The Spagnoletto Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDBECCBFFFGCCF FC HHFFGF FGGFF FC FCCIC FJCK FCDLMCFGFNOPG CFCCFFCQFFFCCCCRSF FTFUC FVFC FW FCFFCF FFF FCFFFFX FCY FZCCCA2CF CFA FEB2AFC2D2V FGE2FF2D2 FG2VPFCFFH2ED2UD2D2C SI2J2CCFD2CFCFFCFD2 FEC FK2CFGL2FCCCCFPCD2G2 FM2C FGJ FCN2D2F FD2G FGCCFFFCVFD2C FCFD2PF2K2CCR FFO2FFP2K2FSCB2Q2R2F FC FB2GFS2AC2F FFCK2AI2IFD2 FD2F D2T2F FCCU2CK2FCJ2CFFFC D2V2CK2D2C FFK2VD2CCCCG FFT2F FFW2K2FX2GG FCCCY2Z2FCD2B2RCE FA3C FJCF2CFFF FZ2K2CB3F UCD2CC3GFK2D3CZ2E3FC GF3CFCCCG3EFED2Y2CZ2 CK2FGJMFCHF FEFD2 K2FECCH3G GFGFA3CI3 FV2Y2J3FK2E FFFFF FCFJFK2 FFFK2FK2FFK2K3CHCFF K2D2 FEFCK2CCCL3 FFCFF FFR FFD2 CD2C FCFECV2F V2L3F V2V2CK3F V2FFFE FV2F V2E3CFFCEK2FC FCK2M3 V2FF FF V2Z2CFCFCFM3K2FF FFFD2 V2FFFFCD2 FM3N3 V2CK2CZ2C FD2L3V2K2Y2D2 V2M3 FM3V2CCM3 V2L3 FCM3CK2CZ2C V2CK2FFCF FD2K2FK2M3FV2K2K2 V2FFV2FM3M3F FK2 V2CD2Z2K2L3V2CFCF FC V2FC FCD2FCD2O3V2C V2C FCK2 V2M3K2CK2 HC CF V2V2 CCP3CCFCFF V2M3 CV2V2L3HFF V2FCHHFM3CCFCL3CM3M3 CV2CN3FL3CV2FCC V2HK2 CC V2CK2 CCFD2F V2CV2D2CD2V2 V2CCFFM3 FFC V2CM3CD2FFFL3L3K2CCQ 2FK2 K2FCC V2L3K2FK2L3K2K2 HHV2FV2 K2D2FK2 K2FFV2K2F K2FK2 K2FFM3K2D2K2FC K2FD2 K2K2K2M3 K2FQ3FK2K2V2 K2K2K2V2 K2K2D2K2K2FFM3 M3FV2K2M3FCK2K2 V2K2K2F M3M3V2M3 V2Q3K2V2FFFFK2FFC M3FM3M3K2M3 V2K2F M3K2M3 HK2V2V2F V2D2FFK2V2R3FK2M3V2K 2K2K2FM3E3V2FK2FK2FF K2FK2M3FM3V2K2FK2V2 M3V2K2M3 V2K2 M3K2 V2K2V2K2F M3S3 V2E3F M3K2K2FK2 V2K2FK2K2V2CK2M3K2K2 K2K2K2K2 M3M3FT3K2FFK2L3M3K2F FK2 V2FK2FFK2K2D2 M3F V2K2K2V2 V2FFK2FFFV2K2FV2FK2F K2U3V2 V2K2K2 M3V2K2FV2V3V2 V2V2 V2M3FK2FK2K2V2K2 M3K2CK2W3V2 V2K2FV2V2 M3M3V2 V2D2F V2K2V2 M3M3K2K2FK2K2K2K2FV2 K2FK2FK2 HK2V2FK2 FV2FV2FM3M3 V2FV2FM3M3 K2V2K2K2M3M3 FM3K2Z2L3M3K2K2K2FM3 N3K2K2M3K2FK2 K2V2FK2K2K2K2V2V2K2K 2K2FY2M3L3 K2K2M3FK2V2 K2FM3K2FV2V2V2V3K2L3 L3 V2K2V2M3M3 K2V2 V2V2K2V2F K2K2M3M3M3FK2L3K2V2 V2V2K2K2K2M3Z2K2 K2K2K2FK2K2 V2L3K2D2F K2V2K2K2 V2K2FD2FK2K2FM3V2K2V 2FFK2V2FK2E3M3K2M3K2 K2 K2D2M3K2K2 K2K2K2 K2K2M3 V2K2V2K2K2K2F K2FD2K2V2 V2V2 V2K2 V2D2K2K2K2K2FFM3K2 V2D2V2V2K2K2V2 V2K2 V2V2K2 V2K2K2D2K2K2FFK2K2FM 3 V2K2K2FM3D2V2 V2D2V2K2FK2K2 HHV2F R3V2 V2M3 V2K2D2K2FK2M3V2 V2K2 V2M3 V2K2V2 V2K2M3M3M3K2K2D2L3FK 2K2M3FV2K2FL3V2W3K2K 2K2K2FK2 K2K2 V2FK2F K2M3L3X3 D2K2K2FD2D2K2K2V2K2K 2K2D2K2K2FFM3K2L3V2 V2FV2 V2M3L3K2 V2FY3FK2M3V2FK2 V2K2K2F M3K2K2Z2Z3M3K2 V2FFFF L3K2 K2M3K2V2 M3D2FK2K2K2K2D2FV2 FK2K2K2K2FK2 M3D2K2K2K2 M3K2K2F K2V2F M3K2V2 K2FM3FK2K2M3 M3D2K2FFFK2R3K2K2V2 K2K2K2K2FD2FK2FA4K2F FK2K2FFFY2K2V2K2K2 M3R3K2FFR3K2 K2M3 V2M3V2 K2M3F M3K2K2B4K2Z2K2K2 K2FK2K2K2K2K2K2 M3K2K2M3M3K2V2M3R3 K2K2K2FK2V2 K2FK2 M3K2K2D2K2V2 K2FFM3FK2M3 M3K2F K2V2FC4K2 L3F K2K2D2K2Q3K2 M3K2K2K2M3FM3D2K2K2 K2K2K2D4M3FFM3K2F M3Q3M3K2F K2FD2K2A4K2K2L3D2K2F FK2 M3K2FFFK2K2M3 K2K2K2K2 D2FFK2V2F K2M3K2 K2K2F M3FK2M3 K2L3FFM3FFM3R3E4FFM3 K2D2FF K2FM3F4 K2FFK2FFK2 K2FFM3K2K2 K2D2K2M3K2L3FFK2FFK2 FFL3M3FFF HK2 FK2R3FG4FFK2 K2K2K2FL3FFF FFF K2L3D2K2W3 FFF K2FD2FK2K2 FM3E4K2FK2K2D2FK2FFK 2 K2F FK2FFL3FFFFF K2FF FFFF K2F HM3 M3M3FL3R3D2L3FFFK2FF M3FFM3FK2F K2K2 M3L3K2FFFF K2M3FK2 M3K2FFFL3R3K2 K2FFF M3L3FFFK2FH4M3FK2M3F FK2K2 M3FFK2Z2K2 K2FK2L3Z2K2 M3FL3M3 K2FK2FFM3A4L3FM3FFK2 L3K2 K2M3 K2K2FFFF K2F FFFF K2K2FFF K2K2FFR3DRAMATIS PERSONAE | A |
DON JOHN of AUSTRIA | B |
JOSEF RIBERA the Spagnoletto | C |
LORENZO noble young Italian artist pupil of Ribera | B |
DON TOMMASO MANZANO | D |
LUCA servant to Ribera | B |
A GENTLEMAN | E |
FIRST LORD | C |
SECOND LORD | C |
MARIA ROSA daughter to Ribera | B |
ANNICCA daughter to Ribera and wife to Don Tommaso | F |
FIAMETTA servant to Maria Rosa | F |
ABBESS | F |
LAY SISTER | G |
FIRST LADY | C |
SECOND LADY | C |
Lords Ladies Gentlemen Servants | F |
- | |
SCENE During the first four acts in Naples latter part of the | F |
fifth act in Palermo Time about | C |
- | |
ACT I | H |
SCENE I | H |
The studio of the Spagnoletto RIBERA at work before his canvas | F |
MARIA seated some distance behind him a piece of embroidery is | F |
in her hands but she glances up from it incessantly toward her | G |
father with impatient movements | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Father | G |
RIBERA absorbed in his work makes no reply she puts by her | G |
embroidery goes toward him and kisses him gently He starts | F |
looks up at her and returns her caress | F |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
My child | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Already you forget | C |
Oh heedless father Did you not promise me | C |
To lay aside your brush to day at noon | I |
And tell me the great secret | C |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Ah 't is true | J |
I am to blame But it is morning yet | C |
My child wait still a little | K |
- | |
MARIA | F |
'T is morning yet | C |
Nay it was noon one mortal hour ago | D |
All patience I have sat till you should turn | L |
And beckon me The rosy angels breathe | M |
Upon the canvas I might sit till night | C |
And if I spake not you would never glance | F |
From their celestial faces Dear my father | G |
Your brow is moist and yet your hands are ice | F |
Your very eyes are tired pray rest awhile | N |
The Spagnoletto need no longer toil | O |
As in the streets of Rome for beggars' fare | P |
Now princes bide his pleasure | G |
- | |
RIBERA throws aside his brush and palette | C |
Ah Maria | F |
Thou speak'st in season Let me ne'er forget | C |
Those days of degradation when I starved | C |
Before the gates of palaces The germs | F |
Stirred then within me of the perfect fruits | F |
Wherewith my hands have since enriched God's world | C |
Vengeance I vowed for every moment's sting | Q |
Vengeance on wealth rank station fortune genius | F |
See while I paint all else escapes my sense | F |
Save this bright throng of phantasies that press | F |
Upon my brain each claiming from my hand | C |
Its immortality But thou my child | C |
Remind'st me of mine oath my sacred pride | C |
The eternal hatred lodged within my breast | C |
Philip of Spain shall wait I will not deign | R |
To add to day the final touch of life | S |
Unto this masterpiece | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
So that is well | T |
Put by the envious brush that separates | F |
Father from daughter Now you are all mine own | U |
And now your secret | C |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Mine 'T is none of mine | V |
'T is thine Maria John of Austria | F |
Desires our presence at his ball to night | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Prince John | W |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Ay girl Prince John I looked to see | C |
A haughty joy dance sparkling in thine eyes | F |
And burn upon thy cheek But what is this | F |
Timid and pale thou droop'st thy head abashed | C |
As a poor flower girl whom a lord accosts | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Forgive me Sure 't is you Don John desires | F |
The prince of artists | F |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Art Prate not of art | C |
Think'st thou I move an artist 'midst his guests | F |
As such I commune with a loftier race | F |
Angels and spirits are my ministers | F |
These do I part aside to grace his halls | F |
A Spanish gentleman and so his peer | X |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Father I am not well my head throbs fast | C |
Unwonted languor weighs upon my frame | Y |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Anger me not Maria 'T is my will | Z |
Thou shalt obey Hell what these women be | C |
No obstacle would daunt them in the quest | C |
Of that which freely given they reject | C |
Hold Haply just occasion bids thee seem | A2 |
Unlike thyself Speak fearlessly child | C |
Confide to me thy knowledge thy surmise | F |
- | |
MARIA hurriedly | C |
No father you were right I have no cause | F |
Punish me nay forgive and I obey | A |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
There spake my child kiss me and be forgiven | E |
Sometimes I doubt thou playest upon my love | B2 |
Willfully knowing me as soft as clay | A |
Whom the world knows of marble In such moods | F |
I see my spirit mirror's first and then | C2 |
From thy large eyes thy sainted mother's soul | D2 |
Unclouded shine | V |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Can I be like to her | G |
I only knew her faded white and grave | E2 |
And so she still floats vaguely through my dreams | F |
With eyes like your own angels' and a brow | F2 |
Worthy an aureole | D2 |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
An earthly crown | G2 |
My princess might more fitly rest on thine | V |
Annicca hath her colors blue black hair | P |
And pale brown flesh and gray untroubled eyes | F |
Yet thou more often bring'st her to mind | C |
For all the tawny gold of thy thick locks | F |
Thy rare white face and brilliant Spanish orbs | F |
Thine is her lisping trick of voice her laugh | H2 |
The blithest music still this side of heaven | E |
Thine her free springing gait though therewithal | D2 |
A swaying languid motion all thine own | U |
Recalls Valencia more than Italy | D2 |
Like and unlike thou art to her as still | D2 |
My memory loves to hold her as she first | C |
Beamed like the star of morning on my life | S |
Hot faint and footsore I had paced since dawn | I2 |
The sun baked streets of Naples seeking work | J2 |
Not alms despite the beggar that I looked | C |
Now 't was nigh vespers and my suit had met | C |
With curt refusal sharp rebuff and gibes | F |
Praised be the saints for every drop of gall | D2 |
In that day's brimming cup I have upheld | C |
A poisoned beaker to another's lips | F |
Many a one hath the Ribera taught | C |
To fare a vagabond through alien streets | F |
A god unrecognized 'midst churls and clowns | F |
With kindled soul aflame and body faint | C |
Or lack of bread Domenichino knows | F |
And Gessi Guido Annibal Caracci | D2 |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Dear father calm yourself You had begun | E |
To tell me how you saw my mother first | C |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
True I forgot it not Why I AM calm | K2 |
The old man now can well be grave and cold | C |
Or laugh at his own youth's indignities | F |
Past a long lifetime back 'T was vespers' hour | G |
Or nigh it when I reached her father's door | L2 |
Kind was his greeting the first cordial words | F |
I heard in Naples but I took small heed | C |
Of speech or toe for all my sense was rapt | C |
In wonder at the angel by his side | C |
Who smiled upon me Large clear eyes that held | C |
The very soul of sunlight in their depths | F |
Low pure pale brow with masses of black hair | P |
Flung loosely back and rippling unconfined | C |
In shadowy magnificence below | D2 |
The slim gold girdle o'er the snow soft gown | G2 |
Vested and draped about her throat and waist and wrists | F |
A stately lily ere the dew of morn | M2 |
Hath passed away such was thy mother child | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Would I were like her But what said she father | G |
How did she plead for you | J |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Ah cunning child | C |
I see thy tricks thou humorest my age | N2 |
Knowing how much I love to tell this tale | D2 |
Though thou hast heard it half a hundred times | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
I find it sweet to hear as you to tell | D2 |
Believe me father | G |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
'T was to pleasure her | G |
Signor Cortese gave me all I lacked | C |
To prove my unfamed skill A savage pride | C |
Matched oddly with my rags the haughtiness | F |
Wherewith I claimed rather than begged my tools | F |
And my quaint aspect oft she told me since | F |
Won at a glance her faith Before I left | C |
She guessed my need and served me meat and wine | V |
With her own flower white hands The parting grace | F |
I craved was granted that my work might be | D2 |
The portrait of herself Thou knowest the rest | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Why did she leave us father Oh how oft | C |
I yearn to see her face to hear her voice | F |
Hushed in an endless silence Strange that she | D2 |
Whose rich love beggared our return should bear | P |
Such separation Though engirdled now | F2 |
By heavenly hosts of saints and seraphim | K2 |
I cannot fancy it What shall her child | C |
Whose lightest sigh reechoed in her heart | C |
Have need of her and cry to her in vain | R |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Now for God's sake Maria speak not thus | F |
Let me not see such tears upon thy cheek | O2 |
Not unto us it has been given to guess | F |
The peace of disembodied souls like hers | F |
The vanishing glimpses that my fancies catch | P2 |
Through heaven's half opened gates exalt even me | K2 |
Poor sinner that I am And what are these | F |
The painted shadows that make all my life | S |
A glory to the splendor of that light | C |
For thee my child has not my doting love | B2 |
Sufficed at least in part to fill the breach | Q2 |
Of that tremendous void What dost thou lack | R2 |
What help what counsel what most dear caress | F |
What dost thou covet What least whim remains | F |
Ungratified because not yet expressed | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
None none dear father Pardon me Thy love | B2 |
Generous and wise as tender shames my power | G |
To merit or repay Fie o my lips | F |
Look if they be not blistered Let them smooth | S2 |
With contrite kisses the last frown away | A |
We must be young to night no wrinkles then | C2 |
Genius must show immortal as she is | F |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Thou wilt unman me with thy pretty ways | F |
I had forgot the ball Yea I grow old | C |
This scanty morning's work has wearied me | K2 |
Once I had thought it play to dream all day | A |
Before my canvas and then dance till dawn | I2 |
And now must I give o'er and rest at noon | I |
Rises | F |
Enter LUCA ushering in LORENZO who carries a portfolio | D2 |
- | |
LUCA | F |
Signor Lorenzo | D2 |
LORENZO ceremoniously salutes RIBERA and MARIA Exit LUCA | F |
- | |
LORENZO | D2 |
Master I bring my sketch | T2 |
Opens his portfolio and hands a sketch to RIBERA | F |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Humph the design is not so ill conceived | C |
I note some progress but your drawing's bad | C |
Yes bad sir Mark you how this leg hangs limp | U2 |
As though devoid of life these hands seem clenched | C |
Not loosely clasped as you intended them | K2 |
He takes his pencil and makes a few strokes | F |
Thus should it stand a single line will mend | C |
And here what's this Why 't is a sloven's work | J2 |
You dance too many nights away young gallant | C |
You shirk close labor as do all your mates | F |
You think to win with service frivolous | F |
Snatched 'twixt your cups or set between two kisses | F |
The favor of the mistress of the world | C |
- | |
LORENZO | D2 |
Your pardon master but you do me wrong | V2 |
Mayhap I lack the gift Alas I fear it | C |
But not the patience not the energy | K2 |
Of earnest indefatigable toil | D2 |
That help to make the artist | C |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
'S death He dares | F |
Belie me and deny the testimony | K2 |
Of his own handiwork whose every line | V |
Betrays a sluggard soul an indolent will | D2 |
A brain that's bred to idleness So be it | C |
Master Lorenzo tells the Spagnoletto | C |
His own defects and qualities 'T were best | C |
He find another teacher competent | C |
To guide so apt so diligent a scholar | G |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Dear father what hath given thee offence | F |
Cast but another glance upon the sketch | T2 |
Surely it hath some grace some charm some promise | F |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Daughter stand by I know these insolent slips | F |
Of young nobility they lack the stuff | W2 |
That makes us artists What to answer me | K2 |
When next I drop a hint as to his colors | F |
The lengthening or the shortening of a stroke | X2 |
He'll bandy words with me about his error | G |
To prove himself the master | G |
- | |
LORENZO | F |
If my defect | C |
Be an hereditary grain i' the blood | C |
Even as you say I must abide by it | C |
But if patrician habits more than birth | Y2 |
Beget such faults then may I dare to hope | Z2 |
Not mine I knew I felt to clear new paths | F |
To win new kingdoms yet were I content | C |
With such achievement as a strenuous will | D2 |
A firm endeavor unfaltering love | B2 |
And an unwearying spirit might attain | R |
Cast me not lightly back Banish me not | C |
From this my home of hope of inspiration | E |
- | |
MARIA | F |
What my ungentle father Will you hear | A3 |
And leave this worthy signor's suit unanswered | C |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Well he may bide Sir I will speak with you | J |
Anon upon this work I judged in haste | C |
Yea it hath merit I am weary now | F2 |
To morrow I shall be in fitter mood | C |
To give you certain hints | F |
LORENZO bows his thanks and advances to address MARIA RIBERA | F |
silences and dismisses him with a wave of the hand Exit LORENZO | F |
- | |
RIBERA | F |
Should I o'ersleep | Z2 |
Mine hour Maria thou must awaken me | K2 |
But come what may I will be fresh to night | C |
To triumph in thy triumph | B3 |
Exit RIBERA | F |
- | |
MARIA alone | U |
Could I have told | C |
Then when he bade me Nay what is to tell | D2 |
He had flouted me for prizing at such height | C |
Homage so slight from John of Austria even | C3 |
A glance exchanged a smile a fallen flower | G |
Dropped from my hair and pressed against his lips | F |
The Prince my father gloats upon that name | K2 |
Were he no more than gentleman I think | D3 |
I should be glad I cannot tell to day | C |
If I be sad or gay Now could I weep | Z2 |
Warm longing tears anon a fire of joy | E3 |
Leaps in my heart and dances through my veins | F |
Why should I nurse such idle thoughts Tonight | C |
We are to meet again Will he remember | G |
Nay how should he forget His heart is young | F3 |
His eyes do mirror loyalty Oh day | C |
Quicken thy dull slow round of tedious hours | F |
God make me beautiful this happy night | C |
My father's sleeping saint rebukes my thought | C |
Strange he has left his work against his wont | C |
Revealed before completed I will draw | G3 |
The curtain | E |
She stands irresolute before the picture with her hand on the | F |
curtain | E |
Beautiful oh beautiful | D2 |
The far bright opened heavens the dark earth | Y2 |
Where the tranced pilgrim lies with eyelids sealed | C |
His calm face flushed with comfortable sleep | Z2 |
His weary limbs relaxed his heavy head | C |
Pillowed upon the stone Oh blessed dream | K2 |
That visits his rapt sense of airy forms | F |
Mounting descending on the shining ladder | G |
With messages of peace I will be true | J |
Unto my lineage divine and breathe | M |
The passion of just pride that overfills | F |
HIS soul inspired | C |
While she stands before the canvas reenter unperceived by | H |
her LORENZO | F |
- | |
LORENZO | F |
Oh celestial vision | E |
What brush may reproduce those magic tints | F |
Those lines ethereal | D2 |
- | |
MARIA turns suddenly | K2 |
Is it not marvellous | F |
Signor Lorenzo I would draw the curtain | E |
But gazing I forgot | C |
You are the first | C |
After the master and myself to look | H3 |
Upon this wonder | G |
- | |
LORENZO with enthusiasm looking for he first time at the picture | G |
Ah what an answer this | F |
For envious minds that would restrict his power | G |
To writhing limbs and shrivelled flesh Repose | F |
Beauty and large simplicity are here | A3 |
Yes that is art Before such work I stand | C |
And feel myself a dwarf | I3 |
- | |
MARIA | F |
There you are wrong | V2 |
My father even who knows his proper worth | Y2 |
Before his best achievements I have seen | J3 |
In like dejection 't is the curse of genius | F |
Oft have I heard the master grace your name | K2 |
With flattering addition | E |
- | |
LORENZO | F |
'T is your goodness | F |
And not the echo of his praise that speaks | F |
My work was worthless 't was your generous voice | F |
Alone secured the master's second glance | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Nay signor frankly he esteems your talent | C |
Because you are of well assured means | F |
And gentle birth he will be rude to you | J |
Not without base is the deep grudge he owes | F |
To riches and prosperity | K2 |
- | |
LORENZO | F |
Signora | F |
Why do I bear such harsh injurious terms | F |
As he affronts me with Why must I seem | K2 |
In mine own eyes a craven Spiritless | F |
Dishonorably patient 'T is not his fame | K2 |
His power his gift his venerable years | F |
That bind me here his willing slave Maria | F |
'T is thou 't is thou alone 'T is that I love thee | K2 |
And exile hence is death | K3 |
A pause He kneels at her feet She looks at him kindly but | C |
makes no reply | H |
At thy dear feet | C |
I lay my life with its most loyal service | F |
The subject of thy pleasure | F |
- | |
MARIA tenderly | K2 |
You are too humble | D2 |
- | |
LORENZO | F |
Too humble Do you seek mine utter ruin | E |
With words whose very tone is a caress | F |
I say all I love you you have known it | C |
Why should I tell you Yet to day you seem | K2 |
Other than you have been A milder light | C |
Beams from your eyes a gentler grace is throned | C |
Upon your brow your words fall soft as dew | C |
To melt my fixed resolve | L3 |
- | |
MARIA | F |
You find me signor | F |
In an unguarded mood I would be true | C |
To you and to myself yet know no answer | F |
Anon I will be calm pray you withdraw | F |
- | |
LORENZO | F |
Till when Remember what mad hopes and fears | F |
Meantime will riot in my brain | R |
- | |
MARIA | F |
To morrow | F |
Farewell farewell | D2 |
- | |
LORENZO kisses her hand | C |
Farewell | D2 |
Exit | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
A faithful heart | C |
A name untainted a fair home yea these | F |
Are what I need Oh lily soul in heaven | E |
Who wast on earth my mother guide thy child | C |
While MARIA sits rapt in thought enter from behind her ANNICCA | V2 |
who bends over her and kisses her brow | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
What sister lost in dreams by daylight Fie | L3 |
Who is the monarch of thy thoughts | F |
- | |
MARIA starting | V2 |
Annicca | V2 |
My thoughts are bounden to no master yet | C |
They fly from earth to heaven in a breath | K3 |
Now are they all of earth Hast heard the tidings | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Yea of the Prince's ball We go together | F |
Braid in thy hair our mother's pearls and wear | F |
The amulet ingemmed with eastern stones | F |
'T will bring good fortune | E |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Tell me ere we go | V2 |
What manner of man is John of Austria | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Scarce man at all a madcap charming boy | E3 |
Well favored you have seen him exquisite | C |
In courtly compliment of simple manners | F |
You may not hear a merrier laugh than his | F |
From any boatman on the bay well versed | C |
In all such arts as most become his station | E |
Light in the dance as winged foot Mercury | K2 |
Eloquent on the zither and a master | F |
Of rapier and | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
A puppet could be made | C |
To answer in all points your praise of him | K2 |
Hath he no substance as of a man | M3 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Why sister | F |
What may that be to us | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
He is our Prince | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
The promise of his youth is to outstrip | Z2 |
The hero of Lepanto bright and bold | C |
As fire he is the very soul the star | F |
Of Spanish chivalry his last achievement | C |
Seems still the flower of his accomplishments | F |
Musician soldier courtier yea and artist | C |
He had been a painter were he not a prince | F |
Says Messer Zurbaran The Calderona | M3 |
His actress mother hath bequeathed to him | K2 |
Her spirit with her beauty and the power | F |
To win and hold men's hearts | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
I knew it sister | F |
His eye hath a command in it his brow | F |
Seems garlanded with laurel | D2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
What is this | F |
You kindle with his praise your whole heart glows | F |
In light and color on your face your words | F |
Take wing and fly as bold as reckless birds | F |
What can so rash a thought a dream so wild | C |
So hopeless an ambition tempt your soul | D2 |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Pray you what thought what dream and what ambition | M3 |
I knew not I had uttered any such | N3 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Nor have you in your speech your eyes now veiled | C |
Where the light leaped to hear me voice his fame | K2 |
Your blushes and your pallor have betrayed | C |
That which should lie uncounted fathom deep | Z2 |
The secret of a woman's foolish heart | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
And there it lies my sibyl sister still | D2 |
Your plummet hath not reached it Yes 't is love | L3 |
Flaunts his triumphant colors in my cheek | V2 |
And quickens my lame speech but not for him | K2 |
Not for the Prince so may I vaunt his worth | Y2 |
With a free soul | D2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Say on | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | F |
A gentleman | M3 |
Favored of earth and heaven true and loving | V2 |
Hath cast his heart at my imperial feet | C |
And if to morrow find me as to day | C |
I will e'en stoop and raise it to mine own | M3 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Signor Vitruvio | L3 |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Not he indeed | C |
Did not I say favored of earth and heaven | M3 |
That should mean other gifts than bags of gold | C |
Or a straight featured mask Nor will it be | K2 |
Any you name though you should name him right | C |
Must it not lie how many fathom deep | Z2 |
The secret of a woman's foolish heart | C |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Kiss me Maria You are still a child | C |
You cannot vex me wilful as you be | K2 |
Your choice I fear not doubtless 't will prove wise | F |
Despite your wild wit for your heart is pure | F |
And you will pause with sure deliberate judgment | C |
Before you leave our father | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Does love steal | D2 |
So gently o'er our soul What if he come | K2 |
A cloud a fire a whirlwind to o'erbear | F |
The feeble barriers wherewith we oppose him | K2 |
And blind our eyes and wrest from us our reason | M3 |
Fear not Annicca for in no such guise | F |
He visits my calm breast but yet you speak | V2 |
Somewhat too sagely Did such cautious wisdom | K2 |
Guide your own fancy | K2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Jest no more Maria | F |
Since I became a wife is much made clear | F |
Which a brief year ago was dark and vague | V2 |
Tommaso loves me we are happier | F |
Then I had dreamed yet matching now with then | M3 |
I see his love is not that large rich passion | M3 |
Our father bore us | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
You regret your home | K2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
No no I have no wish and no regret | C |
I speak for you His is a sovereign soul | D2 |
And all his passions loom in huger shape | Z2 |
Than lesser men's He brooks no rivalry | K2 |
With his own offspring and toward me his love | L3 |
Hath ebbed I mark to a more even flow | V2 |
While deeper stronger sets the powerful current | C |
Toward you alone Consider this Maria | F |
Nor wantonly discrown that sacred head | C |
Of your young love to wreathe some curled boy's brow | F |
- | |
MARIA | F |
Think you his wish were that I should not wed | C |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Nay that I say not for his pride aspires | F |
To see you nobly mated | C |
- | |
MARIA after a pause | F |
Him will I wed | C |
Whose name is ancient fair and honorable | D2 |
As the Ribera's is illustrious | F |
Him who no less than I will venerate | C |
That white divine old head In art his pupil | D2 |
In love his son tender as I to watch | O3 |
And to delay the slow extinguishing | V2 |
Of that great light | C |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
There spake his darling child | C |
- | |
MARIA | F |
What is't o'clock If he should sleep too late | C |
He bade me rouse him | K2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | V2 |
Haste to seek him then | M3 |
'T is hard on sunset and he looks for thee | K2 |
With his first waking motion Till to night | C |
Exeunt severally | K2 |
- | |
SCENE II | H |
A hall in RIBERA'S house Enter LUCA and FIAMETTA | C |
- | |
FIAMETTA | C |
But did you see her | F |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
Nay I saw her sister Donna Annicca | V2 |
- | |
FIAMETTA | C |
Tush man never name her beside my lady Maria Rosa You have lost | C |
the richest feast in the world for hungry eyes Her gown of cloth | P3 |
o' silver clad her as it were with light there twinkled about | C |
her waist a girdle stiff with stones you would have said they | C |
breathed Mine own hands wreathed the dropping pearls in her hair | F |
and pearls again were clasped around her throat But no I might | C |
tell thee every ornament her jeweled fan her comb of pearls her | F |
floating veil of gauze and still the best of all would escape us | F |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
Thou speakest more like her page than her handmaiden | M3 |
- | |
FIAMETTA | C |
Thou knowest not woman truly for all thy wit I speak most like a | V2 |
woman when I weigh the worth of beauty and rich apparel Heigh ho | V2 |
I have felt the need of this Thou good Luca who might have | L3 |
been my father canst understand me HE was poor as thou Why | H |
shouldst thou be his lackey his slave My hand were as dainty as | F |
hers if it could but be spared its daily labor | F |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
Yes poor child I understand thee and yet thou art wrong He is | F |
more slave to pride than I am to him I know him well Fiametta | C |
after so many years of service and to day I pity him more than I | H |
fear him Why girl my task is sport beside his toil If my | H |
limbs be weary I sleep but I have seen him sit before his canvas | F |
with straining eyes and the big beads standing on his brow When | M3 |
at last he gave o'er and I have smoothed his pillow and served | C |
and soothed him what sleep could he snatch His brain is haunted | C |
with evil visions whereof some be merely of his own imaginings | F |
and others the phantoms of folk who are living or have lived and | C |
who rouse his jealousy or mayhap his remorse God only knows If | L3 |
that be genius to be alive to pain at every pore to be possessed | C |
of a devil that robs you of your sleep and grants no space between | M3 |
the hours of grinding toil I thank the saints I am a simple man | M3 |
- | |
FIAMETTA | C |
I grant thee thou mayst be right concerning him he hath indeed a | V2 |
strange sour mien I shudder when he turns suddenly as his wont | C |
is and bends his evil eyes on me The holy father tells me such | N3 |
warnings come from God No matter how slight the service he asks | F |
of me my flesh creeps and my limbs refuse to move till I have | L3 |
whispered an Ave But what of Lady Maria Rosa Both heaven and | C |
earth smile upon her To night she wears a poor girl's dowry a | V2 |
separate fortune on her head her neck her hands yes on her | F |
little jeweled feet One tiny shoe of hers would make me free to | C |
wed my lad | C |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
If he have but eyes I warrant thee he finds jewels enough in thy | H |
bright face Tell me his name | K2 |
- | |
FIAMETTA | C |
Nay that is my secret | C |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
He must be a poor souled lad if he will wait till thou hast earned | C |
a dowry | K2 |
- | |
FIAMETTA | C |
A poor souled lad my good Vicenzo ah but no matter thou knowest | C |
him Luca my Lord Lorenzo's page There is he poor or mean or | F |
plain or dull He claims no dowry he but I have my pride as well | D2 |
as the great ones | F |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
May the saints preserve thee from such as theirs I am heartily glad | C |
of thy good fortune I am not sure whether thou or Lady Marie Rosa | V2 |
be the most favored Well the end proves all | D2 |
Exeunt | C |
Enter on one side ANNICCA and DON TOMMASO attired for the ball | D2 |
on the other side RIBERA | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
What do ye here my children Haste away | C |
Maria waits you for the ball folk say | C |
'T will be the bravest show e'er seen in Naples | F |
I warrant you the Spagnoletto brings | F |
The richest jewels what say'st thou my son | M3 |
- | |
DON TOMMASO | F |
I who have robbed you of one gem need scarce | F |
Re word sir how I prize it | C |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Why 't is true | C |
Robbed me thou sayst So hast thou She was mine | M3 |
The balanced beauty of her flesh and spirit | C |
That was my garland and I was her all | D2 |
Till thou a stranger stole her heart's allegiance | F |
Suborned Forgive me I am old a father | F |
Whose doting passions blind I am not jealous | F |
Believe me sir When we Riberas give | L3 |
We give without retraction or reserve | L3 |
Were it our life blood I rejoice with thee | K2 |
That she is thine nor am I quite bereft | C |
I have some treasure still I do repent | C |
So heartily of my discourteous speech | Q2 |
That I will crave your leave before I kiss | F |
Your wife's soft palm | K2 |
- | |
ANNICCA kissing him repeatedly | K2 |
Why father what is this | F |
Can Don Tommaso's wife so soon forget | C |
She is the Spagnoletto's child | C |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Enough | L3 |
I can bear praise thou knowest from all save thee | K2 |
And my Maria My grave son I fear | F |
Will mock these transports Pray go in with me | K2 |
No one of us but has this night a triumph | L3 |
Let us make ready | K2 |
Exeunt | K2 |
- | |
- | |
ACT II | H |
SCENE I | H |
Ball in the Palace of DON JOHN Dance DON JOHN and MARIA | V2 |
together DON TOMMASO ANNICCA LORDS and LADIES dancing or | F |
promenading | V2 |
- | |
st LORD | K2 |
Were it not better to withdraw awhile | D2 |
After our dance unto the torch lit gardens | F |
The air is fresh and sweet without | K2 |
- | |
st LADY | K2 |
Nay signor | F |
I like this heavy air rich with warm odors | F |
The broad clear light the many colored throng | V2 |
I might have breathed on mine own balcony | K2 |
The evening breeze | F |
- | |
st LORD | K2 |
Still at cross purposes | F |
When will you cease to flout me | K2 |
- | |
st LADY | K2 |
When I prize | F |
A lover's sigh more dear than mine own pleasure | F |
See the Signora Julia passed again | M3 |
She is far too pale for so much white I find | K2 |
Donna Aurora ah how beautiful | D2 |
That spreading ruff sprinkled with seeds of gold | K2 |
Becomes her well Would you believe it sir | F |
Folk say her face is twin to mine what think you | C |
- | |
st LORD | K2 |
For me the huge earth holds but one such face | F |
You know it well | D2 |
- | |
St LADY | K2 |
The hall is overfilled | K2 |
Go we without | K2 |
They pass on | M3 |
- | |
d LADY | K2 |
Thrice he hath danced with her | F |
She is not one of us her face is strange | Q3 |
Colored and carven to meet most men's desire | F |
Is't not my lord Certes it loses naught | K2 |
For lack of ornament Pray ask her name | K2 |
If but for my sake | V2 |
- | |
d LORD | K2 |
I have already asked | K2 |
She is the daughter to the Spagnoletto | K2 |
Maria Rosa | V2 |
- | |
d LADY | K2 |
Ah I might have guessed | K2 |
The form and face are matched with the apparel | D2 |
As in a picture 'T was the master's hand | K2 |
I warrant you arranged with such quaint art | K2 |
Such seeming careless care the dead white pearls | F |
Within her odd bright hair | F |
They pass on | M3 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Now hope now fear | F |
Reigned lord of my wild dreams One name still sang | V2 |
Like the repeated strain of some caged bird | K2 |
Its sweet persistent music through my brain | M3 |
One vanishing face upon the empty air | F |
Shone forth and faded night and day And you | C |
Did you not find me hasty over bold | K2 |
Nay tell me all your thought | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
You know my lord | K2 |
I am no courtier and belike my thought | K2 |
Might prove too rustic for a royal ear | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Speak on speak on | M3 |
Though you should rail your voice would still outsing | V2 |
Rebeck and mandoline | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Is it not strange | Q3 |
I knew you not albeit I might have guessed | K2 |
If only from the simple garb of black | V2 |
And golden collar 'midst the motley hues | F |
Of our gay nobles I know not what besides | F |
But this first won me Be not angered sir | F |
But as I looked I never ranked you higher | F |
Than simple gentleman I asked your name | K2 |
Then when you Highness stooped to pick my flower | F |
My lord that moment was my thought a traitor | F |
For it had fain discrowned you | C |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
May God's angels | F |
Reward such treason Say me those words again | M3 |
Let the rich blush born of that dear confession | M3 |
Again dye cheek and brow and fade and melt | K2 |
Forever even as then | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
We are watched my lord | K2 |
This is no place no hour for words like these | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
When where then may we meet | K2 |
They pass on | M3 |
- | |
- | |
SCENE II | H |
The Palace Gardens Interrupted sounds of music and revelry | K2 |
come though the open windows of the ball room seen in the | V2 |
background RIBERA pacing the stage occasionally pausing | V2 |
to look in upon the dancers | F |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
This is revenge Is she not beautiful | D2 |
Ye gods The beggar's child matched with a prince | F |
Throb not so high my heart 'neath envious eyes | F |
Fixed on thy triumph Now am I well repaid | K2 |
For my slow martyred years Was I not wrung | V2 |
by keener tortures than my savage brush | R3 |
Though dipped in my heart's blood might reproduce | F |
No twisted muscle no contorted limb | K2 |
No agony of flesh have I yet drawn | M3 |
That owed not its suggestion to some pang | V2 |
Of my pride crucified my spirit racked | K2 |
My entrails gnawed by the blind worm of hate | K2 |
Engendered of oppression That is past | K2 |
But not forgotten though to night I please | F |
To yield to gentler influence to own | M3 |
The strength of beauty and the power of joy | E3 |
And welcome gracious phantasies that throng | V2 |
And hover over me in airy shapes | F |
The spirits of earth and heaven contend to night | K2 |
For mastery within me ne'er before | F |
Have I been more the Spagnoletto fired | K2 |
With noble wrath with the consuming fever | F |
And fierce delight of vengeance | F |
From this point | K2 |
I see her clearly the auroral face | F |
A light with smiles the imperial head upraised | K2 |
Her languid hand sways the broad silken fan | M3 |
Whose wing like movement stirs above her brow | F |
The fine bright curls as though warm airs of heaven | M3 |
Around her breathed He leads her 'midst the throng | V2 |
So they have gone but I will follow them | K2 |
And watch them from afar | F |
Exit | K2 |
Enter from the opposite side DON JOHN and MARIA | V2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
I dread to ask | V2 |
What quivers on my lips My heart is free | K2 |
But thine | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
My heart is free my lord | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Thank God | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
It never beat less calmly at the sound | K2 |
Of any voice till now I laugh to think | V2 |
This very morn I fancied it had met | K2 |
Its master | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Ah | S3 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Fear naught a simple boy | E3 |
A pupil of my father's | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
I was mad | K2 |
To dream it could be otherwise Forgive me | K2 |
I a mere stranger in they life am jealous | F |
Of all thy present and thy past | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Listen my lord | K2 |
You shall hear all What hour think you he chose | F |
To urge his cause The same wherein I learned | K2 |
Your Highness had commanded for to night | K2 |
Our presence My winged thoughts were flying back | V2 |
To Count Lodovico's again I saw you | C |
My white rose at your lips your grave eyes fixed | K2 |
Most frankly yet most reverently on mine | M3 |
Again my heart sank as I heard the name | K2 |
The Prince of Austria and while I mused | K2 |
He spake of love Oh I am much to blame | K2 |
My mood was soft although I promised naught | K2 |
I listened yea I listened Good my lord | K2 |
Do you not pity him | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Thanks and thanks again | M3 |
For thy confession Now no spot remains | F |
On the unblemished mirror of my faith | T3 |
Since that dear night I with one only thought | K2 |
Have gained the sum of knowledge and opinions | F |
Touching thine honored father with such scraps | F |
As the gross public voice could dole to me | K2 |
Concerning thine own far removed white life | L3 |
Thou art I learn immured in close seclusion | M3 |
Thy father be it with all reverence said | K2 |
Hedges with jealous barriers his treasure | F |
Whilst thou most duteous tenderest of daughters | F |
Breath'st but for him | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Dear father Were it so | F |
'T were simple justice Ah if you knew him | K2 |
A proud large tameless heart This is the cloister | F |
Where he immures me Naples' gayest revels | F |
The only bar wherewith he hedges me | K2 |
Is his unbounded trust that leaves me free | K2 |
Let us go in the late night air is chill | D2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Yet one more dance | F |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
You may command my lord | K2 |
Exeunt | K2 |
Enter RIBERA | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
I lost them in the press Ah there they dance | F |
Again together I would lay my hands | F |
In blessing on that darling haughty head | K2 |
Like the Ribera's child she bears her honors | F |
As lightly as a flower Yet there glows | F |
Unwonted lustre in her starry eyes | F |
And richer beauty blushes on her cheek | V2 |
Enough Now must I strive to fix that form | K2 |
That haunts my brain the blind old Count Camillo | F |
The Prince's oracle 'Midst the thick throng | V2 |
My fancy singled him white beard white hair | F |
Sealed eyes and brow lit by an inward light | K2 |
So will I paint mine Isaac blessing Esau | F |
While Jacob kneels before him blind betrayed | K2 |
By his own flesh | U3 |
As RIBERA stands aside lost in thought enter DON JOHN and MARIA | V2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
See the impatient day | K2 |
Wakes in the east | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
One moment here signora | V2 |
Breathe we the charm of this enchanted night | K2 |
Look where behind yon vines the slow moon sets | F |
Hidden from us while every leaf hangs black | V2 |
Each tender stalk distinct each curling edge | V3 |
Against the silver sky | V2 |
- | |
MARIA perceiving RIBERA | V2 |
What father here | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Maria Ah my Prince I crave your pardon | M3 |
When thus I muse 't is but my mind that lives | F |
Each outward sense is dead I saw you not | K2 |
I heard nor voice nor footstep Yonder lines | F |
That streak the brightening sky east warn us away | K2 |
For all your grace to us the Spagnoletto | K2 |
Proffers his thanks to John of Austria | V2 |
My daughter art thou ready | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
I am bound | K2 |
Illustrious signor rather unto you | C |
And the signora past all hope of payment | K2 |
When may I come to tender my poor homage | W3 |
To the Sicilian master | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
My lord will jest | K2 |
Our house is too much honored when he deigns | F |
O'erstep the threshold Let your royal pleasure | V2 |
Alone decide the hour | V2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
To morrow then | M3 |
Or I should say to day for dawn is nigh | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
And still we trespass Be it as you will | D2 |
We are your servants | F |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
So my lord good night | K2 |
Exeunt MARIA and RIBERA | V2 |
- | |
DON JOHN alone | M3 |
Gods what a haughty devil rules that man | M3 |
As though two equal princes interchanged | K2 |
Imperial courtesies The Spagnoletto | K2 |
Thanks John of Austria Louis of France | F |
Might so salute may father By heaven I know not | K2 |
What patience or what reverence withheld | K2 |
My enchafed spirit in bounds of courtesy | K2 |
Nay it was she mine angel whose mere aspect | K2 |
Is balm and blessing How her love lit eyes | F |
Burned through my soul How her soft hand's slight pressure | V2 |
Tingled along my veins Oh she is worthy | K2 |
A heart' religion How shall I wear the hours | F |
Ere I may seek her Lo I stand and dream | K2 |
While my late guests await me Patience patience | F |
Exeunt | K2 |
- | |
- | |
SCENE III | H |
Morning twilight in RIBERA'S Garden During this scene the day | K2 |
gradually breaks and at the close the full light of morning | V2 |
illuminates the stage LORENZO | F |
AUBADE | K2 |
- | |
LORENZO sings | F |
From thy poppied sleep awake | V2 |
From they golden dreams arise | F |
Earth and seas new colors take | V2 |
Love light dawns in rosy skies | F |
Weird night's fantastic shadows are outworn | M3 |
Why tarriest thou oh sister to the morn | M3 |
- | |
Hearken love the matin choir | V2 |
Of birds salutes thee and with these | F |
Blends the voice of my desire | V2 |
Unto no richer promises | F |
Of deeper dearer holier love than mine | M3 |
Canst thou awaken from they dreams divine | M3 |
- | |
Lo thine eastern windows flame | K2 |
Brightening with the brightened sky | V2 |
Rise and with thy beauty shame | K2 |
Morning's regal pageantry | K2 |
To thrill and bless as the reviving sun | M3 |
For my heart gropes in doubt though night be gone | M3 |
- | |
He speaks | F |
Why should I fear Her soul is pledged to mine | M3 |
Albeit she still withheld the binding word | K2 |
How long hath been the night but morn breathes hope | Z2 |
I fain were true to you and to myself | L3 |
Did she say thus or is my fevered brain | M3 |
The fool of its desires The world swam | K2 |
The blood rang beating in mine ears and roared | K2 |
Like rushing waters yet as through a dream | K2 |
I saw her dimly Surely on her lids | F |
Shone the clear tears As there's a God in heaven | M3 |
She spake those words My lips retain the touch | N3 |
Of those soft snow cold hands neither refused | K2 |
Nor proffered Such things ARE nor can they be | K2 |
Forgotten or foreknown Yes she is mine | M3 |
But soft Her casement opes Oh joy 't is she | K2 |
Pale in a cloud of white she stands and drinks | F |
The morning sunlight | K2 |
- | |
MARIA above at the window | K2 |
Ah how sweet this air | V2 |
Kisses my sleepless lids and burning temples | F |
I am not weary though I found no rest | K2 |
My spirit leaps within me a new glory | K2 |
Blesses the dear familiar scene ripe orchard | K2 |
The same yet oh how different Even I thought | K2 |
Soft music trembled on the listening air | V2 |
As though a harp were touched blent with low song | V2 |
Sure that was phantasy I will descend | K2 |
Visit my flowers and see whereon the dew | K2 |
Hangs heaviest and what fairest bud hath bloomed | K2 |
Since yester eve Why should I court repose | F |
And dull forgetfulness while the large earth | Y2 |
Wakes no lesser joy than mine | M3 |
Exit from above | L3 |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
Oh heart | K2 |
How may my breast contain thee with thy burden | M3 |
Of too much happiness | F |
Enter MARIA below LORENZO springs forward to greet her she | K2 |
shrinks back in a sort of terror | V2 |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
Good day sweet mistress | F |
May the blithe spirit of this auspicious morn | M3 |
Become the genius of thy days to come | K2 |
Whereof be none less beautiful than this | F |
Why art thou silent Does not love inspire | V2 |
Joyous expression be it but a sigh | V2 |
A song a smile a broken word a cry | V2 |
Thou hast not granted me the promised pledge | V3 |
For which I hunger still I would confirm | K2 |
With dear avowals frequent seals of love | L3 |
That which though sure I yet can scarce believe | L3 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Somewhat too sure I think my lord Lorenzo | K2 |
I scarce deemed possible that one so shy | V2 |
But yester morn should hold so high a mien | M3 |
Claiming what ne'er was given | M3 |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
Maria | V2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Sir | V2 |
You are a trifle bold to speak my name | K2 |
Familiarly as no man save my father | V2 |
Or my own brother dares | F |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
Ah now I see | K2 |
Your jest You will not seem so lightly won | M3 |
Without a wooing You will feign disdain | M3 |
Only to make more sweet your rich concession | M3 |
Too late I heard it all A new light shines | F |
On the familiar scene What may that be | K2 |
Save the strange splendor of the dawn of love | L3 |
Nay darling cease to jest lest my poor heart | K2 |
Hanging 'twixt hell and heaven in earnest break | V2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Here is no jest sir but a fatal error | V2 |
Crying for swift correction You surprise me | K2 |
With rude impatience ere I have found time | K2 |
To con a gentle answer Pardon me | K2 |
If any phrase or word or glance of mine | M3 |
Hath bred or nourished in your heart a hope | Z2 |
That you might win my love It cannot be | K2 |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
A word a glance Why the whole frozen statue | K2 |
Warmed into life Surely it was not you | K2 |
You must have bribed some angel with false prayers | F |
To wear your semblance nay no angel served | K2 |
But devilish witchcraft | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Sir enough enough | L3 |
I hoped to find here peace and solitude | K2 |
These lacking I retire Farewell | D2 |
Going toward the house | F |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
Signora | V2 |
I will not rob you of your own Farewell to you | K2 |
Exit | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Where have you flown bright dreams Has that rude hand | K2 |
Sufficed to dash to naught your frail creations | F |
Sad thoughts and humors black now fill my soul | D2 |
So his rough foot hath bruised the dewy grass | F |
And left it sere Why should his harsh words touch me | K2 |
The truth of yesterday is false to day | K2 |
How could I know dear God How might I guess | F |
The bitter sweetness the delicious pain | M3 |
A new heart fills my breast as soft and weak | V2 |
And melting as a tear unto its lord | K2 |
But kindled with quick courage to endure | V2 |
If I need front for him a world of foes | F |
If this be love ah what a hell is theirs | F |
Who suffer without hope Even I who hold | K2 |
So many dear assurances who hear | V2 |
Still ringing in mine ears such sacred vows | F |
Am haunted with an unaccustomed doubt | K2 |
Not wonted to go hand in hand with joy | E3 |
A gloomy omen greets me with the morn | M3 |
I who recoil from pain must strike and wound | K2 |
What may this mean Help me ye saints of heaven | M3 |
And holy mother for my strength is naught | K2 |
She falls on her knees and bursts into tears Reenter LORENZO | K2 |
- | |
LORENZO aside | K2 |
Thank heaven I came How have I wrung her soul | D2 |
A noble love forsooth A blind brute passion | M3 |
That being denied is swift transformed to hate | K2 |
No whit more cruel To Maria Lady | K2 |
- | |
MARIA rising hastily | K2 |
Signor Lorenzo | K2 |
Again what would you with me | K2 |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
No such suit | K2 |
As late I proffered but your gracious pardon | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Rise sir forgiven I too have been to blame | K2 |
Although less deeply than you deemed Forbear | V2 |
To bind your life I feel myself unworthy | K2 |
Of that high station where your thoughts enthrone me | K2 |
Yet I dare call myself your friend | K2 |
Offering him her hand which LORENZO presses to his lips | F |
- | |
LORENZO | K2 |
Thanks thanks | F |
Be blessed and farewell | D2 |
Exit | K2 |
Enter RIBERA calling | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Daughter Maria | V2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Why father I am here kissing him Good day What will you | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Darling no more than what I always will | D2 |
Before I enter mine own world removed | K2 |
I fain would greet the dearest work of God | K2 |
I missed you when I rose I sought you first | K2 |
In your own chamber where the lattice oped | K2 |
Let in the morning splendor and smells | F |
Of the moist garden with the sound of voices | F |
I looked I found you here but not alone | M3 |
What man was that went from you | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Your disciple | D2 |
My lord Lorenzo You remember father | V2 |
How yester morn I pleaded for his work | V2 |
Thus he through gratitude and love hath watched | K2 |
All night within our garden while I danced | K2 |
And when I came to nurse my flowers he spake | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
And you | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Am I not still beside you father | V2 |
I will not leave you | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Ah mine angel child | K2 |
I cannot choose but dread it though I wait | K2 |
Expectant of the hour when you fulfil | D2 |
Your woman's destiny You have full freedom | K2 |
Yet I rejoice at this reprieve and thank thee | K2 |
For thy brave truthfulness Be ever thus | F |
Withholding naught from him whose heart reflects | F |
Only thine image Thou art still my pride | K2 |
Even as last night when all eyes gazed thy way | K2 |
Thy bearing equal in disdainful grace | F |
To his who courted thee thy sovereign's son | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | V2 |
Yea so And yet it was not pride I felt | K2 |
Nor consciousness of self nor vain delight | K2 |
In the world's envy something more than these | F |
Far deeper sweeter What have I said My brain | M3 |
Is dull with sleep 'T is only now I feel | D2 |
The weariness of so much pleasure | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA rising | V2 |
Well | D2 |
Go we within Yes I am late to work | V2 |
We squander precious moments Thou go rest | K2 |
And waken with fresh roses in they cheeks | F |
To greet our royal guest | K2 |
Exeunt | K2 |
- | |
- | |
ACT III | H |
SCENE I | H |
The studio of the Spagnoletto RIBERA before his canvas LUCA | V2 |
in attendance | F |
- | |
RIBERA laying aside his brush | R3 |
So I am weary Luca what 's o'clock | V2 |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
My lord an hour past noon | M3 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
So late already | K2 |
Well one more morning of such delicate toil | D2 |
Will make it ready for Madrid and worthy | K2 |
Not merely Philip's eyes but theirs whose glance | F |
Outvalues a king's gaze my noble friend | K2 |
Velasquez and the monkish Zurbaran | M3 |
Luca | V2 |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
My lord | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Hath the signora risen | M3 |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
Fiametta passed a brief while since and left | K2 |
My lady sleeping | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Good she hath found rest | K2 |
Poor child she sadly lacked it She had known | M3 |
'Twixt dawn and dawn no respite from emotion | M3 |
Her chill hand fluttered like a bird in mine | M3 |
Her soft brow burned my lips Could that boy read | K2 |
The tokens of an overwearied spirit | K2 |
Strained past endurance he had spared her still | D2 |
At any cost of silence What is such love | L3 |
To mine that would outrival Roman heroes | F |
Watch mine arm crisp and shrivel in quick flame | K2 |
Or set a lynx to gnaw my heart away | K2 |
To save her from a needle prick of pain | M3 |
Ay or to please her At their worth she rates | F |
Her wooers light as all embracing air | V2 |
Or universal sunshine Luca go | K2 |
And tell Fiametta rather bid the lass | F |
Hither herself | L3 |
Exit Luca | V2 |
He comes to pay me homage | W3 |
As would his royal father if he pleased | K2 |
To visit Naples yet she too shall see him | K2 |
She is part of all I think of all I am | K2 |
She is myself no less than yon bright dream | K2 |
Fixed in immortal beauty on the canvas | F |
Enter FIAMETTA | K2 |
- | |
FIAMETTA | K2 |
My lord you called me | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
When thy mistress wakes | F |
Array her richly that she be prepared | K2 |
To come before the Prince | F |
- | |
FIAMETTA | K2 |
Sir she hath risen | M3 |
And only waits me with your lordship's leave | L3 |
To cross the street unto St Francis' church | X3 |
- | |
RIBERA musingly | D2 |
With such slight escort Nay this troubles me | K2 |
Only the Strada's width The saints forbid | K2 |
That I should thwart her holy exercise | F |
Myself will go I cannot Bid her muffle | D2 |
Like our Valencian ladies her silk mantle | D2 |
About her face and head | K2 |
At a sign from RIBERA exit FIAMETTA | K2 |
Yes God will bless her | V2 |
What should I fear I will make sure her beauty | K2 |
Is duly masked | K2 |
He goes toward the casement | K2 |
Ay there she goes the mantle | D2 |
Draped round the stately head discloses naught | K2 |
Save the live jewel of the eye Unless one guessed | K2 |
From the majestic grace and proud proportions | F |
She might so pass through the high thoroughfares | F |
Ah one thick curl escapes from its black prison | M3 |
Alone in Naples wreathed with rays of gold | K2 |
Her crown of light betrays her So she's safe | L3 |
Enter LUCA | V2 |
- | |
LUCA | V2 |
A noble gentleman of Spain awaits | F |
The master's leave to enter | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Show him in | M3 |
Exit LUCA RIBERA draws the curtain before his picture of | L3 |
Jacob's Dream | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
A gentleman of Spain Perchance the Prince | F |
Sends couriers to herald his approach | Y3 |
Or craves a longer grace | F |
Enter LUCA ushering in DON JOHN unattended completely enveloped | K2 |
in a Spanish mantle which he throws off his face almost hidden | M3 |
by a cavalier's hat He uncovers his head on entering RIBERA | V2 |
repressing a movement of surprise hastens to greet him and kisses | F |
his hand | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Welcome my lord | K2 |
I am shamed to think my sovereign's son should wait | K2 |
Through a churl's ignorance without my doors | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Dear master blame him not I came attended | K2 |
By one page only Here I blush to claim | K2 |
Such honor as depends on outward pomp | Z2 |
No royalty is here save the crowned monarch | Z3 |
Of our Sicilian artists Be it mine | M3 |
To press with reverent lips my master's hand | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | V2 |
Your Highness is too gracious if you glance | F |
Round mine ill furnished studio my works | F |
Shall best proclaim me and my poor deserts | F |
Luca uplift you hangings | F |
- | |
DON JOHN seating himself | L3 |
Sir you may sit | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA aside seating himself slowly | K2 |
Curse his swollen arrogance Doth he imagine | M3 |
I waited leave of him | K2 |
Luca uncovers the picture | V2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Oh wonderful | D2 |
You have bettered here your best Why sir he breathes | F |
Will not those locked lids ope that nerveless hand | K2 |
Regain the iron strength of sinew mated | K2 |
With such heroic frame You have conspired | K2 |
With Nature to produce a man Behold | K2 |
I chatter foolish speech for such a marvel | D2 |
The fittest praise is silence | F |
He rises and stands before the picture | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA after a pause | F |
I am glad | K2 |
Your highness deigns approve Lose no more time | K2 |
Lest the poor details should repay you not | K2 |
Unto your royal home 't will follow you | K2 |
Companion though unworthy to the treasures | F |
Of the Queen's gallery | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
'T is another jewel | D2 |
Set in my father's crown and in his name | K2 |
I thank you for it | K2 |
RIBERA bows silently DON JOHN glances around the studio | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
There hangs a quaint strong head | K2 |
Though merely sketched What a marked cunning leer | K2 |
Grins on the wide mouth what a bestial glance | F |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
'T is but a slight hint for my larger work | V2 |
Bacchus made drunk by Satyrs | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Where is that | K2 |
I ne'er have seen the painting | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
'T is not in oils | F |
But etched in aqua fortis Luca fetch down | M3 |
Yonder portfolio I can show your Highness | F |
The graven copy | K2 |
LUCA brings forward a large portfolio RIBERA looks hastily | K2 |
over the engravings and draws one out which he shows to DON JOHN | M3 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Ah most admirable | D2 |
I know not who is best portrayed the god | K2 |
Plump reeling wreathed with vine in whom abides | F |
Something Olympian still or the coarse Satyrs | F |
Thoroughly brutish Here I scarcely miss | F |
So masterly the grouping so distinct | K2 |
The bacchanalian spirit your rich brush | R3 |
So vigorous in color Do you find | K2 |
The pleasure in this treatment equals that | K2 |
Of the oil painting | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
All is in my mood | K2 |
We have so many petty talents clever | K2 |
To mimic Nature's surface I name not | K2 |
The servile copyists of the greater masters | F |
Or of th' archangels Raphael and Michael | D2 |
But such as paint our cheap and daily marvels | F |
Sometimes I fear lest they degrade our art | K2 |
To a nice craft for plodding artisans | F |
Mere realism which they mistake for truth | A4 |
My soul rejects such limits The true artist | K2 |
Gives Nature's best effects with far less means | F |
Plain black and white suffice him to express | F |
A finer grace a stronger energy | K2 |
Than she attains with all the aid of color | K2 |
I argue thus and work with simple tools | F |
Like the Greek fathers of our art the sculptors | F |
Who wrought in white alone their matchless types | F |
Then dazzled by the living bloom of earth | Y2 |
Glowing with color I return to that | K2 |
My earliest worship and compose such work | V2 |
As you see there | K2 |
Pointing to the picture | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Would it be overmuch | R3 |
In my brief stay in Naples to beg of you | K2 |
A portrait of myself in aqua fortis | F |
'T would rob you sir of fewer golden hours | F |
Than the full colored canvas and enrich | R3 |
With a new treasure our royal gallery | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
You may command my hours and all that's mine | M3 |
- | |
DON JOHN rising | V2 |
Thanks generous master When may I return | M3 |
For the first sitting | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
I am ready now | M3 |
To day to morrow when your Highness please | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
'T would be abuse of goodness to accept | K2 |
The present moment I will come to morrow | K2 |
At the same hour in some more fitting garb | B4 |
Your hand sir and farewell Salute for me | K2 |
I pray you the signora May I not hope | Z2 |
To see and thank her for her grace to me | K2 |
In so adorning my poor feast | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
The debt is ours | F |
She may be here to morrow she is free | K2 |
She only while I work to come and go | K2 |
Pray sir allow her she is never crossed | K2 |
I stoop to beg for her she is the last | K2 |
Who bides with me I crave you pardon sir | K2 |
What should this be to you | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
'T is much to me | K2 |
Whose privilege has been in this rare hour | K2 |
Beneath the master to discern the man | M3 |
And thus add friendship unto admiration | M3 |
He presses RIBERA'S hand and is about to pick up his mantle and | K2 |
hat LUCA springs forward and while he is throwing the cloak | V2 |
around the Princes's shoulders enter hastily MARIA enveloped in | M3 |
her mantilla as she went to church | R3 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
Well father an I veiled and swathed to suit you | K2 |
To cross the Strada | K2 |
She throws off her mantilla and appears all in white She goes | F |
to embrace her father when she suddenly perceives the Prince and | K2 |
stands speechless and blushing | V2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Child his Royal Highness | F |
Prince John of Austria | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Good day signora | K2 |
Already twice my gracious stars have smiled | K2 |
I saw you in the street You wore your mantle | D2 |
As the noon sun might wear a veil of cloud | K2 |
Covering but not concealing | V2 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
I sir twice | F |
Have unaware stood in your royal presence | F |
You are welcome to my father's home and mine | M3 |
I scarce need crave your pardon for my entrance | F |
Yourself must see how well assured I felt | K2 |
My father was alone | M3 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
And so you hoped | K2 |
To find him shall I read your answer thus | F |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Nay press her not Your Highness does her wrong | V2 |
So harshly to construe her simpleness | F |
My daughter and myself are one and both | C4 |
Will own an equal pleasure if you bide | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN seating himself | L3 |
You chain me with kind words | F |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
My father sir | K2 |
Hath surely told you our delight and marvel | D2 |
At the enchantments of your feast For me | K2 |
The night was brief rich beautiful and strange | Q3 |
As a bright dream | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
I will gainsay you not | K2 |
A beauteous soul can shed her proper glory | K2 |
On mean surroundings I have likewise dreamed | K2 |
Nor am I yet awake This morn hath been | M3 |
A feast for mind and eye Yon shepherd prince | F |
Whom angels visit in his sleep shall crown | M3 |
Your father's brow with a still fresher laurel | D2 |
And link in equal fame the Spanish artist | K2 |
With the Lord's chosen prophet | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
That may be | K2 |
For in the form of that wayfarer | K2 |
I drew myself So have I slept beneath | D4 |
The naked heavens pillowed by a stone | M3 |
With no more shelter than the wind stirred branches | F |
While the thick dews of our Valencian nights | F |
Drenched my rude weeds and chilled through blood and bone | M3 |
Yet to me also were the heavens revealed | K2 |
And angels visited my dreams | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
How strange | Q3 |
That you dear masters standing on the crown | M3 |
Of a long life's continuous ascent | K2 |
Should backward glance unto such dark beginnings | F |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Obscure are all beginnings Yet I muse | F |
With pleasing pain on those fierce years of struggle | D2 |
They were to me my birthright all the vigor | K2 |
The burning passion the unflinching truth | A4 |
My later pencil gained I gleaned from them | K2 |
I prized them I reclaimed their ragged freedom | K2 |
Rather than hold my seat a liveried slave | L3 |
At the rich board of my Lord Cardinal | D2 |
A palace was a prison till I reared | K2 |
Mine own But now my child's heart I would pierce | F |
Sooner than see it bear the least of ills | F |
Such as I then endured | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Donna Maria | K2 |
May smile sir at your threat she is in a pleasance | F |
Where no rude breezes blow no shadow falls | F |
Darker than that of cool and fragrant leaves | F |
Yea were it otherwise had you not reaped | K2 |
The fruit of your own works she had not suffered | K2 |
Your children are Spain's children | M3 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Sir that word | K2 |
Is the most grateful you have spoken yet | K2 |
Why are thou silent daughter | K2 |
- | |
MARIA absently | D2 |
What should I say | F |
The Prince is kind I scarcely heard your words | F |
I listened to your voices and I mused | K2 |
DON JOHN rising | V2 |
I overstep your patience | F |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
You will be gone | M3 |
What have I said | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
You are a child Maria | K2 |
To morrow I will wait your Highness | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Thanks | F |
To morrow noon Farewell signora | K2 |
Exit DON JOHN | M3 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
What ails you daughter You forget yourself | L3 |
Your tongue cleaves to your mouth You sit and muse | F |
A statue of white silence Twice to day | F |
You have deeply vexed me Go not thus again | M3 |
Across the street with that light child Fiametta | F |
Faith you were closely muffled What was this | F |
This tell tale auburn curl that rippled down | M3 |
Over the black mantilla Were I harsh | R3 |
Suspicious jealous fearful prone to wrath | E4 |
Or anything of all that I am not | F |
I should have deemed it no mere negligence | F |
But a bold token | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
Father you make me quail | D2 |
Why do you threat me with such evil eyes | F |
Would they could read my heart | F |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Elude me not | F |
Whom have you met beside the Prince this morn | M3 |
Who saw you pass Whom have you spoken with | F4 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
For God's sake father what strange thoughts are these | F |
With none with none Beside the Prince you say | F |
Why even him I saw not as you know | K2 |
I hastened with veiled eyes cast on the ground | F |
Swathed in my mantle still I told my beads | F |
And in like manner hasted home to you | K2 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Well it may pass but henceforth say thy matins | F |
In thine own room I know what vague cloud | F |
Obscures my sight and weighs upon my brain | M3 |
I am very weary Luca follow me | K2 |
Exeunt RIBERA and LUCA | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
Poor father Dimly he perceives some trouble | D2 |
Within the threatening air Thank heaven I calmed him | K2 |
Yet I spake truth What could have roused so soon | M3 |
His quick suspicion Did Fiametta see | K2 |
The wary page slip in my hand the missive | L3 |
As we came forth again Nay even so | F |
My father hath not spoken with her since | F |
Sure he knows naught 't is but my foolish fear | K2 |
Makes monsters out of shadows I may read | F |
The priceless lines and grave them on my heart | F |
She draws from her bosom a letter reads it and presses it to | K2 |
her lips | F |
He loves me yes he loves me Oh my God | F |
This awful joy in mine own breast is love | L3 |
To night he will await me in our garden | M3 |
Oh for a word a pressure of the hand | F |
I fly my prince at thy most dear behest | F |
Exit | F |
- | |
- | |
SCENE II | H |
A room in DON TOMMASO'S HOUSE DON TOMMASO and ANNICCA | K2 |
- | |
DON TOMMASO | F |
Truly you wrong your sister she is young | K2 |
Heedless and wilful that is all a touch | R3 |
Of the Ribera's spirit fired the lass | F |
Don John was but her weapon of revenge | G4 |
Against the malice of our haughty matrons | F |
Who hurled this icy shafts of scorn from heights | F |
Of dignity upon the artist's daughter | K2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
I cannot think with you In her demeanor | K2 |
Her kindled cheek her melting eye was more | K2 |
Than sly revenge or cautious policy | F |
If that was art it overreached itself | L3 |
Ere the night ended I had blushed to see | F |
Slighting regards cast on my father's child | F |
And hear her name and his tossed lightly round | F |
- | |
DON TOMMASO | F |
Could you not read in such disparagement | F |
The envy of small natures | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
I had as lief | L3 |
Maria were to dance the tarantella | D2 |
Upon the quay at noonday as to see her | K2 |
Gazed at again with such insulting homage | W3 |
- | |
DON TOMMASO | F |
You are too strict your baseless apprehensions | F |
Wrong her far more than strangers' jests | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
Not so | F |
My timely fears prevent a greater ill | D2 |
And work no harm since they shall be imparted | F |
Only to him who hath the power to quell them | K2 |
Dissolving them to air my father | K2 |
- | |
DON TOMMASO | F |
How | M3 |
You surely will not rouse his fatal wrath | E4 |
Annicca listen if your doubts were true | K2 |
He whose fierce love guards her with sleepless eyes | F |
More like the passion of some wild dumb creature | K2 |
With prowling jealousy and deadly spring | K2 |
Forth leaping at the first approach of ill | D2 |
Than the calm tenderness of human fathers | F |
He surely had been keen to scent the danger | K2 |
I saw him at the ball as is his wont | F |
He mingled not among the revellers | F |
But like her shadow played the spy on her | K2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
A word would stir less deeply than you dread | F |
- | |
DON TOMMASO | F |
Ah there you err he knows no middle term | K2 |
At once he would accept as fact the worst | F |
Of your imaginings his rage would smite | F |
All near him and rebound upon himself | L3 |
For as I learn Don John brings royal orders | F |
For the Queen's gallery he would dismiss | F |
The Prince as roughly as a begging artist | F |
Make no such breach just now betwixt the court | F |
And our own kindred | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
Be it so Tommaso | F |
I will do naught in haste | F |
- | |
DON TOMMASO | F |
Watch thou and wait | F |
A slight reproof might now suffice the child | F |
Tame as a bird unto a gentle voice | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
My mind misgives me yet will I find patience | F |
- | |
- | |
SCENE III | H |
Night in RIBERA'S Garden DON JOHN alone | M3 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
In any less than she so swift a passion | M3 |
So unreserved so reckless had repelled | F |
In her 't is godlike Our mutual love | L3 |
Was born full grown as we gazed each on each | R3 |
Nay 't was not born but like a thing eternal | D2 |
It WAS ere we had consciousness thereof | L3 |
No growth of slow development but perfect | F |
From the beginning neither doomed to end | F |
Her garden breathes her own warm southern beauty | F |
Glowing with dewy and voluptuous bloom | K2 |
Here I am happy happy to dream and wait | F |
In rich security of bliss I know | F |
How brief an interval divides us now | M3 |
She hastes to meet me with no less impatience | F |
Than mine to clasp her in my arms to press | F |
Heart unto heart and see the love within | M3 |
The unfathomable depths of her great eyes | F |
She comes Maria | K2 |
Enter MARIA half timid half joyous | F |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
My lord you have been waiting | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Darling not long 't was but my restless love | L3 |
That drove me here before the promised hour | K2 |
So were I well content to wait through ages | F |
Upon the threshold of a joy like this | F |
Knowing the gates of heaven might ope to me | F |
At any moment | F |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
Your love is less than mine | M3 |
For I have counted every tedious minute | F |
Since our last meeting | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
I had rather speak | K2 |
Less than the truth to have you chide me thus | F |
Yet if you enter in the lists with me | F |
Faith match with faith and loyal heart with heart | F |
I warrant you the jealous god of love | L3 |
Who spies us from yon pomegranate bush | R3 |
Would crown me victor | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
Why should we compete | F |
Who could decide betwixt two equal truths | F |
Two perfect faiths | F |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
The worship of my life | L3 |
Will be slight payment for your boundless trust | F |
Look we nor forth nor back are we not happy | F |
Heaven smiles above our heads with all her stars | F |
The envious day forced us apart the wing | K2 |
Of obscure night protects and shelters us | F |
Now like a pure night blooming flower puts forth | H4 |
The perfect blossom of our love Oh lean | M3 |
Thy royal head upon my breast assure me | F |
That this unheard of bliss is no fond dream | K2 |
Cling to me darling till thy love's dear burden | M3 |
Take root about my heart strings | F |
- | |
MARIA after a pause | F |
Did you not hear | K2 |
A sound a cry Oh God was it my father | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
Naught save the beating of our hearts I heard | F |
Be calm my love the very air is hushed | F |
Listen the tinkle of the fountain yonder | K2 |
The sleepy stir of leaves the querulous pipe | Z2 |
Of some far bird no more | K2 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
I heard I heard | F |
A rude voice called me Wherefore did it come | K2 |
To snatch me from that dream of restful love | L3 |
Oh Juan you will save me you will help | Z2 |
Tell me you will I have lost all for you | K2 |
- | |
DON JOHN | M3 |
To morrow you will laugh at fears like these | F |
You have lost naught you have but won my love | L3 |
Lose not your faith in that your shield and weapon | M3 |
- | |
MARIA | K2 |
I tremble still in every limb Good night | F |
I must be gone To morrow when you come | K2 |
Be wary with my father he is fierce | F |
In love and hatred Listen and look my lord | F |
If one dared say to me but yester morn | M3 |
That I would meet at night a stranger youth | A4 |
In mine own garden talk with him of love | L3 |
And hint a thought against the Spagnoletto | F |
I had smitten with this bauble such a one | M3 |
Pointing to a jewelled poniard in her belt | F |
Kiss me my Juan once again Good night | F |
Exit MARIA | K2 |
- | |
- | |
SCENE IV | L3 |
The studio RIBERA and ANNICCA | K2 |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
Has he come often | M3 |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Nay I caught the trick | K2 |
Of his fair face in some half dozen sittings | F |
His is a bold and shapely head it pleased me | F |
I like the lad the work upon his portrait | F |
Was pastime 't is already nigh complete | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
And has Maria sat here while you worked | F |
- | |
RIBERA sharply | F |
Why not What would'st thou say Speak fret me not | F |
With ticklish fears Is she not by my side | F |
For work or rest | F |
- | |
ANNICCA | K2 |
Surely I meant no harm | K2 |
Father how quick you are I had but asked | F |
If she being here had seen the work progress | F |
And found it his true counterpart | F |
- | |
RIBERA | K2 |
Annicca | K2 |
There is something in your thought you hold from me | F |
Have the lewd prying eyes the slanderous mind | F |
Of public envy spied herein some mischie | R3 |
Emma Lazarus
(1)
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