Duchess monologue from The Duchess Of Padua

Duchess’s monologue

Better for me I had not seen your face.O think it was for you I killed this man.[GUIDO recoils: she seizes his hands as she kneels.] Nay, Guido, listen for a while:Until you came to Padua I livedWretched indeed, but with no murderous thought,Very submissive to a cruel Lord,Very obedient to unjust commands,As pure I think as any gentle girlWho now would turn in horror from my hands--You came: ah! Guido, the first kindly wordsI ever heard since I had come from FranceWere from your lips: well, well, that is no matter.You came, and in the passion of your eyesI read love's meaning, everything you saidTouched my dumb soul to music, and you seemedFair as that young Saint Michael on the wallIn Santa Croce, where we go and pray.I wonder will I ever pray again?Well, you were fair, and in your boyish faceThe morning light seemed to lighten, so I loved you.And yet I did not tell you of my love.'Twas you who sought me out, knelt at my feetAs I kneel now at yours, and with sweet vows,Whose music seems to linger in my ears,Swore that you loved me, and I trusted you.I think there are many women in the worldWho had they been unti this vile Duke mated,Chained to his side, as the poor galley slaveIs to a leper chained,--ay! many womenWho would have tempted you to kill the man.I did not. Yet I know that had I done so,I had not been thus humbled in the dust.[Stands up.] But you have loved me very faithfully.[After a pause approaches him timidly.] I do not think you understand me, Guido:It was for your sake that I wrought this deedWhose horror now chills my young blood to ice,For your sake only.[Stretching out her arm.] Will you not speak to me?Love me a little: in my girlish lifeI have been starved for love, and kindlinessHas passed me by.

Public domain text.