To hold discourse. In God s name, come with me.
RIBERA.
What coupled staring fools were they that passed ?
They seemed to scare thee. Why, boy, face them out.
I am the shadow of the Spagnoletto,
Else had I brooked no gaze so insolent.
Well, I will go with thee. But, hark thee, lad ;
A word first in thine ear. T is a grim secret ;
Whisper it not in Naples ; I but tell thee,
Lest thou should fancy I had lost my wits.
My daughter hath deserted me hath fled
From Naples with a bastard. Thou hast seen her,
Maria-Rosa thou must remember her ;
She, whom I painted as Madonna once.
She had fair hair and Spanish eyes. When was it?
I came forth thinking I might meet with her
And find all this a dream a foolish thought !
I am very weary. ( Yawning.) I have walked and walked
For hours. How far, sir, stand we from the Strada
Nardo ? I live there, nigh Saint Francis church.
LORENZO.
Why, ’t is hard by ; a stone s throw from this square.
