vers?
Marry, I find your figure lacking force!
Since when were lovers true?

FRA. Oh, peace, Carlotta!
You bear too sharp a weapon against the world,--
A split tongue full of poison, in a head
That darts at every heel!--I'm going in. [Exit Francesca.]

LAU. You should not say such things when she is with us, Carlotto.

CAR. Is the woman in love?

LAU. In love!
She is so far gone she does not know which way
To sail,--all shores are equally out of sight.

[Exeunt Laura and Carlotta.]

[Music off stage. Enter Fidelio, singing.]

FID. "What was I doing when the moon stood above?
What did I do? What did I do?
I lied to a lady that had given me her love,--
I swore to be true! I swore to be true!"

[He picks up from the grass a white scarf which Beatrice was
wearing, and which slipped from her shoulders unnoticed as she
went out.]

FID. My mistress!

[He thrusts the scarf under his cloak and continues his song,
just as Guido enters from another direction.]

FID. "And what was I doing when the sun stood above?
What did I do? What did I do?--"

GUI. By my sacred word, Fidelio, I do not like your song.

FID. Faith, and small wonder!--It is a song that sets the evil eye
To staring in upon itself.

GUI. [Stopping in his walk.] What mean you by that, my throaty friend?

FID. I mean to say
That, taking it all in all and by and large,
You do not care for music.

GUI. I do not care
For yours, but it is possible Apollo
Had a better tenor. I never heard him sing.

FID. Nay, and how could you?--He died when you were born!

GUI. He died, that is, in giving birth to me?

FID. Aye, if you like,--you bear as much resemblance
To him as to your mother's husband, surely.

GUI. Take care, Fidelio!

FID. [Lightly] So! Then it angers you
Apollo should be deemed your sire! I told you
[Sadly.] You did not care for music!

GUI. You are a sly fool,
My merry friend. What hide you under the cloak?

FID. Why, 'tis a little patch of snow the sun
Would lay too hot a hand on.

GUI. By my life,--
And what are you that you can keep the sun
From shining where it will?

FID. Why, by your life,--
And a foul oath it is!--why, by your life,
I am a cloud,--that is an easy riddle.

Scene 2

[Scene: A garden with a fountain, at Fiori. Beatrice
and Bianca sitting side by si