a year.) If I remonstrate, he will confess all to the good bishop-you! Mon. I see thro' the trick, caitiff! I would you spoke truth for once; all shall be sifted, however—seven times sifted. Inten. And how my absurd riches encumbered me! I dared not lay claim to about half my possessions. Let me but once unbosom myself, glorify Heaven, and die! Sir, you are no brutal, dastardly idiot like your brother I frightened to death-let us understand one another. Sir, I will make away with her for you the girl-here close at hand; not the stupid obvious kind of killing; do not speak-know nothing of her or me! I see her every day-saw her this morning: of course there is to be no killing; but at Rome the courtesans perish off every three years, and I can entice her thither -have, indeed, begun operations already. There's a certain lusty, blue-eyed, florid-complexioned, English knave I and the Police employ occasionally.-You assent, I perceive-no, that's not it-assent I do not say-but you will let me convert my present havings and holdings into cash, and give me time to cross the Alps? 'Tis but a little black-eyed, pretty singing Felippa, gay silk-winding girl. I have kept her out of harm's way up to this present; for I always intended to make your life a plague to you with her! 'Tis as well settled once and forever: some women I have procured will pass Bluphocks, my handsome scoundrel, off for somebody; and once Pippa entangled!--you conceive? Through her singing? Is it a bargain? (From without is heard the voice of PIPPA singing Over-head the tree-tops meet— Flowers and grass spring 'neath one's feet- -Ay, and of beasts, but words—our words, The knowledge of that with my life begun! And counted your stars, the Seven and One, Like the fingers of my hand: Nay, I could all but understand Wherefore through heaven the white moon ranges ; And just when out of her soft fifty changes No unfamiliar face might overlook me- (PIPPA passes.) Mon. [Springing up.] My people-one and allall-within there! Gag this villain-tie him hand and foot! He dares-I know not half he dares-but remove him-quick! Miserere mei, Domine! quick, I say! PIPPA's Chamber. She enters it. The bee with his comb, The mouse at her dray, The grub in its tomb, Wile winter away ; But the fire-fly and hedge-shrew and lob-worm, I pray, How fare they? Ha, ha, best thanks for your counsel, my Zanze "Feast upon lampreys, quaff the Breganze "---- And care for to-morrow so soon put away! No bidding me then to . . what did she say? "Pare your nails pearlwise, get your small feet shoes To learn his name who passed that jest upon me: Came, as she says, a month since, to inspect Our silk-mills-none with blue eyes and thick rings Well-if old Luca keeps his good intents, We shall do better: see what next year brings! I may buy shoes, my Zanze, not appear But for Monsignor's people's sudden clatter Above us-bound to spoil such idle chatter As ours; it were, indeed, a serious matter To carry that exalted air; Best people are not angels quite— While not the worst of people's doings scare And I was you too, Luigi's gentle mother, For he past just now in a traveller's trim, As if they had lost a prey in him. And now what am I ?-tired of fooling! New year's day is over and spent, Even my lily's asleep, I vow: Wake up-here's a friend I've pluckt you ! Is this-with petals triply swollen, Till her nose turned deep carmine- Of which we could not change the size, Oh what a drear, dark close to my poor day! To mavis, merle and throstle, |