of our intended plan, and bid him reach the capital early in the morning.
(Going.)
LOMELLINO. Stop, prince. There is an error in our calculation. Fiesco
does not attend the senate.
GIANETTINO (looking back). Genoa will easily supply one more assassin.
I'll see to that.
[Exeunt different ways.
SCENE XV.-An Ante-chamber in FIESCO'S Palace.
FIESCO, with papers before him, and MOOR.
FIESCO. Four galleys have entered the harbor, dost say?
MOOR. Yes, they're at anchor in the port.
FIESCO. That's well. Whence are these expresses?
MOOR. From Rome, Placentia, and France.
FIESCO (opens the letters and runs over them). Welcome! welcome news!
(In high spirits.) Let the messengers be treated in a princely manner.
MOOR. Hem! (Going.).
FIESCO. Stop, stop! Here's work for thee in plenty.
MOOR. Command me. I am ready to act the setter or the bloodhound.
FIESCO. I only want at present the voice of the decoy-bird. To-morrow
early two thousand men will enter the city in disguise to engage in my
service. Distribute thy assistants at the gates, and let them keep a
watchful eye upon the strangers that arrive. Some will be dressed like
pilgrims on their journey to Loretto, others like mendicant friars, or
Savoyards, or actors; some as peddlers and musicians; but the most as
disbanded soldiers coming to seek a livelihood in Genoa. Let every one
be asked where he takes up his lodging. If he answer at the Golden
Snake, let him be treated as a friend and shown my habitation. But
remember, sirrah, I rely upon thy prudence.
MOOR. Sir, as securely as upon my knavery. If a single head escape me,
pluck out my eyes and shoot at sparrows with them. (Going.)
FIESCO. Stop! I've another piece of business for thee. The arrival of
the galleys will excite suspicion in the city. If any one inquire of
thee about them, say thou hast heard it rumored that thy master intends
to cruise against the Turks. Dost thou understand me?
MOOR. Yes, yes--the beards of the Mussulmen at the masthead, but the
devil for a steersman. (Going.)
FIESCO. Gently--one more precaution. Gianettino has new reasons to hate
me and lay snares against my life. Go--sound the fellows of thy trade;
see if thou canst not smell out some plot on foot against me. Visit the
brothels--Doria often frequents them. The secrets of the cabinet are
sometimes lodged within the folds of a petticoat. Promise these ladies
golden customers. P
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