Vanozza. My Lord, your Holiness, I came—;
Forgive me.
Alexander. Nay!
[He falls sobbing on her shoulder.
We mourn together. Where we had a son
For eyes’ delight, there is nothing.
[Soothing and patting Vanozza.] Hush, you must not!
Little beloved, you suckled him. You must not!
Go home; pray to Madonna.—;She will hear.
And let me see your face.
[Drawing her veil.] It is the same;
As honest and as good.
Vanozza. I have good children.
I am so richly blessed ... and this dear boy,
A Prince from Spain, came back again and kissed me.
Alexander. Good son and enviable righteousness
To kiss this face in filial piety.
There, there, you must forget him!
At this moment a waterman is brought in. He relates how he saw a body brought down to the Tiber, and where it was flung into it. A messenger is sent to direct the dragging of the fishermen to the spot he indicates; and the Pope returns to the window to watch the lights of their boats. The psychology of this passage will be observed. When the Chamberlain enters and gives the Pope the fatal news he appears not to hear, but continues something he had been saying. Then he is silent while rapid question and answer pass between the cardinals; but at the mention of Giovanni’s wounds he falls to the ground with a cry:
Alexander [watching]. A constellation!
Malign, bright stars! Giovanni! But the lights
Are moving onward to Sant’ Angelo.
They move along in state. It is my son!
They dazzle me.... They pass me....
[Enter Monsignore Burchard.
Burchard. Holy Father,
The illustrious Duke of Gandia has been found
In velvet coat and cloak, the dagger sheathed,
His ducats in his purse.
Alexander. It sails, it sails, it sails
On to Sant’ Angelo. The torches ...
Cardinal Segovia. Nothing is stol’n?
Burchard. No, not a single gem.
Cardinal Segovia. Vendetta? Are there wounds?