VANNOZZA

When thy sire begat
Thee, sinful though he ever was--fierce, fell,
Spaniard--I fear me, Jesus for his sins
Bade Satan pass into him.

CAESAR

And fill thee full,
Sweet sinless mother. Fear it not. Thou hast
Children more loved of him and thee than me -
Our bright Francesco, born to smile and sway,
And her whose face makes pale the sun in heaven,
Whose eyes outlaugh the splendour of the sea,
Whose hair has all noon's wonders in its weft,
Whose mouth is God's and Italy's one rose,
Lucrezia.

VANNOZZA

Dost thou love them then? My child,
How should not I then love thee?

CAESAR

God alone
Knows. Was not God--the God of love, who bade
His son be man because he hated man,