CAPTAIN.  Something disturbs him.  Do you mark the spot
Of purple on his brow? [Apart to a SOLDIER.

SOLDIER.  Then blood must flow.

LANCIOTTO.  Boy, boy! [Enter a PAGE.] My cloak and riding staff.  Quick, quick! 
How you all lag! [Exit PAGE.] I ride to Rimini. 
Skirmish to-morrow.  Wait till my return—­
I shall be back at sundown.  You shall see
What slaughter is then!

CAPTAIN.  Ho! turn out a guard!—­

LANCIOTTO.  I wish no guard; I ride alone.
[Re-enter PAGE, with a cloak and staff.]
[Taking them.] Well done! 
Thou art a pretty boy.—­And now my horse!

Enter a SOLDIER.

SOLDIER.  Pluto is saddled—­

LANCIOTTO.  ’Tis a damned black lie!

SOLDIER.  Indeed, my lord—­

LANCIOTTO.  O! comrade, pardon me: 
I talk at random.  What, Paolo too,—­
boy whom I have trotted on my knee! 
Poh!  I abuse myself by such a thought. 
Francesca may not love me, may love him—­
Indeed she ought; but when an angel comes
To play the wanton on this filthy earth,
Then I’ll believe her guilty.  Look you, sir! 
Am I quite calm?

  CAPTAIN.  Quite calm, my lord.

LANCIOTTO.  You see
No trace of passion on my face?—­No sign
Of ugly humours, doubts, or fears, or aught
That may disfigure God’s intelligence? 
I have a grievous charge against you, sir,
That may involve your life; and if you doubt
The candour of my judgment, choose your time: 
Shall I arraign you now?

CAPTAIN.  Now, if you please. 
I’ll trust my cause to you and innocence
At any time.  I am not conscious—­

LANCIOTTO.  Pshaw! 
I try myself, not you.  And I am calm—­
That is your verdict—­and dispassionate?

  CAPTAIN.  So far as I can judge.

LANCIOTTO.                       ’Tis well, ’tis well! 
Then I will ride to Rimini.  Good-night!                            [Exit.

    The others look after him amazedly, and exeunt.

SCENE III.

Rimini.  The Garden of the Castle.  Enter PAOLO and FRANCESCA.

  FRANCESCA.  Thou hast resolved?

  PAOLO.  I’ve sworn it.

FRANCESCA.  Ah, you men
Can talk of love and duty in a breath;
Love while you like, forget when you are tired,
And salve your falsehood with some wholesome saw;
But we, poor women, when we give our hearts,
Give all, lose all, and never ask it back.

PAOLO.  What couldst thou ask for that I have not given? 
With love I gave thee manly probity,
Innocence, honour, self-respect, and peace. 
Lanciotto will return, and how shall I—­
O! shame, to think of it!—­how shall I look
My brother in the face? take his frank hand? 
Return his tender glances?  I should blaze
With guilty blushes.