Your image set amongst its holiest thoughts,
Beside my mother's well-remembered face.
Could truth speak with the tongue, look from the eyes,
You would not doubt me! What can oaths avail?
He who could cheat you, would not fear to cheat
God and his saints! Lady, it is the truth
That I have spoken! May Heaven give you faith
To trust me; but if not, I will stay,
And die in your defence.
FIORDELISA.
Sir, I will trust you!
And Heaven so deal with you as you with me!
Go with me to the Countess Malatesta.
I'll seek the shelter of her roof to-night,
To-morrow must bring counsel for the future.
DELL' AQUILA.
Oh! bless you for this trust! Come, quick, but softly.
Put on your veil, fear not, I am your guard,
Your slave, your sentinel. I crave no guerdon,
Not even a look! Enough for me to save you.
MANFREDI (breaking from behind the arras; Torelli following him).
Why did you hold me back? Our project's marred.
This moonstruck poet bears away the prize,
And I am fooled.
TORELLI.
Nay, trust my cooler brain.
I'll follow him to Malatesta's. Sure,
He'll give her shelter?
