Smooth-mannered soft-speeched sleek-cheeked visitor,

The notable Abate Paolo—known

As younger brother of a Tuscan house

Whereof the actual representative,

Count Guido, had employed his youth and age

In culture of Rome's most productive plant—

A cardinal: but years pass and change comes,

In token of which, here was our Paolo brought

To broach a weighty business. Might he speak?

Yes—to Violante somehow caught alone