The McNaughtens | Page 6

knows I am back. I
must still pretend to burn with love for her. She has no idea I'm aflame
for Flavella. You know what Urania is like--the old girl loves to break
men's hearts. The airs that old woman puts on are really insufferable. In

fact, she's crazy and loves to be flattered.
Spruce You're just the man for that, if I may say so, sir.
Captain What a ray of hope breaks through for my love. While I'm still
uncertain what to do about my brother, I'd best manage her. Go back to
the customs house, to the stage coach.
Spruce If I'm not mistaken, here comes Urania and Jenny now.
Captain Go, quickly, where I send you.
(Exit Spruce)
(Enter Urania and Jenny, her maid)
Urania What a joy. We will see Captain McNaughten again today. I
cannot stay put. Such excitement--agitates me. How do you think I look,
Jenny?
Jenny Charming. Your beauty surprises, ravishes, carries one away,
enchants --. It seems Cupid himself has adjusted your face today.
Urania This girl always has the best taste. (seeing the Captain) Ah, sir,
you here! What a lucky chance--this is better than I had hoped
for--what hurries your return? What god brings you back to me?
Captain Cupid.
Urania Cupid? The poor child!
Captain Your loveable presence now fully compensates me for the pain
of your prior absence. You, who without art, without aid, appear
younger every day.
Urania Foh! Banterer! Love sometimes recalls a person who is absent
to mind. Your charming portrait which, which makes all my happiness,
consoled me a little during your frightful absence. Did mine have the
same effect on you?

Captain Your face preoccupied me like a ghost, and followed me
everywhere. Night could not hide you from my eyes. And even this
night, I recall my dream. In my first sleep, I dreamt I was in a garden at
sunrise. There, Aurora shone with her rosy fingers. There on the border
of a superb canal, where a hundred frothy waves fell in
cascades--seemingly pushed by water nymphs. There, I tell
you--reposing on a bed of roses--
Urania (agitated) What did you see?
Captain I saw you, on a chair, floating over the waves. You resembled
Venus. A hundred Cupids pushed a shell, the winds jested about you--
Jenny Oh, Heaven. What a lovely dream. (aside) He does this better
than I do.
Urania Finish, finish, I beg you.
Captain My soul was seized by astonishment.
Jenny (low) That's not surprising.
Urania (dreamily) And I was Venus, floating on this canal?
Captain Yes, Madame, your very self. My mind was taken with the
noble spectacle. I went right up to you with no opposition--
Urania Did I have a noble air, a divine bearing? Speak sincerely.
Captain The most noble in the world. You seemed a goddess in the
flesh.
Urania And what was I wearing? The goddess clothes?
Captain Madame, the goddess does not--
Urania Ah, ah--
Captain Unluckily, the goddess suddenly vanished from my sight.

Urania And were we separated?
Captain Then, I found myself in a grotto--which art had embellished
more than nature. There, in full repose, crowned by flowers, I perceived
you reclining on a couch of flowers. I persuaded you of my ardent
feelings.
Urania And--
Captain You were touched--
Urania Ah, I was touched--
Captain By a new goddess. And taking from Venus her natural softness,
languorously, you--
Urania What did I do?
Captain I don't know. By an unspeakable misfortune, my valet woke
me up. (aside) Whew! I couldn't go any further.
Jenny (aside) I should take lessons from him, decidedly.
Urania I am in despair because of this. Servants are always about when
we don't want them. Horrid valet.
Captain Actually, Spruce comes in handy sometimes. But my dream
was incomplete. How I wanted to finish it.
Urania Oh, and I want to finish it, too. To satisfy YOU, so that YOUR
happiness will not be a chimera, to quench YOUR flames--after our
marriage, of course. But I'm afraid that in the times in which we live,
there's a distaste for marriage. Among the men, I mean. But possession
alone takes the salt and taste from love.
Captain Ah, Madame, my love for you is so extreme, I am sure it must
last until death. And if, by a misfortune which I cannot prevent, your
death should-- Ah, great gods, what a frightful despair I would be in.
The very thought of it possesses my soul with remorse.

Urania Let's put that lugubrious idea far away from us. To better
celebrate the pleasures of our reunion, I want to dine with you tonight.
This morning, I invited a friend--you'll enjoy good company.
Captain Madame, this honor is very advantageous to me. A small
business matter tears me