Becket And Other Plays Part 58

Hear that, my lady!

FILIPPO.

Ay, and I left two fingers there for dead. See, my lady!

(_Showing his hand_.)

LADY GIOVANNA.

I see, Filippo!

FILIPPO.

And I have small hope of the gentleman gout in my great toe.

LADY GIOVANNA.

And why, Filippo? [_Smiling absently_.

FILIPPO.

I left him there for dead too!

ELISABETTA.

She smiles at him--how hard the woman is!

My lady, if your ladys.h.i.+p were not Too proud to look upon the garland, you Would find it stain'd----

COUNT (_rising_).

Silence, Elisabetta!

ELISABETTA.

Stain'd with the blood of the best heart that ever Beat for one woman. [_Points to wreath on chair_.

LADY GIOVANNA (_rising slowly_).

I can eat no more!

COUNT.

You have but trifled with our homely salad, But dallied with a single lettuce-leaf; Not eaten anything.

LADY GIOVANNA.

Nay, nay, I cannot.

You know, my lord, I told you I was troubled.

My one child Florio lying still so sick, I bound myself, and by a solemn vow, That I would touch no flesh till he were well Here, or else well in Heaven, where all is well.

[ELISABETTA _clears table of bird and salad_; FILIPPO _s.n.a.t.c.hes up the plate of prunes and holds them to_ LADY GIOVANNA.

FILIPPO.

But the prunes, my lady, from the tree that his lords.h.i.+p----

LADY GIOVANNA.

Not now, Filippo. My lord Federigo, Can I not speak with you once more alone?

COUNT.

You hear, Filippo? My good fellow, go!

FILIPPO.

But the prunes that your lords.h.i.+p----

ELISABETTA.

Filippo!

COUNT.

Ay, prune our company of thine own and go!

ELISABETTA.

Filippo!

FILIPPO (_turning_).

Well, well! the women!

[Exit.

COUNT.

And thou too leave us, my dear nurse, alone.

ELISABETTA (_folding up cloth and going_).

And me too! Ay, the dear nurse will leave you alone; but, for all that, she that has eaten the yolk is scarce like to swallow the sh.e.l.l.

[_Turns and curtseys stiffly to_ LADY GIOVANNA, _then exit_. LADY GIOVANNA _takes out diamond necklace from casket_.

LADY GIOVANNA.

I have anger'd your good nurse; these old-world servants Are all but flesh and blood with those they serve.

My lord, I have a present to return you, And afterwards a boon to crave of you.

COUNT.

No, my most honour'd and long-wors.h.i.+pt lady, Poor Federigo degli Alberighi Takes nothing in return from you except Return of his affection--can deny Nothing to you that you require of him.

LADY GIOVANNA.

Then I require you to take back your diamonds-- [_Offering necklace_.

I doubt not they are yours. No other heart Of such magnificence in courtesy Beats--out of heaven. They seem'd too rich a prize To trust with any messenger. I came In person to return them. [_Count draws back_.

If the phrase 'Return' displease you, we will say--exchange them For your--for your----

COUNT (_takes a step toward her and then back_).

For mine--and what of mine?

LADY GIOVANNA.

Well, shall we say this wreath and your sweet rhymes?

COUNT.

But have you ever worn my diamonds?

LADY GIOVANNA.

No!

For that would seem accepting of your love.

I cannot brave my brother--but be sure That I shall never marry again, my lord!