The Cask of Amontillado

ROME - a Hall in a Palace. ALESSANDRA and CASTIGLIONE.

Alessandra Thou art sad, Castiglione.

Castiglione Sad!-not I.

Oh, I'm the happiest, happiest man in Rome!

A few days more, thou knowest, my Alessandra,

Will make thee mine. Oh, I am very happy!

Alessandra Methinks thou hast a singular way of showing

Thy happiness-what ails thee, cousin of mine?

Why didst thou sigh so deeply?

Castiglione Did I sigh?

I was not conscious of it. It is a fashion,

A silly-a most silly fashion I have

When I am very happy. Did I sigh? [sighing]

Alessandra Thou didst. Thou art not well. Thou hast indulged

Too much of late, and I am vexed to see it.

Late hours and wine, Castiglione,-these

Will ruin thee! thou art already altered-

Thy looks are haggard-nothing so wears away

The constitution as late hours and wine.

Castiglione (musing) Nothing, fair cousin, nothing-

Not even deep sorrow-

Wears it away like evil hours and wine.

I will amend.

Alessandra Do it! I would have thee drop

Thy riotous company, too-fellows low born

Ill suit the like of old Di Broglio's heir

And Alessandra's husband.

Castiglione I will drop them.

Alessandra Thou wilt-thou must. Attend thou also more

To thy dress and equipage-they are over plain

For thy lofty rank and fashion-much depends

Upon appearances.

Castiglione I'll see to it.

Alessandra Then see to it!-pay more attention, sir,

To a becoming carriage-much thou wantest

In dignity.

Castiglione Much, much, oh, much I want

In proper dignity.

Alessandra (haughtily) Thou mockest me, sir!

Castiglione (abstractedly) Sweet, gentle Lalage!

Alessandra Heard I aright?

I speak to him-he speaks of Lalage?

Sir Count!

[places her hand on his shoulder]