[_Voices are heard perturbed within the castle. Then_ AMAURY, _putting aside_ RENIER _and_ TREMITUS, _followed by_ VITTIA _and others, enters down._
_Amaury._ I'll not return unto my couch though twice These wounds and all your wants were urging it! Yolanda! my Yolanda!--Never, never!
Until I prove you that a word against Her that I hold here in my arms is more To me than any peril.
_Tremitus._ But, sir--!... Aeih! My precious physic wasted!
_Amaury._ Till I prove it! For ... my Yolanda!... You who are purity if Mary still Is mother of God and lighteth Paradise! You in whose presence I am purged as one Bathing a thousand years in angel song! They say, you, who are stainless to my eyes As is the sacring-bell to holy ears, So undefiled even the perfect lily Pendent upon your breast fears to pollute it! Listen, they tell me you--A fool, a fool Would know it unbelievable and laugh.
_Amaury._ O, sir, pardon. You are my father, and, I must believe, Mean well this monster breath's unchastity, As does this lady (_of_ VITTIA) who has gently nursed me. But you were tricked; it was illusion swum Before your sleep. Therefore my purpose is Now to forget it.
_Tremitus._ Aieh! and to return Now to my drugs.
_Renier._ Stand off!--As dogs forget The lash in hunger of the wonted bone?
_Amaury._ A poison so incredible and dark You cannot duped inoculate me with. Trust in my veins makes of it but more love. And to dispel your minds (_goes to_ CAMARIN) I'll clasp his hand Whom you have so accused.
And then embrace him in whose arms three nights Ago she was embraced.
_Amaury._ Lady of Venice, nothing! But this to all, I answer!-- There is my mother, see, Wounded with wonder of this plight, and pity. Yolanda has dwelt by her As the fawn By the white doe on mount Chionodes. I would as quick believe that she had given Her holiness up to contamination As that Yolanda----
Out of your thought forever let it fall, Hear no more of it, ever! Be deaf to it as to a taunt of doom, In triple mail to every peaceless word, Granite against even its memory. Say that you will, and now!...
_Renier._ So that you may Allure him yet to wed you?
_Yolanda._ No, no! But let him.... Then I will go far Away from here to any alien air, To opiate India, a lost sea-isle! To the last peak of arid Caucasus.
