Porzia. Rice Cale Young
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(springing up).
I will not have evasions, Osio!
Shiftings and turnings
Radiant of hopes
That torture expectation till it breaks.
[Again sitting.
And yet – perchance it is as well they come
Now … while there yet is time for more withdrawals.
Osio (starting).
More?
Bianca.
For – I fear all trust in you is folly;
And that the heresy of Rizzio
Which I agreed with you to take unto
Monsignor Querio —
Osio (clenching).
Shall not be taken?
[She rises.
Not! but you leave the brunt to me alone?
Bianca.
You purpose more, I think, than to restrain him.
Osio.
And you more than abjuring! You would gaze
Upon his godless schisms, …
Upon the naked luring of his lies!
Bianca.
No! Tho the beauty of them —
Osio.
Beauty! beauty!
[Striking the Pan near him.
That wind of infidelity from Hell
He blows out of his lips do you call beauty!
No! – and he with his poets and philosophers,
His Platos
And star-mad Copernicas,
And that Dominican, Giordano Bruno,
For whom the stake to flames will yet be lit,
Shall learn you are too late in your relenting!
Bianca (stricken).
Too … late!
Osio.
His heresies shall reap their due.
Bianca (death-pale).
Which means – that you
already have revealed them!
Have sent unto Monsignor Querio
To-day —
Rizzio's wedding-day! —
For that
It was you sought out Matteo, who, pledged
Unto Marina,
As were you to me,
Has broke his troth?..
And now, now you await him? – O was not
Your promise to me that a week should pend
Ere any step?
Osio.
I will not lose my soul,
[Turns away.
And dallying is the feebleness of fools.
Bianca.
And will lies save it – tho they be for Heaven! —
To one who nigh has lost her soul for you?
[When he does not answer, more penetratively.
We have been friends, Osio, long been friends,
And, woman that I am, I would 'twere more,
But in this I suspect —
Osio.
Enough! we prate!
[Rankling, uneasily.
I say enough.
Bianca.
And I say all too little,
[Bitterly.
Until I tell you now plain to your face,
And to your heart
Plunging toward this passion,
That not alone a hate of heresy
Is haunting you to it, but that the lips
And eyes and brows and soul of —
Osio.
Will you cease!
Bianca.
I tell you that you love her – Porzia!
And veer but to the vision of her face!
Osio (who after strangling silence finds words).
If you say that, Bianca, ever again
Or if, by all the demons that Avernus
Pours out upon the black Phlegraean fields,
You hint it or suggest it to her, till —
Bianca.
Till you achieve her! and have wrapped the rites
Of the Church round your achieving?
Till you have severed her from Rizzio —
Have swept her from perdition —
Into your swathing arms! I say you shall not!
Me you have set aside, but there an end!
[Starts toward door.
Osio.
Stop! whither do you go?
Bianca.
To call them! call!
And to betray your treachery – and mine!
[Calling.
Rizzio! Porzia! Rizzio!
Osio.
Maledictions!
[Seizing her wrists.
Will you become a dagger, and not know,
Stiletto that you are, what thing you stab!
Bianca.
The infatuation festering within you!
Till, deaf with the desire of it and dream,
You cannot tell their voice from Deity's.
[Calls again.
Rizzio! Porzia! Tasso!
[The music ceases.
Rizzio (within; startled).
It was Bianca!
[Hastening to door with the rest crowding closely after.
How? what? you called? what moves you? – Osio?
[Looks around.
Was some one here? what is it? speak!.. Bianca?
What burns you?
Bianca.
You shall hear! It must