DRAMATIC FRAGMENT.
61
No soul was nigh, his dearest wish to balk;
She smiled; he kissed her full upon the mouth."
He kisses Francesca.
I'll read no more ! (Starts up, dashing down the book.)
Francesca.
Paolo!
Paolo.
I am mad!
The torture of unnumbered hours is o'er,
The straining cord has broken, and my heart
Riots in free delirium! O Heaven!
I struggled with it, but it mastered me;
I fought against it, but it beat me down;
I prayed, I wept, but heaven was deaf to me,
And every tear rolled backward on my heart,
To blight and poison!
Francesca.
And dost thou regret?
Paolo.
The love? no, no! I'd dare it all again,
Its direst agonies and meanest fears,
For that one kiss. Away with fond remorse!
Here, on the brink of ruin, we two stand:
Lock hands with me, and brave the fearful plunge.
Thou canst not name a terror so profound
That I will look or falter from. Be bold!
I know thy love: I knew it long ago;
Trembled and fled from it: but now I clasp
The peril to my breast, and ask of thee
A kindred desperation!
She smiled; he kissed her full upon the mouth."
He kisses Francesca.
I'll read no more ! (Starts up, dashing down the book.)
Francesca.
Paolo!
Paolo.
I am mad!
The torture of unnumbered hours is o'er,
The straining cord has broken, and my heart
Riots in free delirium! O Heaven!
I struggled with it, but it mastered me;
I fought against it, but it beat me down;
I prayed, I wept, but heaven was deaf to me,
And every tear rolled backward on my heart,
To blight and poison!
Francesca.
And dost thou regret?
Paolo.
The love? no, no! I'd dare it all again,
Its direst agonies and meanest fears,
For that one kiss. Away with fond remorse!
Here, on the brink of ruin, we two stand:
Lock hands with me, and brave the fearful plunge.
Thou canst not name a terror so profound
That I will look or falter from. Be bold!
I know thy love: I knew it long ago;
Trembled and fled from it: but now I clasp
The peril to my breast, and ask of thee
A kindred desperation!
"Quel giorno piu non vi leggemmo avante."
