To-day I take to wife Ravenna's child,

Daughter of great Polenta, our ally;

Between us an indissoluble bond.

Deep in affairs my brother I despatched,

My Paolo-who is indeed myself—

For scarcely have we breathed a separate

thought

To bring her on the road to Rimini.

[A noise of falling chains is heard.

I hear them at the gates; the chains have fallen.

The doors at end of gallery are thrown open. Enter out of sunlight PAOLO, leading FRANCESCA by the hand, followed by LADIES and SQUIRES. Flowers are thrown over them. FRANCESCA bends low to GIOVANNI, who raises her up.

Rise up, Francesca, and unveil your face.

[He kisses her on the forehead. Kinsmen, and you that follow with my bride,

You see me beat with many blows, death-pale

With gushing of much blood, and deaf with war-
You see me, and I languish for a calm.

I ask no great thing of the skies; I ask

Henceforth a quiet breathing, that this child,

Hither all dewy from her convent fetched,

Shall lead me gently down the slant of life.

Here then I sheathe my sword; and fierce must be

That quarrel where again I use the steel.

[A murmur of approbation. He turns to FRANCESCA.

Tell me, Francesca; can you be content

To live the quiet life which I propose?

Where, though you miss the violent joys of youth,
Yet will I cherish you more carefully

Than might a younger lover of your years.

FRANC. My lord, my father gave me to you: I

Am innocent as yet of this great life;

My only care to attend the holy bell,

To sing and to embroider curiously:

And as through glass I view the windy world.

Sweet is the stillness you ensure to me

Whose days have been so still: and yet I fear

To be found wanting in so great a house:

I lack experience in such governing.

So if at any time I seem to offend you,

Will

you impute it to my youth! But I

Shall never fail in duty willingly.

Gro. I like that coldness in you, my Francesca, And to my cousin I will make you known.

Widowed and childless, she has ruled till now
This fort of soldiers, a rough hostelry,

Which henceforth is your home; since I remember
She was my friend: has often cooled a rashness,
Which I inherit: lean at first on her.

Luc. Francesca, as your husband says, we two Have long been friends; but friendship faints in love,

And since through inexperience you may err,
My place is near you; to advise and guide

Suits with my years.

COSTANZA.

O Lord of Rimini !

With sighs we leave her as we leave a child.

Be tender with her, even as God hath been!

She hath but wondered up at the white clouds;

Hath just spread out her hands to the warm

sun;

Hath heard but gentle words and cloister sounds.

[GIOVANNI bows to her.

Gio. Friends, you will go with us to church;

till then

Walk where you please-yet one word more-be

sure

That, though I sheathe the sword, I am not tamed.

What I have snared, in that I set my teeth

And lose with agony; when hath the prey

Writhed from our mastiff-fangs?

Luc.

Giovanni, loose

Francesca's hands-the tears are in her eyes.

GIO. Well, well, till church-time then. Paolo.

stay!

[Exeunt LUCREZIA, GUESTS and RE

TAINERS; NITA and attendant LADIES

remaining in the background. GIO

VANNI, PAOLO, and FRANCESCA come

down.

These delegates from Pesaro, Francesca,

Expect my swift decision on the tax.

Then will you think me negligent or cold

If to my brother I confide you still,

A moment-and no more?

FRANC.

[Exit GIOVANNI.

O, Paolo,

Who were they that have lived within these walls?

PAO. Why do you ask?

FRANC.

It is not sign nor sound;

Only it seemeth difficult to breathe,

It is as though I battled with this air.

PAO. You are not sad?

FRANC.

What is it to be sad?

Nothing hath grieved me yet but ancient woes,

Sea-perils, or some long-ago farewell,