Fiesco Read online

  ALL (shouting, and throwing up their hats). Bravo! Bravo! Well managed, Count Lavagna!

  1ST ARTISAN. And Genoa shall follow that example. Genoa, also, has its lion!

  FIESCO. Tell me not of that lion; but go home and think upon him. (The ARTISANS depart tumultuously.) It is as I would have it. The people and the senate are alike enraged against Doria; the people and the senate alike approve FIESCO. Hassan! Hassan! I must take advantage of this favorable gale. Hoa! Hassan! Hassan! I must augment their hatred- improve my influence. Hassan! Come hither! Whoreson of hell, come hither!

  SCENE IX.

  FIESCO, MOOR entering hastily.

  MOOR. My feet are quite on fire with running. What is the matter now?

  FIESCO. Hear my commands!

  MOOR (submissively). Whither shall I run first?

  FIESCO. I will excuse thy running this time. Thou shalt be dragged. Prepare thyself. I intend to publish thy attempted assassination, and deliver thee up in chains to the criminal tribunal.

  MOOR (taking several steps backward). Sir!-that's contrary to agreement.

  FIESCO. Be not alarmed. 'Tis but a farce. At this moment 'tis of the utmost consequence that Gianettino's attempt against my life should be made public. Thou shalt be tried before the criminal tribunal.

  MOOR. Must I confess it, or deny?

  FIESCO. Deny. They will put thee to the torture. Thou must hold out against the first degree. This, by the by, will serve to expiate thy real crime. At the second thou mayest confess.

  MOOR (shaking his head with a look of apprehension). The devil is a sly rogue. Their worships might perhaps desire my company a little longer than I should wish; and, for sheer farce sake, I may be broken on the wheel.

  FIESCO. Thou shalt escape unhurt, I give thee my honor as a nobleman. I shall request, as satisfaction, to have thy punishment left to me, and then pardon thee before the whole republic.

  MOOR. Well-I agree to it. They will draw out my joints a little; but that will only make them the more flexible.

  FIESCO. Then scratch this arm with thy dagger, till the blood flows. I will pretend that I have just now seized thee in fact. 'Tis well. (Hallooing violently). Murder! Murder! Guard the passages! Make fast the gates! (He drags the MOOR out by the throat; servants run across the stage hastily.)

  SCENE X.

  LEONORA and ROSA enter hastily, alarmed.

  LEONORA. Murder! they cried-murder!-The noise came this way.

  ROSA. Surely 'twas but a common tumult, such as happens every day in Genoa.

  LEONORA. They cried murder! and I distinctly heard Fiesco's name. In vain you would deceive me. My heart discovers what is concealed from my eyes. Quick! Hasten after them. See! Tell me whither they carry him.

  ROSA. Collect your spirits, madam. Arabella is gone.

  LEONORA. Arabella will catch his dying look. The happy Arabella! Wretch that I am? 'twas I that murdered him. If I could have engaged his heart he would not have plunged into the world, nor rushed upon the daggers of assassins. Ah! she comes. Away! Oh, Arabella, speak not to me!

  SCENE XI.

  The former, ARABELLA.

  ARABELLA. The Count is living and unhurt. I saw him gallop through the city. Never did he appear more handsome. The steed that bore him pranced haughtily along, and with its proud hoof kept the thronging multitude at a distance from its princely rider. He saw me as I passed, and with a gracious smile, pointing thither, thrice kissed his hand to me. (Archly.) What can I do with those kisses, madam?

  LEONORA (highly pleased). Idle prattler! Restore them to him.

  ROSA. See now, how soon your color has returned!

  LEONORA. His heart he is ready to fling at every wench, whilst I sigh in vain for a look! Oh woman! woman!

  [Exeunt.

  SCENE XII.-The Palace of ANDREAS.

  GIANETTINO and LOMELLINO enter hastily.

  GIANETTINO. Let them roar for their liberty as a lioness for her young. I am resolved.

  LOMELLINO. But-most gracious prince!

  GIANETTINO. Away to hell with thy buts, thou three-hours procurator! I will not yield a hair's breadth? Let Genoa's towers shake their heads, and the hoarse sea bellow No to it. I value not the rebellious multitude!

  LOMELLINO. The people are indeed the fuel; but the nobility fan the flame. The whole republic is in a ferment, people and patricians.

  GIANETTINO. Then will I stand upon the mount like Nero, and regale myself with looking upon the paltry flames.

  LOMELLINO. Till the whole mass of sedition falls into the hands of some enterprising leader, who will take advantage of the general devastation.

  GIANETTINO. Poh! Poh! I know but one who might be dangerous, and he is taken care of.

  LOMELLINO. His highness comes.

  Enter ANDREAS-(both bow respectfully).

  ANDREAS. Signor Lomellino, my niece wishes to take the air.

  LOMELLINO. I shall have the honor of attending her.

  [Exit LOMELLINO.

  SCENE XIII.

  ANDREAS and GIANETTINO.

  ANDREAS. Nephew, I am much displeased with you.

  GIANETTINO. Grant me a hearing, most gracious uncle!

  ANDREAS. That would I grant to the meanest beggar in Genoa if he were worthy of it. Never to a villain, though he were my nephew. It is sufficient favor that I address thee as an uncle, not as a sovereign !

  GIANETTINO. One word only, gracious sir!

  ANDREAS. Hear first what thou hast done; then answer me. Thou hast pulled down an edifice which I have labored for fifty years to raise- that which should have been thy uncle's mausoleum, his only pyramid-the affections of his countrymen. This rashness Andreas pardons thee--

  GIANETTINO. My uncle and my sovereign--

  ANDREAS. Interrupt me not. Thou hast injured that most glorious work of mine, the constitution, which I brought down from heaven for Genoa, which cost me so many sleepless nights, so many dangers, and so much blood. Before all Genoa thou hast cast a stain upon my honor, in violating my institutions. Who will hold them sacred if my own blood despise them? This folly thy uncle pardons thee.

  GIANETTINO (offended). Sir, you educated me to be the Duke of Genoa.

  ANDREAS. Be silent. Thou art a traitor to the state, and hast attacked its vital principle. Mark me, boy! That principle is-subordination. Because the shepherd retired in the evening from his labor, thoughtest thou the flock deserted? Because Andreas' head is white with age, thoughtest thou, like a villain, to trample on the laws?

  GIANETTINO (insolently). Peace, Duke! In my veins also boils the blood of that Andreas before whom France has trembled.

  ANDREAS. Be silent! I command thee. When I speak the sea itself is wont to pay attention. Thou hast insulted the majesty of justice in its very sanctuary. Rebel! dost thou know what punishment that crime demands? Now answer! (GIANETTINO appears struck, and fixes his eyes on the ground without speaking). Wretched Andreas! In thy own heart hast thou fostered the canker of thy renown. I built up a fabric for Genoa which should mock the lapse of ages, and am myself the first to cast a firebrand into it. Thank my gray head, which would be laid in the grave by a relation's hand-thank my unjust love that, on the scaffold, I pour not out thy rebellious blood to satisfy the violated laws.

  [Exit.

  SCENE XIV.

  GIANETTINO looks after the DUKE, speechless with anger, LOMELLINO

  entering, breathless and terrified.

  LOMELLINO. What have I seen! What have I heard! Fly, prince! Fly quickly! All is lost.

  GIANETTINO (with inward rage). What was there to lose?

  LOMELLINO. Genoa, prince: I come from the market-place. The people were crowding round a Moor who was dragged along bound with cords. The Count of Lavagna, with above three hundred nobles, followed to the criminal court. The Moor had been employed to assassinate Fiesco, and in the attempt was seized.

  GIANETTINO (stamping violently on the ground). What, are all the devils of hell let loose at once?

  LOMELLINO. T
hey questioned him most strictly concerning his employer. The Moor confessed nothing. They tried the first degree of torture. Still he confessed nothing. They put him to the second. Then he spoke- he spoke. My gracious lord, how could you trust your honor to such a villain?

  GIANETTINO (fiercely). Ask me no question?

  LOMELLINO. Hear the rest! Scarcely was the word Doria uttered-I would sooner have seen my name inscribed in the infernal register than have heard yours thus mentioned-scarcely was it uttered when Fiesco showed himself to the people. You know the man-how winningly he pleads-how he is wont to play the usurer with the hearts of the multitude. The whole assembly hung upon his looks, breathless with indignation. He spoke little, but bared his bleeding arm. The crowd contended for the falling drops as if for sacred relics. The Moor was given up to his disposal- and Fiesco-a mortal blow for us! Fiesco pardoned him. Now the confined anger of the people burst forth in one tumultuous clamor. Each breath annihilated a Doria, and Fiesco was borne home amidst a thousand joyful acclamations.

  GIANETTINO (with a ferocious laugh). Let the flood of tumult swell up to my very throat. The emperor! That sound alone shall strike them to the earth, so that not a murmur shall be heard in Genoa.

  LOMELLINO. Bohemia is far from hence. If the emperor come speedily he may perhaps be present at your funeral feast.

  GIANETTINO (drawing forth a letter with a great seal). 'Tis fortunate that he is here already. Art thou surprised at this? And didst thou think me mad enough to brave the fury of enraged republicans had I not known they were betrayed and sold?

  LOMELLINO (with astonishment). I know not what to think!

  GIANETTINO. But I have thought of something which thou couldst not know. My plan is formed. Ere two days are past twelve senators must fall. Doria becomes sovereign, and the Emperor Charles protects him. Thou seemest astonished--

  LOMELLINO. Twelve senators! My heart is too narrow to comprehend a twelvefold murder.

  GIANETTINO. Fool that thou art! The throne will absolve the deed. I consulted with the ministers of Charles on the strong party which France still has in Genoa, and by which she might a second time seize on it unless they should be rooted out. This worked upon the emperor-he approved my projects-and thou shalt write what I will dictate to thee.

  LOMELLINO. I know not yet your purpose.

  GIANETTINO. Sit down and write--

  LOMELLINO. But what am I to write? (Seats himself.)

  GIANETTINO. The names of the twelve candidates for death-Francis Zenturione.

  LOMELLINO (writes). In gratitude for his vote he leads the funeral procession.

  GIANETTINO. Cornelio Calva.

  LOMELLINO. Calva.

  GIANETTINO. Michael Zibo.

  LOMELLINO. To cool him after his disappointment in the procuratorship.

  GIANETTINO. Thomas Asserato and his three brothers. (LOMELLINO stops.)

  GIANETTINO (forcibly). And his three brothers--

  LOMELLINO (writes). Go on.

  GIANETTINO. Fiesco of Lavagna.

  LOMELLINO. Have a care! Have a care! That black stone will yet prove fatal to you.

  GIANETTINO. Scipio Bourgognino.

  LOMELLINO. He may celebrate elsewhere his wedding--

  GIANETTINO. Ay, where I shall be director of the nuptials. Raphael Sacco.

  LOMELLINO. I should intercede for his life until he shall have paid my five thousand crowns. (Writes.) Death strikes the balance.

  GIANETTINO. Vincent Calcagno.

  LOMELLINO. Calcagno. The twelfth I write at my own risk, unless our mortal enemy be overlooked.

  GIANETTINO. The end crowns all-Joseph Verrina.

  LOMELLINO. He is the very head of the viper that threatens us. (Rises and presents the paper to GIANETTINO.) Two days hence death shall make a splendid feast, at which twelve of the chief of Genoa's nobles will be present.

  GIANETTINO (signs the paper). 'Tis done. Two days hence will be the ducal election. When the senate shall be assembled for that purpose these twelve shall, on the signal of a handkerchief, be suddenly laid low. My two hundred Germans will have surrounded the senate-house. At that moment I enter and claim homage as the Duke. (Rings the bell.)

  LOMELLINO. And what of Andreas?

  GIANETTINO (contemptuously). He is an old man. (Enter a servant.) If the Duke should ask for me say I am gone to mass. (Exit servant.) I must conceal the devil that's within beneath a saintly garb.

  LOMELLINO. But, my lord, the paper?

  GIANETTINO. Take it, and let it be circulated among our party. This letter must be dispatched by express to Levanto. 'Tis to inform Spinola of our intended plan, and bid him reach the capital early in the morning. (Going.)

  LOMELLINO. Stop, prince. There is an error in our calculation. Fiesco does not attend the senate.

  GIANETTINO (looking back). Genoa will easily supply one more assassin. I'll see to that.

  [Exeunt different ways.

  SCENE XV.-An Ante-chamber in FIESCO'S Palace.

  FIESCO, with papers before him, and MOOR.

  FIESCO. Four galleys have entered the harbor, dost say?

  MOOR. Yes, they're at anchor in the port.

  FIESCO. That's well. Whence are these expresses?

  MOOR. From Rome, Placentia, and France.

  FIESCO (opens the letters and runs over them). Welcome! welcome news! (In high spirits.) Let the messengers be treated in a princely manner.

  MOOR. Hem! (Going.).

  FIESCO. Stop, stop! Here's work for thee in plenty.

  MOOR. Command me. I am ready to act the setter or the bloodhound.

  FIESCO. I only want at present the voice of the decoy-bird. To-morrow early two thousand men will enter the city in disguise to engage in my service. Distribute thy assistants at the gates, and let them keep a watchful eye upon the strangers that arrive. Some will be dressed like pilgrims on their journey to Loretto, others like mendicant friars, or Savoyards, or actors; some as peddlers and musicians; but the most as disbanded soldiers coming to seek a livelihood in Genoa. Let every one be asked where he takes up his lodging. If he answer at the Golden Snake, let him be treated as a friend and shown my habitation. But remember, sirrah, I rely upon thy prudence.

  MOOR. Sir, as securely as upon my knavery. If a single head escape me, pluck out my eyes and shoot at sparrows with them. (Going.)

  FIESCO. Stop! I've another piece of business for thee. The arrival of the galleys will excite suspicion in the city. If any one inquire of thee about them, say thou hast heard it rumored that thy master intends to cruise against the Turks. Dost thou understand me?

  MOOR. Yes, yes-the beards of the Mussulmen at the masthead, but the devil for a steersman. (Going.)

  FIESCO. Gently-one more precaution. Gianettino has new reasons to hate me and lay snares against my life. Go-sound the fellows of thy trade; see if thou canst not smell out some plot on foot against me. Visit the brothels-Doria often frequents them. The secrets of the cabinet are sometimes lodged within the folds of a petticoat. Promise these ladies golden customers. Promise them thy master. Let nothing be too sacred to be used in gaining the desired information.

  MOOR. Ha! luckily I am acquainted with one Diana Buononi, whom I have served above a year as procurer. The other day I saw the Signor Lomellino coming out of her house.

  FIESCO. That suits my purpose well. This very Lomellino is the key to all Doria's follies. To-morrow thou shalt go thither. Perhaps he is to-night the Endymion of this chaste Diana.

  MOOR. One more question, my lord. Suppose the people ask me-and that they will, I'll pawn my soul upon it-suppose they ask, "What does Fiesco think of Genoa?" Would you still wear the mask?-or-how shall I answer them?

  FIESCO. Answer? Hum! The fruit is ripe. The pains of labor announce the approaching birth. Answer that Genoa lies upon the block, and that thy master's name is-John Louis Fiesco--

  MOOR (with an air of satisfaction). That, by my rogue's honor, shall be done to your heart's content. Now be wide awake, friend Hassan! First to
a tavern! My feet have work enough cut out for them. I must coax my stomach to intercede with my legs. (Hastening away-returns.) Oh, apropos! My chattering made me almost forget one circumstance. You wished to know what passed between Calcagno and your wife. A refusal, sir-that's all.

  [Runs off.

  SCENE XVI.

  FIESCO alone.

  FIESCO. I pity thee, Calcagno. Didst thou think I should, upon so delicate a point, have been thus careless had I not relied in perfect security on my wife's virtue and my own deserts? Yet I welcome this passion. Thou art a good soldier. It shall procure me thy arm for the destruction of Doria. (Walking up and down.) Now, Doria, to the scene of action! All the machines are ready for the grand attempt-the instruments are tuned for the terrific concert. Naught is wanting but to throw off the mask, and show Fiesco to the patriots of Genoa. (Some persons are heard approaching.) Ha! Visitors! Who can be coming to disturb me?

  SCENE XVII.

  FIESCO, VERRINA, ROMANO, with a picture; SACCO, BOURGOGNINO,