FULVIA (_to JULIAN_): You told me not of this--no word, my lord!
CARDINAL: My silence as my speech is not my own.
CHARLES: We'll more of it--a measure more. Read on.
SECRETARY: "And for the better amity and weal Of Italy and Christ's most Holy Church, He is enjoined to wed with Beatrice Of Florence. If his wilful boldness grants Obedience, his sins shall melt to rest Under the calm of full forgiveness. He----"
CHARLES: A mild, a courteous, O a modest Pope! I must tear from my happiness a friend Who fled a father's searing cruelty, And cast her back in the flames! And I must bind My crippled years that fare toward the grave In the cold clasp of an unloving hand! No! No! Then, sir, and Cardinal, 'tis not enough! I pray you swift again to Rome and plead Most suppliantly that I for penance may Swear my true son is shame-begot, or lend My kin to drink clean of its fouling damp Some pestilent prison! And 'tis impious too That any still should trust my love. Beseech His Holiness' command for death upon them!
CHARLES (_rises_): A mite! a mite of it! The rest is I will wed where I will wed Though every hill of earth raise up its pope To bellow at me thunderous damnation! I will--I will-- (_Falls back convulsed._)
FULVIA (_hastening to him_): Charles, ah! Wine for him, wine! (_It is brought._)
ANTONIO: Lord Cardinal, spare yourself more and go. You shall learn if a change may loose this strain.
(_The CARDINAL goes with his suite amid timid reverence._)
CHARLES (_struggling_): I will--this frenzy--off my throat--! I-- (_Recovering._) Ah, Thou, Fulvia? 'Twas as a fiend swung on me. And shame! fear oozes out upon my brow, And I----. (_Rises and calms himself._) Forgive, friends, this so sudden wrench Upon your pleasure. One too quick made saint, Stands feebly: but at once wilt I atone. Where is Diogenes--where is he? His Tangled fantastic wisdom shall divert us.
(_DIOGENES, who has stood unconscious of all that has passed, is pushed forward._)
Ah, peer of Socrates and perfect Plato, Leave your unseeing silence now and tell us----
_Enter AGABUS gazing anxiously and wildly before him._
AGABUS (_hoarsely_): Where went he--the Shadow?--whither?
CHARLES: Who's this broke from his grave upon us?