French drama -- 18th century -- Translations into English
Trippet
His hypodermic syringe is just ravishing.
Harriet
It suits him better than a sword.
Trippet
And the most gallant cummerbund doesn't look better than his work
apron.
Harriet
Behold a tasty, well-turned-out dish of a man.
Flem
It's delightful to me to hear such words from your mouth, dear lady.
They distill an amorous syrup in my soul. Yes, my dear, I already
sense the birth in my heart of a feeling for you that I had for my
late wife. Haven't I told you, doll, how we lived together, my wife
and I?
Harriet
Never, I assure you.
Flem
Ours will be just such a perfect union.
Trippet
Tell us about if, if you please, sir. I'm just crazy to hear about
happy marriages. They're so unheard of.
Flem
Madame Flem had a lively affection for me.
Trippet
Undoubtedly you deserved it.
Flem
On my side, I had a particular care for her health. I didn't wait till
she was sick to give her a remedy. Every day, by way of precaution, I
made her take some medicine.
Trippet
Charming little man.
Flem
When she was the least bit sick, I redoubled my efforts. Alas, the
poor woman didn't live long.
Trippet
I believe him.
Flem
She had a very delicate constitution. But, if she died, if was not for
want of medication. Not for want of remedies.
Trippet
Rather the remedies were wanting.
Flem
To give her a breath of life, I didn't spare a single drug in my
apothecary.
Trippet
Oh, miss--what a husband.
Harriet
He's worthy of all the feeling I have for him.
Flem
You flatter me, my angel.
Harriet
No, sir. I swear, I'm not flattering you at all.
Flem
For you, sweetheart, I promise to take the same care and the same
attention, I lavished on my first wife.
Harriet (low to Trippet)
What an engaging prospect.
Flem
Every morning and night I will give you some little delight.
Trippet
That's bound to please her.
Flem
Goodbye, beautiful star. I have to leave you to find Dudley. How
impatient I am to have you joined to me. When I even think of it, I am
happy.
Trippet
You love the pleasures of imagination.
Flem
Yes, but I like physical ones better.
(Exit Flem into Dudley's room.)
Trippet
Old fool.
Harriet
What a man, Trippet. I hate him more than I love Mr. Worthy.
Trippet
You hate him so much already?
Harriet
Rather than marry him, I am capable of going to the last extremities.
Trippet
Stay of that mind. It may be helpful if we can't manage things in an
honest way.
Harriet
Shut up, you fool, my father is coming.
Trippet
Let us continue to dissemble.
Peacock (entering)
Well! Trippet, in what frame of mind is your mistress?
Trippet
In a mood to obey you. Oh, indeed, we've had a change of mind since
you left. We paid attention to your wise advice. Do you know, sir,
that we've learned to love old men?
Peacock
Are you serious?
Trippet
Ask Mr. Flem in what manner we received him. Presently, we have eyes
only for your old friend.
Peacock
I don't know if you're speaking seriously, but the fact of the matter
is, an older man is better.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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