The Wonder-Working Magician | ||
Scene XXVI.
Moscon, Livia, and Clarin.Moscon.
How contentedly to die
They go forth.
Livia.
Much more contented
Are we three to remain alive.
Clarin.
Not much more; for we must settle
Our account now, though I own
The occasion might be better,
231
To neglect the time that's present.
Moscon.
What account pray?
Clarin.
I have been
Absent ...
Livia.
Speak.
Clarin.
The whole of a twelvemonth,
When without my intermission
Moscon in possession held thee.
Now my quota in the business,
If we both have equal measure,
Is that I must have my year.
Livia.
Can it be that I'm suspected
Of thus wronging thee so basely?
Why, I wept whole days together
When it was the day for weeping.
Moscon.
Yes, for I myself was present:
Every day that was not mine
She thy friendship quite respected.
Clarin.
That's a bounce; for not a tear,
When this day her house I entered,
Did she shed, and there I found thee
Sitting with her quite contented.
Livia.
But this day is not a fast.
Clarin.
Yes, it is; for I remember
That the day I went away
Was my day.
Livia.
Oh! that's an error.
Moscon.
Yes, I see how that arises,
This year is a year bissextile,
And our days are now the same.
Clarin.
Well, I'm satisfied, 'tis better
That a man should not too deeply
Pry into such things.—Good heavens!—
[The sound of a great tempest is heard.
The Wonder-Working Magician | ||