Part 59 (1/2)

COUNT.

Sure?

LADY GIOVANNA.

Yes!

COUNT.

Is this your brother's order?

LADY GIOVANNA.

No!

For he would marry me to the richest man In Florence; but I think you know the saying-- 'Better a man without riches, than riches without a man.'

COUNT.

A n.o.ble saying--and acted on would yield A n.o.bler breed of men and women. Lady, I find you a shrewd bargainer. The wreath That once you wore outvalues twentyfold The diamonds that you never deign'd to wear.

But lay them there for a moment!

[_Points to table_. LADY GIOVANNA _places necklace on table_.

And be you Gracious enough to let me know the boon By granting which, if aught be mine to grant, I should be made more happy than I hoped Ever to be again.

LADY GIOVANNA.

Then keep your wreath, But you will find me a shrewd bargainer still.

I cannot keep your diamonds, for the gift I ask for, to my mind and at this present Outvalues all the jewels upon earth.

COUNT.

It should be love that thus outvalues all.

You speak like love, and yet you love me not.

I have nothing in this world but love for you.

LADY GIOVANNA.

Love? it _is_ love, love for my dying boy, Moves me to ask it of you.

COUNT.

What? my time?

Is it my time? Well, I can give my time To him that is a part of you, your son.

Shall I return to the castle with you? Shall I Sit by him, read to him, tell him my tales, Sing him my songs? You know that I can touch The ghittern to some purpose.

LADY GIOVANNA.

No, not that!

I thank you heartily for that--and you, I doubt not from your n.o.bleness of nature, Will pardon me for asking what I ask.

COUNT.

Giovanna, dear Giovanna, I that once The wildest of the random youth of Florence Before I saw you--all my n.o.bleness Of nature, as you deign to call it, draws From you, and from my constancy to you.

No more, but speak.

LADY GIOVANNA.

I will. You know sick people, More specially sick children, have strange fancies, Strange longings; and to thwart them in their mood May work them grievous harm at times, may even Hasten their end. I would you had a son!

It might be easier then for you to make Allowance for a mother--her--who comes To rob you of your one delight on earth.

How often has my sick boy yearn'd for this!