Edgar Allan Poe - Politian Act 1 Scene 1 lyrics

An apartment in the Palazzo of Di Broglio. Traces of a protracted revel. On a wine-table some candles burnt to the socket. Masks, a lute, a lady's slipper, cards and broken bottles are strewn about the floor and on the table. Enter BENITO meeting UGO intoxicated. UGO. Oh! is that you Benito (hiccup) are they gone? BENITO. Faith that's a question, Ugo, hard to answer, But are the bottles empty?—then they're gone. As for the Count San Ozzo who knocked me down Just now on the staircase as I came up hither, I can with more precision speak of him— He's gone, I'm sure of that—pretty far gone. UGO. Is the bravo gone? (hiccup) where is the buffo-singer? Did you say his Excellency had departed? Are all the fiddlers off (hiccup) the devil go with them! I'm positively stupid for want of sleep! BENITO (eyeing him.) Oh you are right—quite right—being as you say Ugo, a most confounded stupid man. UGO. Sirrah! I said not so, or else I (hiccup) lied. BENITO. I have no doubt, good Ugo, that you lied Being, as you observe, a most notorious liar— (Ugo sits, and helps himself to wine. Enter RUPERT.) Well, master Rupert what have you done with the count? RUPERT. What should I do with any drunken man? I pulled him from under the table where he lay And tumbled him into bed. BENITO. I say, good Rupert! Can it be the Duke di Broglio is acquainted With these untimely revels of his son? It is a pity in so proper a man Is't not a pity in so young a man And of so gentle blood? Here is a change I had not look'd to see—he is sadly altered! UGO. He is drunk, Benito, — did you not say so, Rupert? Most men are sadly altered when they're drunk Oh, I am sadly altered when I'm (hiccup) drunk. RUPERT (to BENITO.) You think the Count Castiglione altered— I think so too. He was, not long ago, Barring some trivial improprieties, A very nobleman in heart and deed. BENITO. Now I've no faith in him, poor Lady Lalage! So beautiful and kind. RUPERT. Truly Benito His conduct there has damned him in my eyes. O villain! villain! she his plighted wife And his own father's ward. I have noticed well That we may date his ruin—so I call it— His low debaucheries—his gambling habits And all his numerous vices from the time Of that most base seduction and abandonment. BENITO. We may: the sin sits heavy on his soul And goads him to these courses. They say the Duke Pardons his son, but is most wroth with her And treats her with such marked severity As humbles her to the dust. RUPERT. She sits alone Continually in her chamber with clasped hands (Jacinta tells me this). BENITO. Ah Noble lady! I saw her yester eve thro' the lattice-work Of her chamber-window sobbing upon her knees And ever and anon amid her sobs She murmured forth Castiglione's name Rupert, she loves him still! RUPERT. How will she bear Think you, the consummation of these nuptials? Tomorrow week are they not? BENITO. Most true! they are. Tomorrow week Castiglione weds His cousin Alessandra. She was the friend The bosom friend of the fair lady Lalage Ere this mischance. I cannot bear to think On the despair of the young lady Lalage. UGO. This wine's not bad! gentlemen why d'ye blame My master in this matter? very good (hiccup) wine! Who is my lady Lalage? God knows! I don't, a super(hiccup)ciliary somebody Who play'd on the guitar! most excellent wine! And pride should have a fall. The count's a rake Or was, that very sure, but he's reforming And drinks none but the very (hiccup!) best of wine. RUPERT. Let us to bed! the man is steeped in liquor. (to BENITO.) Come let us to bed (Exeunt RUPERT and BENITO.) UGO (arousing.) What did they say? to bed! Is it so late? is it all gone? very well! I will to bed anon (Enter JACINTA) ah! bless my eyes! Jacinta! is it you? JACINTA. Why, yes it is And yet it isn't, Ugo, there's a riddle! I was Jacinta yesternight, but now Madam Jacinta if you please, Sir Ugo! UGO. Sweetheart, I fear me (hiccup!) very much (hiccup!) that you Have been at the bottle—a pretty madam truly! JACINTA. You may well say that Sir Ugo—very pretty! At all events the Count Castiglione Tells me I'm pretty—drunken dolt look here! (Showing some j**els) UGO. (Hiccup!) where? JACINTA. Here!—look here! UGO. Jacinta! (hiccup!) why, Jacinta! You do not mean to say the count my master Gave you those j**els! JACINTA. What if he did friend Ugo? What if he did? UGO. Look here!—I'll take my oath I saw that very ring upon the finger The middle—the fore—no on the little finger Of the Count. I'm (hiccup!) done with You Jacinta! O you vile wretch! I'll (hiccup!) not have you Jacinta! I'm in despair! I'll (hiccup!) do some desperate deed! I'm desperate! JACINTA. You're drunk! UGO. I'm going to cut— JACINTA. Your throat! O Heaven! UGO. To cut you altogether! I'm gone Jacinta. (going.) JACINTA (pulling him back.) Stop! you snivelling fool! Will you not see the j**els—look you here! This broach—these pearls—these rubies—don't you see? UGO (sulkily.) I see. JACINTA. These emeralds and this topaz!—won't you see? UGO. I see. JACINTA. You see! you see! can I get nothing more Out of your ugly mouth but “I see, I see”?— Dolt I'm not sure you see—or if you see You certainly see double. Here's a cross A cross of rubies, you oaf! a cross of rubies! D'ye hear—a cross which never cost a zecchin Less than five thousand crowns! UGO. I see, oh I (hiccup!) see it all. (looking knowing.) JACINTA. You see it all! You do not see it all. Heaven grant me patience! You do not see it all (mocking him) you do not see That I'm the richest waiting maid in Rome The richest vintner's daughter owning these j**els! You do not see, I say, that my mistress Lalage Who gave them to me, d'ye hear? who gave them to me As a free gift, and for a marriage present (All of her j**els!—every one of them!) Is certainly gone mad! UGO. The lady Lalage Gave you the j**els! How (hiccup!) came you by the ring? UGO. The lady Lalage Gave you the j**els! How (hiccup!) came you by the ring? JACINTA. The count Castiglione, your sweet master Gave it her as a token of his love Last year—she gave it to me—d'ye see? UGO. Jacinta! (with a leer.) JACINTA! Ugo! (returning it.) UGO. What dear Jacinta? JACINTA. Do you see? UGO. Oh, nonsense, sweet Jacinta, let me look Again (hiccup!) at the j**els! JACINTA. D'ye see? UGO. Pshaw!—let me look! JACINTA. D'ye see? (going and holding up the j**els.) UGO. Sweet, dear, Jacinta! madame Jacinta. JACINTA. Oh I see. (Puts them up and exit followed by UGO staggering.)