LANCIOTTO. If they discover you, Before you gain your point, wheel, and retreat Upon my rear. If your attack should fail To strike them with a panic, and they turn In too great numbers on your small command, Scatter your soldiers through the wood: Let each seek safety for himself.
LANCIOTTO. Have Pluto shod; he cast a shoe to-day: Let it be done at once. My helmet, too, Is worn about the lacing; look to that. Where is my armourer?
LANCIOTTO. Your charge Must be at sunrise--just at sunrise, sir-- Neither before nor after. You must march At moonset, then, to gain the point ere dawn. That is enough.
LANCIOTTO. Stay, stay, stay! My sword-hilt feels uneasy in my grasp; [_Gives his sword._] Have it repaired; and grind the point. Strike hard! I'll teach these Ghibelins a lesson. [_Loud laughter within._] Ha! What is that clamour?
_Enter hastily_ PEPE, _tattered and travel-stained._
PEPE. News from Rimini! [_Falls exhausted._
LANCIOTTO. Is that you, Pepe? Captain, a good-night! [_Exit CAPTAIN._] I never saw you in such straits before. Wit without words!
PEPE. That's better than--O!--O!-- [_Panting._] Words without wit.
LANCIOTTO. [_Laughing._] You'll die a jester, Pepe.
PEPE. If so, I'll leave the needy all my wit. You, you shall have it, cousin.--O! O! O! [_Panting._] Those devils in the hills, the Ghibelins, Ran me almost to death. My lord--ha! ha! [_Laughing._] It all comes back to me--O! Lord 'a mercy!-- The garden, and the lady, and the Count! Not to forget the poetry--ho! ho! [_Laughing._] O! cousin Lanciotto, such a wife, And such a brother! Hear me, ere I burst!
PEPE. Am I?--Ho! ho! ho! [_Laughing._] You ought to be; your wife's a----
PEPE. A lady-- A lady, I suppose, like all the rest. I am not in their secrets. Such a fellow As Count Paolo is your man for that. I'll tell you something, if you'll swear a bit.
PEPE. First, swear to listen till the end.-- O! you may rave, curse, howl, and tear your hair; But you must listen.
PEPE. You mistake. Now, look you, cousin! You have often marked-- I know, for I have seen--strange glances pass Between Paolo and your lady wife.--
PEPE. Now I touch you to the quick. I know the reason of those glances.
LANCIOTTO. Ha! Speak! or I'll throttle you! [_Seizes him._