The Lamp and the Bell Part 14

Beppo and Adelina return from another direction with the milk.]

LEO. [Somewhat proudly.] Cesco will tell you.

CES. In a word 'tis this: Today the Queen of Fiori, Returning from the hunt, is set upon By brigands; where at the King of Lagoverde, Being hunting in that quarter and hearing cries, Comes up to give his aid; in rendering which He gives his life as well, and at this moment, On other men's legs, goes heavily home to supper.

The Queen of Fiori, wounded, and in a swoon Only less deep than death itself, comes this way.

CROWD. Ay, here they come! [Enter Anselmo.]

ANS. Make way, make way, good people-- Fall back a little--leave a clear s.p.a.ce--give air!

[Enter Laura and Francesca, Luigi, several gentlemen, several attendants, four of them bearing a litter on which lies Beatrice, in a scarlet cloak, her hair flowing. Luigi is with Laura, who clings to him. If possible to arrange, several of the party may lead on their horses and lead them off across the stage. The litter is set down stage in full sight of the audience. Beppo comes down stage near it, as does also, from another direction, Gilda. Giuliana returns.]

ANS. Who has a bed that we may lay her on?

She cannot leave this place tonight.

GIU. This way, sir.

[The attendants pick up the litter and go off, the crowd following.]

GIL. [Stealing back.] Hist, Beppo!

BEPPO. Ay?

GIL. Heard you not something fall, When they picked her up again?

BEPPO. Ay, that I did.

GIL. What was it, think you? [They search.] Nay, 'twas nearer here.

BEPPO. I have it.--'Tis her sword!

GIL. The Queen's? Ay,--truly.

How beautiful!

BEPPO. [Slowly and with awe drawing it from its scabbard.]

Look,--there is blood on it!

Scene 2

[A room in the palace at Lagoverde. Bianca and her two little daughters discovered at the rise of the curtain, she in a big chair, they at her feet.]

BIA. And so the fairy laid a spell on her: Henceforth she should be ugly as a toad.

But the good fairy, seeing this was done, And having in no wise power to alter this, Made all toads beautiful.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. They are not beautiful Now, mother!

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. That was in another country!-- What country, mother? [Bianca, lost in thought, does not answer.]

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Where is father, mother?-- I have not seen him in so many days!

BIA. Father is gone away.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Will he come back?

BIA. Nay. He will not come back. But we shall go Where he is.

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. Soon?

BIA. G.o.d grant it may be soon!

Now---shall we play a game?

[Enter Octavia.]

OCT. Bianca.

BIA. Ay.

OCT. It is a folly to remain indoors Like this. You should be out in the sunshine.

BIA. Nay.

I have no business with the sunshine.

OCT. Ah, My daughter, say not so!--The children, then,-- They have much need of it, and they have need Of you, at the same time. Take them without.

BIA. I do not wish to be in the sunshine.

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. Mother, Come out of doors!

OCT. You see, now!

BIA. Do you run out, dears, And play at ball. Mother will join you later.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Where is my ball?

BIA. Nay, do you not remember?

We put it in the ear of the stone griffin, Because he hears too much.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Ay, so we did!

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. Come on, Rose-Red! [Exeunt children.]

OCT. It is a curious thing This friend of yours you rate so monstrous high Has not come nigh you in your sore affliction!

BIA. I beg you not to speak of that again, Mother. 'Tis the third time today you have said that, Or hinted at it. And I answer always, "There is some reason for it," as I should answer Though you cried daily till the day of doom, "It is a curious thing!" There is some reason, There is some good reason why she does not come.

OCT. Oh, ay, I doubt it not! But there are reasons And reasons!