Part 53 (1/2)

_Enter_ FILIPPO.

FILIPPO.

Ah, the women, the women! Ah, Monna Giovanna, you here again! you that have the face of an angel and the heart of a--that's too positive! You that have a score of lovers and have not a heart for any of them-- that's positive-negative: you that have _not_ the head of a toad, and _not_ a heart like the jewel in it--that's too negative; you that have a cheek like a peach and a heart like the stone in it--that's positive again--that's better!

ELISABETTA.

Sh--sh--Filippo!

FILIPPO (_turns half round_).

Here has our master been a-glorifying and a-velveting and a-silking himself, and a-peac.o.c.king and a-spreading to catch her eye for a dozen year, till he hasn't an eye left in his own tail to flourish among the peahens, and all along o' you, Monna Giovanna, all along o' you!

ELISABETTA.

Sh--sh--Filippo! Can't you hear that you are saying behind his back what you see you are saying afore his face?

COUNT.

Let him--he never spares me to my face!

FILIPPO.

No, my lord, I never spare your lords.h.i.+p to your lords.h.i.+p's face, nor behind your lords.h.i.+p's back, nor to right, nor to left, nor to round about and back to your lords.h.i.+p's face again, for I'm honest, your lords.h.i.+p.

COUNT.

Come, come, Filippo, what is there in the larder?

[ELISABETTA _crosses to fireplace and puts on wood_.

FILIPPO.

Shelves and hooks, shelves and hooks, and when I see the shelves I am like to hang myself on the hooks.

COUNT.

No bread?

FILIPPO.

Half a breakfast for a rat!

COUNT, Milk?

FILIPPO.

Three laps for a cat!

COUNT.

Cheese?

FILIPPO.

A supper for twelve mites.

COUNT.

Eggs?

FILIPPO.

One, but addled.

COUNT.

No bird?