e. What a doleful face!
The boy is ill. He caught a fever, uncle,
Travelling across the marshes. Physic! physic!
If he be really dying, get a doctor,
And cut the matter short. 'Twere merciful.

MALATESTA. For heaven's sake, cease your clamour! I shall have
No face to meet them else. 'Tis strange, for all:
What ails Paolo?

PEPE. Dying, by this hand!

MALATESTA. Then I will hang you.

PEPE. Don't take up my craft.
Wit's such a stranger in your brain that I
Scarce knew my lodger venturing from your mouth.
Now they come on again.

MALATESTA. Stand back!

PEPE. [_Looking round._] The bridegroom?
He flies betimes, before the bride shows fight.
[_Walks back, looking for_ LANCIOTTO.

_Music, shouts, ringing of bells, &c. Enter_ MEN-AT-ARMS, _with
banners, &c_., GUIDO, CARDINAL, KNIGHTS, ATTENDANTS, &_c.; then_
PAOLO, _conducting _FRANCESCA, _followed by _RITTA, LADIES, PAGES,
_&c., and other_ MEN-AT-ARMS. _They file around the stage, and halt._

MALATESTA. Welcome, to Rimini, Count Guido! Welcome,
And fair impressions of our poor abode,
To you, my daughter! You are well returned,
My son, Paolo! Let me bless you, son.

[PAOLO _approaches._]
How many spears are in old Guido's train?

[_Apart to_ PAOLO.

PAOLO. Some ten-score.

MALATESTA. Footmen?

PAOLO. Double that.

MALATESTA. 'Tis well.
Again I bid you welcome! Make no show
Of useless ceremony with us. Friends
Have closer titles than the empty name.
We have provided entertainment, Count,
For all your followers, in the midst of us.
We trust the veterans of Rimini
May prove your soldiers that our courtesy
Does not lag far behind their warlike zeal.
Let us drop Guelf and Ghibelin henceforth,
Coupling the names of Rimini and Ravenna
As bridegroom's to his bride's.

GUIDO. Count Malatesta,
I am no rhetorician, or my words
Might keep more even with the love I feel:
Simply, I thank you. With an honest hand
I take the hand which you extend to me,
And hope our grasp may never lose its warmth.--
You marked the bastion by the water-side?
Weak as a bulrush. [_Apart to a_ KNIGHT.

KNIGHT. Tottering weak, my lord.