Poems, translated and original

CONTARINI’S _palace_.

_Enter_ TERESA, _meeting_ MATILDA.

Teresa. Is he returned?

Matilda. This instant.

Teresa. He will come, If that he bears ill tidings. What have I To do with dread? Hush! ’tis his step.--Away!

[_Exit_ MATILDA _as_ CONTARINI _enters_.

Contarini. She looks beseechingly--but dares not speak! I’ll feast upon her pale despair! Fair madam, Your lover is condemned.

Teresa. Condemned--already?

Contarini. Are the inquisitors slow to doom the guilty? Yet hear one truth which haply may console you. Even in strict trial he would not reveal The motive that impelled him to the act For which he dies.

Teresa. He would not!

Contarini. Though the tale Of your disgrace had saved him, he persisted In silence!

Teresa. And you--Contarini--you-- Oh God! do coldly stab him with the weapon His generous virtue gives you!

Contarini. Even so!

Teresa. Is there no righteous ministry in heaven, No power, no will, to save the innocent? Is this your justice? Oh! it cannot be-- I wrong even you, to impute such guilt as this! Your hearts are hard--you’re cruel--but this pitch Of fiendish cruelty surpasses you! You could not do this! no--you smile--you could not! There’s not in human breasts a void so drear, So horrible--whence all that sweetens life Has been driven forth, to welcome hell’s worst spirits! Oh! you who have framed these horrid words, to sear And strike me dead--and I have borne the blow Whose force is spent on me--on me alone! Is’t not thus? say--say--

Contarini. That they have import You will soon know.

Teresa. And is your bosom steeled To pity, as to truth? Hear me--but hear me! I’ll buy his life.--I’ll pay your price of blood! Heap vengeance on my head. I’ll bear it all! But save him! Do an act which shall bring down The blessings of a broken heart upon you! Which shall unlock the treasures of Heaven’s mercy, And bid you draw from its deep fount at will!

Contarini. These prayers are idle. Could they aught avail, ’Twould be to make his fate more sure.

Teresa. ’Tis madness ‘To speak to thee of mercy! Yet--bethink thee, ‘Is there no sure and solemn retribution ‘Striding even now, fast on thy guilty footsteps? ‘Shalt thou remain unpunished? Will the voice ‘That from the innocent blood reeks to the sky, ‘Cease to upbraid thee? Will these mortal men ‘Above whom this, thy hellish deed, will raise thee ‘In eminence of evil--fail to shun, ‘To curse the murderer?

‘CONTARINI.

‘Thou’rt his murderer.’

Teresa. Take heed! take heed! you know me not! nor know The strength of desperation. Deeply hid Doth lurk ofttimes the fire, which fanned to rage, Shall wrap whole cities in devouring flame! Abide its fury now! I will denounce you Myself--before your infamous tribunal! They’ll hear me! if no justice dares to dwell there, I’ll drag it from the skies--and bid it thunder Its vengeance in your ears!

Contarini. Stay--stay--rash woman! Dost think I prize my name and fame so lightly, To leave it longer in thy keeping? Look-- The doors are barred.

Teresa. Your name and fame! I’ll blast it! I’ll blast it! not a tongue in this wide Venice But shall dwell on, and scoff at your disgrace! I’ll publish it abroad! I will proclaim To all--aye all--and none will dream of doubt, Myself a thing of guilt, that the black stain May reach through me to you, and all you boast! It shall cling to you ever--with its deep And damning blight--and none shall cancel it! Then _I_ will triumph!

Contarini. Nay! she is distraught! Teresa--listen!

Teresa. No--no--you shall plead As I have; but ’tis now my turn to scorn! [_Exit._

(CONTARINI _retires slowly_.)