Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays Part 226

FLORIO

Have you no pride, my Lady Violante?

VIOLANTE

That I have not, For shameless is the heart that loves.

FLORIO

Then shamelessly I love Another face, another heart and body, Another soul, unto eternity-- She is all beauty to me, and all life-- So shall she be forever!

VIOLANTE

Forever? That is what you swore to me.

FLORIO

I have not sworn a single oath to her, And yet she made earth heaven in a day, And earth continues heaven.... Go, n.o.ble Lady!

VIOLANTE

You have no pity on me?...

You see How humbly I've become....

FLORIO

To pity you, Lady, would be cruel to her!...

In a month you will be glad.

VIOLANTE

You have slain me, Florio!

FLORIO

Farewell, Violante!

[_Violante affects to go. But she stops quickly at large door in back and reenters on tiptoe. Florio withdraws to his study again, after listening for a moment_.]

LIZZIA [_reentering_]

You have not gone, my Lady Violante?

VIOLANTE

I will not go Till I have looked upon this woman's face!

[_As she finishes these words, the great black arras in the back is listed and a hooded and veiled woman enters. She stands regarding the two other women in silence._]

VIOLANTE

Ah!

LIZZIA

The miracle has come to pa.s.s!

[_Crosses herself._]

VIOLANTE

Do they call you Olivia? Speak, woman!

OLIVIA

Yea, I am she--but where is Florio?

[_Violante straightens, proud and erect, as if she had been struck an invisible blow._]

LIZZIA

He waits for you within.

OLIVIA

So he had faith I would not die?

LIZZIA

He had these garlands hung for your return.

He has lived beneath a holy vow, the days You were not here: shut in his room, Yours must be the first face He sees, on his return to light and life.

He must have fallen asleep from weariness Or he had heard your voice.