Mortadello

OR, THE ANGEL OF VENICE 19 Under the Doge’s seal the order for your death. Count Mortadello begged the favour on his knees. (You may divine who egged him on to’t, if you please). Yes, Mortadello, schooled to order, not to pray ! But he was overruled ; my counsel, you may say. MONICA. I thank you sir. GABRIELE. We launch an Argo of goodwill ; So here’s the olive-branch ; I bear it in my bill. MONICA. Sir, I accept. This hand in innocence and truth Takes yours. Superbly planned your subtlety, in sooth. GABRIELE. You say so. You must flatter. But thus my wisdom clinches The bargain—a small matter. MONICA. Ah ! here’s where the shoe pinches ! GABRIELE. Subtlest of spirits ! Yet your foot’s so soft and small That I am free to bet it will not pinch at all. It is but this : next week sees Mortadello wed. You will be kind to speak—few words, but friendly said, And in St. Mark’s, at Countess Magdalena’s side, You cancel your account in giving him his bride. ORLANDO. God’s wounds ! MONICA. Forgive my friend ; he is distraught. GABRIELE. I weigh His words : I comprehend more than I care to say. [To ORLANDO.] Be of good cheer, in sooth ; there’s much in what they say. Though love runs rarely smooth, yet love will find a way. [To MONICA.] And so farewell. MONICA. Farewell ! . . . One word. Would it accord