GUIDO
I love you only.
DUCHESS
You need not die for that.
GUIDO
Ah, if we die together, love, why then
Can we not lie together in one grave?
DUCHESS
A grave is but a narrow wedding-bed.
GUIDO
It is enough for us
DUCHESS
And they will strew it
With a stark winding-sheet, and bitter herbs:
I think there are no roses in the grave,
Or if there are, they all are withered now
Since my Lord went there.
GUIDO
Ah! dear Beatrice,
Your lips are roses that death cannot wither.
DUCHESS
Nay, if we lie together, will not my lips
Fall into dust, and your enamoured eyes
Shrivel to sightless sockets, and the worms,
Which are our groomsmen, eat away your heart?
GUIDO
I do not care: Death has no power on love.
And so by Love's immortal sovereignty
I will die with you.
DUCHESS
But the grave is black,
And the pit black, so I must go before
To light the candles for your coming hither.
No, no, I will not die, I will not die.
Love, you are strong, and young, and very brave;
Stand between me and the angel of death,
And wrestle with him for me.
[Thrusts GUIDO in front of her with his back to the audience.]
I will kiss you,
When you have thrown him. Oh, have you no cordial,
To stay the workings of this poison in me?
Are there no rivers left in Italy
That you will not fetch me one cup of water
To quench this fire?
GUIDO
O God!
DUCHESS
You did not tell me
There was a drought in Italy, and no water:
Nothing but fire.
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