Comedy plays; French drama -- 17th century -- Translations into English
Jenny:
If I hadn't believed myself able to do you and madam a service, sir, I
wouldn't undertake to speak to you. I flatter myself you will find
what I have to say agreeable. You know I am in your interests. It
pains me to see that you don't wish to be happy. What wouldn't I give
to see you make serious reflections on your humor. As for me, I
believe you too honest a man not to reproach yourself sometimes for
your conduct towards Laura.
Cadwell:
My watch.
Jenny:
Dare one tell you that dividing your love between twenty coquettes
makes you neither more attractive nor more happy. Your feelings should
be faithful to the most loveable lady in the kingdom. Believe me, sir,
and you will be believing an affectionate girl totally in your
interests: Be happy while you can. There will come a time when the
desire to be happy will only meet with despair. You will not always be
attractive, and you won't always find a Laura to love you.
Cadwell:
My sword.
Jenny:
Fifty thousand francs and Laura! In these days a pretty sum. It ought
to be very tempting to you--and I don't know anybody else who wouldn't
be tempted by all that.
Cadwell:
My purse.
Jenny:
Truly sir, it's useless for you to say or do something, to put to use
the merit you have, and you have great merit if one believes the
consensus--I intend to become the greatest lady in Paris if I can get
you to fifty thousand francs and Laura.
Cadwell:
My wig.
Jenny:
What I am saying to you must be very unpleasant for you not to reply
one word to me.
Cadwell:
How do I look, Jenny?
Jenny:
Oh! Not very good at all. You enrage me.
Cadwell:
My gloves, my hat. (to Jenny) Goodbye, Jenny. (to Bendish as he
leaves) Hey, Bendish.
Bendish:
Sir?
Cadwell: (whispering in Bendish's ear)
Listen.
(Exit Cadwell)
Jenny: (aside)
On my oath, there's a villainous man. (to Bendish) And you, you
imagine that I am used to your coldness and lack of love?
Bendish:
I love moralists--they put me to sleep.
Jenny:
Go, go, traitor, I will teach you.
Bendish: (interrupting her)
You don't know what you are saying.
Jenny:
What, a girl like me, a man like you. Rascal. Infamous!
Bendish:
Leave, leave, these pretty names, these illustrious names, to the
unworthy master I serve--give me softer ones, more agreeable.
Jenny:
Give you sweet names!
Bendish:
Ah, pardon, child. I have my head full of Cadwell's follies.
Jenny: (interrupting him)
And your own?
Bendish:
That without thinking what I do--
Jenny (interrupting him)
Very obliging way of justifying yourself. I will hold you to account.
Bendish:
I will reply with the same words he said to me when I tried to censure
his conduct.
Jenny:
I believe it. You know that I have my complaints about you and that I
find you very bad--
Bendish:
How do I look, Jenny?
Jenny:
Ah, traitor! You copy Cadwell. But don't think that I am crazy enough
to copy Laura.
Bendish:
Goodbye, child. I bid you good day.
Jenny:
Plague on the fool!
CURTAIN
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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