PEPE. I, being the court-fool,
Am lord of fools by my prerogative.
LANCIOTTO. Who told you of my marriage?
PEPE. Rimini!
A frightful liar; but true for once, I fear.
The messenger from Guido has returned,
And the whole town is wailing over him.
Some pity you, and some the bride; but I,
Being more catholic, I pity both.
LANCIOTTO. Still, pity, pity! [Aside. Bells toll.] Ha! whose knell is that?
PEPE. Lord Malatesta sent me to the tower,
To have the bells rung for your marriage-news.
How, he said not; so I, as I thought fit,
Told the deaf sexton to ring out a knell.
[Bells toll.]
How do you like it?
LANCIOTTO. Varlet, have you bones,
To risk their breaking? I have half a mind
To thresh you from your motley coat!
[Seizes him.
PEPE. Pardee!
Respect my coxcomb, cousin. Hark! ha, ha!
[Laughing.]
[Bells ring a joyful peal.]
Some one has changed my music. Heaven defend!
How the bells jangle. Yonder graybeard, now,
Rings a peal vilely. He's more used to knells,
And sounds them grandly. Only give him time,
And, I'll be sworn, he'll ring your knell out yet.
LANCIOTTO. Pepe, you are but half a fool.
PEPE. My lord,
I can return the compliment in full.
LANCIOTTO. So, you are ready.