to publish thy attempted assassination, and deliver thee up in chains to the criminal tribunal.
MOOR (taking several steps backward). Sir!-that's contrary to agreement.
FIESCO. Be not alarmed. 'Tis but a farce. At this moment 'tis of the utmost consequence that Gianettino's attempt against my life should be made public. Thou shalt be tried before the criminal tribunal.
MOOR. Must I confess it, or deny?
FIESCO. Deny. They will put thee to the torture. Thou must hold out against the first degree. This, by the by, will serve to expiate thy real crime. At the second thou mayest confess.
MOOR (shaking his head with a look of apprehension). The devil is a sly rogue. Their worships might perhaps desire my company a little longer than I should wish; and, for sheer farce sake, I may be broken on the wheel.
FIESCO. Thou shalt escape unhurt, I give thee my honor as a nobleman. I shall request, as satisfaction, to have thy punishment left to me, and then pardon thee before the whole republic.
MOOR. Well-I agree to it. They will draw out my joints a little; but that will only make them the more flexible.
FIESCO. Then scratch this arm with thy dagger, till the blood flows. I will pretend that I have just now seized thee in fact. 'Tis well. (Hallooing violently). Murder! Murder! Guard the passages! Make fast the gates! (He drags the MOOR out by the throat; servants run across the stage hastily.)
SCENE X.
LEONORA and ROSA enter hastily, alarmed.
LEONORA. Murder! they cried-murder!-The noise came this way.
ROSA. Surely 'twas but a common tumult, such as happens every day in Genoa.
LEONORA. They cried murder! and I distinctly heard Fiesco's name. In vain you would deceive me. My heart discovers what is concealed from my eyes. Quick! Hasten after them. See! Tell me whither they carry him.
ROSA. Collect your spirits, madam. Arabella is gone.
LEONORA. Arabella will catch his dying look. The happy Arabella! Wretch that I am? 'twas I that murdered him. If I could have engaged his heart he would not have plunged into the world, nor rushed upon the daggers of assassins. Ah! she comes. Away! Oh, Arabella, speak not to me!
SCENE XI.
The former, ARABELLA.
ARABELLA. The Count is living and unhurt. I saw him gallop through the city. Never did he appear more handsome. The steed that bore him pranced haughtily along, and with its proud hoof kept the thronging multitude at a distance from its princely rider. He saw me as I passed, and with a gracious smile, pointing thither, thrice kissed his hand to me. (Archly.) What can I do with those kisses, madam?
LEONORA (highly pleased). Idle prattler! Restore them to him.
ROSA. See now, how soon your color has returned!
LEONORA. His heart he is ready to fling at every wench, whilst I sigh in vain for a look! Oh woman! woman!
[Exeunt.
SCENE XII.-The Palace of ANDREAS.
GIANETTINO and LOMELLINO enter hastily.
GIANETTINO. Let them roar for their liberty as a lioness for her young. I am resolved.
LOMELLINO. But-most gracious prince!
GIANETTINO. Away to hell with thy buts, thou three-hours procurator! I will not yield a hair's breadth? Let Genoa's towers shake their heads, and the hoarse sea bellow No to it. I value not the rebellious multitude!
LOMELLINO. The people are indeed the fuel; but the nobility fan the flame. The whole republic is in a ferment, people and patricians.
GIANETTINO. Then will I stand upon the mount like Nero, and regale myself with looking upon the paltry flames.
LOMELLINO. Till the whole mass of sedition falls into the hands of some enterprising leader, who will take advantage of the general devastation.
GIANETTINO. Poh! Poh! I know but one who might be dangerous, and he is taken care of.
LOMELLINO. His highness comes.
Enter ANDREAS-(both bow respectfully).
ANDREAS. Signor Lomellino, my niece wishes to take the air.
LOMELLINO. I shall have the honor of attending her.
[Exit LOMELLINO.
SCENE XIII.
ANDREAS and GIANETTINO.
ANDREAS. Nephew, I am much displeased with you.
GIANETTINO. Grant me a hearing, most gracious uncle!
ANDREAS. That would I grant to the meanest beggar in Genoa if he were worthy of it. Never to a villain, though he were my nephew. It is sufficient favor that I address thee as an uncle, not as a sovereign !
GIANETTINO. One word only, gracious sir!
ANDREAS. Hear first what thou hast done; then answer me. Thou hast pulled down an edifice which I have labored for fifty years to raise- that which should have been thy uncle's mausoleum, his only pyramid-the affections of his countrymen. This rashness Andreas pardons thee--
GIANETTINO. My uncle and my sovereign--
ANDREAS. Interrupt me not. Thou hast injured that most glorious work of mine, the constitution, which I brought down from heaven for Genoa, which cost me so many sleepless nights, so many dangers, and so much blood. Before all Genoa thou hast cast a stain upon my honor, in violating my institutions. Who will hold them sacred if my own blood despise them? This folly thy uncle pardons thee.
GIANETTINO (offended). Sir, you educated me to be the Duke of Genoa.
ANDREAS. Be silent. Thou art a traitor to the state, and hast attacked its vital principle. Mark me, boy! That principle is-subordination. Because the shepherd retired in the evening from his labor, thoughtest thou the flock deserted? Because Andreas' head is white with age, thoughtest thou, like a villain, to trample on the laws?
GIANETTINO (insolently). Peace, Duke! In my veins also boils the blood of that Andreas before whom France has trembled.
ANDREAS. Be silent! I command thee. When I speak the sea itself is wont to pay attention. Thou hast insulted the majesty of justice in its very sanctuary. Rebel! dost thou know what punishment that crime demands? Now answer! (GIANETTINO appears struck, and fixes his eyes on the ground without speaking). Wretched Andreas! In thy own heart hast thou fostered the canker of thy renown. I built up a fabric for Genoa which should mock the lapse of ages, and am myself the first to cast a firebrand into it. Thank my gray head, which would be laid in the grave by a relation's hand-thank my unjust love that, on the scaffold, I pour not out thy rebellious blood to satisfy the violated laws.
[Exit.
