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 liANPAKDO, THE GONDOLIER; 
 
 A ©rema In Thr©© Aatft» 
 
 i' // a K U U U E J L M J R 
 
 BOSTON: 
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 j\7>. 47. Eaxt Liintu'. a Dnnaa in Five Acts. 
 
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SPENCER'S UNIVERSAL STAGE; 
 
 A Collection of Comedies, DramaSf and Farces, adapted to either 
 Public or Private Performance. Containing a full description of all the 
 necessary Stage Business. {No Plays exchanged.) 
 
 I?rice 15 Ceiits Each. 
 
 No.l. 
 
 " 12. 
 
 14. 
 
 liOST IN liONDON. A Drama 
 in Three Acts. 6 Male, 4 Female 
 characters. 
 
 NICHOIiAS FliAJW. A Come- 
 dy in Two Acts. By J. B. Buck- 
 stoue. 5 Male, 3 Female char. 
 
 THE WEIiSH <?IRIi. A Com- 
 edy in One Act. By Mrs. Planche. 
 3 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 JOHIV WOPPS. A Farce in 
 One Act. By W. E. Sutor. 4 
 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 THE TURKISH BATH. A 
 Farce in One Act. By Montague 
 Williams and F. C. Burnand. 6 
 Male, 1 Female char. 
 
 THE TWO PUDDIFOOTS. 
 A Farce in One Act. By J. M. 
 Morton. 3 Male, 3 Female char. 
 
 Oi:.I> HONESTY. A Comic 
 Drama in Two Acts. By J. M. 
 Morton. 5 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 TWO GENTIiEMEN IN A 
 FIX. A Farce in One Act. By 
 W. E. Suter. 2 Male char. 
 
 SMASHINGTON GOIT. A 
 Farce in One Act. By T. J. Wil- 
 liams. 5 Male, 3 Female char. 
 
 TW^O HEADS BETTER 
 THAN ONE. A Farce in One 
 Act. By Lenox Home. 4 Male, 
 
 1 Female char. 
 
 JOHN DOBBS. A Farce in One 
 Act. By J. M. Jlorton. 5 Male, 
 
 2 Female char. 
 
 THE DAUGHTER OF THE 
 REGIMENT. A Drama in 
 Two Acts. By Edward Fitzball. 
 6 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 AUNT CHARIiOTTE'S 
 MAID. A Farce in One Act. 
 By J. M. Morton. 3 Male, 3 Fe- 
 male char. 
 
 BROTHER Bit,!. AND ME. 
 A Farce in One Act. By W. E. 
 Suter. 4 Male, 3 Female char. 
 
 DONE ON BOTH SIDES. 
 A Farce in One Act. By J. M. 
 Morton. 3 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 DUNDUCKETTY'S PICNIC. 
 A Farce in One Act. By T. J. 
 Williams. 6 Male, 3 Female ch. 
 
 No. 17. I'VE WRITTEN TO 
 BROWNE. A Furce in One 
 Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 Male, 
 
 3 Female char. 
 
 •* 18. liENDING A HAND. A Farce 
 in One Act. By G. A. A'Becke- 
 ket. 3 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 «• 19. MY PRECIOUS BETSY. A 
 
 Farce in One Act. By J. M. 
 Morton. 4 Male, 4 Female ch. 
 " 20. MY TURN NEXT. A Farce 
 in One Act. By T. J. Williams. 
 
 4 Male, 3 Female char. 
 
 " 21. NINE POINTS OF THE 
 liAW. A Comedy in One Act. 
 By Tom Taylor. 4 Male, 3 Fe- 
 male char. 
 
 «' 22. THE PHANTOM BREAK- 
 FAST. A Farce in One Act. 
 By Charles Selby. 3 Male, 2 Fe- 
 male char. 
 
 «« 23. DANDELIONS DODGES. 
 A Farce in One Act. By T. J. 
 Williams. 4 Male, 2 Female 
 char. 
 
 " 24. A SLICE OF LUCK. A Farce 
 in One Act. By J. M. Morton. 
 4 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 '• 25. ALWAYS INTENDED. A 
 Comedy in One Act. By Horace 
 Wigan. 3 Male, 3 Female char. 
 
 " 26. A BULL IN A CHINA 
 SHOP. A Comedy in Two 
 Acts. By Charles Matthews. 
 6 Male, 4 Female char. 
 
 " 27. ANOTHER GLASS. A Drama 
 in one Act. By Thomas Morton. 
 6 Male, 3 P'emale char. 
 
 '* 28. BOW^LED OUT. A Farce in 
 One Act. By II. T. Craven. 4 
 Male, 3 Female char, 
 
 " 20. COUSIN TOM. A Comedietta 
 in One Act. By George Roberts. 
 3 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 " 30. SARAH'S YOUNG MAN. A 
 Farce in One Act. By W. E. 
 Suter. 3 JIale, 3 Female char. 
 
 " 31. HIT HIM, HE HAS NO 
 FRIENDS. A Farce in One 
 Act. By E. Yates and N. H. 
 Harrington. 7 Male, 3 Female 
 char. 
 
 CHARLES H.SPENCER, 203 Washington St., Boston, 
 :ptjbjl.isiieir. 
 
SPENCEB'S UNIVEBSAL STAGE 
 
 . NO. XLIL 
 
 GASPARDO, THE GONDOLIER; 
 
 OB, THE 
 
 THREE BANISHED MEN OF MILAN! 
 
 §. grama, 
 IN THREE ACTS 
 
 BY *HC«,«''^ 
 
 GEORGE ALMAR, Esq. 
 
 The only edition correctly marked, by permission, from the Prompter's Book. 
 
 — «H>J«<o«— 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 CHARLES H. SPENCER, 
 203 Washington Street. 
 
<o 
 
 ' . .^^ 
 
 GASPARDO, THE GONDOLIER! 
 
 CHARACTERS. 
 
 TJieatre, London, 1838. 
 , Mr. Warde. 
 
 Surrey 
 Gaspardo, the Gondolier, an Italian Fisherman 
 Eaphael, a Milanese Water-carrier, subse- 
 quently a Friar of the Order of St. Francis, Mr. Heslop 
 Pietro, a Lazzaroui, eventually a Member of 
 the Condottieri, .... 
 
 Basil Bonaventure, a Soldier of Fortune, 
 
 wards Constable of Milan, . 
 Cosmo, the Commander, . 
 Marius Visconti, Duke of Milan, . 
 Contarini, the Procurator, 
 Kiccardo, his Follower, . 
 Padilla Machiavelli, a Spy, 
 Sanuto, a Monk, .... 
 Catariua, wife to Gaspardo, . 
 Blanche di Visconti, 
 
 after- 
 
 Mr. Forde. 
 
 Mr. Dale. 
 Mr. E. F. Saville. 
 Mr. Simpson. 
 Mr. Courtenay. 
 Mr. Aldrige. 
 Mr. W. Smith. 
 Mr. Cullon. 
 Mrs. H. Vining. 
 Miss Grant. 
 
 Time in representation, one hour twenty-five minutes. 
 
 COSTUMES. 
 
 Marius Visconti — Orango shirt, richly trimmed with silver, silk leggings, 
 shoes with strap, crimson bonnet, white plume. Second dress — Scarlet 
 shirt, richly trimmed with gold and ermine, ducal coronet. 
 
 Biccardo — Shape dress of butf cloth, with silver trimmings, red pantaloons, 
 russet boots, cap and feather. Second dress — Crimson shape, richly or- 
 namented with gold. 
 
 Sanuto — Black frock, cowl, cross, and rosary, flesh leggings, sandals. 
 
 Gaspardo — Shirt and trunks striped with blue, jacket or capote thrown 
 over tho arm, black leather belt and buckle, hair clustered into a net, 
 Italian shoes, flesh leggings. Second dress — Terra sienna colored vest, 
 emblazoned at back and front with a rich escutcheon, crimson leggings, 
 sandal shoes, cap ornamented with two small golden oars. 
 
 Raphael and Pietro — Same in style as first dress of Gaspardo. Second dress 
 of Raphael — Gray fi'iar's frock, etc. Second dress of Pietro — Helm and 
 complete suit of armor. 
 
 Basil Bonaventure — Steel helm with spike in centre, buff jerkin, cuirass, 
 boots, spurs, and flesh leggings. Second dress — Complete suit of steel 
 armor, helmet, plume and baton. 
 
 Contarini — Light bkue shirt trimmed with silver, blue cap, crimson feather, 
 silk stockings, shoes. Second dress — Same as the first, with the addition 
 of a cuirass and mantle. 
 
 Cosmo — White satin shirt, the front ornamented with armorial bearings, 
 armor arms and leggings, golden helmet, plume of white feathers, 
 
 Padilla — Buff cloth shirt, richly trimmed with blue and silver, rich bonnet, 
 white feather, shoes, silk stockings. 
 
 Blanche — White satin dress, richly trimmed and ornamented, blond veil, 
 satin shoes, small coronet. 
 
 Catarina — Italian peasant's dress, with apron and skirt of party colors, hair 
 gathered into plaits and tied with ribbon, shoes, scarlet stockings. 
 
GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. 
 
 5j»<C 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene I. — Interior of a fisherman's habitation. — In v. a lake, 
 xcith view of a distant city. — u.e.l.h. a- staircase, supposed to 
 conduct to the exterior of the building. — Standing in a niche of 
 the icall, a small statue of the Madonna, with a taper of yellow 
 wax burning before it. — Several stools, and suspended nets scat- 
 tered about. — In centre are seated Catarina, and the Monk 
 Sanuto, an infant of two years in a cradle between them. — CkT- 
 ARiNA employed at her distaff, 2e.r.h. — A practicable window ; 
 near it a stiletto suspended from the wall. 
 
 Sanuto. Nay — why so sad ? Do you doubt the affection of 
 your spouse, Gaspardo ? 
 
 Catarina. Oh, no, my father! All that man should unto 
 woman be, Gaspardo is to Catarina — listen! A month has al- 
 most passed away since the gondola of the Duke Visconti 
 grounded upon the shallows of this lake, and during the period 
 the boatmen were endeavoriug to float the gilded bark, the 
 Duke himself came hither to repose awhile from the heat of the 
 mid- day sun. Alas — alas ! in this consists my secret trouble ! 
 
 San. But Gaspardo — 
 
 Cat. Rises with the sun, casts his nets into the stream, 
 then hurries with his spoil to the market of the city. Profltiug 
 by the husband's absence, the ermined villain with courtly prom- 
 ise has dared to essay the honor of the wife. Gaspardo soon 
 will discover this and all-reckless of danger he will assail the 
 assailer. The Visconti's guards are strong and numerous. 
 Gaspardo will be slain, whilst I, alas! should never long sur- 
 vive him ! 
 
 San. Persuade Gaspardo to quit this habitation; the world 
 is wide — 
 
 Cat. And wicked too, my father! Ah! whither should we 
 wander? No, with his own hands Gaspardo built this habita- 
 tion, and furnished it the day before he brought me home his 
 bride, to be its dweller, good monk! I mean not to offend; but 
 to thy fair advice both heart and soul say nay in answer. Upon 
 the margin of yon calm waters, Gaspardo and myself first saw 
 the light. Some flowers and shrubs will not transplanted be and 
 
4 GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT I. 
 
 live ; even so with us ; tiiis is the spot of our nativity, and on the 
 spot where we were born we would be buried ! 
 
 Enter Raphael and Pietko, from the stair or cellar entrance. 
 
 Baphael. So — Gaspardo is not yet returned ? 
 
 Cat. Not yet. To cheat the time of its load till his return, 
 wilt sit and play at dice ? 
 
 Fie. We will sit. (Raphael and Pietro seat themselves.) 
 
 San. Marvel will never have an end. Does Pietro, the laz- 
 zaroni, refuse to play at dice ? — three months ago Pietro did 
 little else. 
 
 Fie. Three months ago I was happier than I am, for I had a 
 sister then, — young, pure and light of heart ; the noble Visconti 
 has dishonored her. llow, then, can the hand be opened easily 
 to the dice-box that is ever clutching the handle of the stiletto? 
 
 iSan. But, good laborer Raphael, what has sorrowed you? 
 
 Baph. This : Mai-iette, sister to Pietro there, gave often 
 promise to become my wife — that now is over; she is dishon- 
 ored and in her grave. A princely sexton dug it, monk — Marius 
 Visconti! 
 
 San. Pray unto Heaven for happiness and peace ! 
 
 Baph. For her happiness alone I prayed, and she is dead ! 
 Why should I weary Heaven with prayers for mine — gone, and 
 forever? 
 
 Gaspardo. (Without.) House! Catarina, help me with the 
 net — ho ! 
 
 Cat. It's Gaspardo, and I go to meet him. 
 
 Enter Gaspardo in boat from the lake ; he ties the shallop to the 
 landing-post, casts down his nets, and comes for icard. 
 
 Gaspardo. Catarina — wife! you smiling jade, embrace me! 
 {He salutes her.) Now, then, to kiss my little one, and — 
 
 Cat. Hush! you are too boisterous! (She interposes between 
 Gaspardo and the cradle.) 
 
 Gas. Oh, he sleeps, and you think my bearded chin for his cheek 
 too rough a visitor, and — (Seeing Sanuto.) Good father, 
 benedicite ! What, neighbors Pietro and Raphael, — welcome ! 
 (Crosses to them.) The city's in a ferment, lads, — two hundred 
 companies of condott 
 nobility have revolted. 
 
 Cat. And why so, dear Gaspardo? 
 
 Gas. Because, girl, the nobility spend their sequins in fur- 
 nishing their own suppers, forgetting the same time to pay the 
 soldier enough to get one for himself. 
 
 Cat. ( To Sanuto, who is going.) Stay, father, the earlier part 
 of the road is rude and steep ; I'll accompany and guide you. 
 (Exeunt Catarina and Saxuto, by staircase.) 
 
 Fie. At last we are alone. Gaspardo ! 
 
 Gas. Say what you would, and quickly! 
 
SCENE I.] GASPARDO, THE GOXDOLIER. 5 
 
 Baph. You will little thank us for our information. 
 
 Gas. If it be true, why not? Out with it. 
 
 Baph. For these several clays, the Visconti has been lurking 
 — wandering- about and peeping into your cottage — 
 
 Gas, I see your drift. You'd drive me to conclude Visconti 
 deems my wife a seemly woman? 
 
 Pie. He thought ray sister so. 
 
 Gas. The villain did! That rose the reptile withered, and 
 made her that which doubtless he seeks to make my Catarina. 
 Yet are ye sure? 
 
 Baph. Are these hands mine? Am I standing here? What 
 folly ! The man who dishonored Mariette, I would discover cen- 
 tred in a crowd of millions. 
 
 Gas. Catarina comes ; depart yourselves on the moment, and 
 I'll rejoin you briefly at the wine-house, the posada. {Music, — 
 Catarina comes ^/J) the stairs. — Eaphael and Pietho in passing 
 her ofer salutation.) Answer me, Catarina. (Kindli/ taking her 
 hand.) Since the day that accident conducted the Governor 
 Visconti hither, has it ever pleased him to return? 
 
 Cat. (Aside.) He is mad to rashness, and I dare not tell 
 him. (Hesitating, then aloud.) He never came again; but, 
 Gaspardo, you do not breathe a doubt of my affection? 
 
 Gas. I breathe a doubt? Not I — not enough to sully the sur- 
 face of a mirror; for look thee there, sweet wife. (Draicing her 
 to the cradle.) Are you not the mother of my slumbering boy, 
 and the lover of my early manhood? (Kisses her.) Excuse my 
 warmth, but your lip outreddens the cherry — 
 
 Cat. How well you look when you look a little jealous! 
 Come, confess you doubt me — if e'er so little, do a little doubt 
 me. 
 
 Gas. It is not you I fear ; it is the fiend who loves so fear- 
 fully. Remember Pietro's sister, and Raphael's promised bride. 
 The lust of this demon is a brutal passion that entertains for its 
 accomplices violence and blight, and against which virtue is as 
 flax in the furnace. Beware, beware the slur, dear Catarina; for 
 to be beloved by this Visconti is to be lost to life, or, what is 
 dearer far than life, to honor ! 
 
 Cat. To life I may be lost, but not to honor. Besides, he is 
 our friend. 
 
 Gas. He is so ; and while his acts are princely, let his reign 
 be everlasting, or till old time and double manhood, with in- 
 crease of years, to dust shall crumble him. Alas! Catarina, we 
 humble men should exercise much charity towards those alle- 
 giance teaches us to bend before, for flesh and brain are weak ; 
 though you may circle the one with a coronet, and deck out 
 with kingly robes the other, still error lurks within our nature, 
 and no crowned king, save the One enthroned in clouds, can say, 
 "We have done no wrong!" Goodness of purpose yet does 
 much to lessen frail infirmity, and great minds should alone 
 govern a great nation ; for the throne that is based upon a peo- 
 ple's happiness need never tremble at the banner of rebellion. 
 1* 
 
6 GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT I. 
 
 Cat. Therefore I tremble not; and should this trial which 
 you fear so much be made — to preserve the purity of the 
 mother and the wife, I shall not forget that on yonder wall 
 hangs the stiletto of the husband. 
 
 Gas. Mean you that you could better part with life than 
 fame? 
 
 Cat. To bear of the two evils which is the better? to be dis- 
 honored, or to perish? 
 
 Gas. But our infant? Ah, Catarina — 
 
 Cat. While Gaspardo lives, he will never abandon his off- 
 spring, and should he die. Heaven will procure Gaspardo's son a 
 second father. Besides, 'tis better far that the griefs of a des- 
 perate and dishonored mother should never empoison the golden 
 days of its infancy, or damp the brightness of its dawmiug man- 
 hood. 
 
 Gas. You affright me, Catarina, with a picture drawn so 
 darkly terrible ! And should Visconti come — 
 
 Cat. Heaven will avert so great a misfortune — at least so 
 long as you are with me. From your brow dispel those clouds 
 of care, and let me see a sunbeam in your face. Sit, sit. {Try- 
 ing to force him into a seat.) And I will do the same — yes, sing, 
 gladden, and talk so merrily about our child — our boy. Why do 
 you hesitate, Gaspardo? 
 
 Gas. Raphael and Pietro wait me at the tavern — the time 
 is come for the meeting and — 
 
 Cat. I — I pray you do not quit me thus ! for — I — I am ill, 
 Gaspardo ! 
 
 Gas. You always are so when I would go to the tavern. 
 
 Cat. I fear I am ; for when you are away the nights seem all 
 so dreary and so long. Stay with me, and I will put aside my 
 travail, and at any game of chance I'll play with yoU for nought 
 — and if I lose, repay you with affection ! Besides, it rains — or, 
 if it doesn't, it will. Stay, stay with me, Gaspardo! (Gas- 
 pardo breaks from her, and crosses to stair entrance.) 
 
 Gas. My word is plighted, woman! 
 
 Cat. Ah me ! — {She sinks into a seat. Hearing her sigh, he 
 rapidly returns.) 
 
 Gas. Come, come, we must part friends ! I will only go tell 
 them I cannot stay, and will return ere time one quarter of an 
 hour be older. 
 
 Cat. Is it so understood ? 
 
 Gas. It is! {Kissing her.) And this my seal to ratify the 
 compact. 
 
 Cat. Heaven speed you ! {Music — G asp xxiiyo descends.) He 
 is gone ! and my fears return with tenfold force upon me. Shall 
 I call him back and tell him all? Not so; for why should I bur- 
 then him with the dread of a misfortune so vague in its 
 foundation? He said he'd soon return. I'll bend to you. Ma- 
 donna, that he his word may keep and quickly. {Expressive 
 music. — Catarina bends to the statue, ichen Visconti enters, at- 
 tended by EiccARDO, and a groom of his chamber.) 
 
SCENE I.] GASPARDO, THE GONDOLIER. 7 
 
 3Iarius Visconti. A fair evening to the fairest! (^Galling.) 
 Cti<"ariaa! {She starts to her feet.) 
 
 Cat. AVho's there ? My fears have come to pass ! 
 
 Mar. Why this alarm? approach and tell me frankly, for 
 "vvhom did you utter that most fervent prayer? 
 
 Cat. For the welfare of my husband and ray infant ! 
 
 3Iar. And also for the welfare of your prince. 
 
 Cat. The priests do daily that. 
 
 3Iar. And what the priests do daily, and in dull routine, a 
 pretty woman should not blush to do. 
 
 Cat. If you have mercy, leave me — 
 
 3Iar. Had your devoted husband much of that same mercy 
 when he left you for the tavern ? (Aside.) She doesn't answer. 
 If I can make her jealous I shall make her mine ! (To his fol- 
 lower.) Prithee bring to my mind the name of that kind, smiling 
 girl, under whose window Gaspardo played so exquisitely line 
 the mandolin? 
 
 Cat. And did Gaspardo play so exquisitely fine, my lord? 
 
 3Iar. Did he not, Riccardo ? 
 
 Biccardo. Like a professor ! 
 
 Cat. Then is he much improved ; for yesterday (to the cer- 
 tain knowledge of myself), he neither owned a mandolin, nor 
 knew a note of music. 
 
 Mar. (To Riccardo.) She hit us there; but I'll tilt with 
 her again. Apollo was perfection in his form, yet still a rake ; 
 and your fisher-lover, in matters of the heart, like other men, is 
 little better — 
 
 Cat. In love or hate, Gaspardo is an honest man ! 
 
 Mar. Honest — umph ! that is a word highly in vogue — but 
 one I own that profoundly I do not understand. 
 
 Cat. No wonder, being so foreign to your nature ! 
 
 Mar. (Fiercely.) I can make your husband a beggar! 
 
 Cat. I can beg with him. ( With equal indignation.) 
 
 Mar. I can banish him my laud ! 
 
 Cat. Self-banished, I can follow him ! 
 
 Mar. You know and tamper with my passion! Fly with 
 Visconti, and he will become thy slave ! For proof (Kneeling 
 and presenting a rich collar and jeiuel) here is the collar of my 
 state and grandeur ! As a badge of vassalage receive it. 
 
 Cat. I do receive it. (Taking and dashing it down.) To 
 trample on in scorn! Man, thou mightest as well essay to 
 make thy mother's effigy, in ghostly majesty, step forth from off 
 its monumental tomb, as to taint the honor of Gaspardo's wife ! 
 
 Bic. Let us depart ! 
 
 3Iar. No — as I longer stay, the zest grows keener. Are 
 there no means to tame this lioness, Riccardo? 
 
 Bic. The crafty hunter, when he would snare the lioness 
 away, makes prey of the cub that the lioness may follow. 
 
 3iar. Good! (To groom.) Ho! from its cradle snatch that 
 infant ! 
 
 Cat. The child ! Be not so base ! — (Miisic. — As the three ad- 
 
8 GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT I. 
 
 vance, Catamna seizes the stiletto suspended from the wall, and 
 with its 2)01 nt upraised, keeps them at hay and stays their approach 
 to the cradle.) Touch but a hair of its little head, aud may- 
 blight, misfortune, and a mother's curse fall heavily upon ye. 
 
 Mar. Drag her from hence ! and by the secret way conduct 
 her to the palace ! Forward ! — your spirit we will teach to 
 bend. 
 
 Cat. In vain, and I brave you to the last ! You may take 
 my life, but you cannot taint my honor! {She plunges, at their 
 nearer approach, the stiletto into her bosom — partially falls, and en- 
 deavors to reach the infant.) One kiss, my little one — no, death 
 will not have it so, and my child I recommend to Heaven! 
 {With a fixed and stern gaze at the prince.) This is thy evil work, 
 Visconti ! (She ivith a strong effort raises herself to her full staturcy 
 exclaiming with solemnity) — 
 
 May woe in thy heart from this moment ne'er sever, 
 And my curse cling unto thee forever and ever! 
 
 (At this moment the voice of Gaspardo is heard to exclaim, " Ho, 
 Catarina! " Visconti and his satellites take to flight — she stagger- 
 ing to meet him, utters a piercing cry. "Help! help — Gaspar- 
 do ! " then falls dead at the instant of his entrance.) 
 
 Gas. Methouglit I heard the voice of Catarina — (Seeing 
 body.) What, bleeding? dead! accursed, I come too late! Who 
 has done this? Holy Madonna! (Kneeling to figure.) May it 
 please thee to point out the slayer of my wife ? Show me the 
 trace of his step — the shadow of his form — a something to — 
 (Picking up the collar. ) What's this ? — the collar of the Visconti ! 
 Vengeance! vengeance! — (At this moment Basil Bonav^enture, 
 supposed to be hastily pursued, dashes through the opened window y 
 and with sword unsheathed staggers towards Gaspardo.) 
 
 Bas. Save me from my pursuers — the Visconti — 
 
 Gas. Are you a foe to them ? 
 
 Bas. I am ! 
 
 Gas. A foe to them is ever a friend to me. Go ! there is my 
 boat, with oars to guide her. (Pointing to the shallop in f.) 
 
 Bas. Think that I've thanked thee. For mere lip compliment 
 I have little time, but this comes from the heart! Should mis- 
 fortune ever fall to wife or child of thine, Basil Bonaventure re- 
 member ! 
 
 Gas. I had a wife, but she is slain by the Visconti ! I have a 
 child — 'tis here. (Snatching it from cradle.) Wilt thou save it 
 from its mother's murderer, whilst I stay here to avenge its 
 mother's death? 
 
 Bas. Quick ! for I dare not stay. Tell me thy will, and I will 
 truly follow it. 
 
 Gas. Bear this child in the bark away with you. My own 
 life's in jeopardy, and if in eight days I do not meet you again in 
 Milan market-place, believe me dead ! Then give to it, as a com- 
 pensation for the good done to thee, thy name, and a share of 
 
SCENE I.] GASPJEDO, THE GONDOLIER. 9 
 
 thy bread and mantle — nor cast another thought upon the fish- 
 erman Gaspardo! (Basil folding the infant in his cloak, and en- 
 tering the boat.) 
 
 Bas. Eemember! in eight days at Milan Cross — 
 
 Gas. At Milan, {Talcing np stiletto.) What's here? my own 
 stiletto gilded with blood ! my steel, then, did it, and that which 
 hung upon yon wall for her protection has become her bane. 
 Poor Catarina! peace to thy gentle spirit, and thy ashes! 
 (Covers the bodii idth cloak. — Enter Raphael and Pietro.) My 
 brain reels, and I almost madden — Who's there ? 
 
 Baph. Friends ! 
 
 Gas. Friends! —yes, I 'gin to recollect. Where is the Vis- 
 conti ? 
 
 Baph. Slain but this instant, by my hand ! 
 
 Pie. And mine ! 
 
 Gas. Villain! {Seizing Pietro.) You have robbed me of 
 my right. I would have given life, soul, and worldly profit, to 
 have struck thy blow. He was my prey — mine ! You knew it 
 well — plundered and robbed me wantonly. 
 
 Pie. Your hand from my capote, or you may rue it ! Did he 
 not slay my sister? 
 
 Gas. He slew one nearer, dearer, unto my heart than fifty 
 sisters unto thine! Look! beneath that mantle rests the body 
 of yon child's mother — my wife, my Catarina. {Snatching off 
 mantle.) 
 
 Baph. {Going to cradle.) How's this ! the child is absent? 
 
 Gas. Oh, brain-sick idiot that I am ! Alas ! I have no child. 
 Just now a man, pursued by the arm of the law, asked me to aid 
 him in his flight, and in ni}^ delirium I gave the babe to him. 
 
 Baph. His name, Gaspardo? 
 
 Gas. Basil Bonaventure. 
 
 Baph. The leader of the condottieri, — a man of broken for- 
 tunes, and one who fights for hire. I fear thy child is lost to 
 thee forever! 
 
 Gas. Be it according to high Heaven's will! Your hands. 
 {They clasp them together.) Alas! we are a trinity in misery. 
 {Distant organ and solemn music heard here.) Hearken! by dis- 
 tance mellowed rises to the throne of grace the holy vesper 
 hymn. Over this breathless form bare your stilettoes, and let 
 us compact either in weal or woe to forsake each other never; 
 in silence and under the eye of Heaven be our vow recorded ! 
 {Each figure places its hand upon its heart, then raises its stiletto 
 117110 heaven in accordance; during vMich the chant of the vesper 
 hymn by the commingled voices of the friars and nuns of a neighbor- 
 ing convent is heard.) 
 
 VESPER HYMN. 
 
 Mater Domini, hear our prayer, — 
 Virgo santissima — ave Maria. 
 
 *Tis done ! Now to Milan. 
 
10 GASPAJIDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT II. 
 
 Enter Riccardo, with officers. 
 
 Bic. They are here, and armed. Seize on them as practisers 
 of treason ! ( The officers seise Gaspardo, Raphael, and Pietro. 
 — The background made up by the arrival of a galley on the lake 
 crowded with soldiers.) 
 
 END OF ACT I. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene I. — Brilliant antechamber in the palace of Contarini deco- 
 rated for a ball and banquet. — Loud sound of trumpet, and 
 military music. 
 
 Enter Contarini, leading his wife, Blanche di Visconti, attended 
 by Raphael i?i the garb of a monk. — Maidens, nobles, etc., 1 
 
 E.L.H. 
 
 Blanche. To your request, my lord and husband, I have ceded, 
 and have quitted ray solitude to view the splendors of this 
 festival; but, alas! I should have been born some village 
 maid ; pageants and pomps have little joys for me. Permit me 
 early, then, to return to the spot I have left with so much re- 
 gret and sorrow. 
 
 Contarini. I bow ; but it creates my wonder that the wife 
 of the Procurator honors so seldom the palace of Contarini. — 
 Without there — Gaspardo ! Where is the master of our gon- 
 doliers ? Gaspardo ! — I say, where is the knave ? 
 
 £'nfer Gaspardo, in the garb of chief gondolier. 
 
 Gas. The knave is here ! What would the noble with him? 
 
 Con. Oar countess wills it to return anon to-night; see that 
 her gondola be in readiness. (Gaspardo bows and exits, Ie.l. 
 H.) They come! our friends flock to our stair — your pardon 
 that I go to meet them. {Exit, r.) 
 
 Enter Padilla, Ie.l.h., who observes Raphael and Blanche 
 attentively. 
 
 Blanche. Are you content with my confession ? 
 
 Baph. You have judged wisely! Avoid the world, since you 
 cannot taste its pleasures ; and, above all the world, shun Cos- 
 mo. 
 
 Pad. (Aside.) I'd give a florin now to know what the Pi*o- 
 curator's wife is saying to her confessor! The much as usual 
 tale, no doubt, — the woman is talking about her dress, and the 
 monk about his dinner. I'll accost them, and, if I can, insult the 
 
SCENE I.] GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. 11 
 
 friar — for well I know he dare not knock me down, because 'tis 
 irreligious. (Approaching Raphael.) Oh, miraculous ! has the 
 Franciscan Raphael deserted his cell and his au^elus, to visit 
 the halls of Contarini? Well done, good monk! The velvet hat 
 of a cardinal is more likely to be met with under roofs like these 
 than in the glooms of a convent. 
 
 Baph. My ambition has been quenched in tears too long, my 
 son, to be again relighted; and he who at my years beUeves 
 in friendship and in virtue without remorse's gall need little 
 envy fortune and her flitting dignities. 
 
 Pad. That doubtless is from your own homily. Hear a text 
 from mine. " The man who puts too much confidence in friend- 
 ship often becomes its dupe ; and the boaster of his own virtue 
 is more frequently a hypocrite than a true believer." 
 
 Blanche. Signor Padilla ! {Indignantly.') 
 
 Baph. Calm yourself, lady, and listen to my story. It is now 
 about a period of flve-and-twenty years ago that I was unjustly 
 banished out of Italy, and two innocent companions shared with 
 me the same injustice. The exile galley which wafted us to our 
 fates touched at different ports to land my poor companions, 
 and finally conducted me to a far-distant country. It so fell out 
 that a party of pilgrims passing on their way took pity on my 
 state, and bade me be of better thought and hope. Encouraged 
 thus, I strove to conquer my despair, and by their words of 
 sacred resignation I at length succeeded. Monks were they, of 
 the order of St. Francis, and from them, Padilla, was I taught 
 to believe in virtue. The period of my exile having expired, I 
 arrived at Milan, and on entering a wine posada, I was struck' 
 by L- 3 appearance of two men together sitting at a table. Provi- 
 dence, said one, has permitted us to find each other; two 
 goblets garnish this our board ; let us upon it place a third ; in 
 honor of our companion Raphael, so that if perchance he be 
 alive, and come unto this spot, he may hear or see that the two 
 banished men have thought of their third companion. Stagger- 
 ing, I rose and drained that third mean's goblet to the dregs. 
 My two friends recognized me. We that together had tasted the 
 cup of misery, together drank the cup of joy, we fell into each 
 other's arms, and from that moment was I taught, Padilla, to be- 
 lieve in friendship ! (Flourish of trumpets as herald enters f.) 
 
 Herald. Place for the protector of Milan, the Duke Visconti ! 
 
 Enter Marius Contarini and nobles. Blanche kneels to him; 
 he raises her. — Loud shouting without. 
 
 3Iar. What means that empty clamor ? (Contarini looldng 
 out.) 
 
 Con. The loud adoration of the populace, who bow before the 
 idols you have set up for them to worship. {Aside to Mar.) 
 
 Mar. (To Contarini.) You doubt both the constable, and 
 his young sou Cosmo? 
 
 Con. I do, for they possess the hearts of the soldiery; the 
 
12 GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT II. 
 
 elder one is coutentecl with the title of a great warrior, but the 
 j^oauger and more ambitious Cosmo seeks to overturn your 
 throne. 
 
 3Iar. Silence, good son-in-law! I must bide my time to 
 thwart their good intention ; at present I fear the people, and 
 have some cause to do so; for five-aud-twenty years ago, when 
 I was governor of Phiisance, one of them struck me with a 
 stiletto, and though I had a coat of mail beneath my pierpoint, 
 the steel went deep enough for me to well remember ! (Militanj 
 music. — Enter from under the arcJiivay, Basil Bonaventure, as 
 constable, attended by Cosmo, the commander.) Welcome to our 
 Generalissimo ! and another welcome to Cosmo, the commander ! 
 Cosmo, take you the hand of my daughter Blanche — mine 
 shall be open to your noble father! (Cosmo approaches her; 
 they both betray emotion.) Doth the lady fair refuse? 
 
 Blanche. No, no, my father! (Exeunt Marius and Basil, as 
 Cosmo raises the hand 0/ Blanche to his hps.) 
 
 Fad. (Aside.) Umph! (Cosmo repeats the salute; then fol- 
 lows icith Blanche.) Again ! 
 
 Sweet! sweet as honey! 
 By these turtle doves will I make money ! 
 
 (Fadii.l,a follows them.} 
 
 Enter, severally, Gaspardo, Raphael, and Pietro. 
 
 Gas. Your hands ! brothers in misery, we meet again ! 
 
 Haph. After the ball we must confer together. 
 
 Gas. Where ? 
 
 Baph. Here. 
 
 Gas. We will do so ; you have not forgotten your aflEianced 
 bride, and her bridal-bed the tomb, good Raphael? 
 
 Baph. I must first more deeply taste the waters of oblivion, 
 Gaspardo. 
 
 Gas. And of your sister, Pietro, do you not sometimes 
 ponder? 
 
 Pie. And you sometimes of Catarina? 
 
 Gas. Often ; but ofteuer on the thunder-cloud of vengeance 
 gathering above, to burst upon the head of vile Visconti! 
 (Exeunt severally. — Contaeini comes forward attended by Pa- 
 
 DILLA.) 
 
 Con. What ! jealous of my wife — no, no. I know she loves 
 me not, and I as little am amorous of her. I espoused more the 
 right of heritage to Visconti's dukedom than Visconti's daugh- 
 ter ; yet if false to me — with whqm ? 
 
 Fad. I could, if it so pleased me, in the most delicious manner 
 plunge you up to the neck and shoulders in the mud of misery. 
 I could, on my veracity l 
 
 Con. Explain. 
 
 Fad. I'd rather not. Upon my word, I'd rather not. 
 
 Con. I insist — command ! Name to me the villain, or — 
 (Half unsheathing his ^ipprrj,) 
 
SCENE I.] GASPAnUO, THE GONDOLIER. 13 
 
 Pad. You'll cut my throat ! Better to talk scandal than to 
 be killed and never talk again ! If I should say to you, Cosmo, 
 the commander — 
 
 Con. You would point out to me a double robber, — one who 
 would pluck from me my right to the throne, and steal the 
 honor of my wife. It is as I suspected. Padilla, you're au 
 honest man. 
 
 Pad. Pergad, my lord, you surprise me. 
 
 Con. 'Twould be an excellent cause to rid me of my fears, 
 and slay him in — Padilla — {3Iore loudhj.) — I said, Padilla — 
 
 Pad. You did so, most distinctly. 
 
 Con. Do you think he'd dare to enter the villa of my wife ? 
 
 Pad. Dare! Ay, that would he. He'd enter the devil's 
 dining-room, and sine invitation eat the devi]'.« dinner! 
 
 Con. Keep a lynx eye to my interest, and I'll pay you well. 
 
 Pad. How much, I wonder? {Aside.) 
 
 Con. I am bound to you for life, and wh^Nti I'm Duke of Milan, 
 you shall be my Procurator. (Exit, f.) 
 
 Pad. And when I am Procurator, the goo(7 things of this 
 world I will procure in tolerable abundance. {Exit, l.2e. — 
 Blanche and Cosmo come forward. — Contarixi exits.) 
 
 Cos. This way, my gentle one. The fragrance of the orange 
 flower, that finds its course so sweetly through this casement, 
 may restore that pallid cheek to all its former brightness. 
 
 Blanche. He must not see my agitation. {Affecting calm- 
 ness.) How happy must you have felt on your triumphant re- 
 turn to Milan, noble soldier ! 
 
 Cos. A triumph of less joy to me .than sorrow. Ere my 
 departure it was my fate to lov^, and to do so with a passion 
 those alone can feel who have never known a mother's fond 
 affection. Before I ventured the confession, I waited only for 
 opportunity to perform some noble action to make me worthy 
 of the maiden's hand and station. When the Venetians declared 
 war, and my father entrusted to me the standard of Milan, I set 
 out full of hope. I attacked Carmagnola, self-called the Invin- 
 cible ; and, after a long space of time and peril, that enemy was 
 vanquished. I then returned to Milan, and was received in 
 triumph, — a triumph, as I said, countess, that to my bosom 
 brought less joy than woe, when I was taught that my ungrate- 
 ful country, whilst I was fighting her stern quarrel far away, 
 had wantonly destroyed all hope of that fond happiness I panted 
 to receive on my return, by marrying Blanche di Visconti to the 
 Procurator Coutarini. 
 
 Enter Raphael, c. 
 
 Paph. The hour of midnight is come, and your boatmen wait 
 you. (To Blanche.) Cosniohere! 
 
 Cos. Let me not think I have incurred your everlasting hate, 
 because I have betrayed the ulcer that eats up my heart. 
 
 Blanche. Midnight is come, and my boatmen wait me. 
 2 
 
14 GASPARDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT U, . 
 
 (Exeunt Blanche and Raphael, 3e.l.h. — Basil comes for- 
 xmrdfrom c.) 
 
 Bas. How is this ? — alone ? Why this desire for solitude ? 
 You hide from me a secret — tell it me. 
 
 Cos. Confidence for confidence — tell me yours. O my 
 father! didst ever love my mother tenderly? Didst ever ex- 
 perience the feeling that to be near her was to enjoy a sweet 
 foretaste of heaven ? And when, yet young, stern death had torn 
 her from your arms, did you not feel as if the world to you had 
 become a dreary desert, and that your love was buried in her 
 coffin? 
 
 Bas. Cosmo, have you not remarked the pain and misery 
 each time I struggle with, when on this theme you probe and 
 question me? Fatigue, long wars, and deeply driven wounds 
 have shattered this once iron frame, and I cannot hope for many 
 years to cumber this bright world. On the day of my death a 
 parchment will be found explaining the deep mystery you seek 
 so much to unravel. Till then, dear Cosmo, speak not again 
 of your mother, now in heaven, till you have lost your father. 
 
 (Exit, c.) 
 Enter Gaspardo, 2e.l.h. 
 
 Gas. The guests are departing. Raphael and Pietro come 
 slowly to the meeting-place, though the ball is over. 
 
 Cos. My poor mother ! Heaven, doubtless, deprived me of 
 her early love to give me that of Blanche in compensation. Her 
 delicacy caused her to fly me. Can she be offended? To-morrow 
 I will explain — no, not to-morrow — to night — this instant. 
 But where shall I find a bark'? Ha ! the master of the palace 
 gondoliers. A word with you — (Touching his shoulder.) 
 
 Gas. (Turning roughly.) Diavolo! (On perceiving it to he 
 Cosmo, he doffs his bonnet reverentially.) Is it you? What can 
 I do to serve you ? 
 
 Cos. I need a gondola. 
 
 Gas. You shall have the best that ever breasted water. 
 
 Cos. The air is fresh; it is a lovely night, and I wish to 
 glide some trivial distance on the canal of Tesinello. 
 
 Gas. (Quickly.) We will go together ! 
 
 Cos. Not so. I will row myself. That which would be to 
 you a labor will be to me a relaxation. 
 
 Gas. You shall have my own little boat. She is swift, and 
 cuts through the waters as a bird cuts through the air. She's 
 called " The Swallow." 
 
 Cos. Thanks, worthy gondolier. And in return what can I 
 do to serve you? 
 
 Gas. From you I will take nothing. 
 
 Cos. Nothing ! How so ? 
 
 Gas. Stay — yes, be it so. There is one thing, but which I 
 fear you would not condescend to give me. 
 
 Cos. (Playfully.) And what is that one thing ? 
 
 Gas. Your hand. 
 
SCENE I.] GASPARDO^ THE GONDOLIER, 15 
 
 Cos. With all my heart. (^He stretches it out. — Gaspardo 
 seizes it.) 
 
 Gas. (Aside.) He has taken rae by the hand ; the touch thrills 
 to my heart! Cosmo, I wish the clay would come that I might 
 prove my love by dying for thee. 
 
 Cos. For me? Why should you die for me? 
 ■ Gas. (Aside.) I had near betrayed myself! 
 
 Cos. Reply. I do not understand you. Your reason? 
 
 Gas. I do not know, or cannot tell, the reason. But I prom- 
 ised you my fast-sailing •' Swallow." Follow me, and see her 
 on the wing. This way, my noble — noble son ! ( Ushering him 
 to the landing-place.) 
 
 Cos. Your son ! 
 
 Gas, I mean, ray noble — noble Cosmo. (^Exeunt Cosmo and 
 Gaspardo, 2e.l.h.) 
 
 Enter Padilla, 2e.r.h. 
 
 Pad. What Lucifer's broth is brewing now ? There is always 
 mischief in the wind whenever my nose tingles. (Looking out.) 
 So — Cosmo enters a small gondola alone — he takes the oars, 
 and pushes from the shore — Gaspardo returns to the palace — 
 nmph! Cosmo goes to the countess, or I'm an owl! I'll put 
 Contarini upon Cosmo's track, and if he find him at the villa of 
 his wife, good-by to Cosmo. 
 
 Enter Gaspardo, 2e.l.h. 
 
 Within half the hour your lord, Contarini, will need a gondola. 
 
 Gas. And with how many rowers ? 
 
 Pad. A single one — and that one must be you. 
 
 Gas. You do not go yourself? 
 
 Pad. Per Adonis, no. A handsome man is a rarity; and, in 
 truth, I have an aching pain in one of my lower masticators. I 
 am indisposed and ill. I always am so, whenever there is any 
 danger. (Exit, Se.r.h.) 
 
 Enter Pietro, c. 
 
 Gas. Now, Pietro, let us speak of Cosmo — of my son. He 
 is sad, — is he not so ? — and on occasion questions you about his 
 mother ? 
 
 Pie. On all occasions when we meet in private. 
 
 Gas. Nature upon the back pats curiosity. With filial love 
 he wrestles, as I now wrestle with his mother's wrongs. My 
 blood runs current in his veins. I am not, yet I am, a father ! 
 (Leaning on Pietro.) 
 
 Pie. This warmth, Gaspardo — 
 
 Gas. I have taken him by the hand ; I could have held hira 
 to my heart! I have gazed into his face, and so like his mother 
 at that moment did he look, I could have told him all, — told 
 
16 GASPARDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT II. 
 
 him, as he stood there in all his bravery, that he was but the 
 seed of Gaspardo, the galley-shxve, the gondolier — 
 
 Pie. You did not so, Gaspardo ? 
 
 Gas. No — I had pity on him, that Heaven on my death-pal- 
 let may let fall its grace on me ; for alas ! should I betray 
 myself, the glorious scafiblding so skilfully by the constable 
 built up, that Catariua's son might climb to fortune's temple, 
 would all fall down, and bury both beneath it. No — I that have 
 kept the secret long will keep it longer. Brave times and sea- 
 sous for us, these, good Pietro! How stand we now? Three 
 banished men, from three difierent portions of the earth, have 
 returned and met together. Marius Visconti, the man who 
 banished them, is Milan's duke; Cosmo, whose mother Marius 
 has slain, son to the man whom Marius has banished, commands 
 the army of Milan. What follows? The three malefactors, so 
 misnamed, like guardian angels, forget their vengeance in their 
 love to follow as its shadow, and to preserve from harm, the in- 
 fant of Gaspardo. Every hour the love of the army towards 
 Cosmo gains new strength, and lessens to Visconti. Every 
 hour the thirst of vengeance for that boy's mother's death to me 
 returns. The storm is gathering — prophetic be my speech — 
 when from his tottering throne the tyrant shall be hurled, that 
 the foot of tlie gondolier's son may mount its steps. At the 
 thought my heart and brain go near to burst. My boy — mine 
 — mine — shall be Milan's duke, and trample on'the man who 
 would have trampled on his father ! 
 
 Enter Eaphael, hastily, c. 
 
 Baph. ' Blanche di Visconti loves Cosmo the commander. 
 
 Gas. All the women do. I do myself. 
 
 Baph. Padilla has told his suspicion to the count, who medi- 
 tates revenge, and grinds his teeth in secret. 
 
 Gas. As I grind mine. 
 
 Baph. Cosmo's life is in danger, and you must watch the 
 Procurator. 
 
 Gas. At the door of his sleeping-chamber — in darkness I'll 
 be near him, and in sunshine as close to his form as is his 
 shadow. 
 
 Baph. But whither is he gone ? 
 
 Gas. He is now upon the canal of Tesinello. He came to 
 borrow of me a gondola; I lent him my own. If he had asked 
 of me my life, he should have had it. 
 
 Baph. You have destroyed him. Contarini will pursue. The 
 lover follows the gondola of the loved one, and the husband 
 that of the lover. 
 
 Gas. I'll bar his passage at the water-gate, and if he struggle, 
 into the canal I'll cast him ! 
 
 Baph. No ; 'twould be better that at a distance you should 
 follow. There is a secret entrance leading from the chapel 
 vaults direct to the chamber of Blanche di Visconti. 
 
SCENE II.] GASPARDO, THE Gt^NDOLIER. 17 
 
 He. But how will Gaspardo entrance gain if the door be 
 bolted? 
 
 Gas. Nerved by despair and these strong arms, I'd shatter it 
 to atoms ! {As he rapidly passes up the stage he encounters Con- 
 TARiNi, r.2l., at vdng.) 
 
 Con. Gaspardo, you must go with me , art ready? 
 
 Gas. I am ready. 
 
 Baph. Wilt go ? {Aside to Gaspardo. ) 
 
 Gas. Be fearless. He enters not the villa without Gaspardo. 
 
 Con. Riccardo! Postelli! Leo! My sword, cuirass, aud 
 mantle! {The three officefs enter, hearing the articles named by 
 their master.') 
 
 Gas. He asks for his sword; give me yours — (TbPiEXRO, 
 loho is sloicly unbucMing it.) Pshaw ! heed not the scabbard. 
 {Braios it from its sheath and conceals it.) 
 
 Con. Now, fellow, forward ! 
 
 Gas. I come, my lord. {Exeunt Contarini 3e.l.h. — Gaspardo 
 advances a step, then returns hastily to Pietro (f7id Raphael, and in a 
 marked manner exclaims) — If I should fall in my adventure, 
 and this, our triple union, come to an end — should you not find 
 my corpse, bury me in your hearts ; and if spirits ever be per- 
 mitted to this world to return, mine shall be often hovering near 
 to watch over you and Cosmo. 
 
 He-enter Contarini, r.2l. 
 
 Con. {Impatiently.) Gaspardo! Villain, why do you loiter? 
 Gas. I — I come, my lord. {He follows Contarini rapidly tip. 
 — Raphael and Pietro exeunt 2e.r.h.) 
 
 Scene II. — Tlie oratory of the Countess Contarini. — In c. a prac- 
 ticable window, looking upon a lake. — A secret door, covered 
 with tapestry, Ie.r.h. 
 
 Enter Blanche. 
 
 Blanche. 'Tis plainly clear he loves me. {A noise heard with- 
 out.) Who's there? Doubtless the Confessor Raphael, who comes 
 to /question if his daughter need his succor. 
 
 Enter Cosmo, hastily, Ie.l.h. 
 
 Cosmo ! {She recoils.) I'll call my women ! 
 
 Cos. Do not, and I'll depart. Believe me, lady, my love for 
 you amounts to purity itself — to adoration — combining with 
 its power thirstings of hate and determined scorn on those who 
 have forced your maiden will to wed with one whom you can 
 never love, — with Contarini ! 
 
 Blanche. {Hastily.) I confess not that. 
 
 Cos. Ah, lady, towards you I am the very soul of frankness 
 and of honor. I come not here under the vile hope to make you 
 2* 
 
18 GASPAIiDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT II. 
 
 criminal, — not so, for more deeply seated is my passion, — but to 
 protest against the passions of those who arrogate the right to 
 render one or both of us unhappy. Gentle Lady Blanche, if 
 Cosmo the commander had fallen upon the field of battle, would 
 those dove-like eyes have been dry when the tidings reached 
 you? 
 
 Blanche. I have prayed to avert that evil, Cosmo. 
 
 Cos. And to the petition of an angel Heaven has listened. A 
 hundred times in the thunder of the fight by a miracle have I 
 been saved, and little deemed I owed my perilled life to the 
 prayer of Blanche di Visconti. 
 
 Enter Contarini, Se.l.h., observing them, armed icUh cuirass and 
 rapier. 
 
 But we are yet young, and the day may arrive when — (Con- 
 tarini interposes betioeen Blanche aiid Cosmo.) 
 
 Blanche. My husband! (Exit iK.Jt.ii.) 
 
 Con. Victorious Cosmo, welcome ! You honor Contarini 
 much when you seek an exchange of bliss from the rougher toils 
 of war in the soft arms of Contarini's helpmate. 
 
 Cos. Count Contarini, I loved Blanche before she had been 
 taught or forced to call you husband, and I respect the honor of 
 her sex too sacredly to seek to undermine or sully it. Why do 
 you smile? 
 
 Con. At you ! And that Cosmo should take me for a fool so 
 simple. ( Unsheathing his sicord.) 
 
 Cos. A sinful man looks for his own fault in another. You 
 wish for reparation for a fancied injury? Enough. I go to find 
 a weapon. (Going.) 
 
 Con. Stand where you are, and stir not, at your peril! 
 
 Cos. Your meaning, lord? 
 
 Con. To punish you. 
 
 Cos. But as a man of honor? 
 
 Con. No — as a man of vengeance ? 
 
 Cos. (Looking round.) Escape I see is impossible. 
 
 Con. Ha ! you'd fly me ? 
 
 Cos. Eor a weapon only, that on my coming back I might 
 bestow the chastisement so well deserved upon the pale pol- 
 troon before me. Dost think I cannot read your shallow heart 
 and policy? It is not the injured spouse, burning for imagined 
 wrongs unrevenged, standing before me, — it is the dastardly 
 Procurator, who seeks in privacy to murder the man he dares 
 not to provoke in open warfare. Slave ! 'Tis not the love of 
 your wife of which j^ou are jealous ; 'tis that of the people — and 
 from the moment you viewed my triumphant passage by your 
 palace casement, envy and hate lessoned this snare of death to 
 entrap me. 
 
 Con. My honor commands your death. 
 
 Cos. Your honor! yonrs? The honor of a man who would 
 strike another who is weaponless? That subtle honor seeking 
 
SCENE II.] GASPABDO, THE GONDOLIER, 19 
 
 to overturn a father's throne by the wedding of the daughter as 
 a means to do it; tliat heart of chivalry, which comes covered 
 with a cuirass to protect itself against a naked one; that lassi- 
 tude of courage which is almost palsied with the thought of fear 
 to struggle with a defenceless man lest the nails of his fingers 
 should lacerate that tender bosom. 
 
 Con. To your knees, and die a Christian death. {Advancing 
 upon him.) 
 
 Cos. No ; strike me as I stand. 
 
 Con. Die ! (He recoils to make the blow more secure. — Gas- 
 PARDO enters with iceapon drawn, and receives the sword-stroke of 
 CoNTARiNi upon his own. — Cosmo rushes out, Ie.l.h.) 
 
 Gas. Hold ! If you must fight, fight with me ! 
 
 Con. With you? I am not disposed to figliL with you. 
 
 Gas. That I believe — or with any other man. 
 
 Con. Am I awake ? 
 
 Gas. You are. But here's an instrument — {Pointing to his 
 sword) — with which to sleep I'd put you, and with pleasure. 
 
 Con. Miserable ! By this you have violated the laws of the 
 land. 
 
 Gas. And you, in your turn, have violated the laws of jus- 
 tice and of honor. 
 
 Con. Insolent scullion! 
 
 Gas. Well-clad and empty-headed noble ! By stooping to 
 scurrility and to my own grade you make me your superior ; to 
 boast of that is but a ragged feather in my cap, — for, lowly as 
 my station may appear, it must be low indeed not to be equal 
 unto that of Contarini. So, sirrah, lord, you sought the life of 
 Cosmo ! {Approaching him, and with a malicious whisper imitating 
 his manner.) When I rowed you hither in the gondola, with a 
 lofty manner said you not thus to your attendants waiting your 
 signal now without: "Fellows, when I call from the window 
 which overlooks the lake, come up, that you may attest in the 
 warmth of the moment I slew the adulterous Cosmo in vindica- 
 tion of my honor. Now, is it not a pity that a scheme like this 
 should fail? I'faith, it is a disgrace unto your senate they pass 
 not into a decree that rich rogues like yourself should be able to 
 take the lives of their humble fellow-creatures at their own whim 
 and pleasure. 
 
 Con. Mannerless dog ! 
 
 Gas. Mannerless ! How so ? Eight well I wiped my shoes 
 before I put my heel upon your carpet. Perhaps you know not 
 who I am? 
 
 Con. If what you seem, you are — 
 
 Gas. But I am not what I seem. 
 
 Con. Who then ? 
 
 Gas. Gaspardo, the gondolier, — father to Cosmo the com- 
 mander. Now fight or fly, — the secret's out, and one or both of 
 us must perish ! 
 
 Con. Eiccardo and Postelli! {Calling loudly ^ and attempting 
 to reach the icindow.) 
 
20 GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT III. 
 
 Gas. Die, coward ! (Gaspardo heats down Ms guard. — Conta- 
 ni^i falls.) 
 
 Con. {Dying.) I am slain! to the rescue, Riccardo and Pos- 
 telli ! 
 
 Gas. (Kissing the sword's blade.) Tlianks to tlie good sword 
 of Pietro ! (He lets it fall by that o/Contarini.) Now, then, to 
 effect my escape by this window ; tlie leap will not be distant. 
 (Gaspardo goes to the loindoic, tools out upon the laJce, and per 
 necessity tui'ns his back upon the audience. — Alarmed by the cries 
 o/CoNTARiNi, Eiccardo and Postelli enter hastily Ie.l.h. — Pos- 
 TELH crosses to Ie.r.h., leaving Gaspardo unconscious of their 
 presence.) 
 
 Hie. Our master slain ! Yonder stands the ruffian unarmed. 
 Postelli, let us strike him in the back. (Riccardo draws Jiis sti- 
 letto to effect his purpose. — Postelli, in his eagerness to do the 
 same, lets fall Jiis iceapon. The quick ear of Gaspardo causes 
 him to turn at the noise ; consequently when they both rush upon him 
 he has picked up Pietro's sword, and that of the dead Contarini, 
 and stands on either side opposed to both parties, who, being only 
 armed icith shorter iceajjons, recoil in terror.) 
 
 Gas. Down with your weapons! (They cast them down.) 
 What are your lives worth now ? Stay but a moment, and PU 
 pin ye both to the wall. Out, murderous cowards! (Tliey cast 
 a malicious look at Gaspardo, then exeunt at opposite sides. — Gas- 
 pardo drops the point of his own sword, and the act drop falls rap- 
 idly.) 
 
 END OF ACT H. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 The scene represents an extensive hall in the palace of Visconti. — 
 On the L.ii. a throne and chair of state, surmounted by an ele- 
 gant banner, on which is emblazoned the arms and name of Vis- 
 conti. — On the R.ii. a table with a golden wine-jug and goblet. 
 — Music. 
 
 Enter Cosmo, 2-e.j..t3.., followed by Basil and Pietro. 
 
 Cos. Gaspardo, accused by Riccardo and Postelli of Conta- 
 rini's death, has confessed the deed, and is condemned to die. 
 You know not but in part the service this man hath rendered me. 
 Listen. Do you not often ask of me, if the lady I loved so se- 
 cretly was not both young and beautiful? Judge for yourself, 
 when I name the Countess Contarini. 
 
 Bas. The Procurator's wife. 
 
 Cos. Last night his wife ; to-day his widow. The count 
 had set his spies upon my steps, resolving on my death; but, in 
 fine, we encountered ; the Contarini was armed with a cuirass 
 
SCENE I.] GASPARDO^ THE GONDOLIER. 21 
 
 and sword, as in the day of battle. I was without a weapon, 
 when Gaspardo threw himself between us, and to save me slew 
 him. O ray father ! A noble deed — to cancel it requires a 
 nobler one, and should this gondolier's life unstriven for be for- 
 feited, what other men will think of in their hearts to know I 
 care not, since my own will tax me with ingratitude. 
 
 Bas. Be prudent, and remember you are the senate's ser- 
 vant, Cosmo. 
 
 Cos. I am so; but I am not the senate's slave. 
 
 Bas. Wouldst rebel against the government and the people ? 
 Cos. The rebel to a bad government is often a patriot to a 
 good people. 
 
 Bas. Wouldst venture your own head's loss, entwined as it 
 is with laurel, to preserve that of a cap-covered lazzaroni? 
 
 Cos. Merit in an humble man is as much to be admired as in- 
 efficient greatness, tricked out with a velvet trapping. Rags 
 prove only poverty — not crime; though there are some rich 
 ones, I deem, who, judging from themselves, are filled with 
 wonder that a poor man can be honest, because that, if fickle 
 chance had made them poor instead of Avealthy, honesty might 
 have been blown to the Aviuds of heaven to make them richer. 
 
 Pie. Simple, undivided devotion unto you exceeds the merit 
 of Gaspardo in this action. He hated Contarini for his relation- 
 ship to the Duke of Milan, — because Visconti, five and twenty 
 years ago, in a foiled attempt to stain the virtue of the fisher's 
 wife, destroyed her. 
 
 Bas. Where did this happen? , 
 
 Pie. In an humble cabin near Plaisance. 
 
 Bas. Gaspardo's cabin? 
 
 Pie. It was. 
 
 Bas. Toilworn and changed as Gaspardo is, I thought be- 
 fore that I had seen his face. {Kneels.) Saint of my old age and 
 my cradle, thanks for this ! I will preserve Gaspardo from his 
 enemy. {Bising.) Come with me. 
 
 Enter Vxj)iLi.x, l.h., hastily. 
 
 Pad. Tarry, gentlemen ; why move so briskly wiien so much 
 good news is in motion? 
 
 Cos. How determines the senate to act towards this Gas- 
 pardo ? 
 
 Pad. In the kindest manner. They will first chop ofi" his 
 head, and afterwards pardon him. 
 
 Bas. And when takes place the execution? 
 
 Pad. In about two hours. {A slight tapping of distant ham- 
 mers heard.) Do you not hear at a distance an agreeable species 
 of a knock ? 
 
 Bas. What is it ? 
 
 Pad. The noise of the workman's hammer erecting the scaf- 
 fold. I haven't had a moment' s pleasure for a long duration, and 
 I'll just stop and see how they get on with the business. Au 
 
22 GASPAUDO, THE GONDOLIER, [aCT III. 
 
 revoir, sweet gentlemen ! {Aside.) I'll not go far, for by their 
 grim looks I do suspect some mischief going forward. {Exity 
 
 L.II.) 
 
 Bas. Cosmo, away to the arsenal, and apprise our soldiery 
 that when they hear the clock of the Sepulchre toll out the 
 seventh hour, to rise to a man, and from this palace free Gas- 
 pardo. Quick! I'll walk with you a space to give you more 
 instructions, and then return the gondolier to question. 
 
 {Exeunt omnes, c.) 
 
 Pad. {Coming forward.) Traitors all three, as sure as light 
 comes from out a tinder-box. Pergad, a light is thrown on this 
 which shall enlighten the duke, who, like unto phosphorus, will 
 take fire at the news, and in his haste, maybe, for my zeal pay 
 me just treble the amount I am entitled to. Ah, me ! what a 
 pity 'tis the world's become so wicked and so vile — and what 
 a greater pity 'tis, that for my personal size I am one of the 
 greatest rogues in it ! {Exit, r.h.) 
 
 Enter Gaspardo, Ie.l.h., in chains, with Riccardo and Pos- 
 
 TELLI. 
 
 Bic. We have brought you hither to meet the eye of the 
 Visconti. 
 
 Gas. Ye both are kind, and I thank ye. {Exeunt Riccardo 
 and PosTELLi, Ie.l.h.) Maker of all, be praised! thou hast pre- 
 served my son ! From the day on which I parted from him 
 friendless, thy saintly care took him benejith thy own protec- 
 tion, Contarini would have slain him, but thy hand prevented 
 it. 
 
 Enter Basil, c. 
 
 Misguided villains have sought his life, but, instead of that 
 young, rich, and glorious, thou hast deigned to accept of mine, 
 obscure and nearlj'^ wasted. Maker of all, be praised ! (Gas 
 PARDO, Vjith clasped hands and eyes upraised, stands motionless.) 
 
 Bas. {Appearing before him.) Should misfortune ever coma 
 to thee or thine, remember Basil ! 
 
 Gas. The constable ! 
 
 Bas. The captain of the Condottieri. At a period of about 
 five and twenty years ago, a fugitive once fled to a fisherman, 
 and the fisherman spoke thus to the fugitive : " I have a wife, 
 said he, to be avenged ; in your flight bear with you this, — 
 her infant, — and if in eight days I do not meet you again by 
 Milan market cross believe me dead, and give tlie child your 
 name, with a share of your bread and mantle." On the eighth 
 day the fugitive stood at the spot of rendezvous, but met not 
 w^ith the fisherman. The condottieri did then as the fisher bade 
 him, — he gave to the fisher's orphan the whole of that which 
 the fugitive had promised. 
 
 Gas. Since then was the fisherman unjustly condemned to 
 the galleys — groaning without hope under a burning clime, and 
 
SCENE I.] GASPAltDO, THE GONDOLIER. 23 
 
 crouching under heavy travail. In my own person now to 
 spealv. The term of my exile having expired, I came unto the 
 tented field in the hope to find a certain soldier of fortune called 
 Bonaventure. Through phalanx, rank, and square I sought in 
 vain till I came unto the constable. At his right hand rode a 
 young officer, whom he honored with the name of sou, and in 
 his visage I beheld the features of Catariua slightly blended 
 with my own. I thought my heart would have bounded from 
 my bosom; but I said not to him, you are deceived, — 'tis not 
 the constable, but the returned exile, who is thy father. Oh, no, 
 for would it not have wounded his high-beating heart, and cast 
 a cloud before his sunny future? Misery had made my pas- 
 sions calmer. I became resigned with the thought that I was 
 near my son ; and when your army unto Milan marched, as a 
 sutler of the camp I followed it. 
 
 Bas. Good, generous Gaspardo, come to ray arms, and let 
 us mingle our tears together. ( They embrace.') Yet, tell me — 
 what other persons know our secret? 
 
 Gas. Two only ; and they are men you need fear little. 
 
 Bas. Their names ? 
 
 Gas. One of them is called the Franciscan Raphael. 
 
 Bas. I'd pin my faith unto his sleeve. And the other? 
 
 Gas. Pietro, the Capitano. 
 
 Bas. My own friend, and one with whom I'd trust a wain of 
 gold uncounted. Both are resolved to save you. 
 
 Gas. No ; every arrow that leaves the string has its target 
 of destination. Leave me to die. 
 
 Bas. To die ! Hear me, Gaspardo ; and if not for thyself, 
 for thy son's welfare, listen. Often the ducal throne has been 
 within my clutch, but, being by peasants rude and humbly bred, 
 I feared to mount the unsteady seat. Now, Cosmo, thy son — 
 thine ! — has craftier skill, and — 
 
 Gas. {Eagerly.') Dost mean that you have paved the way for 
 Cosmo? 
 
 Bas. If I said yes, how long wouldst thou seek to live, Gas- 
 pardo ? 
 
 Gas. Till I saw him seated there. I breathe more freely. 
 Life, strength, vitality, are now more dear to me than to a miser 
 is his gold. You have filled me with a hope which devours me 
 like a fever, and for the first time I tremble at the thought of 
 the executioner. 
 
 Enter Marius Visconti, loith Riccakdo and Raphael, Ie.r.h. 
 
 Mar. Constable, I come to tell you the treason of your son 
 revealed to me by Padilla. But he is in my power. Give 
 orders that when the clock of the Sepulchre sounds seven, let 
 the rebel Cosmo die ! {Exit Riccakdo, 2e.l.h.) 
 
 Bas. That signal — 
 
 Mar. Was that, by himself intended to begin the revolt, but 
 one I'll turn to another end — his ruin ! 
 
24 GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. [aCT III. 
 
 Gas. {Aside to Basil.) Save — oh, save him ! 
 
 Mar. Come, worthy constable, you tarry not here. The 
 Duke Visconti will do the honors of his palace even to the 
 gates of it. {With mock humility Marius conducts out Basil, 
 
 2E.L.H.) 
 
 Gas. {Kneeling.) Absolve me from my faults, that with all 
 men I may die in peace and charity. 
 
 Enter Padilla, loith Pieteo, Ie.r.h. 
 
 Fie. Before absolution I bring hope. This man, Padilla, is 
 our friend. 
 
 Gas. That man our friend ! 
 
 Pad. Yes, your most intimate friend ; I dare say it suprises 
 you! 
 
 Gas. It does indeed — that you should be the friend of any 
 one. 
 
 Pad. It is a most extraordinary occurrence ; but wherever I 
 make my appearance, I'm sure to be insulted. If that gondolier 
 make another uncivil remark, he may save Cosmo himself, for 
 I'll be ofi" the bargain ! 
 
 Baph. Remember, for this service there is a certain casket 
 of jewels promised thee. 
 
 Pie. True ; for the moment the jewels had escaped my rec- 
 ollection. Then thus it is. I have bribed my own company of 
 soldiers to let the commander free, which, when effected, he 
 will strike upon the bell of the Sepulchre seven times, as a proof 
 to all my contract is fulfilled, and his escape effected. 
 
 Gas. The signal for the revolt, and my deliverance — for- 
 tunate ! {Aside.) 
 
 Pad. But yet there is an obstacle — 
 
 Baph. What stands in the way? 
 
 Pad. Nothing stands, but something lies, in the way, — Gascon 
 the spy, at the door of Cosmo's dungeon. 
 
 Baph. Give to him a purse of gold, —that will remove him. 
 
 Pad. He wouldn't take it. 
 
 Baph. The reason? 
 
 Pad. Because he has been better bribed by the other part}'. 
 
 Pie. What course then would you have us follow ? 
 
 Pad. Why, 'tis all a matter of taste ; but if left to mine, I 
 certainly should kill him! 
 
 Gas. Monstrous! He is your friend! 
 
 Pad. There is no such thing as friendship in business, gentle- 
 men. {Exit Padilla, Ie.r.ii.) 
 
 Pie. {Drawing his sword.) If he resist, a paternoster for his 
 soul, good Raphael ! (Pietro follows Padilla.) 
 
 Enter Marius, attended bij Basil Bona venture, the constable, 
 2E.L.H. 
 
 Mar. Stratagem has ever saved the Yisconti. 
 
SCENE I.] GASPAEDO, THE GONDOLIER. 25 
 
 Bas, You have called me back ; why is it ? 
 
 3Iar. Ou secondary thought to propose a treaty of peace 
 between us. We hold in custody your sou, and yon Gaspardo. 
 Your son I will release, and Gaspardo banish from my realms 
 forever I 
 
 Bas. And on our side what conditions? 
 
 3Iar. That you do both in the public square resign your 
 truncheons of command, and in peace retire to your distant 
 patrimony. 
 
 Bas. Degrade myself, and abandon those veteran brothers 
 who for near half a century have fought, and bled with me ? 
 
 Mar. The love of the army has rendered thee too powerful. 
 
 Bas. And you'd have the constable resign the sword re- 
 ceived by him from the people? and the old general wait for the 
 stroke of death shut up within his castle walls, while his com- 
 panions before his aged eyes go out to gather glory on the field 
 of battle ? 
 
 Mar. I would ; for you seek to make a field of battle of my 
 own city. Give up your sword of oflice — consent or tremble ! 
 
 Bas. Never! (A distant clock strikes seven.) 
 
 Mar. Hark to the clock of the Sepulchre ! that was the signal 
 to call to arms the rebels ! 
 
 Bas. Impossible! without my order? 
 
 Mar. My signal, also, for Cosmo's death ! Ho ! execute the 
 sentence. 
 
 Bas. Suspend the execution, and the revolt I'll stifle. 
 
 Mar. Give up your glaive ? 
 
 Bas. I humiliate myself — {Kneeling.) I grovel at thy feet — 
 What! all in vain? {Offering iveapon to the duke.) There is my 
 sword — receive it. (Gaspardo dashes aside the duke's hand 
 stretched forth to take it.) 
 
 Gas. Not so; gripe it strongly by the handle; you will need 
 it, constable, to rally the people. 
 
 Mar. What mean you ? 
 
 Gas. That by treason we were lost, and by treason we have 
 saved ourselves. Cosmo has escaped ; and that bell, by his own 
 hand struck, proclaims him freed from the dungeons of the Vis- 
 conti ! 
 
 Enter Riccardo, hastily, 2e.l.h. 
 
 Bic. We are betrayed! Gascon, the spy, has been slain, and 
 Cosmo has escaped to the people. 
 
 Gas. And awaits you at the rendezvous. 
 
 Bas. My sword, I have never parted from thee. Thou didst 
 ask of me, proud duke, my answer — either for peace or war, 
 'Tis this, —war to the knife ! {Loud shouts without, " Cosmo ! — 
 Cosmo ! ") The fray has commenced. I come ! {Exit constable 
 in centre, wavi7ig his sivord.) 
 
 Mar. Rally around me, my guards ! {Exit Riccardo, 2e.l.h.) 
 And a cap of crowns will I give to him who will inform me of 
 3 
 
26 GASPARDO, THE GONDOLIER, [aCT III. 
 
 the knaves who gained over Padilla to this treachery, and 
 slaughtered Gascon ! 
 
 Gas. Give them then to me ; for he who did the first was one 
 whose bride you have made vile; and the other who poignarded 
 your servile spy was another man whose sister you have dis- 
 honored ! 
 
 Mar. And who art thou who knowest so much, and for whom 
 the people arm themselves ? 
 
 Gas. Gaspardo, the gondolier ! Gaspardo, the banished man ! 
 Gaspardo, the fisherman of Plaisance, whose wife you slew in the 
 vain attempt to rob her of her honor. Ho, crowned felon! hast 
 thou no memory of Pietro, Raphael? — thou hast — thou hast! 
 for thy limbs all totter, and thy cheek turns pale. Oh that this 
 hand was unshackled by a chain, and in its gripe a weapon! 
 
 3Iar. Malediction upon ye all ! 
 
 Gas. Thou dost curse in vain ; Heaven contends for us. 
 
 Mar. Heaven fight for me, since it leaves thee in my power. 
 
 Gas. I care not for myself, the other twain are free. 
 
 Mar. And where are they secreted? 
 
 Gas. I am somewhat deaf — I prithee speak again. 
 
 Mar. I ask thee where thy friends are now concealed? 
 
 Gas. Umph! {Pointing scornfully to it.) Ask that table? 
 
 Mar. Guards ! {Enter officer, Ie.l.h.) The torture soon shall 
 tear from thee the truth ! 
 
 Gas. Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Mar. Dost laugh at me, — the duke ? 
 
 Gas. It doth appear as much. 
 
 Mar. Disclose, I say, or by the rack thou shalt be separated 
 limb from limb ! 
 
 Gas. Ha, ha, ha! 
 
 Mar. Away with the mocking villain ! 
 
 Gas. Ha, ha, ha! {The officer ushers o# Gaspardo, Ie.l.) 
 
 Enter Riccardo, 2e.l.h. 
 
 Mar. The tidings, good Riccardo ? 
 
 Bic. In the fray, by a chance shot, Basil Bonaventure, the 
 constable, is slain ! 
 
 Mar. Then firmly rests the coronet upon my head, and vic- 
 tory is ours. 
 
 Bic. A fatal victory ; for, at the old man's ftill, our soldiers 
 all cast down their arms at their own deed afi"righted. 
 
 3Iar. Aud do not those who remain protect the porch of the 
 palace ? 
 
 Bic. To a man they have deserted. {Crowd loithout, " Gaspar- 
 do's free ! Long live Gaspardo ! " — Marius rushing tip.) 
 
 3Iar. Some men-at-arms to protect my person. The duke's 
 in danger! {Going, encounters in centre Gaspardo, coming from 
 the torture- chamber, supported on eac/i side 6?/ Raphael awtZ Pietro, 
 and followed by a multitude, male and female, backed by the soldiery, 
 
SCENE l] GASPARDO, THE GONDOLIER. 27 
 
 and banner-hearers. — Loud shouts. — Raphael ivaves his hand and 
 a solemn silence reigns.) 
 
 Gas. (Wildly.) Where are the battalions that guarded yes- 
 terday the ducal palace ? What ! how is this ? — the condemned 
 Gaspardo, for whom the grave opens, standing before the throne 
 of the Visconti? Ha, ha! I could laugh, but that ray wounds 
 create such cruel agony. Did you not seek for the three banished 
 men of Milan? Marius, they are here, to judge thee. Raphael 
 the laborer, Gaspardo the fisherman, and Pietro the lazzaroni. 
 Bring me that banner emblazoned with his name, hanging so 
 flauntingly above the seat where he shall sit no longer. (Pietro 
 removes it from its situation.) I faint I 
 
 Baph. A cup of water — 
 
 Gas. No — a cup of wine. {It is handed to Raphael, xoho 
 gives it to Gaspardo.) To the memory of Catarina! {He 
 drinks^ and then ivith a deep aspiration, exclaims) — It strengthens 
 me. Now place the ensign at my feet. (Pietro stretches banner 
 before him.) Bend, Marius, bend! (Marius kneels) while thus 
 I trample on it. {He places his foot upon the banner. — At the same 
 moment Blanche runs in ivith dishevelled hair, and embraces the 
 Tcnee o/ Gaspardo.) 
 
 Blanche. Save, oh, save me ! 
 
 Gas. Ha, ha ! at my feet are the father and the child ; shall I 
 take vengeance now, or leave it unto Heaven? {Enter Cosmo.) 
 What tidings, Cosmo ? 
 
 Cos. The constable is slain ! — 
 
 Gas. Before he died, left he no legacy for the gondolier? 
 
 Cos. In an attempt to stanch his bleeding wound, close to 
 his heart I found this paper. 
 
 Gas. Read it. 
 
 Cos. {Beading.) ''Basil was but thy friend — oh, pardon 
 him! for in the form of Gaspardo, the gondolier, behold thy real 
 parent." 
 
 Gas. My son I 
 
 Cos. Bless thee, my father ! Ah ! thou art wounded. — 
 Death to the Visconti! {About to rush on duke.) 
 
 Gas. Not so; in solitude, and for repentance let him live. 
 Kneel both; Blanche is a widow — in marriage take her, Cosmo. 
 Give me that coronet. {Pointing to the one worn by Marius.) 
 
 Baph. I will reach it to thee. 
 
 Gas. No. {With a strong effort.) I will pluck it from the 
 mire myself — {Snatching it from the head 0/ Marius) — to place 
 it on a nobler pinnacle. {Lets it descend upon the head 0/ Cosmo.) 
 Now shout aloud, Long live the gondolier's son — mine — mine ! 
 Gaspardo's son, the Duke of Milan! {The characters echo the cry 
 to the braying of trumpets, aurZ Gaspardo, exhausted by the effort, 
 falls dead into the arms 0/ Raphael and Pietro.) 
 
 THE curtain falls. 
 
SPENCER'S UNIVERSAL STAGE. 
 
 No. 32. TIIK CIIllISTEIVIIVG. A 
 
 Farce in One Act. By J. B. 
 Buckstono. 5 Male, G Female 
 char. 
 
 " 3;i. A RACE FOU A WIDOW. 
 
 A Farce in One Act. By Thos. 
 J.Williams. 5 Male, 4 Female 
 char. 
 
 " 34. TOUR LIFE'S IW DAJV- 
 
 GER. A F\irce in One Act. 
 
 By J. M. IVIorton. 3 Male, .3 Fe- 
 male char. 
 
 " 35. TRUE UJVTO DEATH. A 
 
 Drama in Two Acts. By J. 
 Sheridan Knowles. C Male, 2 
 Female char. 
 
 " 36. DIAMOIVD CUT DIAMOND. 
 
 An Interlude in One Act. By 
 W. H. Murray. 10 Male, 1 Fe- 
 male char. 
 
 " 37. tOOK AFTER BROWIV. 
 
 A Farce in One Act. By Geo. A. 
 Stuart, JI.D. 6 Male, 1 Female ch. 
 
 " 38. MOIVSEIGIVEUR. A Drama 
 in Three Acts. By Thomas Ar- 
 cher. 15 Male, 3 Female char. 
 
 «• 39. A VERT PliEASAIVT EVE- 
 
 IVIJVG. A Farce in One Act. 
 By W. E. Sutcr. 3 Male char. 
 
 " 40. BROTHER REIV. A Farce 
 in One Act. By J. M. Morton. 
 3 Male, 3 l-'emale char. 
 
 " 41. OIVI.T A CI.OD. A Comic 
 Drama in One Act. By J. P. 
 / Simpson. 4 Male, 1 Female ch. 
 
 ' " 42. GASPARDO THE GO:VDO- 
 
 lilER. A Drama in Three Acts. 
 By Geo. Almar. 10 Male, 2 Fe- 
 male char. 
 
 " 43. SUNSHIIVE THROUGH 
 
 THE CLOUDS. A Drama 
 in One Act. By Slingsby Law- 
 rence. 3 JIale, 3 Female char. 
 
 " 44. DON'T JUDGE BT AP 
 PEARAJVCES. A Farce in 
 One Act. By J. 31. Morton. 3 
 Male, 2 Female char. 
 
 " 45. NURSET CHICKWEED. A 
 
 Farce in One Act. By T. J. 
 Williams. 4 Male, 2 Female ch. 
 
 «« 46. MART MOO; or, IVIiicli 
 sliall I Marry.' A Farce in 
 One Act. By W. E. Suter. 2 
 Male, 1 Female char. 
 
 CHARLES H.SPENCER, 203 Washington St., Boston, 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 014 043 779 7 % 
 
 THE AMATEUR DRAMA 
 
 A COI.I.KCTION or 
 
 l^oti Iram^^s anb Motets, 
 
 SViTV.Ti TO 
 
 Private T^aeatricals, Exhibitions, (fee. 
 
 No, 1. Stand ht/ Ihc Flag. A Drama. 
 
 No, 2, Wanted a Male Cook, A Faroe. 
 
 No, 3, The Tempter. A Drama. 
 
 No, 4. A trea of Tronhles, A Faroe. 
 
 No, 5, The Greatest Plague of Life, A Farce 
 
 No, O, We 're All Tetotallers. A Farce. 
 
 No, 7, Sylvia's Soldier, A Comedy in 2 Acts. 
 
 No, 8, A Drop Too Mitch. A Farce. 
 
 No, 9, The Freedom of the Press. A Farce. 
 
 No. 10, The Sculptor's Triuniph, A National Allegory. 
 
 No, 11, The Peddler of Very nice. A Burlesque. 
 
 No, 12. Once on a Time. A Domestic Drama. 2 Acts. 
 
 No. 1,3, The Great Elixir. A Farce. 
 
 No, 14, My Uncle the Captain. A Farce. 
 
 No. Ifi. Bread on the Waters. A Drama. 2 Acts. 
 
 No. 10. Humors of the Strike. A Farce. 
 
 No, 17, No Cure, No Pay, A Farce. 
 
 No. IS. Doirn by the Sea, A Drama. 2 Acts. 
 
 No, 19. The Man with the Demijohn. A Farce. 
 
 No. 20. An Original Idea. A Duologue. 
 
 No. 21. Too Late for the Train, A Duologue. 
 
 No, 22, Ca pulett(( . A Burlesque. 
 
 No. 2'i. A Close Share, A Farce. 
 
 'Yo. 24. A Grecian Bend, A Farce. 
 
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 CHAS. H. SPENCER, 203 Washington St.