The Duchess of Padua - LightNovelsOnl.com
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GUIDO
I pray thou comest quickly.
MORANZONE
I will come When it is time; be ready.
GUIDO
Fear me not.
MORANZONE
Here is your friend; see that you banish him Both from your heart and Padua.
GUIDO
From Padua, Not from my heart.
MORANZONE
Nay, from thy heart as well, I will not leave thee till I see thee do it.
GUIDO
Can I have no friend?
MORANZONE
Revenge shall be thy friend; Thou need'st no other.
GUIDO
Well, then be it so.
[Enter ASCANIO CRISTOFANO.]
ASCANIO
Come, Guido, I have been beforehand with you in everything, for I have drunk a flagon of wine, eaten a pasty, and kissed the maid who served it. Why, you look as melancholy as a schoolboy who cannot buy apples, or a politician who cannot sell his vote. What news, Guido, what news?
GUIDO
Why, that we two must part, Ascanio.
ASCANIO
That would be news indeed, but it is not true.
GUIDO
Too true it is, you must get hence, Ascanio, And never look upon my face again.
ASCANIO
No, no; indeed you do not know me, Guido; 'Tis true I am a common yeoman's son, Nor versed in fas.h.i.+ons of much courtesy; But, if you are n.o.bly born, cannot I be Your serving man? I will tend you with more love Than any hired servant.
GUIDO
[clasping his hand]
Ascanio!
[Sees MORANZONE looking at him and drops ASCANIO'S hand.]
It cannot be.
ASCANIO
What, is it so with you?
I thought the friends.h.i.+p of the antique world Was not yet dead, but that the Roman type Might even in this poor and common age Find counterparts of love; then by this love Which beats between us like a summer sea, Whatever lot has fallen to your hand May I not share it?
GUIDO
Share it?
ASCANIO
Ay!
GUIDO
No, no.
ASCANIO
Have you then come to some inheritance Of lordly castle, or of stored-up gold?
GUIDO
[bitterly]
Ay! I have come to my inheritance.
O b.l.o.o.d.y legacy! and O murderous dole!
Which, like the thrifty miser, must I h.o.a.rd, And to my own self keep; and so, I pray you, Let us part here.
ASCANIO
What, shall we never more Sit hand in hand, as we were wont to sit, Over some book of ancient chivalry Stealing a truant holiday from school, Follow the huntsmen through the autumn woods, And watch the falcons burst their ta.s.selled jesses, When the hare breaks from covert.
GUIDO
Never more.
