102 
MORTADELLO 
 
First I’ll send the cursèd Legate there ! 
Come on ! 
 
  
[He has seized his sword from an attendant, and 
rushes out. 
1ST MASK.  We’ll follow ! 
ALESSANDRO. 
Touch him not ;  the play’s half played. 
2ND MASK.  We are his shadows ! 
ALESSANDRO. 
Night shall fall. 
 
 
 
[The men follow MORTADELLO at full speed 
ZELINA.  [Rising.] 
 
We are betrayed. 
Oh, but I’ll save him yet !  I see the pretty plot. 
I’ll find a finer fantasy ! 
LUCREZIA.  [Rising and unveiling.]  No, you shall not ! 
Here, for the dagger-stroke you struck—this to your heart ! 
And this across your face for luck—and this for art ! 
 
 
 
[She stabs her thrice. 
ZELINA.  O devil !  We have slept and waked and played 
together. 
LUCREZIA.  And now my lust of you is slaked !  Now snaps 
the tether. 
Curst whore ! 
 
[ZELINA dies. 
 
 
 Fair ladies, drink !  move hence at your own peril ! 
This night is trembling on the brink of stark and sterile 
Dooms that roar loud !  O laugh !  O sing !  O dance !  I’ll 
play 
Strike the guitar with this red steel !  Advance !  Array ! 
Array yourselves as brides ;  these bloody robes are mine. 
Blood on my breasts !  Storm rides at last the Apennine ! 
Bend yourselves !  Swing you with the blast !  The raging 
revel 
Bring all of us, yea, all, at last, to dare the devil !