LADY GIOVANNA. Call him back and say I come to breakfast with him. ELISABETTA. Holy mother! To breakfast! Oh sweet saints! one plate of prunes! Well, Madam, I will give your message to him. [_Exit_. LADY GIOVANNA. His falcon, and I come to ask for his falcon, The pleasure of his eyes--boast of his hand-- Pride of his heart--the solace of his hours-- His one companion here--nay, I have heard That, thro' his late magnificence of living And this last costly gift to mine own self, [_Shows diamond necklace_. He hath become so beggar'd, that his falcon Ev'n wins his dinner for him in the field. That must be talk, not truth, but truth or talk, How can I ask for his falcon? [_Rises and moves as she speaks_. O my sick boy! My daily fading Florio, it is thou Hath set me this hard task, for when I say What can I do--what can I get for thee? He answers, 'Get the Count to give me his falcon, And that will make me well.' Yet if I ask, He loves me, and he knows I know he loves me! Will he not pray me to return his love-- To marry him?--(_pause_)--I can never marry him. His grandsire struck my grandsire in a brawl At Florence, and my grandsire stabb'd him there. The feud between our houses is the bar I cannot cross; I dare not brave my brother, Break with my kin. My brother hates him, scorns The noblest-natured man alive, and I-- Who have that reverence for him that I scarce Dare beg him to receive his diamonds back-- How can I, dare I, ask him for his falcon? [_Puts diamonds in her casket_. _Re-enter_ COUNT _and_ FILIPPO. COUNT _turns to_ FILIPPO. COUNT. Do what I said; I cannot do it myself. FILIPPO. Why then, my lord, we are pauper'd out and out. COUNT. Do what I said! [_Advances and bows low_. Welcome to this poor cottage, my dear lady. LADY GIOVANNA. And welcome turns a cottage to a palace. COUNT. 'Tis long since we have met! LADY GIOVANNA. To make amends I come this day to break my fast with you. COUNT. I am much honour'd--yes-- [_Turns to_ FILIPPO. Do what I told thee. Must I do it myself? FlLIPPO. I will, I will. (_Sighs_.) Poor fellow! [_Exit_. COUNT. Lady, you bring your light into my cottage Who never deign'd to shine into my palace. My palace wanting you was but a cottage; My cottage, while you grace it, is a palace. LADY GIOVANNA. In cottage or in palace, being still Beyond your fortunes, you are still the king Of courtesy and liberality. COUNT. I trust I still maintain my courtesy; My liberality perforce is dead Thro' lack of means of giving. LADY GIOVANNA. Yet I come To ask a gift. [_Moves toward him a little_.