Part 58 (1/2)

Hear that, my lady!

FILIPPO.

Ay, and I left two fingers there for dead. See, my lady!

(_Showing his hand_.)

LADY GIOVANNA.

I see, Filippo!

FILIPPO.

And I have small hope of the gentleman gout in my great toe.

LADY GIOVANNA.

And why, Filippo? [_Smiling absently_.

FILIPPO.

I left him there for dead too!

ELISABETTA.

She smiles at him--how hard the woman is!

My lady, if your ladys.h.i.+p were not Too proud to look upon the garland, you Would find it stain'd----

COUNT (_rising_).

Silence, Elisabetta!

ELISABETTA.

Stain'd with the blood of the best heart that ever Beat for one woman. [_Points to wreath on chair_.

LADY GIOVANNA (_rising slowly_).

I can eat no more!

COUNT.

You have but trifled with our homely salad, But dallied with a single lettuce-leaf; Not eaten anything.

LADY GIOVANNA.

Nay, nay, I cannot.

You know, my lord, I told you I was troubled.

My one child Florio lying still so sick, I bound myself, and by a solemn vow, That I would touch no flesh till he were well Here, or else well in Heaven, where all is well.

[ELISABETTA _clears table of bird and salad_; FILIPPO _s.n.a.t.c.hes up the plate of prunes and holds them to_ LADY GIOVANNA.

FILIPPO.

But the prunes, my lady, from the tree that his lords.h.i.+p----

LADY GIOVANNA.

Not now, Filippo. My lord Federigo, Can I not speak with you once more alone?

COUNT.

You hear, Filippo? My good fellow, go!

FILIPPO.