The Duchess of Padua. Оскар Уайльд

covert.

      Guido

      Never more.

      Ascanio

      Must I go hence without a word of love?

      Guido

      You must go hence, and may love go with you.

      Ascanio

      You are unknightly, and ungenerous.

      Guido

      Unknightly and ungenerous if you will.

       Why should we waste more words about the matter

       Let us part now.

      Ascanio

      Have you no message, Guido?

      Guido

      None; my whole past was but a schoolboy’s dream;

       To-day my life begins. Farewell.

      Ascanio

      Farewell [exit slowly.]

      Guido

      Now are you satisfied? Have you not seen

       My dearest friend, and my most loved companion,

       Thrust from me like a common kitchen knave!

       Oh, that I did it! Are you not satisfied?

      Moranzone

      Ay! I am satisfied. Now I go hence,

       Do not forget the sign, your father’s dagger,

       And do the business when I send it to you.

      Guido

      Be sure I shall. [Exit Lord Moranzone.]

      Guido

      O thou eternal heaven!

       If there is aught of nature in my soul,

       Of gentle pity, or fond kindliness,

       Wither it up, blast it, bring it to nothing,

       Or if thou wilt not, then will I myself

       Cut pity with a sharp knife from my heart

       And strangle mercy in her sleep at night

       Lest she speak to me. Vengeance there I have it.

       Be thou my comrade and my bedfellow,

       Sit by my side, ride to the chase with me,

       When I am weary sing me pretty songs,

       When I am light o’ heart, make jest with me,

       And when I dream, whisper into my ear

       The dreadful secret of a father’s murder—

       Did I say murder? [Draws his dagger.] Listen, thou terrible God! Thou God that punishest all broken oaths, And bid some angel write this oath in fire, That from this hour, till my dear father’s murder In blood I have revenged, I do forswear The noble ties of honourable friendship, The noble joys of dear companionship, Affection’s bonds, and loyal gratitude, Ay, more, from this same hour I do forswear All love of women, and the barren thing Which men call beauty—

      [The organ peals in the Cathedral, and under a canopy of cloth of silver tissue, borne by four pages in scarlet, the Duchess of Padua comes down the steps; as she passes across their eyes meet for a moment, and as she leaves the stage she looks back at Guido, and the dagger falls from his hand.]

      Oh! who is that?

      A Citizen

      The Duchess of Padua!

      END OF ACT I.