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The Barbarian Princes


Venice
At the end of XVIIe century.
Venice, heady and mysterious. Indolent and capricious.
So beautiful.
Venice, a glorious past but an incertain futur.
Turks and Austrians harass the Empire Marches, fight for possessions and commercial roads.
Russia is a future power and Tsar has appointed Prince Sergueï Morozov to conclude a political and commercial alliance.
The treaty is slowly built from official interviews to unofficial discussions.
Prince is always seen like a curious stranger, a boorish barbarian, but little by little, Venice opens her doors to him.
He is now received in that palaces they mirror in Gran Canale, those palazzi where the great venetian familys like to display themselves.

Characters :
Dona Eleonora Ziani
A rich and beautiful patrician, a widow. Her free life, her austrian origin (her mother), her immense fortune are the seeds of a germinating plot.

Prince Sergueï Morozov
He has the complete Tsar trust to carry the treaty to a successful conclusion. Like many russian nobles, he is looking at Occident. He is an enlightened  man. But in St-Petersburg, a town with many canals too, womens know the secret pleasure of being freely enslaved by his Master desires.

Signor Fradentelli.
He is the Doge secretary and condidant. He is a powerfull and influential man in Venice. His cupidity is equalled only by his political distance. Venice is his  single Mistress. If a thing is good for me, he says, the thing is good for the Republic.

Maestro Giaccomo aka "la pancia" (the belly).
Doges prison Master Executionner. Where he lives permanently. People say that this obese person, sweating cruelty, is a master in the art of pain and that he can drag a confession out of any innocent.

And Paolo, his assistant, a red hair dwarf.

Agnès


 
 
Act I
Act II
Act III

When water flew into her bowel, Eleonora braced herself screaming.
But as she was falling down again on the sharp edge of the rack, being impaled deeper, her delicate labias being twisted by the cruel clamp, her howl was strained with pain. Water was filling her up by mouth too and she was forced to swallow if she would not want to be  choked.
Eleonora painfully felt her belly unbearably swelling.
But never mind the sufferings, she could only endure them in a frightening sensation of internal compression.
Bladder, anus, intestines, esophagus, gullet, they were filled up like if they were ready to blow out.
When the posterior filling was over, when the jar was empty, there were always that drops she saw falling down in the funnel widening her mouth.
Drops, she was forced to swallow with difficulty and they were seeping inexorably into her, filling her more.
She was swallowing and swallowing again with her rolled upwards eyes. She was feeling nauseous and her balloon like swollen body was overturning on an ocean of tortures...

Long after, they snatched her from the rack and they corked her with that infernal apparels spiked with many asperities.
Then they taken her to that stand where she was crossed, quartered with two long metal bars.
It's sure, the full wineskin she was now become, was not hermetically plugged.
She was leaking by all her holes.
Drool, acid belch, nauseating water or urine were oozing out on her chin, on her breast, on her womb and on her thighs.
They punished her for that. With cruelty.
She didn't remember when she fainted out. She only remember the crops whipping her bloated belly.
In a fog of nightmare, she heard the tormentors announcing the trial then she flopped down graspped by the chains.
At last, she thought, never mind the judgement, never mind the condemnation, may that hell stop.

PBvenise


Act 3, scene 1.

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
hey you, big obscene sow, it's time to drain you.
Put your ass above the bucket.
Paolo, unplug her.
 
 
 

PBvenise

PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
you're well emptied now.
There is a washing rags. Clean your dirtying. Quick.		 PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
Now some cleaning. You have to be presentable in front of your judges.

PAOLO :
Bend over, so I can clean your ass.
Mmmm, I would like to skewer my sting in a so clean sheath.

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
No Paolo! Don't. Do that with another slut. That harlot must be clean like a rose... ah ah, for her trial.

PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
You don't need a collar. You'll go wearing a simple chemise and with a rope around your neck. But you'll stay shackled. Ankles, wrists and waist.
Hey Paolo ! You're dunking the chemise in the bucket !

PAOLO :
I'm sorry Maestro. I apologize lady. Your apparel is going to be muddy.

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
That is the criminal's chemise.
They are not really careful and the fine batiste is spotted.
It doesn't matter... A rag is just enough for a wench. Dress yourself, you puta.

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
A tether around your neck. It's time to go.
Come on,  you traitor. You have to hear your condemnation.
And don't knock over the bucket.

 PBvenise

PBvenise
 

Act 3, scene 2.

FIRST JUDGE :
Ah ! Here comes the criminal we are waiting for.
She has to hear the charge.

ELEONORA :
All is calumny. I'm unjustly incriminated. You have my word of honour that ...

FIRST JUDGE :
Silence, defendant. Or your tongue will be burnt and you'll be branded !
You'll speak when we will order.
Maestro Giaccomo, heat the iron.

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
Yes I do,  Your Honour.
PBvenise

PBvenise
FIRST JUDGE :
Then hang her, while the Tribunal is reading the charge. So the wench will stay silent.		 PBvenise
FIRST JUDGE :
In year 1788 , the girl Ziani is convicted of treasona.
That folder containts many pieces of evidence. But we will not expose all them because they are faithful servants of the Republic. They are honest and they will act from a sense of duty.
.... bla bla bla....
 
PBvenise
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SECOND JUDGE while First Judge is pompously reading the big folder):
Delighfully.... How can I say ?
Disturbing, isn't it ? I mean in the woman intimity. Although, I heard some women appreciate that. Men too....
I thhank you Maestro Giaccomo ( to Maestro Giaccomo, who give him a leather glove and the incandescent branding iron)
See it, my dear Lady, that could be harmful if you don't obey your judges.
Untie her wrists and strip her.
Pleasant person ! With a tender and soft skin (he grops Eleonora and she has to submit to the abject caresses)
And she smells some spring like perfume. Pleasant marks of whip.
Look at the iron. Do you feel the brutal heat ?
Will you obey ?
 
 
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ELEONORA (getting her breath back)
Yes I will your Honour. I will obey and I will stay silent.

SECOND JUDGE :
You'll speak soon, my dear Lady. I can assure you. But now I want the silence.
Maestro Giaccomo, because my honourable colleague has finished, you have to officiate.
Sit the defendant.
 
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
Come here, you harlot. Climb up there and grab the post while I'm binding your anckles.
It's done.
Kneel down now ! Ha ha, it's like a prie-dieu. And you are going to beg for speaking.
PBvenise
SECOND JUDGE :
Maestro Giaccomo, please tech me the subtely of your machine.
PBvenise

 

MAESTRO GIACCOMO (placing the ropes and cuffs) :

Look at that, your Honour. The defendant is restrained by her wrists, her anckles and her waist. Her neck is tied up and her thighs are wide opened, kneeling on the mobile part. It is now in up position with that wedges. Because she is restrained like that, her groin just come above the pal, spiked with many little pikes. We can also force the ass. It depends if he is a male or a female. Or your own fantasy.

When we remove the wedges, the defendant topple over and impale himself.
 
 
PBvenise
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 SECOND JUDGE :
Interesting. It would be very surprising. Isn't it ?

MAESTRO GIACCOMO (il rit) :
very surprising. And painful too. And the garrot strangles.
But there is more surprising.
With this ingenious mechanism, using that handle, you can force a deeper sinking in. Down to those fearsome pikes if it is necessary.
Generally it's not necessary. The pain is diabolic. (he smiles). Bottom is ripped off and it is strangling the top.

SECOND JUDGE :
I see. Defendants are very lucky, being tortured by a Master Executionner. You're so inventive.
 
 
FIRST JUDGE (who came closer) :
Is the defendant ready ?

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
Yes Your Honour, she is.

FIRST JUDGE :
Woman Ziani, you're going to be put to the Question. We want to inflict you sufferance until you'll be allowed to speak.
Did you understand that, woman Ziani ?
You may answer.

ELEONORA (trembling in her binding) :
Yes I did, your Honour.

FIRST JUDGE :
So, time to go. 
Go on, Master Executionner.

 PBvenise
FIRST JUDGE :
Confess, woman Ziani !

ELEONORA ( she can speak with difficulty)
No no....

FIRST JUDGE :
Executionner, push in the pal deeper.

ELEONORA croaks when the machine impale her more, when the garrot strangles her and when the pal rips of her womb.

SECOND JUDGE (lashing Eleonora's breast with a crop):
Will you confess ?

FIRST JUDGE :
Loosen a bit. She may speak.

ELEONORA :
I do confess, I confess, I confess...

FIRST JUDGE :
What are you confessing, woman Ziani ?

ELEONORA :
I confess all what you would want, but I beg you ...

FIRST JUDGE :
She has passed out, loosen the rope.
Wake up her. She has to confess her crimes.

ELEONORA :
I confess I have betrayed the Republic, I confess I had an immoral behavioor, I confess...

FIRST JUDGE :
Stop. You're guilty.Take her, she could listen her condemnation.
PBvenise
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FIRST JUDGE (hamering the sentence):
Woman Ziani ! On your knees in front of your judges.
Woman Ziani, you're guilty of treason.
The Court has decided :
- you'll be deprived of your name and citizenship;
- your properties will be confiscated;
- you'll be displayed on the great gallow of San Marco Plaza;
- your nose will be pierced with a cattle ring;
- you'll be fully shaved and croped;
- you'll be publicly whipped. Forty lashes of whip will be given to you.
- you'll be branded with the infamous letter P. P like Prostituta.
Then, the Court  sentences you to be sold to the Turks or any forreigners who could want to buy you.
Guards, take her. 
The sentence is immediat.

And dress the hussy decently. 
 
PBvenise
PBvenise


Interlude :

warned by a maid of Palazzio Ziani,  Prince Morozov requires Dona Eleonora freeing.
Doge secretary refuses that and bespeaks her condemnation and her torture.
So Prince denounce the alliance treaty and walks out in despair. But he has decided to save Eleonora.

PBvenise
Act 3, scene 3.

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
While I'm collaring your neck, open your slut mouth and welcome Lieutenant's virility.
PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
Will you go forward, you harlot ?

CROWD ( yelling )
Death to the traitor.
Death to the bitch of  the rich.
Death to her.
PBvenise
PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
Harken, ye people of Venice ! This woman betrayed our beloved Republic.
Because her crime, she will be sold to the Turks.
But, before that, she will be subjected to a public chastisement.
Her nose will be pierced and ringed. She will be cropped. She will be whipped in front of you and she will be branded with a whore mark.
I am going to make her scream for your pleasure, my good fellows.
PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
If your nose is well stretched, it will be easily pierced.
PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :

Ah ... the nice beast. 
A ring for the slave you're going to become.
PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
Stop moving, you slut ! My work is going to be spoiled.
PBvenise
MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
No Paolo, don't. After the whip. The burn will awake the trollop.
PBvenise

PBvenise

MAESTRO GIACCOMO :
 Now, my good fellows, it's time to caress the whore's skin !

PBvenise
 
 

( The crowd yells his approval )

MAESTRO GIACCOMO  ( counting the lashes with application):

One... two... three ...

PBvenise
thirty one ... thirty two ... thirty three ...

PBvenise

MAESTRO GIACCOMO : 
Now Paolo, brand the slut ...

PBvenise


PRINCE ( he just has cut Paolo's hand and he is threatening Maestro Giaccomo) :
Free her, you scoundrel. Quick.
 
 
PBvenise

PRINCE ( haranguing the crowd):
People of Venice !
This woman has been tortured in front of you but she has been unjustly sentenced.
The treason is a profligate lie.
She has been sentenced to be sold like a slave.
So I'm a buyer.
Thousand golden ducats in that purse are the price I want to give.
A price I offer to you, People of Venice.
Take them ! They are for you, not for the scoundrels they wanted to soil Dona Ziani.
(he throws the ducats to the crowd, women and men rush yelling their joy
PBvenise
Act 3, scene 4.
( Prince has taken Eleonora on his horse. They are galloping towards the frontier. )

PRINCE :
Oh Lord ! What did they do with you Madam ?
That ring ! and your hair ! And these marks on your body !
Venice will pay for that.

ELEONORA :
I'm ashamed, Prince. My soul is injured too.
You'll have to be patient.
I owe a debt of gratitude to you. For my life and honour.
You bought me, I'm your slave.
(for the first time, from an eternity, Eleonora smiles )
But give me time. It will repair mind outrages and body outrages. Then I will be yours.  I promise.

PRINCE :
Don't worry about that Madam...
Don't worry about that... Eleonora.
You'll have time.
But now, we have to remove those ring and shakles.
After the frontier, there will be a coaching inn.
We'll find a blacksmith.
And something to eat and to dress you decently.
Hot water too. To blot out stains of your memory.
( he looks at her maliciously)
My sclave stinks.

ELEONORA (freed from the nightmare, she's recovering her irony ):
You bought the merchandise with full knowledge of the facts, my Master.

PBvenise
One month later, fugitives arrived in Saint-Petersbourg.
Eleonora had nearly forgottent given sufferance and humiliations.
Little by little she had found again the tender pleasure a man can give. Even if he is a Master and a dominant.
Prince Morozov showed his city to her and was an attentive guide.

PRINCE :
I offer Saint-Petersbourg to you. I offer my name and my love.
Do you accept ?

ELEONORA (smiling):
Could I refuse my Lord ?
I'm your slave ?

 PBvenise

The End
In Encyclopedia Universalis

"Unable to reform, with many debts (one hundred millions of ducats in 1790), Republique is just a gouvernment of treators and cowards. That « gouvernement traître et lâche » said Bonaparte. On its territory there is the franco-austrian war (1796-1797) ; after the massacre of Frenchs at Verona (17 avril 1797), Frenchs and Austrians decide to erase the millenarian estate : on may 12th 1797, the Great Council is dissolved and doge Daniele Manin let his place to the local jacobins, waiting for the austrian army (treaty of Campoformio, january 1798). What it remains from the empire is divided."

My privilege of author let me imagine that an alliance between Russia and Venice could change History.
Republic of Venice and Russian Empire encircling Austria.
Never mind, it didn't happen.
A juste chastisment. And Republique of Venice is dead.
Saint-Petersbourg, northern Venice, capital of Russia is going to become, during more than one century a dominant power.
Actors of the play are products of my imagination but they have real names.
May the children of children of those name forgive me for having used their name.

Agnès
 

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Act I
Act II
Act III