_90
That the atonement of what my nature sickens to conjecture may soon
arrive, I send thee, at thy brother's desire, those who will speak and
do more than I dare write.
That the atonement of what my nature sickens to conjecture may soon
arrive, I send thee, at thy brother's desire, those who will speak and
do more than I dare write.
Shelley
_70
SAVELLA:
'Tis strange! There were clear marks of violence.
I found the old man's body in the moonlight
Hanging beneath the window of his chamber,
Among the branches of a pine: he could not
Have fallen there, for all his limbs lay heaped _75
And effortless; 'tis true there was no blood. . .
Favour me, Sir; it much imports your house
That all should be made clear; to tell the ladies
That I request their presence.
[EXIT BERNARDO. ]
[ENTER GUARDS, BRINGING IN MARZIO. ]
GUARD:
We have one.
OFFICER:
My Lord, we found this ruffian and another _80
Lurking among the rocks; there is no doubt
But that they are the murderers of Count Cenci:
Each had a bag of coin; this fellow wore
A gold-inwoven robe, which, shining bright
Under the dark rocks to the glimmering moon _85
Betrayed them to our notice: the other fell
Desperately fighting.
SAVELLA:
What does he confess?
OFFICER:
He keeps firm silence; but these lines found on him
May speak.
SAVELLA:
Their language is at least sincere.
[READS. ]
'To the Lady Beatrice.
_90
That the atonement of what my nature sickens to conjecture may soon
arrive, I send thee, at thy brother's desire, those who will speak and
do more than I dare write. . .
'Thy devoted servant, Orsino. '
[ENTER LUCRETIA, BEATRICE, AND BERNARDO. ]
Knowest thou this writing, Lady?
BEATRICE:
No.
SAVELLA:
Nor thou? _95
LUCRETIA [HER CONDUCT THROUGHOUT THE SCENE IS MARKED BY EXTREME AGITATION]:
Where was it found? What is it? It should be
Orsino's hand! It speaks of that strange horror
Which never yet found utterance, but which made
Between that hapless child and her dead father
A gulf of obscure hatred.
SAVELLA:
Is it so? _100
Is it true, Lady, that thy father did
Such outrages as to awaken in thee
Unfilial hate?
BEATRICE:
Not hate, 'twas more than hate:
This is most true, yet wherefore question me?
SAVELLA:
There is a deed demanding question done; _105
Thou hast a secret which will answer not.
SAVELLA:
'Tis strange! There were clear marks of violence.
I found the old man's body in the moonlight
Hanging beneath the window of his chamber,
Among the branches of a pine: he could not
Have fallen there, for all his limbs lay heaped _75
And effortless; 'tis true there was no blood. . .
Favour me, Sir; it much imports your house
That all should be made clear; to tell the ladies
That I request their presence.
[EXIT BERNARDO. ]
[ENTER GUARDS, BRINGING IN MARZIO. ]
GUARD:
We have one.
OFFICER:
My Lord, we found this ruffian and another _80
Lurking among the rocks; there is no doubt
But that they are the murderers of Count Cenci:
Each had a bag of coin; this fellow wore
A gold-inwoven robe, which, shining bright
Under the dark rocks to the glimmering moon _85
Betrayed them to our notice: the other fell
Desperately fighting.
SAVELLA:
What does he confess?
OFFICER:
He keeps firm silence; but these lines found on him
May speak.
SAVELLA:
Their language is at least sincere.
[READS. ]
'To the Lady Beatrice.
_90
That the atonement of what my nature sickens to conjecture may soon
arrive, I send thee, at thy brother's desire, those who will speak and
do more than I dare write. . .
'Thy devoted servant, Orsino. '
[ENTER LUCRETIA, BEATRICE, AND BERNARDO. ]
Knowest thou this writing, Lady?
BEATRICE:
No.
SAVELLA:
Nor thou? _95
LUCRETIA [HER CONDUCT THROUGHOUT THE SCENE IS MARKED BY EXTREME AGITATION]:
Where was it found? What is it? It should be
Orsino's hand! It speaks of that strange horror
Which never yet found utterance, but which made
Between that hapless child and her dead father
A gulf of obscure hatred.
SAVELLA:
Is it so? _100
Is it true, Lady, that thy father did
Such outrages as to awaken in thee
Unfilial hate?
BEATRICE:
Not hate, 'twas more than hate:
This is most true, yet wherefore question me?
SAVELLA:
There is a deed demanding question done; _105
Thou hast a secret which will answer not.
