GR.-RE. Ay, sir, but a good meal would be of great use to you to discover the truth or falsehood of this report; doubtless you would become thereby much stronger to withstand the strokes of fate. I judge by my own self, for, when I am fasting, the smallest disappointment gets hold of me and pulls me down; but when I have eaten sufficiently my soul can resist anything, and the greatest misfortunes cannot depress it. Believe me, stuff yourself well, and do not be too cautious. To fortify you under whatever misfortune may do, and in order to prevent sorrow from entering your heart, let it float in plenty of wine. [Footnote: This is an imitation of Plautus' _Curculio, or the Forgery_. The Parasite of Phaeaedromus, who gave his name to the piece, says (ii. 3):--"I am quite undone. I can hardly see; my mouth is bitter; my teeth are blunted; my jaws are clammy through fasting; with my entrails thus lank with abstinence from food, am I come... Let's cram down something first; the gammon, the udder, and the kernels; these are the foundations for the stomach, with head and roast-beef, a good-sized cup and a capacious pot, that council enough may be forthcoming."] LEL. I cannot eat. GR.-RE. (_Aside_). I can eat very well indeed; If it is not true may I be struck dead! (_Aloud_). For all that, your dinner shall be ready presently. LEL. Hold your tongue, I command you. GR.-RE. How barbarous is that order! LEL. I am not hungry, but uneasy. GR.-RE. And I am hungry and uneasy as well, to see that a foolish love-affair engrosses all your thoughts. [Footnote: Shakespeare, in _The Two Gentlemen of Verona_ (Act ii., Sc. I), has the following: _Speed_. ...Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner-time. _Val_. I have dined. _Speed_. Ay, but hearken, sir; though the chameleon, love, can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals, and would fain have meat. O, be not like your mistress; be moved, be moved.] LEL. Let me but get some information about my heart's delight, and without troubling me more, go and take your meal if you like. GR.-RE. I never say nay when a master commands. SCENE VIII.--LELIO, _alone_. No, no, my mind is tormented by too many terrors; the father has promised me Celia's hand, and she has given me such proofs of her love that I need not despair. SCENE IX.--SGANARELLE, LELIO. SGAN. (_Not seeing Lelio, and holding the portrait in his hand_). I have got it. I can now at my leisure look at the countenance of the rascal who causes my dishonour. I do not know him at all. LEL. (_Aside_). Heavens! what do I see? If that be my picture, what then must I believe? SGAN. (_Not seeing Lelio_). Ah! poor Sganarelle! your reputation is doomed, and to what a sad fate! Must... (_Perceiving that Lelio observes him he goes to the other side of the stage_). LEL. (_Aside_). This pledge of my love cannot have left the fair hands to which I gave it, without startling my faith in her.