LUCREZIA.

Alfonso! [She sits motionless.

SANCIA.

Ay, Alfonso! He is murdered.
I will be heard! [She beats on the door.
Lucrece, Lucrece! She could divorce one husband:
Oh, she can sever!... Cold as death her eyes
Beat on me. O Lucrezia, do you hear? [She mutters.
They are murdering my brother—he is murdered.
Now all is gone to silence.... [She sinks down in her sobs.

CESARE.

[To Lucrezia.] Star, you fade!

[Lucrezia, who has been looking up into Cesare’s face, falls into a swoon.

Donna Angela Borgia and Donna Catilena de Valence rush in, pressing the bolt aside: there is blood on the skirt of one of them. Awed by Cesare’s aspect, they remain without speaking. Sancia springs through the open door with a cry.

[Cesare sways Lucrezia toward the Maids of Honour.

There, take her, Angela—she clings....