The Duchess of Padua Part 36

No, no, it held but death enough for one.

GUIDO

Is there no poison still upon your lips, That I may draw it from them?

d.u.c.h.eSS

Why should you die?

You have not spilt blood, and so need not die: I have spilt blood, and therefore I must die.

Was it not said blood should be spilt for blood?

Who said that? I forget.

GUIDO

Tarry for me, Our souls will go together.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Nay, you must live.

There are many other women in the world Who will love you, and not murder for your sake.

GUIDO

I love you only.

d.u.c.h.eSS

You need not die for that.

GUIDO

Ah, if we die together, love, why then Can we not lie together in one grave?

d.u.c.h.eSS

A grave is but a narrow wedding-bed.

GUIDO

It is enough for us

d.u.c.h.eSS

And they will strew it With a stark winding-sheet, and bitter herbs: I think there are no roses in the grave, Or if there are, they all are withered now Since my Lord went there.

GUIDO

Ah! dear Beatrice, Your lips are roses that death cannot wither.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Nay, if we lie together, will not my lips Fall into dust, and your enamoured eyes Shrivel to sightless sockets, and the worms, Which are our groomsmen, eat away your heart?

GUIDO

I do not care: Death has no power on love.

And so by Love's immortal sovereignty I will die with you.

d.u.c.h.eSS

But the grave is black, And the pit black, so I must go before To light the candles for your coming hither.

No, no, I will not die, I will not die.

Love, you are strong, and young, and very brave; Stand between me and the angel of death, And wrestle with him for me.

[Thrusts GUIDO in front of her with his back to the audience.]

I will kiss you, When you have thrown him. Oh, have you no cordial, To stay the workings of this poison in me?

Are there no rivers left in Italy That you will not fetch me one cup of water To quench this fire?

GUIDO

O G.o.d!

d.u.c.h.eSS

You did not tell me There was a drought in Italy, and no water: Nothing but fire.

GUIDO

O Love!

d.u.c.h.eSS

Send for a leech, Not him who stanched my husband, but another We have no time: send for a leech, I say: There is an antidote against each poison, And he will sell it if we give him money.

Tell him that I will give him Padua, For one short hour of life: I will not die.

Oh, I am sick to death; no, do not touch me, This poison gnaws my heart: I did not know It was such pain to die: I thought that life Had taken all the agonies to itself; It seems it is not so.

GUIDO

O d.a.m.ned stars Quench your vile cresset-lights in tears, and bid The moon, your mistress, s.h.i.+ne no more to-night.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Guido, why are we here? I think this room Is poorly furnished for a marriage chamber.

Let us get hence at once. Where are the horses?

We should be on our way to Venice now.

How cold the night is! We must ride faster.

[The Monks begin to chant outside.]

Music! It should be merrier; but grief Is of the fas.h.i.+on now--I know not why.

You must not weep: do we not love each other? - That is enough. Death, what do you here?

You were not bidden to this table, sir; Away, we have no need of you: I tell you It was in wine I pledged you, not in poison.