Act II. "The Rosary." Night. A brigantine, showing its starboard side.

In front, the deserted bank of an uninhabited island in the Fusina Lagoon. In the farthest distance, the sky and the lagoon. A few stars visible. On the right, a cloud, above which the moon is rising. In front, a small altar of the Virgin, lighted by a red lamp. The name of the brigantine--"Hecate"--painted on the prow. Lanterns on the deck.

At the rising of the curtain sailors are discovered; some seated on the deck, others standing in groups, each with a speaking trumpet. Several cabin boys are seen, some clinging to the shrouds, some seated. Remaining thus grouped, they sing a _Marinaresca_, in part a sailors' "chanty," in part a regular melody.

In a boat _Barnaba_ appears with _Isèpo_. They are disguised as fishermen. _Barnaba_ sings a fisherman's ballad, "Ah! Pescator, affonda l'esca" (Fisher-boy, thy net now lower).

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He has set his net for _Enzo_ and _Laura_, as well as for _Gioconda_, as his words, "Some sweet siren, while you're drifting, in your net will coyly hide," imply. The song falls weirdly upon the night. The scene is full of "atmosphere."

_Enzo_ comes up on deck, gives a few orders; the crew go below. He then sings the famous "Cielo e mar!" (O sky, and sea)--an impassioned voicing of his love for her whom he awaits. The scene, the moon having emerged from behind a bank of clouds, is of great beauty.

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A boat approaches. In it _Barnaba_ brings _Laura_ to _Enzo_. There is a rapturous greeting. They are to sail away as soon as the setting of the moon will enable the ship to depart undetected. There is distant singing. _Enzo_ goes below. _Laura_ kneels before the shrine and prays, "Stella del marinar! Vergine santa!" (Star of the mariner! Virgin most holy).

_Gioconda_ steals on board and confronts her rival. The duet between the two women, who love _Enzo_, and in which each defies the other, "L'amo come il fulgor del creato" (I adore him as the light of creation), is the most dramatic number in the score.

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_Gioconda_ is about to stab _Laura_, but stops suddenly and, seizing her with one hand, points with the other out over the lagoon, where a boat bearing _Alvise_ and his armed followers is seen approaching. _Laura_ implores the Virgin for aid. In doing so she lifts up the rosary given to her by _La Cieca_. Through it _Gioconda_ recognizes in _Laura_ the masked lady who saved her mother from the vengeance of the mob. Swiftly the girl summons the boat of two friendly boatmen who have brought her thither, and bids _Laura_ make good her escape. When _Barnaba_ enters, his prey has evaded him. _Gioconda_ has saved her. _Barnaba_ hurries back to _Alvise's_ galley, and, pointing to the fugitive boat in the distance, bids the galley start in pursuit.

_Enzo_ comes on deck. Instead of _Laura_ he finds _Gioconda_. There is a dramatic scene between them. Venetian galleys are seen approaching. Rather than that his vessel shall be captured by them, _Enzo_ sets fire to it.