta Of the Sanseverini fallen upon him A month ago has mangled him to death; He keeps his tower, mending his wounds apace. But, swish!--an arrow flies to end me.... Ecco! She is hard by, the silky wife grown fulsome, Dragged on a husband’s chain. Swift, Michelotto, swift!
MICHELOTTO.
The poignard or the little rope? I serve you Close as my bone to flesh.
CESARE.
So God in silence Contracts with San Michele. Die for me---- You were not such a fool! I choose who dies. Fetch me your instruments--the steel, the rope. Quick, and return! [_Exit_ MICHELOTTO. I wait a thousand years! Aha, Carlotta, little Sancia too! Ay, and Lucrezia ... she can watch so much, I doubt not she was watching when he shot: She would not warn me--she has seen so much, And never stirred in tongue or eye.... But listen!
[_He bends his ear toward the door._
I hear the cooing voice; she sings to him.
[LUCREZIA’s _voice is heard from the Borgia Tower_.
Sweetest Mother, Thy suit is won: Flowers for thee, Flowers for thy Son, Flowers at thy knee For the Trinity! She is soothing him with little, airy notes, Like the rustle of the leaves.
[_Re-enter_ MICHELOTTO. CESARE _opens his hands for the dagger and cord_.
O Michelotto, These jewels Have never shone so bright--steel, steel, and necklets Twisted and coiled so deftly round the throat The breath heaves up--then plumb back to its void. Conceal yourself.... I drag the women out....
MICHELOTTO.
My lord, I cannot warrant Some little noise may lucklessly escape.
CESARE.
Myself I will be present if you palter, Will watch his features crying for the air. Swift, swift---- [_He goes into the Borgia Tower._
MICHELOTTO.
His fangs drip blood! But she shall not suspect. To the dark with me.
[_He thrusts the door wide open into the passage and hides behind it._
DUKE CESARE _re-enters, his right arm round_ DONNA LUCREZIA BORGIA D’ARAGON, _while his left hand grips_ DONNA SANCIA BORGIA, _Princess of Squillace. The door is fastened behind them by_ MICHELOTTO.
SANCIA.
Loose, loose! It bites my wrist. Why do you bring us here?
LUCREZIA.
You said that we must come.
SANCIA.
Let loose; loose, Cesare!
CESARE.
[_To_ LUCREZIA.] Sit there.... [_To_ SANCIA.] You writhing viper. I fling you off!
[_He pushes her away. She is at the door, trying the handle._
LUCREZIA.
What is it?
CESARE.
What?--White eyes, who shot the arrow?
LUCREZIA.
Alfonso--
CESARE.
In your sight!
LUCREZIA.
[_Stroking him._] Your brow, your cheeks, your hands. No blood.... Alfonso--
CESARE.
Do you plead for him?
LUCREZIA.
You are safe....
CESARE.
You sang to him. Is that your triumph?
LUCREZIA.
That you were safe.... The little song.... I sang it to myself. I sang.... [_A cry is heard._
CESARE.
Fool Michelotto!
SANCIA.
[_Breaking from the door, and crying to_ LUCREZIA.
Can you not hear? Do you not understand? Are you of flesh or stone? They are killing him, As they killed Giovanni.... [_To_ CESARE.] Murderer! For I know, Ah, now I know you are his murderer. You did the deed--you, you! She can forgive a brother’s death: I cannot! I am blood of Naples, and will be avenged.
LUCREZIA.
Alfonso! [_She sits motionless._
SANCIA.
Ay, Alfonso! He is murdered. I will be heard! [_She beats on the door._ Lucrece, Lucrece! She could divorce one husband: Oh, she can sever!... Cold as death her eyes Beat on me. O Lucrezia, do you hear? [_She mutters._ They are murdering my brother--he is murdered. Now all is gone to silence.... [_She sinks down in her sobs._
CESARE.
[_To_ LUCREZIA.] Star, you fade!
[LUCREZIA, _who has been looking up into_ CESARE’S _face, falls into a swoon_.
DONNA ANGELA BORGIA _and_ DONNA CATILENA DE VALENCE _rush in, pressing the bolt aside: there is blood on the skirt of one of them. Awed by_ CESARE’S _aspect, they remain without speaking_. SANCIA _springs through the open door with a cry_.
[CESARE _sways_ LUCREZIA _toward the_ MAIDS OF HONOUR.
There, take her, Angela--she clings....
LUCREZIA.
[_Coming to herself and looking round._] Alfonso?
CESARE.
Cesar ... but weep your tears, your destined tears.
[_He goes toward the door._
LUCREZIA.
[_Moving from_ ANGELA _and following_ CESARE, _with a cry_.
Alfonso!
ANGELA.
Has she lost her wits?
CESARE.
[_Arrested._] How wondrous She is! And she is wailing for a ghost!
LUCREZIA.
[_With the same cry._] Alfonso!
[_He turns away as she almost touches him and quickly leaves her._
ANGELA.
[_With a gesture after_ CESARE.] Gone!... Look at her, look! She rises like a nymph In a cloud of water--look!
CATILENA.
She is parted from us....
LUCREZIA.
[_Suddenly falling from her height full length on the ground._
Jesu miserere!