Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/106

84

I know not. Ask Dell' Aquila; 't was he

Brought me the lady, craving shelter for her

From some great danger.

But you saw her face?

And if I did, think'st thou I'd trust her name

To thy ass-ears?

Fooled—mocked of my revenge!

The sweetest morsel on 't whipped from my teeth!

Oh, I could brain myself with my own bawble!

[Aside.] Dell' Aquila. He knows.

Well met, Bertuccio;

I've sought thee since this morning,—nay, since midnight.

Ha!

For a matter much concerns thy peace.

Thou hast a daughter. [ starts.] How I know thou hast

Matters not to my story.

Hush! hush! hush!

If you know this, as you 're a Christian man,

And poet,—poets should have softer hearts

Than courts and camps breed now-a-days,—oh, keep

The knowledge to yourself!