1ST ARTISAN. For the people--everything in common----
FIESCO. The people gained it. The government was democratical; each citizen had a vote, and everything was submitted to a majority. But a few weeks pa.s.sed ere man declared war against the new republic. The state a.s.sembled. Horse, lion, tiger, bear, elephant, and rhinoceros, stepped forth, and roared aloud, "To arms!" The rest were called upon to vote. The lamb, the hare, the stag, the a.s.s, the tribe of insects, with the birds and timid fishes, cried for peace. See, Genoese! The cowards were more numerous than the brave; the foolish than the wise. Numbers prevailed--the beasts laid down their arms, and man exacted contributions from them. The democratic system was abandoned. Genoese, what would you next have chosen?
1ST AND 2D ARTISANS. A select government!
FIESCO. That was adopted. The business of the state was all arranged in separate departments. Wolves were the financiers, foxes their secretaries, doves presided in the criminal courts, and tigers in the courts of equity. The laws of chast.i.ty were regulated by goats; hares were the soldiers; lions and elephants had charge of the baggage.
The a.s.s was the amba.s.sador of the empire, and the mole appointed inspector-general of the whole administration. Genoese, what think you of this wise distribution? Those whom the wolf did not devour the fox pillaged; whoever escaped from him was knocked down by the a.s.s. The tiger murdered innocents, whilst robbers and a.s.sa.s.sins were pardoned by the doves. And at the last, when each had laid down his office, the mole declared that all were well discharged. The animals rebelled. "Let us,"
they cried unanimously, "choose a monarch endowed with strength and skill, and who has only one stomach to appease." And to one chief they all did homage. Genoese--to one---but (rising and advancing majestically)--that one was--the lion!
ALL (shouting, and throwing up their hats). Bravo! Bravo! Well managed, Count Lavagna!
1ST ARTISAN. And Genoa shall follow that example. Genoa, also, has its lion!
FIESCO. Tell me not of that lion; but go home and think upon him. (The ARTISANS depart tumultuously.) It is as I would have it. The people and the senate are alike enraged against Doria; the people and the senate alike approve FIESCO. Ha.s.san! Ha.s.san! I must take advantage of this favorable gale. Hoa! Ha.s.san! Ha.s.san! I must augment their hatred-- improve my influence. Ha.s.san! Come hither! Wh.o.r.eson of h.e.l.l, come hither!
SCENE IX.
FIESCO, MOOR entering hastily.
MOOR. My feet are quite on fire with running. What is the matter now?
FIESCO. Hear my commands!
MOOR (submissively). Whither shall I run first?
FIESCO. I will excuse thy running this time. Thou shalt be dragged.
Prepare thyself. I intend to publish thy attempted a.s.sa.s.sination, and deliver thee up in chains to the criminal tribunal.
MOOR (taking several steps backward). Sir!--that"s contrary to agreement.
FIESCO. Be not alarmed. "Tis but a farce. At this moment "tis of the utmost consequence that Gianettino"s attempt against my life should be made public. Thou shalt be tried before the criminal tribunal.
MOOR. Must I confess it, or deny?
FIESCO. Deny. They will put thee to the torture. Thou must hold out against the first degree. This, by the by, will serve to expiate thy real crime. At the second thou mayest confess.
MOOR (shaking his head with a look of apprehension). The devil is a sly rogue. Their worships might perhaps desire my company a little longer than I should wish; and, for sheer farce sake, I may be broken on the wheel.
FIESCO. Thou shalt escape unhurt, I give thee my honor as a n.o.bleman. I shall request, as satisfaction, to have thy punishment left to me, and then pardon thee before the whole republic.
MOOR. Well--I agree to it. They will draw out my joints a little; but that will only make them the more flexible.
FIESCO. Then scratch this arm with thy dagger, till the blood flows. I will pretend that I have just now seized thee in fact. "Tis well.
(Hallooing violently). Murder! Murder! Guard the pa.s.sages! Make fast the gates! (He drags the MOOR out by the throat; servants run across the stage hastily.)
SCENE X.
LEONORA and ROSA enter hastily, alarmed.
LEONORA. Murder! they cried--murder!--The noise came this way.
ROSA. Surely "twas but a common tumult, such as happens every day in Genoa.
LEONORA. They cried murder! and I distinctly heard Fiesco"s name. In vain you would deceive me. My heart discovers what is concealed from my eyes. Quick! Hasten after them. See! Tell me whither they carry him.
ROSA. Collect your spirits, madam. Arabella is gone.
LEONORA. Arabella will catch his dying look. The happy Arabella!
Wretch that I am? "twas I that murdered him. If I could have engaged his heart he would not have plunged into the world, nor rushed upon the daggers of a.s.sa.s.sins. Ah! she comes. Away! Oh, Arabella, speak not to me!
SCENE XI.
The former, ARABELLA.
ARABELLA. The Count is living and unhurt. I saw him gallop through the city. Never did he appear more handsome. The steed that bore him pranced haughtily along, and with its proud hoof kept the thronging mult.i.tude at a distance from its princely rider. He saw me as I pa.s.sed, and with a gracious smile, pointing thither, thrice kissed his hand to me. (Archly.) What can I do with those kisses, madam?
LEONORA (highly pleased). Idle prattler! Restore them to him.
ROSA. See now, how soon your color has returned!
LEONORA. His heart he is ready to fling at every wench, whilst I sigh in vain for a look! Oh woman! woman!
[Exeunt.
SCENE XII.--The Palace of ANDREAS.
GIANETTINO and LOMELLINO enter hastily.
GIANETTINO. Let them roar for their liberty as a lioness for her young.
I am resolved.
LOMELLINO. But--most gracious prince!
GIANETTINO. Away to h.e.l.l with thy buts, thou three-hours procurator! I will not yield a hair"s breadth? Let Genoa"s towers shake their heads, and the hoa.r.s.e sea bellow No to it. I value not the rebellious mult.i.tude!
LOMELLINO. The people are indeed the fuel; but the n.o.bility fan the flame. The whole republic is in a ferment, people and patricians.
GIANETTINO. Then will I stand upon the mount like Nero, and regale myself with looking upon the paltry flames.
LOMELLINO. Till the whole ma.s.s of sedition falls into the hands of some enterprising leader, who will take advantage of the general devastation.