The Duchess of Padua Part 37

They lied who told you that I drank your poison.

It was spilt upon the ground, like my Lord's blood; You came too late.

GUIDO

Sweet, there is nothing there: These things are only unreal shadows.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Death, Why do you tarry, get to the upper chamber; The cold meats of my husband's funeral feast Are set for you; this is a wedding feast.

You are out of place, sir; and, besides, 'tis summer.

We do not need these heavy fires now, You scorch us.

Oh, I am burned up, Can you do nothing? Water, give me water, Or else more poison. No: I feel no pain - Is it not curious I should feel no pain? - And Death has gone away, I am glad of that.

I thought he meant to part us. Tell me, Guido, Are you not sorry that you ever saw me?

GUIDO

I swear I would not have lived otherwise.

Why, in this dull and common world of ours Men have died looking for such moments as this And have not found them.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Then you are not sorry?

How strange that seems.

GUIDO

What, Beatrice, have I not Stood face to face with beauty? That is enough For one man's life. Why, love, I could be merry; I have been often sadder at a feast, But who were sad at such a feast as this When Love and Death are both our cup-bearers?

We love and die together.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Oh, I have been Guilty beyond all women, and indeed Beyond all women punished. Do you think - No, that could not be--Oh, do you think that love Can wipe the b.l.o.o.d.y stain from off my hands, Pour balm into my wounds, heal up my hurts, And wash my scarlet sins as white as snow? - For I have sinned.

GUIDO

They do not sin at all Who sin for love.

d.u.c.h.eSS

No, I have sinned, and yet Perchance my sin will be forgiven me.

I have loved much

[They kiss each other now for the first time in this Act, when suddenly the d.u.c.h.eSS leaps up in the dreadful spasm of death, tears in agony at her dress, and finally, with face twisted and distorted with pain, falls back dead in a chair. GUIDO seizing her dagger from her belt, kills himself; and, as he falls across her knees, clutches at the cloak which is on the back of the chair, and throws it entirely over her. There is a little pause. Then down the pa.s.sage comes the tramp of Soldiers; the door is opened, and the LORD JUSTICE, the Headsman, and the Guard enter and see this figure shrouded in black, and GUIDO lying dead across her. The LORD JUSTICE rushes forward and drags the cloak off the d.u.c.h.eSS, whose face is now the marble image of peace, the sign of G.o.d's forgiveness.]

Tableau

CURTAIN