Ah, to build, to build! That is the noblest art of all the arts, As substance shadow. Long, long years ago, Rise from its grave of centuries, like a ghost At the three Rhodian artists, by whose hands VITTORIA. I understand you. Art is the gift of God, and must be used art Which bears the consecration and the seal Of holiness upon it will prevail VITTORIA. If not, it can be strengthened. MICHAEL ANGELO. I see no bar nor drawback to this building, And on our homeward way, if it shall please you, We may together view the site. VITTORIA. I thank you. I did not venture to request so much. MICHAEL ANGELO. Let us now go to the old walls you spake of, Vossignoria VITTORIA. What, again, Maestro? MICHAEL ANGELO. Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once more IV. CARDINAL IPPOLITO. A richly furnished apartment in the Palace of CARDINAL IPPOLITO. Night. JACOPO NARDI, an old man, alone. NARDI. I am bewildered. These Numidian slaves, ing Of a disciple of that lowly Man Who had not where to lay his head? These statues Are not of Saints; nor is this a Madonna, Sick, comfortless, distressed, unknown, uncared for. Young as the young Astyanax into goblets As old as Priam. NARDI. Oh, your Eminence Knows best what you should wear. IPPOLITO. Dear Messer Nardi, Of Rome, and model of all historians I hope your hand will write, in happier days. NARDI. Your Eminence will pardon The lateness of the hour. And worst of all his impious hand has broken The Florentines to victory, lest its voice NARDI. What a change Ten little years have made! We all remember Those better days, when Niccolà Capponi, Of help is there from him. He has betrothed His daughter Margaret to this shameless Duke. What hope have we from such an Emperor? IPPOLITO. Baccio Valori and Philippo Strozzi, Once the Duke's friends and intimates, are with us, And Cardinals Salvati and Ridolfi. men, Or honest men the Duke. NARDI. We have determined To send ambassadors to Spain, and lay Our griefs before the Emperor, though I fear More than I hope. IPPOLITO. The Emperor is busy With this new war against the Algerines, And has no time to listen to complaints From our ambassadors; nor will I trust them, But go myself. All is in readiness For my departure, and to-morrow morning I shall go down to Itri, where I meet Dante da Castiglione and some others, Republicans and fugitives from Florence, And then take ship at Gaëta, and go To join the Emperor in his new crusade Against the Turk. I shall have time enough And opportunity to plead our cause. |