Lady Giovanna monologue (Act 6) — Becket and other plays

His falcon, and I come to ask for his falcon, The pleasure of his eyes--boast of his hand-- Pride of his heart--the solace of his hours-- His one companion here--nay, I have heard That, thro' his late magnificence of living And this last costly gift to mine own self, [_Shows diamond necklace_. He hath become so beggar'd, that his falcon Ev'n wins his dinner for him in the field. That must be talk, not truth, but truth or talk, How can I ask for his falcon? [_Rises and moves as she speaks_. O my sick boy! My daily fading Florio, it is thou Hath set me this hard task, for when I say What can I do--what can I get for thee? He answers, 'Get the Count to give me his falcon, And that will make me well.' Yet if I ask, He loves me, and he knows I know he loves me! Will he not pray me to return his love-- To marry him?--(_pause_)--I can never marry him. His grandsire struck my grandsire in a brawl At Florence, and my grandsire stabb'd him there. The feud between our houses is the bar I cannot cross; I dare not brave my brother, Break with my kin. My brother hates him, scorns The noblest-natured man alive, and I-- Who have that reverence for him that I scarce Dare beg him to receive his diamonds back-- How can I, dare I, ask him for his falcon? [_Puts diamonds in her casket_.