FRANCESCA. And I must follow. All that I call life Is bound in thee. I could endure for thee More agonies than thou canst catalogue-- For thy sake, love--bearing the ill for thee! With thee, the devils could not so contrive That I would blench or falter from my love! Without thee, heaven were torture!
FRANCESCA. O! no--Paolo--dearest!-- [_Clinging to him._
PAOLO. Loose thy hold! 'Tis for thy sake, and Lanciotto's; I Am as a cipher in the reckoning. I have resolved. Thou canst but stretch the time. Keep me to-day, and I will fly to-morrow--Steal from thee like a thief. [_Struggles with her._
FRANCESCA. Paolo--love-- Indeed, you hurt me!--Do not use me thus! Kill me, but do not leave me. I will laugh-- long, gay, ringing laugh--if thou wilt draw Thy pitying sword, and stab me to the heart!
LANCIOTTO. [_Advancing between them._] Take it: 'twill be the last.
FRANCESCA. The last! so be it. [_Kisses_ PAOLO.
LANCIOTTO. Ha! Dare you these tricks before my very face?
FRANCESCA. Why not? I've kissed him in the sight of heaven; Are you above it?
LANCIOTTO. Paolo--why, thou sad and downcast man, Look up! I have some words to speak with thee. Thou art not guilty?
PAOLO. Yes, I am. But she Has been betrayed; so she is innocent. Her father tampered with her. I--
FRANCESCA. 'Tis false! The guilt is mine. Paolo was entrapped By love and cunning. I am shrewder far Than you suspect.
PAOLO. Lanciotto, shut thy ears; She would deceive thee.
LANCIOTTO. Silence, both of you! Is guilt so talkative in its defense? Then, let me make you judge and advocate In your own cause. You are not guilty?
LANCIOTTO. Deny it--but a word--say no. Lie, lie! And I'll believe.
LANCIOTTO. It cannot be: Speak for yourself. Do you deny your guilt?
LANCIOTTO. In heaven's name, hold! Will neither of you answer no to me? A nod, a hint, a sign, for your escape. Bethink you, life is centred in this thing. Speak! I will credit either. No reply? What does your crime deserve?
LANCIOTTO. Well said! You speak the law of Italy; And by the dagger you designed for me, In Pepe's hand,--your bravo?
PAOLO. It is false! If you received my dagger from his hand, He stole it.
LANCIOTTO. There, sweet heaven, I knew! And now You will deny the rest? You see, my friends, How easy of belief I have become!-- How easy 'twere to cheat me!