The Lamp and the Bell | Page 9

in the evening what
she has left of them She gives to me! You should love simply, Guido,
As I do. [Exit Giovanni.]
[Guido sits on the bench and drops his head in hand. Enter Francesca.]
FRA. [Softly.] Guido! Guido!
GUI. Who calls me?

FRA. Guido!
GUI. Francesca! Why do you follow me here? You know I do not wish
to see you!
FRA. Do not be angry. 'Tis half a week since you have spoken to me,
And over a week since you have so much as laid Your hand upon my
arm! And do you think, Loving you as I do, I can do without you,
Forever, Guido, and make no sign at all? I know you said you did not
wish to see me Ever again,--but it was only a quarrel-- And we have
quarreled before!
GUI. It was not a quarrel. I am tired of you, Francesca. You are too soft.
You weep too much.
FRA. I do not weep the less For having known you.
GUI. So;--it will save you tears, then To know me less.
FRA. Oh, Guido, how your face Is changed,--I cannot think those are
the eyes That looked into my eyes a month ago! What's come between
us?
GUI. Nothing has come between us. It is the simple snapping of a
string Too often played upon.
FRA. Ah!--but I know Who snapped it! It will do you little good To
look at her,--she'll never look at you!
GUI. Be silent a moment!--Unless you would be silent Longer!
FRA. Indeed! I shall speak out my mind! You go beyond yourself!
There is proportion Even in a nature like my own, that's twisted From
too much clinging to a crooked tree! And this is sure: if you no longer
love me, You shall no longer strike me!
MARIO. [Off stage.] Beatrice! Wait for me! Wait!
BEA. [Off stage.] Not I! Who does not run? As fast as I run, shall be

left behind me!
GUI. They are coming here! I do not wish to see them!
FRA. Oh, Guido! [She follows him off. Exeunt Guido and Francesca.]
[Enter Beatrice, running, followed by Mario.]
MAR. Beatrice, you run like a boy! You whistle like a boy! And upon
my word, You are the only girl I ever played At jousting with, that did
not hold her sword As if it were a needle! Which of us, Think you,
when we are married, will be King?
BEA. When we are married! Sir, I'll have you know There's an ogre to
be tamed, a gem to be pried From out a dragon's forehead, and three
riddles To be solved, each tighter than the last, before A Princess may
be wed!
MAR. Even by a King?
BEA. For Kings the rules are sterner!--One more riddle, And a mirror
that will show her always young.
MAR. And if I do these things, then, will you have me, Rose-Red?
BEA. Maybe. And if you do not do them, Maybe. Come--I will race
you to the bridge!
MAR. [Catching her hand,] Nay, not so fast!--Have you no wish to be
Beside me, ever, that you are forever running Ahead?
BEA. Indeed, if you would have the truth It has come into my mind
more times than once It would be sweet to be beside you often.
MAR. Rose-Red!
BEA. Come--I will race you to the bridge!
[Exeunt Beatrice and Mario.]

Scene 2
[Court-yard of the palace at Fiori. Entire court assembled. A band of
strolling players, with a little stage on wheels, are doing a Harlequinade
pantomime to amuse the young King Mario, the guest of honor.
Beatrice sits beside him. In this scene the two people who are oblivious
to the pantomime are Guido and Octavia. Guido is apparently brooding
over something. From time to time he looks at Beatrice and Mario.
Once, having gazed for some moments at the pair, he looks at Octavia
and sees that she, too, is looking at them, which seems to satisfy him.
The Queen does not take her eyes from the two during the entire scene.
Beatrice and Mario do not conduct themselves precisely as lovers, but
they are very gay and happy to be in each other's company, apparently.
Lorenzo watches the show with a benign, almost childish interest.]
[Pantomime begins.]
GIO. You, Pierrot, are you not a little thick For such a sorrowful
fellow?
PIERROT. Nay, indeed! Sorrow may come to all. And 'tis amazing
How much a man may live through and keep fat.
[Pantomime continues]
CAR. Ho! Now he stumbles! Look you, Pantaloon, If you were not so
learned i' the head You might know better where to put your feet!
LAU. [To Carlotta.] 'Tis curious how it addles a man's bones To think
too much.
CAR. Nay, truth. Wise men