The Impostures of Scapin | Page 4

to marry; and although I am not cruel, I wish the sea would swallow
her up, or drive her hence forever. Do not weep, then, dear Hyacintha,
for your tears kill me, and I cannot see them without feeling pierced to
the heart.
HYA. Since you wish it, I will dry my tears, and I will wait without
fear for what Heaven shall decide.
OCT. Heaven will be favourable to us.
HYA. It cannot be against us if you are faithful.
OCT. I certainly shall be so.
HYA. Then I shall be happy.
SCA. (_aside_). She is not so bad, after all, and I think her pretty
enough.
OCT. (showing SCAPIN). Here is a man who, if he would, could be of
the greatest help to us in all our trouble.
SCA. I have 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.