oad,
Close to Ravenna. What's the time of day?
FRANCESCA. Past noon, my lord.
GUIDO. We must be stirring, then.
FRANCESCA. I do not like this marriage.
GUIDO. But I do.
FRANCESCA. But I do not. Poh! to be given away,
Like a fine horse or falcon, to a man
Whose face I never saw!
RITTA. That's it, my lady.
GUIDO. Ritta, run down, and see if my great pot
Boils to your liking.
RITTA. [_Aside._] O! that pot again!
My lord, my heart betrays me; but you know
How true 'tis to my lady. [_Exit._
FRANCESCA. What ails Ritta?
GUIDO. The ailing of your sex, a running tongue.
Francesca, 'tis too late to beat retreat:
Old Malatesta has me--you, too, child--
Safe in his clutch. If you are not content,
I must unclose Ravenna, and allow
His son to take you. Poh, poh! have a soul
Equal with your estate. A prince's child
Cannot choose husbands. Her desires must aim,
Not at herself, but at the public good.
Both as your prince and father, I command;
As subject and good daughter, you'll obey.
FRANCESCA. I knew that it must be my destiny,
Some day, to give my hand without my heart;
But--
GUIDO. But, and I will but you back again!
When Guido da Polenta says to you,
Daughter, you must be married,--what were best?
FRANCESCA. 'Twere best Francesca, of the self-same name,
Made herself bridal garments. [_Laughing._
GUIDO. Right!
FRANCESCA. My lord,
Is Lanciotto handsome--ugly--fair--
Black--sallow--crabbed--kind--or what is he?
GUIDO. You'll know ere long. I could not alter him,
To please your taste.
FRANCESCA. You always put me off;
You never have a whisper in his praise.
GUIDO. The world reports it.--Count my soldiers' scars,
And you may sum Lanciotto's glories up.
FRANCESCA. I shall be dutiful, to please you, father.
If aught befall me through my blind submission,
Though I may suffer, you must bear the sin.
Beware, my lord, for your own peace of mind!
My part has been obedience; and now
I play it over to complete my task;
And it shall be with smiles upon my lips,--
Heaven only knows with what a sinking heart!
[_Exeunt._
SCENE II.
_The Same. Before the Gates of the City.
|