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Vittoria
Thus, slim and single. So, but more golden-haired.Her mother walked among them. Even soOur faces quivered, and our lips were still.She loves. When will she know? She does not dreamIn this great happiness, how terribleThe guest who comes unbidden, evermoreTo hold the secret chambers of her heart.Nor can she see how close death stands behind,Waiting to cast his shadow on her face.I would have spared her—I was merciful!I would have spared her love and death!
ACT II
Scene I.—The garden. Late afternoon. Father. You would go down for meTo the plague-stricken city, there to doThe service that compels me?
Luigi.that compels me? Sir, at once,And gladly.
Father.gladly.You say you love my daughter.How can you then so lightly turn your faceFrom love and joy, and, for her father’s sake,Venture to certain death?
Luigi.to certain death? Did I not sayI love her?
Father. In your youth and strength you dareFace the great fear unflinching?
Luigi.the great fear unflinching? Torture meNo longer! Let me go at once! No saintAm I, and in this battle I must fightI can acquit myself more valiantlyWith horse beneath me and the road ahead.Maybe I shall return; and death itselfFor me is terrorless. It does not meanYour final shutting of an iron door;I am of those who hold its endless hope,
The father points to Vittoria, who sits at her window embroidering.
Luigi (his hands clenched, and the sound of a sob in his throat). I who would die to serve her cannot letHer father perish, as flies perish.
Father.father perish, as flies perish.Go,Go then and save me.
Luigi (walking swiftly away). I return to hear,Before I start, the message I must bear.
Father. Knowledge of death is in his eyes, and loveIs written on his mouth, and yet he goes.(Calls.) Come back! Come back!
[The scholar turns slowly, not once lifting his eyes to Vittoria’s window.You are pure gold, my son.I did but try you. All I hold most dearIs yours. I longed, upon my dying bed,To say, “He is found worthy, and will keepThe secret for her.” Surely you forgive!Go, and drink deep of joy. What I must doNo man can do for me. Long years ago,In a quick tumult of the city street,I saw one strike, and saw another fall.Suspicion rested on the innocent,Yet no man touched him, and I held my peace,Letting my silence punish other sinsOf him, most guilty. He who struck that blowWas my one friend. Now I am near to deathAnd know that I was wrong. I go to swearThe oath that clears my enemy, and thatMy tongue alone can fashion. You must liveIf you would serve me truly. Does my childKnow of your love?
Luigi.Know of your love? She knows! [There is a loud knock at the convent gate. When it is opened, a horseman, dusty, dishevelled, leans from his horse to say hurried words to the brother who has gone to receive him. Frate Giacomo crosses himself at the news.
Father (looking toward the window and smiling). She does not tremble! Nineteen years of age,Yet not afraid to hear a sudden knockUpon the gate! Through all these years my heartWith each new sound of knocking at the doorHas answered to old sorrow, with a thoughtOf coming pain.
Frate Giacomo (muttering to himself as he hurries from the gate). Four hundred stricken deadWithin the city yesterday, to-day!Four hundred dead! Their bodies in the streetsUnburied and unshriven! For our soulsOra, Maria! Ave Maria! Pray
Father (starting).Oh, I must go, or I shall come too late!Why have I lingered here day after dayWhen precious was each hour? Now it grows late;In early morning will I journey on.No second sunset finds me lingering here.
Luigi. Your strength is spent, and you are old: once moreI pray you, let me go.
Father.pray you, let me go.The seal of deathIs on me. If the plague seize me or no,My days are few. To her I say farewellAs one who journeys only for a day.Perhaps I steal away without a word,For she is wilful, as all maidens are,And eager to go with me. When a thoughtSeizes upon her, all her life is setIn that one way. She is too quick in actAs in resolve. My son, when I am goneGuard well her happiness! You both are young,And is not youth immortal? Live for her,Standing ’twixt her and fear. Give me your oathThat you will guard her, far as in you lies,From knowing aught of death.
Luigi.nowing aught of death.So help me God!
Father. Then I go on content; but ere I startI fain would see you in the chapel thereWedded before the altar. [Luigi bares his head.
Scene II.—The garden, a little later. Vespers in the chapel. The sound of the litany mingles with the sound of the sea.
Vittoria. Teresa waits for me; I must go in.See, all along the west the sky has turnedThe color of these saffron roses here,Yellow, with crimson at the heart. How paleThe one star shines above the cypress-trees!
Luigi. One moment only while we hear them sing!(To himself.) Ah, they are praying for the newly dead. [The monks chantRequiem æternam dona eis, Domine.
