The paper—so! An order Prius cibum
Et potum ministrare Cardinali.
This charitable Brief well buys such beauty.
Comfort his mother; bid her
Season his dishes, but take cognizance
We must not set our heart upon our sons.
The motherly, rich heart—deny her? Nay,
But I am warmed to hear of such devotion.
A handsome woman too! Her son is sick,
Remember! Addio!
[Monsignore Burchard takes the Boy out.
[Holding up the pearl.] Sweet child, on thy forehead,
My spotless Este, my far evening-star,
This white crest on thy white!
[He stands absorbed and sad awhile.
Now it comes over me the hand that offered
This pearl, the voice that offered was a woman’s.
Venus! Lord Cardinal Orsini’s mistress!
A pretty piece of faith. Santi—O Venus,
A kind heart that could lay this wonder out
To buy him wholesome feeding.... Yea, a woman!
I would have kissed the boy had I divined—
A woman!... Sancta Virgo Virginum,
Foederis Arca, thou hast saved my soul!
Saved of a pearl, Janna Coeli, saved!
I would not take an aged life: I appeal
To Providence to feed my raven, my
Young, ominous, black raven! He will come
Down on me from his camp: then ... Dio meo!
I would give half my Papacy if never
He might return.... Nay, nay!...
Mater Purissima,
O gracious sun-pearl!
[In black, and black mask, Duke Cesare de Valentinois della Romagna glides in, closing the door behind him.
CESARE.
[Without unmasking.] Splendid! Put it by—
France has forbidden me another stroke
Of arms, and I have ridden
Swift as the wind rides air, by day, by night,
To reach your counsel, fix our policy.
ALEXANDER.
I have found France of late a slackening friend;
And I have dandled Spain and sung her soft;
At the first open moment she is ours.