CARDINAL SEGOVIA.
Be comforted, O Blessèdness!
[To Cesare.] Farewell, farewell,
Lord Cardinal; excel, as in our ranks you cannot.
Though often bitter to us in your mood,
Our skies will miss the lightning and the light
Without you, and our skies are colourless.
FRENCH AMBASSADOR.
The Duke of Valentinois—so my king
Greets you with patents disembarked to-day.
[The Cardinals and Ambassadors press round Cesare to congratulate; he smiles and bows. Then they break into groups and disperse.
CESARE.
[Between his teeth.] Our obstacles
No more in our condition! Solitary!
No longer of a flock!
[He turns towards the Pope, who, unnoticed, has remained sitting on his throne, his hands stretched on his knees. Cesare steals quietly to his father.
I shall not leave you,
Not ever, not like Joffré, for a wife.
You shall not sit there looking lone—beside you,
Father, a power we have not measured yet,
That we shall measure. After all my wars,
And all my wars will be to draw you peace,
I shall return.
Kiss me.