FRANC. But am I? am I? Has he left the house ? How far, then, hath he gone by now-how far? Surely 'tis natural to desire him back Most natural-is it not most natural ?—Say! And yet my heart is wild NITA. Your husband's brother. FRANC. He is, my Lady, O, I had not thought! I had not thought! I have sinned, and I am stained! NITA. Lady, you have done nothing. [She weeps. Enter GIOVANNI, with ATTENDANTS; LUCREZIA, with LADIES, to whom she gives directions apart. GIO. Could you not Prevail on him to stay?—he will return. How beautiful you seem, Francesca, now, As though new-risen with the bloom of dreams! More difficult it grows to leave your side. I, like a miser, run my fingers through Your hair yet tears are lately in your eyes! FRANC. I cannot tell, but suffer me to seek GIO. Yet You shall not stir alone. I have a fear. GIO. [Looking after FRANCESCA.] The peril, ah! GIO. Listen! That very hour Blind Angela, that held me at her breast. Whose very flesh anticipates my fate, I found all shivering like a creature dumb. She clutched my arm, and then, as from the touch, Luc. Ah! GIO. In a place of leaves they sat and read. Nearer he drew, and kissed her on the lips. Again into her dark the twilight came, And they two lay together on a bier, Slain ere they knew, and in each other's arms. I have lived since then in fever. Luc. But this shadow That wooed Francesca, and then died with her, Was nothing more discerned? GIO. The face was dim. Luc. But could she give no hint of form or voice? GIO. I cried -"How shall I know him ?" Then her lips, After a frantic striving, shaped these words"Unwillingly he comes a wooing; she Unwillingly is wooed: yet shall they woo." Luc. Unwillingly! This, as it seems, would point GIO. [Starting to his feet.] Ah! does the scent come to you? Set me on! Luc. [Slowly.] To one who had dear reason not to woo To one who owed you much some ancient friend! GIO. Fainter again! I know of no such man. Hark back. Luc. Said she no more, then? GIO. "He shall be Not far to seek, yet perilous to find!" [LUCREZIA starts. What, does the scent come stronger now? You start, And your eyes glitter Luc. [Going slowly to him and laying her hand Points back to Rimini, this little town, To one, perhaps, mad for Francesca's face, That lurks about us. GIO. Wary now, yet swift! Luc. Here at our gates, or nearer still. GIO. Say, say! Luc. Perhaps, perhaps, within this very house. Do you give cry at last? Luc. [Looking into his eyes.] Are you stili eager ? |