GUIDO. [Aside.] This is too much!  If she would rail a while
At me and fortune, it could be endured. [Shouts, music, etc., within.

FRANCESCA.  Ha! there’s the van just breaking through the wood! 
Music! that’s well; a welcome forerunner. 
Now, Ritta—­here—­come talk to me.  Alas! 
How my heart trembles!  What a world to me
Lies ’neath the glitter of yon cavalcade! 
Is that the Count?

  RITTA.  Upon the dapple-gray?

  FRANCESCA.  Yes, yes.

  RITTA.  No; that’s his—­

  GUIDO. [Apart to her.] Ritta!

  RITTA.  Ay; that’s—­that’s—­

  GUIDO.  Ritta, the pot! [Apart to her.

RITTA.  O! but this lying chokes! [Aside.]
Ay, that’s Count Somebody, from Rimini.

  FRANCESCA.  I knew it was.  Is that not glorious?

  RITTA.  My lady, what?

FRANCESCA.  To see a cavalier
Sit on his steed with such familiar grace.

RITTA.  To see a man astraddle on a horse! 
It don’t seem much to me.

FRANCESCA.  Fie! stupid girl! 
But mark the minstrels thronging round the Count! 
Ah! that is more than gallant horsemanship. 
The soul that feeds itself on poesy,
Is of a quality more fine and rare
Than Heaven allows the ruder multitude. 
I tell you, Ritta, when you see a man
Beloved by poets, made the theme of song,
And chaunted down to ages, as a gift
Fit for the rich embalmment of their verse,
There’s more about him than the patron’s gold. 
If that’s the gentleman my father chose,
He must have picked him out from all the world. 
The Count alights.  Why, what a noble grace
Runs through his slightest action!  Are you sad? 
You, too, my father?  Have I given you cause? 
I am content.  If Lanciotto’s mind
Bear any impress of his fair outside,
We shall not quarrel ere our marriage-day. 
Can I say more?  My blushes speak for me: 
Interpret them as modesty’s excuse
For the short-comings of a maiden’s speech.

  RITTA.  Alas! dear lady! [Aside.

GUIDO. [Aside.] ’Sdeath! my plot has failed,
By overworking its design.  Come, come;
Get to your places.  See, the Count draws nigh.

GUIDO and FRANCESCA seat themselves upon the dais, surrounded by RITTA, LADIES, ATTENDANTS, GUARDS, etc.  Music, shouts, ringing of bells, etc.  Enter MEN-AT-ARMS, with banners, etc.; PAGES bearing costly presents on cushions; then PAOLO, surrounded by NOBLEMEN, KNIGHTS, MINSTRELS, etc., and followed by other MEN-AT-ARMS. They range themselves opposite the dais.

GUIDO.  Ravenna welcomes you, my lord, and I
Add my best greeting to the general voice. 
This peaceful show of arms from Rimini
Is a new pleasure, stranger to our sense
Than if the East blew zephyrs, or the balm
Of Summer loaded rough December’s gales,
And turned his snows to roses.