The Follies of Love | Page 9

scraping.
Worthy A stranger in these parts, and pleased to see you. In paying you my respects, I fulfill my duty. My coach is broken down near your mansion, and after having done my best to repair it, I came to breathe the delicious air--attracted by the--freshness.
Albert You deceive yourself, sir. The air around here is decidedly bad for your health. I owe it to myself to tell you that you will become very ill if you stay here for a long time. It is dangerous and mortal to wayfarers.
Arabella Alas, nothing is more true. Since I've breathed this air, I languish night and day in a cruel martyrdom.
Scratch Just give me the same wine as our innkeeper broke open today, and I will stand my ground defying fever, apoplexy, and a hundred years of age to the end of my life.
Worthy (to Arabella) It's hard to believe that with so much beauty, and such air, that you're not healthy.
Albert Whether she looks well or ill, find another place to take the air.
Worthy This object--that heaven has taken care in making--this view where my eye is pleased to rest, enchants my sight--and never has nature displayed her attentions with so much finery. My heart is in love with what it sees here.
Albert Yes, the country is beautiful. Everybody says so, but you'll spend the end of your day better elsewhere. By now, your coach must be fixed. There's no need for your presence here. Leave, you ought to be gone already.
Worthy I will leave momentarily. Tell me, I beg you--
Albert Since you chatter so emotionally, I am going to listen to you attentively. (to Jenny and Arabella) Go in, go in.
Jenny Sir--
Albert Eh! Go in, I tell you.
Worthy I'd rather retire than be the cause of Madame suffering the least inconvenience on my account.
Arabella No, sir, stay till tomorrow. Postpone going on your way, and we will put you in good company. The roads are unlucky and filthy.
Albert So much ceremony! Come, quickly--go in.
Jenny Yes, yes, I'm going in. But, before these gentlemen, I tell you plainly to stop the humiliations you impose on us. We haven't seen even the shadow of a hat for six months in this new fangled cloister. Any man who comes around here is interdicted. Everything in this house is subject to inspection. Sometimes we think the world has come to an end. No one comes her except they be of the female sex. Judge if a girl in this situation has cause to complain.
Albert (putting his hand over her mouth and forcing her inside) Ah, I will tear out your viper's tongue.
(Exit Jenny and Arabella.)
Albert (aside) I don't want to go back in so soon. Their complaints and their tears might move me, perhaps. (aloud) What's the problem? Speak! But, above all, be brief.
Worthy I am truly annoyed that, on account of me, your daughter has received such unworthy treatment.
Albert What do you mean, my daughter?
Worthy Is she your wife then?
Albert She soon will be.
Worthy My soul is ravished. You couldn't form a better plan. And you do well to get that viper in hand. All husbands ought to do as you do. Women today are such coquettes.
Albert I intend to rule the roost, and not follow the manners of these times.
Scratch Oh, may you do better! I am so crazy about women and I am delighted when good souls make use of a little authority from time to time.
Albert (aside) This boy pleases me; he speaks sensibly.
Worthy As for me, I see nothing blamable. For a man, without ever being bothered by suspicions, to be lulled by the promise of a woman, to count tranquilly on her frail virtue--believing that God has made a woman faithful--for him alone--is to be a fool. It's necessary to be watchful at all times. When she scolds, cry louder still--and despite all the precautions which love causes a man to take--the more refined he is--the bigger the dupe.
Albert We are a little devious about these matters--which could easily trap me. Each day I invent some crafty way of defeating their trickery and finesse. My word, you'd be wasting your time. Gentlemen, the defenders of women, debonair husbands, soft courtiers, powdered blondes--and all those who are searching the town for a woman whose husband gives them easy access--tell everybody I'm a brute, a jealous husband. In the depth of my heart, I laugh at them.
Worthy Because you are jealous, does that mean you are prevented from having a tender and sensitive heart? Without being a little jealous one cannot be a lover. They say a jealous man who quarrels without cease is more a tyrant than a lover to a beautiful woman. Ceaselessly, agitated by fury or boredom, he takes pleasure in the malady of another. Insupportable to all,