_Regent_ (_totters and falls into his arms with a tired, happy laugh, which ends in a cry as his arms enfold her_). Ah!

[_She faints._

_Duke_. (_after a moment, releasing her a little_). What's here? Ottilia!

_Lucetta._ My mistress swoons!

_A Courtier._ 'Tis happiness--

_Duke._ Fetch water!

_Lucio._ Nay this blood-- Came of no scratch!

_Lucetta._ Loosen her bodice--

_Duke._ Blood?

Why blood? Where's blood?

(_Stares as the mantle is imclasped and falls open_).

Ah, my G.o.d!

_Lucetta._ Murder! murder!

The Countess Fulvia--

_Cesario._ Speak!

_Lucetta._ There--while she knelt-- Stabbed her, and fled.

_Cesario._ Which way?

[_Lucetta points to the stairs. He dashes off in pursuit._

_Duke._ All-seeing G.o.d!

Where were thine eyes, or else thy justice? Dead?

O, never dead!

_Lucio._ Ay, Duke, push G.o.d aside, As I push thee. I have the better right: I killed her--I. O never pa.s.s, sweet soul, Till thou hast drunk a shudder of this wretch, Thy brother, playmate, murderer!

_Duke._ Wine! bring wine--

_Regent_ (_as the wine is brought and revives her_).

Flower, he will crush thee--but the bliss, the bliss!

I swim in bliss. What ... Lucio? Where's my lord?

Dear, bring him: he was here awhile and held me.

Say he must hold, or the light air will lift And bear me quite away.

[_Re-enter Cesario. In one hand he carries his sword, in the other a dagger._

_Lucio._ Cesario!

What! Is that devil escaped? To think--to think I drank her kisses!--What? Where is she?

_Cesario._ Dead.

I raised the cry: the people pointed after; Ran with me, ravening. Just this side the bridge She heard our howl and turned--drew back the dagger Red with our lady's blood, then drove it home Clean to her own black heart.

_Regent._ G.o.d pardon her!

I would what blood of mine clung to the blade Might mix with hers and sweeten it for mercy.

_Lucio._ Will you forgive her? Then forgive not me!

_Regent._ Dear Lucio!--You'll not pluck away your hand This time? Hush! Where's Cesario?... Friend, farewell.

Where lies the body?

_Cesario._ Sooth, madonna, I flung it To the river's will, to roll it down to sea Or cast on muddy bar, for dogs to gnaw.

_Regent._ The river? Ah! How strong the river rolls!

Hold me, my lord--

_Duke._ Love, love, I hold you

_Regent._--Ay!

The child, too--You will hold the child?...

This roar Deafens but will not drown us.

[_Within the Chapel the choir is chanting a dirge.

Gamba goes and closes the door on the sound: then creeps to the foot of the couch. The dying woman gently motions aside the cross a priest is holding to her, and looks up at her husband._

[_Below the terrace a voice is heard singing the Rondinello song._

Look! beyond Be waters where no galley moves with oar, So wide, so waveless,--and, between the woods, Meadows--O land me there!... Hark, my lord's voice Singing in Vallescura! Soft my, love, I am so tired--so tired! Love, let me play!

[_Dies._

[_The Courtiers lift the body in silence and bear it to the Chapel, the Duke and his train following.

The doors close on them. On the stage are left only Cesario, standing by the bal.u.s.trade; and Gamba, who has seated himself with his viol and touches it, as still the voice sings below--_

Addio, Addio! ed un'altra volt'addio!

La lundananza tua, 'l desiderio mio!

[_On the last note a string of the viol cracks, and with a cry the Fool flings himself, heart-broken, on the empty couch. Cesario steps forward and stands over him, touching his shoulder gently._

CURTAIN.

POEMS