_Gia._ And sober too! so much the more at fault. But, as I said, thou'st served me long and well, Perchance too long--too long by just a day. Here, take this purse, and find another master. _Lor._ Oh, signor, do not drive me thus away! If I have made mistake-- _Gia._ No, sirrah, no! Thou hast not made mistake, but something worse. _Lor._ Oh, pray you, what is that then I have made? _Gia._ A lie! _Lor._ Indeed, good master, on my knees I swear that what I said is sainted truth. _Gia._ Pshaw, pshaw, no more of this. Did I not go Upon the instant to my daughter's room And find Bernardo sleeping at her side? Some villain's gold hath bribed thee unto this. Go, go. _Lor._ Well, if it must be, then it must. But I would swear that what I said is truth, Though all the devils from the deepest pit Should rise to contradict me! _Gia._ Prating still? _Lor._ No, signor--I am going--stay--see here-- (_He draws a paper from his bosom._) Oh, blessed Virgin, grant some proof in this! This paper as they changed their mantles dropt Between them to the ground, and when they passed I picked it up and placed it safely here. _Gia._ (_Examining it._) Who forged the lie could fabricate this too:-- But hold, it is ingeniously done. Get to thy duties, sir, and mark me well, Let no word pass thy lips about the matter-- [_Exit Lorenzo._ Bernardo's very hand indeed is here! Oh, compact villainous and black! conditions, The means, the hour, the signal--every thing To rob my honor of its holiest pearl! Lorenzo, shallow fool--he does not guess The mischief was all done, and that it was The duke he saw departing--oh, brain--brain! How shall I hold this river of my wrath! It must not burst--no, rather it shall sweep A noiseless maelstrom, whirling to its center All thoughts and plans to further my revenge And rid me of this most accursed blot! (_He rests his forehead on his hand a few minutes, and exclaims,_) The past returns to me again--the lore I gladly had forgot comes like a ghost, And points with shadowy finger to the means Which best shall consummate my just design. The laboratory hath been closed too long; The door smiles welcome to me once again, The dusky latch invites my hand--I come! (_He unlocks the door and stands upon the threshold._) Oh, thou whose life was stolen from me here, Stand not to thwart me in this great revenge; But rather come with large propitious eyes Smiling encouragement with ancient looks! Ye sages whose pale, melancholy orbs Gaze through the darkness of a thousand years, Oh, pierce the solid blackness of to-day, And fire anew this crucible of thought Until my soul flames up to the result! (_He enters and the door closes._) SCENE II. _Another apartment in the alchemist's house. Enter Rosalia and Bernardo._ _Ros._ You tell me he has not been seen to-day?