University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

PALACE OF AVERSA. Andrea and Giovanna.
Giovanna.
How gracefully thou sattest on thy horse,
Andrea!

Andrea.
Did I?

Giovanna.
He curveted so,
Sidled and pranced and croucht and plunged again,
I almost was afraid, but dared not say it.

Andrea.
Castagno is a sad curvetting rogue.

Giovanna.
'Twas not Castagno; 'twas Polluce.

Andrea.
Was it?
How canst thou tell, Giovanna?

Giovanna.
I can tell.

Andrea.
All at hap-hazard: I am very sure
'Twas not the horse you lookt at; nor did I
Think about riding, or about the palfrey,
Crimson and gold, half palfrey and half ostrich.
But thou too ridest like a queen, my dove!

Giovanna.
So very like one? Would you make me proud?

Andrea.
God forbid that! I love thee more for beauty.
Ne'er put on pride, my heart! thou dost not want it;
Many there are who do; cast it to them
Who can not do without it, empty souls!
Ha! how you look! is it surprise or pleasure?

Giovanna.
Pleasure, my love! I will obey with pleasure
This your first order. But indeed, my husband,
You must not look so fondly when the masks come,
For you and I, you know, shall not be masked.

Andrea.
A pretty reason for not looking fond!
Must people then wear masks for that?

Giovanna.
Most do.
I never saw such fondness as some masks
Presented.

Andrea.
Thou hast never seen half mine;
Thou shalt; and then shalt thou sit judge between us.
We have not spoken more to-day, my chuck,
Than many other days, yet thou appearest
Wiser than ever. I have gain'd from thee
More than I gave.

Giovanna.
And, without flattery,
I am more pleas'd with your discourse than ever.

Andrea
(fondly).
No, not than ever. In this very room
Didst thou not give to me this very hand
Because I talked so well?

Giovanna.
We foolish girls
Are always caught so.

Andrea.
Always kept so, too?
Well, we must see about it then, in earnest.

Giovanna.
Andrea! one thing see to: pray inquire
If, in the crowd that rushed so thro' the gates,
No accident has happen'd. Some cried out,
Some quarrell'd; many horses started off,
And bore amid them.

Andrea.
Never fear.

Giovanna.
But ask.

[He goes.