Representative Plays By American Dramatists 1856 1911 Francesca

_The Same. The Grand Square before the Castle. SOLDIERS on guard, with banners, etc._ CITIZENS, _in holiday dresses, cross the scene. The houses are hung with trophies, banners,...

RITTA. There now, my lord, that is the whole of it: I love my mistress more than I fear you. If I could save her finger from the axe, I'd give my head to do it. So, my lord, I a...

LANCIOTTO. Why do these prodigies environ me? In ancient Rome, the words a fool might drop, From the confusion of his vagrant thoughts, Were held as omens, prophecies; and men W...

_The Same. Before the Gates of the City. The walls hung with banners, flowers, etc., and crowded with citizens. At the side of the scene is a canopied dais, with chairs of state...

PEPE. 'Tis jolly to walk in the shady greenwood With a damsel by your side; 'Tis jolly to walk from the chapel-door, With the hand of your pretty bride; 'Tis jolly to rest your...

LANCIOTTO. The camp is strangely quiet. Not a sound Breaks nature's high solemnity. The sun Repeats again his every-day decline; Yet all the world looks sadly after him, As if t...

LANCIOTTO. It cannot be that I have duped myself, That my desire has played into the hand Of my belief; yet such a thing might be. We palm more frauds upon our simple selves Tha...

FRANCESCA. Ah, you men Can talk of love and duty in a breath; Love while you like, forget when you are tired, And salve your falsehood with some wholesome saw; But we, poor wome...

LANCIOTTO. His old trick, father. While his wearied arm Is raised in seeming prayer, it only rests. Anon, he'll deal you such a staggering blow, With its recovered strength, as...

RITTA. I scarce knew I sang. I'm weary of this wreath. These orange-flowers Will never be adjusted to my taste: Strive as I will, they ever look awry. My fingers ache!

LANCIOTTO. O! fie, philosophy! This Seneca Revels in wealth, and whines about the poor! Talks of starvation while his banquet waits, And fancies that a two hours' appetite Throw...

GUIDO. There's the point. We Ghibelins are fettered hand and foot. There's not a florin in my treasury; Not a lame soldier, I can lead to war; Not one to man the walls. A presen...

_The Same. Interior of the Cathedral._ LANCIOTTO, FRANCESCA, PAOLO, MALATESTA, GUIDO, RITTA, PEPE, LORDS, KNIGHTS, PRIESTS, PAGES, _a bridal-train of_ LADIES, SOLDIERS, CITIZENS...

PEPE. I'm laughing at the world. It has laughed long enough at me; and so I'll turn the tables. Ho! ho! ho! I've heard A better joke of Uncle Malatesta's Than any I e'er uttered...