We are here in privacy.
To Cardinal Borgia.] Bring her in hither to me.
[Vanozza, holding Lucrezia’s hand, is conducted to the Pope. She falls at his feet: he raises her.
O Vanozza,
Poor heart!
Poor heart!
VANOZZA.
My Lord, your Holiness, I came—
Forgive me.
Forgive me.
ALEXANDER.
Nay! [He falls sobbing on her shoulder.
We mourn together. Where we had a son
For eyes’ delight, there is nothing.
[Soothing and patting Vanozza.] Hush, you must not!
Little beloved, you suckled him. You must not!
Go home; pray to Madonna.—She will hear.
And let me see your face.
[Drawing her veil.] It is the same;
As honest and as good.
We mourn together. Where we had a son
For eyes’ delight, there is nothing.
[Soothing and patting Vanozza.] Hush, you must not!
Little beloved, you suckled him. You must not!
Go home; pray to Madonna.—She will hear.
And let me see your face.
[Drawing her veil.] It is the same;
As honest and as good.
[He holds her face in his hands.
VANOZZA.
I have good children.
I am so richly blessed ... and this dear boy,
A Prince from Spain, came back again and kissed me.
I am so richly blessed ... and this dear boy,
A Prince from Spain, came back again and kissed me.
ALEXANDER.
Good son and enviable righteousness
To kiss this face in filial piety.
There, there, you must forget him!
To kiss this face in filial piety.
There, there, you must forget him!
[Gaspare Poto approaches.
Poto,
You pull my skirts.
You pull my skirts.
POTO.
Come quick. A waterman....
ALEXANDER.
[Steadying himself against Vanozza.
Then tell me, Poto.... Let me know from you.
[He moans.
POTO.
I cannot tell you more; he waits to speak.
[Poto supports the Pope to where the waterman Giorgio stands with an Inquisitor at the further end of the room.
LUCREZIA.
[Suddenly coming to Vanozza.
Cesare!... Mother, we must cling to him.
VANOZZA.
Where is he? In these halls? It dazes me....
[Watching the Pope.
God’s image on the earth! I was profane....
And you a Princess, too! O my Giovanni!
You, all of you, are but as visitants;
You are enskied afar. Happy, unhappy mother!
Child! O sweet, floating hair against my cheek,
And your cold cheek....
And you a Princess, too! O my Giovanni!
You, all of you, are but as visitants;
You are enskied afar. Happy, unhappy mother!
Child! O sweet, floating hair against my cheek,
And your cold cheek....
LUCREZIA.
VANOZZA.
I never saw them both more gay or fair;
They plagued each other like two golden lances
Crossed in the sunshine at a tournament—
And so till Cesare had warned the hour.
They plagued each other like two golden lances
Crossed in the sunshine at a tournament—
And so till Cesare had warned the hour.
LUCREZIA.
We must cling to him.
VANOZZA.
Can I give a thought
To any but my lost, my lost Giovanni,
My all but God—and to my God? Lucrece
Turns with her mother to His Throne of Mercy?
O Child! [Her cry echoes one from the Pope.
To any but my lost, my lost Giovanni,
My all but God—and to my God? Lucrece
Turns with her mother to His Throne of Mercy?
O Child! [Her cry echoes one from the Pope.
ALEXANDER.
Hush, hush!... It is incredible.
The horror swallows me. Hush, hush!
Laid over
The white horse!...
The horror swallows me. Hush, hush!
Laid over
The white horse!...
[Advancing.] O Madonna de’ Catanei,
Go with the girl away. You shall have tidings.
His mother—go!
My blessing, child. I have no more to say.
Go with the girl away. You shall have tidings.
His mother—go!
My blessing, child. I have no more to say.
[Exeunt Vanozza and Lucrezia.
Good Adriana, follow them.
ADRIANA.
And you, Rodrigo?
ALEXANDER.
Follow them. [Exit Adriana.
Sancta Dei Genetrix,
Turris Davidica, Refugium
Peccatorum, Virgo clemens!—
Turris Davidica, Refugium
Peccatorum, Virgo clemens!—
[Returning.] What is this, Francesco,
He tells you further? Nay,
You will not broach the facts? He saw these men
Creep back and other two come stealing downward,
And the white horse—and what it bore.
He tells you further? Nay,
You will not broach the facts? He saw these men
Creep back and other two come stealing downward,
And the white horse—and what it bore.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
Spare yourself, Holiness.
GIORGIO.
I told the Inquisitors
All as it happened.
All as it happened.
ALEXANDER.
Tell me.
GIORGIO.
By the Tiber
They turned the horse and swung the body down
In heavy mire and litter. I could see
A bulrush sucked at by the risen billow,
And how a winding object swam along,
Lapped by the current—’twas the dead man’s cloak.
They pelted it with stones: then....
They turned the horse and swung the body down
In heavy mire and litter. I could see
A bulrush sucked at by the risen billow,
And how a winding object swam along,
Lapped by the current—’twas the dead man’s cloak.
They pelted it with stones: then....
ALEXANDER.
[To Cardinal Borgia, who supports him.]
Cousin—O Francesco,
And I have wit to ask where this was seen.
Cousin—O Francesco,
And I have wit to ask where this was seen.
POTO.
On the Rispetti, by the Ospedale.
ALEXANDER.
[To Giorgio.] Then go and tell the fishermen; direct
Those foolish, flitting lights that drive me mad.
Those foolish, flitting lights that drive me mad.
[Giorgio moves away.
Why have you held your peace?
GIORGIO.
A hundred times,
From my beached boat
What I have seen I saw—none cared to hear.
From my beached boat
What I have seen I saw—none cared to hear.
[Exit with Inquisitor.
ALEXANDER.
Thrown out as dust and refuse to the river,
My worship!—leaving me
As one who is no more. My life’s high hope
Snatched under darkness, sodden,
A dead boy, who was proud and beautiful.
Francesco, in a single night! O Cousin,
I thought that he was comforting his youth
In a kind Thaïs’ arms and he was down
At the bottom of that river!
My worship!—leaving me
As one who is no more. My life’s high hope
Snatched under darkness, sodden,
A dead boy, who was proud and beautiful.
Francesco, in a single night! O Cousin,
I thought that he was comforting his youth
In a kind Thaïs’ arms and he was down
At the bottom of that river!
CARDINAL BORGIA.
Nay, dear Holiness,
Has not this Giorgio seen a hundred times....
Has not this Giorgio seen a hundred times....
ALEXANDER.
You think Giovanni lives?
CARDINAL BORGIA.
God grant it!
ALEXANDER.
He has ridden
Beyond the walls, at some castello wooing
Maiden or wife, since summer bans the chase;
A foolish pastime ’mid infested country!
But now the vineyards are as silken tents
For Amor’s camp. I am too precipitous
In passion: I must wait another night,
And then ... fold him again
Upon my heart! Go back, go back, my heart!
Patience! [He finds himself at the window.
But see, there, see
The lights are sailing to one point. Out yonder
What is that spot of dusk?
Beyond the walls, at some castello wooing
Maiden or wife, since summer bans the chase;
A foolish pastime ’mid infested country!
But now the vineyards are as silken tents
For Amor’s camp. I am too precipitous
In passion: I must wait another night,
And then ... fold him again
Upon my heart! Go back, go back, my heart!
Patience! [He finds himself at the window.
But see, there, see
The lights are sailing to one point. Out yonder
What is that spot of dusk?
POTO.
The Ospedale.
ALEXANDER.
Enter Monsignore Burchard.
BURCHARD.
Holy Father,
The illustrious Duke of Gandia has been found
In velvet coat and cloak, the dagger sheathed,
His ducats in his purse.
The illustrious Duke of Gandia has been found
In velvet coat and cloak, the dagger sheathed,
His ducats in his purse.
ALEXANDER.
It sails, it sails, it sails
On to Sant’ Angelo. The torches....
On to Sant’ Angelo. The torches....
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
Nothing is stol’n?
BURCHARD.
No, not a single gem.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
Vendetta? Are there wounds?
BURCHARD.
I counted seven;
One mortal in the throat. His hands were tied.
One mortal in the throat. His hands were tied.
ALEXANDER.
[With a howl like a lion’s.] God, by God’s blood, my curse!
[He falls in a swoon.
BURCHARD.
[Lifting both hands.] His Vicar here on earth!
CARDINAL BORGIA.
[Who kneels and supports the Pope.] Beware!
His father must not see him.
His father must not see him.
BURCHARD.
[Poto and the Cardinals laugh.
ALEXANDER.
[Slowly opening his eyes.] Francesco, are they talking of my son?
SCENE IV
A room in the Lord Cardinal Cesare Borgia’s Palace of Borgo Sant’ Angelo.
It is dead midnight: lights are burning. Lord Cardinal Cesare, in the black satin dress of a Spanish gentleman, with jewelled poignard, reclines on a couch. He appears to be sleeping, except that now and again he slowly rolls from hand to hand a gold ball of perfumes. His Spanish page Juanito Grasica is asleep. Behind the couch, across a table, the great ceremonial sword lies naked, and near it is a new purchase, the sleeping Cupid with broken foot of Messer Buonarotti.
Donna Lucrezia Borgia enters with Donna Adriana Orsini, whose hand she clasps: she looses it, and, after a moment’s pause, comes to her brother.
LUCREZIA.
Madonna Adriana brought me here;
She stays without: I go back to the convent.
Cesare—tell me all that I should pray.
She stays without: I go back to the convent.
Cesare—tell me all that I should pray.
CESARE.
[Turning his head back towards her from the couch.
Amanda, that your scruples be removed;
That I be Cesar.
That I be Cesar.
LUCREZIA.
CESARE.
Shall you, from prayer?
To-night you look a sibyl.
Who did this deed?
To-night you look a sibyl.
Who did this deed?
LUCREZIA.
Let Juan play the lute;
You must have music through these restless nights.
How lost you look!
You must have music through these restless nights.
How lost you look!
CESARE.
You startled me. How lost!
[He closes his eyes.
LUCREZIA.
[Stealing away to Adriana.] He is dreaming; he has quite forgotten me.
Come, Adriana, soft! As an astronomer
He must not be disturbed: he is quite lost.
Come, Adriana, soft! As an astronomer
He must not be disturbed: he is quite lost.
SCENE V
The Pope’s Bedroom in the Borgia Apartments at the Vatican.
The Lord Alexander VI. is extended asleep on the bed.
The Lord Cardinal Bartolomeo of Segovia and Monsignore Gaspare Poto.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
I thank God for this sleep. Those fearful days
I knelt against his door! The raving wildness
I heard at times—inhospitable sorrow,
Aloof from our Creator! Then, dashed down,
The heavy frame wept like a haunted child’s.
Then silence
Too perilous to spread! I beat the door.
I knelt against his door! The raving wildness
I heard at times—inhospitable sorrow,
Aloof from our Creator! Then, dashed down,
The heavy frame wept like a haunted child’s.
Then silence
Too perilous to spread! I beat the door.
POTO.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
And when he opened—Jesu, he was faded
As a dead fish; slack chin, and Arab eyes
Glassy in fever, with a vengeful thirst.
If only he had known the murderer,
And could have struck him down to deepest hell—
As a dead fish; slack chin, and Arab eyes
Glassy in fever, with a vengeful thirst.
If only he had known the murderer,
And could have struck him down to deepest hell—
POTO.
Each moment
He snatches ends of this dark mystery,
As he unravelled at the dead of night
The broidery on a frame he could but feel.
He snatches ends of this dark mystery,
As he unravelled at the dead of night
The broidery on a frame he could but feel.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
True, true! It turns the brain that no one knows.
Some whisper ’twas the Lord of Pesaro
Revenged himself for ridicule and the shame
Of his divorce.
Some whisper ’twas the Lord of Pesaro
Revenged himself for ridicule and the shame
Of his divorce.
POTO.
[Shaking his head.] He has no credit here.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
Some roundly have it
The Lord Ascanio Sforza did the deed,
For he and Gandia quarrelled the same day
That our fine Duke was struck.
The Lord Ascanio Sforza did the deed,
For he and Gandia quarrelled the same day
That our fine Duke was struck.
POTO.
It was a masterpiece
Of secrecy—this murder.
Of secrecy—this murder.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
No more news?
POTO.
By item all I know is told to you,
My Lord Segovia.
My Lord Segovia.
ALEXANDER.
CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
I will retire,
And send the Lord Francesco Borgia up
To urge his cousin’s appetite.
Behold!
And send the Lord Francesco Borgia up
To urge his cousin’s appetite.
Behold!
[Poto, turning to the bed, finds the Pope sitting up, a
beatific smile on his face.
beatific smile on his face.
ALEXANDER.
But I have seen my son in Paradise....
POTO.
How fares your Holiness this morning?
ALEXANDER.
Poto,
There was no scar on him, not the least wound;
That is the truth: and he stood armed again.
As bright as San Michele he looked down
Upon us from the wall, his gonfalon
Swathing around him as he stood. His face
Was to me as an angel’s.
[He weeps quietly.] I repent,
I will change all to meet that boy again
In Paradise, no wound on him, no scar.
And yet the sight of him,
O Poto, drove down to the rasping quick
Of conscience through my heart. All shall be changed,
The Vatican be cleared of sin. These bastards ...
Let me not see them more! Joffré, Lucrezia—
Joffré must mind his government afar,
I banish him. Lucrece—oh, I shall gather
The seas between us; she shall dwell in Spain,
Dwell in Valencia, deep, where I was born,
White little demon-girl!
[He rises, trembling, and Poto robes him.] No priest henceforward
Shall hold two benefices; simony
No more shall breed among us. God would punish
Some sin in us; it could not be Giovanni
Deserved a death so cruel. Gently, Poto,
You are too violent.
There was no scar on him, not the least wound;
That is the truth: and he stood armed again.
As bright as San Michele he looked down
Upon us from the wall, his gonfalon
Swathing around him as he stood. His face
Was to me as an angel’s.
[He weeps quietly.] I repent,
I will change all to meet that boy again
In Paradise, no wound on him, no scar.
And yet the sight of him,
O Poto, drove down to the rasping quick
Of conscience through my heart. All shall be changed,
The Vatican be cleared of sin. These bastards ...
Let me not see them more! Joffré, Lucrezia—
Joffré must mind his government afar,
I banish him. Lucrece—oh, I shall gather
The seas between us; she shall dwell in Spain,
Dwell in Valencia, deep, where I was born,
White little demon-girl!
[He rises, trembling, and Poto robes him.] No priest henceforward
Shall hold two benefices; simony
No more shall breed among us. God would punish
Some sin in us; it could not be Giovanni
Deserved a death so cruel. Gently, Poto,
You are too violent.
POTO.
Patience, Holiness,
You slit the silk.
You slit the silk.
ALEXANDER.
Where is the Cardinal
I called my son? Unnatural, where are they?
The children I have fostered in my bosom,
Where are they?
I called my son? Unnatural, where are they?
The children I have fostered in my bosom,
Where are they?
POTO.
Holiness,
Donna Lucrezia in the Sistine Convent
Prays day and night.
Donna Lucrezia in the Sistine Convent
Prays day and night.
ALEXANDER.
Sweet soul!
POTO.
The Lord Valencia—
ALEXANDER.
Ah, what of him? Where is his piety?
POTO.
When your affliction broke on you, before it
Men fled as from a pest. Lord Cesare
Is shut within his palace; duteously,
Almost from hour to hour, his servants pass
For tidings of your health.
Men fled as from a pest. Lord Cesare
Is shut within his palace; duteously,
Almost from hour to hour, his servants pass
For tidings of your health.
An Usher appears at the door.
USHER.
The Governor
Of Rome prays for the Presence.
Of Rome prays for the Presence.
ALEXANDER.
He has tidings?
Oh, it will break my heart! I would lie down
Within my coffin—and that tapestry
About the portal, with its shaking folds,
Opens and shuts the lid. Let him come in.
Oh, it will break my heart! I would lie down
Within my coffin—and that tapestry
About the portal, with its shaking folds,
Opens and shuts the lid. Let him come in.
[The Governor comes to the Pontiff’s feet.
GOVERNOR.
Most Holy Father, there is little new
Of the Lord Duke to certify—his mule
Was found hard by the Palace Barbarini.
Of the Lord Duke to certify—his mule
Was found hard by the Palace Barbarini.
ALEXANDER.
[To Poto.] My lad, my lad! We know what beauty there
Looks into Tiber like the moon!
I thank you
For your devotion.
Looks into Tiber like the moon!
I thank you
For your devotion.
GOVERNOR.
Shall we still further search?
ALEXANDER.
Expressly, till the recreant be slain.
He dies within my thoughts a several death
Each time I front the dark where he is lost.
God damn him deeper every day! Search, search!
He dies within my thoughts a several death
Each time I front the dark where he is lost.
God damn him deeper every day! Search, search!
[Exit Governor.
His mule, and at that spot! Gaspare, breathe around
The Palace, bribe the women. If a stab
From jealousy—we stop the inquisition.
Mea culpa, mea culpa!
The Palace, bribe the women. If a stab
From jealousy—we stop the inquisition.
Mea culpa, mea culpa!
Enter the Lord Francesco Borgia.
O Francesco,
What do you bear so carefully—the Host?
What do you bear so carefully—the Host?
CARDINAL BORGIA.
Nay, but a little food.
ALEXANDER.
I cannot eat.
Gaspare, bear it from the room. Go all
Away from me!
Gaspare, bear it from the room. Go all
Away from me!
[Exeunt all save Cardinal Borgia, who quietly remains.
CARDINAL BORGIA.
Holiness,
If I may trust the murmur in my ears
From men to whose free speech
I gave safe conduct, it is not for you
To make avowal. Heaven requires of you
Such greatness and capacity of pardon
As in extent it touched the limits of,
Setting its brand of safety upon Cain.
If I may trust the murmur in my ears
From men to whose free speech
I gave safe conduct, it is not for you
To make avowal. Heaven requires of you
Such greatness and capacity of pardon
As in extent it touched the limits of,
Setting its brand of safety upon Cain.
ALEXANDER.
What, Joffré?
CARDINAL BORGIA.
No, not Joffré ... but a son.
Belovèd, exercise the privilege
Of God’s vicegerent. Wash away this guilt,
Remove it from you; pardon secretly.
Belovèd, exercise the privilege
Of God’s vicegerent. Wash away this guilt,
Remove it from you; pardon secretly.
ALEXANDER.
Not Joffré? Joffré is my heir.... You lay
A heavy stone upon Giovanni’s grave
To keep me from him. But it is not true,
It cannot be! We Borgia do no harm
To any of our kin.
A heavy stone upon Giovanni’s grave
To keep me from him. But it is not true,
It cannot be! We Borgia do no harm
To any of our kin.
CARDINAL BORGIA.
And yet to certainty
Drive the suspicion, and forgive the crime.
Drive the suspicion, and forgive the crime.
[The Pope paces, wringing his hands.
ALEXANDER.
He never made complaint. I have been thoughtless,
Thoughtless to Cesare.... He has been absent
Too often from our ceremonials,
From our investitures. I drove him jealous
By welcome of his brother out of Spain.
I did him wrong.
Good kinsman, you have taught me
To dry my tears ... and I have still a son.
Fetch me again the little dish of food,
The wine.... I am grown faint.
See that this bruit
Come never to his mother. He is all
To her as if he were her eldest born.
God knows my love to him is infinite!
But—bid him keep his palace. I forbid
His presence here.... My sins have plunged my children
In death and hell, and I must live alone.
Thoughtless to Cesare.... He has been absent
Too often from our ceremonials,
From our investitures. I drove him jealous
By welcome of his brother out of Spain.
I did him wrong.
Good kinsman, you have taught me
To dry my tears ... and I have still a son.
Fetch me again the little dish of food,
The wine.... I am grown faint.
See that this bruit
Come never to his mother. He is all
To her as if he were her eldest born.
God knows my love to him is infinite!
But—bid him keep his palace. I forbid
His presence here.... My sins have plunged my children
In death and hell, and I must live alone.
SCENE VI
The Vatican; Sala dei Pontifici.
The Lord Alexander VI. is enthroned. The Lord Cardinal Cesare Borgia stands before him, defiant.
ALEXANDER.
How dare you thus intrude?
CESARE.
But it is rumoured
It is your will
The Lord Ascanio Sforza be your legate
In this affair of Naples.
It is your will
The Lord Ascanio Sforza be your legate
In this affair of Naples.
ALEXANDER.
Ay, my will.
CESARE.
Your Holiness will recollect he lies
Under suspicion of Giovanni’s death.
You send a blood-stained envoy on this business,
And thrust me from my place. You have yourself
To thank for your Giovanni’s death; the honours
You heaped on him have brought him to his doom.
Will you bring more
And greater desolation on your years?
Under suspicion of Giovanni’s death.
You send a blood-stained envoy on this business,
And thrust me from my place. You have yourself
To thank for your Giovanni’s death; the honours
You heaped on him have brought him to his doom.
Will you bring more
And greater desolation on your years?
ALEXANDER.
CESARE.
I am your legate, if before, so after.
As for my brother’s death, that is but Fortune—
The spokes of her wheel turned bright on me. I was
Your second son, enslaved to your vocation;
Profane, I touched your sacred things and trembled
You dared to put me to such use: in secret
I wrought my sword, my legend. I am Cesar,
And he is all my omen. By a fate
So marvellous it rocks my very dreams
I wake, I rouse myself
To majesty you put on me, or let it
Drop downward to the void.
As for my brother’s death, that is but Fortune—
The spokes of her wheel turned bright on me. I was
Your second son, enslaved to your vocation;
Profane, I touched your sacred things and trembled
You dared to put me to such use: in secret
I wrought my sword, my legend. I am Cesar,
And he is all my omen. By a fate
So marvellous it rocks my very dreams
I wake, I rouse myself
To majesty you put on me, or let it
Drop downward to the void.
[Motioning to the Pope that he must continue speaking.
You did not reckon
With me, you let Giovanni take my place
Beside you and your throne. None noted me
Level among the scarlet hats, except
This goddess with a rudder, this fair child
Of Jove, this liberator. I am silent,
Except before confusion such as yours.
With me, you let Giovanni take my place
Beside you and your throne. None noted me
Level among the scarlet hats, except
This goddess with a rudder, this fair child
Of Jove, this liberator. I am silent,
Except before confusion such as yours.
[Coming closer to the Pope.
Blind to the moment—you have not been blind.
I watched you from Spoleto setting gins,
I watched you bribe on bribe....
I watched you from Spoleto setting gins,
I watched you bribe on bribe....
ALEXANDER.
Ay, there you track me,
And I must answer for my wickedness.
I owe my seat to wickedness.
And I must answer for my wickedness.
I owe my seat to wickedness.
CESARE.
Leave weeping!
There should be pact between us. How your coffers
Are filled I know, and where your heart is lavish,
And what you dream. I kneel before your throne
With faculty
As boundless as a god’s, with strength as supple,
To be your instrument, to win you lands,
To give you rule. You have forbidden me
Your presence: if I pass from it forbidden,
I leave you—up and down to wave your hands
In blessing on the powers you supplicate.
While, if you bid me to your side, I build
An army for the Church; there will be legions....
There should be pact between us. How your coffers
Are filled I know, and where your heart is lavish,
And what you dream. I kneel before your throne
With faculty
As boundless as a god’s, with strength as supple,
To be your instrument, to win you lands,
To give you rule. You have forbidden me
Your presence: if I pass from it forbidden,
I leave you—up and down to wave your hands
In blessing on the powers you supplicate.
While, if you bid me to your side, I build
An army for the Church; there will be legions....