BOURGOGNINO. The count is long in coming.
VERRINA. And yet too quick to gain his wishes. Bourgognino! There is a thought that freezes me.
BOURGOGNINO. Father, be not too hasty.
VERRINA. It is impossible to be too hasty where delay is fatal. I must commit a second murder to justify the first.
BOURGOGNINO. But--when must Fiesco fall?
VERRINA. When Genoa is free Fiesco dies!
SENTINELS. Who goes there?
SCENE VI.
The former, FIESCO.
FIESCO. A friend! (The n.o.bLES bow--the SENTINELS present their arms.) Welcome, my worthy guests! You must have been displeased at my long absence. Pardon me. (In a low voice to VERRINA.) Ready?
VERRINA (in the same manner). As you wish.
FIESCO (to BOURGOGNINO). And you?
BOURGOGNINO. Quite prepared.
FIESCO (to SACCO). And you?
SACCO. All"s right.
FIESCO. And Calcagno?
BOURGOGNINO. Is not yet arrived.
FIESCO (aloud to the SENTINELS). Make fast the gates! (He takes off his hat, and steps forward with dignity towards the a.s.sembly.) My friends--I have invited you hither to a play--not as spectators, but to allot to each a part therein.
Long enough have we borne the insolence of Gianettino Doria, and the usurpation of Andreas. My friends, if we would deliver Genoa, no time is to be lost. For what purpose, think you, are those twenty galleys which beset our harbor? For what purpose the alliances which the Dorias have of late concluded? For what purpose the foreign forces which they have collected even in the heart of Genoa? Murmurs and execrations avail no longer. To save all we must dare all. A desperate disease requires a desperate remedy. Is there one base enough in this a.s.sembly to own an equal for his master? (Murmurs.) Here is not one whose ancestors did not watch around the cradle of infant Genoa. What!--in Heaven"s name!-- what, I ask you, have these two citizens to boast of that they could urge their daring flight so far above our head? (Increasing murmurs.) Every one of you is loudly called upon to fight for the cause of Genoa against its tyrants. No one can surrender a hair"s-breadth of his rights without betraying the soul of the whole state. (Interrupted by violent commotions he proceeds.)
You feel your wrongs--then everything is gained. I have already paved your way to glory--Genoese, will you follow? I am prepared to lead you.
Those signs of war which you just now beheld with horror should awaken your heroism. Your anxious shuddering must warm into a glorious zeal that you may unite your efforts with this patriotic band to overthrow the tyrant. Success will crown the enterprise, for all our preparations are well arranged. The cause is just, for Genoa suffers. The attempt will render us immortal, for it is vast and glorious----
ZENTURIONE (vehemently, and agitated). Enough! Genoa shall be free! Be this our shout of onset against h.e.l.l itself!
ZIBO. And may he who is not roused by it pant at the slavish oar till the last trumpet break his chains----
FIESCO. Spoken like men. Now you deserve to know the danger that hung over yourselves and Genoa. (Gives them the papers of the MOOR.) Lights, soldiers! (The n.o.bles crowd about the lights, and read--FIESCO aside to VERRINA.) Friend, it went as I could wish.
VERRINA. Be not too certain. Upon the left I saw countenances that grew pale, and knees that tottered.
ZENTURIONE (enraged). Twelve senators! Infernal villany! Seize each a sword! (All, except two, eagerly take up the weapons that lie in readiness.)
ZIBO. Thy name, too, Bourgognino, is written there.
BOURGOGNINO. Ay, and if Heaven permit, it shall be written to-day upon the throat of Gianettino.
ZENTURIONE. Two swords remain----
ZIBO. Ah! What sayest thou?
ZENTURIONE. Two amongst us have not taken swords.
a.s.sERATO. My brothers cannot bear the sight of blood--pray spare them!
ZENTURIONE (vehemently). What! Not a tyrant"s blood! Tear them to pieces--cowards! Let such b.a.s.t.a.r.ds be driven from the republic! (Some of the a.s.sembly attack the two a.s.sERATI.)
FIESCO (restraining them). Cease! Shall Genoa owe its liberty to slaves? Shall our pure gold be debased by this alloy? (He disengages them.) Gentlemen, you must be content to take up your abode within my palace until our business be decided. (To the sentinels.) These are your prisoners; you answer for their safety! Guard them with loaded arms. (They are led off--a knocking heard at the gate.)
SENTINEL. Who is there?
CALCAGNO (without, eagerly). Open the gate! A friend! for G.o.d"s sake, open!
BOURGOGNINO. It is Calcagno--heavens! What can this mean?
FIESCO. Open the gate, soldiers.
SCENE VII.
The former--CALCAGNO, out of breath.
CALCAGNO. All is lost! all is lost! Fly, every one that can!
BOURGOGNINO. What"s lost? Have they flesh of bra.s.s? Are our swords made of rushes?
FIESCO. Consider, Calcagno! An error now is fatal.
CALCAGNO. We are betrayed! Your Moor, Lavagna, is the rascal! I come from the senate-house. He had an audience of the duke.
VERRINA (with a resolute tone, to the sentinels). Soldiers! let me rush upon your halberts! I will not perish by the hangman"s hands. (The a.s.sembly show marks of confusion.)
FIESCO (with firmness). What are you about? "Sdeath, Calcagno!
Friends, "tis a false alarm. (To CALCAGNO, aside.) Woman that thou art to tell these boys this tale. Thou, too, Verrina? and thou, Bourgognino?
Whither wouldst thou go?
BOURGOGNINO. Home--to kill my Bertha--and then return to fall with thee.
FIESCO (bursting into a loud laugh). Stay! stay! Is this the valor that should punish tyrants? Well didst thou play thy part, Calcagno. Did none of you perceive that this alarm was my contrivance? Speak, Calcagno? Was it not my order that you should put these Romans to this trial?