SCENE III
The Abbess’ room at the Convent of Corpus Domini at Ferrara. At the back there is a little shrine and a crucifix.
The Lord Cardinal Ippolito d’Este converses with Messer Cristofero.
CRISTOFERO.
It will not be her death; she has such safety
As quiet pinions give to birds in storm.
IPPOLITO.
I dared not tell her till her husband wrote:
His letter trembles in my hand....
CRISTOFERO.
For days
She has been pacing, fasting, full of terrors
Worse far than any term! The air has quickened
To prophet’s divination—noise and silence
Was in it of great woe.
She comes.... God’s mercy!
Enter Duchess Lucrezia Borgia d’Este, in the dress of a penitent, her hair unbound.