Rodrigo Borgia quotes from The Borgias

(finds Vittoria back in her disguise, restoring the ancient Roman art works) Do you never rest? (Vittoria smiles) Where do you sleep?

(grins) Under silk covers, last night.

(chuckles, shakes his head) On a normal night.

On a straw bed, on a studio floor.

(crouches next to her) So, you know the streets of Rome- the slums, the tennants- you live among the common people.

I am one of them, Your Holiness.

(strokes her ear) Hmm- not for long, I would hazard, knowing your talents.

... Does the Pope of Rome not know his flock?

(sighs and looks around)... You see the gilded cage we live in. We meet with princes and pergunters and prelates, and... very few of the common people. (pause, kisses her head) We might... need your assistance. (Cardinal Sforza appears behind them and clears his throat, the Pope stands up) Ah, Cardinal Sforza! Come to view our... Roman treasures? (gestures around them)

Ascanio Sforza

Etruscan, I would wager.

(surprised) Ah- the Cardinal is an expert in such matters?

Ascanio Sforza

The Cardinal has seen Donatello's David, and marveled at the source of its' eros. Now, he knows.

And, the Cardinal thinks there may be scandal, perhaps?...

Ascanio Sforza

(stiffly) The Cardinal does not care. What the Cardinal does care about are the Vatican finances.

Ah- yes. (to Vittoria) You will excuse us, young maestro.

Cardinal Versucci

Your Holiness. (they sit)

(smiles) You have been in charge of the Office of Public Works for how many years?

(smiles) Oh, for as long as I have been a Cardinal, Your Holiness.

Mmm-two decades? (Versucci nods, chuckles) After which time the orphans of Rome find themselves destitute. (Versucci's smile vanishes) And, the Cardinal has built himself how many palaces?

... Three.

You see the irony there?

... The poor will always be with us, Your Holiness.

(scoffs) The poor- like the pigeons! (storms down the hall, Versucci hastily follows)

I- I beg your pardon, Your Holiness-

Does the Cardinal believe the pigeons will always be with us?!

Is this a riddle? (the Pope whirls around and points at him)

We will have curatorial funds used for their declared purposes! Money destined for the poor should GO to the poor! (walks on into the next room, where Julia Farnese is sitting at a desk) So, we will have you go through the last two decades of your accounts, with one we have designated to supervise them: the Lady Julia Farnese. (puts his hand on Julia's shoulder)

(offended) What Your Holiness proposes is unthinkable!

What- that moneys destined for the poor should go to the poor?

That a woman should have access to curatorial accounts. (Rodrigo looks expectantly at Julia)

Julia Farnese

(mockingly, looking away from Versucci) Can a woman not count? Add, subtract?

Count her children, perhaps. (Julia spins around and glares at him)

Julia Farnese

(coldly) There's a new method, Cardinal. Devised by the Florentine bankers. (Versucci scoffs, Julia gets up and approaches him) It is called double-entry bookkeeping... and it proves a valuable tool in tracing all missing funds.

So, the Cardinal shall help you in your efforts to source those missing funds- while we shall attend to another matter of worrisome import. (leaves)

(bows, seething) Your Holiness.

(trying to console Lucrezia, who is in deep mourning after Paolo's "suicide" and is refusing to nurse her crying son) Please talk to me, my love. You are the light of my life... the light of this family's life. If that light goes... (clutches her hand, worried)

Lucrezia Borgia

... I would ask just one thing of you, Father.

Anything.

Lucrezia Borgia

(looks him straight in the eye) Permit my Paolo a Christian burial.

(closes his eyes quickly) He is a suicide- it is impossible. (Lucrezia sits up, holding a scrap of paper)

Lucrezia Borgia

This note was pinned to his sleeve. (Alexander takes it and examines it)

Yes. A suicide note-

Lucrezia Borgia

(angrily) But he could not read or write Father! (Alexander looks up at her, startled) My Paolo could not even pen his own name. (long pause)

... So, it was murder. (pause) Where is the murderer?

Lucrezia Borgia

...Too close for comfort.

(sighs angrily) I will not have this family at war with itself!

Lucrezia Borgia

(coldly) And I would have my Paolo saved, from the fires of Hell.

Rodrigo Borgia

(nods resignedly)... And your infant must... feed.

Juan Borgia

... Holy Father.

(curtly) Have you come to confess? (Juan comes over to his chair, kneels and puts his arms around his father's shoulders)

Juan Borgia

That I am sorry, and-

(sharply) For what?!

Juan Borgia

... For my sister... and for her loss.

(takes Juan's hand in his own) You... will choose a bride, in your ancestral homeland, Spain. You will travel there... And you will become the Borgia... that I always hoped you would be! (shoves Juan's hand aside and storms out)

Cesare Borgia

(on Francesco Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua) He talks of honor, Father. There is nothing-

Interesting concept, honor, isn't it? It's like its' cousin, valor.

Cesare Borgia

(sarcastically) Honor has cousins?

Oh, it has many cousins.

Cesare Borgia

Rather like Cardinal Sforza.

(nods) And, they've all led Kings and armies to their doom.

Cesare Borgia

So, why should we now make common cause with Milan?

Because, when the French have left this "fair paradise", the Milanese will still be with us.

Cesare Borgia

So?

(smiles and shakes his head) This 'League'...cannot beat the French. Even in their weakened state. And, I doubt the French can beat this League. (pause) So, if the two armies batter each other to death... as the lawyers often say, qui berne?

Cesare Borgia

(nods) "Who benefits?"

(nods) Mmm. A weakened Venice, a weakened Milan, a weakened Mantua. (shrugs) Has to be worth a weekend in Tuscany, surely. (Cesare smiles at his father's cunning, Rodrigo chuckles and slaps him on the shoulder)

Charles VIII

We are ill, Your Holiness. This battle may well be our last- which is why we have requested a private audience.

Not for your... confession? (crosses himself before the altar and joins Charles at the table)

Charles VIII

My sins are many, Your Holiness, and they are all bloody ones. Perhaps, even the Pope of Rome... cannot forgive them.

So, why have you requested our presence here?

Charles VIII

To use your diplomatic skills... to spare us this battle.

... Well, perhaps if you were to surrender the booty you have pillaged, to our Holy Mother Church... we might do something.

Charles VIII

(smiles tightly) With respect, Your Holiness, you have fooled me once. For a man of God, yours... was a most ungodly stratagem.

(shrugs) So, why our presence?

Charles VIII

(angrily, gesturing to make his point) If they are fool enough to join battle with me, I will destroy them, utterly! I will be pitiless, I don't know the way, but my cannon will ANNIHILATE their armies! I will DRAG you, in chains, to Avignon and see you end your days in ignominy! All this, before I die. Are you listening, "Holy Father?!" (thunder sounds outside)

(flatly) ...We hear you. We will convey your words to the lead forces. (stands up, starts to leave, then stops) Ah! Listen. Is that the sound of rain? (sarcastically) Can, even the King of France light his cannon in the rain?

Charles VIII

(sneering) You think we don't know how to keep powder dry?!

(coldly) Do you think the Lord God doesn't know how to make rain?! (leaves)

We live in a fortress, now. Barricaded against the sea of zealots in the streets outside.

Hmm- "zealots".

Their fervor for the Friar's visions increases daily. They would ban all art and ornament, and they have set their sights on the coin of the Realm itself!

Money? Dear God...

They see gold and silver coin as part of the fallen world. They would reduce all exchange to a state of barter only possible in the Garden of Eden!

(pretending to examine a sculpture) Hmmm- and what of banking?

(scoffs, imitates Savanarola) "Did Adam need gold coin?! Did Eve need a bank?! Did Cain charge interest to Abel?!" (Machiavelli smiles briefly, Cardinal Sforza and Medici chuckle)

Ascanio Sforza

And what of the Church's deposits in your banks?

They would scatter them like chaff. (he starts to sit. Machiavelli clears his throat, and Medici hastily stands up again) And, if they knew, Holy Father, of your personal accounts, they would burn the bank to the ground.

Well, then- perhaps we had better have our wealth brought back to Rome. (Machiavelli frowns)

How? The Friar has his spies everywhere.

(shrugs) Well, perhaps the good Friar could be bought.

With money?

No- a Bishopric. Generalship of the Dominican Order. (sits)

(also sits) The Dominican Order already does his bidding.

Niccolo Machiavelli

And, how can you buy one who would outlaw trade itself?

You offer him something that money cannot buy. Heaven itself.

Cesare Borgia

(enters Lucrezia's quarters to find her watching her sleeping son Giovanni) The sleep of the innocent. (pause) I promised you a heart, Sister.

Lucrezia Borgia

Whose? Your own?

Cesare Borgia

I promised you the heart of Giovanni Sforza- on a dinner plate. (Lucrezia looks shocked) His blood... on this knife will have to suffice. (unwraps the bloodstained blade and shows it to her)

Lucrezia Borgia

... What does it say of us, Brother, that you...promise me this, and I would accept?

Cesare Borgia

Do you accept? (Lucrezia looks up at him, then walks across the room)

Lucrezia Borgia

I would rather have my innocence back. Be as I was, before I married that... vile man.

Cesare Borgia

(strokes her cheek) Impossible, I'm afraid- for either of us. (the Pope walks into the room)

Prime has been sung, terse approaches (kisses Lucrezia) yet some barely rouse their souls! (opens the window to let in sunlight and sighs in satisfaction) Darkness...into light!

Lucrezia Borgia

Father, Giovanni is sleeping.

Oh, yes yes yes! (lowers his voice, to Cesare) You have, um... broached the matter, my son?

Lucrezia Borgia

(looks at Cesare)... What matter? (Cesare looks away guiltily)

... The matter of Forli. (gives both of them a direct look) Our need for... the most sacred alliance. (pause) The matter, in a word, of marriage-

Lucrezia Borgia

(angry) Ah, I see. I am to be put back in the marketplace. (glares at Cesare, who folds his arms) Did you know of this, Brother? (turns to their father) And how secure did the last alliance you sold me into prove to be?!

(firmly, but guiltily) It is your father's wish- we would have you married! It's as simple as that.

Lucrezia Borgia

(laughs sarcastically) I will not marry. Never again. So, there let it rest.

We are shocked by this... ingratitude!

Lucrezia Borgia

Even so, I will not marry.

(sharply) It is a daughter's duty to marry her father's choice! (Giovanni begins to wake)

Lucrezia Borgia

So, I am to have no voice in the matter?! I am to lie on my back and wait to be ravaged by a beast of your choosi-

Enough! Enough! This language... does not become you. (points at Cesare) And save your salt- say nothing.

Cesare Borgia

(coldly) I haven't uttered a word.

No, but we can hear you thinking. (gestures at Lucrezia) This will come to pass- you shall see. Even if we drag you to the Basilica! (storms out as Giovanni begins to fuss, Lucrezia glares at Cesare and goes to quiet him)

Cesare Borgia

(sighs and sits down) Like me, you have just declared a war.

Friar Savanarola berates us daily. He preaches... heresy. That God speaks to him, and him alone. He must be silenced. (pause, looks at Cesare) We charge you with this task- and this will require all your patience. (slaps Cesare on the arm) You will travel to Florence, and you will ban him from preaching the word of God.

Cesare Borgia

(scoffs) He will laugh in my face.

of course. And then, we will charge him with heresy.

Cesare Borgia

He will laugh in your face.

Of course. And then, we will excommunicate him.

Cesare Borgia

(frowns) He will... deny your right to do so.

(smiles) Of course. And, then... we will burn him. (pause, Cesare smiles) Vengeance, you see, can wait...a lifetime, if necessary.

(storming into Vanozza's villa) Vanozza!... Vanozza!...Vanozza! (Vanozza enters the dining room at the same time as him) Did you know of this?

Vanozza Cattaneo

Of what?

That our daughter, betrothed to one, gives herself to the brother?!

Vanozza Cattaneo

(sarcastically) Lucrezia? It's not possible- how could she be so foolish?

(impatient) With the help of those around her, perhaps? What advice did you give her, hmm?

Vanozza Cattaneo

(sits down) I merely said, that if she married to please you, she may yet love to please herself.

(sighs in exasperation) And you thought that wise?!

Vanozza Cattaneo

(curtly) I married one of your choosing, to be free to love you.

But you are not the Pope's daughter!

Vanozza Cattaneo

Rodrigo, she will love whom she chooses- she is a Borgia. (Lucrezia enters, Rodrigo angrily turns on her)

Lucrezia Borgia

I hear the Palavacini boys have gone. (walks past him)

Yes- because you would marry a pauper with a paintbrush! (Lucrezia kisses her mother,then turns to face him)

Lucrezia Borgia

(coldly) I would have married Calvino Palavacini, as you bid, dear Father- but, if I had followed my heart, I doubt I would have married either of them.

(sarcastically) Oh- so the future of this family is enthralled to your heart, hm? (Lucrezia's expression softens just a fraction)

Lucrezia Borgia

(strokes her father's chin)...If it is, it needs mending. Like my heart.

Cesare Borgia

(triumphantly, brandishing the forged confession) Holy Father, I bring you the signed confession of the heretic Girolamo Savanarola of Florence! (he sees Juan's body and stops) What happened?

(gestures to Juan tearfully) He was... dragged from the Tiber. Dogs, cats... the stillborn offspring of prostitutes... and our son. (turns away)

Cesare Borgia

Leave us, Cardinals. (Sforza, Piccolomini and Versucci exit)

(embraces Cesare) Who would do such a thing? Who would dare?! Who had cause to wish him harm?

Lucrezia Borgia

(coolly, staring down at her brother's body) Any one of the many he harmed. (Julia and Vanozza stare at her)

(spins around) What? (Cesare releases him and moves towards Lucrezia) What did you say?

Lucrezia Borgia

(looks away) Nothing, Father.

(angrily) What do you say?!

Lucrezia Borgia

(finally meets his eye) You asked, "who would do such a thing?" The answer is many people, Father. Many people.

(shocked and offended)...That does not stand! (gestures at Juan) Here lies your brother- murdered, in cold blood! And, you speak as if... (looks in disbelief at Cesare, Julia and Vanozza) "Many people?!" Many people, you say? Do you count yourself among that number?!

Lucrezia Borgia

I-

Cesare Borgia

Father-

LET HER SPEAK!

Lucrezia Borgia

(steps forward, tearful and angry) What would you have me say?! You know what he did to me! What he took from me- you all do! And you stood by, for the honor of the family. (pause) I have wished him dead a thousand times. And now, you want me to mourn him? I'm sorry, Father, I cannot. (she steps back, next to Cesare)

(stunned, hurt and angry, to Cesare)... And you? He was your brother- you show no tears? Are you stone?

Cesare Borgia

... I wept them all out for him, long ago. Over and over, I watched him fail, and I wept. (resentfully) You should know- you were there. And still, you- you granted him your every favor!

(quietly, but with barely-contained rage) Take... yourselves, both... away from our SIGHT! (Cesare leads Lucrezia out)

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!