Cesare Borgia quotes from The Borgias

Cesare Borgia

So- Lucrezia is to be married.

(turns around, smiles feebly) The brightest and- bleakest of days.

Cesare Borgia

They say you're not eating.

(turns away, paces) We fast... We abstain. We scourge our flesh- we take all mortification- and still, we are punished.

Cesare Borgia

This is not God's doing, Father.

(tearfully) Everything is God's doing! (gestures at Juan) Until we find his murderer- until we scour all Italy- Juan shall not be buried!

Cesare Borgia

There must be a funeral. It is arranged-

NO! We will not send him to purgatory! He will have no rest, until we find who did this! (to himself) There can be no hiding place so deep we could not seek them out!

Cesare Borgia

... There will be no need of that. (Rodrigo turns around, stunned)

... Do you know who did this?

Cesare Borgia

(nods)...I do.

(moves towards him) Well, then tell us!

Cesare Borgia

... You truly wish to know?

(looks confused, then hesitant; sits down in front of Juan) Ahh... Well, we... must.

Cesare Borgia

(walks around Juan) Then first, I ask that you hear my confession.

... Your confession?

Cesare Borgia

And, I further ask that you release me, from my vows as Cardinal, and- and I ask for your forgiveness, of my sins.

(stares at him) What... sins have you committed?

Cesare Borgia

I have protected the Papacy against its' enemies, when none other would stand its' ground. I have made my family strong, in the face of those who would weaken it. I have brought low the heretic Savanarola and outwitted the French King, and all this, Father, all this- I've done for Rome, the Church, and for you.

(confused and frightened)... T-tell me your sins. (Cesare kneels next to him)

Cesare Borgia

It is this, and only this: That I have taken upon my head... the act that none other would dare commit... though its' commission, benefits all. (Rodrigo realizes what he means and looks horrified) I swore a vow, long ago, that I would put an end to anyone who brought dishonor on our family, dishonor on our own, dishonor on you.

(horrified) Ohhh. Ohhh. OHHHH! (stands up hastily and clutches at Juan's shoulders)

Cesare Borgia

(shaking with emotion) So, you see, Father- the robes of a Cardinal no longer sit easy on my shoulders! (raises his fist) A Cardinal's ring makes it harder, to grip the hilt of a sword! I beg, that you will release me of my vows, and you will grant me your forgiveness! (long pause, Rodrigo stares tearfully at Juan's body)...Father?

(wearily) ...We release you from your vows.

Cesare Borgia

... Father?

(to Antonello) Bring us some wine. (Cesare drinks, Antonello brings over the wine-pitcher, pours some into a cup, and drains it)

(pause)... It is good, Holiness. (Rodrigo nods and gestures for him to pour; Antonello fills his goblet, then takes the tray across the room)

Cesare Borgia

(staring at the earth coating Rodrigo's hands and robes) What's happened to your hands, Father?

(glances at his filthy hands)... We have buried our son. (Cesare stares at him in disbelief) And, we realize now... that, we have brought this... upon ourselves. (takes a drink)

Cesare Borgia

Father...

(shrugs) You, are our own doing. What you've done, is our doing also. We brought you to this. (Cesare looks away angrily) You say, we granted every favor to him... but, our favors fell on him so easily. Of their own accord! (sees Cesare is still resentful and sighs sadly, smiling) You are too much like me. A man feels less favor, for his own image, reflected.

Cesare Borgia

(long pause, trying to form the words) If I cannot have your affection... can you at least grant me, your forgiveness?

(conflicted expression) I...

Cesare Borgia

Father? (Rodrigo staggers towards him) Father! No- Father! (Rodrigo begins to convulse and bleed from the mouth as he grabs Cesare's arm) HELP! (He cradles Rodrigo as the Pope collapses)

Lucrezia Borgia

(runs into the room with Vanozza, Julia and several others) Father!

Ascanio Sforza

Guards!

Holy Father-

Vanozza

Rodrigo!