PS 3509 
 .N57 B3 
 1905 
 Copy 1 
 

 )()UK 
 
 Coipolil X" >^<>-S 
 
 COPYI^UIIIT I)1:F()SIT. 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY LANE ENO 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 MOFFAT, YARD ^ COMPANY 
 1905 
 
Copyright, 1905, 6y 
 MOFFAT, YARD & COMPANY 
 
 Published September 1905 
 
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 v^RARY of ^-SOKRRP.SS; 
 
 wo OOPIbS iiBCrt^^li 
 
 
 S,)",.f"k (V'S!. 
 
 r/tc Plimpton Press Norwood Mass. U,S.A 
 
CHARACTERS 
 
 GRIFONE or GRIFONETTO BAGLIONI 
 
 FILIPPO BAGLIONI, a bastard, uncle of Grifonetto 
 
 MARCANTONIO BAGLIONI, a relative of Grifonetto 
 
 CARLO BARCIGLIA BAGLIONI, a relative of Grifonetto 
 
 JERONIMO DELLA PENNA, a relative of Grifonetto 
 
 ASTORRE BAGLIONI, Grifonetto's cousin 
 
 GUIDO BAGLIONI, Grifonetto's cousin 
 
 SIMONETTO BAGLIONI, Grifonetto' s coustn 
 
 MARAGLIA, Marcantonio*s squire 
 
 PIETRO VANUCCI, called il Perugino 
 
 RAFFAELLO SANTI 
 
 DEMETRIUS, an Alexandrine philosopher 
 
 ATALANTA BAGLIONI, Grifonetto's mother 
 
 ZENOBIA SFORZA, Grifonetto's wife 
 
 LAVINIA COLONNA, Astorre's wife 
 
 ZENOBIA'S MAID 
 
 A SOLDIER 
 
 A SERVANT 
 
 A MAN-AT-ARMS 
 
 Students, citizens, nobles, ladies, peasants, bravi, revellers, 
 guards, etc., etc. 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 ACT I 
 
T 
 
 THE BAGLIONI 
 ACT I 
 
 HE Piazza at Perugia in the year 1500 A.D. 
 In the background the Palazzo Communale pre- 
 sents its corner to the front of the stage, thus leav- 
 ing, in perspective, the left facade to border upon 
 a street ending in the square, and the right facade 
 facing upon the square itself. Upon this side, from 
 the large entrance in the centre of the building, 
 projects a platform, raised upon open arches after 
 the manner of a loggia, and from either end of 
 which descends a flight of steps to the pavement. 
 To the right, also in perspective, the wall and door- 
 way of the Duomo of San Lorenzo. In the centre 
 background the Great Fountain. As the curtain 
 rises, the Cathedral bells chime the hour, while 
 a troop of late revellers with lanterns and torches 
 pass across the stage and disappear in the street 
 which skirts the Palazzo Communale, leaving 
 the square empty and silent in the starlit darkness 
 which precedes a midsummer dawn. 
 
 [I] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Enter Zenobia and Marcantonio. Both 
 
 cloaked and hooded. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Once more our long sweet night has come to end. 
 Would I could fix the inevitable stars, 
 And stay the morning's coming; hush the dawn 
 To sleep again beneath the hills. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 And I 
 Would stretch the pitying veil of darkness o'er 
 The world forever, could it always hide 
 A rush of burning hours like these last 
 Whose perfume still enwraps me lovingly. 
 Yet would to God I'd never set my eyes 
 Upon thee, Marcantonio! Never then 
 Would I have known this maddened stolen joy; 
 But never would I feel the agony 
 Of vain implacable remorse. My cloak 
 About me, close; the morning chills me. See, 
 That cold-eyed star, it spies upon us here! 
 Were those not steps ? Hark! No! I must be gone. 
 Remember, Grifonetto comes to-day. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Zenobia! If I only could forget! 
 But when again } 
 
 [2] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia 
 No more. This is the last! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 You mean that I shall never kiss your eyes 
 To sleep again — 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 No! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Never feel your lips — 
 
 Zenobia 
 No! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Never hold you in my arms ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 No, no! 
 This is the very last. The last! Hear me! 
 I love my Grifonetto. When he comes 
 The sun of happiness will glance upon 
 His helm; and when I look into his eyes 
 I shall forget thee, Marcantonio; then 
 Will all these nights but seem as evil birds 
 Obscuring with their sombre flight the Hght 
 
 [3l 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Of my real love. Yet do I love you too, 
 Antonio. How, I know not; but I do. 
 Perhaps my soul is double — good and bad — 
 And all my evil self cries out aloud 
 For your hot kisses. Take me in your arms 
 Again. I must go now. The very stones 
 And battlements reproach me. Ah! my love. 
 The memory of to-night will linger on 
 To crimson with its radiant afterglow 
 All dark and lonely days. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 This cannot be! 
 You cry out love and yet would leave me now 
 In this same breath. I too have loved him much. 
 Your Grifonetto, yet I stake my life. 
 His friendship, hopes of greatness, all my past. 
 And all my future on one moment's hold 
 Of our aiFection. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Yes, I know, I know! 
 But it is too hard to Hve twice like this. 
 To snatch and give two real affections. 
 And cheat the Fates by sucking two Hves dry. 
 It kills me. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Once again. Come once again. 
 t4] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 I swear Fll not ask more, one more farewell 
 And then oblivion. You'll promise this ? 
 Then, when Astorre's wedding feast is done, 
 ril sell my sword to Florence. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Yes, go now 
 And I will promise. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Swear to me you'll come. 
 That once at least the light of my life's love 
 Shall flame again before the darkness shuts 
 Me out forever! 
 
 [Sound of approaching guard.] 
 
 Zenobia 
 Yes! Here comes the guard. 
 
 [Exit Zenobia quickly.] 
 
 [Marcantonio draws into shadow as 
 guard passes by.] 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Good! She is safe. They've gone the other way. 
 Here then's the end. It seems impossible 
 That these same stars shall look but once again 
 Upon our loves, that these same sheltering walls 
 Shall echo never more our whisperings. 
 Ah, silent square! How many treacheries 
 
 [5] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Have you not overheard; what secret vows 
 
 Of guilty lovers whose impassioned steps 
 
 Have pressed hot on your frozen cheeks; what tears 
 
 Have fallen on unsympathetic stones; 
 
 How often has the criminal been dragged 
 
 Across your sunny face to judgment seat! 
 
 Yet never has your cold and sightless gaze 
 
 Proved more discretion to the eager stars, 
 
 Nor e'er your dumbness been a better friend. 
 
 [Exit Marc ANTONIO.] 
 
 By this time morning has begun, and the stage is 
 gradually growing lighter. 
 
 Enter and exeunt a peasant hoy driving his sheep 
 to market, playing on his flute; peasants with their 
 produce, also citizens with garlands and decorated 
 hangings, banners bearing the Red Griffin of Perugia, 
 etc., etc. — Enter more citizens who greet each other. 
 
 First Citizen 
 'Tis a glorious day for Astorre to lead home his 
 
 ^^ ^* Second Citizen 
 
 Aye, and men say that Lavinia Colonna is as fair 
 as this new morning. 
 
 First Citizen 
 So well may she be, and still be no ill mate for 
 our Astorre. 
 
 [6] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Third Citizen 
 Our Astorre, forsooth ! Would he were the devil's ! 
 Never have I seen such a brood as these Baglioni. 
 And now they must needs bring home another 
 woman for fresh tyrant spawn! 
 
 First Citizen 
 Hush, man! The dungeon yawns for thy seditious 
 carcass. 
 
 Second Citizen 
 
 Come! To work! The whole town's to be 
 adorned. Garlands waving over the streets, banners 
 from the towers, and these hangings from the bal- 
 conies. Perugia must not be ashamed to-day. She 
 needs her bravest show, for there be foreigners 
 a-plenty, Siennese and Florentines. 
 
 Second Citizen 
 Aye, and Colonna and Orsini from Rome! 
 
 Third Citizen 
 When did not our fooHsh folk love best of all a 
 sight and a procession ? As if the saints did not keep 
 us all busy, without spending good hours truckling 
 to the nobles. 
 
 First Citizen 
 A plague on thee! Cannot thy sour face relax 
 once in a month ? 
 
 [7] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Second Citizen 
 Yet 'tis true, alas, that ever since the Oddi were 
 banished, the city has been ground down more day 
 by day. 
 
 Third Citizen 
 
 Aye, and the pranks of that young scapegrace, 
 Grifonetto. [Shepherd, who has reentered, plays a 
 lively air on his flute.] Stop thy foolish piping, or 
 ril stop up thy throat. [Advances threateningly to 
 shepherd, who dances away piping merrily. Crowd 
 laughs.] 
 
 First Citizen 
 
 Come, come! My grandparents once told me 
 long ago that you were young yourself before the 
 nobles rose to power. 
 
 [Citizens laugh again.] 
 
 Third Citizen 
 Laugh on, but when one of these fine blades runs 
 off with thy daughter, or robs thy hard-earned gains, 
 with a prick of the rapier in thy fat sides, the 
 laugh will be the other way. 
 
 Second Citizen 
 But Grifonetto is far too fond of his beautiful 
 wife to look at anybody's daughter. I saw them, 
 'twas but yesterday, in the palace gardens. Grifo- 
 
 [8] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 netto was so fair he looked like another Ganymede 
 — and Zenobia was not a whit less lovely. Indeed 
 they appeared like two angels of Paradise walking 
 in the sun. 
 
 Fourth Citizen 
 
 As for me, I care not for the rest, but I love this 
 young Grifone. You mind how he fought, when 
 the Oddi rushed the gates — single-handed against 
 a multitude. And he is gentle with it all, and 
 learned. Every stranger who visits Perugia asks 
 first of all to meet Grifonetto. 
 
 [Exit 3D Citizen muttering angrily.] 
 
 First Citizen 
 
 And yet our friend has much of right in what he 
 says. These handsome Baglioni, God knows, are 
 a most rapacious breed. 
 
 Second Citizen 
 Hark! Are those not horns? 
 
 [Hunting-horns without.] 
 
 First Citizen 
 
 Aye, 'tis Grifonetto returning. I marvel that the 
 Lady Zenobia is not awake betimes to meet her 
 master; they say that they're a loving couple, and 
 
 [9] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto, for all his pranks, is after all a fair and 
 noble lord. 
 
 [Again hunting-horns without. It is 
 now broad daylight.] 
 
 Enter Filippo, Carlo, and Jeronimo 
 tn riding costume. 
 
 Carlo 
 It seems we are the first. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 Ask these good men. 
 
 Carlo {to Citizens) 
 Have any seen my lord Grifone here '^. 
 
 First Citizen 
 We have just come upon the square. No one 
 Was here before. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 Then have v^e outrun him. 
 
 Carlo 
 Already can I feel the ring of crowns 
 Within my purse. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 At least he pays his debts. 
 
 [10] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLlPPO (who has been standing apart abstractedly \ 
 
 watching the citizens depart, all of whom \ 
 
 have now left the stage). 
 Aye, he will pay. But will he play ? i 
 
 Carlo j 
 
 What's that? j 
 
 FiLIPPO I 
 
 Your little minds are full of Httle crowns. j 
 
 But if you will give over children's things j 
 
 ril give you men and states to gamble with. i 
 
 ] 
 Jeronimo 
 
 What's in the wind .? 
 
 Carlo 
 
 There's something new at last ? 
 
 FiLIPPO i 
 
 Just this. If we can drag Grifone in — i 
 
 With him we can succeed. Drive out the rest — ' 
 
 All the Baglioni, seize their stored-up wealth, 
 
 And we can sway the town as Triumvirs, i 
 
 Like leaders of old time. But we must find 
 
 A wedge to set these men against themselves. ; 
 
 We must have Grifonetto in our hands. 
 
 Once ours — well! Leave him to his fate and me, 
 
 We three, the tyrants of Perugia then, , 
 
 What can we not accompHsh at the last! I 
 
 [II] ; 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 No more the hangers-on of noble kin, 
 But lords of right, our coffers full of gold, 
 Backed by the aid of countless men at arms! 
 
 Carlo 
 Why not persuade him ? You've a ready tongue. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Yet I have wasted more good rhetoric 
 And brilUant argument upon that youth — 
 He greeted every v^ord w^ith mockery. 
 And then refused point blank to listen more. 
 
 Jeronimo (sarcastically) 
 Yes, try your eloquence again. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Well then ? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 But I have something better than mere wit. 
 I have a hold to twist him to our way 
 In spite of all his pride and loyalty. 
 
 Carlo 
 Out with it. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Two short summer days ago 
 I crossed this square before the earliest dawn 
 In haste to join you on the hunt. You both, 
 
 [12] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 With Grifonetto (you remember well), 
 Had gone already when the night was young. 
 Not heeding much my steps I well-nigh ran 
 Upon a woman muffled to the eyes. 
 She sped into the arcade yonder. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 And — 
 Jeronimo 
 You sped on after her as usual. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 I did not. She had screamed. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 O noble knight! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 I knew her voice. It was Zenobia! 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 Ah! 
 Carlo 
 Now by the gods; then it is really true! 
 
 Jeronimo 
 So that is why our Marcantonio here 
 Cared nothing for the hunt, was tired of boars. 
 And spears, and horses, weary of the horns 
 Whose very braying bruised his gentle ears. 
 But never would Grifone credit it. 
 
 [13] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Believe it ? No! But not a word of this 
 Must flutter out. We know that it is so; 
 That is sufficient. Time will do the rest. 
 Slow poison of suspicion gently poured 
 Into unwilling ears, increasing hints, 
 Sly innuendoes, then, the day being ripe 
 And fortune favouring, the clinching proofs — 
 And he is ours. But look you well, my friends, 
 That your own parts are not too overdone. 
 
 [Hunting-horns without.] 
 Carlo 
 There sound his horns. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Remember, not too fast! 
 
 [More horns.] 
 
 Enter GrIFONETTO (with riding whip) 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Lost! lost! My hundred golden crowns are gone 
 To feed you vultures. Yet how I did ride! 
 The sparks from off our hoofs did shame the stars. 
 The dawn's swift shafts scarce crept upon my pace, 
 And when the morning caught me up at last 
 I fled before my shadow like the wind. 
 You see, I cast no shadow. It still rides 
 Alone, fast following outside the gates. 
 
 [14] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Carlo 
 And yet we've won! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 In truth I felt ashamed 
 At your poor empty purses, so I went 
 Three times about the walls for exercise — 
 And then you all sHpped in. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 Gods! Can he boast ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 No, 'tis the very truth! But here's your gold! 
 
 [Tosses purse.] 
 Two days have gone and my Zenobia still 
 Awaits her lover. 
 
 [Others exchange glances.] 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Nay, first politics. 
 Then love. We've serious matter for you here. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Not these same foolish plans I've heard before ? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 They're neither fooHsh, nor have you well heard. 
 
 [15] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Then Fll not listen to such villainy 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Tut, Grifonetto! Save those mighty thoughts 
 For some more fitting time. We plan revolt, 
 Not treachery. Too long have many kings 
 Ruled over this one state. Too many lords 
 From one great clan have trampled on the rights 
 Of our poor citizens and drenched these streets 
 With bloody brawls and family quarrelling. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 For we, in truth, desire that Hght of peace 
 Which has so long forgot to shine upon 
 Our strife-bedarkened city. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Hearken, cousin! 
 Long have we thought of this. Keep down your 
 
 haste. 
 And when Filippo here has done, why then 
 Release your steeds of wrath. But well I know 
 When you have heard the whole, their fiery heads 
 Will need no holding rein. 
 
 Filippo 
 
 May I proceed ? 
 
 [i6] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Proceed! I will reserve my mind. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Good so. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 In brief the plan is this. To rid the town 
 Of many warring masters, and to place 
 In lieu of them one ruler paramount. 
 The citizens, as you well know, esteem 
 Thy kin a pestilential brood. With joy 
 And acclamations they will welcome here 
 A wise and kindly lord, who would protect 
 The state from strife within and foes without. 
 Once seize all the Baglioni, except thou 
 And Carlo here, swift banish them beyond 
 The confines of dependent states, and then. 
 The wolves all gone, a single Griffin Lord 
 Would rule with haughty crest and iron claws. 
 The state would prosper fast. See how our 
 
 friend. 
 Fair Florence, blossomed when the Medici 
 Sat on her ducal throne. So would we bloom 
 And flower o'er the land of Italy, 
 Till Rome herself should tremble on her hills, 
 And Peter's chair should wait on Umbria. 
 
 [17] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Well spoken, good Filippo! True, your plot 
 Walks masquerading in a brave disguise. 
 Crowned with the gentle wreath of peace, and clad 
 In glowing garments of prosperity. 
 But still it seems I see a rebel's heart 
 Beneath this fine array. But tell me more. 
 Who shall the Griffin be to sit so high 
 Above the crowd ? Who is this Emperor ? 
 This Httle Caesar of the hills ? 
 
 Filippo 
 
 Yourself! 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 Thou art the man! 
 
 Carlo 
 A crown Hes at your feet! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Ah ! Now I know that you are traitors all. 
 So! You would tempt me with a pretty crown? 
 As if I were a babe and thou the nurse, 
 Filippo, saying: "Come and see the shine 
 Of dancing sunlight. Stretch thy hands and grasp 
 The glittering thing." So yearned I for the moon 
 When I was scarcely weaned. 
 
 [i8] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Fine biting words! 
 But it is not the show alone of pomp, 
 The empty symbol of a power unreal 
 We offer here to you. Away with crowns, 
 Or even laurel leaves! Remain a knight, 
 A simple man at arms; no foolish terms. 
 Plain Grifonetto for the mighty lord 
 Of our new Umbrian state; but at his name 
 Each neighbouring duke, count, prince — aye, every 
 
 one. 
 Shall rock upon his tawdry little throne. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Words, words, Filippo, traitorous lies each one. 
 The stars show no such future state. Besides, 
 Here's one Baglioni has his honour left. 
 Go spread your crowns and gleaming villainies 
 Before some better purchaser. Your price 
 Is not quite high enough. Have you not yet 
 Something still more alluring in your wares .? 
 Pontifical tiaras, diadems, 
 Dictatorships, or else the emperor's throne ? 
 My faith is still for sale — a sHght advance 
 And there you have me fast. 
 
 [19] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 It pleases you 
 To jest. 
 
 Carlo 
 Reserve thy wit for other times 
 More fitting. This is solemn as the Mass. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Aye, by the Mass it is; and by the Mass 
 And every holy thing you can profane 
 By thinking on, I'll speak you solemn words. 
 Had I but known that these companions here — 
 My kinsman, Carlo; and Jeronimo, 
 Filippo, uncle by the blood — In truth 
 If I had ever dreamt that they were false, 
 I would have slain them all this very night. 
 Before they could pollute my city's streets 
 With their black-hearted shadows. Treachery! 
 That thing which grows like a foul thunder-cloud 
 To burst at last in bloody rain! That thing 
 Which fires men's minds with madness; stifles love 
 And honour; turns us into human beasts. 
 Go! leave me, lest I make you pay a price 
 In bitter coin for tempting me. Away! 
 Off with your crowns to other marts. Away! 
 And if I catch a sound of this again. 
 Though lightest whisper on the morning air, 
 
 [20] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Not all our friendship in the past will save 
 Your bodies from the headsman, or your souls 
 From hell! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 [Sarcastically.] Your words shall be obeyed, my lord. 
 Bow slaves! [The three men how mockingly i\ 
 
 FiLiPPO, Carlo, and Jeronimo {together) 
 
 Farewell, my righteous lord, we'll try 
 Again ! 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 Leave him. He's dangerous. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Mind thee, 
 Good cousin, treachery lurks nearer home. 
 Look for it there — this thunder-cloud — blood — 
 rain. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 My friend, learn well that ill word treachery. 
 It sometimes is domesticated here. 
 We three are bachelors. It never rains! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Bah! You are jealous of my happiness. 
 
 [21] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Carlo 
 Who would not be — 
 
 Jeronimo 
 With such a wife as yours! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 The whole wide city of Perugia teems 
 With envy of Zenobia's husband. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Ah! 
 
 Grifonetto {sarcastically) 
 The courtier, not the conspirator, 
 Speaks now. It more becomes you. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 So men say. 
 Grifonetto 
 And yet for once the courtier speaks truth. 
 Where Hves another hke Zenobia ? 
 Who else is fairer than the morningtide 
 When dawn speeds Hghtfoot on the summer hills ? 
 
 Carlo (cynically) 
 And who is so unworthy as yourself 
 Of all this blessedness ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Indeed who is ? 
 
 [22] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 I love my life, which, after all is said. 
 Lasts but a moment long! We love red wine; 
 Eh, Carlo? And the dice, and others' wives! 
 And when night comes, a forage and a song. 
 But then I love Zenobia so much more. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 And we three love Perugia better yet 
 Than all our mistresses. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 I love her too. 
 Ah, my Perugia! What unpitying fates 
 Hunt fast and hard. Thou art so strong, so fair, 
 Yet ever hangs the blackened veil of strife 
 Between thee and the peaceful sun. Each year 
 This wretched square runs with thy children's 
 
 blood. 
 The dayhght shines on deadly brawls, the stars' 
 Thin beam falls on the murderer's blade. And now 
 You tell me I can win for thee the prize 
 Of peace and freedom, under iron rule 
 Firm wielded by this master hand. You're wrong. 
 The means are everything, the end is naught. 
 Nor ever yet has foul play wrought fair deed. 
 Peace bought of treachery is worse than war. 
 Go visions; for, like all this rolling world, 
 
 [^3] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 You are but dreams. Beyond stands out the law 
 Immutable. God help my keeping it! 
 
 [Grifonetto turns and walks slowly 
 to the fountain rail, on which he leans 
 absorbed in thought^ 
 
 Carlo (^yawning) 
 Let*s off. Here come the students. 
 
 [Enter students with Perugino and 
 Raffaello.] 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 Away then. 
 Grifone's solemn as a morning owl. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 I never saw him so sedate. {To Perugino) Greet- 
 
 ings! 
 
 [Exeunt FiLippo, Carlo, and Jeron- 
 imo, exchanging salutes with Peru- 
 gino and students as they pass^ 
 
 Raffaello 
 Who is that thoughtful knight ? 
 
 Perugino 
 
 Know'st thou him not ? 
 [24] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 'Tis Grifonetto, noblest of our young 
 Perugians. 
 
 Grifonetto (turning suddenly, awakening 
 from his reverie) 
 
 Who calls out my name so loud ? 
 It is Maestro Vanucci, by my soul! 
 And these his faithful band of neophytes. 
 How go the frescoes, master ? Does your brush 
 Still Hghtly sketch things secular, or does 
 It spread abroad the immortal pictured fame 
 Of our old town in work for Holy Church — 
 Sweet saints and meritorious martyrdoms ? 
 
 Perugino 
 Nay, Grifonetto, I am still upon 
 The paintings of the Cambio; but helped much 
 By my young friends here. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Who is this young man 
 In scarlet cap — the one with golden hair ? 
 
 Perugino 
 He's my best pupil — Raffaello. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Ah! 
 I've heard of him. 
 
 [25] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Perugino 
 Thou'lt hear of him again, 
 And still again. The years will not be long 
 
 [As Perugino converses, other students 
 enter Palazzo Communale.] 
 
 When Italy will ring with him. Mark well: 
 Of all the youths my skill has ever taught 
 He is the ablest. Such fidelity! 
 Such eye for colour! Such sweet grace of line! 
 In future times 'twill be the proudest boast 
 Of old Vanucci that this gifted youth 
 Learned from his hand. 
 
 Raffaello 
 
 I pray you not so much! 
 My shame will overcome me. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 A truce, man! 
 Such vast embarrassment of praise would turn 
 The head of many a dainty courtier. 
 But why should learned Hps converse of me ? 
 
 [Turning and laying his hand on Peru- 
 GiNo's shoulder^ 
 What said my master, there, of all the arts ? 
 Ah ! I can hear him : " See that youthful knight, 
 
 [26] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 'Tis Grifonetto, wild young cub, who roams 
 The byways after dark; a ready smile 
 For every pretty wench, a ready blade 
 To prod the burgher*s fattening ribs, an eye 
 Too keen for quarrels, too fond taste for wine. 
 A knee that bends to no man, and not much 
 To God. A falcon of his fiery brood! 
 Beware of him when once the sun has based 
 His order-loving beams behind the hills. 
 And faint light-minded torches cast their rays 
 To lead home nobles, revellers, and thieves! 
 He's a Baglioni, trust him not indeed! 
 Draw back and let the condottierri pass! 
 Draw back and give the robber lords good room! 
 The roisterers care no more for your young flesh 
 Than eagles mind the hare. No! not a breath. 
 A jostle and the swords are out. A word. 
 And one more corpse blocks up the narrow lane! 
 The merry revellers stream on their way. 
 While you lie there till dogs or watchmen come 
 To carry off your limbs to sepulture. 
 Then have a care, whene'er with torch and plume 
 The mad BagHoni walk beneath the stars. 
 Seek out the friendly shade till they have gone! 
 Is not this true, friend Raffaello, say ? 
 Was it not thus good Perugino spoke ? 
 
 [27] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Raffaello 
 Not so, my lord; he said not thus indeed, 
 But to the contrary. That you were brave 
 And fair, most knightly of the nobles here 
 In his Perugia. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Best of painters all, 
 I crave your pardon. These are heaping coals 
 Upon a foolish head. Yet you are v^rong. 
 Astorre's fairer, Simonetto's heart 
 Is twice as brave, and Marcantonio's soul 
 Is fuller far of chivalry than mine. 
 
 Perugino 
 Nay, Grifonetto, I meant what I said. 
 Brave are the great Baglioni, every one, 
 But you are kindher than them all. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Hush, friend, 
 Lest I grow angry. Yet, whatever of grace 
 Or charity there may be in my heart 
 I owe not to myself. No honour here 
 Is due for any ornament of mind. 
 But to Zenobia, fairest of the saints, 
 Whose life is decorated with all gifts 
 
 [28] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Of virtue and of beauty; whose sweet soul 
 Has so perchance shed down its light upon 
 My poor unworthy love, that I have caught 
 Some echo of its radiance. For her 
 Pour out your generosity of praise, 
 My Perugino; her from whom even now 
 I have delayed my coming far too long! 
 
 Perugino 
 
 We, also, should be well upon our way. 
 Farewell! My greeting to your noble wife 
 Zenobia. 
 
 Raffaello 
 
 And may I as well, my lord. 
 Dare also send a greeting ? 
 
 [Perugino and Raffaello start up 
 steps of Palazzo Communale.] 
 
 It shall be given. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 That thou may'st. 
 
 Enter Servant in the livery of 
 the Baglioni. 
 
 Who's this of my house ? 
 [29] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 Servant 
 My lord Grifone, messengers do scour 
 The town and scan the gates to search for you, 
 Sent by my lady. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 What! She is not ill? 
 
 Servant 
 Not so, my lord, but anxious for the sight 
 Of your return, for which she has now watched 
 Since earUest dawn. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Do thou return to her 
 And say I ride upon a storm of haste. 
 
 [Tosses gold piece to Servant.] 
 Here's guerdon for thy luck in finding me. 
 
 \Exit Servant.] 
 See, good Vanucci! Does the world hold aught 
 So true and kind as my Zenobia ? 
 Nay, stay me not. The swift breath of the morn 
 Blows not half fast enough to waft me there, 
 Were I a pinioned hawk, instead of this 
 Poor sluggish leaden-footed creature man. 
 
 \Exit Grifonetto.] 
 [30] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Perugino {whoy with Raffaello, has reached 
 the platform at head of palace steps.) 
 Now mark thee, Raffaello, he is doomed. 
 The gods love Grifonetto far too well! 
 
 [Exeunt (hy door into Palazzo Com- 
 munale) Perugino and Raffaello 
 leaving the stage empty.] 
 
 Bells chime the morning hour. 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 [31] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 ACT II 
 
T 
 
 ACT II 
 
 HE great reception Hall in Atalanta's palace, 
 upon the evening of the same day. Stone walls 
 hung with tapestries; heavy wooden ceiling with 
 painted beams; tall bronze candelabra; large table; 
 chairs covered with velvet and embroidery. Doors 
 to the right thrown open. Large windows with 
 curtains drawn in the rear. A murmur of voices 
 is heard. AsTORRE, GuiDO, Grifonetto, Si- 
 
 MONETTO, FiLIPPO, CaRLO, JeRONIMO, AtA- 
 
 LANTA, Lavinia, and Zenobia are conversing 
 together in groups, or surrounding attentively 
 Demetrius, who in a long fur-trimmed robe is 
 seated in the centre of the stage. The whole com- 
 pany are in elaborate indoor dress; the men un- 
 armed. 
 
 Enter Marcantonio. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Am I too late again ? Is that the one — 
 The wise man from the Isles of Greece — who's said 
 
 [35l 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 To know his Plato, Aristotle, all 
 Our new philosophy as well, indeed, 
 As condottierri know their swords ? 
 
 Atalanta 
 
 'Tis true. 
 And you shall hear the words which, fair and wise. 
 Flow in his speech with limpid streams that clothe 
 The subtlest thought in beauty, yet hide naught 
 Of the intent. 
 
 Lavinia 
 And he can decorate 
 Some solemn theme with such a wealth of grace 
 That, like the temples in his native land. 
 All men will marvel at its outward show. 
 While deep and holy things are held within. 
 
 Carlo 
 By all the gods, what wisdom from fair lips! 
 Must nature in this newest age of ours. 
 Strew every lavish favour on our wives 
 And mothers ? Beauty and devotion cling 
 To them already. Must our learning too 
 Be snatched away from us ? 
 
 Atalanta 
 
 Not while we have 
 [36] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 So great a champion as our new sage. Come! [To 
 
 Marcantonio.] 
 Thy bow to wisdom first! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 We welcome you, 
 Demetrius. Now that the kindly star 
 Of learning rises ever higher here, 
 And sheds abroad a widening beam 
 Of gentle light upon our land, we greet 
 With joy all scholars; be they strange 
 Or long well known. But most of all we hail 
 One who can claim for birthplace that great land 
 Of Greece, the foster-mother of our minds. 
 
 Demetrius 
 There speaks the voice of learning, the kind bond 
 Which joins, as in a single kin, all those 
 Who know the fellowship of intellect. 
 Oft has the wandering scholar heard its words 
 Of welcome, but not ever since the time 
 Far gone when melancholy Sappho sang 
 Her odes to listening maids, and greetings fell 
 From her soft lips upon the visitors 
 To rocky Lesbian shores — not since those days 
 Has hospitality borne fairer form. 
 Or wisdom graced more beauty with her crown. 
 
 l37] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Carlo {to Jeronimo) 
 In sooth, old age has not forgot his wit! 
 
 Lavinia 
 Great master, if your deep philosophy 
 Can teach such winsome speech, I marvel much 
 That these young warriors do not give up 
 All their pursuits, and study to be wise. 
 
 Demetrius 
 Fair damsel, when the hair is white, and when 
 The rusty sword has long hung on the wall. 
 Then Wisdom comes with her eternal youth 
 To quicken sluggish heart-beats. But the path 
 Leads up a weary mountainside of years. 
 Ah! once there was a time I would have scorned 
 To rest when so much beauty stood close by, 
 For even in our Greece the marble forms 
 Which teach us of the ancient days do not 
 Contain the only loveliness. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Tell us, 
 I beg, about your native isles. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Aye, tell 
 How first you came to tread the stony path 
 
 [38] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Of learning, for at last we, too, would find 
 
 The way. 
 
 Demetrius 
 
 The road to wisdom, gentle friends. 
 Leads first through doors of sorrow, Hke to those 
 Twin ivory gates which lead to sleep and death. 
 Sung by that greatest bard Virgilius. 
 But know, when I was young, the Infidel 
 Had ravished all our land. (E'en yet, I hear, 
 He bids a bold defiance to the fleets 
 Of lordly Venice.) So we were all poor 
 And terror-stricken. Scarce dared venture we 
 From out our mountain fastnesses. And yet 
 My father was a worthy man of note. 
 Much learned and wise. Oft would he tell to me 
 Tales of our ancient brilHancy, when Greece 
 Was torchhght for the world. This was at night. 
 Beneath the steepled pines, or by the fire 
 In winter time. By day I roamed the hills 
 To guard the sheep from wolves and Saracens. 
 Now, one deep noontide, when I slept, my sheep 
 About me grazing in the sun, a pipe. 
 Sweet shrilling on the hillside, wakened me. 
 And there before me stood a stately maid, 
 As beautiful as dawn. In silence, first. 
 She gazed at me, and then the winged words 
 Flew from her Hps. "Awake, Demetrius! 
 
 [39] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 A second time Greece calls a listening world. 
 
 Her gods are not all dead, nor all forgot 
 
 Her poets and philosophers. Learn thou 
 
 Of them, and carry far and wide the fire 
 
 Of their wise burning words." Once more the plaint 
 
 Of unseen reeds pierced the still mountain air, 
 
 And she was gone. Then did I know, in truth, 
 
 Athena lived again; and from that time 
 
 My life has been one long obedience 
 
 To her divine request. 
 
 Atalanta 
 A noble task! 
 
 Demetrius (rising) 
 And now I bid you all farewell, for soon 
 Comes heavy-lidded sleep to men of years. 
 
 Lavinia 
 Then let us be your escort while we may! 
 
 [A servant has entered hearing an 
 embossed and gilded leathern case 
 which Demetrius opens, disclosing 
 a large crystal goblet with elaborately 
 chased ivory base and holder^ 
 
 Demetrius 
 One moment! I had near forgot the gift 
 To our fair bride. It is an humble one. 
 Nor gold nor precious stones have I amassed 
 
 [40] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 In my life's wanderings — only some few 
 And meagre treasures of the mind. But this 
 Was given me by a Moorish sorcerer 
 Whom I befriended when he fled from Spain. 
 'Tis said whoever drinks from it upon 
 The stroke of midnight sees the secret acts 
 Of enemies, the treacheries of friends, 
 The true complexion of a lover's heart. 
 
 Lavinia {receiving the goblet and placing it upon 
 
 the table y where the guests admire it) 
 A hundred thanks. Upon the stroke of twelve 
 ril quench my thirst and prove Astorre's mind. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 A work of supererogation. 
 
 SiMONETTO 
 
 'Twould need no magic to assay such love. 
 
 [Exeunt Demetrius and guests laugh- 
 ing and talking, escorted by attendants 
 with torches to light the dark outer 
 passages, leaving Filippo, who is 
 examining the goblet, and Carlo, 
 who lags behind the rest. (Zenobia 
 and Marcantonio pass out last of 
 the retiring throng, lingering a 
 scarcely perceptible moment at the 
 threshold.)] 
 [41] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 To-night! 
 
 Zenobia 
 To-night! 
 [Exeunt Marcantonio and Zenobia] 
 
 FiLiPPO (half to himself) 
 Suppose the midnight bells should ring upon 
 Our Grifonetto drinking in this cup, 
 They'd sound a bitter symphony to him. 
 
 Carlo 
 What's that? 
 
 FiLiPPO (setting down goblet) 
 
 Stay, here's another wedding gift. 
 
 [Carlo returns as Filippo picks from 
 the table a sealed packet.^ 
 
 Carlo 
 But this is sealed! 
 
 FiFiPPO (breaking packet) 
 
 So are the gates of heaven. 
 [Extracting a small ivory plaque.] 
 Vanucci! by the fates! Our painter's soul 
 Has quite forgot for once his golden pence. 
 
 Carlo 
 Perhaps he sees a future customer. 
 
 [42] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Perhaps. It is a pretty bauble. See! 
 
 [Showing it to Carlo.] 
 The two poor guilty lovers and the book, 
 Fresh slipped from our immortal Dante's verse, 
 Clasped in each other's arms. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 'Tis charming. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Strange! 
 How like Zenobia's headdress. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 True. Indeed 
 He must have copied it — she wore the same 
 To-night. 
 
 FiLIPPO (thinking) 
 And Marcantonio, what wore he ? 
 
 Carlo 
 I know not; what of that .? 
 
 FiLIPPO (eagerly) 
 
 Think, think! 
 Was nothing recognizable about 
 His doublet, cloak, hose, anything ? 
 
 Carlo 
 
 You're mad! 
 [43l 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Yes, if you like, but think — his doublet ? 
 
 Carlo 
 
 No — 
 Quite usual. p^^^^^^ 
 
 His cloak ? 
 
 Carlo 
 
 The same. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 His hose ? 
 Carlo 
 His hose ? I have it; they were striped across 
 In red and white like this. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 I mind it now. 
 Astorre twitted him about the mode. 
 
 Carlo 
 And Marcantonio said they came last week 
 From Paris, where they were the fashion now — 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 And no one else had worn such yet. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Those were 
 His very words. 
 
 [44] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Quick ! Where's a pen, a knife ? 
 Quick, anything! 
 
 Carlo 
 Here, take my knife! 
 
 FiLiPPO {taking up the painted ivory and marking it) 
 
 Scratch lines. 
 So. Prick my arm. A Httle blood to mark 
 The colouring. Rub it well in — more — good! 
 Now have we Dante's criminals in love 
 Stamped with the very guise of our two friends 
 Zenobia and her Marcantonio. 
 
 Carlo 
 What are you driving for ? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Wait, you shall see! 
 Now give the goblet and your knife again. 
 A little paring and the disk will fit. 
 
 [Paring ivory plaque until it fits the 
 goblet, into the bottom of which he 
 inserts it.] 
 The wine-flask now. Fill up the crystal cup. 
 
 [Handing the filled goblet to Carlo.] 
 Gaze in before you drink. What do you see .? 
 
 [45] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Carlo (taking cup and looking in, astonished) 
 
 Deep down within the amber wine they float, 
 
 Zenobia and Marcantonio 
 
 Clasped swaying in each other's arms! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Ha! Ha! 
 
 The gods play in our hands to-night. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 The Devil! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 'Tis all the same. God made the Devil 
 
 Carlo 
 
 And 
 The Devil made Filippo — finished work 
 Of art. 
 
 [Noise of returning guests.] 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 True! Here they come. Set down the cup 
 There, in the selfsame spot. Toss me those dice. 
 We've stolen a moment more to gamble in. 
 
 [As company enters Filippo and Carlo 
 are discovered tossing dice.] 
 [46] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Atalanta 
 Inveterate gamblers! Has the mind's bright gold 
 No charms for your poor souls ? 
 
 Carlo 
 
 He's beaten me 
 Until the only gold I have is such — 
 Mind ducats, mental crowns, imaginings. 
 
 FiLippo {to Grifonetto) 
 How beautiful Zenobia is to-night! 
 Her headdress so becomes her. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Does it not ? 
 It is an ancient one, long handed down; 
 Some say a Sforza wore it in the days 
 When Dante languished in Ravenna. 
 
 Carlo (to Marcantonio) 
 
 Ah! 
 How brave our warrior grows in French array. 
 Trans-Alpine fashions, fancy striped hose! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 I know you're jealous, of my finery. 
 
 Carlo {to Grifonetto) 
 Look at this coxcomb. How his limbs are built 
 
 [47] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 In sections like the columns on the front 
 Of the Palazzo. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Yet they look at least 
 As if they would support a man, whilst yours, 
 Good cousin Carlo, they were bought, methinks, 
 A bargain from some hungry Jew! 
 
 [Some of the young men have strolled 
 to the table and are drinking.] 
 
 ASTORRE (to SiMONETTO) 
 
 Your health. 
 
 GuiDO (to Grifonetto) 
 A health to the new bride. 
 
 Carlo (to Grifonetto who has picked up the 
 crystal goblet) 
 
 Stop, cousin, stop! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Why stop ? 
 
 Carlo 
 I would not drain that crystal cup 
 For all the wealth of Venice. 
 
 GuiDO 
 
 Tell us why. 
 
 [48] 
 
THE BAGLIONI \ 
 
 Carlo J 
 
 Why ? See you not the goblet is all carved | 
 With mysteries, crissed-crossed with pentagrams, 
 And matters astrological ? 
 
 Grifonetto (holding it up to light) \ 
 
 But what of that ? ^^^^ '''• j 
 
 Carlo (mysteriously) \ 
 It is a magic cup. 
 
 Gaze in it and you see the future. | 
 
 GuiDO ^ 
 
 Well! I 
 Carlo 
 
 The gods show nothing good or beautiful | 
 
 To those who pry into their secret thoughts. ) 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Perchance thou art afraid to rend the veil ? ^ 
 
 Grifonetto \ 
 
 Fear is a word was lost when I was born. \ 
 
 Can I not fight the future as the past ? I 
 
 Carlo (approaching Grifonetto and chanting in a | 
 
 low voice) I 
 
 "With swords you fight, j 
 
 The Pope with bulls, I 
 
 But I fight with my tongue." j 
 
 [49] I 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 What riddle's that ? 
 
 Carlo 
 Why, we three conquerors 
 Should then be friends, thyself, the Pope and I! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Is that all ? 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Nay, then, gaze within the cup. 
 (Chanting.) A lady and a gentleman 
 Upon a starlit square; 
 And there's a third; if I were he 
 I would that I were there! 
 
 Grifonetto (lifting goblet) 
 To fair Lavinia! May she be loved 
 And happy as Zenobia and myself. 
 
 Carlo (aside) 
 Now shall he see his fate. 
 
 [Grifonetto drinks, gazing into the 
 cup with increasing interest, then 
 anger and alarm.] 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 What folly's this ? 
 [He dashes cup to the ground into a 
 thousand pieces^ 
 
 [50] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Carlo 
 What's that ? Has the snake bitten? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Nay, the gods 
 Are now avenged. The crystal was too pure; 
 It irked me with its perfect symmetry. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Notice him not. He is a man of pranks. 
 
 Carlo 
 The Hghts are burning low. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Farewell! 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Come on. 
 Impatient Marcantonio waits for us, 
 And taps upon the gaming-board. Farewell! 
 
 [Exeunt Carlo and Filippo laughing.] 
 
 During the preceding conversation the servants 
 have been extinguishing the hghts and all of the 
 guests have departed. Grifonetto remains moodily 
 gazing at the broken crystal. 
 
 Enter ZENOBiA,Ti;io hesitates, then approaches Gki- 
 FONETTO, who is Standing with his back to the door 
 through which she has entered. 
 
 [S'l 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto {to himself) 
 Bah! juggling foors tricks; yet, and yet, and yet! 
 
 Zenobia 
 My lord! What mood is this that clasps your brow 
 With melancholy diadem ? 
 
 Grifonetto (still half to himself) 
 What mood ? 
 A humour of sick mockery. A dream 
 Which strides my spirit with its shrivelled Hmbs! 
 
 Zenobia 
 My lord! I never saw you in this vein. 
 Surely you once were wont to open up 
 The secret springs of grief and pour your woes 
 Into a willing ear. I pray you tell 
 The reason of this sorrow. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Can you not 
 By any means guess the complexion oPt ? 
 
 [Seizing her shouUersJ^ 
 Look in my face. Is there no deep-set fire 
 Within my pupils that reflects a flame 
 Of your own mind ? Is there no creasing down 
 Of brows that indicate a shrinking heart ? 
 
 [52] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Is there no reading of those signs which mark 
 The soul struck cold ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 I see as much indeed, 
 Therefore I turned me back to comfort you. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Aye. Comfort me thou shalt. See where the glass 
 Lies shattered on the stone. Gather a piece 
 And read the sign in it. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 What can you mean ? 
 Your words are riddles, your looks foreign gleams 
 Which hint at nameless things. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Nameless they are, 
 And nameless shalt thou be if they be true. 
 
 [Ptcktng up a glass fragment and 
 gazing into iti\ 
 We'll read together, come. This fragment here 
 Shines just as brightly as the perfect globe; 
 Reflects as straight, is smooth and jewelled as much. 
 Yet it is worthless and the edges cut. 
 
 Zenobia 
 I know not what insinuation's here, 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 My lord; but if it has some touch with me, 
 
 Or if there's aught that's sharp or broken olF 
 
 In my affection, then I'd rather give 
 
 My wilUng throat to this new cutting edge 
 
 And turn to ruby this false diamond 
 
 Made true by my red blood — true as my love 
 
 For thee, true as my life is worthless quite 
 
 Without thy trust in me. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Nay, not so fast. 
 The glass is but the frame. Look in its soul. 
 
 [Holding up the glass so that the light 
 shines through tt.^ 
 Are there no stains to mar its purity ? 
 No lustful colours in the heart of it ? 
 See! There's an amethyst, a rainbow gleam. 
 Red, blue, a harlequin of tints. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 But look! 
 [Taking fragment.] 
 These manifold dyes lie not within the glass 
 Save where the flickering light shines through. Now 
 
 hold 
 The crystal here, in the deep shade. Where then 
 Are fled the hues ? Put out the mimic sun, 
 
 [54] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 The rainbow melts into the darkening night 
 Which greets the gaze, pale and immaculate. 
 So frowns the world, suspect, in painted dress 
 Seen with distorted eyes of jealousy. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Thus would I fain beheve. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Why not believe ? 
 I know not what suspicion has crept in 
 Unheralded between our faith and love, 
 Nor what unholy visions you have seen 
 In that poor shattered cup; but this I know. 
 That never have I in a vagrant glance 
 Or by a flying word given cause for this. 
 Who's the informant ? Carlo, soaked in wine ? 
 Jeronimo, the gambler ? Filippo ? 
 No one can lie like our Filippo. Ah! 
 Can you not see these men are treachery 
 Incarnate — plotting, always plotting more 
 And still more ^ Art thou then the gentle dove 
 For their thin nets ? I smell in this the hand 
 That saps the state and slyly poisons love! 
 For you I would kneel in the dust to beg 
 Forgiveness for an uncommitted sin. 
 But that these swashing revellers — Cowards! 
 
 [55] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Let them accuse me here before my face. 
 Here I await them; and thou, sword in hand, 
 To mete out justice — death to me in guilt, 
 But, being innocent, death to the three. 
 So should their accusations stand the test 
 And falsely drown in their own punishment. 
 I am a BagUoni as your wife, 
 But Sforza runs the red blood in my veins, 
 And here Zenobia Sforza cries aloud 
 For justice and extenuation. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Can flashing temper, or the resonance 
 Of words, or mute appeal of loveliness. 
 Heal up the canker ? Or can all thy grace 
 Unite again these shattered glittering things 
 Into original perfection ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 No! 
 But can the infusion of those subtle souls, 
 A gambler, drunkard, and a Har, rock 
 The edifice of our affection down 
 And crumble it to fragments slight as those — 
 
 [Crunching the broken pieces with her foot.] 
 Overthrow it as the storm blows down the leaves. 
 By one small instilled drop of jealousy ? 
 
 [56] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Who then destroyed the smoothness of our lives ? 
 Filippo, was it ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Nay, it was not he. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Then Carlo ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Carlo? No! 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Jeronimo ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Nor yet Jeronimo. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Who then? Ah, God! 
 Is this a lightsome charge to found on air, 
 A little thing to fling at wifely fame — 
 Adultery — is it adultery ? 
 If not, 'tis nothing! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Shall I charge it, then ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 Aye, charge it, if thou canst, with all the proofs. 
 Or, if there are no proofs, why then suspect 
 Me on the sHghtest talk of slanderers! 
 
 [57] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 What do men say, then ? (Listening.) Hark! these 
 
 whisperings 
 Upon the night. 'Tis rumour, thousand-tongued. 
 That leaps along like fire from ear to ear! 
 Come, listen to it well. Does one word breathe 
 Of faithlessness ? Or even if within 
 The abyss of your secret mind there be 
 But one small spark of reason to light the torch 
 Of jealousy, then kill me and be done! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Would God the torch were quenched. Ah, tell me 
 
 more, 
 Persuade me more. Convince me that the vision 
 I saw just now within that foolish globe 
 Was but a picture of my high-wrought thoughts, 
 Like them a falsest fantasy! Weigh down 
 The scales. I am attorney for my love 
 Against my vigilance. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Then let me plead, 
 I ask but justice. Shall I stand condemned 
 Upon a hint from those who seek to use 
 You as a tool for their conspiracies; 
 Upon the witchery of a tired brain 
 That weaves sham visions ? Shall you match these 
 
 trifles 
 
 [58] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Against the love of years ? The tenderness 
 Which lingers on your sHghtest word, which wraps 
 You, even when you feel it least, with care 
 And constant sympathy ? Shall you let slip 
 My tried affection, like a worn-out cloak. 
 Upon the slurs of a bystander? Ah! 
 Have you forgot so soon the time when Love 
 Lit all our nights and days with flaring torch. 
 And Life marched garlanded with song ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Forgot ? 
 Can angels soon forget their paradise ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 The gates are open, who can keep you out ? 
 Say that to-night has never been. Say once 
 That these suspicions were but mockeries, 
 Dreams, nothing. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 I believe! They're nothing else. 
 'Tis nothing, nothing but a mania, 
 Frenzy, a tissue of delirious lies 
 Enslaving my poor wits — a crystal vision 
 Deep conjured from the gloom. See, see, I cast 
 
 [59] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Them off, these black-veiled dreams, and wake again 
 Into the day of confidence. 
 
 [He goes to curtain and pulls tt open, 
 letting in a hand of moonlight.] 
 Shine, stars! 
 Blow, scented breezes! Look how the red moon 
 Drifts down the deep-eyed night. Nay, not the moon, 
 It is the golden-throned sun who flaunts 
 His heavenly blazonry upon the dark! 
 
 Zenobia 
 Yes! Yes! The miracle of the midnight dawn 
 That only you and I can see. My lord. 
 How could you doubt me ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Now my doubts have gone; 
 Gone Hke the sea-gulls north upon the Spring. 
 
 Zenobia 
 But when the Winter comes again ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Nay, they have gone forever. Naught shall come 
 To separate us now. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 You are so sure ? 
 [60] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Aye, till that day when heavy-fingered Death 
 Shall lay his grizzly hand upon our hearts. 
 Let him alone become our severer! 
 
 [Zenobia shivers.] 
 You shiver, and your hands are cold! 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Nothing! 
 The wind is rising. Come. Who's there? 
 
 [Enter Filippo softly.] 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Naught more alarming than FiHppo. Ah! 
 What a most model pair! These long years wed 
 And still the honeymoon! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Good uncle, go! 
 Forget that you were here! 
 
 Filippo 
 
 Would that I might! 
 But I have business of much moment. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Bah! 
 Zenobia 
 
 Cabals, intrigues! Are days not long enough 
 But that the pure nights must be venomed too ? 
 
 [6i] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Forgive me; but the balance-wheel of Fate 
 Swings on my errand! 
 
 Zenobia {cynically) 
 
 Give it then a twist 
 For me! I'll leave you, gentlemen. Farewell! 
 
 Grifonetto (kissing her hand) 
 Farewell, I'll not be long! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 I pray, forgive! 
 
 {Exit Zenobia.] 
 Grifonetto {sternly) 
 What now ? Is't not enough by ill-timed lies 
 To poison my mind against the innocent, 
 To plot a breach between my wife and me ? 
 Thou hast the look of lean and hungry wolves. 
 Go prowl about alone and leave a space 
 For honest men to breathe in! What is it .^ 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Not much. A pair of horns upon thy cap. 
 That's all! 
 
 Grifonetto {seizing him). 
 Thou Hest. Prove it, or, by the Mass, 
 I'll murder thee! I have enough of this! 
 
 [62] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Insinuations, innuendoes, hints! 
 
 From Carlo first and now from thee. Prove it! 
 
 Prove it, I say, before the hghtning strikes! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Then Hsten, fool! And take your fingers off! 
 Zenobia has now gone to wait for you ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Thou saw'st her go. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Aye, so did I, in truth. 
 But I saw more than that. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Indeed! what then? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 I caught a questioning glance that showed her 
 
 thought. 
 I'd stake my life that she has gone to warn 
 Her Marcantonio. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Done! The pledge is made. 
 Now shall you give the proofs or else your Hfe! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Behind the arras here there is a door 
 
 [63] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Pushed by a secret spring. The stairs descend 
 Into that hall beneath, as you well know. 
 If she has gone to Marcantonio's room 
 She must cross by the hall. No other way 
 Is possible. Does she know of the door ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 No; nor I till to-night. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Then open it. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Why not ? You will see nothing but a hall, 
 An empty hall; your own foul fantasies. 
 Perchance, also, the dream of your own doom, 
 Which surely I shall wreak upon your head 
 W^hen this last trick has failed and I have proved 
 Zenobia's innocence. Think well, I say. 
 Before you let me open it. Think well, 
 For were you sure of your own evil fate 
 As I am that Zenobia Hngers safe 
 In her own chamber, you would leap away 
 Before a finger touched the spring as though 
 Ten thousand serpents hid within its coil. 
 While you have time, then, save yourself. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Open! 
 
 [64] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 It were a pity for so good a man 
 To die unshriven. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Go, open the door. 
 I swear I speak Heaven's truth, or Hell's, but still 
 It is the truth. Or if I now have lied. 
 There's no harm done except to me. 
 If not, here's God's own chance to fathom her 
 Yourself, concealed behind the curtain there. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 I go. But mark, your life shall be the price 
 When this insinuation is proved false! 
 
 [Grifonetto pulls aside arras, touches 
 a spring, and opens secret door on a 
 crack under the direction of FiLlPPO, 
 who then stands close behind him. 
 They wait in silence for a moment^ 
 when Grifonetto starts violently 
 and IS on the point of rushing through 
 the door. But Filippo covers Gri- 
 fonetto's mouth with his hand and 
 drags him back.] 
 
 Grifonetto 
 'Tis she! Ah, God! If only I were armed, 
 
 [65] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 The day had never dawned for them again — 
 
 Nor shall it yet. See if the way is clear, 
 
 Filippo. Quick; that I may reach my sword 
 
 And kill before my soul breaks with its rage! 
 
 Zenobia — Marcantonio's paramour! 
 
 I would have sworn by Christ upon His cross, 
 
 FiHppo, that there never was a wife 
 
 More pure! Zenobia Sforza! Why; her name 
 
 Itself has come to be a synonym 
 
 For virtue. All of Umbria rings forth 
 
 The praise of this fair flower of faithfulness ! 
 
 And now the crystal mirror of her mind 
 
 Is cracked in fragments, all reflecting back 
 
 My love in rainbow infamies. Now, now, 
 
 I know that Hell is here in Italy! 
 
 Come! Let me slake my thirsty wrath in blood, 
 
 The only drink that quenches treachery! 
 
 [Seizes FiLiPPo's hand and starts 
 towards the door. FiLiPPO holds 
 him back.^ 
 
 Filippo 
 Nay, you are mad! Black rage has sullied up 
 The clear streams of your thought. Wait! Never yet 
 Has deed done in the heat of wrath struck home 
 Like cold, malignant vengeance. 
 
 [66] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Thy hands off! 
 Or else I brain thee with my fists. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Madman! 
 What would you do ? To slay Zenobia first, 
 Then Marcantonio, only to be slain 
 Yourself within an hour ? The bravi make 
 Short work of fools. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 I care not, let me off! 
 The pillars of my universe have gone. 
 I would drain to the dregs my brimming cup 
 Of vengeance, and then die. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Drain it thou shalt! 
 And such a mighty beaker full of wrath 
 As never since the days of ancient Rome 
 Has hung unpoured above the fated heads 
 Of unsuspecting victims! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 What mean you ? 
 Is not my itching sword-blade long enough ? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 It is; but listen, while I unfold my plan. 
 
 [67] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 To your brief stroke it is as thunderclap 
 To music. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Marcantonio will have gone! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Nay, let him go. It matters naught. The net 
 Is woven — if you but consent — has caught 
 Them fast already. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Anything, by Heaven, 
 For vengeance! So fling honour to the winds! 
 Affection, chivalry, blood-kinship, pride, 
 Humanity. Strangle them all, still-born 
 Abortions! Away Life, and call grim Hate 
 To wrap me in her horrid arms. — Your plan! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Cool thyself, Grifonetto. Let thy hate 
 Freeze up this frenzy with her icy wit, 
 And listen to me with intelligence. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Proceed, I wait! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 This, then's, the plan. You know 
 
 [68] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 How all of the Baglioni are at hand, 
 
 Assembled for the celebration feasts 
 
 Of our Astorre's marriage. You know well 
 
 How brave they are, and how they scorn at night 
 
 To guard themselves with waiting men-at-arms. 
 
 As other nobles do, preferring much 
 
 To trust to their own skill and mighty name. 
 
 Thus holding strength and valorous repute 
 
 A substitute for prudence and the pikes 
 
 Of hirehngs. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Aye, we are brave — cursed brood 
 Of lustful wolves ! But what of that ? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Their pride 
 Shall be their ruin! In the night, we four. 
 Carlo, Jeronimo, yourself and I, 
 Armed to the teeth and followed by our men. 
 Like stealthy lions penetrate the dens 
 Of these same wolves, and, when the sun shines forth 
 Again, your vengeance has been done. A king 
 Of beasts inhabits where the ravening wolves 
 Snarled yesterday. One ruler stands alone 
 To guide the city's new-born destinies. 
 And once again Perugia shall be free! 
 For me, ambition; freedom for the town; 
 
 [69] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 For thee, the bloodiest vengeance in the world! 
 A trinity of deeds! 
 
 Grifonetto (bitterly) 
 I could admire 
 Thy sophistry, Filippo, were my heart 
 Not bursting with the strain of losing all 
 I held most intimate. But, false or not, 
 Thy words are oil upon my wounds. Who says 
 That Grifonetto has turned traitor too ? 
 And yet 'tis true, as there's a hell for thee, 
 Filippo. Grifonetto, cynosure 
 Of all the looks in wide-eyed Umbria! 
 
 Filippo 
 Not traitor. Liberator! Tyrants' scourge! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Nay, decorate the name as you may wish, 
 The deed remains identical. But more! 
 
 Filippo 
 The signal for the rush shall be the fall 
 Of a great stone within the inner court 
 Of Guide's palace. Each one, with our braves, 
 Shall then speed to our several tasks of love. 
 The rest is easy. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Would my heavy heart 
 [70] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Could shatter on the stone and expiate 
 This guilt and grief for all! No other sign 
 Would then be needed for this treachery. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Till then, no word, no look, to give a clue 
 To your intention. For the nonce you are 
 Comedian in the great tragedy. 
 Smile, jest, feign all outrageous merriment, 
 And eat your heart in silence till the time 
 When vengeance, striding with overtaking steps, 
 Shall strike in one fell blow our enemies. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 So be it. Doomed are the Baglioni, all! 
 Replete with lust and feasting they dance down 
 Toward the grave! Leave me, Filippo. Go! 
 I hate the truth and thee! 
 
 [Grifonetto sinks into a chair ^ 
 
 Filippo 
 
 I go at once. 
 
 \Exit Filippo.] 
 
 Grifonetto {rising suddenly) 
 Now has the current of this infamy 
 Swept from my soul all vestige of restraint 
 
 [71] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 And borne me helpless on its tossing waves 
 
 Of passion. Grifonetto is not here, 
 
 But some new hell-born fury, bellowing 
 
 His curses to an unknown self. Here stands 
 
 A stranger in this once familiar form. 
 
 Whose poisoned blood now throbs its maddened 
 
 rush 
 Of hate incarnate through my veins. Hail then, 
 Mysterious Avenger! Steel the nerves; 
 Grip firm the heart; instil the iron force 
 Of thy great purpose through each Hmb. Turn out 
 All pity, honour, love, and bid them go 
 A-shrieking through the streets until they find 
 A domicile in fooHsh souls still graced 
 With some humanity. Come, Vengeance, come! 
 And fold me in thy sable wings. Enwrap 
 My soul with bloody kisses, so I walk 
 Upon my errand shod with destiny; 
 Swift and inevitable as the wind. 
 And cruel as the Fates. Come, Vengeance, come! 
 Thou art my only mistress, my desire 
 Flames up to thee. With every breath I crave 
 Thy fierce embrace! Knit thy ferocity 
 Into my soul, until I live revenge — 
 Sleep, wake, dream, plot a Hmitless revenge; 
 And stride at last to that night consummate, 
 
 [72] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Incarnate Vengeance, brandishing aloft 
 The sword of Death himself, the Infinite 
 Avenger! 
 
 [Long pause.] 
 Ah, Zenobia! 
 
 [Grifonetto sinks, sobbing violently, 
 into the chair, covering his face with 
 his hands.] 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 [73I 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 ACT III 
 
ACT III 
 
 THE anteroom of Marc Antonio's apartment in 
 Atalanta's palace: one week later. An open 
 casement at the rear discloses the neighbouring 
 roofs and towers in the moonlight. To the left 
 are a fireplace and a door leading to the stair- 
 way. To the right another door leads to the 
 sleeping chamber. A single torch gives the only 
 light except that furnished by a heavy candela- 
 brum upon a table in the centre of the room, at 
 which are seated Marcantonio, Carlo, Si- 
 MONETTO, and Filippo. The table is littered 
 with cards, dice, decanters, and half emptied 
 goblets. 
 
 Simonetto 
 Thou playest for high stakes! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 They're none too high 
 For me to risk upon a card or die. 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Carlo 
 Take heed then, Marcantonio, for God's dice — 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 For that, most of men's dice are loaded too, 
 So what's the odds ? 
 
 SiMONETTO 
 
 By Bacchus! There it goes — 
 My last gold crown. Some honest citizen 
 Must bleed his money-bags to recompense 
 Poor Simonetto for this night. 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Alas! 
 My purse is empty as my head is full. 
 More of your sack to drown my poverty! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Come, leave the game, you revellers, since chance 
 For once smiles sparingly upon the young. 
 
 Simonetto 
 
 Aye, let's off! Friend FiHppo here is wise 
 And cautious. Let him battle out until 
 The candles pale in sunshine; I'm for bed! 
 
 [78] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 ril play with Marcantonio every night, 
 Alone — till Doomsday if he likes. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Too long. 
 Filippo, rd play high and short. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 To work! 
 Marcantonio 
 I double! 
 
 Filippo 
 And again! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Four times as much! 
 
 Filippo 
 And every crown that I can beg or steal 
 Within the year! 
 
 Carlo 
 Filippo, by the gods. 
 Such play is madness! 
 
 SiMONETTO 
 
 This is merry sport; 
 Say naught, my Carlo. 
 
 [79] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 All my lands! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 By Heaven! 
 I have none. But I have my honour still. 
 Here goes it, represented by this crown. 
 Once win it, thou canst sell me as a slave! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Thy honour ? Pah ! It is not worth the crown 
 Which symboHzes it. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 The honour, then, 
 Of the most beautiful of womankind ! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 An empty boast! 
 
 Carlo 
 Come, drag him off to bed; 
 This is too much! 
 
 SiMONETTO 
 
 Come out, Filippo, out 
 The wine dances too hot in your thin veins! 
 
 [Seizes FiLIPPO.] 
 [80] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Unhand me. I speak truth. 
 
 Marc ANTONIO 
 
 Whose honour, then, 
 Hast thou in hand ? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Whose do you think, my friend ? 
 Nay, you should know! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Away! He's drunk! 
 
 Carlo rj. 
 
 1 00 true. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Then take him off. I would not play with fools 
 Or drunken men. 
 
 [Carlo and Simonetto seize him.] 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Aye, carry me away! 
 For all that I shall win my stakes, for mark 
 You well, my Marcantonio, they're as high 
 As life, unsatisfied as death, and hard 
 To pay up as to obviate the tomb! 
 
 [Exeunt Carlo and Simonetto drag- 
 ging FiLIPPO. Sounds of expostu- 
 lations, laughter, and footsteps die 
 away down stairway which leads to 
 Marcantonio's anteroom Joor.J 
 [8i] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 I like not that Filippo, nor his wit — 
 
 [Slowly blowing out candles.] 
 
 *Tis much too bitter for my taste. Besides, 
 I was a fool to wager with him so. 
 He's naught but a poor bastard with his boasts 
 Of woman's fame. 
 
 [Going to bedroom door and listening^ 
 
 Maraglia! Sleepest thou ? 
 He sleeps. So are the humble recompensed. 
 Sleep in his stronghold unassailable 
 But mocks at me. There broods the fortunate 
 And gentle rest of young insouciance; 
 While every passion in the universe 
 Seems to have chosen my veins for battle-ground. 
 Love, anger, longing, fear; and now that last. 
 The worst of all — Suspicion! Some one knocks! 
 
 [Sound of light knocking. He goes 
 to the door and opens it^ 
 
 Who's there ? Zenobia! This is madness. 
 
 Enter Zenobia. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Hush! 
 Not so loud with my name! 
 
 [82 1 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Where is he, then ? 
 Your husband Grifonetto ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 I left him 
 Asleep. I poured into his drinking-cup 
 A quieting draught which Carlo brought me once 
 From a physician in Sienna. Nay! 
 Be not alarmed. I shook him ere I went. 
 Naught else but thunder could disturb him now. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Pray then that storms will keep away! 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 And pray 
 As well no other storms of human wrath 
 May grow, and, gendered in suspicion, break 
 Upon our heads. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 He still suspects .? 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 God knows! 
 But ever since that night when he let fall 
 Down at my feet the shivering globe, my soul 
 Has trembled Hke the breaking crystal cup. 
 
 [83] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Ah, Marcantonio! My whole Hfe is like 
 A dancer's on the frailest single cord 
 Stretched taut across the grave! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Thou'rt overwrought! 
 Come, sit here where the gentle blowing air 
 Will smooth thy brow with its invisible 
 And cooHng touch. Look forth. The city sleeps 
 Within the night so silently; as though 
 The stars, all wearied with the watching o'er 
 Men's immemorial destinies, had poured 
 Their heavenly sleeping-draught upon the earth, 
 To quiet human deeds and rest awhile! 
 
 Zenobia 
 Tell me more, — more, Antonio, for thy voice 
 Falls soothing on the throbbing sounds that ring 
 Forever in my tired brain alarms 
 And infamies. For when I am away 
 From thee, and Grifonetto looks so hard 
 With those sad eyes of his, my heart grows still. 
 They seem to mock and question me — his eyes. 
 Sometimes he gazes at me suddenly. 
 And then looks swift away. I catch a gleam 
 Sometimes of subtle anger fluttering 
 Like summer Hghtning, in his scrutiny. 
 
 [84I 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 It is impossible that he should know! 
 
 Zenobia 
 Yet ever since that day, a week gone by, 
 An indefinable suspicion grows 
 Upon me. Marcantonio 
 
 But you've lulled his jealousy, 
 Nor have I seen you till to-night. What then 
 Can he have seen ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 And yet — 'Tis Hke the mist 
 Down on the plains. It comes all unperceived, 
 And suddenly it wraps one shivering 
 Within its icy arms. Nor can I drive 
 Away the haunting thought that over us 
 There hang invisible grim threatenings. 
 To-night Fve come to warn you. Flee, now, now, 
 Antonio, for your sake and mine! I beg! 
 Yes, promise that you'll go before the dawn. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 I promise. 
 
 Zenobia 
 God be praised! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Then there are left 
 [85] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 But these so few sweet passing hours of love 
 To pinnacle our happiness upon ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 Yes; let us drink them to the very last, 
 These moments; let me feel once more the fire 
 Of thy dear lips, before the insatiable 
 Swift future overwhelms us both. The last! 
 I am afraid to-night. Ah, Cruelty! 
 Why is the world so fierce to lovers ? 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Nay, 
 Why blame the world which toils thus endlessly ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 What then ? Is there a God ? 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Look forth and see! 
 When once the sleeping city wakes, each roof 
 Will hide what shame, what want, what infamies, 
 What agonies of death, crimes, sickness, woes — 
 
 Zenobia 
 Where is he, then, the God of all this sin 
 And misery ? 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 I know not. Yet indeed 
 [86] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 If ever he shines out beyond the veil, 
 It must be in the beauty of a night 
 Like this. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 At least that — love and beauty! Hark, 
 The bells! 
 
 [They stand silently a moment^ then 
 continue speaking, while distant bells 
 chime the midnight hour.^ 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Another day is born. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 So fast, 
 Like moments dov^n the everlasting night 
 Flutter our little lives! no more than gleams 
 Of feehng on the void of time! and called 
 Zenobia, Marcantonio. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Who can know 
 Hov^ close the hour may be at hand when they 
 Shall be but memories! 
 
 [The noise is heard of a heavy stone 
 which falls crashing in the court 
 without, followed by a long-drawn 
 and shrill whistle^ 
 [87] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia 
 Ah, God! What's that? 
 Marc ANTONIO 
 Stones crashing in the night ? No wind could move 
 Such masonry. The whistle afterwards! 
 
 Zenobia 
 What if it were a signal! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 It may be! 
 Quick, quick, back to your room! 
 
 [Going to door with torch.] 
 The way is clear! 
 If Grifonetto should have gone, then fly 
 To Atalanta's chamber. Quick! [They kiss.] 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 The last! 
 
 [Exit Zenobia.] 
 Marcantonio 
 What can this be ? It seems some hidden plan 
 Too intricate e'en for Grifone's touch. 
 Yet he's so subtle. The Baglioni's blood 
 Meanders not for nothing in his veins! 
 
 [During this speech there is an increas- 
 ing noise of tramping without, and 
 a growing sound of voices.] 
 [88] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 What if it were a deeply cunning plan 
 To wreak a double vengeance, after all ? 
 One more straw — that FiUppo's boast to-night; 
 Filippo has let slip the door, whose key 
 His hand before had turned so carefully! 
 By Heaven, I see it now! It stretches out 
 Clear as the moonlight there! To work, thou fool! 
 Zenobia's warned. Now quick that I may scotch 
 This budding flower of vengeance on the stalk. 
 Before its poisonous petals fall upon 
 The victims! [More noise of tramping.] 
 
 Hark! There's tramping. 'Tis too late. 
 It is a signal. Ho! Awake, awake, 
 
 [Going to door and pounding violently] 
 Maraglia! Quick! There's treachery afoot 
 To-night! Quick, arm yourself! What's that again .? 
 
 Enter Maraglia. 
 They're in the palace! Barricade the door — 
 The only chance! 
 
 [They hastily improvise a barricade 
 with heavy centre table, chairs, beds, 
 etc. Many steps come rushing up 
 the stairs, and those without assail 
 the door violently^ 
 Ah, here they come! 
 
 Maraglia ^^ ,^^j, 
 
 [89] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 The door will not hold long. Quick on the roofs 
 While I stand off the rush ! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Come with me too! 
 Maraglia 
 Nay, this will give you time! If possible, 
 I'll follow you; if not, I die content! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 May God at last requite your bravery! 
 
 [He embraces Maraglia hurriedly and 
 escapes out of the open window to 
 neighbour in g roof. The door finally 
 breaks down. Grifonetto, Filippo, 
 and following bravi with swords and 
 torches rush in, overwhelming and 
 killing Maraglia, who at first had 
 held them at bay with his pike.^ 
 
 Filippo 
 The dog's dead, where's the master ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Search the room! 
 [Bravi and Filippo search both rooms, 
 ramming all suspected places with 
 their swords.^ 
 
 [90] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Where is he ? 'Tis incredible he should 
 Have fled! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Suspicion must have crossed his mind; 
 The door was barricaded! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Prod the squire, 
 And promise him compassion if he tells. 
 
 [Braviy with their pikes, prod Marag- 
 LIA who does not movei\ 
 Useless! His mongrel breath has flown. 
 
 Grifonetto {who has looked out of window) 
 
 Too late! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Too late! \Goes to window^ 
 
 Grifonetto 
 See! From the ledge there it is but an ell — 
 A leap that any man could take. He's gone 
 Upon the neighbouring house-tops. Quick, scour 
 
 wide 
 The city, block the gates, search garrets, roofs, 
 Bins, chimneys, everywhere! A thousand crowns 
 To him who brings me Marcantonio's head! 
 
 Enter a Soldier in haste. 
 [9«] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Soldier 
 My lord! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Here's news of him already! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Good! 
 Soldier 
 My lord, your mother Atalanta's fled. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Fled ? 
 
 Soldier 
 And Zenobia. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 There, thou liest! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Ah! 
 Grifonetto (to Bravi) 
 Kill this foul har! 
 
 Soldier 
 By the Sacred Blood, 
 I speak the truth: The house is full of men — 
 Thy followers. There's not a room in all 
 The palace where they could be hid. And more, 
 A peasant from the western gate reports 
 Them riding out a moment since, their steeds 
 Fast foaming, Uke the wind, into the dark! 
 
 [92] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Kill him! 
 
 FiLiPPO {to soldier) 
 Flee for your life! [Exit soldier^ 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 So they are gone! 
 Gone, laughing in this desolate black night! 
 Zenobia and her Marcantonio gone! 
 The wife and paramour! In vain, in vain 
 The slaughter of the others. All in vain 
 The treachery, the careful plots, the days 
 Of treasured misery! Cursed be the night 
 That hides them in its gloomy veil! Cursed stars 
 That light their path! Cursed fathers that begot, 
 Mothers that bore them! Cursed the breasts that 
 
 nursed 
 Their infancy, and cursed be great God 
 Upon His highest throne for making them! 
 Now is that fate unbearable fulfilled 
 Which from its earliest hours has brooded o'er 
 Our luckless race. Now have its greedy claws 
 Snatched from my burning hands their vengeance! 
 
 Now 
 Triumphant bare licentiousness has won, 
 To flaunt in crimson robes of victory! 
 Then laugh, high God ; laugh, men and devils all ; 
 Laugh, Grifonetto, for the curse has fallen! 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 [93] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 ACT IV 
 
A 
 
 ACT IV 
 
 ROOM in Atalanta's castle at Landona, 
 upon the evening of the next day. There are 
 chairs, tables, a lectern, and in the corner a shrine, 
 containing a triptych of the descent from the cross, 
 before which burn two candles. In the rear a 
 large window opens upon a balcony over whose 
 parapet can be seen the distant hills in the moon- 
 light. As the curtain rises, Atalanta is kneel- 
 ing in front of the shrine. Zenobia stands by 
 the window gazing across the countryside upon 
 the road which leads to Perugia. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Sleep on the mountain tops, sleep, nothing else! 
 Sleep in the wind that sweeps the empty path, 
 And sleep upon the cold and pallid moon. 
 
 Atalanta {praying) 
 Kind Mary, mother of our Lord, have pity! 
 
 Zenobia 
 So quietly extend the gentle fields; 
 
 [97] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 The star-strewn heaven stoops to meet the hills. 
 But there, beyond them, lies the city, blood 
 Upon its stones, death in the fearful air, 
 And terror trembling on her sable wings, 
 Blown even here upon this very breeze 
 Which carries all the sweets of summer's bloom 
 Across the drowsy pastures! What wilFt bring — 
 The morning, what to-night ? Who knows ? 
 
 Enter Marcantonio armed. 
 
 Zenobia {turning to meet him) 
 
 The news ? 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Nothing! No one has come since yesterday. 
 The town is held by the conspirators. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Does Grifonetto know of our escape ? 
 
 Marcantonio 
 He must. But hardly can he guess so soon 
 That I have sought the selfsame sheltering walls 
 Which guard you. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Where is Simonetto gone ? 
 [98] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 He rides the country like a hawk for aid, 
 Until to-morrow. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Have the bravi come ? 
 
 Marcantonio 
 More than Fd hoped. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 We can hold out then ? 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Yes; 
 In case of need. Yet we are short of men 
 At best; nor may we spare an idle hand, 
 From guarding the defences. Can you watch, 
 Here from the window, where the road descends 
 Across the valley from Perugia ? If 
 There's sight of armed advancement, summon us. 
 
 Zenobia 
 I will keep watch. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Then Fll away. 
 
 [Exit Marcantonio.] 
 
 Atalanta (praying) 
 
 Jesu! 
 LOFC. [99] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia {shading her eyes with her hands and again 
 
 gazing out eagerly) 
 Ah, yes! Now in the moonlight, now in shade, 
 I see him galloping. 
 
 Atalanta {rising from her knees and going to the 
 window) 
 What can it be ? 
 What other horrors drift upon the clouds 
 Of this black night ? Guido, Lavinia, 
 Astorre on his wedding night, all, slain, 
 And Grifonetto is their murderer! 
 
 Zenobia 
 I must again have been deceived, such is 
 The wrought and strained attention of the soul 
 That every wind-blown cypress in the shade, 
 Each light cast by the false and fickle moon, 
 Grows on the view a score of men at arms 
 On blackest chargers, or the glittering spears 
 Of mailed cavalcades. 
 
 Atalanta {gazing out) 
 
 My eyes are dull, 
 I can see nothing but the bending trees, 
 The pale fields, and those soft famihar hills 
 That once, in happier times, were so much loved. 
 
 [loo] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia 
 See! There, the brightness glances on his steel; 
 There, darkness from the foliage hides his flight. 
 
 Atalanta 
 Pray heaven it be a vision — only that. 
 Or shall the unnatural son of this sad heart, 
 Imagining exploits more hideous still. 
 Lead here his traitor's crew to crown misdeeds 
 By dabbling with their sullied hands in crimes 
 Unspeakable — 
 
 Zenobia 
 I know not yet — too far 
 Across the distant hills it rides so fast — 
 Whether it be a nameless terror, bred 
 From all this poured out blood, or living friend 
 Sent on to warn us of some fresh assault. 
 
 Atalanta 
 If ever growing larger on the view, 
 No hoof-beats yet attain the listening ear. 
 Then it is but a rider of the night. 
 
 Zenobia 
 No sound! 
 
 Atalanta 
 Did ever woman wish before 
 
 [lOl] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 To greet a spirit, even out of hell, 
 Rather than her own son ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Hark; do you hear ? 
 
 Atalanta (listening) 
 'Tis but the waterfall in the ravine. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 The rhythm is too irregular — now fast. 
 
 Now slow again. » 
 
 ^ Atalanta 
 
 When evil deeds of death 
 
 Pollute the earth, then ride these fiends abroad; 
 
 The gentle hosts of heaven relax their watch. 
 
 And angels, shrinking from the sight of blood. 
 
 Withdraw betimes their kindly vigilance. 
 
 Leaving the spirits from the deep — nay, all 
 
 The form and horrid manner of damned things 
 
 To run their unmolested way. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 To-night 
 Should bristle with such awful bands; to-night, 
 If ever, should they ride at Uberty; 
 For never has a fouler treachery 
 Cried out to patient Heaven. It sounds again! 
 
 [Pointing.] 
 The ring of stones upon the Roman bridge! 
 
 [102] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 Atalanta 
 
 Alas, it is no spirit! 
 
 Zenobia 
 See! he comes. 
 
 Atalanta 
 Yes, there along the bank. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 He rides like mist 
 Before the west wind. [Hoof-beats grow nearer.^ 
 
 Atalanta 
 I will pray again. 
 God shall be weary with a woman's tears. 
 
 [Atalanta returns to kneel before the 
 shrine. Sound of furious riding 
 grows rapidly nearer and ceases y 
 followed by a hail to the castle, answer- 
 ing shouts, etc., as Zenobia speaks^ 
 
 Zenobia 
 His steed is thundering now up to the gate. 
 All foam-flecked. Now he stumbles. How his 
 
 breath 
 Roars through his nostrils! He is ridden hard; 
 
 [103] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 They must have been sore pressed. He has leapt 
 
 down. 
 The door has opened. He has entered. Ah! 
 
 Reenter Marcantonio. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Another day — I should have been his match! 
 
 Zenobia 
 Who is*t ? 
 
 Marcantonio (grimly) 
 A friendly spear fled from the town 
 To warn us. Atalanta 
 
 It has come! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 The castle's strong. 
 We can hold out till help arrives. My men, 
 With Simonetto, rouse the countryside, 
 To-morrow I could storm the city's gates. 
 The messenger reports the town enraged 
 By Grifonetto's treachery. Each hour 
 He is deserted by a hundred men 
 Who'd join our followers — 
 
 Zenobia (who has returned to the window) 
 
 Come to the window. 
 The road lies in the moonlight to the hills. 
 
 [104] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marc ANTONIO (following Zenobia) 
 What's that ? 
 
 [Atalanta returns also to the window^ 
 
 Zenobia 
 The trees bend in the rising wind 
 And toss their branches so, one scarce may tell 
 Where shadows end and moving men begin. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Those are no shadows! 
 
 Atalanta 
 
 No! There gleams a spear. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 And there a helmet flashes in the light. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Hoof-beats can scarce be heard before the bridge. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Yet 'tis a troop upon the furthest hill. 
 Now that we're warned in time, the moments hang. 
 I must at once attend the armament. 
 
 [Exit Marcantonio.] 
 Zenobia 
 So little while ago, when he drew near 
 
 [105] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 My cheeks burned with the thought. Then through 
 
 my veins 
 My heart-beats danced in tune, as if to run 
 Upon the clatter of his charger's hoofs. 
 And now gray fear has clutched me by the throat 
 While every deadened pulse weeps out "He comes!'* 
 
 Atalanta 
 Has ever woman been so cursed by fate! 
 To bar her child's homecoming with grim walls; 
 To welcome him with armed and level steel; 
 To dread his face as though it were the plague — 
 This is the last, and bitterest event 
 That crushes me. 
 
 Zenobia 
 Now I can see him! 
 
 Atalanta 
 
 Where ? 
 Zenobia {pointing) 
 There! On the blackest charger far in front 
 Of all the rest; his head bowed low in thought 
 As though the sight of death sat heavily 
 Upon him. 
 
 Atalanta 
 No! It cannot be. Nature 
 Could not bear such a dream and mockery — 
 
 [io6] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 That he should murder in cold blood his wife 
 And mother! Earth would yawn and swallow up 
 Such infamy. 
 
 Zenobia 
 If Marcantonio fails, 
 Then is at last our hour drawn close at hand. 
 
 [During this time the sound of numerous 
 approaching horses has grown con- 
 tinually louder, until the troop is 
 heard to stop without the gate.] 
 
 Atalanta (taking Zenobia by the hand and leading 
 
 her to the shrine) 
 Here by the blessed crucifix we kneel! 
 And if the castle fall, he shall confront 
 Together both his mother and his God. 
 
 [Hails and trumpets heard without, 
 then Grifonetto's voice. Zenobia 
 and Atalanta listen, afraid to ap- 
 proach the window^ 
 
 Grifonetto {without) 
 Hold! Throw not from the walls. I come in peace! 
 
 Answering voice from the castle 
 A traitor's ruse! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 I swear by all the saints! 
 [107] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 A voice from the castle 
 What would you have of us ? We are in force. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 I would speak with my mother. Bear to her 
 The message that I crave an audience. 
 
 A voice from the castle 
 The lady Atalanta's last commands 
 Were to confer with no one from without. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Carry my summons. You have naught to fear. 
 
 A voice from the castle 
 There's no great harm in parley. 
 
 Another voice from Grifonetto's troop 
 
 There may be 
 A time when it will stand you in good stead. 
 
 [Shouts, etc.] 
 Zenobia (to Atalanta) 
 Nay! Listen not. It is some treachery 
 
 [More shouts, etc.] 
 Knocking — Enter Man-at-arms. 
 Atalanta (to him) 
 I hear the lord Grifone's voice. Return 
 And say that we would know what elements 
 
 [io8] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Of warlike plans have now occasioned him 
 To seek his mother's castle in the night 
 With following men-at-arms. 
 
 Man-at-arms. 
 
 I go n\y lady. 
 
 [Exit Man-at-arms.] 
 
 Zenobia 
 Alas! What can be gained by useless words? 
 Unless he means to storm the battlements, 
 Let him begone! 
 
 Grifonetto (without) 
 Tell Atalanta first 
 Her son stands by her walls, as once he stood 
 Beside her knee, to beg forgiveness, and 
 To crave at least the sacred privilege 
 Of saying what the direful purpose was 
 Which drove him on to deeds so desperate; 
 That she may know the pitiless urgency 
 Lashing a soul to fury for its wrongs. 
 And pardon him. 
 
 Atalanta 
 Must I then hear him ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 No! 
 [109I 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Atalanta 
 I must attend. He is my son. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 No! No! 
 He will invent some tale of fancied wrongs 
 To pour into your over willing ear. 
 He is no more a son. The sacred ties 
 Of motherhood no longer bind you now. 
 He will lie softly, as he sHd his knife 
 Into old Guido's throat, glide from the truth 
 To true resounding falsehood, as he slipped 
 Astorre from his sleep into the sleep 
 Of death. Ah, hear him not! 
 
 Atalanta 
 
 He is my son! 
 (To Man-at-arms, who has reentered.) 
 Go tell the lord Grifone I will hear. 
 But he must speak from where he stands without. 
 I will attend him from the balcony. 
 
 [Exit Man-at-arms.] 
 
 Zenobia (to herself) 
 It is too late! 
 
 Atalanta (from the balcony) 
 Is this my son — this man 
 Who rides with bloody arms upon the night, 
 
 [no] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Craving across embattlemented walls 
 A truce, as if two warring legions 
 Had met upon the field ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Not even your son, 
 A lonely suppliant, a penitent, 
 In desperation driven to blood, for which 
 He would atone. Nor wish for power, nor gain. 
 Nor love of strife, but treachery at home. 
 Gave me a swift avenging arm. Hear then — 
 
 Zenobia (crying) 
 No! No! Let him not speak. 
 
 Grifonetto (who has heard her cry) 
 
 Zenobia! 
 
 Zenobia (burying her face in her hands) 
 
 Ah! 
 Grifonetto 
 Let her take heed, that she at last may know 
 What engines of inexorable war 
 She has let loose, how she has drawn aside 
 The bloody curtains of that horrid time. 
 And what it was that drove me headlong on 
 To satisfy a righteous vengeance. 
 
 [in] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia 
 Hear him no more! He is turned mad with blood, 
 Seeking to justify himself. Leave him 
 To breathe his maledictions in the dark, 
 Alone with his own guilty thoughts. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Hear then 
 What lust and faithlessness in those we love 
 May spur men on to do. Zenobia is — 
 
 [Loud murmurings from the castle walls.] 
 
 Zenobia (^almost whispering) 
 Ah God! Let him not speak. Lies, lies, all lies! 
 No one can tell what horrors he will forge 
 To vindicate his own unrighteousness. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 When you have learnt what hides within your walls — 
 
 [More angry murmurings.] 
 
 Atalanta (sternly) 
 This is not matter for the public ear. 
 Return alone in honest light of day. 
 So only shall you justify yourself. 
 
 [112] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Who knows what each new hour will now bring forth ? 
 To-morrow I may be besieged. I beg 
 That you, my mother, you at least will hear. 
 
 Atalanta 
 There was a time, alas, when every word 
 Of sorrow would have found an answering tear; 
 But that was when I still possessed a son. 
 Now, he is dead, my son. 
 
 Zenobia {clutching Atalanta's dress) 
 
 He needs your help. 
 Not your forgiveness. He is playing spy 
 To see how you will stand with him in war. 
 The ground is shppery in Perugia. 
 
 Atalanta 
 
 No- 
 rn hear no longer. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 No! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Then, if I go. 
 Without a word, you will forgive ? 
 
 Atalanta 
 
 Never! 
 [113] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 The blood of your own family cries out, 
 In shame! Guido, Astorre, all are dead — 
 And not that only, you have slain my son. 
 All that I love is gone. My son is dead. 
 You bear his name unworthily no more. 
 Go while the dark compassionately hides 
 Your infamy! Begone before God's day 
 Reveals to men's astounded eyes the sight 
 Of horrors hideous and unspeakable. 
 Not even a mother's curse shall follow you; 
 For you no longer are my son. My ban, 
 Alone as any stranger's, shall pursue 
 This murderer, unfolding its dread wings 
 Above his head. There shall it hover on 
 That he may not forget he had mother once, 
 Who, when no more a mother, sent him forth 
 Beneath the fearful burden of her curse! 
 
 Grifonetto {bitterly) 
 Some day, when you know all, you will repent. 
 (To hts men loudly.') 
 
 Ho there! To-night Death rides upon the wind! 
 To horse! Fiends walk. The murderer's abroad. 
 Follow his helm. Away, I say! Hell yawns. 
 God's gone to some more serviceable world! 
 My mother's buried; but my wife shall live 
 In peace, her widowhood unsullied o'er 
 
 [114] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 By any breath of slander. Fm a corpse 
 
 Myself. A spirit riding at your head. 
 
 Away ! Away ! 
 
 [As Grifonetto's voice dies away in 
 the distance with the retreating clatter 
 of horses^ hoofs y At AL ANT A reenters, 
 holding her hands over her ears, from 
 the balcony, and comes feebly towards 
 Zenobia, who has remained in hor- 
 ror-stricken silence^ 
 
 Atalanta 
 You spoke the truth. God help him, he is mad! 
 Aid me, Zenobia, to my chamber. Ah! (tottering) 
 I cannot stand. 
 
 [Zenobia helps Atalanta to her cham- 
 ber. As she reaches the door, Marc- 
 antonio enters.] 
 
 (To Marcantonio in a broken voice.) 
 
 If you have aught to say, 
 Speak to Zenobia; I have gone to mourn 
 My son who has now died ! 
 
 [Exit Atalanta.] 
 
 Marcantonio (to Zenobia who stands in bitter ab- 
 sorption by the window) 
 
 We're safe, he's gone! 
 [115] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia 
 Alas! What have I done! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 To-morrow night 
 I shall have gathered force enough to storm 
 The town. Death has him by the ear, he's mad! 
 
 Zenobia 
 Alas! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Why should you weep ? Within a week 
 You will be safe again. Mine, mine at last! 
 
 [He attempts to take Zenobia in his 
 armSy but she repels /?/m.] 
 
 Zenobia 
 It is not he who is the murderer; 
 'Tis you and I, Antonio, you and I 
 Who, cherishing our guilty loves, have now 
 Compelled a delicate and noble soul 
 To inexorable ruin. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 'Twas those three, 
 Filippo, Carlo, and Jeronimo, 
 Who lured him with abominable schemes 
 To plot a swift destruction to the state. 
 
 [ii6] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 'Twas lust of power, glittering renown, 
 
 All to be gathered in a single night. 
 
 Those were the baits that over tempted him. 
 
 Zenobia 
 I know he was ambitious, but no heart 
 Beat truer than did his, no one of all 
 The nobles of Perugia held more high 
 The poised shaft of honour, nor kept watch 
 Upon each breath which might deflect its course. 
 You heard him. He is mad — but mad with wrath 
 That starved him with a pent-up jealousy 
 Until it burst all bounds, and glutted him 
 With passion, made him then drunk with revenge. 
 He never would have Hstened else to plots 
 Of slaughter — not unless his even mind 
 Had been o'erset by brooding on his wrong. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 Is this Zenobia ? 
 
 Zenobia 
 I know not. Despair 
 Has held me in its grip too long. 
 
 Marcantonio {holding out his arms) 
 
 Come then 
 Where terror shall be kept away forever. 
 
 [117] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia 
 If Grifonetto had once told his tale, 
 I should have been cast out upon the night, 
 Beneath that curse of Atalanta's which 
 Now rests upon his undeserving head 
 Where it will weigh like iron. 
 
 Marcantonio (grimly) 
 
 He merits it. 
 
 Zenobia 
 'Tis you and I. 'Tis we who merit it. 
 For when he heard me cry out he refrained — 
 Refused to give the truth to all those ears — 
 To make my name a by-word in the town, 
 To hear men say, "So that was why my lord 
 Grifone sought revenge." Rather than that, 
 He rode out in the night, his soul bent down 
 To breaking under his own mother's curse. 
 Sped away half a madman, seeking death — 
 Sleep, anything to bring forgetfulness; 
 As I would now! 
 
 Marcantonio (gently) 
 
 Why not sleep .? But the sleep 
 Of love, not that of death. Have you forgot 
 Already all the weeks gone by ? The days 
 
 [ii8] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 When we sat gazing at the hills, content 
 To let the quiet hours instilled with joy 
 Pass, like the purple shadows from the clouds, 
 In silence ? All the nights so beautiful 
 The very stars of heaven in wonder bent 
 Their gentle eyes to earth ? The game is ours, 
 Life calls you, high estate, and love! 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Alas! 
 Not life, or love, or sovereignty can aid 
 Me now, nor for one hour can I forget. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 What then would you, since he has gone forever ? 
 
 Zenobia {half to herself) 
 What would I do ? 
 
 (Hurriedly aloud.) I would that you should go, 
 Antonio, for my love for you is dead. 
 Seek not to breathe in it again a life 
 That will not come. I know not what grim Heaven 
 Has yet in store for me, the convent walls 
 Perhaps, a lifelong penitence. But this. 
 At least, I know can never be — this love 
 Nurtured in madness, and baptized with the blood. 
 Go then, before my heart breaks in my breast. 
 
 ["9] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 To-morrow when I am Perugia's lord 
 You may think differently. 
 
 Zenobia {weariedly) 
 
 To-morrow then 
 Shall solve its own embarrassments. To-night 
 Leave me to fling my misery alone 
 Before the kindly court of Heaven, since there, 
 Perchance, some saint, who when upon this earth 
 Sinned wretchedly as I have done, may hear 
 And pity me. 
 
 Marcantonio 
 I cannot understand. 
 
 Zenobia 
 
 Who understands .? I only know the change, 
 Know only that I feel and see, now, now, 
 When 'tis too late! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 
 Fear has unnerved your heart. 
 Infectious terror, and the hideous sight 
 Of so much blood has maddened all of us. 
 
 r 120 1 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia 
 Yes, leave me now. It is too much. 
 
 Marcanton io (kissing her hand gently) 
 
 I go! 
 
 [Exit Marc ANTONIO.] 
 
 [Zenobia goes to the window and leans 
 
 weariedly against the curtain. After 
 
 a moment of silence during which is 
 
 heard the challenge and answer of 
 
 the watch tramping without, she 
 
 starts suddenly^ 
 
 Zenobia 
 He can be saved. It shall not be too late! 
 
 [She crosses the room rapidly, opens 
 the door quietly, and whispers — 
 Mona! Mona! In a moment her 
 matd enters^ 
 
 Maid 
 My lady calls ? 
 
 Zenobia {extracting purse from her girdle, and speak- 
 ing hurriedly in a low voice) 
 
 Take thou this purse. Go now 
 As quickly as thou mayest to Cassio. 
 To-night he is the captain of the watch. 
 
 [121] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Say that I send this gold, that there'll be more 
 And still more, if to-morrow by the dawn 
 He shall have two swift horses saddled well 
 For thee and me, and five good men-at-arms 
 To attend us. Not a word of this abroad. 
 The lord Antonio will have gone to array 
 His followers. Be thou prepared when first 
 The earhest dawn shines on the eastern hills. 
 I shall be here at hand, awaiting thee. 
 
 [Exit Maid.] 
 
 [For a moment Zenobia stands in 
 thought, then goes slowly to the 
 shrine, before which she kneels in 
 silent prayer^ 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 [122] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 ACT V 
 
T 
 
 ACT V 
 
 HE piazza as in Act I. It is late afternoon of 
 the next day. As the act proceeds, the sun sets, 
 colouring the sky behind the housetops. The ris- 
 ing curtain reveals small groups of citizens dis- 
 cussing with horror and eagerness the events of the 
 preceding night. 
 
 First Citizen 
 This is a sad ending for the wedding feasts. 
 
 Sfxond Citizen 
 A bloody one indeed! 
 
 First Citizen 
 Aye, was ever a city so drenched in gore! 
 
 Third Citizen 
 Mark ye, we'll pay for this. First nobles' blood, 
 (would there were more of it!) then the innocent 
 townsfolks'. 
 
 [125] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Fourth Citizen 
 But this is the most horrible! Never in all my years 
 of witnessing these feuds have I torn down, as just 
 now, the festive banners to wipe up the streets. 
 
 Third Citizen 
 'Tis the greatest pity, say I, that any of the brood 
 are left to greet the sunlight. 
 
 First Citizen 
 'Twas a foul deed, but I would that Grifonetto 
 had won his stroke. We should then, at least, have 
 had but a single tyrant to reckon with. 
 
 Third Citizen 
 One or many 'tis the same. Blood and oppression ! 
 
 Second Citizen 
 I knew that fiery comet which shone last month 
 was not for nothing. 
 
 First Citizen 
 And the rainbow ring about the moon a week ago! 
 
 Fourth Citizen 
 And the light before the Virgin at the corner of my 
 house. It went out upon the calmest night I ever 
 remember. 
 
 [126] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Third Citizen 
 Why did you not interpret these great auguries 
 and make a timely visit out of danger ? 
 
 Second Citizen 
 Scoff not; here come the priests. 
 
 Third Citizen 
 Aye, here they come, to pray when all is over! 
 
 [Enter procession with euchartst, pre- 
 ceded by acolyte ringing bell, priests 
 murmuring prayers^ etc., and exit 
 by door of Duomo. Crowd of citi- 
 zens kneel and doff caps as procession 
 passes^ 
 
 Fourth Citizen 
 God knows this town has need of intercession for 
 her sins! 
 
 First Citizen 
 Amen, indeed! The stench of all this slaughter 
 must appall the very saints themselves! 
 
 Third Citizen 
 The saints must be well used to it, forsooth. Paint 
 them another gonfalon for blood money) 
 
 [127] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Second Citizen 
 Out upon him for a heretic! 
 
 [Citizens murmur angrily^ 
 
 Third Citizen 
 Here's another; ask him for his opinions! 
 
 Enter Perugino, walking sadly, with his 
 head bowed in thought. 
 
 First Citizen 
 Greetings, Master Vanucci. 
 
 Perugino (starting from his reverie) 
 This is horrible! Guido, Lavinia, all, slain in a 
 night; and Astorre in the arms of his young bride! 
 Such stupendous treachery! 
 
 Second Citizen 
 Old Guido, they say, died with the words, "Now 
 my time is come," turning back his face that he 
 might be spared the sight of his own massacre! 
 
 First Citizen 
 And Astorre crying, "Unhappy Astorre, dying 
 like a poltroon!" 
 
 Perugino (half to himself) 
 Where then are all the loving, gentle saints 
 With whose serene embodiment my brain 
 
 [128] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Has striven so often ? Now forever -more 
 
 Their faces must be turned away in pain. 
 
 The chattering priests — new banners for the church, 
 
 More altar-pieces, candles, sorrow, prayers! 
 
 As if the magic hand of Art herself. 
 
 Nay, though her brush were dipped in human tears, 
 
 And painted in our hearts' blood, could wipe out 
 
 The burning stain of such great infamy! 
 
 Enter Raffaello 
 
 Ah, Raffaello! I feared in this night 
 Of riot and treachery some harm had come 
 To thee. 
 
 Raffaello 
 Nay, master, all the students kept 
 Close to their quarters when they heard the cries, 
 The tramp of armed men, and caught the flare 
 Of torches gleaming in the streets below. 
 
 Perugino 
 But men say Marcantonio made escape 
 To some poor scholar's chamber ^. 
 
 Raffaello 
 
 It is true, 
 To 'Sandros' from Orvietto, where he stayed 
 Until the darkness just before the dawn, 
 
 [129] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 When, clad in a rough student's gown, he fled 
 The city gates. 
 
 Perugino 
 And all the rest were slain ? 
 
 Raffaello 
 No, some escaped, but few. 
 
 Perugino 
 
 Those are enough. 
 With Marcantonio, to return and wreak 
 Swift retribution on the murderers. 
 The castles of the countryside are full 
 Of armed retainers loyal to the death 
 To Marcantonio. Simonetto too, 
 Has he escaped as well ? 
 
 Raffaello 
 
 He too is safe. 
 
 Perugino 
 Then is Grifone's cause most doubtful still. 
 
 Raffaello {excitedly) 
 Perhaps. But from my chamber I can see 
 The great Baglioni palaces. Last night, 
 Being wakeful, I leaned on my casement sill 
 To watch the moonlight far down on the plain. 
 
 [130] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 A ray broke from the passing clouds. It seemed 
 A shaft from heaven, it was so beautiful. 
 And as I looked, I pictured angels there. 
 The Holy Mother, and a gathered host 
 Of saints adoring — so I gazed for long; 
 When suddenly a crash split the still air. 
 Tearing my reverie. Then muffled shouts 
 Behind the palace w^alls, lights ghnting out 
 From palace windov^s! All the night I watched 
 Until the dawn, when, thrown down on the 
 
 streets, 
 I saw the naked corpses of the slain. 
 Ah! They were Hke the gods of ancient Greece, 
 Those poor stripped bodies, heroes of old time. 
 Or murdered patriots of mighty Rome. 
 Unsepultured they lay there on the stones 
 While we stood gazing, silent, wondering. 
 Upon such proud and splendid forms, naked. 
 Cast forth upon the roadway, yet all clad 
 In beauty and the majesty of death! 
 
 First Citizen (elbowing his way through the crowd 
 
 who have been listening to Raffaello) 
 Here come the three conspirators! 
 
 Fourth Citizen 
 Then let's be off. No good will arise if we're 
 found talking here. 
 
 [i3'l 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Third Citizen 
 Aye, we'll be wanted soon enough for penance, 
 but never for peace. 
 
 Second Citizen 
 Disperse, friends, till we see who be the next lords 
 of the town. 
 
 [Exeunt citizens slowly ^ in small groups y 
 talking together excitedly.^ 
 
 Raffaello 
 Too much prudence. I would stay and scorn them. 
 
 Perugino 
 No! Too much youth! Know, Raffaello, that 
 Art's province is to feel, observe, express, 
 But not to act. [Exit Perugino and Raffaello.] 
 Enter Grifonetto and Filippo. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 The plan has failed. 
 Grifonetto (with gray voice) 
 
 I know! 
 Did'st see, Filippo, how those here just now 
 Fled from our slow approach ? 'Twas horror! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Fah! 
 A group of gossiping traders. 
 
 [132] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 As you like! 
 I say their speech was low and ominous, 
 Their looks mute curses. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Come! Pluck up thy heart; 
 Has Grifonetto turned a coward ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Nay, 
 Were it but yesterday I would have pricked 
 That lie between your teeth. To-day am I 
 Undone. I have enough of blood. 
 
 FiLippo i 
 
 Mark me. 1 
 There'll be much more, and that your own and mine, 
 
 If you do not arouse yourself at last j 
 
 To put the flying leagues between your foes ! 
 
 And you. Think you they'll not return, the wolves, | 
 
 To suck their vengeance from us all ^ j 
 
 Grifonetto | 
 
 May be! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 My soul! Was ever such a man.? Awake, 
 Grifone, wake! The hounds are on your track! 
 
 [^33] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Soon will their baying ring loud in your ears. 
 To horse, before it is too late! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 'Tis over! 
 The play is done. Is great God never tired 
 Of seeing the self-same tragedy ? 
 
 FiLiPPO {taking hold of him) 
 
 Hark thee, 
 My Grifonetto. This last play's not done. 
 The first stroke fails, 'tis true, or half succeeds 
 At most. What then ? The stroke's half made, 
 
 at least. 
 Now for the rest of it. First, from the town; 
 So that when the Baglioni come to find 
 Revenge, their quarry's given them the slip. 
 Next, gather from the countryside our men, 
 All we can find; pose as the city's friends. 
 Deliverers from the tyrants' toils; and then 
 Back from the plains to storm the town again. 
 The burghers will be friendly; gates will swing 
 Back from their hinges, open wide to those 
 Who'll guard the city's ancient freedom. Then 
 The fugitives as conquerors shall return. 
 There's the play's ending. Take it! It is thine! 
 
 [134] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 What a smooth tongue! Thou should'st have been 
 
 a judge, 
 Filippo, or a barrister to plead 
 For criminals, as thou art doing now. 
 But this is not a case for words. Black deeds, 
 And blacker retribution faces us. 
 Ah, God! What vast atonement can wipe out 
 That dark stain of my mother's parting curse ? 
 You know how she did curse me, FiHppo ? 
 
 [Shaking his head sorrowfully^ 
 In vain I've sought her at Landona, now 
 This very day again. Naught but dark curses, 
 Great curses on my head and on her womb 
 That bore me. Curses for my treason, then 
 More for the massacre. Let death come now. 
 I wait! 
 
 Filippo 
 
 Nay, but succeed yet, after all. 
 She will remove her curse then for the crown 
 Of victory, as many a mother's done 
 Before. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 No victories can blot a curse 
 Like this from off my brow. 'Tis registered 
 
 [135] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 In heaven by Azrael. His wings alone 
 Can brush aside the stain. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 You are stark mad, 
 Grifone, irresponsible, and full 
 Of rhapsodies of dying! See, the sun 
 Deflects not his bright rays away from us; 
 Food nourishes; wine flows forth for our thirst; 
 Our shadows are not bloody. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Such as thou, 
 Fihppo, see not shadows of the soul. 
 How could'st thou .? On this very spot thou first 
 Tempted my honour. Then I scorned thee, then 
 I threw back thy insinuating words 
 Into thy traitor's face. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Say what you will. 
 But did I turn Zenobia false ? Who cried 
 So loud for vengeance then ? 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Now do I know 
 Too late that vengeance is for God. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Too late ? 
 [136] 
 
THE BAG LI ON I 
 
 'Tis not too late. I beg you chase away \ 
 
 These lurid, night-born fancies, brooding thoughts ; 
 
 Which haunt thy weary brain. Off to the plains! 
 Feel once again thy steed rush under thee; 
 
 Once more the bravi shouting close behind; ] 
 
 The cool air of the marshes fanning thee! j 
 
 Then will swift action drive aside these mists \ 
 
 Of melancholy* 
 
 Grifonetto (solemnly) ] 
 
 When the stars are cold, ' 
 
 Filippo, and when night has changed each shape j 
 
 FamiHar so that all the world is strange — j 
 
 When best-known faces show through leering masks, ! 
 
 And oft-trod stones ring foreign echoes back \ 
 
 To one's own unacquainted steps; when blood j 
 
 Drips from one's very thoughts to hang a veil ■ 
 
 Of gore before the straining vision. 
 And God's own blessed sun drifts flaming red 
 Behind the hills — who then art thou to speak 
 
 So light of brushing gruesome fancies by ? j 
 
 I say if thou coulds't feel the load of guilt j 
 
 That staggers on thy back, and see thyself j 
 
 As real — a crime-drenched hunchback crouching j 
 
 there! 
 
 Filippo 
 The man is mad. Come, Grifonetto, see, 
 
 [ W ] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 I do beseech you turn away these thoughts. 
 
 Weigh out the matter thus : on one side death, 
 
 Inevitable, and what then is gained ? 
 
 Upon the other all that unknown chance 
 
 Which makes life rich in possibilities. 
 
 The chance to win yet in this game of war. 
 
 The chance to still remorse with noble acts. 
 
 To buy redemption for the past with love 
 
 Of this your suffering city, and the chance 
 
 To so heap up good deeds that they shall shame 
 
 At last the very niched saints themselves. 
 
 Throw this great opportunity away. 
 
 Then you are lost, and after damned as well. 
 
 Fly these foul fancies, live, and you have yet 
 
 To cheat the Fates and save your soul. Nay, more; 
 
 'Twere flying in the face of Heaven itself 
 
 To thus cast off your own redemption! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 No. I care not to live. I would not skulk 
 From town to town in timid banishment, 
 A cursed soul, a cuckold, murderer. 
 Laughed at, despised, and pointed at in shame. 
 I vnll not live. For there are times indeed 
 When to breathe in the air and gaze upon 
 The light is the most damned crime of all. 
 
 [138] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Then die you must. Who is this running here ? 
 
 Enter Carlo in haste. 
 
 Carlo 
 The watchman at the towers sees the flash 
 Of weapons moving up the hill. They come! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Where is Jeronimo ? 
 
 Carlo 
 
 He's here. 
 
 Enter Jeronimo, hastily buckling on 
 his sword. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 To horse! 
 We're just in time. Soon 'twill be dark. We're safe. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 OflF with us! 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 And this mad fool here! 
 
 Carlo 
 
 What's that .? 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 He would atone, stay, die, God knows what all! 
 
 [139] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Jeronimo 
 Then let him stay. 
 
 Carlo 
 My life's not dice for fools 
 To juggle with. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Haste, Grifonetto! 
 
 Carlo ^rrj 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Come; steeds wait at the hill's foot. All is planned! 
 Come! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Cowards! Traitors! Go save precious skins 
 For vultures to feed on another time. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 The man is raving! 
 
 Carlo 
 
 He'd but hinder us. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Go, go! My blood, not yours! It would pollute 
 The sacrifice! t- 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Christ pity him! 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 Away! 
 [140] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Off with him, then, by force, for he is mad; 
 I love him yet and would not leave him die. 
 
 T-1 1 ^ Carlo 
 
 1 hen haste. 
 
 [Carlo, Filippo, and Jeronimo at- 
 tempt to seize Grifonetto and force 
 him away with them, hut Grifo- 
 netto casts them off after a brief 
 struggle, then lays his hand on his 
 sword^ 
 
 Grifonetto 
 What, do you love me so, good cousins. 
 That you would join me on that unknown road 
 Which starts here at our feet, but whose dim end 
 No man may ever see ? You would not, then ? 
 Still is the journey easy. No thought given 
 To gold or arms, for no one need have fear 
 Of robbers by the way. And though in truth 
 I never yet saw one who has returned. 
 Men say the path lies smooth and gentlest dreams 
 Beguile the traveller. 
 
 Filippo 
 Poor soul! 
 
 Carlo 
 
 Off, off! 
 [141] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 While we delay to hear this madman prate 
 The minutes rush along. 
 
 Jeronimo 
 
 We'll be too late. 
 
 FiLIPPO 
 
 Farewell, Grifone! You have chosen your part. 
 Whether 'tis best I know not after all! 
 
 [Exeunt Jeronimo, Carlo, and Filippo, 
 leaving Grifonetto alone, wrapped 
 in thought.] 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Gone to the night of hell which nurtured them! 
 
 [Pause. Sound of retreating hurried 
 steps. Trumpets tn extreme distance. 
 Grifonetto turns and stretches out 
 his arms in supplication.] 
 
 Ah, my Zenobia! Was there ever time 
 Indeed when thy soft arms enfolded me ? 
 When I awaked to thy caress, when love 
 Lit all my nights and days .? Or was it then 
 A passing fantasy, an empty wraith 
 Of my poor doting brain ? Zenobia! 
 Is there no smile for me, thy lover here ? 
 No greetings for such care ineffable ? 
 
 [H2] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 No touch of thy dear hand, no look, no word ? 
 Zenobia! It is I who call thee, I, 
 Thy lover, Grifonetto! 
 
 [Trumpets sound tn distance. Grifo- 
 netto lets his outstretched arms fall 
 helplessly to his side and hows his 
 head. Trumpets sound again a little 
 nearer. More trumpets, nearer^ 
 
 'Tis the Baglioni! Marcantonio! All! 
 There sound the brazen throats of Death! They 
 come! 
 
 [Passing hand over his brow as if to 
 wipe out a stain.^ 
 Ah, God! If I could tear this mother's curse 
 Once from my brow. It presses there like iron! 
 Then would I die as fits my chivalry. 
 Fall fighting to the last, defying still 
 My conquerors! Nay, by the Mass, Fll fight 
 For fighting's sake, since all my honour's gone! 
 
 [Draws sword.] 
 Fight for the lust of blood, fight for a sport. 
 Fight for a moment's life till Hfe is done! 
 
 [More trumpets, much nearer. He con- 
 ceals himself behind a column of 
 the loggia as Marcantonio in full 
 armour enters attended by bravi.] 
 
 [143] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Marcantonio 
 They have fled! 
 
 {Calling.) Filippo! Guldo! Carlo! 
 Art thou here Grifonetto ? 
 
 Grifonetto {stepping from behind column) 
 
 I am here. 
 Come to atone at last 
 For all thy sins and mine! 
 
 Marcantonio {gazing at him and shaking his head) 
 
 Go with God's peace; 
 I will not slay thee, nor yet plunge my hand 
 In mine own blood, as thou hast done in thine. 
 
 Grifonetto 
 
 Long since 
 I should have gone, but that I waited here 
 To see at last if you were still a man. 
 Ah, yes! I know I am a traitor; but 
 You are the thief who tore my living heart 
 From out my breast. A murderer am I, 
 But an adulterer art thou; my hands 
 Are soaked in blood, yours in dishonour stained; 
 Heaven knows alone who is the guiltier. 
 Then, if you are a man, I say, stand forth 
 And bid your hirelings keep their claws away. 
 But, if you are a coward, as I think, 
 
 [144] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Then reap the flaming harvest of the spark | 
 That you have sown. I have only one sv^ord. 
 
 I am alone. j 
 
 Marcantonio 1 
 
 No man has ever lived j 
 
 To call me coward for a second time! \ 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Then bid your braves despatch me, and my corpse 
 Shall shout it from its stiff and clenched teeth, 
 And my dead Hps shall break through nature's laws 
 To babble it upon the midnight winds! 
 For if they kill me, all the time which runs 
 Cannot wipe out your craven's name; no more 
 Than aught but great oblivion can blot 
 Away my crimes. My honour you have soiled. 
 And started down its fated path that ball 
 Of treachery and blood which still rolls on. 
 Balked of a greater vengeance, it is left 
 To catch you on the threshold of your wish. 
 Had I fled, you'd have stood upon the right. 
 Now choose. The cap of cowardice, or fight! 
 
 Marcantonio 
 I would not lose the pleasant praise of time, 
 Nor the sweet joy of speeding on her way 
 Your misspent soul for twenty tyrannies, 
 
 [145] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Nor leave to hirelings that most pleasing task 
 Of carving your hot heart out from its casque 
 To bring a present to Zenobia, who, 
 Even now fast following with joy upon 
 The skirts of our returning victories, 
 Waits safe within her mother's palace walls! 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Your Hps have spoken that name for the last time! 
 
 [They fight. Grifonetto, besiJe him- 
 self with rage and despair^ heats down 
 Marcantonio's guard, and pierces 
 him through the neck between the 
 corslet and helmet. During the lulls 
 tn the fighting, the chant of priests is 
 heard from the Cathedral. As Marc- 
 ANTONio fallsy hells ring furiously in 
 distant towers. More trumpets are 
 heard, and Simon etto rushes in with 
 the main troop of hravi. As SiMO- 
 NETTO and troop halt a moment in 
 astonishment, Zenobia enters, cloaked 
 and hooded as tn Act I . from door of 
 Palazzo Puhlico upon the raised stair- 
 way landing, from which she gazes 
 down and perceives Grifonetto, 
 alone, surrounded hy armed men.] 
 [146] 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 Zenobia {with a cry) 
 Grifonetto ! 
 
 [Grifonetto looks up and sees Zeno- 
 bia over the heads of his surrounding 
 enemies^ 
 
 Grifonetto 
 Too late! 
 Vengeance is done. There is naught left but death ! 
 
 {Looking at his sword.) 
 And 'tis dishonoured now, even my sword, 
 Stained with the blood of my own race, and treachery. 
 Go! No more lives shall fall beneath thy strokes. 
 Enough have died! 
 
 [Flings his sword into the fountain i\ 
 
 Simon etto {to bravi) 
 
 There stands the traitor! Kill! 
 
 [Bravi surround Grifonetto and hew 
 htm down. The deed is done, how- 
 ever, in such a way as to conceal 
 Grifonetto from the audience while 
 he IS being killed, although Zenobia 
 from the elevation of the stairway can 
 see htm over the heads of the bravi 
 who encircle him. While SiMO- 
 NETTo's followers are thus over- 
 [H7l 
 
THE BAGLIONI 
 
 whelming their victirriy Zenobia 
 rushes down the steps of the Palazzo 
 Communale, reaching the square as 
 the bravi draw aside, revealing the 
 dead body of Grifonetto.] 
 
 Zenobia 
 Ah, Grifonetto! 
 
 [She sinks on her knees by him, as in 
 the great silence following the clash 
 of weapons, the tinkle of the bell at 
 the elevation of the Host within the 
 Cathedral is heard.^ 
 
 Simon ETTO (solemnly to bravi) 
 Spoil not his body. All your work is done! 
 
 [Distant chant of priests. During latter 
 part of scene, growing moonlight has 
 partly flooded and lighted the stage. 
 The moon, however, is hidden behind 
 the mass of the Cathedral.] 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 [148] 
 
OCT 8 19CS