FIRST NIGHT (fragment)

Tediato —“Who would have told me two months ago that I would be doing this? They passed on quicker than a dream, leaving me tormented on waking. They disappeared like smoke, leaving the flames below and vanishing into the air. What are you doing, Lorenzo?”

Lorenzo —“What a stench! What plague comes out from the tomb! I can’t keep going.”

Tediato —“Don’t leave me, don’t leave me, friend. I can’t maintain this stone by myself.”

Lorenzo —“The opening that’s forming already shows the worms that can be seen coming out by the light of my lantern.”

Tediato —“Ah, what a sight! My entire right foot is covered in them. How much misery
they herald! These worms… these worms, ah!, have transformed your flesh! Your beautiful eyes have given birth to these living revulsions. This putrefaction has been produced by your hair that I, in the height of my passion, called, a thousand times, not only more glimmering, but more precious than gold. To mere substance and corruption have been returned your white hands, your loving lips! In what a state may be the sad relics of your cadaver! What senses won’t she offend, she who was the charm of all!”

Lorenzo —“I’m back to help you, but this vapor is nauseating me… Now, begin. Keep on, keep on, why are you crying? The drops that fall in your hands can’t be but tears. Sobs! You’re not talking! Answer me.”

Tediato —“Ah! Ah!”

Lorenzo —“What’s going on? Are you fainting?”

Tediato —“No, Lorenzo.”

Lorenzo —“Well, speak. Now I realize who the person is who was buried here. Was he a relative of yours? Don’t stop working just to answer me. The gravestone is almost out,
and with a little of your help, we’ll knock it over. One, two, three!”

Tediato —“My strength is failing me.”

Lorenzo —“We lost momentum.”

Tediato —“It’s falling again.”

Lorenzo —“And the sun is coming out such that we’re in danger of being seen by people who come here to visit.”

Tediato —“The bells of the neighboring temples have already saluted the Creator with the morning toll. Doubtless the birds will have already begun to sing in the trees with music more natural, more innocent and, for that, more worthy. Finally now the night will have vanished. My heart alone still remains covered with dense and frightful gloom. For me the sun never comes up. All the hours pass in the same darkness for me. All objects I see in what they call day, are by my sight ghosts, visions, shadows at least, some are hellish furies.

“You are right, they may be able to recognize us. Hide that pick and that shovel, don’t fail to be here tomorrow at the same time and doing the same thing. You’ll be less frightened, so less time will be lost. Go; I’ll leave after you.

“Former object of my delight… today an object of horror for those who look upon you! Mountain of disgusting bones… In other times a collection of graces! Oh, you, now the image of what I will be soon! Soon I will return to your tomb, I will take you to my house, you will rest in a bed next to mine. My body will die next to yours, most revered cadaver, and dying, I will light my house on fire, and you and I will return to ash among those of the house.”