Category: Historical Novels
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. [_Laughing._
_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,...
6. SCENE III.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...
3. SCENE III.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...
5. SCENE II._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...
12. SCENE I. _The Same. The Garden of the Castle. Enter_ PEPE, _singing.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...
13. SCENE II.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...
9. SCENE I. _The Same. An Apartment in the Castle. Enter_ LANCIOTTO.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...
14. SCENE III.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...
2. SCENE II.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...
10. SCENE II.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!
7. SCENE I. _Rimini. A Room in the Castle._ LANCIOTTO _discoveredLANCIOTTO. 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...
4. SCENE I. _Ravenna. A Room in_ GUIDO'S _Palace. Enter_ GUIDO _and aGUIDO. 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...
11. SCENE III._The Same. Interior of the Cathedral._ LANCIOTTO, FRANCESCA, PAOLO, MALATESTA, GUIDO, RITTA, PEPE, LORDS, KNIGHTS, PRIESTS, PAGES, _a bridal-train of_ LADIES, SOLDIERS, CITIZENS...
1. SCENE I. _Rimini. The Garden of the Palace. PAOLO and a number ofPEPE. 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...