Part 13 (1/2)

And now you shall not hold her: she shall come: Shall go into the bower. She shall take him Before your very breath unto her breast.

_Marina._ But, Signor, she is asleep.

_Rizzio._ Go, lead her.

_Marina._ She Knows not what she is doing!

_Rizzio._ She shall learn!

_Marina._ O Signor, no, no, no!

_Rizzio._ I tell you, then,

[_Starting toward house._

That truth is still my star, and that no shrinking Shall stay me, tho all night contains would quench it.

[_Is near door, when Porzia herself like a wraith appears--and at the same time Osio is seen in the entrance to bower.

Before Porzia's sleep-fixed eyes Rizzio falls back: her somnambulant speech breaks faintly._

_Porzia._ The night is as a spell. No more of physic.

Return unto your couch. The Inquisition?

To take him? from his very nuptials take him?

He is no bigamist, Monsignor Querio.

[_Pauses._

Yes, Rizzio, at midnight!... Yes.--Ever The arms of Osio round me instead!

This choking shroud of fever that defiles!

[_Moans, trying to throw it off._

But, peace; the child will wake. My little one, My baby!... lift the candle to its face.

[_Again moaning._

O that is Osio, not Rizzio, I see within its eyes! Yet do not kill him, No, Rizzio, do not kill him, tho he is Your brother and has done it: I have borne Too much and they would prison you again.

Or if they did not, still the stars we love Must not turn into ... drops of b.l.o.o.d.y vengeance!-- But, peace to this! (_moves forward_) for it is time to meet him.

_Marina_ (_withholdingly_). Signora!

_Porzia._ Time to meet him in the bower.

[_Is nearing it._

For now he is returned and all the night Is like a spell to draw my soul unto him.

[_With Os...o...b..fore her._