FIESCO (much affected). Be still, my friend.
VERRINA. Throw off this hateful purple, and I will be so. The first prince was a murderer, and assumed the purple to hide the bloody stains of his detested deeds. Hear me, Fiesco! I am a warrior, little used to weeping—Fiesco—these are my first tears—throw off this purple!
FIESCO. Peace.
VERRINA (more vehemently). Fiesco, place on the one side all the honors of this great globe, on the other all its tortures; they should not make me kneel before a mortal—Fiesco (falling on his knee), this is the first bending of my knee—throw off this purple!
FIESCO. Rise, and no longer irritate me!
VERRINA (in a determined tone). I rise then, and will no longer irritate thee. (They stand on a board leading to a galley.) The prince must take precedence.
FIESCO. Why do you pull my cloak? It falls——
VERRINA (with bitter irony). If the purple falls the duke must after it. (He pushes him into the sea.)
FIESCO (calls out of the waves). Help, Genoa! Help! Help thy duke! (Sinks.)
SCENE XVII.