Teresa Contarini/Act II

SCENE I
''Veniero's house. ---Veniero and Contarini''

Veniero
 * Thus are we diverse---both would climb to rule,
 * With different ends: you for the pride of sway---
 * I, to amend the people's wrongs.

Contarini
 * It may be.
 * Enough of that when we have reached the summit
 * That now appears receding.

Veniero
 * How is this?
 * You've gained the Spaniard, and I've many a friend
 * To add unto our list.

Contarini
 * No league so strong
 * But discord may dissever it. Come---come!
 * Veniero, you and I are gone too far,
 * And yet not far enough, for each to hope
 * Safety alone. We need yet firmer ties
 * To bind our mutual interests.

Veniero
 * You distrust me---

Contarini
 * Your pardon. In an enterprise like ours,
 * Where lives and fortunes hang on mutual faith,
 * Behooves us tread securely.

Veniero
 * It is just.
 * Nor shall you lack a pledge. My daughter's hand,
 * Have I not once assured you, seals our bond!

Contarini
 * True, yet I doubt. She loves seclusion:
 * And if I meet her in the shaded walk,
 * She shuns me with quick step. Or if we sail
 * By moonlight on the glassy sea---or join
 * The dance---or banquet in the palace hall---
 * She meets my salutation with a mien
 * Repulsive, cold, as if a guest she deemed me
 * Intrusive.

Veniero
 * Nay, you wrong her courtesy.

Contarini
 * If wealth and rank, too poor to match her charms,
 * Yet worth somewhat to youthful woman's heart,
 * Could tempt her to be mine--

Veniero
 * You have a pledge
 * More strong---a father's promise. Were she loth,
 * A prize, perchance a crown, lies at her feet,
 * And 't were a kindly part to bid her wear it,
 * Even in her own despite. She comes.

[Enter Teresa.
 * Our noble friend doth wait to greet you here,
 * The signor Contarini.

Teresa
 * As your friend
 * The signor Contarini's ever welcome.

Contarini
 * Thanks, lady! Yet it deeply doth concern me
 * Business now claims my absence, and forbids
 * The dear delight I else had hoped to share
 * With all your presence blesses. With the evening
 * I'll seek again this happiness.

[ Exit.

Veniero
 * My daughter!
 * Why do thy looks---nay start not---thus belie
 * The morning's joyousness.

Teresa
 * What mean you, sir?

Veniero
 * A change of late, hath passed upon this brow
 * So open once and trusting. Thy light step
 * Hath lost its buoyancy; that drooping eye
 * Too often reads the ground---and meets not mine
 * With glance so bright and bold, as when it had
 * No consciousness of aught to hide. Dost cherish
 * A grief that I know not?

Teresa
 * What should I grieve for?
 * You have mistaken, father.

Veniero
 * Nay---perchance
 * Thou lovest me not, as once thou didst? I am grown
 * Much sterner than of old;---my altered bearing
 * Suits not thy gentle temper.

Teresa
 * Father---dearest!
 * Yet cruel, and unkind, to doubt the love
 * Which grows but deeper with advancing years!
 * Nay, question me no more---these arms shall tell
 * My growing coldness!

Veniero
 * Thou dost love me then!
 * 'And thy young heart, in tenderness unchecked,
 * Shall pour its thoughts and feelings in my breast,
 * Even as of yore. Come hither! I will hear
 * Patient, the tale of maiden fears and hopes;
 * And note not all the trembling, downcast looks
 * That comment on the story.---Come!'

Teresa
 * Dear father---
 * What must I tell you?'

Veniero
 * O, that innocent look!
 * Well, I'll unfold the secret, and list thou!
 * Thou hast thrown off the garb of joyous girlhood,
 * And donned a statelier one. A riper rose
 * Deepens upon thy cheek. Thine eye can flash
 * From its clear depth of blue such meanings forth
 * As thrill the gazer's heart.'

Teresa
 * Hold---would you mock
 * Your own Teresa with such flatteries?'

Veniero
 * Are mine alone
 * The lips that breathe such sounds? Say, say, how oft
 * In the gay throng of pleasure, when each tongue
 * Uttered thy praise, and every eye glanced on thee
 * With longing admiration, have I marked
 * Thy step grow prouder, and the mantling flush
 * Of beauty richer, 'neath the adoring gaze,
 * As the young flower doth brighten into bloom,
 * From the sun's ardent glance!'

Teresa
 * Nay---nay---you wrong me
 * To say I love such scenes. I ask no voice
 * To sound my praise, dear father, if your eye
 * Look smilingly upon me!'

Veniero
 * And if one,
 * One voice, my girl---in its low musical depth
 * More dear and thrilling than the crowd's applause,
 * Even as the far off murmur of the surge,
 * Heard at hushed eve, is sweeter than the homage
 * Of waves tumultuous dashing at our feet---
 * If one fond voice shall whisper in your ear
 * A deeper worship---Ha! methinks I've banished
 * Indifference now!'

Teresa
 * I pray you--'

Veniero
 * Well---no more!'
 * I will not question further.---But, just now,
 * When summoned, thou camest hither, wherefore sate
 * Repelling coldness on thy moody brow?
 * Did not my guest deserve regard?

Teresa
 * Forgive me,
 * If I have lacked it!

Veniero
 * Nay, it is not well
 * To wear an aspect sullen thus and cold
 * Toward one I love. This noble, my Teresa,
 * Is high in power.

Teresa
 * In his proud eye there lurks
 * A something which I would not look upon.

Veniero
 * Nought can'st thou read there, save the admiration
 * Which woman never shrinks from. Hear me girl,
 * This noble loves you. He who spurned all chains,
 * Would be your willing captive. He has bent
 * To sue, who could command; and offers you
 * His greatness and his power, claiming your hand
 * The purchase of such gifts.

Teresa
 * Oh---never! never!

Veniero
 * Come---come---displease me not. What state is proffered
 * That you should slight the boon? A princely one!
 * Why---not a maid in Venice but will gaze
 * In envy on your pomp, as you flaunt by,
 * A queen in all but name! Wed Contarini!
 * The great---the proud! him that would never deign
 * To bend his glance on beauty, emulous
 * To court it!

Teresa
 * Nay---my father! happiness
 * Dwells not with pride! Not for a crown,
 * A regal crown, would I bestow my hand
 * Where my heart went not herald to the gift!

Veniero
 * Ungrateful girl! and may not pleasure dwell
 * With pomp? Or dost thou deem his years too many?
 * And know'st not that to such as he, his passion
 * Is an idolatry? Oh! when time has checked
 * The blood's swift current, and made pale the brow
 * With lofty thought, and blanched stern manhood's locks,
 * Love comes with boundless power, and sways the heart
 * A sole, unrivalled sovereign. How doth youth
 * Wear his soft yoke? More lightly than he wears
 * The pageant plume, which every fickle wind
 * Stirs at its will, to be thrown careless by,
 * When he shall weary of its pride! To youth
 * Love is the shallow rill that mocks the sunshine,
 * Wasting its strength in idle foam away:---
 * To age, the river, silent, broad, and deep---
 * Hiding the wealth of years within its breast---
 * Baffling the vain eye that would read its depths---
 * Broader and deeper growing, as the channel
 * Of life wears on!

Enter Steno and Pascali.

Steno
 * Signor Veniero, we arrest you.

Veniero
 * Ha!
 * Treachery afoot!

Teresa
 * My father!---what means this?

Steno (presenting a paper)
 * Would you behold our warrant?

Veniero (aside)
 * 'Tis his hand!
 * And from the cypher breaks a clearer light
 * Upon this business!(aloud)
 * Though unconscious quite
 * Of any deed or thought which could draw on me
 * Suspicion or displeasure, I obey
 * The council's will.

Teresa
 * My father, go not with them!
 * Some wrong is here. Nay, Signors, ye have sought
 * A culprit---not Veniero, old Veniero,
 * Whose head is grey in service of the state!
 * The friend of Contarini, too! but now
 * He parted hence.

Steno
 * If he be innocent,
 * Let him before the council vindicate
 * His slandered fame, and be dismissed with honor:
 * The guiltless can have nought to dread.

Veniero
 * No more,
 * Teresa! He speaks well. On false pretence
 * St. Mark will ne'er condemn one who has prized
 * His interests so dearly. Let us part.
 * Await here my return, which I will hope
 * Mine innocence shall speed.

Teresa
 * No---no---my father---
 * I will go with you!

Steno
 * Lady---it may not be.
 * Signor, we are ready.

Veniero
 * I attend you.

[ Exeunt all but Teresa.

Teresa
 * Gone,
 * To prison, and his prison barred to me!
 * I'll seek these senators. I'll plead for him
 * With words of ready truth, on which shall hang
 * Conviction. If there be love of justice,

"I'll rouse and arm it for my cause! [ Exit.

SCENE II
Fiorilla's house.---Enter Fiorilla with attendants and Marco.

Fiorilla (to attendants)
 * Go for the present: deck the hall of mirth
 * As may become her state who bids the guests;
 * And your own emulous skill. For this poor person,
 * I'll care for it alone.

[ Exeunt attendants.
 * You have prepared
 * The chamber for our secret guests?

Marco
 * 'Tis ready.
 * They need not fear intrusion.

Fiorilla
 * All is right.

[ Exit Marco.
 * I am now mistress of their secret. Set me
 * A woman's wit against a statesman's arts!
 * I'll hold them at my bidding. Troth, I knew not
 * How great a spirit bowed to me, when knelt
 * The lordly Contarini at my feet!

Enter Leonardo
 * Sir, welcome.

Leonardo
 * Thanks, sweet lady. I am honored
 * In your fair greeting.

Fiorilla
 * Tell me, you who hear
 * The lightest breath of ever varying rumor,
 * What says the world abroad?

Leonardo
 * Tumults are stirring
 * That fill the popular ear, and threaten danger
 * To those in power.

Fiorilla
 * What reck I of the danger
 * Which statesmen tempt, when beauty's empire shakes not
 * Her sparkling sceptre 'Tis, that I would wield,
 * Her throne I covet.

Leonardo
 * Ramor, too, has tongues
 * Enough to speak of you.

Fiorilla
 * And what say they?

Leonardo
 * They join your name with Contarini's, lady,
 * And say, they shortly will be one.

Fiorilla
 * Indeed!
 * 'Tis an impertinent tale;---but power like his
 * Were it not worth the sharing?

Leonardo
 * And such grace
 * And loveliness would well become its pride.

Fiorilla
 * Nay---now you flatter. Come, I'll be content
 * To wear mine own name now, meek Fiorilla;
 * An humble one, 'Tis true, but best befitting
 * Her modesty, that bears it. For the rest,
 * If time have honors in his keeping for me--

Re-enter Marco.

Marco
 * Lady, some other guests.

Fiorilla
 * I will receive them.

[ Exeunt.

SCENE III
''Badoero's house. Enter Badoero, Loredano, and Contarini''

Loredano
 * We look to search out guilt among the people,
 * And lo! it greets us on our very threshold!
 * Who would have thought that one so widely trusted,
 * A hero in our wars, one who has borne
 * Honors unnumbered from the generous state,
 * Could prove himself a traitor?

Badoero
 * We must look
 * More closely, ere we judge.

Loredano
 * What need we more?
 * 'Twas rumored long ago that he opposed
 * The election of the Ten, the prop of Venice.
 * In the conspiracy so lately crushed,
 * Did he not plead for mercy on the guilty?
 * Hath he not said we needed not a power
 * Supreme, to interfere with the decrees
 * Of the great council? And this paper, found
 * Only last night within the Lion's mouth,
 * Denounces him our foe.

Badoero
 * Be it ours to weigh
 * Proofs and defence. We may not spill the blood
 * Of senators precipitately, nor keep
 * The axe from the guilty, though it strike the noblest.
 * But what new guest is this?

Enter Teresa.

Contarini
 * Lady---whence come you?

Teresa
 * I come to seek for justice; yet find only
 * Looks that repel me. Where's the doge?

Loredano
 * Who is it,
 * That thus intrudes on us?

Contarini
 * Veniero's daughter.
 * (Endeavouring to persuade her to return)
 * Business attends us. Nay, we are not used
 * To admit such counsellors.

Teresa
 * Are you the judges
 * Who fain would close your ears against defence,
 * The culprit's right? Away! there is no place
 * Where innocence may not plead against the wrong
 * Which threatens it---wrong that will harm alike
 * The judges and the accused. I pray you, signors,
 * A word! ye will go hence the imputed crime
 * To judge of one who--

Loredano
 * Who hath wronged the state.

Teresa
 * No---no! ye do mistake---he never did!
 * Know ye of whom ye speak? 'Tis Veniero,
 * The patriot, the patrician! He do wrong?
 * Why---not a peasant who e'er shared his bounty,
 * Would not repel the charge! I've seen him list
 * With pitying, tearful eye the beggar's tale,
 * Whose heart was gladdened by his sympathy!
 * I've known him watch for hours beside the couch
 * Of some poor menial slave, who had no friend
 * Save God and him. 'He do wrong? Oh! the lips
 * Of the poor bless him, and the humblest heart
 * Leaps at his presence!'

Loredano
 * There are sacred duties
 * Higher than such, fair lady! He betrays
 * The people in their rulers.

Teresa
 * Believe it not!
 * He has served you long and well. His years are many,
 * But they outnumber not the victories
 * He won for you. His hair is grey---'Tis blanched
 * With hardship more than age. Would he now cast
 * The reverend mantle of his honors off,
 * To league with traitors? No---you need not fear him!

Loredano
 * What boots all this? The guardian of the state,
 * Where he fears, punishes.

Teresa
 * Are ye wont to doom
 * Without at least the solemn show of right?
 * Will ye hear no defence? And, Contarini,
 * Darest thou not speak for him, who wast so late
 * His loved and honored guest? or art thou leagued
 * In bitter compact with this scorner here
 * To rob me of his life?

Loredano
 * Let her begone;
 * Must she insult us? Come, the hour draws nigh.

Badoero
 * Your pardon. Heed not words that sorrow utters.
 * She did not mean offence.

Teresa
 * My lord---my lord!
 * There's mercy in your looks; nay they are human.
 * Are you my father's judge?

Badoero
 * Pray you, retire,
 * And be at peace.

Teresa
 * You will not heed the terms
 * "Traitor" and "treachery!" They mean nought---at least
 * Nought---coupled with his name! Listen to me.
 * I've known him long---longer than any here.
 * He reared my childhood. I have state by him
 * In hours of fondness, when the careless words
 * Fell from his lips unnoted, save by me:---
 * Think you he would deceive me? No! I'll pledge
 * Life, more than life, upon his truth!

Badoero
 * Nay---lady;
 * This cannot aught avail. Trust in our justice.
 * That shall be rendered him. If we fail not
 * To rend the veil from guilt, we are not slow
 * To acquit the innocent.

Teresa
 * He is innocent!

Badoero
 * Then go thy way, and hope the best. My lords,
 * Business attends us.

[ Exeunt all but Contarini and Teresa.

Contarini
 * Teresa!

Teresa (looking up)
 * Who calls! You my lord, who keep
 * Stern silence, when one you have called your friend
 * Is basely slandered?

Contarini
 * As a senator,
 * I may not screen the guilty.

Teresa
 * Hence, then---join
 * The herd who seek his slaughter, while I go
 * To share his dungeon!

Contarini
 * Hear me yet a moment.
 * One way remains to save his life;---and you,
 * You may redeem it.

Teresa
 * How? speak---and I'll bless you!

Contarini
 * Briefly---your sire revealed before his arrest
 * My love, my suit. Grant it---bestow your hand
 * On one who loves you with a boundless passion,
 * And I will stir the powers of heaven and earth
 * To compass his release.

Teresa
 * And do you proffer
 * Such terms in earnest truth?

Contarini
 * In truth I do.
 * Accept them---and be blest.

Teresa
 * Is this the noble
 * So honored? This the haughty senator?
 * Ready to barter in his selfishness
 * The trust he holds? Bearing the solemn charge---
 * A nation's safety---laden with the prayers
 * Of suppliant millions, on his truth who rest
 * Their hopes---their all---yet ready to fling down
 * The mighty burthen, if it impede the way
 * To some light goal of pleasure! Is't to such
 * We plead?---Before I reverenced, though I feared thee,
 * I scorn thee now!

Contarini
 * Proud, wayward girl, remember
 * Whom 'Tis you taunt!

Teresa
 * Full well, my lord, I know
 * There can be few like you. Within yon halls,
 * Some there must be, to whom the voice of justice
 * Shall not unheeded speak. To them I trust---
 * To Heaven---and to the strength of innocence,
 * And not to you!

[ Exit.

Contarini
 * So lovely in disdain!
 * She shall be mine, despite her scorn and hate!

[ Exit.

SCENE IV
A prison.--- Veniero discovered.--- Beltramo enters with a lamp

Veniero
 * Set down the lamp---there---where its beams may pierce
 * Farthest into the gloom. 'Alack, the rays
 * Faint ere they half can journey to these walls,
 * Though sooth, they are not spacious.'---You have orders,
 * Remember, to admit my child. Retire.

[ Exit Beltramo.
 * A dark dawn, truly, for the gorgeous day
 * That waits upon my fortunes; but its noon
 * Will shine the brighter. Can he fail me now?
 * I scarce would trust his plighted word alone!
 * But, were it not that breath of mine could blow
 * His fabric of ambition to the winds,
 * I've yet another hold; he loves the girl
 * Whose fair young hand must bind this wreath of glory
 * Around her brows and mine.---She is here. This hour
 * Improved, shall win us all.

Enter Teresa.
 * My daughter here?
 * I am not quite forsaken.

Teresa (clinging to him)
 * No, my father!

Veniero
 * Who bade thee seek me? Let me look on thee,
 * Thy cheek is wet with tears. Nay, dry them girl---
 * Let them not flow for me. True, I can give
 * Poor welcome; yet thy loveliness breaks in
 * Upon my prison's gloom, like the fresh light
 * Of morning to the hopeless. Weep not for me!
 * Why---foolish child! will tears undo these bars?
 * They are of massive weight, and have withstood
 * In ancient service past, more briny floods
 * Than would have drowned this cell, save that the earth
 * Drank the hot tide of anguish as it gushed,---
 * More thirsty now than ever! Let me pass
 * Nearer that side---methinks a freer air
 * Is entering thence. Your hand, Beltramo---

Teresa
 * Hold!
 * What hand should serve him but mine own?---What's this?
 * You tremble, you are faint! Help---ho!

Veniero
 * 'Tis nought!
 * I do not tremble. Yet I'm sick at heart
 * To look upon this dungeon---knowing here
 * The wretched remnant of my days may pass,
 * Shut out from light and life!

Teresa
 * Oh! talk not so!
 * We've friends in the council; they will never hear
 * Your name attainted, and hold back in silence.

Veniero
 * Alas! you know them not; know not that here
 * Who is suspected is already doomed.
 * 'Tis hard that I should perish thus, the scorn
 * Of the schooled rabble! Trust me---I would meet
 * Death on the field with joy---but to be hewn
 * By menial hands---gazed on by eyes that gloat
 * Upon my blood---or wept by vulgar pity!
 * I do not scorn to say I fear such fate.

Contarini (entering)
 * You may escape it.

Veniero
 * Ha!

Contarini
 * Hear me, Veniero.
 * I speak to you as one who is condemned,
 * Though sentence be not passed. Proofs are alleged
 * So specious and so startling, it were madness
 * To dream of an acquittal. I alone
 * By means that cannot fail, have power to save you.

Veniero
 * Thanks! thanks! (aside) you've well begun!

Contarini
 * Yet will I sue
 * And humble me for you, to be disdained
 * By yonder fair, when I shall kneel to claim
 * My guerdon for such service? Shall the city
 * Know that I saved you for your daughter's love,
 * And know me spurned by her? No! I will plead
 * For you, but as the father of my bride!
 * Let your Teresa pledge her faith to me,
 * Before high heaven and you;---in two hours' time
 * I'll set you free.

Veniero
 * Teresa!

Teresa
 * It is false!
 * His story's false, my father! Head him not!
 * They will not sentence you!

Contarini
 * You'll learn my truth,
 * When 'Tis too late.

Veniero
 * Dost doubt him,
 * When proofs like these (pointing to his dungeon walls) confirm his tale?
 * Or deem'st thou
 * My life not worth the purchase?

Teresa
 * Alas! my strait
 * Is fearful! But I know him the deceiver!
 * Trust him not. If he talk of bribes and stratagems,
 * Think you he'd scruple at a gilded tale,
 * To cheat us with false hopes?

Contarini
 * Let the sun set,
 * And you are fatherless!

Teresa
 * And would you take,
 * Even could you wring from me the sacrifice,
 * A victim bride?

Contarini
 * Aye, though I won your hate!
 * From you even hate is sweetness---Choose between
 * A husband whom you love not, and the death
 * Of one you love!

Veniero
 * Urge her no more---her choice
 * Is fixed already! Let me die in peace---
 * She may look on; and---if she weep for me,
 * Some dearer hand will dry her short lived tears.

Teresa (struggling with emotion)
 * My father!

Veniero
 * Touch me not! the old man's years
 * Are nearly run---why should they now be lengthened?
 * These hairs are white---no matter! they'll be dabbled
 * With red, full soon! My limbs are old and weary---
 * They'll rest well in the grave---and until then
 * The earth's a fitting bed!
 * (throws himself on the ground)

Teresa (kneeling beside him)
 * Oh! taunt me not
 * So bitterly! Oh! I would die to save you!

Veniero
 * Would die! so those who prate of filial virtue
 * Talk---but shrink from the test. Off! I'll no more
 * Of clinging and of honied words!

Teresa
 * Dear father!
 * I am your child---and more than life I love you!
 * Speak to me! speak to me! With idle words
 * I will displease no more.---For your sake, father,
 * I will do all!---will wed---him!

Veniero
 * She is yours!

[ Joins her hand with Contarini's. --- The curtain falls. ]