Porzia

And drug her now with opiates to prevent her?Or waken her and bid her to deny?Did I not deem it? and will you feign further?Did I not say that Osio is here?There in the bower is he, there! and sheHas planned to meet him.Marina.Signor! no! no, no!'Tis you that she would meet!Rizzio.And not this croucher,

[Of Matteo.

Who is alone and purposeless? not he?Nor him he pledges craven to reveal?Marina.O, Signor, no!Rizzio.Lies! and a world of lies!

[His words writhing.

And now you shall not hold her: she shall come:Shall go into the bower. She shall take himBefore your very breath unto her breast.Marina.But, Signor, she is asleep.Rizzio.Go, lead her.Marina.SheKnows not what she is doing!Rizzio.She shall learn!Marina.O Signor, no, no, no!Rizzio.I tell you, then,

[Starting toward house.

That truth is still my star, and that no shrinkingShall stay me, tho all night contains would quench it.

[Is near door, when Porzia herself like a wraith appears – and at the same time Osio is seen in the entrance to bower. Before Porzia's sleep-fixed eyes Rizzio falls back: her somnambulant speech breaks faintly.

Porzia.The night is as a spell. No more of physic.Return unto your couch. The Inquisition?To take him? from his very nuptials take him?He is no bigamist, Monsignor Querio.

[Pauses.

Yes, Rizzio, at midnight!.. Yes. – EverThe arms of Osio round me instead!This choking shroud of fever that defiles!

[Moans, trying to throw it off.

But, peace; the child will wake. My little one,My baby!.. lift the candle to its face.

[Again moaning.

O that is Osio, not Rizzio,I see within its eyes! Yet do not kill him,No, Rizzio, do not kill him, tho he isYour brother and has done it: I have borneToo much and they would prison you again.Or if they did not, still the stars we loveMust not turn into … drops of bloody vengeance! —But, peace to this! (moves forward) for it is time to meet him.Marina (withholdingly).Signora!Porzia.Time to meet him in the bower.

[Is nearing it.

For now he is returned and all the nightIs like a spell to draw my soul unto him.

[With Osio before her.

Yes, Rizzio, I come; you see, I … I …

[Is reaching her arms to him when a shudder takes her. Her hand goes up to her brow and her gaze wanly flutters. Then suddenly her trance breaks and she shrinks screaming.

It is not he! not Rizzio! Not he!Marina! Bianca! Help! not he! help; help!

[Sinks wildly back to the seat.

Marina (who runs to her).Signora, no! not he! not he! but weAre here and he is come and you shall see him.

[Kneeling.

See, you have dreamed!..Aloysius (by her).And have awakened, Porzia,Awakened from imaginings and terrors;For you are ill…Marina.And knew not what you did!..But now look round you and all shall be well.

[She looks and, finding Rizzio, rises again bewildered.

Marina (who understands).It now is he, Signora; do not fear.Porzia.Rizzio! Rizzio! Rizzio!Rizzio.Porzia!

[He sobs.

Porzia.O, is it dreams? I pray do not deceive me.I think that it is he, but O so manyMy thoughts have been and full of pain to meThat truth shall never more, alas, be true,Or trust be ever utter trust againTill peace has come to me as pure as thatTo earth, from the rainbow's woven amuletUpon the brow of God – peace wed to kindness.And to deceive me now were less than kind!Rizzio.My Porzia! (Falls weeping at her feet.)Deceit at last is o'er!And not he, even he, who wrought this wrongAnd who would forge that rainbow into fetters,Till I could wishThe eternal tooth of painAnd of remorse should tear him – not he, now,

[Rising; to Osio.

Shall turn my heart from love unto revenge.But "pagan" tho I be, I bid him go!

[Points to gate, and Osio tortured, flings it open – and goes. Then when Matteo has followed, Rizzio turns tenderly to Porzia. The horror falls from her as he folds her finally to him – while the moon that had clouded, shines on them bright and still.

THE END