Читать книгу Teresa Contarini - Elizabeth F. Ellet - Страница 6

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A Street.---Enter Vincentio and Leonardo, with other citizens.

Vincentio

Talk not of patience here! On every pleasureSome spy doth watch, in mirth's unguarded hourTo seize stray thoughts which haply may transgressThe straitened bounds of prudence.

Leonardo

Hush! you treadClose on its limits now. The mighty onesAre like the gods, invisible and present.

Vincentio

Aye, like the gods too, that their cunning visitsTheir destined victims with a wholesome madness!By Heaven! I'd rather grapple with the Hun,Or serve the turbaned Turk, than linger life outIn such concealed bondage! 'Twas but now,Even at the masque, I saw the peering eyesOf that dark villain, Steno, fixed upon me.I've marked him oft---he serves the state in secret!Mine arm ached for the dagger, as I watchedHis lowering face.

Leonardo

Are you alone in fear?Our Senators------

Vincentio

Are tigers clothed in robes.

Leonardo

Not all. Yet when the voice of mirth is heard,If they appear, in terror steals awayEach startled reveller, and all aroundIs silent as the grave---

Vincentio

To which they doomThe luckless murmurers.

Leonardo

Hush! some one approaches.The Signor Loredano, and another.In converse, too.

Vincentio

Some double, unheard crimeThey ponder.

Leonardo

Let us go.

[ Exeunt.

[Enter Contarini and Loredano.

Contarini

Chafe not at idle words.

Loredano

I am not wontTo let them move me. In another ageThe stain of insult must be washed with blood,Or it grew rank, and spread unsightlinessOn him that bore it. Now, though thrice reviled,Thrice, at the banquet, in these times the steel'Tis dangerous to wield. Hate is resistedBy wisdom.

Contarini

And let wisdom vanquish hate.And now to softer themes. Wilt go with meWhere pleasure ever waits to greet the guest?

Loredano

The lady Fiorilla's?

Contarini

Fiorilla!Shame! in a tone where bitterness so latelyHath dwelt, to breathe her name---were not that nameOf power to sweeten all! Hear but her voice---Oh! the dull spheres, to hear it, might descend,Lessoned by music sweeter than their own!'Twill charm the evil spirit from your soul,As the enamored bard of old beguiledHell's guilty prisoners to a transient bliss,And won the bride he loved from Pluto's arms!

Loredano

You love this syren?

Contarini

Nay---to shrines so fair,Kneeling, we offer passionate vows, but dream notOf single worship. Would the sun in heaven,That fills the world with glory, treasure upHis gathered beams for one poor mortal's gaze?Or if he might, would not the dazzling tideO'erwhelm his votary? Florilla's charmsWere never made for one---and all who shareThe sunlight of her smile, may bask in safety;It shines on all alike.

Loredano

You know I seek notA lady's favor. May your hopes grow ripeBeneath her cherishing glance!

Contarini

My dearest hopesAre elsewhere fixed.

Loredano

So fickle a gallant!

Contarini

Your pardon! The majestic flower that spreadsIts beauties to the open eye of dayAll may admire, and quaff its bounteous fragrance.But love we less some gentle, shrinking bud,That blooms but for our gaze?

Loredano

Ha! and who playsThe treasured blossom to your miser's bower?

Contarini

A lovely, and a stately one; full soonTo be transplanted to that genial soil.To night my vows I pay where hundreds moreWill emulate my worship. Will you go?

Loredano

I'll join you soon.

[ Exit Loredano.

Contarini

He'll serve my purpose well.His anger is well-timed: it gives a colorTo my intent, which makes all doubly sure.This for the marble that so meetly yawnsFor secret accusations. LoredanoMust aid my labors, while I reap the fruit.

[ Exit.