The Holy Father shakes with agitation;

His emissaries seek the city through,

And he is grievously impatient, asking

The aid of heaven and earth. You saw the Duke

At the Madonna de’ Catanei’s house.

His Holiness would question you.

I come.

[They wait while Cesare stands absorbed.

Pardon! The Holy Father is in wrath

As well as fear.

I come. Oh, my Lord Bonafede,

The sword is in your charge....

And see this picture—

The Borgian Bull,

A victim at its feet. The flames are blown;

There will be sacrifice! It was a dream

I told to Messer Bernardino....

[To Poto.] Swift, Come swiftly to the Vatican! Giovanni— Well, is he dead, or will he yet return?

ssss1

The Vatican: a room overlooking the Tiber. It is twilight.

Don Joffré Borgia and Donna Sancia d’Aragon, who is weeping, look out from a distant window; near at hand the Lord Cardinals Francesco Borgia and Bartolomeo of Segovia are also looking out.

The Lord Alexander VI. is pacing backward and forward.