Transcribed from the 1908 Chatto and Windus edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
THE DUKE OF GANDIA
BY ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE
LONDON CHATTO & WINDUS 1908
Copyright, 1908, by Harper and Brothers Dramatic rights reserved
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
POPE ALEXANDER VI.
FRANCESCO BORGIA, Duke of Gandia } his sons
CÆSAR BORGIA, Cardinal of Valencia }
DON MICHELE COREGLIA, called MICHELOTTO, agent for Cæsar Borgia.
GIORGIO SCHIAVONE, a Tiber waterman.
TWO ASSASSINS.
AN OFFICER of the Papal Household.
VANNOZZA CATANEI, surnamed LA ROSA, concubine to the Pope.
LUCREZIA BORGIA, daughter to Alexander and Vannozza.
Scene: ROME.
Time: JUNE 14–JULY 22, 1497.
SCENE I
The Vatican
Enter CÆSAR and VANNOZZA
CÆSAR
Now, mother, though thou love my brother more, Am I not more thy son than he?
VANNOZZA
Not more.
CÆSAR
Have I more Spaniard in me—less of thee? Did our Most Holiest father thrill thy womb With more Italian passion than brought forth Me?
VANNOZZA
Child, thine elder never was as thou— Spake never thus.
CÆSAR
I doubt it not. But I, Mother, am not mine elder. He desires And he enjoys the life God gives him—God, The Pope our father, and thy sacred self, Mother beloved and hallowed. I desire More.
