Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/44

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26
THE FOOL'S REVENGE.

DELL' AQUILA (to all).

Good-night, my lords!
[Aside.] Keep to your carrion, kites! She 's not for you.

[Exit Dell' Aquila.


MANFREDI.

But how to get sight of Bertuccio's jewel!
I'd see, before I 'd snatch.


TORELLI.

Trust me for that.
I am no poet. When I found the damsel
Admitted such a gallant as Bertuccio,
I thought it time to press my suit, and so
Accosted her on her way from San Costanza—


MANFREDI.

She listened?


TORELLI.

Long enough—the little fool!—
To learn my meaning, then she flushed and fled;
I followed—when, as the foul fiend would have it,
Ginevra Malatesta coming by
From vespers, with her train, sheltered the pigeon,
And spoiled my chase.


MANFREDI.

You did not give it up?


TORELLI.

I changed my plan; the mistress being coy,
I spread my net to catch the maid,—oh, lord!
The veriest Gorgon! You might swear none e'er
Had given her chase before; no coyness there.
A small expense of oaths and coin sufficed
To make her think herself a misprized Venus,