Socrate et sa femme | Page 8

au ciel.
Apollon! jour, esprit, clarté, protège-nous!
à Xantippe.
Quittons ce vain propos.
XANTIPPE, insistant.
J'embrasse tes genoux.
SOCRATE, doucement persuasif.
Te battre! ce serait folie!
XANTIPPE, s'animant.
? sort morose! Me va-t-il refuser encor si peu de chose? Quoi donc! Ayant si bien pleuré sur mon trépas, Tu me dédaignerais! Tu ne me battrais pas! Prends garde.
SOCRATE, avec bonhomie.
Que ton coeur pour le bien s'évertue, C'est admirable; mais vouloir être battue Devant tous, apporter même un baton, cela, Ma femme, c'est tomber de Charybde en Scylla.
XANTIPPE, déjà furieuse.
En Scylla! Donc je suis un monstre. Je dévore Les nautonniers! Vas-tu m'injurier encore? Veux-tu me battre, ou non?
Socrate ne répond pas.
Tu ne veux pas?
SOCRATE.
Non.
XANTIPPE.
Non? Si fait! Tu me battras, ou j'y perdrai mon nom.
SOCRATE.
Mais non.
XANTIPPE, exaspérée.
Bats-moi.
SOCRATE.
Non, par Hercule secourable!
XANTIPPE.
Tu ne veux pas?
SOCRATE.
Non.
XANTIPPE.
Non?
_Jetant le baton et donnant un soufflet à Socrate._
Eh bien! Tiens!
_Xantippe, stupéfaite de sa propre action et comme foudroyée, tombe aux pieds de Socrate._
XANTIPPE, à genoux. Avec confusion.
Misérable! Voilà que je retombe en mon égarement. Ta Xantippe n'est rien que démence et tourment. Hélas! à quoi, taillée en une telle étoffe, Peut-elle donc servir?
SOCRATE, la relevant et la prenant dans ses bras.
à faire un philosophe!
à Dracès.
Et toi, bon Dracès, prends Myrrhine par la main; Savourez à longs traits, sans attendre à demain, Le bonheur que les Dieux offrent avec largesse, Et vous aurez aussi, par surcro?t, la sagesse.
XANTIPPE, dans les bras de Socrate. Au public.
Tout le mal est venu de la femme. Raison Obscurcie, appétit du lucre, trahison, Coupes d'or où les vins sont mélangés de lie, Tout crime, tout mensonge heureux, toute folie Vient d'elle.
SOCRATE.
Adorez-la pourtant, puisque les Dieux L'ont faite.
Après avoir rêvé.
Et c'est encor ce qu'ils ont fait de mieux!
Le rideau tombe.
FIN
* * * * *
BOURLOTON.--Imprimeries réunies, B.

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