Part 10 (1/2)

(_after listening astonished at the_ d.u.c.h.eSS'S _unaltered tone of kindness_)

Your Grace will understand the matter as much as I can; and I cannot. He does not recognise me, Madam.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Not recognise you? What do you mean?

DIEGO

What the words signify: Not recognise.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Then----he does not know----he still believes you to be----a stranger?

DIEGO

So it seems, Madam.

d.u.c.h.eSS

And yet you have cured his melancholy by your presence. And in the past----tell me: had you ever sung to him?

DIEGO (_weeping silently_)

Daily, Madam.

d.u.c.h.eSS (_slowly_)

They say that Ferdinand is, thanks to you, once more in full possession of his mind. It cannot be. Something still lacks; he is not fully cured.

DIEGO

Alas, he is. The Duke remembers everything, save me.

d.u.c.h.eSS

There is some mystery in this. I do not understand such matters. But I know that Ferdinand could never be base towards you knowingly. And you, methinks, would never be base towards him. Diego, time will bring light into this darkness. Let us pray G.o.d together that He may make our eyes and souls able to bear it.

DIEGO

I cannot pray for light, most gracious Madam, because I fear it. Indeed I cannot pray at all, there remains nought to pray for. But, among the vain and worldly songs I have had to get by heart, there is, by chance, a kind of little hymn, a childish little verse, but a sincere one. And while you pray for me--for you promised to pray for me, Madam--I should like to sing it, with your Grace's leave.

DIEGO _opens a little movable organ in a corner, and strikes a few chords, remaining standing the while. The_ d.u.c.h.eSS _kneels down before the crucifix, turning her back upon him. While she is silently praying_, DIEGO, _still on his feet, sings very low to a kind of lullaby tune_.

Mother of G.o.d, We are thy weary children; Teach us, thou weeping Mother, To cry ourselves to sleep.

ACT III