Enter Alberto, running.

Alb. O, black accursèd fate! Antonio’s drown’d.

Pier. Speak, on thy faith, on thy allegiance, speak.

Alb. As I do love Piero, he is drown’d.

Ant. [Aside.] In an inundation of amazement.    200

Mel. Ay, is this the close of all my strains in love?
O me most wretched maid!

Pier. Antonio drown’d! how? how? Antonio drown’d!

Alb. Distraught and raving, from a turret’s top
He threw his body in the swollen sea,
And as he headlong topsy turvy ding’d[301] down,
He still cried “Mellida!”

Ant. [Aside.] My love’s bright crown!

Mel. He still cried “Mellida"!