92
THE FOOL'S REVENGE.
[As the doors are flung open, the interior of the inner room, is seen with The Duke senseless on his seat, and Fiordelisa lying at his feet. Torelli, Ascolti, and Ordelaffi support The Duke. Bertuccio and Dell' Aquila rush up to Fiordelisa.
BERTUCCIO.
Too late! too late!
TORELLI.
He 's dead!
FRANCESCA.
Before all men,
I'll answer this!
BERTUCCIO.
Before Heaven's judgment seat,
How shall I answer this? [Pointing to Fiordelisa.
[Dell' Aquila has brought Fiordelisa forward. Bertuccio takes her in his arms.
Dead—dead—my bird!
My lily flower! Gone to thy last account,
All sinless as thou wert. My fool's revenge
Ends but in this! Cold! cold!
[Putting his hand on her heart.] Ha! Yes! a beat!
[Putting his lips to her mouth.
A breath! A full deep breath!
She lives! she lives!
Say, some of you, she drank not, and I'll bless
The man that says so,—yea, so pray for him
As saints ne'er prayed! She breathes still! Hark! hark!
FIORDELISA (faintly).
Father!
