Countess of Fondi, Duchess of Trajetto, A widow rich and flattered, for whose hand

In marriage princes ask, and ask it only

To be rejected. All the world can offer I am confused.
Lies at my feet. If I remind you of it,
It is not in the way of idle boasting,
But only to the better understanding
Of what comes after.

JULIA.

Between the two

VALDESSO.

Yet have I seen you listen Enraptured when Fra Bernardino

preached

Of faith and hope and charity.

If I lived all alone here in my palace,
And not from a vocation that I feel
For the monastic life, I now am living
With Sister Caterina at the convent
Of Santa Chiara, and I come here only

made

My soul enamored with it, and I can

On certain days, for my affairs, or visits | And I will follow you; for you have
Of ceremony, or to be with friends.
For I confess, to live among my friends
Is Paradise to me; my Purgatory
Is living among people I dislike.
And so I pass my life in these two worlds,
This palace and the couvent.

VALDESSo.

It was then

The fear of man, and not the love of

God,

not

Rest satisfied until I find it out.
But lead me privately, so that the world
Hear not my steps; I would not give
occasion

For talk among the people.

VALDESSO.

That led you to this step. Why will you I understand you fully.

not

need

Now at last Then, what

If you divine the truth, will I confess it.

I am content.

VALDESSO.

JULIA.

Then speak.

VALDESSO.

You would be free From the vexatious thoughts that come and go

Through your imagination, and would have me

Point out some royal road and lady-like Which you may walk in, and not wound your feet;

You would attain to the divine perfection,

And yet not turn your back upon the
world;

You would possess humility within,
But not reveal it in your outward ac-
tions;

You would have patience, but without
the rude

Occasions that require its exercise;
You would despise the world, but in such

fashion