Teresa Contarini/Act V

SCENE I
Secret chamber of the Inquisitors

Enter Badoero and Loredano.

Badoero
 * Our colleague comes not.

Loredano
 * He is here.

Enter Contarini.

Badoero
 * Proceed we
 * At once, to business. This unhappy youth--

Loredano
 * Speak not as if you pitied him. None here
 * Should sigh, except the guilty---rigid justice
 * Must reign!

Badoero
 * Then may the guiding light of wisdom
 * Descend to dissipate the uncertain twilight
 * Of human judgment!

Loredano
 * Know you with what object
 * He broke the law?

Contarini
 * Know I? and do you think
 * I would confer with traitors?

Badoero
 * 'Tis important
 * We learn his motive.

Contarini
 * Need we look beyond
 * The act itself? Did not the late decree
 * Pronounce it death for a patrician
 * To speak with foreign minister, or enter
 * Beneath his roof under the veil of night?

Badoero
 * 'Tis true.

Contarini
 * What would you more? This daring boy
 * Mocks at our prohibition, and is found
 * Within the interdicted walls!

Badoero
 * The spirit
 * Of that decree should rule us in decision
 * More than the letter. If it shall appear
 * He had no thought of treason, shall his youth
 * And recent services, all plead in vain?

Loredano (significantly)
 * 'Tis rumoured that some fairer cause impelled him
 * Incautious into danger.---

Contarini
 * Idle falsehoods!
 * Must we give heed to every lying breath
 * That stirs the populace?

Badoero
 * Hush, the prisoner comes.

(Foscarini is brought in by Beltramo)
 * (To Beltramo) You may retire.

[ Exit Beltramo.
 * Antonio Foscarini---
 * You stand here---arraigned
 * Of foul ingratitude and treason 'gainst
 * Your country's state and sovereignty. Events
 * Appear against you. You have violated
 * A late and solemn law. What answer you
 * To this high charge?

Foscarini
 * Nothing!

Badoero
 * Speak freely. We
 * Would fain be merciful, if you reveal
 * Such motives as may palliate the deed.
 * What was your business 'neath the Spaniard's roof?

Foscarini
 * I will not answer.

Badoero
 * Nay, consider well,
 * Sincerity may save you.

Foscarini
 * I can give
 * No further answer.

Contarini
 * He confesses guilt.
 * Is it not plain?

Foscarini
 * Honor I here defend---
 * Not life.

Loredano
 * So obstinate? let us then try
 * If torture will avail!

Contarini (quickly)
 * No---not the torture!
 * He is too weak for it; we could not hope
 * To force the truth by violent means from him.

Loredano (aside)
 * Unwonted clemency! I well can guess
 * Its meaning!
 * (To Foscarini) Dost thou not fear the torture?

Foscarini
 * Ye may tear
 * Emulous, these wretched limbs; your power can never
 * Reach to the soul, unless your hatred dare
 * To chronicle as words the groans that falter
 * Upon the blood-stained lip; here, I repeat it,
 * I will die silent!

Badoero
 * To a gentle judge
 * Give gentle answer. By thy noble country,
 * The honor of thine ancestors, all great
 * In arms and council---by these walls, defended
 * With blood of thine illustrious sire---I pray thee,
 * Spare thine own fame! Reveal--

Foscarini
 * Within my heart
 * Your prayer is heard. You shall have fit reply.
 * Lo! on the traitor's breast, the vestiges
 * Of foreign wars! Here pierced the Spanlard's blade!

Loredano
 * We would not count thy wounds: the latest one,
 * Thy hand inflicted.

Contarini
 * Aye---in guilty terror.
 * Waste time no more!

Badoero
 * Dost know, misguided youth,
 * The penalty of thy crime?

Foscarini
 * 'Tis death.

Badoero
 * And yet
 * A further punishment.

Foscarini
 * What more?

Badoero
 * Dishonor!
 * Who shall wipe off the stain thy execution
 * Will fix on all the kindred of thy house?

Foscarini
 * Answer you that! You may decree, 'Tis true,
 * My death, but with my death you will decree
 * Your everlasting infamy. Where'er
 * In future years the deed shall be remembered,
 * 'Twill tell of shame---not mine! The popular voice
 * May here be dumb---but in all lands, that spurn
 * The tongue-controlling terrors of your sway,
 * There shall be weighed---there writ in characters
 * Indelible---my merits---your reward!

Badoero
 * Withdraw a space.

[ Foscarini. retires up the stage.

Contarini
 * Can you doubt now?

Badoero
 * Appearances
 * Are strong against him, but his words, though bold,
 * Seem those of innocence.

Contarini
 * Is't new to you,
 * The boldness of the guilty?

Badoero
 * He preserves,
 * At least, the aspect of his former virtue.

Loredano
 * Hear me! The doge is Foscarini's friend.
 * Grant him a meeting with the prisoner;
 * He may prevail, and draw the secret from him
 * That we have failed to learn.

Contarini
 * What mockery this!

Loredano
 * Nay---is not life at stake? Should we neglect
 * Aught that may save the boy?

Badoero
 * It is but just.
 * The doge shall be admitted. Ho! Beltramo!

Enter Beltramo.
 * Take back your prisoner, and whom we shall send
 * Permit to see him.

[ Beltramo leads out Foscarini.
 * ( Exeunt the inquisitors on the other side. )

SCENE II
A Street

Enter Vincentio and Leonardo, followed by several citizens.

Vincentio
 * Courage, my friends! this way leads to his prison.
 * We'll break those bars, and drag their gloomy secrets
 * Into unwonted light.

Leonardo
 * Nay---by such madness
 * You cast away success.

Vincentio
 * Shall we shrink back
 * Even on its threshold?

Leonardo
 * One false step, bethink you,
 * May lose you all. Look---yonder they approach!

Vincentio
 * Now is the moment.

Leonardo
 * No---'t would but endanger
 * Yourselves---and serve not him. Pray you---be patient
 * Till they have reached the palace; then surround it,
 * And with your prayers, which more than threats avail,
 * Besiege their ears.

Vincentio
 * To be repulsed and mocked!

Leonardo
 * If so, despair; no force of yours can save him.
 * The Senate would but laugh at you.
 * (To citizens) Depart!
 * We are safe no longer here.

( Exeunt.

SCENE III
Contarini's palace

Enter Teresa, meeting Matilda.

Teresa
 * Is he returned?

Matilda
 * This instant.

Teresa
 * He will come,
 * If that he bears ill tidings. What have I
 * To do with dread? Hush! 'Tis his step.---Away!

( Exit Matilda as Contarini enters.

Contarini
 * She looks beseechingly---but dares not speak!
 * I'll feast upon her pale despair! Fair madam,
 * Your lover is condemned.

Teresa
 * Condemned---already?

Contarini
 * Are the inquisitors slow to doom the guilty?
 * Yet hear one truth which haply may console you.
 * Even in strict trial he would not reveal
 * The motive that impelled him to the act
 * For which he dies.

Teresa
 * He would not!

Contarini
 * Though the tale
 * Of your disgrace had saved him, he persisted
 * In silence!

Teresa
 * And you---Contarini---you---
 * Oh God! do coldly stab him with the weapon
 * His generous virtue gives you!

Contarini
 * Even so!

Teresa
 * Is there no righteous ministry in heaven,
 * No power, no will, to save the innocent?
 * Is this your justice? Oh! it cannot be---
 * I wrong even you, to impute such guilt as this!
 * Your hearts are hard---you're cruel---but this pitch
 * Of fiendish cruelty surpasses you!
 * You could not do this! no---you smile---you could not!
 * There's not in human breasts a void so drear,
 * So horrible---whence all that sweetens life
 * Has been driven forth, to welcome hell's words spirits!
 * Oh! you who have framed these horrid words, to sear
 * And strike me dead---and I have borne the blow
 * Whose force is spent on me---on me alone!
 * Is't not thus? say---say---

Contarini
 * That they have import
 * You will soon know.

Teresa
 * And is your bosom steeled
 * To pity, as to truth? Hear me---but hear me!
 * I'll buy his life.---I'll pay your price of blood!
 * Heap vengeance on my head. I'll bear it all!
 * But save him! Do an act which shall bring down
 * The blessings of a broken heart upon you!
 * Which shall unlock the treasures of Heaven's mercy,
 * And bid you draw from its deep fount at will!

Contarini
 * These prayers are idle. Could they aught avail,
 * 'T would be to make his fate more sure.

Teresa
 * 'Tis madness
 * To speak to thee of mercy! Yet---bethink thee,
 * Is there no sure and solemn retribution
 * Striding even now, fast on thy guilty footsteps?
 * Shalt thou remain unpunished? Will the voice
 * That from the innocent blood reeks to the sky,
 * Cease to upbraid thee? Will these mortal men
 * Above whom this, thy hellish deed, will raise thee
 * In eminence of evil---fail to shun,
 * To curse the murderer?'

Contarini
 * Thou'rt his murderer.'

Teresa
 * Take heed! take heed! you know me not! nor know
 * The strength of desperation. Deeply hid
 * Doth lurk ofttimes the fire, which fanned to rage,
 * Shall wrap whole cities in devouring flame!
 * Abide its fury now! I will denounce you
 * Myself---before your infamous tribunal!
 * They'll hear me! if no justice dares to dwell there,
 * I'll drag it from the skies---and bid it thunder
 * Its vengeance in your ears!

Contarini
 * Stay---stay---rash woman!
 * Dost think I prize my name and fame so lightly,
 * To leave it longer in thy keeping? Look---
 * The doors are barred.

Teresa
 * Your name and fame! I'll blast it!
 * I'll blast it! not a tongue in this wide Venice
 * But shall dwell on, and scoff at your disgrace!
 * I'll publish it abroad! I will proclaim
 * To all---aye all---and none will dream of doubt,
 * Myself a thing of guilt, that the black stain
 * May reach through me to you, and all you boast!
 * It shall cling to you ever---with its deep
 * And damning blight---and none shall cancel it!
 * Then I will triumph!

Contarini
 * Nay! she is distraught!
 * Teresa---listen!

Teresa
 * No---no---you shall plead
 * As I have; but'Tis now my turn to scorn!

[ Exit.
 * (Contarini retires slowly.)

SCENE IV
A corridor leading from the prisons

Enter Foscarini, fettered and guarded---the Doge , and Beltramo.

Foscarini (To Beltramo)
 * If it may be,
 * Loose me these fetters;---for the last time here
 * I fain would pass unchained.

Beltramo
 * I should be forced
 * To wear them.

Foscarini
 * Pardon! I forgot that here
 * Pity was death!

Doge
 * I grieve to see you thus!

Foscarini
 * Why? my arrest, my punishment, methinks,
 * Should mark me out for envy---since the bolt
 * Of vengeance from the state in this resembles
 * Heaven's winged lightnings---that it ever strikes
 * The proudest head!

Doge
 * Your judges would be gentle.
 * Why not reveal your secret---and afford
 * Room for their mercy?

Foscarini
 * No! I scorn their mercy!

Doge
 * A word may save your life--

Foscarini
 * And blast that life
 * With infamy eternal!

Doge
 * Then the secret
 * Involves deep guilt?

Foscarini
 * It doth not. Urge no more---
 * My doom is fixed---and fixed is my resolve.

Doge
 * Have you considered it---the deep disgrace
 * Your fate will stamp on all you love?

Foscarini
 * Alas!
 * There is the sting! 'Tis not enough in darkness
 * To doom the offender, and to take from him
 * Life with its joys and hopes---but they pursue
 * Beyond the grave, and load the senseless dust
 * With calumny! To what hath not risen
 * This monstrous power? Oh! well indeed had'st thou
 * Thy cradle 'midst the clay of thy lagunes,
 * Base city, which hast borne it!

Enter Memmo.

Memmo (to Doge)
 * Sir---the council
 * Await your attendance.

[ Exeunt.

SCENE V
''Grand Council Chamber. Inquisitors, Veniero, and other Senators. Enter the Doge, and Foscarini guarded. Pascali stands behind among the guards''

Badoero
 * Hath he disclosed aught?

Doge
 * Nothing!

Badoero (to Foscarini)
 * Thou stand forth
 * To our arraignment thou confessest guilt?

Foscarini
 * I broke the laws.

Contarini
 * Guilty!

Foscarini
 * On earth---perhaps
 * In Heaven's eye innocent.

Badoero
 * Thy sentence hear---
 * 'Till sunset shalt thou live---but at that hour---
 * When the bell strikes---bid thine adieu to earth;
 * Go now---and make thy peace with Heaven.

Foscarini
 * 'Tis made
 * Already---victim to your human laws,
 * I hope acquittal there!

[ Exit, guarded.

Contarini
 * So---until sunset!
 * Too long a space remains. Why pause, when danger
 * May wait on our delay?

Badoero
 * What danger?

Contarini
 * Hath he not
 * Friends who may interfere to strike aside
 * The axe of justice? He is much beloved
 * By many citizens.

Enter Steno

Steno
 * Signors---a tumult
 * Is raised among the populace.

Loredano
 * Rebellion?

Steno
 * They throng the courts---and every tongue repeats
 * The name of Foscarini. With acclaim
 * They call for his release.

Badoero
 * Lead forth the guard.
 * Their sight will be enough.

[ Exit Steno.

Contarini
 * Enough! how rash
 * To tempt their fury! Need we linger now?
 * Command his instant execution---let
 * The rabble see what tumults will avail.

Badoero
 * Not so. Should we anticipate the hour
 * 'T would show that we have feared them---that we heed
 * The voice of faction. Let our first decree
 * Be sacredly observed.
 * (To Loredano) Shall it not be so?

Loredano
 * My judgment seconds yours.
 * (Contarini makes signs apart to Pascali, who goes out hastily)

Enter Memmo.

Memmo (to Doge)
 * My liege, a lady, closely veiled, without,
 * Entreats to see your highness.

Doge
 * A lady?

Memmo
 * She has passed
 * The guard with prayers and bribes---and doth implore
 * A moment's audience---pleading that her business
 * Concerns you strictly.

Contarini
 * She cannot be admitted;
 * She's an accomplice--

Enter Teresa.

Teresa
 * Back, back---hold me not!
 * For shame, my lords, to judge without a witness---
 * Without one witness---and to doom your victim
 * When but a woman's words might save him!

Badoero
 * Who is't
 * That speaks so wildly?

Teresa (throwing back her veil)
 * Look---and know me, all!
 * I come to tell what he would not!

Loredano
 * The wife of Contarini!

Contarini
 * Sirs, I pray you,
 * Heed not her words, but yield her to my keeping---
 * And--

Teresa
 * To his keeping? his---the murderer!
 * Let him not touch me with his blood-stained hands!
 * My lord! Oh, keep me from his grasp! I'll tell thee
 * All---all! and if my words are wild and wayward,
 * They are truth! If perchance my tongue doth falter,
 * 'Tis not 'he weakness of the conscious soul!
 * Hold! hold! and hear me!'

Veniero
 * My poor child!'

Teresa
 * No child!
 * No child of thine! Who was't I called father?
 * Not one who caused all this! Fie! fie! do fathers
 * Thus immolate their children? I have heard
 * Of pyres and axes---and of men who stood
 * And hewed down arms that fondly twined with theirs---
 * And watched the gushing stream that had its source
 * In their own veins! But you---you rend asunder
 * The hidden strings of life---and yoke the spirit
 * To falsehood, from whose dark and subtle fold
 * No force can set it free! and when 'Tis done,
 * And the soul wears the hue of misery---
 * And the brain burns---ye would repent the work
 * Yourself have wrought!'

Contarini
 * Woman! I do command you---
 * Hence!

Teresa
 * No! we stand within no dungeon now,
 * With prison walls to hear---and him in chains
 * To plead for you! Here reach no bribes of yours!

Loredano
 * Who speaks of bribes?

Teresa
 * They're his! he used them, truly,
 * To save the guiltless. Pshaw! what were his bribes?
 * Gold---paltry gold! And mine! He claimed a price
 * Nought could redeem! a perjured soul! a spirit
 * Sold to perdition!

Contarini
 * Ye perceive it plainly,
 * Her frenzy;---nay---harass her not!

Teresa
 * Silence!
 * His words would ever mingle with my words,
 * To strike me dumb! But I've a better spirit
 * That bids me speak, and clear the innocent.

Doge
 * Speak on---we hear thee.

Teresa
 * Why then---he was false,
 * Who said ye heard no truth? Beseech ye, listen!
 * He loved me---Foscarini;---'Twas not guilt,---
 * But sorrow---sorrow! Me he came to meet,
 * After that fatal bridal.

Contarini
 * Hear no more!

Veniero
 * Her tale is true, my lords!---I did compel her,
 * To advance a purpose, thrice accursed, of mine,
 * To wed one whom she hated;---he she loved,
 * Returned upon her bridal night.---Ye saw
 * Her anguish then!

Teresa
 * Oh yes! we met within
 * The garden that adjoins the Spaniard's palace---
 * That fatal palace!---and he came, to murder
 * My Foscarini---sought him where he fled;
 * Sought him, and found him! Then his malice wrought
 * That horrid tale which has deceived you all,
 * Of crime, and treason, and conspiracy;---
 * Ye know it now---it blanches you with fear---
 * You---to whom blood's no stranger! Can you wonder
 * It maddens me?

Contarini
 * For shame---to lend an audience
 * To this wild story, as if solemn truths
 * Came from her lips! I tell you---she is mad!

Teresa
 * Believe him not! nor hear him! if you do,
 * Not Heaven can rescue you from his black cunning!
 * 'He'll defy Heaven.---I am not mad---but dying!
 * My lord---my lord---the dying speak not falsely!'

Doge
 * It must be so. We have been deceived.
 * (To Badoero) Signor, will you delay the execution?
 * (Tumult and shouts heard without)

Badoero (to Memmo)
 * Whence is this tumult, sir?

Memmo
 * The guards have seized
 * Vincentio, him who stirred the multitude
 * To factious rage without.

Contarini
 * Unheard of treason!

Loredano
 * Move not, I pray you. But a moment past,
 * Ye spoke, if I mistake not, of deferring
 * The prisoner's execution?

Badoero
 * First secure
 * That daring felon. Quell the stir without;
 * That we seem not to yield grace to rebellion.

[ Bell tolls.

Teresa
 * His knell---his knell! It strikes mine too!

Badoero (to Memmo)
 * Begone---and stop the fatal signal! Say
 * We do suspend the sentence.

[ Exit Memmo.

Teresa
 * Bless thee---just one!
 * There are yet gods on earth; and those above
 * Will hail thee brother for this deed!

Loredano
 * My lords,
 * One act of justice more. Him I attach
 * (pointing to Contarini) Of foul conspiracy.

Contarini
 * Ha!

Loredano
 * Look! this pacquet---
 * Letters are here, which prove alliances
 * With dangerous foes.---Here we may read the boasts
 * In secresy recorded---what should chance
 * When Contarini should be prince in Venice,
 * With no stern Senate to control his will?

Contarini
 * Who aided you to frame so fair a tale?
 * Methinks it needs less dubious witnesses
 * To give it credence!

Loredano
 * They are ready;---one
 * The lady Fiorilla. At that name
 * You turn pale, Signor!

Contarini
 * Idle words I've whispered
 * Oft in her ear---but they can never rise
 * Against me!

Loredano
 * No! your written words condemn you---
 * 'Twas at her house you met, in conclave dark,
 * To weave your treasons. Her you deemed a tool;
 * But she your guilt discovered, and reveals it.

Veniero
 * I'll witness to her truth: on my head too,
 * Pronounce the traitor's doom. 'Twill be too light
 * To outweigh my crimes. Ye'll hear the list anon!

Enter Memmo, hastily.

Memmo
 * My lord, the prisoner--

Contarini
 * Away! 't is mine
 * To tell thy story:---in my fall, at least
 * To drag some victims with me. Ha! ye thought
 * To cheat me of revenge! It is accomplished!
 * Lo! on the Piazetta! where the corpse
 * Of Foscarini lies! Look! from you casement!
 * My cords took heed of him! You are too tardy!
 * Away---and join your lover!

[ Attempts to stab Teresa, but is disarmed by Badoero.

Badoero
 * Ho! the guard!
 * Bear him hence! Chain the traitor?

[ Exit Contarini, guarded.

Veniero
 * My daughter! my Teresa!

Teresa
 * He is dead!
 * They murdered him, even while they talked of mercy!

Veniero
 * This, this is retribution! My wronged child!
 * Speak---speak to me! Oh! I would barter Heaven
 * But for one word!

Teresa
 * What means this mist, this darkness
 * Around me? Who supports me?---Father!--

Veniero
 * Speak!
 * Canst thou forgive me?

Teresa
 * Forgive? it is a sound
 * To soothe the dying! Father! come thou near me!
 * Stoop lower---lower---let me lean my head
 * Upon thy breast---for oh! I'm weary!---weary!---
 * This strange, cold sleep o'erpowers me.---If I wake not
 * Before he come---bid him await me--here--

[ Dies.

THE END.