Margaret.

Livio! thou here! Where is my brother?

Liv. Oh! Margaret!

Mar. Where is my brother? I am come To speak with him. Where is he?

Liv. Hast thou heard nothing?

Mar. Heard what? Where is he?

Liv. O, if thou knowest not ..

Mar. What is it? speak. Why is the house in black? What means it? say.

Liv. Nay, let it not be me To tell thee.

Mar. Thinkest thou my fancy’s horror Is gentler than thy bluntest tale? Speak quickly.

Liv. ’Twas on his own confession of connivance In John Palicio’s shelter and escape, My father put him from his place, and sent him To answer to this charge before the king. He sailed two nights ago. The ship ...

Mar. Go on, sir!

Liv. Our ships fell in with the enemy, and all But two were captured, one on which he sailed, And one which brought the news.

Mar. And Manuel’s ship?

Liv. ’Tis said the ship on which he sailed was sunk.

Mar. (falling on a chair). Sunk, say you, and he?...

Liv. My sister at the tidings straight fell ill, And her mind wanders. Bear a braver heart.

Mar. O, fatal day. ’Tis I, ’tis I have done it.— And did none see him?

Liv. Margaret, dearest Margaret, Take courage. I have shared thy sorrow, Margaret: Cannot I comfort thee? O, sweetest Margaret, Thou dost not know my love.

Mar. (standing, and showing the dagger). Away! away!

Liv. Nay, wherefore treat me thus?

Mar. Is this an hour To force thy love upon me?

Liv. Margaret, Hast thou no pity?

Mar. Think if I have pity To spend on thee.

Liv. If thou wouldst slay me, Margaret, Thou need’st no dagger.

Mar. Sir, stand back, I say: And first tell plainly what thou knowest. One ship Of three escaped?

Liv. The hindmost ’twas, that fled ...

Mar. And brought the tidings?

Liv. Ay.

Mar. And was none saved Out of the ship which sunk?

Liv. I know not.

Mar. Know’st not? There’s hope, thank God. And thou!—Why, if in thy heart Lurked the least feeling, ’twould have shewn this side, Not leapt to the worst ... Come, sir, I’ll keep this sorrow: ’Tis not with thee I’d share my fear for Manuel ... Nor any other; tho’ my need compels me, If thou’rt the man sits in his place.

Liv. I am.

Mar. He would have aided me.

Liv. But I will aid thee More than a brother. Thou canst ask no favour I will not grant.

Mar. Sir, I shall ask no favour: Nor aught but what it is thy part to grant, Unless it be promise of secrecy.

Liv. O, but one secret with thee! there’s no jewel In all the world I would esteem as that.

Mar. Where’s Giovanni Palicio, sir?

Liv. Palicio!

Mar. Ay, he’s my kinsman.

Liv. He is in the palace dungeon, Awaiting death.

Mar. He’s my near kinsman, Livio, And must not die: and, being condemned to die, I, as his kinswoman, desire a pass To visit him in prison when I choose. [Livio writes. My purpose with him is to extort a pledge That he will leave the country, on which condition I look for his release.

Liv. Here is the order. And use it as thou wilt.

Mar. (taking). I thank you for it.

Liv. If ’tis so near thee he go quit, what means Better than mine to work it?

Mar. I have means.

Liv. With whom?

Mar. I have the means.

Liv. Believe it not. There’s none could win this favour of my father. Hath not his cry been Death to Hugo? He’s more than rebel. There’s a private hate Which makes his sentence grateful.

Mar. I have means.

Liv. ’Twere easier wouldst thou trust me. See, ’tis done Without more words. Margaret, I’ll risk this thing For thee. Palicio shall escape to Spain, To Naples, where thou wilt, if thou ...

Mar. If what?

Liv. Margaret, accept my love.

Mar. O, Livio, I am too sad to be angry with thee now. But know if ever thou wouldst merit love By generosity, thou must not beg A bargain. ’Do this and I’ll love thee,’ ay, That may be said, but not ’I’ll do this thing If thou wilt love me’: and thou, Livio, A chief justiciary!

Re-enter Blasco.

Liv. Hush, I pray thee!

Bl. The lady Margaret! We are very happy In this return.

Mar. (aside to Blasco). What hadst thou of Palicio?

Bl. Ha! Sayst thou?...

Mar. (aside). Meet me at the palace, count. I have thy letter. (To Liv.) I see there is no place here In my house for me. I have still a hope, and in it Shall fortify my comfort ... If aught is heard I shall be with thy sister. Thou and Blasco May serve me if ye will. [Exit.

Liv. What said she to you?

Bl. Art not thou too accustomed to her wit? I bring ill news. Thy sister still is worse, And calls for thee, and Rosso thinks ’tis well That thou shouldst go.

Liv. Bide thou here in my place ...

Bl. Nay, I must go with thee. [Exeunt.