The Regent - A Drama In One Act Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A B C D E F B G H B I J K L M D MNO N P Q R STUMVTW W X YZ A2 W B2 Q C2 D2 Q E2F2 G2 H2I2 J2QK2L2M2N2O2P2 Q D2 Q Q2QQ Q R2 Q Q S2QT2G2U2 W ZF2 Q V2W2QX2 Y2 Z2QA3Q Z QB3QC3QD3E3 C2 Q Q F3 G3 QH3I3EZJ3QK3L3M3H3Z2 ZN3A2O3P3Q3R3QQQQQZ2 Z HQ QS3T3QU3QZ2 Z QQZV3 W3 C2QQQX3Y3T2 ZQ Z3Y3QQEA4B4 Q F3K Q CB3QZB3C4A4Q Q D4 AF2E4 Z2Z2 Q QK2F4Q QQQG4 Q Y3 H4Q C2Q C3I4J4QK4T2T2QL4HM4Q E QQ AQE N4O4P4H4Q4 H4 H4F2ZQR4 QT2 AQ S4 T4 QQAM2QQ Q QQU4 Q V4GZ2W4 IS2E3N2ZX4A Q Q QS4Y4Z4QZ2 QZ Y4ZQS2Y4QQQK4 Z2 Z2 Q B4T2 Z2 E3I4C Z S4C2 V3 V2Q QQVZQQ Q ZQQZQQQ C Q ZQQO2QO2Q Q Z W4Q Q W4T2W4Q Q G QQH4QC CZ H4H4QT2QQZ Q QQ QZGJ2Z2 Q X4QN4Z ZB3 G QCZZ2ZQ Q Q QZ2T2Q Q Q Q Y2 QE3 QE3Q Q QB3QG3E3 B3E3QQQQ E3 E3 ZG3QI3ZQQZQY2Q Q Z Z G I3 Y2 E3 QX4Q Z Q E3 X4 QQQZZE3Q QQO2QQQQQQE3ZQQH4E3Z G Q QQO2ZQ O2 QZQQE3 ZZ E3 QB3 Q E3E3Z O2WC E3 H4ZG3CQCCIQ Q Q H4 Q QQZ W Q Q Q WZQZ I3QQCQQQ Q QE3O2QE3 Q Q Q Q Z Q C ZE3 QZ C ZQ Z QN4 ZP2ZE3 Z Q C Q H4 ZQ Y2 ZQQO2Q Q C| DRAMATIS PERSONAE | A |
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| CARL'ANTONIO Duke of Adria | B |
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| TONINO his young son | C |
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| LUCIO Count of Vallescura brother to the Duchess | D |
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| CESARIO Captain of the Guard | E |
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| GAMBA a Fool | F |
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| OTTILIA Duchess and Regent of Adria | B |
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| LUCETTA a Lady in Waiting | G |
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| FULVIA a Lady of the Court | H |
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| Courtiers Priests Choristers Soldiers Mariners Townsfolk etc | B |
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| The Scene is the Ducal Palace of Adria in the N Adriatic | I |
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| The Date | J |
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| THE REGENT | K |
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| SCENE A terraced courtyard before the Ducal Palace Porch and entrance of Chapel R A semicircular balcony L with balustrade and marble seats and an opening whence a flight of steps leads down to the city The city lies out of sight below the terrace from which between its cypresses and statuary is seen a straight stretch of a canal beyond the canal are sand hills and the line of the open sea Mountains L dip down to the sea and form a curve of the coast | L |
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| As the curtain rises a crowd of town and country folk is being herded to the back of the terrace by the Ducal Guard under Cesario Within the Chapel to the sound of an organ boys' voices are chanting the service of the Mass | M |
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| Cesario Gamba the Fool Guards Populace | D |
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| Cesario Way there Give room The Regent comes from Mass | M |
| Guards butt them on the toes way there give room | N |
| Prick me that laggard's leg importunate fools | O |
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| Guards Room for the Regent Room | N |
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| The sacring bell rings within the Chapel | P |
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| Cesario Hark there the bell | Q |
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| A pause Men of the crowd take off their caps | R |
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| Could ye not leave this day of all the year | S |
| Your silly suits petitions quarrels pleas | T |
| Could ye not leave this once in seven years | U |
| Our Lady to come holy quiet from Mass | M |
| Lean on the wall and loose her cage bird heart | V |
| To lift and breast and dance upon the breeze | T |
| Draws home her lord the Duke | W |
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| Crowd Long live the Duke | W |
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| Cesario The devil then Why darken his approach | X |
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| Gamba from the bench where he has been mending his viol Because Captain 'tis a property knaves and fools have in common to stand in their own light as 'tis of soldiers to talk bad logic That knave now he with the red nose and the black eye the Duke's colours loyal man you clap an iron on his leg and ask him why he is not down in the city hanging them out of window | Y |
| Go to you are a soldier | Z |
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| Cesario And you a Fool and on your own showing stand in your own light | A2 |
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| Gamba Nay neither in my own light nor as a Fool So should myself stand between the sun and my shadow whereas I am not myself these seven years have I been but the shadow of a Fool Yet one must tune up for the Duke | W |
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| Strikes his viol and sings | B2 |
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| Bird of the South my Rondinello | Q |
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| Flat Flat | C2 |
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| Cesario calling up to watchman on the Chapel roof Ho there What news | D2 |
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| A Voice Captain no sail | Q |
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| Cesario Where sits | E2 |
| The wind | F2 |
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| Voice Nor' west and north a point | G2 |
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| Cesario Perchance | H2 |
| They have down'd sail and creep around the flats | I2 |
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| Gamba tuning his viol Flats flats the straight horizon and the life | J2 |
| These seven years laid by rule The curst canal | Q |
| Drawn level through the drawn out level sand | K2 |
| And thistle tufts that stink as soon as pluck'd | L2 |
| Give me the hot crag and the dancing heat | M2 |
| Give me the Abruzzi and the cushioned thyme | N2 |
| Brooks at my feet high glittering snows above | O2 |
| What were thy music viol without a ridge | P2 |
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| Noise of commotion in the city below | Q |
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| Cesario Watchman what news | D2 |
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| A Voice Sir on the sea no sail | Q |
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| One of the Crowd But through the town below a horseman spurs | Q2 |
| I think Count Lucio Yes Count Lucio | Q |
| He nears draws rein dismounts | Q |
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| Cesario Sure he brings news | Q |
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| Gamba I think he brings word the Duke is sick his loyal folk have drunk so much of his health | R2 |
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| A murmur has been growing in the town below It breaks into cheers as Count Lucio comes springing up to the terrace | Q |
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| Enter Lucio | Q |
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| Lucio News Where's the Regent Eh is Mass not said | S2 |
| Cesario news I rode across the dunes | Q |
| A pilot Nestore you know the man | T2 |
| Came panting Sixteen sail beyond the point | G2 |
| That's not a galley lost | U2 |
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| Crowd Long live the Duke | W |
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| Lucio Hark to the tocsin I have carried fire | Z |
| Wildfire Why where's my sister I've a mind | F2 |
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| He strides towards the door of the Chapel but pauses at the sound of chanting within and comes back to Cesario | Q |
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| Man are you mute I say the town's aflame | V2 |
| Below But here up here you stand and stare | W2 |
| Like prisoners loosed to daylight Rub your eyes | Q |
| Believe | X2 |
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| Cesario musing It has been long | Y2 |
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| Lucio As tapestry | Z2 |
| Pricked out by women's needles point device | Q |
| As saints in fitted haloes Yet they stab | A3 |
| Those needles Oh the devil take their tongues | Q |
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| Cesario Why what's the matter | Z |
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| Lucio P'st another lie | Q |
| Against the Countess Fulvia and the train | B3 |
| Laid to my sister's ear Cesario | Q |
| My sister is a saint and yet she married | C3 |
| Therefore should understand Would saints like cobblers | Q |
| Stick but to business in this naughty world | D3 |
| Ah well the Duke comes home | E3 |
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| Cesario And what of that | C2 |
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| Lucio Release | Q |
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| Cesario Release | Q |
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| Lucio mocking a chant within the Chapel From priests and petticoats Deliver us Good Lord | F3 |
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| Gamba strikes a chord on viol AMEN | G3 |
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| Cesario Count Lucio | Q |
| These seven years agone when the Duke sailed | H3 |
| You were a child a pretty forward boy | I3 |
| And I a young lieutenant of the Guard | E |
| Burning to serve abroad But that day rather | Z |
| I clenched my nails over an inward wound | J3 |
| For that a something manlier than my years | Q |
| Look bearing what not by the Duke not miss'd | K3 |
| Condemned me to promotion I must bide | L3 |
| At home command the Guard 'Tis an old hurt | M3 |
| But scalded on my memory Well they sailed | H3 |
| And from the terrace here sick with self pity | Z2 |
| Wrapped in my wrong forgetful of devoir | Z |
| I watch'd them through a mist turned with a sob | N3 |
| Uptore my rooted sight | A2 |
| There there she stood | O3 |
| Her hand press'd to her girdle where the babe | P3 |
| Stirred in her body while she gazed she gazed | Q3 |
| But slowly back controlled her eyes met mine | R3 |
| So with how wan how small how brave a smile | Q |
| Reached me her hands to kiss | Q |
| O royal hands | Q |
| What burdens since they have borne let Adria tell | Q |
| But hear me swear by them Count Lucio | Q |
| Who slights our Regent throws his glove to me | Z2 |
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| Lucio Why soothly she's my sister | Z |
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| Cesario 'But the court | H |
| Is dull No masques few banquetings and prayers | Q |
| Be long and youth for pastime leaps the gate ' | - |
| Yet if the money husbanded on feasts | Q |
| Have fed our soldiery against the Turk | S3 |
| Year after year and still the State not starved | T3 |
| Was't not well done And if responsible | Q |
| To God and lonely she has leaned on God | U3 |
| Too heavily for our patience was't not wise | Q |
| And well though weary | Z2 |
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| Lucio I tell you she's my sister | Z |
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| Cesario Well an you will bridle on that Lord Lucio | Q |
| You named the Countess Fulvia To my sorrow | Q |
| Two hours ago I called on her and laid her | Z |
| Under arrest | V3 |
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| Lucio The devil For what | W3 |
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| Cesario For that | C2 |
| A lady whose lord keeps summer in the hills | Q |
| To nurse a gouty foot should penalize | Q |
| His dutiful return by shutting doors | Q |
| And hanging out a ladder made of rope | X3 |
| Or prove its safety by rehearsing it | Y3 |
| Upon a heavier man | T2 |
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| Lucio I'll go to her | Z |
| Oh this is infamous | Q |
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| Cesario Nay be advised | Z3 |
| No hardship irks the lady save to sit | Y3 |
| At home and feed her sparrows nor no worse | Q |
| Annoy than from her balcony to spy | Q |
| Should the eye rove a Switzer of the Guard | E |
| At post between her raspberry canes to watch | A4 |
| And fright the thrushes from forbidden fruit | B4 |
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| Lucio Infamous infamous | Q |
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| Cesario Enough my lord | F3 |
| The Regent | K |
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| Doors of the Chapel open The organ sounds with voices of choir chanting the recessional The Court enters from Mass attending the Regent Ottilia and her son Tonino She wears a crown and heavy dalmatic Her brother Lucio controlling himself with an effort kisses her hand and conducts her to the marble bench which serves for her Chair of State She bows receiving the homage of the crowd but after seating herself appears for a few moments unconscious of her surroundings Then as her rosary slips from her fingers and falls heavily at her feet she speaks | Q |
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| Regent So slips the chain linking this world with Heaven | C |
| And drops me back to earth so slips the chain | B3 |
| That hangs my spirit to the Redeemer's cross | Q |
| Above pollution in the pure swept air | Z |
| Whereunder frets this hive so slips the chain | B3 |
| She starts up God the dear sound Was that his anchor dropped | C4 |
| Speak to the watchman one Call to the watch | A4 |
| What news | Q |
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| Cesario Aloft What news | Q |
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| Voice above No sail as yet | D4 |
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| Regent Ah pardon sirs My ears are strung to day | A |
| And play false airs invented by the wind | F2 |
| Methought a hawse pipe rattled | E4 |
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| Gamba chants to his viol Shepherds see | Z2 |
| Lo What a mariner love hath made me | Z2 |
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| Regent What chants the Fool | Q |
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| Gamba Madonna 'tis a trifle | Q |
| Made by a silly poet on wives that stand | K2 |
| All night at windows listening the surf | F4 |
| Now he comes Will he come Alas no no | Q |
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| Lucio Peace lively Madam there is news brave news | Q |
| I'm from the watch house There the pilots tell | Q |
| Of sixteen sail to the southward Sixteen sail | Q |
| And nearing fast | G4 |
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| Regent Praise God dear Lucio | Q |
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| She has seated herself again She takes Lucio's hand and speaks petting it | Y3 |
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| What Glowing with my happiness That's like you | H4 |
| But for yourself the hour too holds release | Q |
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| Lucio between sullenness and shame with a glance at | C2 |
| Cesario Release | Q |
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| Regent You will forgive I have great need | C3 |
| To be forgiven sadly I have been slack | I4 |
| In guardianship and by so much betrayed | J4 |
| My promise to our mother's passing soul | Q |
| Myself in cares immersed I left the child | K4 |
| Among his toys and turn to find him man | T2 |
| But yet so much a boy that boyhood can | T2 |
| Wistfully Laugh in his honest eyes Forgive me Lucio | Q |
| Tell me whate'er have slackened there has slipped | L4 |
| No knot of love To morrow we'll make sport | H |
| Be playmates and invent new games and old | M4 |
| Wreath flowers for crowns | Q |
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| He drags his hand away She gazes at him wistfully and turns to the Captain of the Guard | E |
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| Cesario | Q |
| What are the suits | Q |
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| Cesario They are but three to day | A |
| Madonna First a scoundrel here in irons | Q |
| For having struck the Guard | E |
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| Regent eying the culprit His name I think | N4 |
| Is Donatello Crocco Hey You improve | O4 |
| Good man The last time 'twas your wife you basted | P4 |
| At this rate in another year or two | H4 |
| You'll bang the Turk Do you confess the assault | Q4 |
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| Prisoner I do | H4 |
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| Regent Upon a promise we dismiss you | H4 |
| Your tavern as it comes into our mind | F2 |
| Is the 'Three Cups ' So many and no more | Z |
| You'll drink to day have we your word Three cups | Q |
| And each a Viva for the Duke's return | R4 |
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| Prisoner Your Highness I'll not take it at the price | Q |
| Of my good manners I'm a gallant man | T2 |
| And who in Adria calls 'Three cheers for the Duke ' | - |
| But adds a fourth for the Duchess Lady nay | A |
| Grant me that fourth or back I go to the cells | Q |
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| The Regent laughs and nods to the Guard to release him | S4 |
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| Regent What next | T4 |
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| An Old Woman very rapidly Your Highness will not know me Zia | Q |
| Agnese Giovannucci's wife that was | Q |
| And feed a two three cows as a widow may | A |
| On the marshes where the grass is salt and sweet | M2 |
| As your Highness knows and always true to pail | Q |
| Until this Nicolo | Q |
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| Nicolo Lies lies your Highness | Q |
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| Old Woman Having a quarrel puts the evil eye | Q |
| On Serafina She's my best of cows | Q |
| In stall with calf but ten days weaned | U4 |
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| Nicolo Lies lies | Q |
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| Old Woman I would your Highness saw her When that thief | V4 |
| Hangs upon Lazarus' bosom he'll be bidding | G |
| A ducat for each drop of milk he's cost me | Z2 |
| To cool his tongue | W4 |
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| Regent Ay ay the cow is sick | I |
| I think and mind me being country bred | S2 |
| Of a cure for such which is to buy a comb | E3 |
| And comb the sufferer's tail at feeding time | N2 |
| If Zia Agnese do but this she'll counter | Z |
| The Evil Eye and maybe with her own | X4 |
| Detect who thieves her Serafina's hay | A |
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| Old Woman God bless your Highness | Q |
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| Nicolo God bless your Highness | Q |
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| Regent taking up a fresh suit Why what's here Costanza | Q |
| Wife of Giuseppe Boni citeth him | S4 |
| And sueth to live separate for neglect | Y4 |
| And divers beatings as to wit H'm h'm | Z4 |
| Likewise to keep the child Geronimo | Q |
| Begotten of his body You defend | |
| The suit Giuseppe | Z2 |
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| A Young Peasant shrugs his shoulders As the woman will | Q |
| I'll not deny I beat her | Z |
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| Regent But neglect | Y4 |
| How came you to neglect her Look on her | Z |
| The handsome frowsy slut that by appearance | Q |
| Hath never washed her body since she wed | S2 |
| A beating we might pass But how neglect | Y4 |
| To take her by the neck unto the pump | |
| And hold her till her wet and furious face | Q |
| Were once again worth kissing Well well well | Q |
| Neglect is proven She shall have deserts | Q |
| To a Clerk But write Defendant keeps his lawful child | K4 |
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| Young Peasant My lady | Z2 |
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| Wife Nay my lady | Z2 |
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| Regent Eh What's this | Q |
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| Wife The poor bambino Nay 'twas not the suit | B4 |
| How should Giuseppe being a fool a man | T2 |
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| Young Peasant Aye aye that's sense I love him still you see | Z2 |
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| Regent An if my judgment suit you not go home | E3 |
| The pair As they are going she calls the woman back | I4 |
| Costanza hath your husband erred | |
| With other woman | C |
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| Young Peasant Never | Z |
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| Wife I'll not charge him | S4 |
| With that | C2 |
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| Regent But yes you may This man hath held | |
| Another woman to his breast | V3 |
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| Wife Her name | V2 |
| That I may tear her eyes | Q |
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| Regent Her name's Costanza | Q |
| The same Costanza that with body washed | |
| With ribbon in her hair light in her eyes | Q |
| Arrayed a cottage to allure his heart | V |
| Go home poor fools and find her | Z |
| Heigh No others Heaves a sigh | Q |
| Captain dismiss the Guard The watch aloft | |
| Set him elsewhere We would not be o'erlooked | |
| You only Lucio you Lucetta stay | |
| You for a while Cesario | Q |
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| Exeunt Courtiers Guard Crowd etc | Q |
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| Heigh that's over | Z |
| The last Court of the Regent and the books | Q |
| Accounts of stewardship my seven years all | Q |
| Closed here for audit | |
| Nay there's one thing more | Z |
| Brother erewhile I spoke you sisterly | Q |
| You turned away and still you bite your lip | |
| Signs that may short my preface It concerns | Q |
| The Countess Fulvia | Q |
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| Lucio Ha | |
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| Regent Go bring her Captain | C |
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| Exit Cesario | Q |
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| List to me Lucio listen brother dear | Z |
| First playmate child tending whose innocence | Q |
| Myself learned motherhood Shall I deny | Q |
| Youth to be loved and follow after love | O2 |
| There is a love breaks like a morning beam | |
| On the husht novice kneeling by his arms | Q |
| And worse there is whose kisses strangle love | O2 |
| Whose feet take hold of hell My Lucio | Q |
| Follow not that | |
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| Lucio Why who who hath maligned | |
| The Countess | Q |
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| Regent Not maligned Lucetta here | Z |
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| Lucio Lucetta Curse Lucetta and her tongue | W4 |
| Am I a child to be nagged by waiting maids | Q |
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| Regent No but a man and shall weigh evidence | Q |
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| Lucio But I'll not hear it If her viper tongue | W4 |
| Can kill why kill it must But send me a man | T2 |
| And I will smite his mouth ay slit his tongue | W4 |
| That dares defame the Countess | Q |
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| Regent Stay she comes | Q |
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| Enter the Countess Fulvia Cesario attending | G |
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| Madam the reason wherefore you are summoned | |
| No doubt you guess from a rude earlier call | Q |
| Our Captain paid you Certain practices | Q |
| Which you may force me name are charged upon you | H4 |
| On testimony you may force me call | Q |
| And may with freedom question | C |
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| Fulvia I'll not question | C |
| No nor I will not answer | Z |
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| Lucio Then I'll answer ' | - |
| For me for all she is innocent | |
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| Regent For you | H4 |
| We'll hope it but 'for all' 's more wide an oath | |
| Than you can swear sir I'll not bandy you | H4 |
| Words nor debate Myself the ladder saw | Q |
| Lucetta here the ladder and the man | T2 |
| What man she will not say Cesario | Q |
| Has tracked his footprint on her garden plots | Q |
| Must we say more | Z |
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| Fulvia No need Her fingering mind | |
| Is a close cupboard turning all things rancid | |
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| Lucio Yea for such wry necks all the world's a lawn | |
| To peek and peer and pounce a sinful worm | |
| The fatter the more luscious | Q |
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| Regent Lucio | Q |
| This woman nought gainsays | Q |
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| Fulvia fiercely As why should I | Q |
| I'll question not nor answer 'Neath your brow | Z |
| My sentence hunches crawls like cat to spring | G |
| Pah there's no prude will match your virtuous wife | J2 |
| You'd banish me | Z2 |
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| Regent I do Cesario | Q |
| See to it the City gate shuts not to night | |
| And she this side | |
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| Fulvia laughs recklessly To night To night's your own | X4 |
| Most modest woman Duchess there's a well | Q |
| By the road some seven miles beyond the town | |
| There 'neath the stars I'll dip a hand and drink | N4 |
| To the good Duke's disport But have a care | Z |
| That cup's not yet to lip | |
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| Regent Captain remove her | Z |
| Lucio remain | B3 |
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| Exeunt the Countess Fulvia Cesario following | G |
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| Lucio I'll not remain When ice | Q |
| Sits judge of fire what justice shall be done | C |
| Sister there be your books peruse them There | Z |
| The sea line bide you so with back to it | |
| While the cold inward heat of cruelty | Z2 |
| Warms what was once your heart now crusted o'er | Z |
| With duty and slimed with poisonous drip of tongues | Q |
| God help the Duke if what he left he'd find | |
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| Exit Lucio | Q |
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| Regent Is't so I wonder Go Lucetta fetch | |
| My glass if haply I may tell | Q |
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| Exit Lucetta | |
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| Is't so | Q |
| And have these years enforced encrusted me | Z2 |
| To something monstrous neither woman nor man | T2 |
| My lord my lord too heavy was the load | |
| You laid Yet I'll not blame you for myself | |
| Ruled the straight path the long account correct | |
| As in these books my ledgers | Q |
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| While she turns the pages Gamba the Fool creeps in and hoists himself on the balustrade He tries his viol and sings | Q |
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| SONG Gamba | Q |
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| Bird of the South my Rondinello | Q |
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| Regent Hey That Song | Y2 |
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| Gamba Hie to me fly to me steel blue mate | |
| Under my breast knot flutters thy fellow | Q |
| Here can I rest not and thou so late | |
| Home to me home | E3 |
| 'Love love I come ' | - |
| Dear one I wait | |
| Quanno nacesti tu nacqui pur io | Q |
| La lundananza tua 'l desiderio mio | E3 |
| You know the song madonna | Q |
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| Regent Ay fool Sit | |
| Here at my feet sing on | |
| - | |
| Gamba sings | Q |
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| Bird of the South my Rondinello | Q |
| Under thy wing my heart hath lain | B3 |
| Till the rain falling on last leaves yellow | Q |
| Drumm'd to thee calling southward again | G3 |
| Home to me home | E3 |
| 'Love love I come ' | - |
| Ah love the pain | B3 |
| Addio addio ed un' altra volt' addio | |
| La lundananza tua 'l desiderio mio | E3 |
| Pause | Q |
| A foolish rustic thing the shepherd wives | Q |
| In our Abruzzi croon by winter fires | Q |
| Of their husbands in the plains | Q |
| - | |
| Regent Gamba | E3 |
| - | |
| Gamba Madonna | E3 |
| - | |
| Regent I'd make thee my confessor Mindest thou | Z |
| By Villalago where from Sanno's lake | |
| The stream our Tasso hurls it down the glen | G3 |
| One noon with Lucio ever in those days | Q |
| With Lucio on a rock within the spray | |
| I wove a ferny garland while the boy | I3 |
| Roamed but returned in triumph having trapped | |
| A bee in a bell flower held it to my ear | Z |
| Laughing dissembling that he feared to loose | Q |
| The hairy thief So laughed we and were still | Q |
| As deep in Vallescura wound a horn | |
| And up the pathway 'neath the dappling bough | Z |
| Came riding flecked with sunshine man and horse | Q |
| My lord my lover and that song that song | Y2 |
| Upon his lips | Q |
| - | |
| Voice of Watchman Sail ho a sail a sail | Q |
| - | |
| Murmur of populace below It grows and swells to a roar as enter hurriedly courtiers guards and others Cesario Lucetta with mirror | Z |
| - | |
| Lucetta My lady O my lady | |
| - | |
| Cesario See they near | Z |
| Galley on galley look there by the point | |
| - | |
| Regent O could my heart keep tally with the surge | |
| That here comes crowding | G |
| - | |
| Lucetta Joy my lady Joy | I3 |
| - | |
| All Joy Joy my lady | |
| - | |
| They press flowers on her A pause while they watch On the canal the galleys come into sight They near and as the oars rise and fall the rowers' chorus is borne from the distance It is the Rondinello song | Y2 |
| - | |
| Chorus in Distance La lundananza tua 'l desiderio mio | E3 |
| - | |
| Regent Thanks my good good friends | Q |
| And deem it not discourteous if alone | X4 |
| I'd tune my heart to bliss | Q |
| My glass Lucetta | |
| - | |
| Takes mirror | Z |
| - | |
| Some thoughts there are some thoughts | Q |
| - | |
| Courtiers God save you madam | E3 |
| - | |
| They go out leaving the Regent alone | X4 |
| - | |
| Regent she loosens the clasp of her robe Some thoughts | Q |
| some thoughts | Q |
| Fall from me envious robe | |
| Rest there my crown thou more than leaden ache | |
| Ah | |
| God What a mountain drops I float I am lifted | |
| Like thistledown on nothing Back my crown | |
| Weight me to earth Nay nay thy rim shall bite | |
| No more upon this forehead Where's my glass | Q |
| O mirror mirror hath it bit so deep | |
| My love is coming hark O say not grey | |
| Sweet mirror Tell what time to cure it now | Z |
| And he so near so near | Z |
| How shall I meet him | E3 |
| Why how but as the river leaps to sea | |
| Steel to its magnet child to mother's arms | Q |
| - | |
| She catches up flowers from the baskets left by the courtiers and decks herself mildly | |
| - | |
| Flowers for my hair flowers at the breast Sweet flowers | Q |
| He'll crush you 'gainst his corslet He has arms | Q |
| Like bands of iron for clasping has my love | O2 |
| He'll hurt he'll hurt But oh sweet flowers to lie | Q |
| And feel you helpless while he grips and bruises | Q |
| Your weak protesting breasts You'll die in bliss | Q |
| Panting your fragrance out | |
| Wh'st Hush poor fool | Q |
| I have unlearned love's very alphabet | |
| Men like us coy demure Then I'll coquet | |
| And play Madam Disdain but not to day | |
| To morrow I'll be shrewish shy perverse | Q |
| Exacting cold all April in my moods | Q |
| We'll walk the forest and I'll slip from him | E3 |
| Hide me like Dryad 'mid the oaks and mark | |
| His hot dark face pursuing or I'll couch | |
| In covert green and hold my breath to hear | Z |
| His blundering foot go by then up I'll leap | |
| And run and he'll run after O this lightness | Q |
| I'll draw him like a fairy dance and double | Q |
| Yet not so fast but he shall overtake | |
| At length and catch me panting O I charge you | H4 |
| I charge you daughters of Jerusalem | E3 |
| Wake not my love beneath the forest bough | Z |
| Where we lie dreaming | G |
| - | |
| Fanfare of trumpets in the distance | Q |
| - | |
| Trumpets hark and drums | Q |
| They have landed From the quay they march | |
| Flowers flowers | Q |
| They are near I see him Carlo lord and love | O2 |
| He looks waves O 'tis he O foolish heart | |
| I had feared he'd ta'en a wound | |
| What is't they shout | |
| Eh 'Victory ' yes yes He's browner thinner | Z |
| And the dear eyes how gaunt Yes | Q |
| 'Victory ' | - |
| 'Victory ' lord and love | O2 |
| - | |
| The shouts of acclamation are heard now close | Q |
| under the terrace Spears and banners are | Z |
| seen trooping past Beside herself she throws | Q |
| flowers to them laughing weeping the while | Q |
| Then running to the Chapel door she | |
| prostrates herself before the image of the | E3 |
| Virgin that crowns its archway | |
| - | |
| O Mary Mother | Z |
| Thou in whose breast all women's thoughts have moved | |
| All woman's passions heaved Lo I adore | Z |
| Sweet Mother hold my hands rejoice with me | |
| My bridegroom cometh | |
| - | |
| During this invocation the Countess Fulvia has crept in a stiletto in her hand She leans over the Regent and stabs her twice in the breast | |
| - | |
| Fulvia Then with that and that | |
| Go meet him | E3 |
| - | |
| Regent turns looks up and falls on her face | Q |
| Oh I am slain | B3 |
| - | |
| Fulvia And I am worse | Q |
| But there's my flower my red flower on your breast | |
| Go meet your lord and show it | |
| - | |
| She passes down the steps as Lucetta runs in | |
| - | |
| Lucetta Madam Madam | E3 |
| The Duke is at the gate Madam | E3 |
| Christ she is murdered Murder Murder | Z |
| - | |
| Regent Fie | O2 |
| Lucetta peace What word to greet the Duke | W |
| For his home coming Lift me Quick my robe | |
| My Crown Call no one O but hasten | C |
| - | |
| Lucetta helpless wringing her hands Madam | E3 |
| - | |
| Regent I need your strength and must I steady you | H4 |
| Lucetta years ago you disarrayed me | |
| Upon my bridal night I would you'd whisper | Z |
| The rogueries your tongue invented then | G3 |
| I have few moments girl I'd have them wanton | C |
| Make jest this mantle hides the maid I was | Q |
| I'll have no priest no doctor Fetch Tonino | C |
| I must present his son | C |
| Lucetta runs out | |
| All's acted quick | I |
| Bride bed conception birth and death But he | |
| Shall sum it in one moment death not takes | Q |
| What noise of trumpets Is the wound not covered | |
| - | |
| She wraps herself carefully in her mantle as the courtiers pour in The child Tonino runs to her and stands by her side Lucio Cesario all the Court group themselves round her as the Duke enters He rushes in eagerly but she sets her teeth on her anguish and receives him with a low reverence | Q |
| - | |
| Welcome my lord | |
| - | |
| Duke Ottilia | Q |
| - | |
| Regent Good my lord | |
| Welcome This day is bright restores you to | H4 |
| Your loyal Duchy | |
| - | |
| Duke impatient Wife Ottilia | Q |
| - | |
| Regent she lifts a hand to keep him at distance | Q |
| There must be forms my lord some forms Cesario | Q |
| Render the Duke his sceptre As bar to socket | |
| When the gate closes on a town secure | Z |
| So locks this rod back to his manly clutch | |
| Cry all 'Long live the Duke ' | - |
| - | |
| All Long live the Duke | W |
| - | |
| Duke Wife make an end with forms | Q |
| - | |
| Lucio to Cesario And so say I | Q |
| A man would think my sister had no blood | |
| In her body | |
| - | |
| Cesario watching the Regent Peace man something there's amiss | Q |
| - | |
| Regent Yet here is he that sceptre shall inherit | |
| Lucetta lead his first born to the Duke | W |
| His first born Nay but look on him how straight | |
| Of limb how set and shoulder square tho' slender | Z |
| He'll sit a horse in time and toss a lance | Q |
| Even with his father | Z |
| - | |
| Duke There's my blessing boy | I3 |
| But stand aside Look in my face Ottilia | Q |
| Hearken me all One thing these seven years | Q |
| My life hath lacked which wanting all your cannon | C |
| Your banners vivas bells that rock the roofs | Q |
| Throng'd windows craning faces all all all | Q |
| Were phantasms were noise | Q |
| - | |
| Lucio exclaims Why look here's blood | |
| Here on the boy's hand | |
| - | |
| Regent Ay a scratch no worse | Q |
| Here when I pinned my robe | |
| - | |
| Duke continuing Nay friends this moment | |
| My Duchy her dear hand restores to me | |
| To me's a dream More buoyant would I tread | |
| Dumb street deserted square climb ruin'd wall | Q |
| Where in a heap beneath a broken flag | |
| Lay Adria | E3 |
| So that amid the ruins stood my love | O2 |
| And stretched her hands so faintly stretched her hands | Q |
| So faintly See She's mine She lifts them | E3 |
| - | |
| Regent totters and falls into his arms with a tired happy laugh which ends in a cry as his arms enfold her Ah | |
| - | |
| She faints | Q |
| - | |
| Duke after a moment releasing her a little What's here Ottilia | Q |
| - | |
| Lucetta My mistress swoons | Q |
| - | |
| A Courtier 'Tis happiness | Q |
| - | |
| Duke Fetch water | Z |
| - | |
| Lucio Nay this blood | |
| Came of no scratch | |
| - | |
| Lucetta Loosen her bodice | Q |
| - | |
| Duke Blood | |
| Why blood Where's blood | |
| - | |
| Stares as the mantle is imclasped and falls open | C |
| Ah my God | |
| - | |
| Lucetta Murder murder | Z |
| The Countess Fulvia | E3 |
| - | |
| Cesario Speak | |
| - | |
| Lucetta There while she knelt | |
| Stabbed her and fled | |
| - | |
| Cesario Which way | |
| - | |
| Lucetta points to the stairs He dashes off in pursuit | |
| - | |
| Duke All seeing God | |
| Where were thine eyes or else thy justice Dead | |
| O never dead | |
| - | |
| Lucio Ay Duke push God aside | |
| As I push thee I have the better right | |
| I killed her I O never pass sweet soul | Q |
| Till thou hast drunk a shudder of this wretch | |
| Thy brother playmate murderer | Z |
| - | |
| Duke Wine bring wine | C |
| - | |
| Regent as the wine is brought and revives her | Z |
| Flower he will crush thee but the bliss the bliss | Q |
| I swim in bliss What Lucio Where's my lord | |
| Dear bring him he was here awhile and held me | |
| Say he must hold or the light air will lift | |
| And bear me quite away | |
| - | |
| Re enter Cesario In one hand he carries his sword in the other a dagger | Z |
| - | |
| Lucio Cesario | Q |
| What Is that devil escaped To think to think | N4 |
| I drank her kisses What Where is she | |
| - | |
| Cesario Dead | |
| I raised the cry the people pointed after | Z |
| Ran with me ravening Just this side the bridge | P2 |
| She heard our howl and turned drew back the dagger | Z |
| Red with our lady's blood then drove it home | E3 |
| Clean to her own black heart | |
| - | |
| Regent God pardon her | Z |
| I would what blood of mine clung to the blade | |
| Might mix with hers and sweeten it for mercy | |
| - | |
| Lucio Will you forgive her Then forgive not me | |
| - | |
| Regent Dear Lucio You'll not pluck away your hand | |
| This time Hush Where's Cesario Friend farewell | Q |
| Where lies the body | |
| - | |
| Cesario Sooth madonna I flung it | |
| To the river's will to roll it down to sea | |
| Or cast on muddy bar for dogs to gnaw | C |
| - | |
| Regent The river Ah How strong the river rolls | Q |
| Hold me my lord | |
| - | |
| Duke Love love I hold you | H4 |
| - | |
| Regent Ay | |
| The child too You will hold the child | |
| This roar | Z |
| Deafens but will not drown us | Q |
| - | |
| Within the Chapel the choir is chanting a dirge Gamba goes and closes the door on the sound then creeps to the foot of the couch The dying woman gently motions aside the cross a priest is holding to her and looks up at her husband | |
| - | |
| Below the terrace a voice is heard singing the Rondinello song | Y2 |
| - | |
| Look beyond | |
| Be waters where no galley moves with oar | Z |
| So wide so waveless and between the woods | Q |
| Meadows O land me there Hark my lord's voice | Q |
| Singing in Vallescura Soft my love | O2 |
| I am so tired so tired Love let me play | |
| Dies | Q |
| - | |
| The Courtiers lift the body in silence and bear it to the Chapel the Duke and his train following The doors close on them On the stage are left only Cesario standing by the balustrade and Gamba who has seated himself with his viol and touches it as still the voice sings below | Q |
| - | |
| Addio Addio ed un'altra volt'addio | |
| La lundananza tua 'l desiderio mio | |
| - | |
| On the last note a string of the viol cracks and with a cry the Fool flings himself heart broken on the empty couch Cesario steps forward and stands over him touching his shoulder gently | |
| - | |
| CURTAIN | C |
Arthur Thomas Quiller-couch
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