FRANCESCA. Compliments Appear to be the staple of your speech. You ravish one with courtesy, you pour Fine words upon one, till the listening head Is bowed with sweetness. Sir, your talk is drugged; There's secret poppy in your sugared phrase: I'll taste before I take it.
FRANCESCA. I am not gentle, or I missed my aim. I am no hawk to fly at every lure. You courtly gentlemen draw one broad rule-- All girls are fools. It may be so, in truth, Yet so I'll not be treated.
PAOLO. Have you been? If I implied such slander by my words, They wrong my purpose. If I compliment, 'Tis not from habit, but because I thought Your face deserved my homage as its due. When I have clearer insight, and you spread Your inner nature o'er your lineaments, Even that face may darken in the shades Of my opinion. For mere loveliness Needs inward light to keep it always bright. All things look badly to unfriendly eyes. I spoke my first impression; cooler thought May work strange changes.
FRANCESCA. Ah, Sir Count, at length There's matter in your words.
PAOLO. Unpleasant stuff, To judge by your dark brows. I have essayed Kindness and coldness, yet you are not pleased.
FRANCESCA. Ay, sir, how? Your brother--my good lord that is to be-- Stings me with his neglect; and in the place He should have filled, he sends a go-between, A common carrier of others' love; How can the sender, or the person sent, Please overmuch? Now, were I such as you, I'd be too proud to travel round the land With other people's feelings in my heart; Even to fill the void which you confess By such employment.
PAOLO. Lady, 'tis your wish To nettle me, to break my breeding down, And see what natural passions I have hidden Behind the outworks of my etiquette. I neither own nor feel the want of heart With which you charge me. You are more than cruel; You rouse my nerves until they ache with life, And then pour fire upon them. For myself I would not speak, unless you had compelled. My task is odious to me. Since I came, Heaven bear me witness how my traitor heart Has fought against my duty; and how oft I wished myself in Lanciotto's place. Or him in mine.
PAOLO. Do I? Well, Let it remain unguessed.
FRANCESCA. You wished yourself At Rimini, or Lanciotto here? You may have reasons.
