SOCRATES:
And as for me, I tell you that you are mistaken; that he left you
wherewithal to live happily with the virtuous Sophronine, and that it
is necessary that you both come to sign the contract now.
XANTIPPE (entering)
Come on, come on, my daughter. Don't amuse yourself with the dreams of
my husband. Philosophy is all very fine when one is in easy
circumstances, but you have nothing. One has to live. You will
philosophize later. I have concluded your marriage with Anitus, a
worthy priest, a man of credit, a powerful man. Come follow me. There
must be neither delay nor contradiction; I like to be obeyed. And
quickly, it's for your good. Don't argue and follow me.
SOPHRONINE:
Ah, heaven, ha! dearest Aglaea!
SOCRATES:
Let her talk and trust in me for your happiness.
XANTIPPE:
What do you mean, let me talk? Really, I mean to do so, and they'd
better let me do it. It's really for you, with your wisdom, and your
familiar demon, and your irony, and all your nonsense which is good
for nothing, for you to meddle in the marriage of young girls! You are
a good sort, but you don't understand anything about worldly affairs.
And you are very lucky that I govern you. Come on, Aglaea, come so I
can establish you. And you, who remain bewildered, I've got just the
thing for you, too. Drixa is your thing. You will thank me, both of
you. Everything will be concluded in no time; I am expeditious. Let's
not waste time. All this should have been concluded already.
SOCRATES:
Don't offend her, my children. Show her all sorts of deference. It's
necessary to humor her since one cannot correct her, It's the triumph
of superior reason to live with folks who don't have any.
CURTAIN
ACT II
SOPHRONINE:
Divine Socrates, I cannot believe my luck: how can it be that Aglaea
whose father died in extreme poverty has such a considerable dowry?
SOCRATES:
I already told you; she had more than she knew. I knew her father's
resources better than she. May it suffice you both to enjoy a fortune
you deserve; as for myself, I owe the dead a secret as well as the
living.
SOPHRONINE:
I have only one fear; it's that that priest of Ceres, over whom you've
preferred me will avenge Aglaea's refusals on you. He's a man really
to be feared.
SOCRATES:
Eh! What can be feared when one is doing one's duty? I know the rage
of my enemies. I know all their slanders; but when one only tries to
do good to men and when one does not offend heaven, one can fear
nothing, neither during life, nor after death.
SOPHRONINE:
Nothing is more true; but I would die of sorrow if the happiness I owe
you allowed your enemies to force you to put your heroic constancy to
use.