Page:Karma; a re-incarnation play in prologue, epilogue & three acts (IA karmareincarnati00blaciala).pdf/156

144 Paulo

(Painting.) Picture the scene, as we used to do when scudi were very scarce. It al- ways makes us happy—the brilliant fore- cast.

Lucia

Tell me again. I love to hear it all.

Paulo

The judging will be in the Council Hall where the Doge holds high state, crowded with the noblest and loveliest of all Venice. The pictures chosen for the final verdict— that’s. Vernio’s and Marco Gagliano’s, and mine-—-I mean ours—of course—will stand apart on easels. And on a pillar in front of them shines the jewelled casket with the thousand gold pieces that Venice bestows— a mere trifle—upon him she decrees the greatest artist