The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing - novelonlinefull.com
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Sir!
ODOARDO.
Lead my horse to the Count's door. I'll follow you anon, and mount it there. (_Exit_ Pirro).--Why should the Count serve here, when he may command elsewhere? Besides, you do not consider, Claudia, that, by his union with my daughter, he is utterly ruined with the Prince? The Prince hates me----
CLAUDIA.
Less, perhaps, than you fear.
ODOARDO.
Fear! Should I fear anything so contemptible?
CLAUDIA.
Why, have I not already told you that the Prince has seen our daughter?
ODOARDO.
The Prince! Where?
CLAUDIA.
At the last a.s.sembly of the Chancellor Grimaldi, which he honoured with his presence. He conducted himself so graciously towards her----
ODOARDO.
Graciously?
CLAUDIA.
Yes. He conversed with her for some time.
ODOARDO.
Conversed with her?
CLAUDIA.
Appeared to be so delighted with her cheerfulness and good sense----
ODOARDO.
Delighted?
CLAUDIA.
Spoke of her elegance and beauty, in terms of such admiration----
ODOARDO.
Admiration? And all this you relate to me in a tone of rapture. Oh, Claudia! vain, foolish mother!
CLAUDIA.
Why so?
ODOARDO.
Well, well. This, too, has ended happily.--Ha! when I think----That were exactly the point where a wound would be to me most deadly.--A libertine, who admires, and seduces----Claudia! Claudia! The very thought rouses my fury. You ought to have mentioned this to me immediately.--But to-day I would not willingly say anything to vex you.
And I should (_as she takes him by the hand_), were I to stay longer.
Therefore, let me begone. G.o.d be with you, Claudia; follow me in safety. (_Exit_.)
Scene V.
Claudia, Galotti.
CLAUDIA.
What a man! What rigid virtue--if virtue that should be called, to which everything seems suspicious and culpable. If this be a knowledge of mankind, who would not wish to remain in ignorance? Why does Emilia stay so long?----He dislikes the father--consequently, if he admire the daughter, he must mean to bring disgrace upon him!
Scene VI.
Emilia _and_ Claudia Galotti.
EMILIA (_rushing in, much alarmed_.)
Heaven be praised! I am now in safety. Or has he even followed me hither? (_Throwing back her veil and espying her mother_). Has he, my mother, has he?--No, thank Heaven.
CLAUDIA.
What has happened to you, my daughter?
EMILIA.
Nothing--nothing.
CLAUDIA.
And yet you look wildly round, and tremble in every limb!
EMILIA.
What have I had to hear?--And where have I been forced to hear it?
CLAUDIA.
I thought you were at church.
