106 
MORTADELLO 
 
LUCREZIA.  Here come the Legate now—see if he hesi-
tate ! 
MONICA.  Dear Sandro, smooth your brow !  These are affairs 
of State ! 
 
[ALESSANDRO composes his laughter. 
 
THE LEGATE enters, followed by many nobles and 
burgesses. 
 
Most welcome, holy father !  You were not hurt at all ? 
LEGATE.  Not hurt, but shaken rather.  Mine are old bones 
to fall. 
MONICA.  Welcome my lords !  You, too, are welcome 
citizens ! 
All your attention due to hear his eminence 
Speak for his Holiness the Pope. 
LEGATE 
My friends, I came 
Charged with all strain and stress to watch a glamoured 
game. 
I watched.  I waited.  Not one word have I let fall. 
It was enough to allot your portions to you all. 
One I found faithful, one ;  your devilish Doge’s wife, 
The saint and Amazon to-day that saved my life. 
The wind to stir your leaves, the star to crown your 
foam : 
Saint Monica receives the full support of Rome ! 
2ND MASK.  [Showing a parchment.]  Most secret in the 
State, the Three have stood apart, 
Ruling the pulse and rate of all the civic heart. 
For them I speak :  they vow to place the Ducal Cap 
On the Princess’s brow, the sceptre in her lap.