oad,
Close to Ravenna. What's the time of day?

FRANCESCA. Past noon, my lord.

GUIDO. We must be stirring, then.

FRANCESCA. I do not like this marriage.

GUIDO. But I do.

FRANCESCA. But I do not. Poh! to be given away,
Like a fine horse or falcon, to a man
Whose face I never saw!

RITTA. That's it, my lady.

GUIDO. Ritta, run down, and see if my great pot
Boils to your liking.

RITTA. [_Aside._] O! that pot again!
My lord, my heart betrays me; but you know
How true 'tis to my lady. [_Exit._

FRANCESCA. What ails Ritta?

GUIDO. The ailing of your sex, a running tongue.
Francesca, 'tis too late to beat retreat:
Old Malatesta has me--you, too, child--
Safe in his clutch. If you are not content,
I must unclose Ravenna, and allow
His son to take you. Poh, poh! have a soul
Equal with your estate. A prince's child
Cannot choose husbands. Her desires must aim,
Not at herself, but at the public good.
Both as your prince and father, I command;
As subject and good daughter, you'll obey.

FRANCESCA. I knew that it must be my destiny,
Some day, to give my hand without my heart;
But--

GUIDO. But, and I will but you back again!
When Guido da Polenta says to you,
Daughter, you must be married,--what were best?

FRANCESCA. 'Twere best Francesca, of the self-same name,
Made herself bridal garments. [_Laughing._

GUIDO. Right!

FRANCESCA. My lord,
Is Lanciotto handsome--ugly--fair--
Black--sallow--crabbed--kind--or what is he?

GUIDO. You'll know ere long. I could not alter him,
To please your taste.

FRANCESCA. You always put me off;
You never have a whisper in his praise.

GUIDO. The world reports it.--Count my soldiers' scars,
And you may sum Lanciotto's glories up.

FRANCESCA. I shall be dutiful, to please you, father.
If aught befall me through my blind submission,
Though I may suffer, you must bear the sin.
Beware, my lord, for your own peace of mind!
My part has been obedience; and now
I play it over to complete my task;
And it shall be with smiles upon my lips,--
Heaven only knows with what a sinking heart!
[_Exeunt._

SCENE II.

_The Same. Before the Gates of the City.