PAOLO. [_Turning over the book._] Here it is. [_Reads._] "So sat Guenevra and Sir Lancelot"--'Twere well To follow them in that. [_They sit upon a bank._
FRANCESCA. I listen: read. Nay, do not; I can wait, if you desire.
PAOLO. My dagger frets me; let me take it off. [_Rises._] In thoughts of love, we'll lay our weapons by. [_Lays aside his dagger, and sits again._] Draw closer: I am weak in voice to-day. [_Reads_] "So sat Guenevra and Sir Lancelot, Under the blaze of the descending sun, But all his cloudy splendours were forgot. Each bore a thought, the only secret one, Which each had hidden from the other's heart, Both with sweet mystery well-nigh overrun. Anon, Sir Lancelot, with gentle start, Put by the ripples of her golden hair, Gazing upon her with his lips apart. He marvelled human thing could be so fair; Essayed to speak; but in the very deed, His words expired of self-betrayed despair. Little she helped him, at his direst need, Roving her eyes o'er hill, and wood, and sky, Peering intently at the meanest weed; Ay, doing aught but look in Lancelot's eye. Then, with the small pique of her velvet shoe, Uprooted she each herb that blossomed nigh; Or strange wild figures in the dust she drew; Until she felt Sir Lancelot's arm around Her waist, upon her cheek his breath like dew. While through his fingers timidly he wound Her shining locks; and, haply, when he brushed Her ivory skin, Guenevra nearly swound: For where he touched, the quivering surface blushed, Firing her blood with most contagious heat, Till brow, cheek, neck, and bosom, all were flushed. Each heart was listening to the other beat. As twin-born lilies on one golden stalk, Drooping with Summer, in warm languor meet, So met their faces. Down the forest walk Sir Lancelot looked--he looked, east, west, north, south-- No soul was nigh, his dearest wish to balk: She smiled; he kissed her full upon the mouth." [_Kisses_ FRANCESCA.] I'll read no more! [_Starts up, dashing down the book._
PAOLO. I am mad! The torture of unnumbered hours is o'er, The straining cord has broken, and my heart Riots in free delirium! O, Heaven! I struggled with it, but it mastered me! I fought against it, but it beat me down! I prayed, I wept, but Heaven was deaf to me; And every tear rolled backward on my heart, To blight and poison!