Medici
(Impatient.) The light fails rapidly. The gold and scarlet should be laid on now, before dusk falls. (To Men.) One of you go and prepare my gondola—for a lady. (Man goes to door.) Lay a soft silken scarf upon the cushion—there must be no screams in Venice. (To Paulo.) Oh, I will do it gently, Signor, with my own two hands. There shall be no roughness, no unkindness. (Man gives scarf.) Oh, here is the very thing. (Goes towards Lucia.) You will take this small attention from me, I beg, if nothing else.
Lucia
I hate you! Your touch is poison.
[Struggles.
Medici
You should not ask favours, then, of those who poison you. (Puts scarf round her arms.) For the mouth I have a yet softer silk, as you shall see. Ah, the Medici, they say, are fortunate in love, and I shall find a way to win you. These arms I am forced to bind shall yet twine willingly about my neck——
Paulo
(Shouts.) All I possess to him who kills him!