ALEXANDER.
What of that lad below?
CESARE.
[With an amused laugh.] I shall not take him back to his Faënza. [Exit.
[His voice outside.] Don Michelotto!
ALEXANDER.
[Calling.] Cousin! [As Cardinal Borgia re-enters.
Quick! quick, Francesco; I am ready.
Give me your escort to the Vatican.
Francesco,
I knew the lad was doomed. God rest his soul!
SCENE V
The Castle of the Este at Ferrara: the Duchess’s bed-chamber. A group of Monks in the background are holding the parchment of Donna Lucrezia Borgia d’Este’s will.
Don Alfonso d’Este is seeking to restrain his father, who is making frantic gestures of despair. In the midst of the chamber Donna Lucrezia is extended on a litter-bed.
Two Doctors are anxiously bending over her with appliances for bleeding. One of them uncovers her foot, looks at the patient, then shakes his head despairingly.