Crown'd with the wreath.
to come and go.

That seem'd

Filippo. Was it there to take? Put it there, my lord.

Count. Giovanna, my dear lady, in They left us there for dead!

this same battle

We had been beaten-they were ten to

one.

Elisabetta.

Hear that, my lady!

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

The trumpets of the fight had echo'd his hand.)

down,

I and Filippo here had done our best,
And, having passed unwounded from the

field,

Were seated sadly at a fountain side,
Our horses grazing by us, when a troop,
Laden with booty and with a flag of ours
Ta'en in the fight-

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!

Filippo. Ay, but we fought for it back, My lady, if your ladyship were not

And kill'd

Filippo.

Well, well, well!

I bite my tongue.
Count. We may have left their fifty
less by five.

However, staying not to count how many,
But anger'd at their flaunting of our flag,
We mounted, and we dash'd into the
heart of 'em.

I wore the lady's chaplet round my neck;
It served me for a blessed rosary.

I am sure that more than one brave
fellow owed

His death to the charm in it.

Elisabetta. Hear that, my lady!
Count. I cannot tell how long we
strove before

Our horses fell beneath us; down we went
Crush'd, hack'd at, trampled underfoot.
The night,

As some cold-manner'd friend may
strangely do us

The truest service, had a touch of frost
That help'd to check the flowing of the

blood.

My last sight ere I swoon'd was one

sweet face

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 snatches up the plate of prunes and holds them to Lady Giovanna.

Filippo. But the prunes, my lady, from the tree that his lordship

Lady Giovanna. Not now, Filippo.

saying

[Turns and curtseys stiffly to Lady In Florence; but I think you know the Giovanna, then exit. Lady Giovanna takes out diamond necklace from casket.

Lady Giovanna.

I have anger'd your

good nurse; these old world

servants

'Better a man without riches, than riches

without a man.'

By granting which, if aught be mine to grant,

I should be made more happy than I hoped

Ever to be again.
Lady Giovanna.
wreath,

Then keep your

But you will find me a shrewd bargainer

still.

I cannot keep your diamonds, for the

gift

I ask for, to my mind and at this present
Outvalues all the jewels upon earth.

Count. It should be love that thus
outvalues all.

May work them grievous harm at times, No not a draught of milk, no not an

Hasten their end. I would you had a Nothing but my brave bird, my noble

Will thank me for your entertainment I lay them for the first time round your

now.

Lady Giovanna (returning). I bear with him no longer. Count. No, Madonna ! And he will have to bear with it as he may.

Lady Giovanna. I break with him for ever!

Yes, Giovanna,

Count.
But he will keep his love to you for
ever!

Lady Giovanna. You? you? not
My brother! my hard

you!
brother!

O Federigo, Federigo, I love you!
Spite of ten thousand brothers, Federigo.

neck.

[Lays necklace round her neck. And then this chaplet-No more feuds, but peace,

Peace and conciliation! I will make Your brother love me. See, I tear away The leaves were darken'd by the battle[Pulls leaves off and throws them down. -crown you Again with the same crown my Queen of Beauty.

[Places wreath on her head. Rise-I could almost think that the dead garland

Will break once more into the living blossom.

[Falls at his feet. | Nay, nay, I pray you rise.

Count (impetuously). Why then the dying of my noble bird

[Raises her with both hands. We two together

Hath served me better than her living- Will help to heal your son-your son

Their value again-beyond all markets And I am happy!

-there

Lady Giovanna. And I too, Federigo.

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