LANCIOTTO. Your charge
Must be at sunrise—just at sunrise, sir—
Neither before nor after. You must march
At moonset, then, to gain the point ere dawn.
That is enough.
CAPTAIN. Good-even! [Going.
LANCIOTTO. Stay, stay, stay!
My sword-hilt feels uneasy in my grasp; [Gives his sword.]
Have it repaired; and grind the point. Strike hard!
I'll teach these Ghibelins a lesson. [Loud laughter within.]
Ha!
What is that clamour?
Enter hastily PEPE, tattered and travel-stained.
PEPE. News from Rimini! [Falls exhausted.
LANCIOTTO. Is that you, Pepe? Captain, a good-night!
[Exit CAPTAIN.]
I never saw you in such straits before.
Wit without words!
PEPE. That's better than—O!—O!— [Panting.]
Words without wit.
LANCIOTTO. [Laughing.] You'll die a jester, Pepe.
PEPE. If so, I'll leave the needy all my wit.
You, you shall have it, cousin.—O! O! O! [Panting.]
Those devils in the hills, the Ghibelins,
Ran me almost to death. My lord—ha! ha! [Laughing.]
It all comes back to me—O! Lord 'a mercy!—
The garden, and the lady, and the Count!
Not to forget the poetry—ho! ho! [Laughing.]
O! cousin Lanciotto, such a wife,
And such a brother! Hear me, ere I burst!
LANCIOTTO. You're pleasant, Pepe!