THE SPAGNOLETTO.
DRAMATIS PERSONĂ
DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA.
JOSEF RIBERA, the Spagnoletto.
LORENZO, noble young Italian artist, pupil of Ribera.
DON TOMMASO MANZANO.
LUCA, servant to Ribera.
A GENTLEMAN.
FIRST LORD.
SECOND LORD.
MARIA-ROSA, daughter to Ribera.
ANNICCA, daughter to Ribera, and wife to Don Tommaso.
FIAMETTA, servant to Maria-Rosa.
ABBESS.
LAY-SISTER.
FIRST LADY.
SECOND LADY.
Lords, Ladies, Gentlemen, Servants.
SCENEâDuring the first four acts, in Naples; latter part of the fifth act, in Palermo. Time, about 1655.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
The Studio of the SPAGNOLETTO. RIBERA at work before his canvas. MARIA seated some little distance behind him; a piece of embroidery is in her hands, but she glances up from it incessantly toward her father with impatient movements.
MARIA.
Father!
(RIBERA, absorbed in his work, makes no reply; she puts by her embroidery, goes toward him and kisses him gently. He starts, looks up at her, and returns her caress.)
RIBERA.
My child!
MARIA.
Already you forget,
Oh, heedless father! Did you not promise me
To lay aside your brush to-day at noon,
And tell me the great secret?
RIBERA.
Ah, ât is true,
I am to blame. But it is morning yet;
My child, wait still a little.
MARIA.
âT is morning yet!
Nay, it was noon one mortal hour ago.
All patience I have sat till you should turn
And beckon me. The rosy angels breathe
Upon the canvas; I might sit till night,
And, if I spake not, you would never glance
From their celestial faces. Dear my father,
Your brow is moist, and yet your hands are ice;
Your very eyes are tiredâpray, rest awhile.
The Spagnoletto need no longer toil
As in the streets of Rome for beggarsâ fare;
Now princes bide his pleasure.
RIBERA (throws aside his brush and palette).
Ah, Maria,
Thou speakâst in season. Let me neâer forget
Those days of degradation, when I starved
Before the gates of palaces. The germs
Stirred then within me of the perfect fruits
Wherewith my hands have since enriched Godâs world.
Vengeance I vowed for every momentâs stingâ
Vengeance on wealth, rank, station, fortune, genius.
See, while I paint, all else escapes my sense,
Save this bright throng of phantasies that press
Upon my brain, each claiming from my hand
Its immortality. But thou, my child,
Remindâst me of mine oath, my sacred pride,
The eternal hatred lodged within my breast.
Philip of Spain shall wait. I will not deign
To add to-day the final touch of life
Unto this masterpiece.
MARIA.
So! that is well.
Put by the envious brush that separates
Father from daughter. Now you are all mine own.
And nowâyour secret.
RIBERA.
Mine? âT is none of mine;
âT is thine, Maria. John of Austria
Desires our presence at his ball to-night.
MARIA.
Prince John?
RIBERA.
Ay, girl, Prince John. I looked to see
A haughty joy dance sparkling in thine eyes
And burn upon thy cheek. But what is this?
Timid and pale, thou droopâst thy head abashed
As a poor flower-girl whom a lord accosts.
MARIA.
Forgive me. Sure, ât is you Don John desires,
The prince of artistsâ
RIBERA.
Art! Prate not of art!
Thinkâst thou I move an artist âmidst his guests?
As such I commune with a loftier race;
Angels and spirits are my ministers.
These do I part aside to grace his halls;
A Spanish gentlemanâand so, his peer.
MARIA.
Father, I am not well; my head throbs fast,
Unwonted languor weighs upon my frame.
RIBERA.
Anger me not, Maria. âT is my will,
Thou shalt obey. Hell, what these ...