Part 17 (1/2)

GUI. I'll have an end of these soft words at twilight, And these bad mornings full of bile! I'll have an end Of all this spying on me!

FRA. [Gently.] 'Tis not so.

I do not spy upon you. But I see you Bigger than other men, and your least gesture-- A giant moving rocks.--Oh, Guido, tell me You do not love her! Even though I know You lie, I will believe you,--for I must!

GUI. [Pause.] Nay, I am done with you. I will tell you nothing.

Out of my way!--I have that on my mind Would crush your silly skull like the sh.e.l.l of an egg!

Od's body, will you keep your ugly claws From scratching at my sleeve?

[He thrusts her roughly aside and rushes out.]

FRA. [Creeping away, sobbing.] Oh, G.o.d--oh, G.o.d-- I would whatever it is, that were over.

[Exit.]

[Enter Fidelio, and crosses the stage, singing.]

FID. [Singing.]

”Rain comes down And hushes the town.

_And where is the voice that I heard crying_?

Snow settles Over the nettles.

_Where is the voice that I heard crying_?

Sand at last On the drifting mast.

_And where is the voice that I heard crying_?

Earth now On the busy brow.

_And where is the voice that I heard crying_?”

[Exit Fidelio.]

Scene 2

[The court-room in the palace at Fiori, extremely crowded with restless and expectant people. The crowd is arranged on both sides of the stage, in such a way that a broad avenue is left in the middle, leading from the footlights to the back of the stage and gradually narrowing to a point at Beatrice's throne. On the extreme right and left of the stage, along the back of the crowd, stands the guard, a large body of armed soldiers, at attention, in double row. On either side the throne stands an armed soldier. As the curtain rises the court is all standing and looking off stage in a certain direction. Enter the Queen, Beatrice, from that direction, walks in, looking straight ahead, goes to the throne and seats herself. The court sits. The clerk begins to read.]

CLERK. The first case to be heard is that of Lisa, A widow with two small children, who resides Near the Duke's wood, and has been caught in the act Of cutting trees there, and hauling them home to burn.

BEA. Stand, Lisa. You are a widow, I am told.

With two small children.

LISA. Ay, your Majesty, Two little boys.

BEA. I know another widow, Lisa, With two small children,--but hers are little girls.

Have you been cutting trees on the Duke's land?

LISA. No, Majesty. I could not cut a tree.

I have no axe.