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THE SPAGNOLETTO.
Enter LUCA.
LUCA.
My lord?
RIBERA.
Go ask Fiametta if the mistress sleeps
If she be ailing why she has not come
This morn to greet me. [Exit LUCA.
RIBERA (begins pacing the stage).
What fond fears are these
Mastering my spirit ? Since her mother died
I tremble at the name of pain or ill.
How can my rude love tend, my hard hand soothe,
The dear child s fragile
[A. confused cry without.
What is that ? My God !
How hast thou stricken me !
[He staggers and falls into a chair. Enter hastily FIAMETTA, weeping, and LUCA with gestures of terror and distress.
FIAMETTA.
Master !
LUCA.
Dear master !
[RiBEBA rises with a great effort and confronts them.
