Читать книгу Borgia. A Period Play онлайн
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POTO.
Patience, Holiness,
You slit the silk.
ALEXANDER.
Where is the Cardinal
I called my son? Unnatural, where are they?
The children I have fostered in my bosom,
Where are they?
POTO.
Holiness,
Donna Lucrezia in the Sistine Convent
Prays day and night.
ALEXANDER.
Sweet soul!
POTO.
The Lord Valencia—
ALEXANDER.
Ah, what of him? Where is his piety?
POTO.
When your affliction broke on you, before it
Men fled as from a pest. Lord Cesare
Is shut within his palace; duteously,
Almost from hour to hour, his servants pass
For tidings of your health.
An Usher appears at the door.
USHER.
The Governor
Of Rome prays for the Presence.
ALEXANDER.
He has tidings?
Oh, it will break my heart! I would lie down
Within my coffin—and that tapestry
About the portal, with its shaking folds,
Opens and shuts the lid. Let him come in.
[The Governor comes to the Pontiff’s feet.
I would not question you; give full relation;
Do not repeat the tales of yesterday.
GOVERNOR.
Most Holy Father, there is little new