Scene 16 by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux Lyrics
16
MESROU, MESRIN, EGLÉ, CARISE
MESROU: (From a distance, trying to hold MESRIN back, who is getting away.) I can’t hold him — he fancies being unfaithful — stop him getting to her.
CARISE: (To MESRIN.) That’s close enough.
MESRIN: Why?
CARISE: Because I say so; Mesrou and i must have some authority over you, we’re your masters.
MESRIN (Turning.): My masters? What’s a master?
CARISE: Alright, I won’t tell you to, I’ll ask you to, and the lovely Eglé also subscribes to my request.
EGLÉ: Me! No I don’t, I don’t subscribe to requesting.
CARISE (Aside to EGLÉ.): Let’s go back inside; you still don’t know that he loves you.
EGLÉ: Oh, but I don’t hope he doesn’t; he’ll just have to be asked. What do you want, pretty little friend?
MESRIN: To see you, to look at you, gaze at you, call you my life and soul.
EGLÉ: See, he’s talking about his soul; do you love me?
MESRIN: To perdition.
EGLÉ: What did I tell you?
MESRIN: Do you love me too?
EGLÉ: I’d rather not have to unless I have to, because of Azor — he’s depending on me.
MESROU: Mesrin, do like Eglé; no need to be unfaithful at all.
EGLÉ: Mesrin! Man’s called Mesrin!
MESRIN: Eh, yes.
EGLÉ: Who is Adine’s friend?
MESRIN: Who was; and who now has no further need of her picture.
EGLÉ (Taking it.): Adine’s picture, and Adine's friend; yet another attraction. Ha! ha! Carise, so many good points, how can I resist; Mesrin come her and let me love you.
MESRIN: Ah! what a lovely hand I’ve got.
EGLÉ: What a special friend I’ve gained.
MESROU: Why are you leaving Adine? Because she’s done something wrong?
MESRIN: No, because there’s a beautiful face says I have to.
EGLÉ: Because he’s got eyes, that’s why.
MESRIN: Oh! I know what I’m doing, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
EGLÉ: Right, I’m making him do it; we’re making each other do it.
CARISE: Azor and she will be in despair.
MESRIN: Too bad.
EGLÉ: What can one do?
CARISE: If you want me to, I know how to use their being in love to stop them being hurt.
MESRIN: Well do it then.
EGLÉ: No, don’t; I’d be quite happy to have Azor suffer over me; beauty like mine deserves to be regretted; and there also wouldn’t be much wrong with Adine having to sob for a bit, it’ll teach her not to overrate herself.
MESROU, MESRIN, EGLÉ, CARISE
MESROU: (From a distance, trying to hold MESRIN back, who is getting away.) I can’t hold him — he fancies being unfaithful — stop him getting to her.
CARISE: (To MESRIN.) That’s close enough.
MESRIN: Why?
CARISE: Because I say so; Mesrou and i must have some authority over you, we’re your masters.
MESRIN (Turning.): My masters? What’s a master?
CARISE: Alright, I won’t tell you to, I’ll ask you to, and the lovely Eglé also subscribes to my request.
EGLÉ: Me! No I don’t, I don’t subscribe to requesting.
CARISE (Aside to EGLÉ.): Let’s go back inside; you still don’t know that he loves you.
EGLÉ: Oh, but I don’t hope he doesn’t; he’ll just have to be asked. What do you want, pretty little friend?
MESRIN: To see you, to look at you, gaze at you, call you my life and soul.
EGLÉ: See, he’s talking about his soul; do you love me?
MESRIN: To perdition.
EGLÉ: What did I tell you?
MESRIN: Do you love me too?
EGLÉ: I’d rather not have to unless I have to, because of Azor — he’s depending on me.
MESROU: Mesrin, do like Eglé; no need to be unfaithful at all.
EGLÉ: Mesrin! Man’s called Mesrin!
MESRIN: Eh, yes.
EGLÉ: Who is Adine’s friend?
MESRIN: Who was; and who now has no further need of her picture.
EGLÉ (Taking it.): Adine’s picture, and Adine's friend; yet another attraction. Ha! ha! Carise, so many good points, how can I resist; Mesrin come her and let me love you.
MESRIN: Ah! what a lovely hand I’ve got.
EGLÉ: What a special friend I’ve gained.
MESROU: Why are you leaving Adine? Because she’s done something wrong?
MESRIN: No, because there’s a beautiful face says I have to.
EGLÉ: Because he’s got eyes, that’s why.
MESRIN: Oh! I know what I’m doing, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
EGLÉ: Right, I’m making him do it; we’re making each other do it.
CARISE: Azor and she will be in despair.
MESRIN: Too bad.
EGLÉ: What can one do?
CARISE: If you want me to, I know how to use their being in love to stop them being hurt.
MESRIN: Well do it then.
EGLÉ: No, don’t; I’d be quite happy to have Azor suffer over me; beauty like mine deserves to be regretted; and there also wouldn’t be much wrong with Adine having to sob for a bit, it’ll teach her not to overrate herself.