CES. I tell you my two eyes have looked this day On a sad and useless thing!--A fine lad, young, And strong, and beautiful as a lad may be, And king of a fair country, thrust from horse By a foul blow, and sprawled upon the ground,-- Legs wide asunder, fist full of brown mud, Hair in his eyes,--most pitiful unkingly! Bring me a mug of wine, good wife! [Leonora goes out.] GIO. You, Gilda! There is a queen you would not be tonight, I'll warrant you,--the Queen of Lagoverde, With her two fatherless babes! EUG. Nay, now, good Cesco, What is this matter? CES. You'll know it quick enough. They will be bringing the queen here ere I have breath To tell you. They are coming by the road, I took the mountain-path, and ran. GIU. I must hasten To put fresh sheets on. [To Gilda.] Look you,--listen well If he should talk, and tell me afterwards. [Exit.] EUG. Here comes Horatio! The boats are in. [Some children rush down to the water-side.] A good day, husband? HOR. Ay, a heavy day. What think you of that?--A big one, eh?--Came in With a school of little fish,--too greedy that time! What happens here?--The air is full of breathing! [The men come up from the boats with children clinging to them. Beppo and Adelina return from another direction with the milk.] LEO. [Somewhat proudly.] Cesco will tell you. CES. In a word 'tis this: Today the Queen of Fiori, Returning from the hunt, is set upon By brigands; where at the King of Lagoverde, Being hunting in that quarter and hearing cries, Comes up to give his aid; in rendering which He gives his life as well, and at this moment, On other men's legs, goes heavily home to supper. The Queen of Fiori, wounded, and in a swoon Only less deep than death itself, comes this way. CROWD. Ay, here they come! [Enter Anselmo.] ANS. Make way, make way, good people-- Fall back a little--leave a clear space--give air! [Enter Laura and Francesca, Luigi, several gentlemen, several attendants, four of them bearing a litter on which lies Beatrice, in a scarlet cloak, her hair flowing. Luigi is with Laura, who clings to him. If possible to arrange, several of the party may lead on their horses and lead them off across the stage. The litter is set down stage in full sight of the audience. Beppo comes down stage near it, as does also, from another direction, Gilda. Giuliana returns.] ANS. Who has a bed that we may lay her on? She cannot leave this place tonight. GIU. This way, sir. [The attendants pick up the litter and go off, the crowd following.] GIL. [Stealing back.] Hist, Beppo! BEPPO. Ay? GIL. Heard you not something fall, When they picked her up again? BEPPO. Ay, that I did. GIL. What was it, think you? [They search.] Nay, 'twas nearer here. BEPPO. I have it.--'Tis her sword! GIL. The Queen's? Ay,--truly. How beautiful!