LUCRETIA BORGIA

Just a few days ago, everyone of you gloated over my name in triumph. Now you utter my name in terror. Yes, look at me with those eyes filled with dread. It is really Lucrertia Borgia, my fine gentlemen. I have some important news to tell you. You are all dying, gentlemen. You have all been poisoned and will be dead within the hour. Do not attempt to escape. The adjoining room is full of guards. Now, it is my turn. My turn to bellow out you names and crush you in the palm of my hand. Jeppo Liveretto, time to join your uncle Viteli, who was stabbed to death in the Vatican cellars on my orders! Ascanio Petrucci, time to join your cousin Pandolfo whom I murdered to steal his city! Oloferno Vitellozzo, your uncle Iago d’Appini awaits you; he, too, was poisoned at a banquet! Maffio Orsini, you can talk about me in the afterlife with your brother Gravina whom I strangled in his sleep! Apostolo Gazella, I had your father Franciso Gazella beheaded, I slit the throat of your cousin Alfonso d’Aragon, it is time for you to join them! Upon my soul, I was your guest at a ball in Venice, I return the compliment with a banquet in Ferrara! A feast for a feast, gentlemen!

Ah! My young friends from Venice! Did you really not expect this? My God! I think I am sufficiently avenged! What do you think gentlemen? Who knows the meaning of the word ‘revenge’ here? You have all tasted it tonight! Tell me what you think? I’d call it triumph of revenge- all planned and executed by a mere woman too! (To the monks) My fathers, take these men into the adjoining chamber, take their confession, and in this moment that remain to them in this mortal life you may try to save what is left of their souls! Gentlemen, if any of you have souls, feel free to confess- you are in good hands. These holy fathers are monks at Saint Sixtus, and have on occasion like this been given dispensation from the Pope himself to assist me! Yes, I have care of your souls just as I will take care of your bodies. Behold! Clear a space, fathers, so that these gentlemen may see (The Monks in front of the doorway move away and in so doing reveal five coffins draped in black cloth.) Five coffins, gentlemen. One for each of you! Ah, you young fools! Did you think you could rip out the guts of a wretched woman ands expect no retribution! Look Jeppo and Maffio, there are your coffins! Oloferno, Apostolo, Ascanio, there are yours! Five coffins fro the five of you.