24 
MORTADELLO 
 
NINA.  [A mad fiery woman with a satyr’s face.]  She helped 
me through my trouble. 
MARGARITA. 
 
Her money helped to free me 
When I was put away by Issachar the Jew. 
She gave me clothes besides. 
FILIPPO. 
 
There’s nothing she can do. 
For Venice folk she leaves forgotten or undone. 
GIUSEPPE.  Yes, she’s a saint of God and a friend to every one. 
EUPHEMIA.  She dews us with her tears   she suns us with 
her smiles. 
MATTEO.  By God, the guardian angel of the City of the Isles ! 
[The crowd, in chatting, have moved up nearly off stage. L. 
 
Enter R. ALLESSANDRO and LUCREZIA. 
 
ALESSANDRO.  Now then to sound the core of the apple of our 
plot 
Sweet as it was before, there’s such a thing as rot. 
[MARCO, a burly bravo, enters behind. 
Marco !  You have the nerve ?  Then try these folk, and see. 
MARCO.  My lord, I will deserve the purse you promised me. 
[MARCO advances to the crowd. 
Good-day, good friends !  God bless all here !  Have heard 
the news ? 
’Twill set the city by the ears.  You can’t refuse 
Assent :  I saw myself the Doge’s doctor’s barge 
Outside the gates. 
GIUSEPPE. 
Whose gates ? 
MARCO.  [Pointing off R., to canal.]  Why there she goes, 
as large 
As life, and twice as natural !