VERRINA. (Fixing him stedfastly.) Are those your serious sentiments Fiesko? FIESKO. Why not my friend? Is there then really so much pleasure in being a slave to that curst animal, called "Republic." Ought we not rather to thank those, who by converting it to monarchy, have kindly fixed the burden on themselves, and spared us such annoyance! Gianettino Doria will soon be Duke; and state affairs will hardly turn our senses. Fiesko, VERRINA. Again I ask, are these your serious sentiments? FIESKO. Andre-as will declare his nephew successor to his power, and who's the fool to call his right in question? VERRINA. (Covering his face with his hands, and in a tone of heartfelt sorrow.) Then let's begone my countrymen ! (He rushes out, the rest following him.) FIESKO. Verrina! Verrina! Oh this Republican 's as hard as steel! SCENE VII. FIESKO-Enter a Stranger masked. STRANGER. Have you a moment's leisure Lavagna? FIESKO. (Obligingly.) An hour if you please. STRANGER. Then favor me with a walk beyond the walls. That's quite unnecessary-I have sent on my horse. He's all we shall require. (Significantly.) For only one returns. FIESKO. (Astonished.) What! STRANGER. I have a serious account to settle with you, A woman's tears demand a man's revenge. What woman's? FIESKO. STRANGER. The Countess of Lavagna's-I know the Lady well, And should be glad to learn, where she deserved The treatment you have given her. FIESKO. Oh now I understand you, but may I beg STRANGER. He it is, who once adored the Lady Cibo, But thinking you more worthy of her hand, In mournful silence yielded to Fiesko. Scipio Bourgonino ! FIESKO. BOURGONINO. (Unmasking.) And who is here to vindicate his honor, For tamely yielding up his claim to one, Who meanly dares to wrong defenceless virtue! FIESKO. Excellent young man ! Thanks to the sorrows Of my wife, for making you thus known to me— That animates your conduct, but still I Cannot meet you. BOURGONINO. What! Is the Count Lavagna then afraid To dare the first encounter of my sword. FIESKO. Bourgonino! It is not, that I dare not, BOURGONINO. (With fervour.) Childish Count! When helpless woman weeps At injuries-'tis man's first, noblest duty, To avenge them!— FIESKO. That's excellently said, I grant you, but still I will not meet you. BOURGONINO. (Turning his back upon him.) Then Count I shall despise you! FIESKO.-(With animation.) Nay that, by Heavens, thou shall'st not, noble youth, Though virtue's self should fall the sacrifice (Taking his hand with earnest solemnity.) Tell me Bourgonino, have you ever Felt for me a certain sentiment, (I Scarce know how to name it)—a certain sentiment Of respect or reverence? BOURGONINO, Think you I would have yielded up my claim To any one but him, whom I esteemed The first of men? FIESKO. Then hear me for a moment The man who once deserved your reverence, |