# Teresa Contarini/Act V
## ACT V
### SCENE I

Secret chamber of the Inquisitors
Enter Badoero and Loredano.
Badoero
    Our colleague comes not.
Loredano
    He is here.
Enter Contarini.
Badoero
    Proceed we
    At once, to business. This unhappy youth------
Loredano
    Speak not as if you pitied him. None here
    Should sigh, except the guilty---rigid justice
    Must reign!
Badoero
    Then may the guiding light of wisdom
    Descend to dissipate the uncertain twilight
    Of human judgment!
Loredano
    Know you with what object
    He broke the law?
Contarini
    Know I? and do you think
    I would confer with traitors?
Badoero
    'Tis important
    We learn his motive.
Contarini
    Need we look beyond
    The act itself? Did not the late decree
    Pronounce it death for a patrician
    To speak with foreign minister, or enter
    Beneath his roof under the veil of night?
Badoero
    'Tis true.
Contarini
    What would you more? This daring boy
    Mocks at our prohibition, and is found
    Within the interdicted walls!
Badoero
    The spirit
    Of that decree should rule us in decision
    More than the letter. If it shall appear
    He had no thought of treason, shall his youth
    And recent services, all plead in vain?
Loredano (significantly)
    'Tis rumoured that some fairer cause impelled him
    Incautious into danger.---
Contarini
    Idle falsehoods!
    Must we give heed to every lying breath
    That stirs the populace?
Badoero
    Hush, the prisoner comes.
(Foscarini is brought in by Beltramo)
    (To Beltramo) You may retire.
[ Exit Beltramo.
    Antonio Foscarini---
    You stand here---arraigned
    Of foul ingratitude and treason 'gainst
    Your country's state and sovereignty. Events
    Appear against you. You have violated
    A late and solemn law. What answer you
    To this high charge?
Foscarini
    Nothing!
Badoero
    Speak freely. We
    Would fain be merciful, if you reveal
    Such motives as may palliate the deed.
    What was your business 'neath the Spaniard's roof?
Foscarini
    I will not answer.
Badoero
    Nay, consider well,
    Sincerity may save you.
Foscarini
    I can give
    No further answer.
Contarini
    He confesses guilt.
    Is it not plain?
Foscarini
    Honor I here defend---
    Not life.
Loredano
    So obstinate? let us then try
    If torture will avail!
Contarini (quickly)
    No---not the torture!
    He is too weak for it; we could not hope
    To force the truth by violent means from him.
Loredano (aside)
    Unwonted clemency! I well can guess
    Its meaning!
    (To Foscarini) Dost thou not fear the torture?
Foscarini
    Ye may tear
    Emulous, these wretched limbs; your power can never
    Reach to the soul, unless your hatred dare
    To chronicle as words the groans that falter
    Upon the blood-stained lip; here, I repeat it,
    I will die silent!
Badoero
    To a gentle judge
    Give gentle answer. By thy noble country,
    The honor of thine ancestors, all great
    In arms and council---by these walls, defended
    With blood of thine illustrious sire---I pray thee,
    Spare thine own fame! Reveal------
Foscarini
    Within my heart
    Your prayer is heard. You shall have fit reply.
    Lo! on the traitor's breast, the vestiges
    Of foreign wars! Here pierced the Spanlard's blade!
Loredano
    We would not count thy wounds: the latest one,
    Thy hand inflicted.
Contarini
    Aye---in guilty terror.
    Waste time no more!
Badoero
    Dost know, misguided youth,
    The penalty of thy crime?
Foscarini
    'Tis death.
Badoero
    And yet
    A further punishment.
Foscarini
    What more?
Badoero
    Dishonor!
    Who shall wipe off the stain thy execution
    Will fix on all the kindred of thy house?
Foscarini
    Answer you that! You may decree, 'Tis true,
    My death, but with my death you will decree
    Your everlasting infamy. Where'er
    In future years the deed shall be remembered,
    'Twill tell of shame---not mine! The popular voice
    May here be dumb---but in all lands, that spurn
    The tongue-controlling terrors of your sway,
    There shall be weighed---there writ in characters
    Indelible---my merits---your reward!
Badoero
    Withdraw a space.
[ Foscarini. retires up the stage.
Contarini
    Can you doubt now?
Badoero
    Appearances
    Are strong against him, but his words, though bold,
    Seem those of innocence.
Contarini
    Is't new to you,
    The boldness of the guilty?
Badoero
    He preserves,
    At least, the aspect of his former virtue.
Loredano
    Hear me! The doge is Foscarini's friend.
    Grant him a meeting with the prisoner;
    He may prevail, and draw the secret from him
    That we have failed to learn.
Contarini
    What mockery this!
Loredano
    Nay---is not life at stake? Should we neglect
    Aught that may save the boy?
Badoero
    It is but just.
    The doge shall be admitted. Ho! Beltramo!
Enter Beltramo.
    Take back your prisoner, and whom we shall send
    Permit to see him.
[ Beltramo leads out Foscarini.
    ( Exeunt the inquisitors on the other side. )

### SCENE II

A Street
Enter Vincentio and Leonardo , followed by several citizens.
Vincentio
    Courage, my friends! this way leads to his prison.
    We'll break those bars, and drag their gloomy secrets
    Into unwonted light.
Leonardo
    Nay---by such madness
    You cast away success.
Vincentio
    Shall we shrink back
    Even on its threshold?
Leonardo
    One false step, bethink you,
    May lose you all. Look---yonder they approach!
Vincentio
    Now is the moment.
Leonardo
    No---'t would but endanger
    Yourselves---and serve not him. Pray you---be patient
    Till they have reached the palace; then surround it,
    And with your prayers, which more than threats avail,
    Besiege their ears.
Vincentio
    To be repulsed and mocked!
Leonardo
    If so, despair; no force of yours can save him.
    The Senate would but laugh at you.
    (To citizens) Depart!
    We are safe no longer here.
( Exeunt.

### SCENE III

Contarini's palace
Enter Teresa, meeting Matilda.
Teresa
    Is he returned?
Matilda
    This instant.
Teresa
    He will come,
    If that he bears ill tidings. What have I
    To do with dread? Hush! 'Tis his step.---Away!
( Exit Matilda as Contarini enters.
Contarini
    She looks beseechingly---but dares not speak!
    I'll feast upon her pale despair! Fair madam,
    Your lover is condemned.
Teresa
    Condemned---already?
Contarini
    Are the inquisitors slow to doom the guilty?
    Yet hear one truth which haply may console you.
    Even in strict trial he would not reveal
    The motive that impelled him to the act
    For which he dies.
Teresa
    He would not!
Contarini
    Though the tale
    Of your disgrace had saved him, he persisted
    In silence!
Teresa
    And you---Contarini---you---
    Oh God! do coldly stab him with the weapon
    His generous virtue gives you!
Contarini
    Even so!
Teresa
    Is there no righteous ministry in heaven,
    No power, no will, to save the innocent?
    Is this your justice? Oh! it cannot be---
    I wrong even you, to impute such guilt as this!
    Your hearts are hard---you're cruel---but this pitch
    Of fiendish cruelty surpasses you!
    You could not do this! no---you smile---you could not!
    There's not in human breasts a void so drear,
    So horrible---whence all that sweetens life
    Has been driven forth, to welcome hell's words spirits!
    Oh! you who have framed these horrid words, to sear
    And strike me dead---and I have borne the blow
    Whose force is spent on me---on me alone!
    Is't not thus? say---say---
Contarini
    That they have import
    You will soon know.
Teresa
    And is your bosom steeled
    To pity, as to truth? Hear me---but hear me!
    I'll buy his life.---I'll pay your price of blood!
    Heap vengeance on my head. I'll bear it all!
    But save him! Do an act which shall bring down
    The blessings of a broken heart upon you!
    Which shall unlock the treasures of Heaven's mercy,
    And bid you draw from its deep fount at will!
Contarini
    These prayers are idle. Could they aught avail,
    'T would be to make his fate more sure.
Teresa
    'Tis madness
    To speak to thee of mercy! Yet---bethink thee,
    Is there no sure and solemn retribution
    Striding even now, fast on thy guilty footsteps?
    Shalt thou remain unpunished? Will the voice
    That from the innocent blood reeks to the sky,
    Cease to upbraid thee? Will these mortal men
    Above whom this, thy hellish deed, will raise thee
    In eminence of evil---fail to shun,
    To curse the murderer?'
Contarini
    Thou'rt his murderer.'
Teresa
    Take heed! take heed! you know me not! nor know
    The strength of desperation. Deeply hid
    Doth lurk ofttimes the fire, which fanned to rage,
    Shall wrap whole cities in devouring flame!
    Abide its fury now! I will denounce you
    Myself---before your infamous tribunal!
    They'll hear me! if no justice dares to dwell there,
    I'll drag it from the skies---and bid it thunder
    Its vengeance in your ears!
Contarini
    Stay---stay---rash woman!
    Dost think I prize my name and fame so lightly,
    To leave it longer in thy keeping? Look---
    The doors are barred.
Teresa
    Your name and fame! I'll blast it!
    I'll blast it! not a tongue in this wide Venice
    But shall dwell on, and scoff at your disgrace!
    I'll publish it abroad! I will proclaim
    To all---aye all---and none will dream of doubt,
    Myself a thing of guilt, that the black stain
    May reach through me to you, and all you boast!
    It shall cling to you ever---with its deep
    And damning blight---and none shall cancel it!
    Then I will triumph!
Contarini
    Nay! she is distraught!
    Teresa---listen!
Teresa
    No---no---you shall plead
    As I have; but'Tis now my turn to scorn!
[ Exit.
    (Contarini retires slowly.)

### SCENE IV

A corridor leading from the prisons
Enter Foscarini , fettered and guarded---the Doge , and Beltramo.
Foscarini (To Beltramo)
    If it may be,
    Loose me these fetters;---for the last time here
    I fain would pass unchained.
Beltramo
    I should be forced
    To wear them.
Foscarini
    Pardon! I forgot that here
    Pity was death!
Doge
    I grieve to see you thus!
Foscarini
    Why? my arrest, my punishment, methinks,
    Should mark me out for envy---since the bolt
    Of vengeance from the state in this resembles
    Heaven's winged lightnings---that it ever strikes
    The proudest head!
Doge
    Your judges would be gentle.
    Why not reveal your secret---and afford
    Room for their mercy?
Foscarini
    No! I scorn their mercy!
Doge
    A word may save your life------
Foscarini
    And blast that life
    With infamy eternal!
Doge
    Then the secret
    Involves deep guilt?
Foscarini
    It doth not. Urge no more---
    My doom is fixed---and fixed is my resolve.
Doge
    Have you considered it---the deep disgrace
    Your fate will stamp on all you love?
Foscarini
    Alas!
    There is the sting! 'Tis not enough in darkness
    To doom the offender, and to take from him
    Life with its joys and hopes---but they pursue
    Beyond the grave, and load the senseless dust
    With calumny! To what hath not risen
    This monstrous power? Oh! well indeed had'st thou
    Thy cradle 'midst the clay of thy lagunes,
    Base city, which hast borne it!
Enter Memmo.
Memmo (to Doge)
    Sir---the council
    Await your attendance.
[ Exeunt.

### SCENE V

Grand Council Chamber. Inquisitors, Veniero , and other Senators. Enter the Doge , and Foscarini guarded. Pascali stands behind among the guards
Badoero
    Hath he disclosed aught?
Doge
    Nothing!
Badoero (to Foscarini)
    Thou stand forth
    To our arraignment thou confessest guilt?
Foscarini
    I broke the laws.
Contarini
    Guilty!
Foscarini
    On earth---perhaps
    In Heaven's eye innocent.
Badoero
    Thy sentence hear---
    'Till sunset shalt thou live---but at that hour---
    When the bell strikes---bid thine adieu to earth;
    Go now---and make thy peace with Heaven.
Foscarini
    'Tis made
    Already---victim to your human laws,
    I hope acquittal there!
[ Exit, guarded.
Contarini
    So---until sunset!
    Too long a space remains. Why pause, when danger
    May wait on our delay?
Badoero
    What danger?
Contarini
    Hath he not
    Friends who may interfere to strike aside
    The axe of justice? He is much beloved
    By many citizens.
Enter Steno
Steno
    Signors---a tumult
    Is raised among the populace.
Loredano
    Rebellion?
Steno
    They throng the courts---and every tongue repeats
    The name of Foscarini. With acclaim
    They call for his release.
Badoero
    Lead forth the guard.
    Their sight will be enough.
[ Exit Steno.
Contarini
    Enough! how rash
    To tempt their fury! Need we linger now?
    Command his instant execution---let
    The rabble see what tumults will avail.
Badoero
    Not so. Should we anticipate the hour
    'T would show that we have feared them---that we heed
    The voice of faction. Let our first decree
    Be sacredly observed.
    (To Loredano) Shall it not be so?
Loredano
    My judgment seconds yours.
    (Contarini makes signs apart to Pascali , who goes out hastily)
Enter Memmo.
Memmo (to Doge)
    My liege, a lady, closely veiled, without,
    Entreats to see your highness.
Doge
    A lady?
Memmo
    She has passed
    The guard with prayers and bribes---and doth implore
    A moment's audience---pleading that her business
    Concerns you strictly.
Contarini
    She cannot be admitted;
    She's an accomplice------
Enter Teresa.
Teresa
    Back, back---hold me not!
    For shame, my lords, to judge without a witness---
    Without one witness---and to doom your victim
    When but a woman's words might save him!
Badoero
    Who is't
    That speaks so wildly?
Teresa (throwing back her veil)
    Look---and know me, all!
    I come to tell what he would not!
Loredano
    The wife of Contarini!
Contarini
    Sirs, I pray you,
    Heed not her words, but yield her to my keeping---
    And------
Teresa
    To his keeping? his---the murderer!
    Let him not touch me with his blood-stained hands!
    My lord! Oh, keep me from his grasp! I'll tell thee
    All---all! and if my words are wild and wayward,
    They are truth! If perchance my tongue doth falter,
    'Tis not 'he weakness of the conscious soul!
    Hold! hold! and hear me!'
Veniero
    My poor child!'
Teresa
    No child!
    No child of thine! Who was't I called father?
    Not one who caused all this! Fie! fie! do fathers
    Thus immolate their children? I have heard
    Of pyres and axes---and of men who stood
    And hewed down arms that fondly twined with theirs---
    And watched the gushing stream that had its source
    In their own veins! But you---you rend asunder
    The hidden strings of life---and yoke the spirit
    To falsehood, from whose dark and subtle fold
    No force can set it free! and when 'Tis done,
    And the soul wears the hue of misery---
    And the brain burns---ye would repent the work
    Yourself have wrought!'
Contarini
    Woman! I do command you---
    Hence!
Teresa
    No! we stand within no dungeon now,
    With prison walls to hear---and him in chains
    To plead for you! Here reach no bribes of yours!
Loredano
    Who speaks of bribes?
Teresa
    They're his! he used them, truly,
    To save the guiltless. Pshaw! what were his bribes?
    Gold---paltry gold! And mine! He claimed a price
    Nought could redeem! a perjured soul! a spirit
    Sold to perdition!
Contarini
    Ye perceive it plainly,
    Her frenzy;---nay---harass her not!
Teresa
    Silence!
    His words would ever mingle with my words,
    To strike me dumb! But I've a better spirit
    That bids me speak, and clear the innocent.
Doge
    Speak on---we hear thee.
Teresa
    Why then---he was false,
    Who said ye heard no truth? Beseech ye, listen!
    He loved me---Foscarini;---'Twas not guilt,---
    But sorrow---sorrow! Me he came to meet,
    After that fatal bridal.
Contarini
    Hear no more!
Veniero
    Her tale is true, my lords!---I did compel her,
    To advance a purpose, thrice accursed, of mine,
    To wed one whom she hated;---he she loved,
    Returned upon her bridal night.---Ye saw
    Her anguish then!
Teresa
    Oh yes! we met within
    The garden that adjoins the Spaniard's palace---
    That fatal palace!---and he came, to murder
    My Foscarini---sought him where he fled;
    Sought him, and found him! Then his malice wrought
    That horrid tale which has deceived you all,
    Of crime, and treason, and conspiracy;---
    Ye know it now---it blanches you with fear---
    You---to whom blood's no stranger! Can you wonder
    It maddens me?
Contarini
    For shame---to lend an audience
    To this wild story, as if solemn truths
    Came from her lips! I tell you---she is mad!
Teresa
    Believe him not! nor hear him! if you do,
    Not Heaven can rescue you from his black cunning!
    'He'll defy Heaven.---I am not mad---but dying!
    My lord---my lord---the dying speak not falsely!'
Doge
    It must be so. We have been deceived.
    (To Badoero) Signor, will you delay the execution?
    (Tumult and shouts heard without)
Badoero (to Memmo)
    Whence is this tumult, sir?
Memmo
    The guards have seized
    Vincentio, him who stirred the multitude
    To factious rage without.
Contarini
    Unheard of treason!
Loredano
    Move not, I pray you. But a moment past,
    Ye spoke, if I mistake not, of deferring
    The prisoner's execution?
Badoero
    First secure
    That daring felon. Quell the stir without;
    That we seem not to yield grace to rebellion.
[ Bell tolls.
Teresa
    His knell---his knell! It strikes mine too!
Badoero (to Memmo)
    Begone---and stop the fatal signal! Say
    We do suspend the sentence.
[ Exit Memmo.
Teresa
    Bless thee---just one!
    There are yet gods on earth; and those above
    Will hail thee brother for this deed!
Loredano
    My lords,
    One act of justice more. Him I attach
    (pointing to Contarini) Of foul conspiracy.
Contarini
    Ha!
Loredano
    Look! this pacquet---
    Letters are here, which prove alliances
    With dangerous foes.---Here we may read the boasts
    In secresy recorded---what should chance
    When Contarini should be prince in Venice,
    With no stern Senate to control his will?
Contarini
    Who aided you to frame so fair a tale?
    Methinks it needs less dubious witnesses
    To give it credence!
Loredano
    They are ready;---one
    The lady Fiorilla. At that name
    You turn pale, Signor!
Contarini
    Idle words I've whispered
    Oft in her ear---but they can never rise
    Against me!
Loredano
    No! your written words condemn you---
    'Twas at her house you met, in conclave dark,
    To weave your treasons. Her you deemed a tool;
    But she your guilt discovered, and reveals it.
Veniero
    I'll witness to her truth: on my head too,
    Pronounce the traitor's doom. 'Twill be too light
    To outweigh my crimes. Ye'll hear the list anon!
Enter Memmo, hastily.
Memmo
    My lord, the prisoner------
Contarini
    Away! 't is mine
    To tell thy story:---in my fall, at least
    To drag some victims with me. Ha! ye thought
    To cheat me of revenge! It is accomplished!
    Lo! on the Piazetta! where the corpse
    Of Foscarini lies! Look! from you casement!
    My cords took heed of him! You are too tardy!
    Away---and join your lover!
[ Attempts to stab Teresa , but is disarmed by Badoero.
Badoero
    Ho! the guard!
    Bear him hence! Chain the traitor?
[ Exit Contarini , guarded.
Veniero
    My daughter! my Teresa!
Teresa
    He is dead!
    They murdered him, even while they talked of mercy!
Veniero
    This, this is retribution! My wronged child!
    Speak---speak to me! Oh! I would barter Heaven
    But for one word!
Teresa
    What means this mist, this darkness
    Around me? Who supports me?---Father!------
Veniero
    Speak!
    Canst thou forgive me?
Teresa
    Forgive? it is a sound
    To soothe the dying! Father! come thou near me!
    Stoop lower---lower---let me lean my head
    Upon thy breast---for oh! I'm weary!---weary!---
    This strange, cold sleep o'erpowers me.---If I wake not
    Before he come---bid him await me------here------
[ Dies.
THE END.