GIO. Ah--ah--but even so, No matter who is there, I tell you, lovers Are always alone! GUI. Why do you say these things, Giovanni? GIO. Because I love you, you lean wolf, And love to watch you snuff the air. My friend, There was a time I thought it all ambition With you, a secret itching to be king-- And not so secret, either--an open plot To marry a girl who will be Queen some morning. But now at times I wonder. You have a look As of a man that's nightly gnawed by rats, The very visage of a man in love. Is it not so? GUI. I do not know, Giovanni. I know I have a passion in my stomach So bitter I can taste it on my tongue. She hates me. And her hatred draws me to her As the moon draws the tide. GIO. You are like a cat-- There never was a woman yet that feared you And shunned you, but you leapt upon her shoulder! Well, I'll be off. The prettiest girl in Fiori,-- Unless it be Her Highness, waits for me By a fountain. All day long she sells blue plums, And in the evening what she has left of them She gives to me! You should love simply, Guido, As I do. [Exit Giovanni.] [Guido sits on the bench and drops his head in hand. Enter Francesca.] FRA. [Softly.] Guido! Guido! GUI. Who calls me? FRA. Guido! GUI. Francesca! Why do you follow me here? You know I do not wish to see you! FRA. Do not be angry. 'Tis half a week since you have spoken to me, And over a week since you have so much as laid Your hand upon my arm! And do you think, Loving you as I do, I can do without you, Forever, Guido, and make no sign at all? I know you said you did not wish to see me Ever again,--but it was only a quarrel-- And we have quarreled before! GUI. It was not a quarrel. I am tired of you, Francesca. You are too soft. You weep too much. FRA. I do not weep the less For having known you. GUI. So;--it will save you tears, then To know me less. FRA. Oh, Guido, how your face Is changed,--I cannot think those are the eyes That looked into my eyes a month ago! What's come between us? GUI. Nothing has come between us. It is the simple snapping of a string Too often played upon. FRA. Ah!--but I know Who snapped it! It will do you little good To look at her,--she'll never look at you! GUI. Be silent a moment!--Unless you would be silent Longer! FRA. Indeed! I shall speak out my mind! You go beyond yourself! There is proportion Even in a nature like my own, that's twisted From too much clinging to a crooked tree! And this is sure: if you no longer love me, You shall no longer strike me! MARIO. [Off stage.] Beatrice! Wait for me! Wait! BEA. [Off stage.] Not I! Who does not run? As fast as I run, shall be left behind me! GUI. They are coming here! I do not wish to see them! FRA. Oh, Guido! [She follows him off. Exeunt Guido and Francesca.] [Enter Beatrice, running, followed by Mario.]