LEONORA. Lose him what! one little spark of inconstancy, and Fiesko lost! Begone, ill-tempered babbler! come no more into my presence-an innocent frolic! perhaps only a mere piece of gallantry! What say you Bella ?— BELLA. Entirely so-depend upon it-nothing else, Madam! LEONORA. (Lost in thought.) But has she then really usurped my place in his affections? Does the name of Julia only animate each thought, each action of his being? Is the wide world as nothing to him? or does he consider the great creation, as a precious diamond, on which her picture stands alone encyphered? But what is this? Whither do my apprehensions lead me? Can he then really love her? Is Leonora quite forgotten? and for whom? for Julia ?-Lend me your arm-support me Bella! (Pause of some moments; Music again heard at a distance.) LEONORA. (Starting.) Listen! was not that Fiesko's voice, that issued from the crowd? And can he rejoice in public while -it his Leonora weeps in solitude? But no-it is not so-i was Gianettino Doria's rude voice I heard! ARABELLA. It was, Signora ;-but come into another room, I beg. LEONORA. Ah! you change colour, Bella-you have told a falsehood. I read in your eyes, and in the countenances of my friends in general, a something- -a something.—(Cover ing her face with her hands.) Alas! I fear-these friends know more than it would well become a wife to listen to. ROSA. These are the exaggerated fears of jealousy. LEONORA. (Musing.) When he was yet a youth-how beautiful was his first appearance in the Orange Grove, where we, girls, were playing. The blooming freshness of Apollo, united with the manly graces of Antinous;-his step was proud and dignified-his figure majestic and engaging;-he seemed as if the mighty Genoa, already rested on his youthful shoulders.-At stolen glances we admired his beauty (as if the theft were sacrilege,) and when the lustre of his eyes met ours, we hastily and tremblingly withdrew them.-Heavens, with what eagerness we devoured his looks! They fell among us like the apples of discord, and each became the object of our contention. It was then first the poison of envy infected the pleasures of youth!-The magic of love overcame the endearments of friendship— every eye glistened with rapture, every bosom throbbed wild with delight, but jealousy had entered the circle, and concord and peace were no more! ARABELLA. I remember it perfectly, there was a general contest among the women for his affections. LEONORA (with enthusiasm.) And now to call him mine-mine-the noblest and the first of Genoa's citizens, who sprang completed from the hand of nature, and started into life, at once the model of his sex's greatness; in whom the softest and the manliest virtues are all so sweetly blended and combined, that every voice has stamped him with perfection.-Mine! unlooked for happiness! too great, too exquisite to last. Hear me, women, I have something to entrust to you! I can no longer keep it secret: When I stood at the altar with Fiesko, his hand close locked in mine, a thought then struck me! A thought too daring for a woman's soul, and to our sex forbidden :"That this Fiesko!-my Fiesko, whose hand I clasped in mine,- -(but hush! let no one listen to the mournful tale that robs him of his greatness,)—I thought that this Fiesko-my Fiesko!-Oh, could you feel as I do!—would rid unhappy Genoa of its tyrant!" ARABELLA. And this idea occurred to the bride at the altar! LEONORA. You may well be surprised at it.-To the bride, in the moment of her nuptials.-(with fire.) It's true I am a woman, but I feel the nobility of my family, and I cannot bear to see the house of Doria aspire above the level of our ancestors. Andre-as is indeed a good old man-so mild, so just, so generous. One cannot but admire his virtues, and willingly submit to his authority. But Gianettino is his nephew and his heir. His temper is haughty and despotic; Genoa trembles at his frown, and Fiesko, (share in my distresses) Fiesko-languishes for his sister. ARABELLA. You are, indeed, to be pitied, Signora! LEONORA. Go now, and behold this demigod of Genoa sunk in the shameless circles of debauchery and dissipation.-Be witness to the levity of his manners. Give ear to the ribaldry of his discourses, and then, be mindful of my sufferings and misfortunes. This is Fiesko! This is Leonora's partner. Oh, women! not only has Genoa lost her hero-I too have lost my spouse! ROSA. Speak lower; some one is coming through the gallery. LEONORA (starting.) It is Fiesko.-Quick let us begone. The sight of me might damp his pleasures, and give him, for a moment, up to sorrow. I will not pain him for an instant. [She springs into a side apartment, her Attendants following her.] |