LUCREZIA.

[In a whisper to Adriana.] Giovanni.... Yes....
He is very rash and very quick to wrath,
Yet dear in his quick temper. I have seen him
Too little since he came from Spain. Pray God
I may look on him again!

ALEXANDER.

[From the back.] Joffré, you stand
Like a fixed statue draughty in a niche:
I do not pin you there. Go all of you! Go hence!
Sancia, I am ashamed that you should sit
Weeping what is not of your blood. Get up!
Out of my presence! You all stand and gaze
As at a play—perhaps a comedy.

[Joffré and Sancia go out.

[To Lucrezia.] And you—unnatural, go hence!

[Adriana makes a gesture of appeal: Alexander waves his hand wrathfully. As the women go out, an usher meets them, closely followed by Madonna de’ Catanei.

God’s breath,
His mother!

[The usher speaks to Lucrezia. Lucrezia puts her arms round her mother’s neck.

We are here in privacy.