(Chiara continued,)

''It was based on the friendship between me and the mother.
I had done some business to multiply the wealth I had.
I had an illegitimate little son and rather
Than letting him be poor, I would make money, good or bad.''



(Francesca was surprised to find this terrible secret and questioned Chiara,)



'' Did my father know about this child? '' '' Of course he knew about him.''
''What's his name? '' '' His name is Gregorio.'' ''Where is his father? ''
'' I fell in love with a nobleman as a maid, '' her eyes grew dim,
''In his parents' house, I'd gotten pregnant; then, he asked his brother



(Chiara continued,)



To talk with their parents about our marriage, but they
Immediately arranged his marriage with a noble girl,
And I was fired; they hoped that my sighs would pass away
While giving me some land and money; my mind was in a whirl.



(Chiara continued,)



A wealthy farmer wanted to marry me, but I took
The money, and I ran to the town, '' ''What have you done there? ''
''I've worked as a laundrywoman. One day, in a wayside nook,
I've met a band of actors; I was hired to play and, my dear,



(Chiara continued,)



On another day, another nobleman asked me to be
His wife; I've married him, but I've lost him shortly after
The marriage; then, one thing remained above my fame and me.
''The money! '' ''The suffering! '' Then, she said, ''Oh, my dear daughter! ''



(Chiara embraced Francesca because Francesca started to cry.)

(Francesca said,)



''You were unlucky! You were more unfortunate than me.
''Why? '' '' For thou hast known some happiness and thou lost it.''
''I've tried to convince your father not to play; he didn't see
Love; that you were his whole family, he should admit.''



(Francesca replied,)



''He was aware of the relationships in the society,
But he was hardly able to understand the women.''
''He understood them, but he didn't believe them, in reality.''
'' Lucca had a positive influence on him; then,


(Francesca continued,)



Lucca tried to help him change his life while being so busy.''
''He was shocked when he was threatened by the pirates; '' ''He was
Very resigned; '' ''While lacking his pipe that made me dizzy.''
'' He was powerful, and he joked when he was nervous because



(Francesca continued,)



He wanted to be untouchable; he loved the things
Of value, which were rare and authentic; while appreciating
The arts he didn't want to be sensitized; '' ''when the heart sings,
Love sensitizes it; eccentric while depreciating



(Chiara continued,)




The limitations, he wanted to be your partner in life.''
''He had known that this trip carried a high risk, but he needed
This danger to control me; '' '' he protected you as a wife.
He was willing to pay for his life while being mistreated



(Chiara continued,)



And while thinking that the pirates wanted wealth; did you see
How did Quintus disappear? '' '' No! I appreciate that Lucca
Has not betrayed the state secrets; in death, he started to be
A hero needing the strength to block the sun as Garuda.''



(Chiara said,)



‘’My first husband had been Italian, but your father
Has been Spanish and I was proud when he asked me to be
His wife; '' Francesca hugged her, '' I consider you a mother.
Rosa said that you're a witch, but you're like an angel to me.''



(Chiara said,)



''Rosa was able to play to the extreme for her happiness
While putting her victims in the other extreme; '' ''I think
You have a wrong impression about her; '' '' her rose of success
Withered quickly; her death was creepy upon her existence's brink.



(Francesca began to cry. Chiara said.)



''Rosa didn't help me when Bella fell into the water.
I didn't know that Bella could not swim. When that jellyfish
Attacked her, she clenched her hand so hard that I couldn't help her
Any longer'' '' Rosa helped me; if I could have one great wish



(Francesca continued,)


I would love to be instead of Bella; when Fargo and
Geraldine boarded the boat, you unbalanced and pushed me.
If Rosa hadn't kept me tight, I would have been in
Bella's place; '' Chiara exclaimed, '' So lucky how could you be?



(Chiara continued,)




How did you feel it? '' ''What do you mean? '' ''When you've painted that
Jellyfish; '' '' Yeah, it was like a premonition; maybe
We had to listen to Fargo; it wasn't good, '' ''What? ''
''To be exposed ashore; the pirates could see us; '' '' you know me! ''



(Chiara said that she hadn't known about the pirates' existence.)

(…to be continued…)


Poem by Marieta Maglas

(Chiara kissed Francesca's forehead. She said,)

''Who would have hurt a pure, innocent soul as yours? '' ''You're more
Sensible than me; you're not like those women, who are
Apparently introverted because of hiding some core,
***** secrets; ’’ ‘‘the power of a mother's love no one can mar.''



(Francesca said,)



''I love you; thank you for accepting to be my mother.
Do you think Fargo is trustworthy? '' '' He didn't intend
To save Bella; more than this, I've talked with your father.
He said that Fargo's attitude proved that he was the pirates' friend.



(Chiara continued,)




It wasn't good to take with him some women to go into
An unknown zone without having the possibility to
Protect them; '' '' you've searched for anything appearing in view
While walking along the shore; '' ''I did what I had to do.''



(Francesca said,)



''I enjoyed painting while Bella was playing the violin.
Those sounds inspired me; I would have liked to have a sister
Like her; how old was her child when he died? '' ''That's where mares begin.
In an epidemic measles, this child was ill and left her.



(Chiara continued,)



They fled the war and have spent time in England; Bella
Didn't want to be saved; she couldn't have another child.
She lost hope after using the Hindu powers of chela.''
''On the shore, you helped me fight depression when you smiled.''


(Chiara said,)



Remaining on the shore was the only salvation.
If the fire had been extinguished, our husbands would have
Found us; '' '' I can't forget those moments of desperation.
Yet you have not betrayed Fargo' s secret; '' '' I believe in Yahve.



(Chiara continued,)



This was why I wanted to protect those accompanying
Him; I give you as much love as I have! '' ''I like this contrast
Between who you are and who you're suggesting you are; being
In this contrast is my desire; '' '' hope is engraved in the fights I've passed.''



(Francesca said,)



I loved my father too much because I had no other
Parent; I was afraid of losing him and I sacrificed
A lot; I would have been different if I had had a brother.
He married you to release me and gave me this advice



(Francesca continued,)



To start a new life; I think he wanted me to be happy,
But I couldn't be; I've missed my mother so much that I wanted
To die for the purpose of being with her; ’’ ‘‘you feel so ******,
But we're brought to death by this life which by Almighty is granted.''



(Chiara continued,)




Much sooner than we imagine, that final hour comes to us.
It can be excruciating, but we must accept this fate.
We're puppets in front of it acting as we know everything, thus
We know nothing; you were afraid of this sudden poorness, a gate



(Chiara continued,)

That could make you be catapulted to a lower social
Class, where you should marry a commoner; it was another
Motivation to accept this marriage that was crucial.''
''I was glad to know that my father loved you; there came the sequel.



(Francesca continued,)



I didn't want him to suffer; '' '' you pulled the boat while
Considering my age and the helplessness of Pedra.''
''I wanted to be sure that the boat is well hidden; smile!
Our life is like this slow balance of the moon called Libra.''



(Chiara embraced Francesca tightly while not understanding what was happening to herself.)
(Chiara said,)



''Let's sleep; it's late; before turning the lamp, check the documents
And lock the box of the values; tomorrow we go shopping
In Corfu Town before talking with the governor
To help us go home securely; '' he needs arguments.''



(Chiara also told Francesca how much to set aside for expenses explaining that she wanted the rest of the riches and the documents to be transported in some conditions of the maximum security. Chiara opened her medallion to show Francesca the portrait of Gregorio. A new thought sprouted in her mind.)



(…to be continued…)

Poem by Marieta Maglas

Nada mejor para cantar la vida,
y aun para dar sonrisas a la muerte,
que la áurea copa donde Venus vierte
la esencia azul de su viña encendida.
Por respirar los perfumes de Armida
y por sorber el vino de su beso,
vino de ardor, de beso, de embeleso,
fuérase al cielo en la bestia de Orlando,
¡Voz de oro y miel para decir cantando:
la mejor musa es la de carne y hueso!Cabellos largos en la buhardilla,
noches de insomnio al blancor del invierno,
pan de dolor con la sal de lo eterno
y ojos de ardor en que Juvencia brilla;
el tiempo en vano mueve su cuchilla,
el hilo de oro permanece ileso;
visión de gloria para el libro impreso
que en sueños va como una mariposa
y una esperanza en la boca de rosa:
¡La mejor musa es la de carne y hueso!Regio automóvil, regia cetrería,
borla y muceta, heráldica fortuna,
nada son como a la luz de la Luna
una mujer hecha una melodía.
Barca de amar busca la fantasía,
no el yacht de Alfonso o la barca de Creso.
Da al cuerpo llama y fortifica el seso
ese archivado y vital paraíso;
pasad de largo, Abelardo y Narciso:
¡La mejor musa es la de carne y hueso!Clío está en esa frente hecha de Aurora,
Euterpe canta en esta lengua fina,
Talía ríe en la boca divina,
Melpómene es ese gesto que implora;
en estos pies Terpsícore se adora,
cuello inclinado es de Erato embeleso,
Polymnia intenta a Calíope proceso
por esos ojos en que Amor se quema.
Urania rige todo ese sistema:
¡La mejor musa es la de carne y hueso!No protestéis con celo protestante,
contra el panal de rosas y claveles
en que Tiziano moja sus pinceles
y gusta el cielo de Beatrice el Dante.
Por eso existe el verso de diamante,
por eso el iris tiéndese y por eso
humano genio es celeste progreso.
Líricos cantan y meditan sabios
por esos pechos y por esos labios:
¡La mejor musa es la de carne y hueso!ENVÍO:Gregorio: nada al cantor determina
como el gentil estímulo del beso.
Gloria al sabor de la boca divina.
¡La mejor musa es la de carne y hueso!

¡Oh sombra vaga, oh sombra de mi primera novia!
Era como el convólvulo -la flor de los crepúsculos-,
y era como las teresitas: azul crepuscular.
Nuestro amor semejaba paloma de la aldea,
grato a todos los ojos y a todos familiar.
En aquel pueblo, olían las brisas a azahar.
Aún bañan, como a lampos, mi recuerdo:
su cabellera rubia en el balcón,
su linda hermana Julia,
mi melodía incierta... y un lirio que me dio...
y una noche de lágrimas...
y una noche de estrellas
fulgiendo en esas lágrimas en que moría yo...
Francisco, hermano de ellas, Juan-de-Dios y Ricardo
amaban con mi amor las músicas del río;
las noches blancas, ceñidas de luceros;
las noches negras, negras, ardidas de cocuyos;
el son de las guitarras,
y, entre quimeras blondas, el azahar volando...
Todos teníamos novia
y un lucero en el alba diáfana de las ideas.
La Muerte horrible -¡un tajo silencioso!-
tronchó la espiga en que granaba mi alegría:
¡murió mi madre!... La cabellera rubia de Teresa
me iluminaba el llanto.
Después... la vida... el tiempo... el mundo,
¡y al fin, mi amor desfalleció como un convólvulo!
No ha mucho, una mañana, trajéronme una carta.
¡Era de Juan-de-Dios! Un poco acerba,
ingenua, virilmente resignada:
refería querellas
del pueblo, de mi casa, de un amigo:
«Se casó; ya está viejo y con seis hijos...
La vida es triste y dura; sin embargo,
se va viviendo... Ha muerto mucha gente:
Don David... don Gregorio... Hay un colegio
y hay toda una generación nueva.
Como cuando te fuiste, hace veinte años,
en este pueblo aún huelen las brisas a azahar...»
¡Oh Amor! Tu emblema sea el convólvulo,
la flor de los crepúsculos!

En la casa del Marqués
De San Jorge gran sarao.

Ya en salones y retretes
Se encuentran los convidados,
Mientras el Marqués aguarda,
Gentil y apuesto vasallo.
Abajo de la escalera,
De «La Jerezana» al lado
Al Virrey, que precedido
Por lucientes candelabros
Va subiendo. De los muros,
Entre telas de Damasco,
Cuelgan cuadros del insigne
Gregorio Vásquez Ceballos;
De Oidores y bellas damas
Amarillentos retratos;
En marcos de plata, espejos
Que opacan lentos los años;
Y panoplias, que recuerdan,
Entre brumas del pasado,
La gesta de la Conquista
En cumbres, selvas y llanos.
Con casacas de anchas faldas,
Largos chalecos bordados,
Blanco calzón, blanca media,
Y áurea hebilla en el zapato,
Departían con las damas
En los lucientes estrados,
Nariño, Torres, Vergara,
Zea, Acebedo, Camacho,
Salazar, Ulloa, Prieto,
Gutiérrez, Ayala... cuantos
Prez fueron de la Colonia
Por sus virtudes y rango,
Y que después muchos de ellos,
Desde ensangrentados bancos
Dejaron eternos nombres
En nuestros anales patrios.

Cuando esa noche Nariño
Salía para el sarao,
Corno envío misterioso
Recibió un libro. Al acaso
Leyó párrafos y líneas,
Y más líneas y más párrafos;
Y al avanzar la lectura,
Sentía alborozo extraño
Hasta que llegó al capítulo
En la margen señalado:
«De los Derechos del Hombre»...
Lo leyó con ojos ávidos;
Y después, meditabundo,
Y en gruesa capa embozado
Al sarao fue. La niebla
Más ***** hacía el espacio.
Sombra y niebla... Niebla y sombra
En las tinieblas ni un astro....
Y entre esa noche cerrada,
Nariño va cabizbajo.
«El hombre es libre, decía,
No ha nacido para esclavo».
Y en medio de aquella sombra
En que sonaban sus pasos.