_The hall in Manuel’s house: it is hung with black. PHILIP and LIVIO;
the latter dressed in black, at a desk._
_PHILIP._
Argue not with me, Livio: Manuel’s death
Lies at my door. This last catastrophe
Followed on his disgrace, which I was main
To bring about.
_LIVIO._
But since his guilt was clear,
Your deed was honourable.
_Ph._ I am not sure.
I was too hasty. How can I quit myself 1890
In the ill I have done thy sister?
_Liv._ Her fever, duke,
Cannot be laid to you.
_Ph._ ’Twas the three shocks
Following so fast. Manuel’s disgrace, and then
My suit urged out of time, and last his death:
’Twill be no wonder if her mind give way.
_Liv._ Please heaven it pass. I never thought she loved him
So well.
_Ph._ Nor I, be sure. Where is that Blasco?
_Liv._ He went to gather what the sailors know
Of Manuel’s end.
_Ph._ No hope but that he’s drowned.
I go now to the palace. Should I meet 1900
With Blasco, it may be I shall detain him. [_Going._
_Liv._ Ah!
_Ph._ He has lied to me.
_Liv._ If there be better tidings
Of Constance, send them hither.
_Ph._ Indeed I will.
Is there no news of Margaret?
_Liv._ Not a word. [_Exit Philip._
She knows I am here, no doubt: but when she hears
Of Manuel’s death she must return.—I think
That when her brother lived to do his worst,
My suit had fairer chance.
_Enter Blasco._
Well, count, what news?
_BLASCO._
Excellent.—Manuel was drowned, drowned like a dog.
I have seen the captain of the ship that ’scaped. 1910
He tells that, putting forth at night, they kept
Their course till dawn, when in a fog they drave
On the French fleet, some two-and-twenty sail.
Of our five vessels three were taken: one,
His own, escaped, and the other—that’s the one
On which sailed Manuel—by a tall ship,
Which flew the admiral’s pennon, was run down,
And sunk in sight.
_Liv._ The news will please my father,
As it doth thee. For me ’tis ruin: my hope
I might please Margaret working for her brother 1920
Is gone. Now will she hate me more than ever.
_Bl._ You never could have won her while he lived.
_Liv._ Well, take these papers. There are here the orders
For the execution of Palicio
To-morrow, in the public square, at noon.
See them in proper hands. They need a seal.
_Bl._ ’Twill be a pleasure. ’Twas the kindest freak,
This self-surrender.
_Liv._ He was strangely dashed,
Looking for Manuel, to find me here.
_Bl._ He’ll find that friend no more.
_Liv._ Take them and go. 1930
And for the present, count, avoid the duke:
He is angry with thee. [_Exit Blasco._
I shall not leave this house
Till I be sure Margaret means not to come.
The unkindest tempers are broke down by grief:
And since she cannot blame me, she may find
Comfort in my compassion,—ay, and thank me
For some consideration.—She will see
I have put on black, and set the house in mourning,
Have ordered mass, have had his room shut up ...
Is there now nothing more? Why, who is this? 1940
_Enter Margaret, throwing off a veil._
_MARGARET._
Livio! thou here! Where is my brother?
_Liv._ Oh!
Margaret!
_Mar._ Where is my brother? I am come
To speak with him. Where is he?
_Liv._ Hast thou heard nothing?
_Mar._ Heard what? Where is he?
_Liv._ O, if thou knowest not ..
_Mar._ What is it? speak. Why is the house in black?
What means it? say.
_Liv._ Nay, let it not be me
To tell thee.
_Mar._ Thinkest thou my fancy’s horror
Is gentler than thy bluntest tale? Speak quickly.
_Liv._ ’Twas on his own confession of connivance
In John Palicio’s shelter and escape, 1950
My father put him from his place, and sent him
To answer to this charge before the king.
He sailed two nights ago. The ship ...
_Mar._ Go on, sir!
_Liv._ Our ships fell in with the enemy, and all
But two were captured, one on which he sailed,
And one which brought the news.
_Mar._ And Manuel’s ship?
_Liv._ ’Tis said the ship on which he sailed was sunk.
_Mar._ (_falling on a chair_). Sunk, say you, and he?...
_Liv._ My sister at the tidings straight fell ill,
And her mind wanders. Bear a braver heart. 1960
_Mar._ O, fatal day. ’Tis I, ’tis I have done it.—
And did none see him?
_Liv._ Margaret, dearest Margaret,
Take courage. I have shared thy sorrow, Margaret:
Cannot I comfort thee? O, sweetest Margaret,
Thou dost not know my love.
_Mar._ (_standing, and showing the dagger_). Away! away!
_Liv._ Nay, wherefore treat me thus?
_Mar._ Is this an hour
To force thy love upon me?
_Liv._ Margaret,
Hast thou no pity?
_Mar._ Think if I have pity
To spend on thee.
_Liv._ If thou wouldst slay me, Margaret,
Thou need’st no dagger.
_Mar._ Sir, stand back, I say: 1970
And first tell plainly what thou knowest. One ship
Of three escaped?
_Liv._ The hindmost ’twas, that fled ...
_Mar._ And brought the tidings?
_Liv._ Ay.
_Mar._ And was none saved
Out of the ship which sunk?
_Liv._ I know not.
_Mar._ Know’st not?
There’s hope, thank God. And thou!—Why, if in thy heart
Lurked the least feeling, ’twould have shewn this side,
Not leapt to the worst ... Come, sir, I’ll keep this sorrow:
’Tis not with thee I’d share my fear for Manuel ...
Nor any other; tho’ my need compels me,
If thou’rt the man sits in his place.
_Liv._ I am. 1980
_Mar._ He would have aided me.
_Liv._ But I will aid thee
More than a brother. Thou canst ask no favour
I will not grant.
_Mar._ Sir, I shall ask no favour:
Nor aught but what it is thy part to grant,
Unless it be promise of secrecy.
_Liv._ O, but one secret with thee! there’s no jewel
In all the world I would esteem as that.
_Mar._ Where’s Giovanni Palicio, sir?
_Liv._ Palicio!
_Mar._ Ay, he’s my kinsman.
_Liv._ He is in the palace dungeon,
Awaiting death.
_Mar._ He’s my near kinsman, Livio, 1990
And must not die: and, being condemned to die,
I, as his kinswoman, desire a pass
To visit him in prison when I choose. [_Livio writes._
My purpose with him is to extort a pledge
That he will leave the country, on which condition
I look for his release.
_Liv._ Here is the order.
And use it as thou wilt.
_Mar._ (_taking_). I thank you for it.
_Liv._ If ’tis so near thee he go quit, what means
Better than mine to work it?
_Mar._ I have means.
_Liv._ With whom?
_Mar._ I have the means.
_Liv._ Believe it not. 2000
There’s none could win this favour of my father.
Hath not his cry been _Death to Hugo_?
He’s more than rebel. There’s a private hate
Which makes his sentence grateful.
_Mar._ I have means.
_Liv._ ’Twere easier wouldst thou trust me. See, ’tis done
Without more words. Margaret, I’ll risk this thing
For thee. Palicio shall escape to Spain,
To Naples, where thou wilt, if thou ...
_Mar._ If what?
_Liv._ Margaret, accept my love.
_Mar._ O, Livio,
I am too sad to be angry with thee now. 2010
But know if ever thou wouldst merit love
By generosity, thou must not beg
A bargain. ’Do this and I’ll love thee,’ ay,
That may be said, but not ’I’ll do this thing
If thou wilt love me’: and thou, Livio,
A chief justiciary!
_Re-enter Blasco._
_Liv._ Hush, I pray thee!
_Bl._ The lady Margaret! We are very happy
In this return.
_Mar._ (_aside to Blasco_). What hadst thou of Palicio?
_Bl._ Ha! Sayst thou?...
_Mar._ (_aside_). Meet me at the palace, count.
I have thy letter. (_To Liv._) I see there is no place here 2020
In my house for me. I have still a hope, and in it
Shall fortify my comfort ... If aught is heard
I shall be with thy sister. Thou and Blasco
May serve me if ye will. [_Exit._
_Liv._ What said she to you?
_Bl._ Art not thou too accustomed to her wit?
I bring ill news. Thy sister still is worse,
And calls for thee, and Rosso thinks ’tis well
That thou shouldst go.
_Liv._ Bide thou here in my place ...
_Bl._ Nay, I must go with thee. [_Exeunt._