Of remaining here alone instead of going to the Castle
Of the Duke, and the power of decision
Died on the steep path ofolrmanoe.
That I sent her home with fine words,
Is enough for me. And if a poem
"twill be the highest
Springs some time from this--foolishness,
prize
That life will give me for the distance,
Though I am too weak with pride to travive it.
(He listens)
The gate is opened!
(With expectation)
Oh, if it were Andrea,
How quickly it would come! In this city there’s no other
So ready as I am, to end it all.
(Antonio Rigetti andTito
Tibaldi,the one short and think,
and the other them and small, appear in the doorway
– leading out on the terrace. They are followed by Lucrezia
and Isabella, two Florentine courtesans. Behind them,at
a little distance, four musicians, two fiddlers,a flute
player, and a lute player. They play before they enter.
The musicians remain on the terrace. Two servants with
torches, stand on either side of the door.)
Tito
( Gally.)
is Filippo Loschi's house,and here he is
Give us greeting, Filippo Loschi!
Antonio
Drunk.)
Be still,you Mmed musicians.Or I '11
Break those things over your heads.
( Music stops.)
Tito
We wish you good evening, Filippo Loschi.As unimportant person-
ages as we are, we have a perfect right to wish you a pleasant
evening,which we vongratulate you on.
Antonio.
We vongratulate ourselves, though we are good for nothing fel-
lows.