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Read Ebook: The Magnificent Lovers (Les Amants magnifiques) by Moli Re Wall Charles Heron Translator
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Ebook has 170 lines and 13968 words, and 4 pages
SOS. A slight indisposition, Madam, prevented me from going there.
IPH. Sostratus is one of those men who think it unbecoming to be curious like others, and who esteem it better to affect not to go where everybody is anxious to be.
SOS. My Lord, affectation has little share in anything I do, and, without paying you a compliment, there were things to be seen in this festival which would have attracted me if some other motive had not hindered me.
ANA. I observe one thing, that Clitidas would have nothing to say if he did not speak of me.
ANA. You might choose some other subject of conversation, particularly since I have asked you to do so.
ANA. With all the respect due to you, Madam, allow me to say that there is one thing in your court which it is sad to find there. It is that everybody takes the liberty of talking, and that the most honourable man is exposed to the scoffing of the first buffoon he meets.
ANA. This is a paltry joke, and you should earn your money by giving your mistress wittier and better ones.
TIM. She is gone away, Madam. I offered her my arm, which she refused to accept.
TIM. Madam, I do not mean to flatter myself; but I have done all that I possibly could to touch the heart of the Princess Eriphyle. I have neglected none of the tender means that a lover should adopt. I have offered her the humble homage of my great love, I have been assiduous near her, I have attended on her daily. I have had my love sung by the most touching voices, and expressed in verse by the most skilful pens. I have complained in passionate terms of my sufferings. My eyes, as well as my words, have told her of my despair and my love. I have laid my love at her feet; I have even had recourse to tears, but all in vain, and I have failed to see that in her soul she was in any way touched by my love.
IPH. For my part, Madam, knowing her indifference and the little value she sets upon the homage that is paid to her, I did not mean to waste either sighs or tears upon her. I know that she is entirely submissive to your wishes, and that it is from you alone that she will accept a husband; therefore it is to you alone that I can address my wishes for her hand, to you rather than to her that I offer my homage and my attentions. Would to heaven, Madam, that you could bring yourself to take her place, enjoy the conquests which you make for her, and receive for yourself the affections which you refer to her!
IPH. However free you leave her in her choice, what I tell you is no flattery, Madam. I court the Princess Eriphyle only because she is your daughter, and I think her charming in that which she inherits from you; and it is you whom I adore in her.
IPH. Yes, Madam, all the earth beholds in you charms and attractions....
IPH. Ah! Madam. It is you only who will remind everyone that you are a mother; everybody's feelings are against it, and it depends entirely on yourself to pass for the sister of the Princess Eriphyle.
IPH. They are a secret to me.
TIM. And to me an impenetrable mystery.
SOS. Madam, you have a great many people in your court who are better qualified than I for such a delicate mission, and I feel little fit to do what you ask of me.
SOS. Another better than I, Madam....
SOS. Since it is your wish, Madam, I must obey; but I assure you that there is not one person in the whole of your court who would be less qualified for such a commission than myself.
IPH. . I assure you that I rejoice to see you held in such esteem by the princess.
TIM. . I assure you that I am delighted that the choice should have fallen on you.
IPH. You have it now in your power to serve your friends.
TIM. You will be able to do good service to those you esteem.
IPH. I do not commend my interests to you.
TIM. I do not ask you to speak for me.
SOS. My Lords, all this is useless. I should be wrong to exceed my orders, and you will excuse me if I speak for neither.
IPH. I leave it to you to do as you please.
TIM. Do exactly as you think best.
IPH. . Well, Clitidas, remember that he is one of my friends. I hope he will still forward my interests with the princess against those of my rival.
IPH. . I will not forget such a service.
TIM. My rival pays his court to Clitidas; but Clitidas knows that he has promised to help me in my love against him.
TIM. There is nothing I could not do for Clitidas.
CLEON. It will be thought strange, Madam, that you should keep away from everybody.
CLEON. Would you not like for a moment to see what those wonderful people, who are desirous of serving you, can do? It seems by their steps and gestures they can express everything to the eye. They are called pantomimists. I feared to pronounce that word before you, and there are some in your court who would not forgive me for using it.
CLEON. If you do not care to see them, Madam, you have only to say so.
CLEON. But, Madam, their dancing may be bad.
CLEON. To-day it will only be an ordinary dance, Madam. Another time....
SECOND INTERLUDE.
CLEON. And I am very glad, Madam, for you to see that my taste is not so bad as you thought.
CLEON. . I warn you, Clitidas, that the princess wishes to be alone.
SOS. I have an excuse, Madam, for daring to disturb your solitude. I have received from the princess your mother a mission which authorises the bold step I now take.
SOS. To try, to learn from you, Madam, towards which of the two princes your heart inclines?
SOS. I have accepted it, Madam, because my duty obliges me to obey; and if the princess had kindly listened to my excuses, she would have appointed another for the task.
SOS. The fear of not acquitting myself well.
SOS. As far as I am concerned, Madam, I have no desire to know anything; I only ask you what you think you can say in answer to the commands which bring me here.
SOS. I will not importune you, Madam, and urge a princess who knows well what she has to do.
SOS. I told her that I was sure to acquit myself but badly of my message.
SOS. The conjectures we make upon such matters generally arise from the greater or less interest we take.
SOS. Ah! Madam! your inclination, not my wishes, must decide the matter.
SOS. If you were to consult me, I should feel very much perplexed.
SOS. If I were to be judge, I should find no one worthy of that honour. All the princes of the world would be too mean to aspire to you; the gods alone can pretend to you, and you would have from men but incense and sacrifice.
CHO. Madam, the princess is coming to fetch you to go to the wood of Diana.
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