PAO. [Rising.] Corrado, we have been fast comrades, and I think you know me; but another word of this and there will be an end of talk between us—

you understand ?

COR. O! ho!

VAL. I tell you-you see, it is one of those serious matters, where the spirit is more concerned than the flesh. Come, Paolo, let us have it!

COR. Before he begins, I think it would be more fitting if we uncovered our heads, for the recitation is likely to be solemn.

LUI. Come, come, we must be going!

COR. God send us another inn soon.

[Exeunt CORRADO and VALENTINO.

LUI. Give me your hand, Paolo-you know me.

Tell me the trouble.

PAO. I cannot, Luigi.

LUI. Have you fallen out with your brother? You and he were such friends.

PAO. NO.

LUI. Is it the young wife that he has married, and now he seems more cold to you? But this is natural at first. How can I help you?

PAO. No one can help me, Luigi.

LUI. Up, and lead us on, then!

PAO. I will catch you in a moment.

LUI. I am very sorry, Paolo.

[Exit LUIGI.

PAO. I have fled from her; have refused the

rose,

Although my brain was reeling at the scent.

I have come hither as through pains of death;

I have died, and I am gazing back at life.
Yet now it were so easy to return,

And run down the white road to Rimini !

And might I not return? [He starts up and looks at the towers, red with sunset.] Those battle

ments

Are burning! they catch fire, those parapets!

And through the blaze doth her white face look out

Like one forgot, yet possible to save.

Might I not then return? Ah, no! no! no!
For I should tremble to be touched by her,
And dread the music of her mere good-night.
Howe'er I sentinelled my bosom, yet
That moment would arrive when instantly
Our souls would flash together in one flame,
And I should pour this torrent in her ear
And suddenly catch her to my heart.

[A drum is heard.

A drum !

O, there is still a world of men for a man!
I'll lose her face in flashing brands, her voice
In charging cries: I'll rush into the war!
[SOLDIERS pass across the stage. Seeing

PAOLO, they cheer and call him by name-then exeunt. He makes to follow, then stops.

I cannot go; thrilling from Rimini,

A tender voice makes all the trumpets mute.

I cannot go from her: may not return.

O God! what is Thy will upon me? Ah!
One path there is, a straight path to the dark.

There, in the ground, I can betray no more,
And there for ever am I pure and cold.

The means! No dagger blow, nor violence shown

Upon my body to distress her eyes.

Under some potion gently will I die;

And they that find me dead shall lay me down

Beautiful as a sleeper at her feet.

CURTAIN.