Part 19 (1/2)

BIA. Do you go away with nurse A little while. You will bring them back to me Later?

NURSE. [Weeping.] Ay, madam.

[She goes out with the children.]

BIA. Later--not much later, I think.--Hear you no sound of horses yet, Giulietta, galloping this way?

GIU. Nay, not yet.

BIA. [To herself.] I will not go until she comes. I will not.

Still,--if I should--Giulietta!

GIU. [Coming quickly to the bed.] Ay, my mistress!

BIA. She will come, I tell you!

GIU. Ay, I doubt it not.

BIA. Ay, she will come. But if she should come late, And I no longer be here to receive her, Show her all courtesy, I conjure you.

She will be weary, and mightily distraught.

Make her take wine,--and bring the children to her.

And tell her, they are hers now. She is their mother.

[Giulietta starts to go back to the window.]

And say to her--wait!--I have a message for her.

Say to her this, Giulietta: The foot stumbles, The hand hath its own awkward way; the tongue Moves foolishly in the mouth; but in the heart The truth lies,--and all's well 'twixt her and me.

Can you remember that?

GIU. Ay, madam, I think so.

If not the words, at least the gist of it.

BIA. Forget it all, my good child, but forget not: All's well 'twixt her and me.

GIU. Nay, that I have.

BIA. I will sleep now a little. Do you leave me.

But go not far. [She lies still for a moment, then starts up.]

I hear the sound of hoof-beats!

GIU. Nay, madam.

BIA. Ay, I tell you! I can hear them!

My face upon the pillow brings my ear Nearer the ground! She is coming! Open the door!

[She kneels up in bed and holds out her arms towards the door, maintaining this position till Beatrice comes. Giulietta, weeping, opens the door, and stands in it, shaking her head sadly.]

GIU. [Suddenly lifting her head and listening.] Nay, it is so! I hear it now myself!