Part 14 (1/2)

Beppo and Adelina return from another direction with the milk.]

LEO. [Somewhat proudly.] Cesco will tell you.

CES. In a word 'tis this: Today the Queen of Fiori, Returning from the hunt, is set upon By brigands; where at the King of Lagoverde, Being hunting in that quarter and hearing cries, Comes up to give his aid; in rendering which He gives his life as well, and at this moment, On other men's legs, goes heavily home to supper.

The Queen of Fiori, wounded, and in a swoon Only less deep than death itself, comes this way.

CROWD. Ay, here they come! [Enter Anselmo.]

ANS. Make way, make way, good people-- Fall back a little--leave a clear s.p.a.ce--give air!

[Enter Laura and Francesca, Luigi, several gentlemen, several attendants, four of them bearing a litter on which lies Beatrice, in a scarlet cloak, her hair flowing. Luigi is with Laura, who clings to him. If possible to arrange, several of the party may lead on their horses and lead them off across the stage. The litter is set down stage in full sight of the audience. Beppo comes down stage near it, as does also, from another direction, Gilda. Giuliana returns.]

ANS. Who has a bed that we may lay her on?

She cannot leave this place tonight.

GIU. This way, sir.

[The attendants pick up the litter and go off, the crowd following.]

GIL. [Stealing back.] Hist, Beppo!

BEPPO. Ay?

GIL. Heard you not something fall, When they picked her up again?

BEPPO. Ay, that I did.

GIL. What was it, think you? [They search.] Nay, 'twas nearer here.

BEPPO. I have it.--'Tis her sword!

GIL. The Queen's? Ay,--truly.

How beautiful!

BEPPO. [Slowly and with awe drawing it from its scabbard.]

Look,--there is blood on it!

Scene 2

[A room in the palace at Lagoverde. Bianca and her two little daughters discovered at the rise of the curtain, she in a big chair, they at her feet.]

BIA. And so the fairy laid a spell on her: Henceforth she should be ugly as a toad.

But the good fairy, seeing this was done, And having in no wise power to alter this, Made all toads beautiful.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. They are not beautiful Now, mother!

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. That was in another country!-- What country, mother? [Bianca, lost in thought, does not answer.]