to marry Lanciotto!
[_Laughs violently._

ALL. [Laughing.] Ho!--

PAOLO. Peace! peace! What tongue dare echo yon fool's laugh?
Nay, never raise your hands in wonderment:
I'll strike the dearest friend among ye all
Beneath my feet, as if he were a slave,
Who dares insult my brother with a laugh!

PEPE. By Jove! ye're sad enough. Here's mirth's quick cure!
Pretty Paolo has a heavy fist,
I warn you, sirs. Ho! ho! I trapped them all;
[_Laughing._]
Now I'll go mar old Malatesta's message. [_Aside._
[_Exit._

PAOLO. Shame on ye, sirs! I have mistaken you.
I thought I harboured better friends. Poor fops,
Who've slept in down and satin all your years,
Within the circle Lanciotto charmed
Round Rimini with his most potent sword!--
Fellows whose brows would melt beneath a casque,
Whose hands would fray to grasp a brand's rough hilt,
Who ne'er launched more than braggart threats at foes!--
Girlish companions of luxurious girls!--
Danglers round troubadours and wine-cups!--Men
Whose best parts are their clothes! bundles of silk,
Scented like summer! rag-men, nothing more!--
Creatures as generous as monkeys--brave
As hunted hares--courteous as grinning apes--
Grateful as serpents--useful as lap-dogs--
[_During this, the_ NOBLEMEN, _&c., steal off._]
Ha!
I am alone at last! So let me be,
Till Lanciotto fill the vacant room
Of these mean knaves, whose friendship is but breath. [_Exit._

SCENE II.

_The Same. A Hall in the Castle. Enter_ MALATESTA _and_ LANCIOTTO.

MALATESTA. Guido, ay, Guido of Ravenna, son--
Down on his knees, as full of abject prayers
For peace and mercy as a penitent.

LANCIOTTO. His old trick, father. While his wearied arm
Is raised in seeming prayer, it only rests.
Anon, he'll deal you such a staggering blow,
With its recovered strength, as shall convert
You, and not him, into a penitent.

MALATESTA. No, no; your last bout levelled him. He reeled
Into Ravenna, from the battle-field,
Like a stripped drunkard, and there headlong fell--
A mass of squalid misery, a thing
To draw the jeering urchins. I have this
From faithful spies. There's not a hope remains
To break the shock of his gr