SCENE I.
IN THE GARDEN OF CAPO DI MONTE. Boccaccio and Fiammetta.
Boccaccio.
(sings).
If there be love on earth, 'tis here,
O maid of royal line!
Should they who spring from heroes, fear?
Be scornful the divine?
Shine not the stars upon the sea,
Upon the fountain too?
O! let your eyes then light on me,
And O! let mine see you.
[Fiammetta comes forward.
How kind to come!
Fiammetta.
To come into the air?
I like it. They are all at their merenda.
The smell of melon overpowers me quite;
I could not bear it; therefore I just come
Into the air to be revived a little.
And you too here? Sly as the satyr-head
[Affecting surprise.
Under yon seat!
Boccaccio.
Did you not tell me?
Fiammetta.
I?
You dreamt it.
Boccaccio.
Let me dream then on? Without
Such dreams, Fiammetta, dull would be the sleep
Call'd life.
Fiammetta
(looking round timidly).
I must be broad awake.
Boccaccio.
You must.
Fiammetta
(nodding).
And you. All are indulgent to me; most
Of all queen Sancia and Giovanna.
Boccacio.
One
A saint, the other better.
Fiammetta.
Then the grave.
Filippa . .
Boccaccio.
Grave and watchful.
Fiammetta.
Not a word
Against her! I do hold her in my heart,
Although she gives me good advice sometimes.
Boccaccio.
I'm glad to hear it; for the very worthy
Are very rarely general favourites.
Fiammetta.
Some love our friend most cordially; those know her:
Others there are who hate her; those would know her
And can not: for she stands aloof and thanks them:
Remoter, idler, neither love nor hate,
Nor care about her; and the worst and truest
They say of her, is, that her speech is dark.
Boccaccio.
Doubtless, the vulgar eye will take offence
If cedar chambers are unwasht with lime.
Fiammetta.
But why are you come here?
Boccaccio.
To gaze, to sigh,
And, O Fiammetta! tell me if . . to live.
Fiammetta
(laughing).
I never saw more signs of life in any.
Boccaccio.
Cruel!
Fiammetta.
To find the signs of life in you?
Boccaccio.
To scoff them out.
Fiammetta.
I am incapable.
[Boccaccio rises, and steps back, gazing fondly.
O now, Giovanni! I am terrified!
Why! you sprang up . . as if you sprang to kiss me!
Did ever creature think of such a thing?
Boccaccio.
The drooping blades of grass beneath your feet
Think of it; the cold runlet thinks of it;
The pure sky (how it smiles upon us!) thinks of it . .
I will no more then think of it.
[Kisses her.
Fiammetta.
Giovanni!
Ah! I shall call you (wretch!) to task for this.
Boccaccio.
Call; and, by heaven! I'll come, tho' from the grave.
Fiammetta.
Any one now would say you thought me handsome.
Boccaccio.
Earth has two beauties; her Bellagio
And Anacapri; earth's inhabitants
Have only one among them.
Fiammetta.
Whom?
Boccaccio.
Fiammetta.
[Going.
Fiammetta.
Where are you running now? Stay! tho' quite angry,
I am not yet so angry as I should be:
But, if you ever take such liberties
Again!
Boccaccio.
O never! . . till we reach Aversa.
Fiammetta.
And will you there? and tell me to my face?
[Is departing.
Wait, wait for pardon. Must we part? so soon?
So long a time?
Boccaccio.
Till star-light.
Fiammetta.
Stay a moment.
Boccaccio.
Gladly a life: but my old mule loves walking
And meditation. Now the mask and dress,
And boy to carry them, must all be found.
Fiammetta.
Boy, mask, dress, mule! speed, gallop, to Aversa!
Boccaccio.
So many kisses lie upon this hand,
Mine hardly reach it.
Fiammetta.
Lips there may have been;
Had there been kisses, I must sure have felt them,
As I did yours . . at least I thought I did . .
But go, for I am half afraid of you . .
That is, of your arriving yonder late.
Go, else the crowd may stop you; and perhaps
I might delay you for some sudden fancy,
Or . . go your ways . . not let you go at all.
