Teresa Contarini/Act V

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
464857Teresa Contarini — Act VElizabeth F. Ellet

ACT V

[edit]

SCENE I

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.