 | Faustus |  |
SCENE IV.
A Street in Naples.Enter Count di Casanova and Orsini.
Ors.
'Tis a strange summons this the king has sent us.
Casa.
That devil Faustus
Has o'er his better senses cast some spell,
To clear himself, and to confound us all.
I've had a taste of his mad pranks that way.
But now, when for my daughter I seek redress,
To be warn'd not to bear
Myself unjustly 'gainst the murderer
Of a daughter's honor, 'tis rank insult!
Ors.
And of Adine, too!—The murderer
Of her honor, senses, perhaps her life.
Nor throne nor altar shall protect him.
Against the leaguer'd powers of hell itself:
But with firm temper let us bear our course
Before the king.
Casa.
Away, and teach this Milan king
That Venice nobles brook no trifling. Come!
'Tis time we were in the court.
Ors.
Away!
[Exeunt.
Enter Wagner and Lucetta on the opposite side.
Luc.
Nay, Wagner, pray go not; the king, you
hear, has strangely changed in conduct towards Faustus,
and shews favour to him. Should this anger his
enemies, they may turn their wrath on you.
Wag.
No fear of that; if the king's his friend, he's
mine, and I'm safe by proxy. If Faustus gets clear,
and into favor with the king, why our fortunes are
made here in Milan.
Luc.
But suppose Faustus be condemned.
Why then he must look to himself, and we
must be off. I'll be back to thee at our lodgings, the
moment I see how matters turn; and if unluckily, we'll
away to Germany, where I've a snug little cottage to
shelter thee. Art thou content, Lucetta?
Luc.
Yes, truly, am I.
Wag.
'Tis a snug place. There are books and a
gammon of bacon within doors, and a pig in a stye,
and a cow in a paddock without.
Luc.
Well, you are a merry kind-hearted fellow,
and your face like your heart is always smiling. I always
thought you scholars were dull sulky people.
Wag.
There are your dull heavy commentators, the
cart-horses of literature. I've a little more of the
blood in me, and will shew thee a pleasanter course to
canter over. Attend, and be instructed.
DUET.
Wagner and Lucetta.
Wag.
Hearken, damsel, to me, and I'll teach thee
The very first lesson of love.
Luc.
Kind sir, then begin, I beseech thee,
And I'll do my best to improve.
Wag.
Now say after me—Amo!
Luc.
Amo!
Wag.
Again!
Luc.
Amo! oh, oh!
Both.
Oh, oh!
Wag.
Now construe it.
Luc.
I will.
Wag.
Attend,
And then the first lesson shall end.
Amo! I love, I am loving, or do love.
Luc.
Amo! I love, I am loving, or do love,
And the love that I feel shall be ever a true love.
Wag.
Bene, bene, cor meum, I see you'll improve.
Luc.
Oh, yes, I am sure I shall quickly improve.
Both.
Oh, yes, I am sure I shall/You will quickly improve,
And bless the conjunction of learning and love.
[Exeunt.
| Faustus | |