bound yourself to me to marry my daughter, and everything is ready for that; but, since you wish to withdraw your word, I will go and see what can be done you will very soon have news of me. SGAN. He is much more reasonable than I expected: I thought I should have far more trouble to release myself. Upon my word, when I think of it, I have acted very wisely in backing out of this business. I was going to take a step of which I should perhaps have repented for long enough. But here is the son who brings me my answer. SCENE IX ALCIDAS, SGANARELLE ALCID. (speaking all the time in a suave manner.) I am your very humble servant, Monsieur. SGAN. I am yours, Monsieur, with all my heart. ALCID. It is nothing, I tell you. (Offering him two swords.) Have the goodness to choose one of these two swords, Monsieur, whichever you please. SGAN. One of these two swords? ALCID. Yes, if you please. SGAN. For what purpose? ALCID. Since you refuse to marry my sister after having pledged your word, I do not think you will take amiss the slight compliment I pay you. SGAN. What do you mean? ALCID. Other people would make a row, and become enraged with you, but we take things quietly; I à traiter les choses dans la douceur; et je viens vous dire civilement qu'il faut, si vous le trouvez bon, que nous nous coupions la gorge ensemble. SGAN. Voilà un compliment fort mal tourné. ALCID. Allons, Monsieur, choisissez, je vous prie. SGAN. Je suis votre valet, je n'ai point de gorge à me couper. La vilaine façon de parler que voilà. ALCID. Monsieur, il faut que cela soit, s'il vous plaît. SGAN. Eh! Monsieur, rengaînez ce compliment, je vous prie. ALCID. Dépêchons vite, Monsieur: j'ai une petite affaire qui m'attend. SGAN. Je ne veux point de cela, vous dis-je. ALCID. Vous ne voulez pas vous battre? ALCID. Tout de bon? ALCID. Au moins, Monsieur, vous n'avez pas lieu de vous plaindre, vous voyez que je fais les choses dans l'ordre. Vous nous manquez de parole, je me veux battre contre vous; vous refusez de vous battre, je vous donne des coups de bâton: tout cela est dans les formes; et vous êtes trop honnête homme pour ne pas approuver mon procédé. SGAN. Quel diable d'homme est-ce ci? ALCID. Allons, Monsieur, faites les choses galamment, et sans vous faire tirer l'oreille. SGAN. Encore? ALCID. Monsieur, je ne contrains personne; mais il faut que vous vous battiez, ou que vous épousiez ma sœur. SGAN. Monsieur, je ne puis faire ni l'un ni l'autre, je vous assure. ALCID. Assurément? SGAN. Assurément. ALCID. Avec votre permission donc . SGAN. Ah! ah! ah! ah! have come to tell you civilly that, if you are agreeable, we must cut each other's throats. SGAN. That is an ill-turned compliment. ALCID. Come, Monsieur, I beg that you will choose. SGAN. I am at your service, but I have no throat that may be cut. What a villainous way of talking this is! ALCID. It must be as I have said, Monsieur, if you please. SGAN. Ah! Monsieur, a truce to this compliment, I beg of you. ALCID. Make haste, Monsieur, some other business awaits me. SGAN. I do not wish to have anything to do with this, I tell you. ALCID. You will not fight? SGAN. Not I, upon my word. ALCID. You mean it? SGAN. I mean it. You ALCID. At least, Monsieur, you have no reason to complain. You observe I do things by rule. break your word, so I wish to fight you; you refuse to fight, so I beat you with my cane: all that is according to rule, and you are too sensible a man not to approve of my proceedings. SGAN. What a devil of a fellow he is! ALCID. Come, Monsieur, play the game with spirit, or I shall wring your ears. SGAN. What, again? ALCID. I do not force anyone, Monsieur: but you must either fight or marry my sister. SGAN. I assure you, Monsieur, I cannot do either. ALCID. Really? SGAN. Really. ALCID. With your permission, then ..! SGAN. Ah! ah! ah! ah! |