The Comedies of Carlo Goldoni. Goldoni Carlo
interfere in your favour, and am anxious to find a remedy for you.
De la Cot. My dear friend, how have you discovered the origin of my unhappiness?
Phil. Shall I say the truth? – my daughter revealed it to me.
De la Cot. Heavens! had she the courage to disclose it?
Phil. Yes, after a little persuasion she told me everything.
De la Cot. Oh, by the friendship you possess for me, have pity on my love!
Phil. I have pity on you; I know what human frailty is at your age, and the violence of passion.
De la Cot. I confess I ought not to have encouraged my affection, and concealed it from such a friend.
Phil. This is the only complaint I have to make. You have not treated me with that unreserved confidence which I think I was entitled to.
De la Cot. I had not the courage.
Phil. Well, Heaven be praised! There is yet time. I know the girl loves you, for she told me so herself.
De la Cot. And what do you say to it, sir?
Phil. I approve of the marriage.
De la Cot. You overwhelm me with joy.
Phil. You see I am the good physician who understands the disease and knows the remedy.
De la Cot. I can hardly feel assured of this great happiness.
Phil. Why not?
De la Cot. I thought the narrowness of my fortune an insuperable obstacle.
Phil. Family and merit on your side are equal to a rich dower on the other.
De la Cot. Your kindness to me is unequalled.
Phil. But my kindness has yet done nothing; now it shall be my endeavour to provide for your happiness.
De la Cot. This will depend entirely on your own good heart.
Phil. We must exert ourselves to overcome the difficulties.
De la Cot. And what are the difficulties?
Phil. The consent of the father of the girl.
De la Cot. My friend, it seems you are making game of me; from the way you spoke just now, I thought all obstacles were removed.
Phil. But I have not mentioned it to him yet.
De la Cot. To whom have you not mentioned it?
Phil. To the father of the girl.
De la Cot. Oh, Heavens! and who is the father of the girl?
Phil. Good! You do not know him? you do not know the father of Mademoiselle Costanza, that horrid savage, Monsieur Riccardo, who has grown rich by usury, and has no idol but his money?
De la Cot. [Aside.] I shall go mad! Thus end all my hopes.
Phil. Riccardo does not visit at my house, you never go out, so it is not surprising you do not know him.
De la Cot. [Aside.] Ah! I am obliged to dissemble, not to disclose my love at a moment so unpropitious.
Phil. But how did you know the father would not give you his daughter if you did not know him?
De la Cot. I had reasons for thinking so, and for my despair there is no remedy.
Phil. Am I not your physician?
De la Cot. All your attention will be unavailing.
Phil. Leave it to me; I will go immediately to find Monsieur Riccardo, and I flatter myself —
De la Cot. No, sir, do not.
Phil. It seems the prospect of success turns your head; just now you were all joy. Whence arises this sudden change?
De la Cot. I am certain it will end unfortunately.
Phil. Such despondency is unworthy of you, and unjust to me.
De la Cot. Do not add to my unhappiness by your interference.
Phil. Are you afraid the father will be obstinate? let me try.
De la Cot. By no means; I am altogether opposed to it.
Phil. And I am altogether for it, and will speak to him.
De la Cot. I shall leave the Hague; I shall go in a few minutes.
Phil. You will not treat me with so much incivility.
Gian. What, sirs, is the cause of this altercation?
Phil. Monsieur de la Cotterie acts towards me with a degree of ingratitude that is anything but agreeable.
Gian. Is it possible he can be capable of this?
De la Cot. Ah, Mademoiselle, I am a most unfortunate man!
Phil. I may say he does not know his own mind. He confessed his passion, and, when I offered to assist him, fell into transports; and then, when I promised to obtain the hand of Mademoiselle Costanza for him, he got furious, and threatened to go away.
Gian. I am surprised the Lieutenant should still speak of leaving us.
De la Cot. Would you have me stay and entertain such hopes? [Ironically.]
Gian. I would have you stay, and entertain a mistress who loves you. With my father's permission, you shall hear what Mademoiselle Costanza has just said of you.
Phil. May I not hear it?
Gian. Impossible; my friend directed me to tell it to him alone.
Phil. [Aside.] I shall hear all from my daughter when we are by ourselves.
Gian. [Apart to De la Cotterie.] I have contrived to make my father believe you were in love with Mademoiselle Costanza. As you love me, say it is so, and talk no more of going away.
De la Cot. [Aside.] Oh, the stratagems of love!
Phil. Will you still persist in your obstinacy?
De la Cot. Ah, no, sir; I rely on your kindness.
Phil. Do you desire me to speak to Monsieur Riccardo?
De la Cot. Do what you please.
Phil. Are you still anxious to go?
De la Cot. I promise you to remain here.
Phil. [Aside.] What magic words have wrought this change? I am curious to hear them.
De la Cot. Pardon, I pray you, my strange conduct.
Phil. Willingly; the actions of lovers are often extravagant. Tell me, Giannina, is Mademoiselle Costanza gone?
Gian. No, sir; she is waiting in my room.
Phil. Go, Lieutenant, and keep her company for a little while.
De la Cot. I would rather not, sir.
Gian. Go, go. – [Aside to De la Cotterie.] Listen! Wait for me in the antechamber; I will be there presently.
De la Cot. I shall obey you, sir.
Phil. [Aside.] The power of words! – Well, what did you say to him?
Gian. I told him to go to his mistress; that she expected him.
Phil. But the first time you spoke to him?
Gian. I said that Mademoiselle Costanza had hope she could persuade her father.
Phil. Why did you not tell him so openly, before me?
Gian. Things said in private often make the greatest