Mortadello

OR, THE ANGEL OF VENICE 55 LUCREZIA. My pulses beat. MONICA. My skin sheds dew. Now do you know me ? Can the boon you seek escape ? Ah, but your bosom is the moon, your cheek a grape ! Mine are but baby breasts. See here ! Not worth a kiss. There’s nothing for a man to fear in this—or this. LUCREZIA. Oh they are beautiful ! MONICA. Oh no ! but yet my soul Is mighty, I will have you know, to gain its goal. Now—tell me ! is it death you invoke—Zelina’s death ? You want me to give poison, choke the assassin breath ! LUCREZIA. I ask revenge—nay, justice—when you come to power. MONICA. So be it, I swear by Christ, Amen ! Await the hour. LUCREZIA. Can you do nothing now ? I ache with impotence. MONICA. Where is she ? LUCREZIA. Know you not ? MONICA. For the sake of God ! LUCREZIA. Offence Alike to Heaven and Earth, she is now the universe To Mortadello ! MONICA. Ha ! LUCREZIA. Vow changed for vow ! MONICA. My curse. Changed for your curse ! Disdain swells every nerve and vein. Oh ! we shall laugh again when she lies stark. LUCREZIA. My brain Throbs with high fever to imagine it. MONICA. Ah, go ! I hold the lever, lure her to her overthrow I must be alone. Device must dovetail with device.