Part 15 (1/2)
But I would try, Diego.
DIEGO
Be not grasping, Madam. The generous coursers whom your father taught you to break and harness have their set of virtues. Those of curs are different. Do not grudge them those. Your n.o.ble horses kick them enough, without even seeing their presence. But I feel I am beyond my depth, not being philosophical by nature or schooling. And I had forgotten to give you part of his Highnesses message. Knowing your love of music, and the attention you have given it, the Duke imagined it might divert you, till he was at leisure to pay you homage, to make trial of my poor powers.
Will it please you to order the other musicians, Madam?
PRINCESS
Nay, good Diego, humour me in this. I have studied music, and would fain make trial of accompanying your voice. Have you notes by you?
DIEGO
Here are some, Madam, left for the use of his Highness's band this evening. Here is the pastoral of Phyllis by Ludovic of the Lute; a hymn in four parts to the Virgin by Orlandus La.s.sus; a madrigal by the Pope's Master, Signor Pierluigi of Praeneste. Ah! Here is a dramatic scene between Medea and Creusa, rivals in love, by the Florentine Octavio.
Have you knowledge of it, Madam?
PRINCESS
I have sung it with my master for exercise. But, good Diego, find a song for yourself.
DIEGO
You shall humour me, now, gracious Lady. Think I am your master. I desire to hear your voice. And who knows? In this small matter I may really teach you something.
_The_ PRINCESS _sits to the harpsichord_, DIEGO _standing beside her on the dais. They sing, the_ PRINCESS _taking the treble_, DIEGO _the contralto part. The_ PRINCESS _enters first--with a full-toned voice clear and high, singing very carefully_. DIEGO _follows, singing in a whisper. His voice is a little husky, and here and there broken, but ineffably delicious and penetrating, and, as he sings, becomes, without quitting the whisper, dominating and disquieting. The_ PRINCESS _plays a wrong chord, and breaks off suddenly._
DIEGO
(_having finished a cadence, rudely_)
What is it, Madam?
PRINCESS
I know not. I have lost my place----I----I feel bewildered. When your voice rose up against mine, Diego, I lost my head. And--I do not know how to express it--when our voices met in that held dissonance, it seemed as if you hurt me----horribly.
DIEGO
(_smiling, with hypocritical apology_)
Forgive me, Madam. I sang too loud, perhaps. We theatre singers are apt to strain things. I trust some day to hear you sing alone. You have a lovely voice: more like a boy's than like a maiden's still.
PRINCESS
And yours----'tis strange that at your age we should reverse the parts,--yours, though deeper than mine, is like a woman's.
DIEGO (_laughing_)
I have grown a heart, Madam; 'tis an organ grows quicker where the breed is mixed and lowly, no n.o.bler limbs r.e.t.a.r.ding its development by theirs.