Andreas (in the tone of authority).--Give up your arms.
Abellino.--And you will really withhold from me my just reward?
Shall it be in vain that I delivered Abellino into your power?
Andreas.--It was to the brave Flodoardo that I promised Rosabella.
I never entered into any engagement with the murderer Abellino. Let
Flodoardo claim my niece, and she is his; but Abellino can have no
claim to her. Again I say lay down your arms.
Abellino (laughing wildly).--The murderer Abellino, say you? Ho!
ho! Be it your care to keep your own promises, and trouble not
yourself about my murders, they are MY affair, and I warrant I shall
find a word or two to say in defence of them, when the judgment day
arrives.
Gonzaga (to the Doge).--What dreadful blasphemy.
Abellino.--Oh, good Lord Cardinal, intercede in my behalf, you know
me well; I have always acted by you like a man of honour, that at
least you cannot deny. Say a word in my favour, then, good Lord
Cardinal.
Gonzaga (angrily, and with imperious dignity).--Address not thyself
to ME, miscreant. What canst thou and I have to do together?
Venerable Andreas, delay no longer; let the guards be called in.
Abellino.--What? Is there then no hope for me? Does no one feel
compassion for the wretched Abellino? What! NO ONE?--(a pause)--All
are silent?--ALL! 'Tis enough. Then my fate is decided--call in
your guards.
Rosabella (with a scream of agony, springing forward, and falling at
the feet of the Doge).--Mercy, mercy! Pardon him--pardon ABELLINO!
Abellino (in rapture).--Sayest thou so? Ho! ho! then an angel prays
for Abellino in his last moments.
Rosabella (clasping the Doge's knees).--Have mercy on him, my
friend, my father, he is a sinner; but leave him to the justice of
Heaven. He is a sinner, but oh, Rosabella loves him still.
Andreas (pushing her away with indignation).--Away, unworthy girl;
you rave.
Abellino folded his arms, gazed with eagerness on what was passing,
and tears gushed into his brilliant eyes. Rosabella caught the
Doge's hand, as he turned to leave her, kissed it twice, and said,
"If you have no mercy on HIM, then have none on ME. The sentence
which you pass on Abellino will be mine; 'tis for my own life that I
plead as well as Abellino's. Father, dear father, reject not my
suit, but spare him."
Andreas (in an angry and decided tone).--Abellino dies.
Abellino.--And can you look on with dry eyes while that innocent
dove bleeds at your feet? Go, barbarian; you never loved Rosabella
as she deserved. Now she is yours no longer. She is mine, she is
Abellino's.