CLI. Well, Madam, I feared one of those accidents which generally happen in such large crowds. Last night I dreamt of dead fish and broken eggs, and I have learnt from Anaxarchus that broken eggs and dead fish forebode ill luck.
ANA. I observe one thing, that c.l.i.tidas would have nothing to say if he did not speak of me.
CLI. It is because there are so many things that can be said of you that one can never say too much.
ANA. You might choose some other subject of conversation, particularly since I have asked you to do so.
CLI. How can I? Do you not say that destiny is stronger than everything? And if it is written in the stars that I shall speak of you, how can I resist my fate?
ANA. With all the respect due to you, Madam, allow me to say that there is one thing in your court which it is sad to find there. It is that everybody takes the liberty of talking, and that the most honourable man is exposed to the scoffing of the first buffoon he meets.
CLI. I thank you for the honour you do me.
ARI. (_to_ ANAXARCHUS). Why be put out by what he says?
CLI. With all due respect to you, Madam, there is one thing which amazes me in astrology; it is that people who know the secrets of the G.o.ds, and who have such knowledge as to place themselves above all other men, should have need of paying court and of asking for anything.
ANA. This is a paltry joke, and you should earn your money by giving your mistress wittier and better ones.
CLI. Upon my word, I give what I have. You speak most comfortably about it; the trade of a buffoon is not like that of an astrologer. To tell lies well and to joke well are things altogether different, and it is far easier to deceive people than to make them laugh.
ARI. Ha! what is the meaning of that?
CLI. (_speaking to himself_). Peace, fool that you are! Do you not know that astrology is an affair of state, and that you must not play upon that string? I have often told you that you are getting a great deal too bold, and that you take certain liberties which will bring trouble upon you. You will see that some day you will be kicked out like a knave. Hold your peace if you be wise.
ARI. Where is my daughter?
TIM. She is gone away, Madam. I offered her my arm, which she refused to accept.
ARI. Princes, since in your love for Eriphyle you have consented to submit to the laws I had imposed upon you, since it has been possible for me to obtain that you should be rivals without being enemies, and that, with a full submission to my daughter"s feelings, you are waiting for her choice, speak to me openly and tell me what progress you each think you have made on her heart.
TIM. Madam, I do not mean to flatter myself; but I have done all that I possibly could to touch the heart of the Princess Eriphyle. I have neglected none of the tender means that a lover should adopt. I have offered her the humble homage of my great love, I have been a.s.siduous near her, I have attended on her daily. I have had my love sung by the most touching voices, and expressed in verse by the most skilful pens.
I have complained in pa.s.sionate terms of my sufferings. My eyes, as well as my words, have told her of my despair and my love. I have laid my love at her feet; I have even had recourse to tears, but all in vain, and I have failed to see that in her soul she was in any way touched by my love.
ARI. And you, Prince?
IPH. For my part, Madam, knowing her indifference and the little value she sets upon the homage that is paid to her, I did not mean to waste either sighs or tears upon her. I know that she is entirely submissive to your wishes, and that it is from you alone that she will accept a husband; therefore it is to you alone that I can address my wishes for her hand, to you rather than to her that I offer my homage and my attentions. Would to heaven, Madam, that you could bring yourself to take her place, enjoy the conquests which you make for her, and receive for yourself the affections which you refer to her!
ARI. Prince, the compliment comes from a cunning lover. You have heard that the mothers must be flattered in order to obtain the daughters from them; but here however, this will be useless, for I have determined to, leave my daughter entirely free in her choice, and in no way to thwart her inclination.
IPH. However free you leave her in her choice, what I tell you is no flattery, Madam. I court the Princess Eriphyle only because she is your daughter, and I think her charming in that which she inherits from you; and it is you whom I adore in her.
ARI. That is very pretty.
IPH. Yes, Madam, all the earth beholds in you charms and attractions....
ARI. Ah! Prince, pray, let us leave those charms and attractions; you know that these are words I banish from the compliments that are paid to me. I can endure to be praised for my sincerity, to be called a good princess, for it is true that I have a kind word for everybody, love for my friends and esteem for merit and virtue; yes, I can enjoy all that; but as for your charms and attractions, I had rather have nothing to do with them, and whatever truth there may be in them, one should make a scruple of wishing to be praised when one is mother to a daughter like mine.
IPH. Ah! Madam. It is you only who will remind everyone that you are a mother; everybody"s feelings are against it, and it depends entirely on yourself to pa.s.s for the sister of the Princess Eriphyle.
ARI. Believe me, Prince, I have no relish for all this idle nonsense, so welcome to too many women, I wish to be a mother, because I am one, and it would be in vain to wish to be otherwise. This t.i.tle has nothing that wounds me, since I received it by my own consent. It is a weakness in our s.e.x, from which, thank heaven! I am free, and I do not trouble myself about those grand discussions concerning ages about which there is so much folly. Let us resume what we were saying. Is it possible that until now you have been unable to discover my daughter"s feelings?
IPH. They are a secret to me.
TIM. And to me an impenetrable mystery.
ARI. She may be prevented by modesty from explaining herself either to you or to me. Let us make use of another to try and discover what she feels. Sostratus, take this message upon yourself for me, and oblige these princes by skilfully trying to discover towards which of the two my daughter"s feeling are inclined.
SOS. Madam, you have a great many people in your court who are better qualified than I for such a delicate mission, and I feel little fit to do what you ask of me.
ARI. Your merit, Sostratus, is not confined to the business of war only. You have brain, tact, and skill, and my daughter greatly esteems you.
SOS. Another better than I, Madam....
ARI. No, no, in vain you excuse yourself.
SOS. Since it is your wish, Madam, I must obey; but I a.s.sure you that there is not one person in the whole of your court who would be less qualified for such a commission than myself.
ARI. You are too modest, and you will always acquit yourself well in whatever is entrusted to you. Sound my daughter gently on her feelings, and remind her that she must be early at the wood of Diana.
SCENE III.--IPHICRATES, TIMOCLES, SOSTRATUS, c.l.i.tIDAS.
IPH. (_to_ SOSTRATUS). I a.s.sure you that I rejoice to see you held in such esteem by the princess.
TIM. (_to_ SOSTRATUS). I a.s.sure you that I am delighted that the choice should have fallen on you.
IPH. You have it now in your power to serve your friends.
TIM. You will be able to do good service to those you esteem.
IPH. I do not commend my interests to you.
TIM. I do not ask you to speak for me.
SOS. My Lords, all this is useless. I should be wrong to exceed my orders, and you will excuse me if I speak for neither.
IPH. I leave it to you to do as you please.
TIM. Do exactly as you think best.
SCENE IV.--IPHICRATES, TIMOCLES, c.l.i.tIDAS.
IPH. (_aside to_ c.l.i.tIDAS). Well, c.l.i.tidas, remember that he is one of my friends. I hope he will still forward my interests with the princess against those of my rival.
CLI. (_aside to_ IPHICRATES). You may trust me. There is a great difference between you and him. He is a fine prince, indeed, to dispute it with you.