MOOR. But, Sir, I must be off immediately to Venice. GIANETTINO. Then take your recompense before hand. (Throwing him a purse.) In three days more at most, he must be cold. (Exit.) MOOR. (Picking up the purse.) Well, this is credit with a vengeance! What a glorious thing it is to have a good character. The gentleman takes my word without a bond.— (Exit.) SCENE III. Enter KALKAGNO; SACCO (following him,) both habited in black. KALKAGNO. I observe you watch all my motions. SACCO. And I observe you study to conceal them. For some weeks past, Kalkagno, your countenance has betrayed a something that argues nothing favorable to your country. I think, brother, you and I might venture to exchange our secrets, and neither be a loser by the bargain. Will you be sincere? KALKAGNO. So much so, that should my heart be fearful to disclose its foibles, my tongue shall thus be bold to utter them :"I love the Countess Fiesko!" SACCO. (Drawing back.) Ah! this is indeed a discovery. It is of all others the very last thing I should have suspected. Your choice has indeed surprised me, but the success of it is still wanting to complete the measure of my astonish ment. KALKAGNO. They say, she is a model of the strictest virtue. SACCO. They lie; she is nothing more than a long comment on the old text.-Depend upon't, you'll find her like the rest, a very woman.-But one word Kalkagno, either give up your profession or your hopes. KALKAGNO. The Count is faithless to her, and jealousy's a sly procuress. An attempt upon the Dorias will engage Fiesko's attention, and at the same time furnish me with employment in the castle, and while he is endeavouring to overturn their authority abroad, I shall use my best exertions to undermine her innocence at home. my SACCO. Excellently imagined! In truth, Kalkagno, you deserve thanks for your sincerity; for it has spared me the pain of blushing at my own. What I have hitherto been ashamed, even to think, I can now have no difficulty in openly avowing; either I, or the present Government, must fall. KALKAGNO. What are your debts so great? SACCO. So very great, that in a thousand years, I could not hope to liquidate them. A change in the administration can alone relieve me. Since though it may not furnish me with the means of paying, it will at all events deprive my creditors of the power of demanding. KALKAGNO. I understand you! and in the end, when Genoa obtains her freedom by it, Sacco will be hailed "the father of his country." I like to hear of tales of honesty and deeds of patriotism, when the bankruptcy of a prodigal, and the licentiousness of a libertine, decide upon a country's welfare! I'faith Sacco, you have taught me to admire the wisdom * of that Providence that so often preserves the body's health by the noxious humours which invade its members. Is Verrina acquainted with your design? SACCO. He knows as much of it, as a Patriot ought to know. Genoa's freedom is the object round which his thoughts revolve with iron constancy. His generous soul clings to the fond idea, and nourishes the hope with unabated fervour; his eye just now is turned upon Fiesko; you too, he hopes to draw into his views. KALKAGNO. His penetration 's admirable! Let us go and seek for him, and stimulate his ardour by our own.-(Exeunt.) |