Part 9 (1/2)

CLAUDIUS.

And for what?

ESCARPIN.

Certain wild chimeras haunt me, Jealousy doth tear my heart, And despairing love distracts me.

CLAUDIUS.

You in love and jealous?

ESCARPIN.

I Jealous and in love. Why marvel?

Am I such a monster?

CLAUDIUS.

What!

With Daria?

ESCARPIN.

'T is no matter What her name is, or Daria Or Maria, I would have her Both subjective and subjunctive, She verb pa.s.sive, I verb active.

CLAUDIUS.

You to love so rare a beauty?

ESCARPIN.

Yes, her beauty, though uncommon, Would lack something, if it had not My devotion.

CLAUDIUS.

How? explain:--

ESCARPIN.

Well, I prove it in this manner:-- Mr. Dullard fell in love (I do n't tell where all this happened, Or the time, for of the Dullards Every age and time give samples) With a very lovely lady: At her coach-door as he chattered One fine evening, he such nonsense Talked, that one who heard his clatter, Asked the lady in amazement If this simpleton's advances Did not make her doubt her beauty?-- But she quite gallantly answered, Never until now have I Felt so proud of my attractions, For no beauty can be perfect That all sorts of men do n't flatter.

CLAUDIUS.

What a feeble jest!

ESCARPIN.

This feeble?--

CLAUDIUS.

Yes, the very type of flatness:-- Cease buffooning, for my uncle Here is coming.

ESCARPIN.

Of his sadness Plainly is his face the mirror.

Enter Polemius and servants.

CLAUDIUS.

Jupiter doth know the anguish, My good lord, with which I venture To approach thee since this happened.

POLEMIUS.

Claudius, as thine own, I 'm sure, Thou dost feel this great disaster.

CLAUDIUS.

I my promise gave thee that To Chrysanthus . . .

POLEMIUS.