We start for Pesaro. None in the army
Has learnt that secret. We are here in conclave.
I go to conquer Pesaro. Giovanni
De Sforza has made havoc of your fame—
In tongue and hand
He shall be rendered impotent.
[Drawing closer]. For you
I fight, Lucrezia: you burned so hot
For vengeance of that enemy. I marked
The rage enkindled in your very substance,
As it must be when women are traduced.
Lucrece, I am no more a Cardinal;
I am a soldier with an army, such
As princes covet, and my first assault
Will be on Pesaro.
Are you a corpse,
A sentinel beside the child? You stand
So solid and so simple, like a block
Of marble that is dragged into a room
Long as its beauty pleases, and dragged forth,
If it can take no lustre from our moods.
LUCREZIA.
[Moving a little forward.] There is my lord Torella, always faithful;
Agapito, who loves you—I commend
The Duke to you, to you....
[Turning back.] The child awakens!
[Cesare lifts Rodrigo, who resists.
He will not ... but he must.
[She shudders as Cesare kisses the child and gives it to her.
... At Pesaro
You will find my lute; I remember where I left it—
In the fourth chamber: you will find my books;
Take care of them. Farewell....
CESARE.
A rivederla!
The lady here would haunt us. Will you fear,
Michelotto, you, a pacing ghost?
You have laid many such!
[To his cortege.] I led you here
That you might look on her, and Pesaro
Fall without aid of cannon. Ha, a fool!
[He laughs and turns on his heel.