Chapter 5

_The interior of Giacomo's house. Giacomo and Lorenzo discovered together. Time, a little before daybreak._

_Gia._ Art sure of this?

_Lor._ Ay, signor, very sure. 'Tis but a moment since I saw the thing-- Bernardo, who last night was sworn thy son, Hath made a villainous barter of thine honor. Thou may'st rely the duke is where I said.

_Gia._ If so--no matter--give me here the light.

[_Exit Giacomo._

_Lor._ (_Alone._) Oh, what a night! It must be all a dream! For twenty years, since that I wore a beard, I've served my melancholy master here, And never until now saw such a night! A wedding in this silent house, forsooth,-- A festival! The very walls in mute Amazement stared through the unnatural light! And poor Rosalia, bless her tender heart, Looked like her mother's sainted ghost! Ah me, Her mother died long years ago, and took One half the blessed sunshine from our house-- The other half was married off last night. My master, solemn soul, he walked the halls As if in search of something which was lost; The groom, I liked not him, nor ever did, Spoke such perpetual sweetness, till I thought He wore some sugared villany within:-- But then he is my master's ancient friend, And always known the favorite of the duke, And, as I know, our lady's treacherous lord! Oh, Holy Mother, that to villain hawks Our dove should fall a prey! poor gentle dear! Now if I had their throats within my grasp-- No matter--if my master be himself, Nor time nor place shall bind up his revenge. He's not a man to spend his wrath in noise, But when his mind is made, with even pace He walks up to the deed and does his will. In fancy I can see him to the end-- The duke, perchance, already breathes his last, And for Bernardo--he will join him soon; And for Rosalia, she will take the veil, To which she hath been heretofore inclined; And for my master, he will take again To alchemy--a pastime well enough, For aught I know, and honest Christian work. Still it was strange how my poor mistress died, Found, as she was, within her husband's study. The rumor went she died of suffocation; Some cursed crucible which had been left, By Giacomo, aburning, filled the room, And when the lady entered took her breath. He found her there, and since that day the place Has been a home for darkness and for dust. I hear him coming; by his hurried step There's something done, or will be very soon.

(_Enter Giacomo. He sets the light upon the table and confronts Lorenzo with a stern look._)

_Gia._ Lorenzo, thou hast served me twenty years, And faithfully; now answer me, how was't That thou wert in the street at such an hour?

_Lor._ When that the festival was o'er last night, I went to join some comrades in their wine To pass the time in memory of the event.

_Gia._ And doubtless thou wert blinded soon with drink?

_Lor._ Indeed, good signor, though the wine flowed free, I could not touch it, though much urged by all-- Too great a sadness sat upon my heart-- I could do naught but sit and sigh and think Of our Rosalia in her bridal dress.

_Gia._ And sober too! so much the more at fault. But, as I said, thou'st served me long and well, Perchance too long--too long by just a day. Here, take this purse, and find another master.

_Lor._ Oh, signor, do not drive me thus away! If I have made mistake--

_Gia._ No, sirrah, no! Thou hast not made mistake, but something worse.

_Lor._ Oh, pray you, what is that then I have made?

_Gia._ A lie!

_Lor._ Indeed, good master, on my knees I swear that what I said is sainted truth.

_Gia._ Pshaw, pshaw, no more of this. Did I not go Upon the instant to my daughter's room And find Bernardo sleeping at her side? Some villain's gold hath bribed thee unto this. Go, go.

_Lor._ Well, if it must be, then it must. But I would swear that what I said is truth, Though all the devils from the deepest pit Should rise to contradict me!

_Gia._ Prating still?

_Lor._ No, signor--I am going--stay--see here--

(_He draws a paper from his bosom._)

Oh, blessed Virgin, grant some proof in this! This paper as they changed their mantles dropt Between them to the ground, and when they passed I picked it up and placed it safely here.

_Gia._ (_Examining it._) Who forged the lie could fabricate this too:-- But hold, it is ingeniously done. Get to thy duties, sir, and mark me well, Let no word pass thy lips about the matter-- [_Exit Lorenzo._ Bernardo's very hand indeed is here! Oh, compact villainous and black! conditions, The means, the hour, the signal--every thing To rob my honor of its holiest pearl! Lorenzo, shallow fool--he does not guess The mischief was all done, and that it was The duke he saw departing--oh, brain--brain! How shall I hold this river of my wrath! It must not burst--no, rather it shall sweep A noiseless maelstrom, whirling to its center All thoughts and plans to further my revenge And rid me of this most accursed blot!

(_He rests his forehead on his hand a few minutes, and exclaims,_)

The past returns to me again--the lore I gladly had forgot comes like a ghost, And points with shadowy finger to the means Which best shall consummate my just design. The laboratory hath been closed too long; The door smiles welcome to me once again, The dusky latch invites my hand--I come!

(_He unlocks the door and stands upon the threshold._)

Oh, thou whose life was stolen from me here, Stand not to thwart me in this great revenge; But rather come with large propitious eyes Smiling encouragement with ancient looks! Ye sages whose pale, melancholy orbs Gaze through the darkness of a thousand years, Oh, pierce the solid blackness of to-day, And fire anew this crucible of thought Until my soul flames up to the result! (_He enters and the door closes._)