VIO. How beautiful, Anselmo! Where did you find them?

ANS. Close by the brook.

LIL. You gathered all there were?

ANS. Not by one hundredth part.

LEL. Nay, is it true?

We must have more of them!

ARI. And are they fragrant As well?

ANS. Ay, by my heart, they are so sweet I near to fainted climbing the bank with them.

[The ladies cl.u.s.ter about Anselmo and smell the flowers.]

LIL. Oh!

VIO. Ah!

CLA. How drowsily sweet!

LEL. Oh, sweet!

ARI. What fragrance!

[Enter Laura and Giovanna, followed by Carlotta and Raffaele.]

LAU. La, by my lung! I am as out of breath As a babe new-born! Whew! Let me catch the air!

[She drops her flowers and seats herself beside them.]

CAR. [to the younger ladies and Anselmo, by way of greeting.]

How hot the sun is getting.

ANS. 'Tis nigh noon, I think.

GIO. 'Tis noon.

CLA. We must be starting back.

LAU. Not till I get my breath.

RAF. Come,--I will fan you. [He fans her with a branch,]

LAU. Tis good--'tis very good--oh, peace--oh, slumber-- Oh, all good things! You are a proper youth.

You are a zephyr. I would have you fan me Till you fall dead.

CAR. I tell you when it comes To gathering flowers, much is to be said For spreading sheets on the gra.s.s,--it gives you less The backache.

LAU. n.o.bly uttered, my sweet bird.

GIO. Yet brides must have bouquets.

CAR. And sit at home, Nursing complexions, whilst I gather them,

LIL. [Running to Carlotta, along, with Lela and Viola, and throwing her arms about her.]

Nay, out upon you now, Carlotta! Cease now To grumble so,--'tis such a pretty day!

VIO. And weddings mean a ball!

LEL. And one may dance all night At weddings!

LIL. Till one needs must dance to bed, Because one cannot walk there!

GIO. And one eats Such excellent food!

ANS. And drinks such excellent wine!

CLA. And seldom will you see a bride and bridegroom More beautiful and gracious, or whom garlands Do more become.

GIO. 'Tis so,--upon my sword!-- Which I neglected to bring with me--'tis so, Upon Anselmo's sword!

CAR. Nay, look you, Laura!

You must not fall asleep! [to Raffaele] Have done, you devil!

Is it a poppy that you have there? [to Laura] Look you, We must be starting back! [Laura rouses, then falls back again.]

LAU. Ay, that we must.

ARI. Where are the others?

ANS. Scattered all about.

I will call to them. Hola! You fauns and dryads!

Where are you?

VOICES. Here! Here! Is it time to go?

ANS. Come this way! We are starting back!

VOICES. We are coming!

We'll come in a moment! I cannot bear to leave This place!

GIO. [As they enter] A thousand greetings, Clara!

Lucia, a thousand greetings! How now, Luigi!

I know you, man, despite this soft disguise!

You are no flower-girl!

LUI. I am a draught-horse, That's what I am, for four unyielding women!