(_Quietly._) Signor Salviati, I regret that my sense of duty--my deep desire that you shall achieve your greatest--force me to this unpleasant remedy. But poverty is not helpful to your work, and I must--as patron of unreasonable genius--protect your art and yourself. I offer, therefore, the best help in my power. If you accept--then I need take nothing (_glancing at LUCIA_) from your store of beauty. _Paulo_ Dios! This cruelty--this treachery! _Lucia_ No, no, no. Paulo, do not think of _me_---- _Paulo_ It is too late. (_To MEDICI, with effort._) Your vile scheme means this, then: that I submit my art to your paid dictation, become your creature, or you will--(_struggles violently_). Let me free! (_to MEN_). This bastard is not fit to live. _A Man_ Hush! He is a Medici--Cosimo’s own brother. _Medici_ My gondola waits. My new Palazzo lies but half an hour distant--ready to welcome its first fair ornament. _Paulo_ (_Wild._) To be broken and thrown away when done with! Death is better now. [_Tries to injure his right hand against a sword._ _Medici_ (_To MEN._) Careful. Hold him. Or your lives---- _Lucia_ (_Frantic._) Beloved, it is _not_ too late. Forget that I live--oh, forget me--for your work’s sake! Remember beauty only---- _Paulo_ (_Tender patience._) Little Child! My work and beauty live with liberty. (_Very softly._) Had you forgotten? Did belief in me waver, or did love guide you strangely--misconceiving----? _Medici_ (_Impatient._) The light fails rapidly. The gold and scarlet should be laid on now, before dusk falls. (_To MEN._) One of you go and prepare my gondola--for a lady. (_MAN goes to door._) Lay a soft silken scarf upon the cushion--there must be no screams in Venice. (_To PAULO._) Oh, I will do it gently, Signor, with my own two hands. There shall be no roughness, no unkindness. (_MAN gives scarf._) Oh, here is the very thing. (_Goes towards LUCIA._) You will take this small attention from me, I beg, if nothing else. _Lucia_ I hate you! Your touch is poison. [_Struggles._ _Medici_ You should not ask favours, then, of those who poison you. (_Puts scarf round her arms._) For the mouth I have a yet softer silk, as you shall see. Ah, the Medici, they say, are fortunate in love, and I shall find a way to win you. These arms I am forced to bind shall yet twine willingly about my neck---- _Paulo_ (_Shouts._) All I possess to him who kills him! _Medici_ All you possess! _Paulo_ (_Yields._) And more--my liberty. Let her go! _Medici_ So reason returns, at last. The remedy works already towards a cure. _Paulo_ Set her free. I give my word. _Medici_ Though I trust no man, I trust _your_ word, Salviati. _Paulo_ (_Stammering._) Unfasten me. Give me my palette. _Medici_ (_To MEN._) Release him. Release the lady too. But watch him closely, lest he hide a weapon. _Paulo_ (_Free._) This is my only weapon (_takes brushes, etc._). With it I put chains upon my soul. So--and so.