SCENE XI.
LEONORA, ARABELLA, and ROSA.
LEONORA. Fiesco promised to meet me here, and comes not. "Tis past eleven. The sound of arms and men rings frightfully through the palace, and no Fiesco comes.
ROSA. You are to conceal yourself behind the tapestry--what can the count intend?
LEONORA. He directs and I obey. Why should I fear? And yet I tremble, Arabella, and my heart beats fearfully with apprehension. For heaven"s sake, damsels, do not leave me.
ARABELLA. Fear nothing; our timidity subdues our curiosity.
LEONORA. Where"er I turn my eyes strange shapes appear with hollow and distracted countenances. Whomsoever I address trembles like a criminal, and withdraws into the thickest gloom of night, that fearful refuge of a guilty conscience. Whate"er they answer falls from the trembling tongue in doubtful accents. Oh, Fiesco! what horrid business dost thou meditate? Ye heavenly powers! watch over my Fiesco!
ROSA (alarmed). Oh, heavens! what noise is that without?
ARABELLA. It is the soldier who stands there as sentinel. (The SENTINEL without calls, "Who goes there?")
LEONORA. Some one approaches. Quick! behind the curtain. (They conceal themselves.)
SCENE XII.
JULIA and FIESCO, in conversation.
JULIA (much agitated). Forbear, count! Your pa.s.sion meets no longer an indifferent ear, but fires the raging blood--where am I? Naught but seducing night is here! Whither has your artful tongue lured my unguarded heart?
FIESCO. To this spot where timid love grows bold, and where emotions mingle unrestrained.
JULIA. Hold, Fiesco! For Heaven"s sake no more! "Tis the thick veil of night alone which covers the burning blushes on my cheeks, else wouldst thou pity me.
FIESCO. Rather, Julia, thy blushes would inflame my pa.s.sions, and urge them to their utmost height. (Kisses her hand eagerly.)
JULIA. Thy countenance is glowing as thy words! Ah! and my own, too, burns with guilty fire. Hence, I entreat thee, hence--let us seek the light! The tempting darkness might lead astray the excited senses, and in the absence of the modest day might stir them to rebellion. Haste, I conjure thee, leave this solitude!
FIESCO (more pressing). Why so alarmed, my love? Shall the mistress fear her slave?
JULIA. O man, eternal paradox! then are you truly conquerors, when you bow as captives before our self-conceit. Shall I confess, Fiesco? It was my vice alone that could protect my virtue--my pride alone defied your artifices--thus far, my principles prevailed, and all your arts were foiled--but in despair of every other suit you made appeal to Julia"s pa.s.sion--and here my principles deserted me----
FIESCO (with levity). And what loss was that?
JULIA (with emotion). If I betray the safeguards of my honor, that thou mayest cover me with shame at will, what have I less to lose than all?
Wouldst thou know more, scoffer? Shall I confess that the whole secret wisdom of our s.e.x is but a sorry precaution for the defence of this weak fortress, which in the end is the sole object of a.s.sault by all your vows and protestations, and which (I blush to own it) is so willingly surrendered--so often betrayed to the enemy upon the first wavering of virtue? That woman"s whole art is enlisted in fortifying a defenceless position, just as in chess the pieces move and form a breastwork round the defenceless king?--surprise the latter--check-mate! and the whole board is thrown into confusion. (After a pause--with earnestness), behold the picture of our boasting weakness. Be generous, Fiesco!
FIESCO. And yet, my Julia--where could"st thou bestow this treasure better than on my endless pa.s.sion?
JULIA. Certainly, nowhere better, and nowhere worse? Tell me, Fiesco, how long will this endless pa.s.sion endure? But, alas! I"ve risked too much already now to hesitate at staking my last. I trusted boldly to my charms to captivate thee--to preserve thy love, I fear they"ll prove too weak. Fie upon me!--what am I uttering? (Hides her face with her hands.)
FIESCO. Two sins in one breath. Mistrust in my taste, and treason against the sovereignty of your charms? Which of the two is the most difficult to forgive?
JULIA (in a tremulous, imploring tone). Falsehood is the armory of h.e.l.l!
Fiesco needs not this to gain his Julia. (She sinks exhausted on a sofa: after a pause--energetically.) Hear, Fiesco! One word more. When we know our virtue to be in safety, we are heroines; in its defence, no more than children; (fixing her eyes on him wildly)--furies, when we avenge it. Hear me! Should"st thou strike me to the heart with coldness?
FIESCO (a.s.suming an angry tone). Coldness? coldness? Heavens! What does the insatiable vanity of woman look for, if she even doubt the man who lies prostrate at her feet? Ha! my spirit is awakened; my eyes at length are opened. (With an air of coldness.) What was this mighty sacrifice? Man dearly purchases a woman"s highest favors by the slightest degradation! (Bowing ceremoniously.) Take courage, madam! you are safe.
JULIA (with astonishment). Count! what sudden change is this?
FIESCO (with great indifference). True, madam! You judge most rightly; we both have risked our honor. (Bowing ceremoniously.) I will await the pleasure of your company among my guests. (Going.)
JULIA (stops him). Stay! art thou mad? Must I, then, declare a pa.s.sion which the whole race of men, upon their knees, should not extort from my inflexible pride? Alas! in vain the darkness strives to hide the blushes which betray my guilt. Fiesco--I wound the pride of all my s.e.x--my s.e.x will all detest me--Fiesco--I adore thee--(falls at his feet).
FIESCO (steps back without raising her, laughing with exultation). That I am sorry for, signora--(rings the bell--draws the tapestry, and discovers LEONORA). Here is my wife--an angel of a woman! (Embracing her.)
JULIA (with a shriek). Unheard-of treachery!
SCENE XIII.
The CONSPIRATORS, entering in a body--LADIES on the other side--FIESCO, JULIA, and LEONORA.
LEONORA. Oh, my husband, that was too cruel!
FIESCO. A wicked heart deserved no less. I owed this satisfaction to your tears. (To the company.) No,--my friends--I am not wont on every slight occasion to kindle into pa.s.sion. The follies of mankind amuse me long ere they excite my anger; but this woman merits my whole resentment.
Behold the poison which she had mingled for my beloved Leonora. (Shows the poison to the company--they start with horror.)
JULIA (biting her lips with rage). Good! Good! Very good, Sir!
(Going.)
FIESCO (leads her back by the arm). You must have patience, madam; something else remains. My friends, perhaps, would gladly learn why I debased my reason with the farce of love for Genoa"s silliest coquette.
JULIA (starting up). It is not to be borne. But tremble! Doria rules in Genoa, and I am Doria"s sister----
FIESCO. Poor, indeed, if that be your only sting! Know that Fiesco of Lavagna has changed the diadem of your ill.u.s.trious brother for a halter, and means this night to hang the thief of the republic. (She is struck with terror--he continues with a sarcastic laugh.) Ha! that was unexpected. And do you see, madam, "twas for this purpose that I tried to blind the eyes of the Dorias. For this I a.s.sumed a mock pa.s.sion-- (pointing to JULIA.) For this I cast away this precious jewel--(pointing to LEONORA); and by shining bait ensnared my prey. I thank you for your complaisance, signora--(to JULIA;) and resign the trappings of my a.s.sumed character. (Delivers her the miniature with a bow.)
LEONORA (to FIESCO, in a supplicating tone). She weeps, my Lodovico.
May your Leonora, trembling, entreat you?
JULIA (enraged, to LEONORA). Silence, detested woman!
FIESCO (to a SERVANT). Be polite to my friend; escort this lady. She has a mind to see my prison-chamber--take care that none approach to incommode her. The night air is blowing somewhat keenly, the storm which rives the house of Doria may, perchance, ruffle the lady"s head-dress.
JULIA. Curses on thee, black, detested hypocrite! (Enraged, to LEONORA.) Rejoice not at thy triumph! He will destroy thee also, and himself--and then despair! (Rushing out!)
FIESCO (to the guests). You were witnesses; let your report in Genoa preserve my honor. (To the CONSPIRATORS.) Call on me as soon as the cannon gives the signal. (All the guests retire.)