Fiesco Read online

  FIESCO (walking about much agitated). Leonora, cease! The bridge is raised behind me--

  LEONORA (with a look of tenderness). And why, my husband? Deeds alone are irrevocable. Thou once didst swear (fondly clinging to him, and somewhat archly) that all thy projects vanished before my beauty. Thou hast foresworn thyself, dissembler-or else my charms have prematurely withered. Ask thy own heart where lies the blame? (More ardently, and throwing her arms round him.) Return, Fiesco! Conquer thyself! Renounce! Love shall indemnify thee. O Fiesco, if my heart cannot appease thy insatiate passions, the diadem will be found still poorer. Come, I'll study the inmost wishes of this soul. I will melt into one kiss of love all the charms of nature, to retain forever in these heavenly bonds the illustrious captive. As thy heart is infinite, so shall be my passion. To be a source of happiness to a being who places all its heaven in thee, Fiesco? Ought that to leave any void in thy heart.

  FIESCO (with great emotion). Leonora-what hast thou done? (He falls, overcome, on her neck.) I shall never more dare to meet the eyes of Genoa's citizens.

  LEONORA (with lively expression). Let us fly, Fiesco! let us with scorn reject these gaudy nothings, and pass our future days only in the retreats of love! (She presses him to her breast with rapture.) Our souls, serene as the unclouded sky, shall never more be blackened by the poisonous breath of sorrow; our lives shall flow harmoniously as the music of the murmuring brook. (A cannon-shot is heard-FIESCO disengages himself-all the conspirators enter.)

  SCENE XV.

  CONSPIRATORS. The hour is come!

  FIESCO (to LEONORA, firmly). Farewell! forever unless Genoa to-morrow be laid prostrate at thy feet. (Going to rush out.)

  BOURGOGNINO (cries out). The countess faints! (LEONORA in a swoon-all run to support her.)

  FIESCO (kneeling before her, in a tone of despair). Leonora! Save her! For heaven's sake save her! (ROSA and ARABELLA run to her assistance.) She lives-she opens her eyes (jumps up resolutely). Now to close Doria's! (Conspirators rush out.)

  ACT V.

  SCENE I.-After midnight. The great street of Genoa. A few lamps, which gradually become extinguished. In the background is seen the Gate of St. Thomas, which is shut. Men pass over the stage with lanterns. The patrol go their round. Afterwards, everything is quiet except the waves of the sea, which are heard at a distance, rather tempestuous.

  FIESCO (armed, before the Doria Palace), and ANDREAS.

  FIESCO. The old man has kept his word. The lights are all extinguished in the palace-the guards dismissed-I'll ring. (Rings at the gate.) Ho! Halloo! Awake, Doria! Thou art betrayed. Awake! Halloo! Halloo!

  ANDREAS (appearing at the balcony). Who rings there?

  FIESCO (in a feigned voice). Ask not, but follow me! Duke, thy star has set; Genoa is in arms against thee! Thy executioners are near, and canst thou sleep, Andreas?

  ANDREAS (with dignity). I remember when the raging sea contended with my gallant vessel-when her keel cracked and the wind split her topmast. Yet Andreas Doria then slept soundly. Who sends these executioners!

  FIESCO. A man more terrible than your raging sea-John Louis Fiesco.

  ANDREAS (laughs). You jest, my friend. Come in the daytime to play your tricks. Midnight suits them badly.

  FIESCO. Dost thou then despise thy monitor?

  ANDREAS. I thank him and retire to rest. Fiesco, wearied with his rioting, sleeps, and has no time to think of Doria.

  FIESCO. Wretched old man! Trust not the artful serpent! Its back is decked with beauteous colors; but when you would approach to view it you are suddenly entwined within its deadly folds. You despised the perfidious Moor. Do not despise the counsels of a friend. A horse stands ready saddled for you; fly, while you have time!

  ANDREAS. Fiesco has a noble mind. I never injured him, and he will not betray me.

  FIESCO. Fiesco has a noble mind and yet betrays thee. He gives thee proof of both.

  ANDREAS. There is a guard, which would defy Fiesco's power, unless he led against them legions of spirits.

  FIESCO (scornfully). That guard I should be glad to see to despatch it with a message for eternity.

  ANDREAS (in an elevated manner). Vain scoffer! Knowest thou not that Andreas has seen his eightieth year, and that Genoa beneath his rule is happy? (Leaves the balcony.)

  FIESCO (looks after him with astonishment). Must I then destroy this man before I have learnt how difficult it is to equal him? (He walks up and down some time in meditation). 'Tis past, Andreas. I have repaid the debt of greatness. Destruction take thy course! (He hastens into a remote street. Drums are heard on all sides. A hot engagement at the St. Thomas' Gate. The gate is forced, and opens a prospect in the harbor, in which lie several ships with lights on board.)

  SCENE II.

  GIANETTINO (in a scarlet mantle). LOMELLINO-(Servants going

  before them with torches).

  GIANETTINO (stops). Who was it that commanded the alarm to be beat?

  LOMELLINO. A cannon was fired on board one of the galleys.

  GIANETTINO. The slaves perhaps have risen in mutiny. (Firing heard at the gate of St. Thomas.)

  LOMELLINO. Hark! A shot!

  GIANETTINO. The gate is open. The guards are in confusion. (To the servants.) Quick, rascals! Light us to the harbor. (Proceeding hastily towards the gate.)

  SCENE III.

  The former; BOURGOGNINO, with some CONSPIRATORS, coming

  from the gate of St. Thomas.

  BOURGOGNINO. Sebastian Lascaro was a brave soldier.

  ZENTURIONE. He defended himself like a bear till he fell.

  GIANETTINO (steps back startled). What do I hear? (to his servants). Stop!

  BOURGOGNINO. Who goes there with torches?

  LOMELLINO (to GIANETTINO). Prince, they are enemies. Turn to the left.

  BOURGOGNINO (calls to then peremptorily). Who goes there with the torches?

  ZENTURIONE. Stand! Your watchword?

  GIANETTINO (draws his sword fiercely). Loyalty and Doria!

  BOURGOGNINO (foaming with rage). Violator of the republic and of my bride! (To the CONSPIRATORS, rushing upon GIANETTINO.) Brothers, this shortens our labor. His devils themselves deliver him into our hands- (runs him through with his sword).

  GIANETTINO (falling). Murder! Murder! Murder! Revenge me, Lomellino--

  LOMELLINO and SERVANTS (flying). Help! Murder! Murder!

  ZENTURIONE (halloing with vehemence). Doria is down. Stop the Count Lomellino! (LOMELLINO is taken).

  LOMELLINO (kneeling). Spare but my life, I'll join your party.

  BOURGOGNINO (looking at GIANETTINO). Is this monster yet alive? Let the coward fly. (LOMELLINO escapes.)

  ZENTURIONE. St. Thomas' gate our own! Gianettino slain! Haste some of you and tell Fiesco.

  GIANETTINO (heaving himself from the ground in agony). Fiesco ! Damnation! (Dies.)

  BOURGOGNINO (pulling the sword out of GIANETTINO'S body). Freedom to Genoa, and to my Bertha. Your sword, Zenturione. Take to my bride this bloody weapon-her dungeon is thrown open. I'll follow thee, and bring the bridal kiss. (They separate through different streets.)

  SCENE IV.

  ANDREAS DORIA, GERMANS.

  GERMAN. The storm drove that way. Mount your horse, duke!

  ANDREAS. Let me cast a parting look at Genoa's towers! No; it is not a dream. Andreas is betrayed.

  GERMAN. The enemy is all around us. Away! Fly! Beyond the boundaries!

  ANDREAS (throwing himself upon the dead body of his nephew). Here will I die. Let no one talk of flight. Here lies the prop of my old age-my career is ended. (CALCAGNO appears at a distance, with CONSPIRATORS.)

  GERMAN. Danger is near. Fly, prince! (Drums beat.)

  ANDREAS. Hark, Germans, bark! These are the Genoese whose chains I broke. (Hiding his face.) Do your countrymen thus recompense their benefactors?

  GERMAN. Away! Away! while we stay here, and notch their swords upon our German bones. (CALCAGNO comes nearer.)

  ANDREAS. Save yourselve
s! Leave me! and go, declare the horrid story to the shuddering nations that Genoa slew its father--

  GERMAN. Slew! 'Sdeath, that shall not be. Comrades, stand firm! Surround the duke! (They draw their swords.) Teach these Italian dogs to reverence his gray head--

  CALCAGNO (calls out). Who goes there? What have we here?

  GERMAN. German blows-(retreat fighting, and carry off the body of GIANETTINO.)

  SCENE V.

  LEONORA, in male attire, ARABELLA following-

  they walk along timidly.

  ARABELLA. Come, my lady, pray let us hasten onward.

  LEONORA. This way the tumult rages-hark! was not that a dying groan? Ah, they surround him! At Fiesco's breast they point their fatal muskets-at my breast they point them. Hold! hold! It is my husband! (Throws her arms up in agony.)

  ARABELLA. For heaven's sake, my lady!

  LEONORA (with wild enthusiasm, calling on all sides). O my Fiesco! my Fiesco! His firmest friends desert him. The faith of rebels is unsteady (shuddering). Rebels! Heaven? Is Fiesco, then, a chief of rebels?

  ARABELLA. No, signora. He is the great deliverer of Genoa.

  LEONORA (emphatically). Ha! that would indeed be glorious! And shall Leonora tremble?-shall the bravest republican be wedded to the most timid woman? Go, Arabella! When men contend for empires even a woman's soul may kindle into valor. (Drums again heard.) I'll rush among the combatants.

  ARABELLA (clasping her hands together). All gracious heaven!

  LEONORA. Softly! What strikes my foot? Here is a hat-and here a mantle! A sword, too! (she lifts it up)-a heavy sword, my Arabella; but I can carry it, and the sword shall not disgrace its bearer. (The alarm-bell sounds.)

  ARABELLA. Hark! hark! How terrible it sounds yonder, from the tower of the Dominicans! God have mercy on us!

  LEONORA (enthusiastically). Rather say, how delightful! In the majestic sound of this alarm-bell my Fiesco speaks to Genoa. (Drums are heard louder.) Ha! did flutes so sweetly strike my ear. Even these drums are animated by Fiesco. My heart beats higher. All Genoa is roused; the very mercenaries follow his name with transport-and shall his wife be fearful? (Alarm-bells from three other towers.) No-my hero shall embrace a heroine. My Brutus clasp within his arms a Roman wife. I'll be his Portia. (Putting on GIANETTINO'S hat and throwing his scarlet mantle round her.)

  ARABELLA. My gracious lady, how wildly do you rave. (Alarm-bells and drums are heard.)

  LEONORA. Cold-blooded wretch; canst thou see and hear all this, and yet not rave? The very stones are ready to weep that they have not feet to run and join Fiesco. These palaces upbraid the builder, who had laid their foundations so firmly in the earth that they cannot fly to join Fiesco. The very shores, were they able, would forsake their office in order to follow his glorious banner, though by so doing they abandoned Genoa to the mercy of the ocean. What might shake death himself out of his leaden sleep has not power to rouse thy courage? Away! I'll find my way alone.

  ARABELLA. Great God! You will not act thus madly?

  LEONORA (with heroic haughtiness). Weak girl! I will. (With great animation.) Where the tumult rages the most fiercely. Where Fiesco himself leads on the combat. Methinks I hear them ask, "Is that Lavagna, the unconquered hero, who with his sword decides the fate of Genoa? Is that Lavagna?" Yes, I will say; yes, Genoese, that is Lavagna; and that Lavagna is my husband!

  SACCO (entering with CONSPIRATORS). Who goes there-Doria or Fiesco?

  LEONORA (with enthusiasm). Fiesco and liberty. (Retires into another street. A tumult, ARABELLA lost in the crowd.)

  SCENE VI.

  SACCO, with a number of followers. CALCAGNO,

  meeting him with others.

  CALCAGNO. Andreas has escaped.

  SACCO. Unwelcome tidings to Fiesco.

  CALCAGNO. Those Germans fight like furies! They planted themselves around the old man like rocks. I could not even get a glimpse of him. Nine of our men are done for; I myself was slightly wounded. Zounds! If they thus serve a foreign tyrant, how will they guard the princes of their country?

  SACCO. Numbers have flocked already to our standard, and all the gates are ours.

  CALCAGNO. I hear they still are fighting desperately at the citadel.

  SACCO. Bourgognino is amongst them. Where is Verrina?

  CALCAGNO. He guards, like Cerberus, the passage between Genoa and the sea-an anchovy could scarcely pass him.

  SACCO. I'll rouse the suburbs--

  CALCAGNO. I'll away to the market-place. Drummers, strike up! (They march off, drums beating.)

  SCENE VII.

  MOOR. A troop of THIEVES, with lighted matches.

  MOOR. Now I'll let you into a secret, my boys; 'twas I that cooked this soup, but the devil a spoonful do they give me. Well, I care not. This hubbub is just to my taste. We'll set about burning and plundering. While they are squabbling for a dukedom we'll make a bonfire in the churches that shall warm the frozen apostles. (They disperse themselves among the neighboring houses.)

  SCENE VIII.

  BOURGOGNINO-BERTHA, disguised as a boy.

  BOURGOGNINO. Rest here, dear youth; thou art in safety. Dost thou bleed?

  BERTHA (in a feigned voice). No; not at all.

  BOURGOGNINO (with energy). Rise, then, I'll lead thee where thou mayst gain wounds for Genoa-wounds beautiful like these. (Uncovering his arm.)

  BERTHA (starting). Heavens!

  BOURGOGNINO. Art thou frightened, youth? Too early didst thou put on the man. What age hast thou?

  BERTHA. Fifteen years.

  BOURGOGNINO. That is unfortunate! For this night's business thou art five years too young. Who is thy father?

  BERTHA. The truest citizen in Genoa.

  BOURGOGNINO. Gently, boy! That name belongs alone to the father of my betrothed bride. Dost thou know the house of Verrina?

  BERTHA. I should think so.

  BOURGOGNINO (eagerly). And knowest thou his lovely daughter?

  BERTHA. Her name is Bertha.

  BOURGOGNINO. Go, quickly! Carry her this ring. Say it shall be our wedding-ring; and tell her the blue crest fights bravely. Now farewell! I must hasten yonder. The danger is not yet over. (Some houses are seen on fire.)

  BERTHA (in a soft voice). Scipio!

  BOURGOGNINO (struck with astonishment). By my sword! I know that voice.

  BERTHA (falling upon his neck). By my heart! I am well known here.

  BOURGOGNINO. Bertha! (Alarm-bells sound in the suburbs-a tumult- BOURGOGNINO and BERTHA embrace, and are lost in the crowd.) [NOTE]

  [NOTE] In lieu of this scene Schiller substituted the following, during his stay at Leipzig in 1786, for the use of the theatre there:-

  A subterranean vault, lighted by a single lamp. The background

  remains quite dark. BERTHA is discovered sitting on a stone in

  the foreground; a black veil covers her face. After a pause she

  rises and walks to and fro.

  BERTHA. Still no sound? No sign of human footstep? No approach of my deliverers. Horrible suspense! Fearful and hopeless as that of one buried alive beneath the sod of the churchyard. And for what dost thou sit, poor deceived one? An inviolable oath immures thee in this dungeon. Gianettino Doria must fall, and Genoa be free, or Bertha left to pine away her miserable existence, such was my father's oath. Fearful prison-house to which there is no key but the death-groan of a well-guarded tyrant. (Looking round the vault) How awful is this stillness! terrible as the silence of the grave! How fearfully the darkness creeps from yonder vaults! My lamp, too, is flickering in its socket. (Walking up and down energetically). Oh, come, come, my beloved, 'tis horrible to die here. (A pause-then she starts up and rushes to and fro wringing her hands to deep despair.) He has forsaken me. He has broken his oath. He has forgotten his Bertha. The living think not of the dead, and this vault is my tomb. Hope no more, wretched one. Hope flourishes only where the eye of the Almighty pervades-into this dungeon it never penetrates. (Again a pause; she becomes still more alarmed.
)

  Or have my deliverers perished? Perchance the bold attempt has failed, the danger has overwhelmed the courageous youth. O unhappy Bertha, perhaps even now their ghosts are wandering through these vaults, and weep over thy vain hopes. (Shuddering.) Heavens! if they are dead I am irrevocably lost, irrevocably abandoned to a horrible death. (Leans against the wall for support. After a pause she continues despondingly.) And if my beloved one still lives-if he should return to keep his word, to fetch his bride away in triumph, and find all here lonely and silent, and the inanimate corpse no longer sensible to his transports-when his burning kisses shall in vain endeavor to restore the life which has fled from these lips, and his tears flow on me hopelessly-when my father shall sink weeping on the body of his daughter, and the voice of his lamentations echo through the regions of my prison-house. Oh, then repeat not to them my complaints, ye walls! Tell them that I suffered like a heroine, and that my last sigh was forgiveness. (Sinks exhausted on the stone-pause-a confused sound of drums and bells is heard from behind the stage in various directions. BERTHA starts to her feet.) Hark! what means this? Am I awake, or do I dream? How dreadfully the bells clang! That is no sound of ringing to prayers. (The noise comes nearer and increases; she rushes to and fro alarmed.) Louder and louder yet! Heavens, they are alarm-bells! they are alarm-bells! Have enemies surprised the city? Is Genoa in flames? A wild and dreadful din, like the trampling of myriads! What's that? (Someone knocks loudly at the door.) They cone this way-they draw the bolts-(rushing towards the background). Men! Men! Liberty! Deliverance ! (BOURGOGNINO enters hastily with a drawn sword, followed by several torch-bearers.)