Porzia

Cale Young Rice

Porzia

ToGILBERT MURRAYPoet, Dramatist, and Master-Interpreter of a greatliterature

PREFACE

Some years ago while writing "A Night In Avignon" the thought came to me of framing two other plays that should deal respectively with the Renaissance spirit at its height and decadence, as that play had dealt with it at its beginning. For the great human upheaval that came intoxicatingly to Italy during the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries is so full of æsthetic contrast and glamor as to be peculiarly suitable for the doubly exacting purposes of poetic drama.

"Giorgione," the second of these plays to be written, was published in 1911 with three other plays in a volume entitled "The Immortal Lure," and like "A Night In Avignon" was received with such kindness as to encourage me to write the third, here presented under the name of "Porzia."

This last play, whose period is that of "decadent Humanism," or as Symonds prefers to call it, of "The Catholic Reaction," is laid in Naples, where the passions of men, more than freed from the long domination of the Church and the Hereafter, seemed to reach in their grasp at this life almost incredible heights and depths of excess. And yet from amid this excess, as from a rank and unweeded garden, were springing into flower many seeds of modern intellectual enfranchisement, as the achievements of Bruno and his contemporaries witness.

I need only add that I have sought to use materials that would be true to the time of this final portrayal, and that I therefore trust it may be understood as an organic member of the group to which it belongs.

C. Y. R.

Louisville, Kentucky, June, 1912.

ACT I

CHARACTERS

RIZZIO DI ROSSI A young Leader of the Literati at Naples, suspected of heresy

OSIO His Brother

PORZIA His Wife

ALOYSIUS Her Uncle, a Physician

BIANCA Her Cousin, a Florentine, once betrothed to Osio

GIORDANO BRUNO A young Dominican, also heretical

MONSIGNOR QUERIO An Officer of the Inquisition

TASSO A Poet

MARINA A Sicilian serving Porzia

MATTEO Serving Rizzio, later Osio

Dancers from Capri, Musicians, Guards of the Inquisition, etc.

TIME —About 1570

PORZIA

Scene: A portion of the house, terrace and garden of Rizzio on his wedding day at Naples. It is so situated as to command a view of the city, the blue Bay with Capri set like a topaz in it, the Vesuvian coast, and the Mountain itself – rising like a calm though unappeasable monitor against the land's too sensual enchantment.

The house, a white corner of which is visible along the right, has large doors toward the back giving upon the terrace. A vine-clad terrace wall, several feet above the level of the terrace, but much above that of the street without, runs across the rear to a cypress-set gate in the centre, and on into the lustrous Spring foliage of ilex, myrtle and orange.

A pedestaled image of the Virgin against the house, a statue of Pan before a bower opposite, and several stone seats forward, are decked with orange blossoms that glow in the light of late afternoon.

Music, reveling, and laughter are heard, muffled, within. Then amid a louder burst of them Osio strides angrily forth. He is followed in argumentative elation by Rizzio – clothed in Greek raiment, a book in his hand – and by Bruno.

Osio (as they come down).Proof from the teeth of aliens and foolsAnd infidels that follow their own reason?I want no proof! your books should burn in Hell!Rizzio (gaily).Because they glorify the stars in heaven?Osio.I say they are heresy!Rizzio.And I say truth!

[Uplifts volume.

That were your ears not stopped with sophistriesAnd Jesuitry you would adjudge divine!

[Tosses it down.

Bruno.Ai, Signor Osio, there's no denying!

[Porzia appears anxiously at the door.

We need but look,To learn that stars are worldsSwung out upon infinitudes of space.And as for earth —Tho Christ shed blood upon it —'Tis but a pilgrim flame among them all.

[Porzia leaves door.

Osio (turning upon him).And you, a monk, will say so to the ChurchAnd to the Holy Office?Bruno (in humorous alarm).God forbid!Osio.And you, Rizzio, who on your wedding-day,Mid rites of VenusAnd revels to Apollo,Wear pagan robes – and prink others in them —Rizzio.Ho, others! meaning Porzia?Osio.I say —

[Mirth within.

Rizzio (laughing at him).What, what, my merry raging brother, more?That Pan is not your god, whom I but nowBesought for inward beauty and truth of soul?No, no, he is not, by Vesuvius!Osio.I say —Rizzio.That Plato and the ancients areA plague which only the Pope can purge from earth?

[Again laughing.

Ai! to the flames with them, and with all fairness!Osio.I say that you —Rizzio.Hey, yea! that I who fallNot on my knees to mitred villainy —Or cringe to crosiered craft —And yet whose life is lit for truth and freedom —Am viler far than youWho take your pleasure and pay it with confession?Who think the Devil with faith would be no Devil?

[Porzia again appears with Bianca.

You hear it, Bruno?Osio.I say there is one thingYou shall not do!Rizzio.So-ho! my lordly brother,My breaker of betrothals – if not creeds —And that is what?Osio.I will protect her from it!Rizzio.Her?Osio.Porzia! from the passion of your lies!

[Astonishment.

Rizzio (stung, staring).By … all the saintsand fiends and incubiThat ever infested night and nunneries!What frenzy now is biting at your brain!

[Before him.

Is she your wife, so to concern your care?

[They face, pale.

Porzia (who sees, and with Bianca comes quickly, winningly down).Heresy! heresy! truth and heresy!Are there no other words in all the worldTo pour as wineUpon a wedding-day! —Are these your ways, my newly wedded lord,To leave me, an hour's bride, away from home —From my dear uncle's home —With but a friend or two for comforting —And bandy words of other stars than thoseYou swear to see when gazing in my eyes!Rizzio (responsively).My Porzia!Porzia.No, no! I'll not forgive you!For is it not ill boding to our bridalsYou quarrel over the heavens – and not me!

[As he laughs.

My beauty, he says, this husband I have taken,Is life – and yet ere 'tis an hour hisForgets to live on it! – and Osio,The brother of him, —E'en Osio there —Rizzio (gay again).Who swears he will protect you!

[Osio starts.

Porzia.Protect?Rizzio.Against the heresy of robesOf pagan fashion – and against your husband!

[Constraint. Porzia sees Bianca flush.

Porzia.I do not understand – unless you jest,As oft – too oft you do!Or mean perchance Bianca … unto whomHe was betrothedAnd whom he would, this breath,Be wooing again, were I, not words, your bride!

[Then winningly again, as Marina enters.

But see, here is Marina! the dance awaits!

[Music is heard.

Let us go in and give ourselves to Joy,For Misery is quick enough to take us,If first we do not wed us to her rival!Is it not so?Rizzio (with passion).Or sun has never shone!So in! the tarantelle! (as Tasso enters) And then a songFrom Messer Tasso, who would be divine,

[Greets him.

Did he love Venus as he fears the Church,Apollo as he shuns the Inquisition!In! – Osio, will you come?Osio.I will not.Rizzio.ThenDance with your own mad humors and delusionsHere to Vesuvius and to the sea, —Or to Bianca plead your pardon!(To the rest) Come!

[Seizes blossoms blithely.

For in this world there's but one heresy,Denial of the divinity of Joy!

[Throws sprays over Porzia, takes her hand and they go singing. All follow, but Osio and Bianca.

Osio (when their steps have died; in cold rage).You shall hear more of this, my pretty brother!Prater of pagan doubts!Whom – but that God may use it – I would curseFor the resemblance that our mother gave us!For, by the living blood of San Gennaro,In yon Duomo, the scoffing siren songOf heresy that swells in you shall cease,Tho it shall take the sweat of the rack to hush it!You shall hear more!..Bianca (who has stood long indignant).And others shall hear more!

[Her voice breaking as she turns on him.

Others who fix upon me this affrontOf broken and humiliate betrothals!

[As he attempts to speak.

Yes! you have made of me a thing of shameHere in the eyesOf those who're alien to me!That you have loved me not – or love me lessThan once you did, too well I came to know —I – with the blood in me of the Medici! —And now it is open prate!.. But do you thinkThe women of my city want resentment,Or less than these sun-lusting ones of NaplesKnow how to cool their wrath?Osio.I think you mad —In a mad maze —And yield it no concern;Nor shall – (meaningly) until a thing you know is done.As to betrothals, give your memory breath:Ours was agreed to end as either willed.

[Goes from her to gate and looks expectantly out.

Bianca (as he returns).And you, weary of it, have utterlyChosen to end it?

[Sits.

Osio.Have I so affirmed?Bianca (springing up).I will not have evasions, Osio!Shiftings and turningsRadiant of hopesThat torture expectation till it breaks.

[Again sitting.

And yet – perchance it is as well they comeNow … while there yet is time for more withdrawals.Osio (starting).More?Bianca.For – I fear all trust in you is folly;And that the heresy of RizzioWhich I agreed with you to take untoMonsignor Querio —Osio (clenching).Shall not be taken?

[She rises.

Not! but you leave the brunt to me alone?Bianca.You purpose more, I think, than to restrain him.Osio.And you more than abjuring! You would gazeUpon his godless schisms, …Upon the naked luring of his lies!Bianca.No! Tho the beauty of them —Osio.Beauty! beauty!

[Striking the Pan near him.

That wind of infidelity from HellHe blows out of his lips do you call beauty!No! – and he with his poets and philosophers,His PlatosAnd star-mad Copernicas,And that Dominican, Giordano Bruno,For whom the stake to flames will yet be lit,Shall learn you are too late in your relenting!Bianca (stricken).Too … late!Osio.His heresies shall reap their due.Bianca (death-pale).Which means – that youalready have revealed them!Have sent unto Monsignor QuerioTo-day —Rizzio's wedding-day! —For thatIt was you sought out Matteo, who, pledgedUnto Marina,As were you to me,Has broke his troth?..And now, now you await him? – O was notYour promise to me that a week should pendEre any step?Osio.I will not lose my soul,

[Turns away.

And dallying is the feebleness of fools.Bianca.And will lies save it – tho they be for Heaven! —To one who nigh has lost her soul for you?

[When he does not answer, more penetratively.

We have been friends, Osio, long been friends,And, woman that I am, I would 'twere more,But in this I suspect —Osio.Enough! we prate!

[Rankling, uneasily.

I say enough.Bianca.And I say all too little,

[Bitterly.

Until I tell you now plain to your face,And to your heartPlunging toward this passion,That not alone a hate of heresyIs haunting you to it, but that the lipsAnd eyes and brows and soul of —Osio.Will you cease!Bianca.I tell you that you love her – Porzia!And veer but to the vision of her face!Osio (who after strangling silence finds words).If you say that, Bianca, ever againOr if, by all the demons that AvernusPours out upon the black Phlegraean fields,You hint it or suggest it to her, till —Bianca.Till you achieve her! and have wrapped the ritesOf the Church round your achieving?Till you have severed her from Rizzio —Have swept her from perdition —Into your swathing arms! I say you shall not!Me you have set aside, but there an end!

[Starts toward door.

Osio.Stop! whither do you go?Bianca.To call them! call!And to betray your treachery – and mine!

[Calling.

Rizzio! Porzia! Rizzio!Osio.Maledictions!

[Seizing her wrists.

Will you become a dagger, and not know,Stiletto that you are, what thing you stab!Bianca.The infatuation festering within you!Till, deaf with the desire of it and dream,You cannot tell their voice from Deity's.

[Calls again.

Rizzio! Porzia! Tasso!

[The music ceases.

Rizzio (within; startled).It was Bianca!

[Hastening to door with the rest crowding closely after.

How? what? you called? what moves you? – Osio?

[Looks around.

Was some one here? what is it? speak!.. Bianca?What burns you?Bianca.You shall hear! It must be told.Yes, yes!.. (Struggling to say it) …And with no leavening delay of words.We … I … You must be gone from here at once;At once – for there is peril.Rizzio.Pah-ho! peril?Now, Scylla and the Sibyl and Charybdis!What megrim have you had?Bianca.None – for doubting;Or any, it matters not, if you will go,And quickly, trusting reason – as you boast to;For I have heard —Rizzio.Have heard what and from whom?

[Again looks around.

Bianca.There was one here who said Monsignor QuerioKnows of your excommunicant delightIn books that are forbid —And … of your heresies!Porzia (in quick dismay).The Inquisition!You mean – he may be sought by it and seized,Held in the trammels of it for a truthThat …! Do you mean, Bianca, Osio,That now, at any hour – ?.. Oh, he must go!

[Hears noise at gate.

And quickly! In, Rizzio, in, for they – !

[The gate opens and Matteo entering stops amazed and alarmed.

Rizzio (with laughing relief).Now, now, do you not see your apprehension!Is Matteo the Inquisition! IsHe then the prison that has come to seize me?Fie, fie, Bianca, with your fears that marAgain the bridal beauty of this hour,And crowd with quiverings the bliss of it!No more of them! – (to dancers) Hither! and wind your maze!Again take up the dance!Porzia.No, Rizzio, no!For now delight would die under our feet,And we but trample on it! No! Dismiss themBack now to Capri!..More than the woman fear within me warns it.For you have been o'er bold – not vainly, nay,For truth, I know, must dare – but there may beMore in this than you think.Rizzio.And ere it risesI cravenly must quench the altar-firesThat I attend – and our half-wedded joys?No! no! More revels!Till we shall utterly uncloud our blissAnd leave remembrance not a stain upon it!A song, Tasso, a song!The taunting one that swept us into laughter!How runs it? did it not begin with Naples?(Recalls it.)Naples sins and Torre pays,(Torre del Greco!)Who fears the earthquake all her days!(Torre del Greco!)Who…

[Forgets.

Who sits beneath VesuviusAnd shrives the castaways of us!Naples sins and Torre pays,(Torre del Greco!)On, on with it! Come Porzia! – On, on.Tasso (who has stood shrinking).Ah, Signor, no; I fear; I cannot; prayYour pardon. I must go.Rizzio.Go!Tasso.I would notOffend the Church – who is the Bride of Christ.Rizzio (unaffected).Then off with you, unworthy followerOf Virgil,And of fire-veined Ariosto, —Of singers who have flung their hearts to courage,As yet we shall fling ours! (Tasso goes.) For even BiancaAnd OsioMust rue now their alarm,And help us back from it to revelry.

[As he turns to them, then to all.

What, none of you? no heart of joy about me?Porzia (striving for abandon).Yes, Rizzio!.. thoI would have you fly;For bodingly I breathe the breath of evil!

[With forced lightness.

A dance, then!Again weave its delight!

[Dancers show cheer.

For to your want mine is attuned, and whatIs music to it shall o'ermaster me!And not alone my feet shall follow, butThe Truth you fly to will I wing to attain! —Tho stars seem to my simple sight but candlesUpon the altar of God, I'll think them worlds,If to your soul they seem so; and for the rest —

[A knock brings consternation, this time to all. The dancers fall to crossing themselves, some kneeling. As they do so the gate is thrown open and Querio enters; he is followed by several guards.

Querio (advancing; amid awe).In the name of theVicar of God who sits at Rome,And of the Holy Office, I arrestThe giver of these pagan rites and revels.

[Guards step to Rizzio's side; he stands speechless.

Porzia (stunned).Oh, … Oh!Rizzio (hoarsely).And at whose urgence, my lord Prelate,

[Starts forward.

I ask you at whose urgence this is done!This deed of churchly duty!.. Yes, in justiceI seek; for there has beenSome traitor and perhaps a liar. – Osio?Bianca? (fiercely) half, half I believe 't was you!

[All are appalled.

Porzia.No, no, Rizzio!.. no!.. what are you saying!

[Restrainingly.

Will you requite injustice with a worse?

[To Querio, who is unmoved.

Monsignor, this in truth is hunting haste,To search him outUpon his wedding-day,And bind him with the very wreaths of it!Could you not wait an eve, a night, untilTo-morrow when his nuptials would be o'er!Querio.Who weds two brides is bigamist, Signora.When he divorces heresy accuse me.But now say your farewells,And with a moment's privacy: that canI grant, that and no more: the rest's with Rome.

[Retires to rear – as do all but the two.

Porzia (whom dread now begins to overwhelm).My Rizzio! my own! I cannot bear it!O why did you not go, delaying tillThis fate has fallenNow like a pall upon us!I fear! I fear!..To be so wedded, ere I am a wife,Here in this city of dark lawless passions!

[Unrestrainedly.

Ah, can you not recant?Deny at once and so —Rizzio.Porzia!Porzia.Nay!And yet to have you leave me —Ere any nuptial night has hung our couch,Ere I have lain beside you in the darkAnd like Madonna dreamed of motherhood!Ah, ah, I cannot!..Rizzio (with a thought).Then – listen to me.

[Osio starts, watching him.

I will return to you!Porzia.Return?Rizzio.Perchance.It may be. For with florins to the guard —With friendly gold —May he not be persuadedTo bring me hither to you, for an hourAt midnight – tho it be but for an hour?

[They look at each other.

Querio (suspiciously, coming down).Enough, Signor; the hour is running late.And there are here, may be,

[Sinisterly.

Some who are avid now to be at vespers.Porzia (embracing Rizzio).Then go, my lord; farewell, and fear not for me,Since I shall toil only for your release.

[He goes, with Querio and guard. Porzia quails, then lets Marina lead her into the house. All follow but Bianca, Osio, and Matteo at gate.

Bianca (as the twilight begins, to Osio).Now that you have achieved so much, what more?

[He does not answer; she also turns into house.

Osio (whom a turmoil of passions is tearing).What more?.. God in His Heaven shall decide!..Doubts have I had – like swine of hell within me —But now He shall decide —If she's to be the mother of heretics …Or if I, who acclaim the Creed, shall have her!

[Calls.

Matteo!Matteo.Signor – (advancing) here.Osio.You have done well.And from to-night I take you to my service,With wages that shall gild you from a want,And with the benediction of the Church.But there is one thing more:Follow Monsignor Querio to the prison,Then to Signora Porzia return —And say her husband sent youTo bid her be in the bower there at midnight.Matteo (staring).But Signor, will she come?Osio.Say that she isTo speak no word – but keep to silence: go.

[With fixed face, when the latch clicks behind him.

God shall decide, …For if she does not knowMy arms from his, then, it shall be a signThat to them and my bed … she was predestined.

[The dark grows. He turns soon to go, and the curtain falls… But rises again at once and it is midnight; with only dim lights from the silent, sleeping city. As it does so Porzia with Marina comes out of the house. They pause and listen, Marina half-anxiously.

Porzia (drawing free).Return and have no fear, he soon will come,And bade me be alone there in the bower.The night is like a spell to draw him to me.Marina.Signora – !Porzia.Like a spell of living love.

[Crosses over, as one in a dream, and enters the bower. Marina goes, the gate opens, and Osio silently enters, coming down into the bower amorously. A long silence … then slowly the Curtain.

ACT II

A Year Has Elapsed

Scene: A sala, or hall, in the house of Rizzio. Its spacious walls and ceiling are frescoed with Virgilian scenes of a simpler and more beautiful kind than was usual to the decaying art of the period, and its high-arched open doors in the rear look out upon the terrace of Act I, toward the city, the Bay, Vesuvius – the whole magic curve of the haunting coast.

Several antique terminal-statues, the bodies of which end strangely in their pedestals, stand on either side these doors, and about the hall a Venus and other rare objects of virtu recovered from the past are mingled with the furnishings of the room, which, arranged for joy and beauty, seems somehow sad when unoccupied, as now, tho the Neapolitan sun is shining brightly in from the blue.

An arrased doorway right leads thro a passage to the street gate, and one left to the penetralia of the house, from which Marina enters deeply troubled. She looks back, shakes her head, saying, "O my poor lady!" then crosses to door right, listens, and hearing nothing goes slowly to door rear, where she waits, singing sadly:

Shepherds down the mountain wind,Wild pipes play in the street.O Sicily, my Sicily,I long for thee, my Sweet!Once a year God takes his joy,And that great joy is Spring,He weds earth clad in blossom-robes,For His enrapturing!

[She stops, listening, then resumes:

Once a year God takes his joy,And that —

[She stops again hearing sounds at the gate, then is startled to paleness by the voice of Matteo; and as she listens a stern strong determination takes her.

Matteo.Basta! am I to pass! son of a dog!Snout of a swine! knave! door-bestriding fool!Have I not matters to her from my master,To the Signora, from her husband's brother?

[A scuffle.

The Devil's scullion feed youOn flame, until your liver shrivels black!

[He has pushed past and enters the Hall insolently.

O-hé! who's here! I come from Signor Osio!

[Sees Marina.

The little Sicilian? Luck then is my slave!

[Going to her.

Well, pretty fig! my little red pomegranate!My fair forbidden fruit – pluckt in the moon!I've come … (stopped by her mien) But,Blood of the Holy Sepulchre!

[Looks around uncertainly.

What thing has happened here?Marina.That, Matteo,

[Speaks solemnly.

Which yet I do not know, and which I prayMadonna you may be as ignorant of.Matteo.Eh?.. I, my beauty?Marina.You – who left this houseA year ago to-night with Signor Osio,Left suddenly,To serve his wealth and pleasure,And who will leave it now as instantly,If he is not in need – of absolution.Matteo.Of … (starting) absolution?Body, now, of Bacchus!Does he not go to the Mass – and if he does notAm I a priestTo know his need of purging?Or if he sins must I be damned with him?Marina.No, so the way from it —Matteo.The way! the way!I want no way, but in unto your mistress.Am I not sent here to her with commands?Ecco! and must I turn with them upon me,And say a wench denied me?Or that I fearedPerchance to catch the feverOf heresy your master's shackled with?Pah, but you jest, my ruby rose of Aetna —

[Insinuatingly.

Whom yet I will not say but I will wed,Tho you are from that Paynim-breeding isleOf Sicily. You jest: so, in with you.I seek your lady.Marina.Seek … and shall find more.Matteo.More! (Struck by her tone.) And from what and whom?Marina.I wait Aloysius,The leech.Matteo.And that is what I am to fear?Marina.The child is ill.Matteo (starting).The child!Marina.My lady's child.

[With tenser solemnity.