The Comedies of Carlo Goldoni. Goldoni Carlo
I said I was going to do it, and you did not forbid me.
De la Cot. Blockhead! put up the clothes. I shall go.
Gas. Well, whatever happens, let them remain now.
De la Cot. Do not make me angry.
Gas. I will put them up this evening.
De la Cot. Do it at once, and order the post-horses at twelve o'clock.
Gas. And the tears of Mademoiselle?
De la Cot. Wretch! have you the heart to torment me?
Gas. My poor master!
De la Cot. Indeed, I am an object of compassion.
Gas. Let us stay.
De la Cot. No.
Gas. Shall I pack up the things, then?
De la Cot. Yes.
Gas. How I pity him! [Putting the clothes in the trunk.]
De la Cot. Can I leave this house without seeing her again?
Gas. While he continues in this state of mind, we shall never be done.
De la Cot. By leaving her, I fear my love will not leave me.
Gas. Alas, poor master! [Looking out.] What do I see?
De la Cot. What is the matter? Why do you stop?
Gas. I am going on, sir.
De la Cot. You are confused?
Gas. A little.
De la Cot. What are you looking at?
Gas. Nothing.
De la Cot. Oh, Heaven! Mademoiselle Giannina! What an encounter! What do you advise me to do?
Gas. I do not know; any course is dangerous.
De la Cot. Do not leave me.
Gas. I will not.
De la Cot. I will go away.
Gas. As you please.
De la Cot. I cannot.
Gas. I pity you.
De la Cot. Why does she stop? Why does she not come in?
Gas. She is afraid of disturbing you.
De la Cot. No; it is because you are here.
Gas. Then I will go. [Going.]
De la Cot. Stay.
Gas. I will remain, then.
De la Cot. Have you the snuff-box? bring it.
Gas. I will go for it.
De la Cot. Hear me! where are you going? Poor me! Gascoigne! [Calls.]
Gian. Are you in want of anything?
De la Cot. Excuse me, I want my servant.
Gian. If yours is not here, there are others. Do you want any one?
De la Cot. No, I thank you; my trunk must be packed up.
Gian. And are you disturbed in this manner about so trifling an affair? do you fear there will not be time? Perhaps you are already expecting horses? If the air of this country is not favourable to your health, or rather if you are tired of us, I will myself hasten forward your departure.
De la Cot. Mademoiselle, have compassion on me; do not add to my suffering.
Gian. If I knew the cause of your suffering, instead of increasing, I would endeavour to diminish it.
De la Cot. Seek the cause in yourself; there is no need for me to tell you.
Gian. Then you go away on my account?
De la Cot. Yes, it is on your account that I am compelled to hasten my departure.
Gian. Have I become so odious in your sight?
De la Cot. Oh, Heaven! you never appeared to me so lovely; your eyes never beamed with so much tenderness.
Gian. Ah, were this true, you would not be so anxious to go.
De la Cot. If I loved only the beauty of your person, I should yield to the strength of my attachment, which bids me stay with you; but I love you for your virtues; I see your peace of mind is in danger, and in return for the kindness you have shown me, I mean to sacrifice the dearest hopes of my life.
Gian. I do not believe you have so little resolution as not to be able to control your passion, and you do me injustice if you think I cannot resist the inclinations of my heart. I own my love for you without a blush: this virtuous love, I feel, will never leave me, and I cannot persuade myself a man is less able than I am to sustain with glory the conflict of his passions. I can love you without danger; it is happiness enough for me to see you. You, on the contrary, by determining to depart, go in quest of more easy enjoyment, and show that your obstinacy prevails over your love. It is said hope always comforts the lover. He who will not use the means proves he cares but little for the end, and, if you go, you will still suffer the tortures of disappointed desire; you will act either with culpable weakness, or unfeeling indifference. Whatever cause hurries you away, go, proud of your resolution, but be at least ashamed of your cruelty.
De la Cot. Ah, no, Mademoiselle! do not tax me with ingratitude, do not accuse me of cruelty. I thought, by my departure, to do you an act of kindness. If I am wrong, pardon me. If you command it, I will remain.
Gian. No; my commands shall never control your inclination; follow the dictates of your own heart.
De la Cot. My heart tells me to remain.
Gian. Then obey it without fear, and, if your courage does not fail, rely on my constancy.
De la Cot. What will your father say to my change of mind?
Gian. He is almost as much grieved at your departure as I am; he is not satisfied about your recovery; and whether it is the consequence of your wound, or of mental affliction, the surgeons do not believe your health is re-established, and my father thinks it too soon for you to undertake the journey. He loves and esteems you, and would be much pleased at your remaining.
De la Cot. Has he any suspicion of my love for you? and that it is mutual?
Gian. Our conduct has given him no cause for suspicion.
De la Cot. Can it be possible it has never passed through his mind that I, an open, frank man, and a soldier, might be captivated by the beauty and merit of his daughter?
Gian. A man like my father is not inclined to suspicion; the cordiality with which he received you as a guest in his family, assures him he may rely on the correct conduct of an officer of honour; and his knowledge of my disposition makes him perfectly easy: he does not deceive himself in regard to either of us. A tender passion has arisen in our hearts, but we will neither depart from the laws of virtue, nor violate his confidence.
De la Cot. Is there no hope his goodness may make him agree to our marriage?
Gian. My hope is that in time it will; the obstacles do not arise from motives of interest, but from the customs of our nation. Were you a merchant of Holland, poor, with only moderate expectations, you would immediately obtain my hand, and a hundred thousand florins for an establishment; but an officer, who is a younger son, is considered among us as a wretched match, and were my father inclined to give his consent, he would incur the severe censure of his relations, his friends, and indeed of the public.
De la Cot. But I cannot flatter myself with the prospect of being in a better condition.
Gian. In the course of time circumstances may occur that may prove favourable to our union.
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