Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/44

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Good-night, my lords!

[Aside.] Keep to your carrion, kites! She 's not for you. [Exit.

But how to get sight of Bertuccio's jewel!

I'd see, before I 'd snatch.

Trust me for that.

I am no poet. When I found the damsel

Admitted such a gallant as Bertuccio,

I thought it time to press my suit, and so

Accosted her on her way from San Costanza—

She listened?

Long enough—the little fool!—

To learn my meaning, then she flushed and fled;

I followed—when, as the foul fiend would have it,

Ginevra Malatesta coming by

From vespers, with her train, sheltered the pigeon,

And spoiled my chase.

You did not give it up?

I changed my plan; the mistress being coy,

I spread my net to catch the maid,—oh, lord!

The veriest Gorgon! You might swear none e'er

Had given her chase before; no coyness there.

A small expense of oaths and coin sufficed

To make her think herself a misprized Venus,