Teresa Contarini/Act V

by Elizabeth F. Ellet

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.