GUIDO. Have a care It do not follow you beyond this world. Where is your mistress?
RITTA. In her room, my lord. After I told her of the Count Paolo, She flew to have an interview with you; But on the way--I know not why it was-- She darted to her chamber, and there stays Weeping in silence. It would do you good-- More than a hundred sermons--just to see A single tear, indeed it would, my lord.
GUIDO. Ha! you are saucy. I have honoured you Past prudence, malpert! Get you to your room! [_Exit_ RITTA.] More of my blood runs in yon damsel's veins Than the world knows. Her mother to a shade; The same high spirit, and strange martyr-wish To sacrifice herself, body and soul, For some loved end. All that she did for me; And yet I loved her not. O! memory! The darkest future has a ray of hope, But thou art blacker than the sepulchre! Thy horrid shapes lie round, like scattered bones, Hopeless forever! I am sick at heart. The past crowds on the present: as I sowed, So am I reaping. Shadows from myself Fall on the picture, as I trace anew These rising spectres of my early life, And add their gloom to what was dark before. O! memory, memory! How my temples throb! [_Sits._
FRANCESCA. My lord, this outrage-- [_He looks up._] Father, are you ill? You seem unhappy. Have I troubled you? You heard how passionate and bad I was, When Ritta told me of the Count Paolo. Dear father, calm yourself; and let me ask A child's forgiveness. 'Twas undutiful To doubt your wisdom. It is over now. I only thought you might have trusted me With any counsel.
FRANCESCA. Ah! well, I understand it all, and you were right. Only the danger of it. Think, my lord, If I had loved this man at the first sight: We all have heard of such things. Think, again, If I had loved him--as I then supposed You wished me to--'twould have been very sad. But no, dear sir, I kept my heart secure, Nor will I loose it till you give the word. I'm wiser than you thought me, you perceive. But when we saw him, face to face, together, Surely you might have told me then.
GUIDO. Francesca, My eyes are old--I did not clearly see--Faith, it escaped my thoughts. Some other things Came in my head. I was as ignorant Of Count Paolo's coming as yourself. The brothers are so like.