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The Duchess of Padua
The Duchess of Padua
THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY
Simone Gesso, Duke of Padua
Beatrice, his Wife
Andreas Pollajuolo, Cardinal of Padua
Maffio Petrucci, Jeppo Vitellozzo, Taddeo Bardi} Gentlemen of the Duke’s Household
Guido Ferranti, a Young Man
Ascanio Cristofano, his Friend
Count Moranzone, an Old Man
Bernardo Cavalcanti, Lord Justice of Padua
Hugo, the Headsman
Lucy, a Tire woman
Servants, Citizens, Soldiers, Monks, Falconers with their hawks and dogs, etc.
Place: Padua
Time: The latter half of the Sixteenth Century
THE SCENES OF THE PLAY
Style of Architecture: Italian, Gothic and Romanesque.
ACT I
SCENE
The Market Place of Padua at noon; in the background is the great Cathedral of Padua; the architecture is Romanesque, and wrought in black and white marbles; a flight of marble steps leads up to the Cathedral door; at the foot of the steps are two large stone lions; the houses on each aide of the stage have coloured awnings from their windows, and are flanked by stone arcades; on the right of the stage is the public fountain, with a triton in green bronze blowing from a conch; around the fountain is a stone seat; the bell of the Cathedral is ringing, and the citizens, men, women and children, are passing into the Cathedral.
[Enter Guido Ferranti and Ascanio Cristofano.]
Now by my life, Guido, I will go no farther; for if I walk another step I will have no life left to swear by; this wild-goose errand of yours!
[Sits down on the step of the fountain.]
Guido
I think it must be here. [Goes up to passer-by and doffs his cap.] Pray, sir, is this the market place, and that the church of Santa Croce? [Citizen bows.] I thank you, sir.
Ascanio
Well?
Guido
Ay! it is here.
Ascanio
I would it were somewhere else, for I see no wine-shop.
Guido