Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux — Scene 16

16 MESROU, MESRIN, EGLÉ, CARISE MESROU: (From a distance, trying to hold MESRIN back, who is getting away.) I can’t hold him — he fancies being unfaithful — stop him getting to her. CARISE: (To MESRIN.) That’s close enough. MESRIN: Why? CARISE: Because I say so; Mesrou and i must have some authority over you, we’re your masters. MESRIN (Turning.): My masters? What’s a master? CARISE: Alright, I won’t tell you to, I’ll ask you to, and the lovely Eglé also subscribes to my request. EGLÉ: Me! No I don’t, I don’t subscribe to requesting. CARISE (Aside to EGLÉ.): Let’s go back inside; you still don’t know that he loves you. EGLÉ: Oh, but I don’t hope he doesn’t; he’ll just have to be asked. What do you want, pretty little friend? MESRIN: To see you, to look at you, gaze at you, call you my life and soul. EGLÉ: See, he’s talking about his soul; do you love me? MESRIN: To perdition. EGLÉ: What did I tell you? MESRIN: Do you love me too? EGLÉ: I’d rather not have to unless I have to, because of Azor — he’s depending on me. MESROU: Mesrin, do like Eglé; no need to be unfaithful at all. EGLÉ: Mesrin! Man’s called Mesrin! MESRIN: Eh, yes. EGLÉ: Who is Adine’s friend? MESRIN: Who was; and who now has no further need of her picture. EGLÉ (Taking it.): Adine’s picture, and Adine's friend; yet another attraction. Ha! ha! Carise, so many good points, how can I resist; Mesrin come her and let me love you. MESRIN: Ah! what a lovely hand I’ve got. EGLÉ: What a special friend I’ve gained. MESROU: Why are you leaving Adine? Because she’s done something wrong? MESRIN: No, because there’s a beautiful face says I have to. EGLÉ: Because he’s got eyes, that’s why. MESRIN: Oh! I know what I’m doing, but there’s nothing I can do about it. EGLÉ: Right, I’m making him do it; we’re making each other do it. CARISE: Azor and she will be in despair. MESRIN: Too bad. EGLÉ: What can one do? CARISE: If you want me to, I know how to use their being in love to stop them being hurt. MESRIN: Well do it then. EGLÉ: No, don’t; I’d be quite happy to have Azor suffer over me; beauty like mine deserves to be regretted; and there also wouldn’t be much wrong with Adine having to sob for a bit, it’ll teach her not to overrate herself.