SCENE II.
Fiorilla’s house.—Enter Fiorilla with attendants and Marco.
Fiorilla (to attendants.)
Go for the present: deck the hall of mirth
As may become her state who bids the guests;
And your own emulous skill. For this poor person,
I’ll care for it alone. [Exeunt attendants.
You have prepared
The chamber for our secret guests?
Marco.
’Tis ready.
They need not fear intrusion.
Fiorilla.
All is right. [Exit Marco.
I am now mistress of their secret. Set me
A woman’s wit against a statesman’s arts!
I’ll hold them at my bidding. Troth, I knew not
How great a spirit bowed to me, when knelt
The lordly Contarini at my feet!
Enter Leonardo.
Sir, welcome.
Leonardo.
Thanks, sweet lady. I am honored
In your fair greeting.
Fiorilla.
Tell me, you who hear
The lightest breath of ever varying rumor,
What says the world abroad?
Leonardo.
Tumults are stirring
That fill the popular ear, and threaten danger
To those in power.
Fiorilla.
What reck I of the danger
Which statesmen tempt, when beauty’s empire shakes not
Her sparkling sceptre ’tis, that I would wield,
Her throne I covet.
Leonardo.
Rumor, too, has tongues
Enough to speak of you.
Fiorilla.
And what say they?
Leonardo.
They join your name with Contarini’s, lady,
And say, they shortly will be one.
Fiorilla.
Indeed!
’Tis an impertinent tale;—but power like his
Were it not worth the sharing?
Leonardo.
And such grace
And loveliness would well become its pride.
Fiorilla.
Nay—now you flatter. Come, I’ll be content
To wear mine own name now, meek Fiorilla;
An humble one, ’tis true, but best befitting
Her modesty, that bears it. For the rest,
If time have honors in his keeping for me——
Re-enter Marco.
Marco.
Lady, some other guests.
Fiorilla.
I will receive them. [Exeunt.