Part 11 (1/2)
DIEGO
(_who has recovered himself, and is now leaning in his turn on the parapet_)
Ah----a light woman, bought and sold many times over, my Lord; but who loved, at last.
DUKE
That is the shallow and contemptuous way in which men think, Diego,--and boys like thee pretend to; those to whom life is but a chess-board, a neatly painted surface alternate black and white, most suitable for skilful games, with a soul clean lost or gained at the end! I thought like that. But I grew to understand life as a solid world: rock, fertile earth, veins of pure metal, mere mud, all strangely mixed and overlaid; and eternal fire at the core! I learned it, knowing Magdalen.
DIEGO
Her name was Magdalen?
DUKE
So she bade me call her.
DIEGO
And the name explained the trade?
DUKE (_after a pause_)
I cannot understand thee Diego,--cannot understand thy lack of understanding----Well yes! Her trade. All in this universe is trade, trade of prince, pope, philosopher or harlot; and once the badge put on, the licence signed--the badge a crown or a hot iron's brand, as the case may be,--why then we ply it according to prescription, and that's all!
Yes, Diego,--since thou obligest me to say it in its harshness, I do so, and I glory for her in every contemptuous word I use!--The woman I speak of was but a poor Venetian courtesan; some drab's child, sold to the Infidels as to the Christians; and my cruel pirate master's--shall we say?--mistress. There! For the first time, Diego, thou dost not understand me; or is it----that I misjudged thee, thinking thee, dear boy----(_breaks off hurriedly_).
DIEGO (_very slowly_)
Thinking me what, my Lord?
DUKE (_lightly, but with effort_)
Less of a little Sir Paragon of Virtue than a dear child, who is only a child, must be.
DIEGO
It is better, perhaps, that your Highness should be certain of my limitations----But I crave your Highness's pardon. I had meant to say that being a waif myself, pure gutter-bred, I have known, though young, more Magdalens than you, my Lord. They are, in a way, my sisters; and had I been a woman, I should, likely enough, have been one myself.
DUKE
You mean, Diego?
DIEGO
I mean, that knowing them well, I also know that women such as your Highness has described, occasionally learn to love most truly. Nay, let me finish, my Lord; I was not going to repeat a mere sentimental commonplace. Briefly then, that such women, being expert in love, sometimes understand, quicker than virtuous dames brought up to heroism, when love for them is cloyed. They can walk out of a man's house or life with due alacrity, being trained to such flittings. Or, recognising the first signs of weariness before 'tis known to him who feels it, they can open the door for the other--hand him the clue of the labyrinth with a fine theatric gesture!--But I crave your Highness's pardon for enlarging on this theme.
DUKE
Thou speakest Diego, as if thou hadst a mind to wound thy Master. Is this, my friend, the reward of my confiding in thee, even if tardily?
DIEGO