Here is the pastoral of Phyllis by Ludovic of
the Lute ; a hymn in four parts to the Virgin
by Orlandus Lassus ; a madrigal by the
Pope's master, Sighor Pierluigi of Praeneste.
Ah ! Here is a dramatic scene between
Medea and Creusa, rivals in love, by the
Florentine Octavio. Have you knowledge of it,
madam ?

Princess. I have sung it with my master for
exercise. But, good Diego, find a song for
yourself*

Diego. You shall humour me now, gracious

lady. Think I am your master. I desire to

hear your voice. And who knows i In this

small matter I may really teach you something.
The Princess sits to the barfsiebard^

277



Ariadne in Mantua



Diego standing beside her on the dais.
They sing^ the Princess taking the treble^
Diego the contralto fart. The Princess
enters first with a fuU-toned voice^ clear
and highf singing very carefully. Diego
folhtasy singing in a whisper. His
voice is a little husky, and here and
there broken, but ineffably delicious and
penetrating, and, as he sings, becomes,
without quitting the whisper, dominating
and disquieting. The Princess plays a
wrong chord, and breaks off suddenly.
Diego {having finished a cadence, rudely).
What is it, madam ?
Princess. I know not. I have lost my

place ^I ^I feel bewildered. When your

voice rose up against mine, Diego, I lost my
head. And — ^I do not know how to express it
—when our voices met in that held dissonance,
it seemed as if you hurt me — ^horribly.
Diego (smiling, with hypocritical apology).
Forgive me, madam. I sang too loud, perhaps.
