_Rizzio._ Or wrapped in lies is hidden here for her?
By the very G.o.d of the world, I say---- (_With restraint._) But ... no!
_Aloysius._ And "no" until you trust it! For her fate Is not as you suppose.
_Rizzio._ Nor his? Nor he!
This bigot whose religion"s lechery?
This monk to whom licentiousness is G.o.d?
This monster I illimitably loathe?
[_Searching as he speaks._
I say that he is here; that I will find him; That, I have tracked him to you, and ... (_suddenly_) Aha!
[_Discovers Matteo under image._
Aha! from Naples he is gone? from Naples?
[_Drawing Matteo forth._
But leaves his shadow here?
_Matteo_ (_terrified_). Signor! Signor!
[_Cringes._
_Rizzio._ From Naples he is sped, but at the feet Of the Virgin he adores drops this devotion?
[_Slowly, terribly._
Unpitiable toad--of filth begotten!
Pander who should go down into the Pit And be the go-between of burning l.u.s.ts, Where lurks he?
_Matteo._ Signor! (_chokes_) Signor! I will show.
You shall have all; but let me live, Signor.
I have a father crippled who would starve But for the gold I get....
And she, Signora Porzia"s innocent.
_Rizzio._ And virgin too! with that obliteration You"ll clothe her! Heaven"s Queen, do I not know What Nature and conception are!
_Aloysius_ (_trembling_). Ai, so!
And of them there is no denial here.
That she has given birth, herself has told you, Herself.... The child _was_ hers, but----
_Rizzio._ Born of miracles And of imaginations and of dreams?
Is this Judea And a day divine, Not Italy and unregeneration, Where G.o.d deputes the world to Borgias?
The father of it was he--he and no other!
_Aloysius._ But in her innocence she--
_Rizzio._ Yielded! Yielded!
And clung to him as the harlot moon to earth.
_Aloysius._ No, no!
_Rizzio._ Thro nights and nights!
_Aloysius._ Never; but duped And unaware she took his arms for yours, Believed, tho by yon moon, I know not how, Unless she was entranced, That you had come to meet her in the bower, And----
MARINA _enters suddenly terrified_
_Marina._ Signor! Signor Aloysius! O quick!
O come to her! She has arisen!
_Aloysius._ Risen!
_Marina._ O, in her sleep! and will not to her bed Return, but says with eyes empty of sight That it is time----
_Aloysius._ For what?
_Marina_ (_hesitant, distressed_). To ... meet him in The bower!
_Aloysius_ (_quickly_). I will come to her.
_Rizzio_ (_burningly_). Ah! ah!
[_Starts before him._
And drug her now with opiates to prevent her?
Or waken her and bid her to deny?
Did I not deem it? and will you feign further?
Did I not say that Osio is here?
There in the bower is he, there! and she Has planned to meet him.
_Marina._ Signor! no! no, no!
"Tis you that she would meet!
_Rizzio._ And not this croucher,
[_Of Matteo._
Who is alone and purposeless? not he?
Nor him he pledges craven to reveal?
_Marina._ O, Signor, no!
_Rizzio._ Lies! and a world of lies!
[_His words writhing._