Mortadello

OR, THE ANGEL OF VENICE 3 ZELINA. Well, what a lucky chance ! ALESSANDRO. I thought you knew my friend. LUCREZIA. Of course. LORENZO. Too cruel ‘twere To forget me ! ZELINA. God send a breath of ocean air ! Lorenzo, how are you ? LORENZO. O sweetest of the sweet ! What raptures I renew ! I kiss your hands and feet ! And you, Lucrezia, deign to throw one scornful glance— ALESSANDRO. Remember your poor swain has been three years in France ! LUCREZIA. [To ALESSANDRO.] Who could be happier than I to put in those These hands ? ZELINA. [To ALESSANDRO.] I’ll rival her as far as welcome goes. ALESSANDRO. I’ve come from Paris crowned for being cold and clever ; Lorenzo will be found more amorous than ever. You’ve ruffled all my hair ; to him your hearts are stone. Please to make him your care, and leave my locks alone ! LUCREZIA. Cruel ! ZELINA. Too cruel ! LORENZO. [To the women.] Cruel ! They dipped your hearts in Styx ! ALESSANDRO. Look here ! fair play’s a jewel ; let’s talk of politics. The Doge is older now than when I went to school— And wiser ? Anyhow he may be still a fool. LUCREZIA. The news is that his son is dead.