Oh, this will be a portrait Worthy of both of you! [A knock.
VITTORIA.
Hark! He is coming.
JULIA.
And shall I go or stay?
VITTORIA.
By all means, stay.
The drawing will be better for your presence; You will enliven me.
JULIA.
I shall not speak; The presence of great men doth take from me All power of speech.

I only gaze at them In silent wonder, as if they were gods, Or the inhabitants of some other planet.
Enter MICHAEL ANGELO.
VITTORIA.
Come in.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
I fear my visit is ill-timed; I interrupt you.
VITTORIA.
No; this is a friend Of yours as well as mine,--the Lady Julia, The Duchess of Trajetto.
MICHAEL ANGELO to JULIA.
I salute you.
'T is long since I have seen your face, my lady; Pardon me if I say that having seen it, One never can forget it.
JULIA.
You are kind To keep me in your memory.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
It is The privilege of age to speak with frankness.
You will not be offended when I say That never was your beauty more divine.
JULIA.
When Michael Angelo condescends to flatter Or praise me, I am proud, and not offended.
VITTORIA.
Now this is gallantry enough for one; Show me a little.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
Ah, my gracious lady, You know I have not words to speak your praise.
I think of you in silence.

You conceal Your manifold perfections from all eyes, And make yourself more saint-like day by day.
And day by day men worship you the wore.
But now your hour of martyrdom has come.
You know why I am here.
VITTORIA.
Ah yes, I know it, And meet my fate with fortitude.

You find me Surrounded by the labors of your hands: The Woman of Samaria at the Well, The Mater Dolorosa, and the Christ Upon the Cross, beneath which you have written Those memorable words of Alighieri, "Men have forgotten how much blood it costs." MICHAEL ANGELO.
And now I come to add one labor more, If you will call that labor which is pleasure, And only pleasure.
VITTORIA.
How shall I be seated?
MICHAEL ANGELO, opening his portfolio.
Just as you are.

The light falls well upon you.
VITTORIA.
I am ashamed to steal the time from you That should be given to the Sistine Chapel.
How does that work go on?
MICHAEL ANGELO, drawing.
But tardily.
Old men work slowly.