Comedy plays; France -- Social life and customs -- 17th century -- Drama; French drama; Middle class -- France -- Drama
CLE. Yes, she is, I agree with you there; but everything becomes those
we love. We bear everything from them.
COV. Since you go on so, I see pretty well that you are determined to
love her still.
CLE. I? I had rather die this moment, and I mean in future to hate her
as much as I loved her before.
COV. How can you if you think her so perfect?
CLE. In this way shall my revenge shine; in this way shall the
strength of my decision to hate her be better displayed; if thinking
her most beautiful, most charming, most amiable, I still part from
her. Here she is.
SCENE X.--LUCILE, CLEONTE, COVIELLE, NICOLE.
NIC. (_to_ LUCILE). I was quite shocked at it.
LUC. It can only be what I tell you, Nicole; but there he is.
CLE. (_to_ COVIELLE). I will not condescend even to speak to her.
COV. I will do like you.
LUC. What is it, Cleonte? What can be the matter with you?
NIC. What ails you, Covielle?
LUC. What trouble afflicts you?
NIC. What fit of bad temper has got hold of you?
LUC. Are you dumb, Cleonte?
NIC. Have you lost your tongue, Covielle?
CLE. How deceitful she is!
COV. How Judas-like!
LUC. I see that our meeting of this morning has troubled your mind.
CLE. (_to_ COVIELLE). Ah! ah! we are conscious of what we have
done?
NIC. Our reception of this morning has put you out.
COV. (_to_ CLEONTE). We know where the shoe pinches.
LUC. Is it not true, Cleonte; is not this the cause of your vexation?
CLE. Yes, faithless girl, it is, since I am to speak; but I must
inform you that you shall not have, as you fancy, all the glory of
your faithlessness; I wish to be the first to break with you, and you
shall not have the pleasure of driving me away. I shall find it hard,
I know, to conquer the love I feel for you; it will bring grief to me;
I am sure, to suffer for a while; but I will overcome it, and I had
rather stab myself to the heart than be weak enough to return to you.
COV. (_to_ NICOLE). As the master says, so says the man.
LUC. This is much ado about nothing, Cleonte, and I wish to tell you
what made me avoid you this morning.
CLE. (_trying to go away to avoid_ LUCILE). I will hear nothing.
NIC. (_to_ COVIELLE). I want to tell you why we passed you so
quickly.
COV. (_trying also to go away to avoid_ NICOLE). I will hear
nothing.
LUC. (_following_ CLEONTE). Know, then, that this morning....
CLE. (_still walking away without looking at_ LUCILE). No, I tell
you.
NIC. (_following_ COVIELLE). Let me tell you....
COV. (_still walking away without looking at_ NICOLE). No, you
jilt!
LUC. Listen.
CLE. Don't trouble me.
NIC. Let me tell you.
COV. I am deaf.
LUC. Cleonte!
CLE. No.
NIC. Covielle!
COV. No.
LUC. Wait.
CLE. Nonsense.
NIC. Listen to me.
COV. Rubbish.
LUC. One moment.
CLE. Not a bit.
NIC. A little patience.
COV. Fiddle-de-dee!
LUC. A couple of words.
CLE. No; all is over.
NIC. One word.
COV. Not one.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account