The Impostures of Scapin | Page 4

sworn with many oaths never more to meddle with anything. But if you both entreat me very much, I might....
OCT. Ah! if entreaties will obtain your help, I beseech you with all my heart to steer our bark.
SCA. (to HYACINTHA). And you, have you anything to say?
HYA. Like him, I beseech you, by all that is most dear to you upon earth, to assist us in our love.
SCA. I must have a little humanity, and give way. There, don't be afraid; I will do all I can for you.
OCT. Be sure that....
SCA. (to OCTAVE). Hush! (To HYACINTHA) Go, and make yourself easy.

SCENE IV.--OCTAVE, SCAPIN, SILVESTRE.
SCA. (to OCTAVE). You must prepare yourself to receive your father with firmness.
OCT. I confess that this meeting frightens me before hand, for with him I have a natural shyness that I cannot conquer.
SCA. Yes; you must be firm from the first, for fear that he should take advantage of your weakness, and lead you like a child. Now, come, try to school yourself into some amount of firmness, and be ready to answer boldly all he can say to you.
OCT. I will do the best I can.
SCA. Well! let us try a little, just to see. Rehearse your part, and let us see how you will manage. Come, a look of decision, your head erect, a bold face.
OCT. Like this.
SCA. A little more.
OCT. So?
SCA. That will do. Now, fancy that I am your father, just arrived; answer me boldly as if it were he himself.--"What! you scoundrel, you good-for-nothing fellow, you infamous rascal, unworthy son of such a father as I, dare you appear before me after what you have done, and after the infamous trick you have played me during my absence? Is this, you rascal, the reward of all my care? Is this the fruit of all my devotion? Is this the respect due to me? Is this the respect you retain for me?"--Now then, now then.--"You are insolent enough, scoundrel, to go and engage yourself without the consent of your father, and contract a clandestine marriage! Answer me, you villain! Answer me. Let me hear your fine reasons"....--Why, the deuce, you seem quite lost.
OCT. It is because I imagine I hear my father speaking.
SCA. Why, yes; and it is for this reason that you must try not to look like an idiot.
OCT. I will be more resolute, and will answer more firmly.
SCA. Quite sure?
SIL. Here is your father coming.
OCT. Oh heavens! I am lost.

SCENE V.--SCAPIN, SILVESTRE.
SCA. Stop, Octave; stop. He's off. What a poor specimen it is! Let's wait for the old man all the same.
SIL. What shall I tell him?
SCA. Leave him to me; only follow me.

SCENE VI.--ARGANTE, SCAPIN, SILVESTRE (_at the further part of the stage_).
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Did anyone ever hear of such an action?
SCA. (to SILVESTRE). He has already heard of the affair, and is so struck by it that, although alone, he speaks aloud about it.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Such a bold thing to do.
SCA. (to SILVESTRE). Let us listen to him.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). I should like to know what they can say to me about this fine marriage.
SCA. (_aside_). We have it all ready.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Will they try to deny it?
SCA. (_aside_). No: we have no thought of doing so.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Or will they undertake to excuse it?
SCA. (_aside_). That may be.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Do they intend to deceive me with impertinent stories?
SCA. (_aside_). May be.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). All they can say will be useless.
SCA. We shall see.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). They will not take me in.
SCA. (_aside_). I don't know that.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). I shall know how to put my rascal of a son in a safe place.
SCA. (_aside_). We shall see about that.
ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). And as for that rascal Silvestre, I will cudgel him soundly.
SIL. (to SCAPIN). I should have been very much astonished if he had forgotten me.
ARG. (seeing SILVESTRE). Ah, ah! here you are, most wise governor of a family, fine director of young people!
SCA. Sir, I am delighted to see you back.
ARG. Good morning, Scapin. (To SILVESTRE) You have really followed my orders in a fine manner, and my son has behaved splendidly.
SCA. You are quite well, I see.
ARG. Pretty well. (To SILVESTRE) You don't say a word, you rascal!
SCA. Have you had a pleasant journey?
ARG. Yes, yes, very good. Leave me alone a little to scold this villain!
SCA. You want to scold?
ARG. Yes, I wish to scold.
SCA. But whom, Sir?
ARG. (Pointing to SILVESTRE). This scoundrel!
SCA. Why?
ARG. Have you not heard what has taken place during my absence?
SCA. Yes, I have heard some trifling thing.
ARG. How! Some trifling thing! Such an action as this?
SCA. You are about right.
ARG. Such a daring thing to do!
SCA. That's quite true.
ARG. To marry without