GERMAN. Very well, Sir. There's a number of suspicious people too, swarming out of the Capuchin's Cloister, and making directly for the Market-place. To judge by their appearance and their gait, they must be Soldiers ! GIANETTINO (angrily aside.) The zeal of this old Fool, will certainly betray me. (Apart to LOMELLIN.) These are the Troops from Milan ! GERMAN. Is it your Grace's order to arrest them? GIANETTINO. (Aloud to LOMELLIN.) Lomellin do you see after it. (To the GERMAN.) Well, you may go. (To LOMELLIN.) For God's sake, tell that blockhead to be silent. (Exit LOMELLIN with the GERMAN.) FIESKO. (Who has been gallanting with JULIA during this conversation, and now and then thrown a stolen look at GIANETTINO.) Our Friend has met with something to annoy him. May I enquire the cause? GIANETTINO. No wonder. This eternal plague of question and enquiry!-(Exit hastily.) FIESKO. We too must think of our departure. The Players will be waiting. May I offer you my arm, Signora? JULIA. One moment till I put my cloak on. I hope, Count, that it's not a Tragedy, I always dream of them. FIESKO (sarcastically.) A perfect Comedy, I can assure you. 'Twill make you die with laughing.-(He hands her out.) The Curtain falls. END OF THE THIRD ACT. ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. Night-Time.-CASTLE-COURT AT FIESKO'S. (People are lighting the Lamps and bringing in Arms of every description.-The Apartments on one side of the Palace are illuminated.) Enter BOURGONINO with SOLDIERS. BOURGONINO. Halt ! Four Sentries at the portal! Two, at each door that leads into the palace.-(SENTRIES take post.)-Whoever wishes it, will be admitted! But not a soul permitted to depart! If violence be used-Immediate death! (Exit with the remainder into the Castle.-SENTRIES walk steadily up and down their Posts.-A total Silence.) (He walks directly across the Court to the door on the right leading into the palace.) SENTRIES (at that quarter.) Back-back! Advance not! (ZENTURIONE starts back astonished, and then goes to the door on the left.) Back-back! SENTRIES (at that quarter.) Advance not! (ZENTURIONE stops suddenly.Looks surprized and confounded.-Pause of some moments--At length addresses himself to the Sentry on the left.) ZENTURIONE. Friend-Which is the way to the Theatre ? SENTRY. Don't know. ZENTURIONE (walking up and down with increasing amazement.—To the Sentry on the right.) Friend-When does the Play commence ? SENTRY. Can't tell! ZENTURIONE (pacing the Court observes the arms and weapons, startled.) Friend-What, in the name of God, can this mean? SENTRY. Don't know! ZENTURIONE (covering himself, alarmed, with his cloak.) |