Mortadello

106 MORTADELLO LUCREZIA. Here come the Legate now—see if he hesi- tate ! MONICA. Dear Sandro, smooth your brow ! These are affairs of State ! [ALESSANDRO composes his laughter. THE LEGATE enters, followed by many nobles and burgesses. Most welcome, holy father ! You were not hurt at all ? LEGATE. Not hurt, but shaken rather. Mine are old bones to fall. MONICA. Welcome my lords ! You, too, are welcome citizens ! All your attention due to hear his eminence Speak for his Holiness the Pope. LEGATE My friends, I came Charged with all strain and stress to watch a glamoured game. I watched. I waited. Not one word have I let fall. It was enough to allot your portions to you all. One I found faithful, one ; your devilish Doge’s wife, The saint and Amazon to-day that saved my life. The wind to stir your leaves, the star to crown your foam : Saint Monica receives the full support of Rome ! 2ND MASK. [Showing a parchment.] Most secret in the State, the Three have stood apart, Ruling the pulse and rate of all the civic heart. For them I speak : they vow to place the Ducal Cap On the Princess’s brow, the sceptre in her lap.