The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 49

ANGELO.

With many attendants?

PIRRO.

A single carriage will contain the party--the mother, the daughter, and the count. A few friends from Sabionetta attend as witnesses.

ANGELO.

And the servants?

PIRRO.

Only two besides myself. I shall ride before.

ANGELO.

Good. Another question. Is the carriage Galotti's or the Count's?

PIRRO.

The Count's.

ANGELO.

That is unlucky. There is another outrider, besides a courageous driver. However----

PIRRO.

I am amazed. What do you intend? The few ornaments which the bride has will scarcely reward your trouble.

ANGELO.

Then the bride herself shall be the reward.

PIRRO.

And you mean that I should be your accomplice in this crime?

ANGELO.

You ride before! Then ride, ride, and take no trouble about the matter.

PIRRO.

Never!

ANGELO.

What?--I believe the fellow means to play the conscientious--you rascal! I think you know me. If you utter a syllable--if every circ.u.mstance be not as you have described it----

PIRRO.

But, Angelo, for Heaven's sake----

ANGELO.

Do what you cannot avoid. (_Exit_.)

PIRRO.

Ha! let the devil hold thee by a single hair, and thou art his for ever! Wretch that I am!

Scene IV.

Odoardo _and_ Claudia Galotti, Pirro.

ODOARDO.

She stays too long.

CLAUDIA.

One moment more, Odoardo. It would distress her to miss seeing you.

ODOARDO.

I must wait upon the Count, too. How eager am I to call this worthy man my son! His conduct enchants me, and, above everything, his resolution to pa.s.s his days in his native valleys.

CLAUDIA.

My heart almost breaks when I think of it. Must we so entirely lose our dear and only child!

ODOARDO.

Can you think you have lost her, when you know she is in the arms of an affectionate husband? Does not her happiness make your delight? You almost make me again suspect that your motive for remaining with her in town, far from an affectionate husband and father, was the bustle and the dissipation of the world, and proximity of the court, rather than the necessity of giving our daughter a proper education.

CLAUDIA.

How unjust, Odoardo! But to-day, I may be allowed to speak somewhat in favour of town and court, though both are so hateful to your strict virtue; for here alone could love have united a couple formed for each other; here alone could the Count have found our Emilia, and he has found her.

ODOARDO.

That I allow. But were you right, good Claudia, because the result has been fortunate? It is well that this court education has ended so happily. Let us not affect to be wise, when we have only been fortunate. It is well that it has ended so happily. They who were destined for each other have found each other. Now let them go where peace and innocence invite them. Why should the Count remain here? To cringe--to fawn--to flatter--to supplant the Marinellis--to make a fortune which he does not want--to obtain a dignity, which he does not value?--Pirro!

PIRRO.