Aid me, thou Great and Good,
for arduous is the task before me. Ah, should that task be gone
through with success, and Rosabella be the reward of my labours--
Rosabella? What, shall the Doge's niece bestow on the outcast
Abellino? Oh, madman that I am to hope it, never can I reach the
goal of my wishes! No, never was there frenzy to equal mine. To
attach myself at first sight to--Yet Rosabella alone is capable of
thus enchanting at first sight--Rosabella and Valeria? To be
beloved by two such women--Yet, though 'tis impossible to attain,
the striving to attain such an end is glorious. Illusions so
delightful will at least make me happy for a moment, and alas, the
wretched Abellino needs so many illusions that for a moment will
make him happy! Oh, surely, knew the world what I gladly would
accomplish, the world would both love and pity me."
Cinthia returned; the four bravoes followed her, yawning, grumbling,
and still half asleep.
"Come, come!" said Abellino, "rouse yourselves, lads. Before I say
anything, be convinced that you are wide awake, for what I am going
to tell you is so strange that you would scarce believe it in a
dream."
They listened to him with an air of indifference and impatience.
"Why, what's the matter now?" said Thomaso, while he stretched
himself.
"Neither more nor less than that our honest, hearty, brave Matteo is
murdered."
"What, murdered!" every one exclaimed, and gazed with looks of
terror on the bearer of this unwelcome news; while Cinthia gave a
loud scream, and, clasping her hands together, sank almost
breathless into a chair.
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