 | Paolo & Francesca |  |
Scene II.
—A lane outside the wall of the castle garden, postern door in the wall.Enter Paolo.
Pao.
There is no other means: but ah, the pain!
Here is the garden where her lattice shines.
Perchance she looks toward me now, and makes
A music upon midnight with my name.
Perchance she leans into the air and sighs.
O, now is she attired in purest white,
Hanging above our heads 'twixt earth and heaven!
Life, life! I cannot leave thee, for she lives.
At least I must behold her before death;
And go straight from her face into the grave—
Straight from her touch at least into the ground.
Much is permitted to a man condemned.
I'll see her, hear her, touch her ere I die.
[Exit Paolo through postern-door into the gardens.
1st Cour.
Which way now?
2nd Cour.
Stay, I am out of breath.
1st Cour.
At such a moment, that Lord Malatesta cannot be found!
2nd Cour.
I must get my breath against this door. Have you the papers?
1st Cour.
Here. Lately married, yet out of
his bed at this hour!
2nd Cour.
Ah, I wish I were back with—
1st Cour.
Hush! here is Carlo.
Enter Carlo.
Well, no sign of him?
Car.
None.
And I am aguish, and these night dews!
1st Cour.
Stay!
Car.
What?
1st Cour.
Listen! I tell you.
A step!
Car.
It is he, Lord Malatesta.
Enter Giovanni slowly.
Car.
Great lord, we have pursued you up and
down. Here's news that will not stay.
[Gives him letter.
Gio.
Hold the torch nearer.
[Reads.]
“Tyrant
of Rimini! All Pesaro is risen against the tax
laid on them. Our men are beaten behind the
city walls—the city itself declares for Cosimo.
We wait but for you: a noise of your coming—
a sight of you—and the city will fall to us again.
Linger not a moment.—Andrea.” Carlo, muster
every man within call. Then to the palace—
saddle my horse. Summon all in the house to
follow you: rouse them from their beds; they
must ride with me instantly.
[Exeunt Carlo and Couriers. Enter running two Messengers from other side.
Lord and tyrant of Rimini! We
are come on you none too soon—we are ridden
from the camp—our horses stand—there was no
moment to write, but this by word of mouth:
“Your garrison makes terms with the enemy:
many are already gone over, and we fear for San
Arcangelo and the whole province.”
Gio.
Get a cup of wine, both of you, and be
prepared to ride with me within the half-hour.
I'll fall like thunder on Pesaro, and catch San
Arcangelo with the wind of it.
[Exit one Messenger.
Giovanni to the other.]
Stay you, sir!
and tell me more exactly as we hurry on. Where
is Andrea now, then? There is a vantage-ground
just out of Pesaro, and there—
[Exeunt Giovanni and Messenger.
| Paolo & Francesca | |