A Gentleman True

Act 4

IV, I

Scene: A bedchamber in King Giacamo’s castle. Adelaide is lying in bed unconscious attended by 2 doctors and 2 nurses.

DOCTOR 1:

‘Tis a strange affliction suffered by this

Fair, foreign damsel. She appears in all

Ways hale, save but for her unbreakable

Sleep.

NURSE 1:

And for the unnatural chill of her

Wan skin.

DOCTOR 2:

I must say I would she were never found

Lying fainted outside the castle and

Carried within by members of the watch.

This case is curious, and I do dread

The King’s wrath should we fail to cure this maid.

NURSE 2:

‘Tis singular he would extend such kind

Charity toward a strange woman. Ne’er

Have I seen him ensure such thoughtful care

Nor display sympathy for anyone.

NURSE 1:

I may yet know the cause. The maid is fair,

Is she not? And see her manner of dress;

These garments are not of the kind worn by

Anyone but nobility. Perhaps

He supposes that should this woman be

Revived, she will repay him for his care

By falling in love with him.

NURSE 2:

I hope for her sake, ‘tis not the case. Ah,

As tradition warns, do not speak of the

Devil, lest he appear. I hear footsteps

And the clanking of armor belonging

To the royal guards.

GIACAMO:

Physicians, has the patient improved since

Our consulting prior?

DOCTOR 1:

Alas, my king. We have done all we know

To do, but her condition has remained

Unchanged. It is beyond our ken what ails

Her, but we have canvassed the viable

Causes of her malady and infer

She may have consumed some strange chattel of

An apothecary. Perhaps poison

Is the root, but we are not undoubtful

Of that nor have we found a cure.

GIACAMO:

The two of you are claimed to be the best

Physicians in all the land. If you are

Indeed the most masterful of your

Profession, it is no puzzle this realm