LUCREZIA.

He is dead, Ippolito!

IPPOLITO.

Read—from your husband.

LUCREZIA.

Tell me ... the parchment rocks.... You see
My hands, my eyes are helpless; but my soul
Is firmer. Tell me....

CRISTOFERO.

He is dead, Madonna!

LUCREZIA.

God told me—and I only hear it now!
Cesare!—and so far, so far....
Oh, tell me,
Save me in nothing: I shall lose all refuge
Of credence if you do not make me sure
As death that he is dead.