No More Learning

SGANARELLE (_walking about the stage, wiping his
forehead)_: It is a complaint that has given me much
trouble.

LUCINDE: Yes, father, I have recovered my speech;
but I have recovered it only to tell you that I will never
have any other husband than Leandre.

GERONTE: But----

LUCINDE: Nothing will shake the resolution I have
taken.

GERONTE: What----

LUCINDE: All your excellent reasons will be in vain.

GERONTE: If----

LUCINDE: All your talk will have no effect.

GERONTE: I----

LUCINDE: It is a subject on which I am quite determined.

GERONTE: But----

LUCINDE: No paternal power can force me to marry
against my will.

GERONTE: I have----

LUCINDE: You can make every effort you like.

GERONTE: It----

LUCINDE: My heart cannot submit to such a tyranny.

GERONTE: There----

LUCINDE: And I will sooner throw myself into a convent
than marry a man I don't love.

GERONTE: But----

LUCINDE (_speaking in deafening tone of voice_): It
is no use. You waste your time. I will not do anything
of the kind. I am resolved.

GERONTE: Ah!
What a wildness of speech! I beg
you, monsieur, to make her dumb again.

SGANARELLE: That is impossible. All that I can do
for you is to make you deaf, if you like.

GERONTE: You shall marry Horace this very evening.

LUCINDE: I will sooner marry death.

SGANARELLE: Let me take this disease in hand. It
is a complaint that has got hold of her, and I know the
remedy to apply.

GERONTE: Is it possible that you can cure this mental
malady also?

SGANARELLE: Yes; let me manage it. I have remedies
for everything, and our apothecary is the man for
this cure. (_He calls the apothecary, and speaks to him_. )
You see that the passion she has for this Leandre is quite
against the wishes of her father, and that it is necessary
to find a prompt remedy for the evil, which will only
become worse by delay. For my part, I see but one
remedy, a dose of purgative flight suitably mixed with
two drachms of matrimony in pills. Go and take a little
turn in the garden with her to prepare the humours,
while I talk here with her father; but, above all, lose
no time. Apply the remedy at once--apply the specific
remedy.