--Give up your arms.
Abellino.--And you will really withhold from me my just reward?
Shall it be in vain that I delivered Abellino into your power?
Andreas.--It was to the brave Flodoardo that I promised Rosabella.
I never entered into any engagement with the murderer Abellino. Let
Flodoardo claim my niece, and she is his; but Abellino can have no
claim to her. Again I say lay down your arms.
Abellino (laughing wildly).--The murderer Abellino, say you? Ho!
ho! Be it your care to keep your own promises, and trouble not
yourself about my murders, they are MY affair, and I warrant I shall
find a word or two to say in defence of them, when the judgment day
arrives.
Gonzaga (to the Doge).--What dreadful blasphemy.
Abellino.--Oh, good Lord Cardinal, intercede in my behalf, you know
me well; I have always acted by you like a man of honour, that at
least you cannot deny. Say a word in my favour, then, good Lord
Cardinal.
Gonzaga (angrily, and with imperious dignity).--Address not thyself
to ME, miscreant. What canst thou and I have to do together?
Venerable Andreas, delay no longer; let the guards be called in.
Abellino.--What? Is there then no hope for me? Does no one feel
compassion for the wretched Abellino? What! NO ONE?--(a pause)--All
are silent?--ALL! 'Tis enough. Then my fate is decided--call in
your guards.
Rosabella (with a scream of agony, springing forward, and falling at
the feet of the Doge).
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