LITMIR.BIZ

      Bianca.

      There was one here who said Monsignor Querio

      Knows of your excommunicant delight

      In books that are forbid —

      And … of your heresies!

      Porzia (in quick dismay).

      The Inquisition!

      You mean – he may be sought by it and seized,

      Held in the trammels of it for a truth

      That …! Do you mean, Bianca, Osio,

      That now, at any hour – ?.. Oh, he must go!

      And quickly! In, Rizzio, in, for they – !

      Rizzio (with laughing relief).

      Now, now, do you not see your apprehension!

      Is Matteo the Inquisition! Is

      He then the prison that has come to seize me?

      Fie, fie, Bianca, with your fears that mar

      Again the bridal beauty of this hour,

      And crowd with quiverings the bliss of it!

      No more of them! – (to dancers) Hither! and wind your maze!

      Again take up the dance!

      Porzia.

      No, Rizzio, no!

      For now delight would die under our feet,

      And we but trample on it! No! Dismiss them

      Back now to Capri!..

      More than the woman fear within me warns it.

      For you have been o'er bold – not vainly, nay,

      For truth, I know, must dare – but there may be

      More in this than you think.

      Rizzio.