Mortadello

24 MORTADELLO NINA. [A mad fiery woman with a satyr’s face.] She helped me through my trouble. MARGARITA. Her money helped to free me When I was put away by Issachar the Jew. She gave me clothes besides. FILIPPO. There’s nothing she can do. For Venice folk she leaves forgotten or undone. GIUSEPPE. Yes, she’s a saint of God and a friend to every one. EUPHEMIA. She dews us with her tears she suns us with her smiles. MATTEO. By God, the guardian angel of the City of the Isles ! [The crowd, in chatting, have moved up nearly off stage. L. Enter R. ALLESSANDRO and LUCREZIA. ALESSANDRO. Now then to sound the core of the apple of our plot Sweet as it was before, there’s such a thing as rot. [MARCO, a burly bravo, enters behind. Marco ! You have the nerve ? Then try these folk, and see. MARCO. My lord, I will deserve the purse you promised me. [MARCO advances to the crowd. Good-day, good friends ! God bless all here ! Have heard the news ? ’Twill set the city by the ears. You can’t refuse Assent : I saw myself the Doge’s doctor’s barge Outside the gates. GIUSEPPE. Whose gates ? MARCO. [Pointing off R., to canal.] Why there she goes, as large As life, and twice as natural !