The Lamp and the Bell: A Drama In Five Acts

LAURA. 'Tis like you. As for myself, let music change From time to time, or have done altogether. Sing us the song, Fidelio, that you made Last night,--a song of flowers, and fa...

[A marketplace in Fiori, vegetables, fruits and flowers exposed for sale in little stalls and wagons, crowd of townspeople moving about, talking, laughing, buying. Group of chil...

OCT. It would amuse me if I had a lily To carry in my hand. You there, Carlotta! You have a long arm,--plunge it in the pool And fish me forth a lily!

[The court-room in the palace at Fiori, extremely crowded with restless and expectant people. The crowd is arranged on both sides of the stage, in such a way that a broad avenue...

[The ball-room of the palace at Fiori, raised place in back, surmounted by two big chairs, for Lorenzo and Octavia to sit while the dance goes on. Dais on one side, well down st...

BIA. And so the fairy laid a spell on her: Henceforth she should be ugly as a toad. But the good fairy, seeing this was done, And having in no wise power to alter this, Made all...

GIO. That is a merry face you wear, my Guido! Now that the young King Mario visits the court And walks all morning in the woods with the Princess, Or gives her fencing lessons,-...

BEA. Be not so sure!--I have a horse still, father, And in a strong position: if I move him here, You lose your bishop; and if you take my bishop, You lose your queen.

LAU. Tis good--'tis very good--oh, peace--oh, slumber-- Oh, all good things! You are a proper youth. You are a zephyr. I would have you fan me Till you fall dead.

[The garden at Fiori, same as in Act I, Scene 1. Discovered seated on a stone bench in the sunshine, Beatrice, clad in a loose gown, looking very ill. Fidelio sings off stage.]

BIA. Ay, it is beautiful. I shall remember All my life long these evenings that we spent Sitting just here, thinking together. [Pause.] Rose-Red, It is four years today since fi...

BEA. Mario! I have a message for you!--Nay, You need not hang your head and shun me, Mario, Because you loved me once a little and now Love somebody else much more. The going of...

[Court-yard of the palace at Fiori. Entire court assembled. A band of strolling players, with a little stage on wheels, are doing a Harlequinade pantomime to amuse the young Kin...

[Bianca's boudoir in the palace at Fiori. Bianca with a mirror in her hand, having her hair done by a maid. Several maids about, holding perfume-flasks, brushes, and veils, arti...

ANS. Ay, she does not forget. Has it not struck you She rides no more? Her black horse stands in stable, Eating his head off. It is two years now Since she has visited Lagoverde...

[A room at Lagoverde. Bianca lying in bed, ill to death. The children clinging to the bed, their nurse trying to draw them away, Giulietta a maid, in the background. Possibly ot...

GUI. I am a man. You should have thought Of that before. I could have been your friend If it had pleased you. Failing that, I am Your enemy. I am too aware of you, And have been...

BEA. In sooth, I do not feel the earth so firm Under my feet as yesterday it was. All that I loved are gone to a far land, And left me here alone, save for two children And twen...

[The same room later that evening, entirely empty, disordered. Musicians' benches overturned, for example, a couple of instruments left about, garlands trampled on the floor, a...