Kiss with the lips of life and not of ...
(_A knell has begun to beat from the church without. He hears it, and, awed, sinks, crossing himself, to the couch._)
_Gherardo._ It is the knell of Matteo Banista, Whose soul is gone for its licentious days Upon steep purgatory.
There in the cloister have you peace--in prayer? In visions--penances?... Swear that you have! swear to me! once!... but once! And I...! ... No, never!... never!
While we are in the world the world's in us. The Holy Church I own-- Confess her Heaven's queen; But we are flesh and all things that are fair God made us to enjoy-- Or, high in Paradise, we'll know but sorrow. You though would ban earth's beauty, Even the torch of Glory That kindled Italy once and led great Greece-- The torch of Plato, Homer, Virgil, all The sacred bards and sages, pagan-born! I love them! they are divine! And so to-night...! ...
(_Hears a lute and laughter below, then a call, "Sing, Sancia"; then SANCIA singing:_)
To the maids of Saint Rèmy All the gallants go for pleasure; To the maids of Saint Rèmy-- Tripping to love's measure! To the dames of Avignon All the masters go for wiving; To the dames of Avignon-- That shall be their shriving!
(_He goes to the Loggia as they gayly applaud. Then LELLO cries:_)
_Lello._ Ho-ho! Petrarca! Pagan! are you in? What! are you sonnet-monger?
_Lello._ Come then! Your door is locked! down! let us in!
_Petrarca._ No, ribald! hold! the key is on the sill! Look for it and ascend!
(_The old servant goes through and down the stairs to meet them. In a moment the tramp of feet is heard and they enter--LELLO between them--singing:_)
Guelph! Guelph! and Ghibbeline! Ehyo! ninni! onni! [=o]nz! I went fishing on All Saints' Day And--caught but human bones!
I went fishing on All Saints' Day. The Rhone ran swift, the wind blew black! I went fishing on All Saints' Day-- But my love called me back!
She called me back and she kissed my lips-- Oh, my lips! Oh, onni! [=o]nz! "Better take life than death," said she, Better take love than--bones! bones!
(_They scatter with glee and PETRARCA seizes SANCIA to him._)
_Petrarca._ Yes, little Sancia! and you, my friends! Warm love is better, better! And braver! Come, Lello! give me your hand! And you, Filippa! No, I'll have your lips!