ALB. I have told you twenty times; I wish you to listen to me when I speak.
MET. Oh! undoubtedly, you shall be satisfied if that is all. I am silent.
ALB. You act wisely.
MET. I am ready to hear what you have to say.
ALB. So much the better.
MET. May I be struck dead if I say another word!
ALB. Heaven grant you that favour.
MET. You shall not accuse me henceforth of talkativeness.
ALB. Be it so.
MET. Speak whenever you please.
ALB. I am going to do so.
MET. And do not be afraid of my interrupting you.
ALB. That is enough.
MET. My word is my bond.
ALB. I believe so.
MET. I have promised to say nothing.
ALB. That is sufficient.
MET. From this moment I am dumb.
ALB. Very well.
MET. Speak; go on; I will give you a hearing at least; you shall not complain that I cannot keep silent; I will not so much as open my mouth.
ALB. (_Aside_). The wretch!
MET. But pray, do not be prolix. I have listened already a long time, and it is reasonable that I should speak in my turn.
ALB. Detestable torturer!
MET. Hey! good lack! would you have me listen to you for ever? Let us share the talk, at least, or I shall be gone.
ALB. My patience is really...
MET. What, will you proceed? You have not done yet? By Jove, I am stunned.
ALB. I have not spoken...
MET. Again! good Heavens! what exuberant speechifying! Can nothing be done to stop it?
ALB. I am mad with rage.
MET. You are talking again! What a peculiar way of tormenting people!
Let me say a few words, I entreat you; a fool who says nothing cannot be distinguished from a wise man who holds his tongue.
ALB. Zounds! I will make you hold yours. (_Exit_).
SCENE VIII.--METAPHRASTUS, _alone_.
Hence comes very properly that saying of a philosopher, "Speak, that I may know thee." Therefore, if the liberty of speaking is taken from me, I, for my part, would as soon be divested of my humanity, and exchange my being for that of a brute. I shall have a headache for a week. Oh!
how I detest these eternal talkers! But if learned men are not listened to, if their mouths are for ever to be stopped, then the order of events must be changed; the hens in a little time will devour the fox; young children teach old men; little lambs take a delight in pursuing the wolf; fools make laws; women go to battle; judges be tried by criminals; and masters whipped by pupils; a sick man prescribe for a healthy one; a timorous hare...
SCENE IX.--ALBERT, METAPHRASTUS.
(_Albert rings a bell in the ears of Metaphrastus, and drives him off_).
MET. Mercy on me! Help! help!
ACT III.
SCENE I.--MASCARILLE, _alone_.
Heaven sometimes favours a bold design; we must get out of a bad business as well as we can. As for me, after having imprudently talked too much, the quickest remedy I could employ was to go on in the same way, and immediately to tell to our old master the whole intrigue. His son is a giddy-brained mortal, who worries me; but if the other tells what I have discovered to him, then I had better take care, for I shall get a beating. However, before his fury can be kindled, some lucky thing may happen to us, and the two old men may arrange the business between themselves. That is what I am going to attempt; without losing a moment I must, by my master"s order, go and see Albert. (_Knocks at Albert"s door_).