don’t have one about him.
SALFIERI
That’s well enough. I will find him. I always have three ways of making a man do what I wish.
BRAVO
Which are?
SALFIERI
Prayer: an appeal to his humanity; money: an appeal to his avarice; threat: an appeal to his weakness.
BRAVO
Prayer—the Bravo has heard more prayers than Saint Ambrose who is the patron of the city—and I don’t know of a single one that has softened him—money—the Bravo has received enough from the Republic to purchase a palace if he was ambitious to sleep in a marble chamber—threats—the Bravo—by force of making them has lost the habit of hearing them—
SALFIERI
But does nothing human remain in the heart of that man?
BRAVO
Nothing.
SALFIERI
Doesn’t he even have a mother?
BRAVO
He had one, and God took her from him in an hour of wrath.
SALFIERI
No mistress?
BRAVO
He had one, and he killed her in a moment of jealousy.
SALFIERI
No father?
(Bravo lowers his head on his breast and his face takes on an expression of sorrow and somber reverie.)
SALFIERI
(continuing)
Well! I will adjure him in the name of his father—yes, tonight—this very night, I must see him.
BRAVO
And what will you ask on seeing him?
SALFIERI
That, my host—that’s my secret.
BRAVO
Nothing can dissuade you from searching for this man?
SALFIERI
Nothing—for I have no hope except in him.
BRAVO
You will see him then.
SALFIERI
Who will make me see him?
BRAVO
I will.
SALFIERI
And when will that be?
(Three raps on the door.)
BRAVO
Wait, I am going to tell you.
(He goes to the door and finds the order of the Council that’s just been nailed there. He comes forward holding it in his hand, examines it, then takes his cloak and hides his mask and dagger under it.)
BRAVO
(aside)
They signed it.
SALFIERI
Well—
BRAVO
In an hour—
SALFIERI
And where will I find him?
BRAVO
Behind the bridge of La Paglia—facing the house of the Gondolier Luigi.
SALFIERI
In an hour—?
BRAVO
In an hour.
SALFIERI
That’s fine—I will be there.
(The Bravo leaves and Salfieri follows him with his eyes.)
C U R T A I N
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
