The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing - novelonlinefull.com
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ODOARDO.
Well? What?
MARINELLI.
At present, sir, you will, I hope, allow her to be conveyed to Guastalla.
ODOARDO.
My daughter, conveyed to Guastalla? Why so?
MARINELLI.
Why! Consider----
ODOARDO (_incensed_).
Consider! consider! consider that there is nothing to consider. She must and shall go with me.
MARINELLI.
We need have no contention on the subject, sir. I may be mistaken. What I think necessary may not be so. The Prince is the best judge--he, therefore, will decide. I go to bring him to you.
Scene IV.
Odoardo.
ODOARDO.
How? Never! Prescribe to me whether she shall go! Withhold her from me!
Who will do this?--Who dares attempt it?--He, who dares here do anything he pleases?----'Tis well, 'tis well. Then shall he see how much I, too, dare, and whether I have not already dared. Short-sighted voluptuary! I defy thee.--He who regards no law is as independent as he who is subject to no law. Knowest thou not this? Come on, come on----But what am I saying? My temper once more overpowers my reason.
What do I want? I should first know why I rave. What will not a courtier a.s.sert? Better had I allowed him to proceed. I should have heard his pretext for conveying my daughter to Guastalla, and I could have prepared a proper reply. But can I need a reply!--Should one fail me--should----I hear footsteps. I will be calm.
Scene V.
The Prince, Marinelli, Odoardo.
PRINCE.
My dear worthy Galotti.--Was such an accident necessary to bring you to your Prince? Nothing less would have sufficed--but I do not mean to reproach you.
ODOARDO.
Your Highness, I have ever thought it unbecoming to press into the presence of my Prince. He will send for those whom he wants. Even now I ask your pardon----
PRINCE.
Would that many, whom I know, possessed this modest pride!--But to the subject. You are, doubtless, anxious to see your daughter. She is again alarmed on account of her dear mother's sudden departure. And why should she have departed? I only waited till the terrors of the lovely Emilia were completely removed, and then I should have conveyed both the ladies in triumph to town. Your arrival has diminished by half the pleasure of this triumph; but I will not entirely resign it.
ODOARDO.
Your Highness honours me too much. Allow me to spare my unfortunate child the various mortifications, which friendship and enmity, compa.s.sion and malicious pleasure, prepare for her in town.
PRINCE.
Of the sweet comforts, which the friendly and compa.s.sionate bestow, it would be cruelty to deprive her; but against all the mortifications of enmity and malice, believe me, I will guard her, dear Galotti.
ODOARDO.
Prince, paternal love is jealous of its duties. I think I know what alone suits my daughter in her present situation. Retirement from the world--a cloister as soon as possible.
PRINCE.
A cloister?
ODOARDO.
Till then, let her weep under the protection of her father.
PRINCE.
Shall so much beauty wither in a cloister?----Should one disappointed hope embitter one against the world?--But as you please. No one has a right to dictate to a parent. Take your daughter wherever you think proper, Galotti.
ODOARDO (_to_ Marinelli).
Do you hear, my lord?
MARINELLI.
Nay, if you call upon me to speak----
ODOARDO.
By no means, by no means.
PRINCE.
What has happened between you two?
ODOARDO.
Nothing, your Highness, nothing. We were only settling which of us had been deceived in your Highness.
PRINCE.
How so?--Speak, Marinelli.
