The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 56

Why not?

MARINELLI.

Heaven and h.e.l.l! You shall hear from me.

APPIANI.

Pshaw! The ape is malicious, but----

MARINELLI.

Death and d.a.m.nation!--Count, I demand satisfaction.

APPIANI.

You shall have it.

MARINELLI.

----And would insist upon it instantly--but that I should not like to spoil the day for the loving bridegroom.

APPIANI.

Good--natured creature!--(_seizes his arm_). I own an emba.s.sy to Ma.s.sa does not suit me, but still I have time enough to take a walk with you.

Come.

MARINELLI (_extricates himself from the_ Count's _grasp_).

Patience, my lord, patience! (_Exit_.)

Scene XI.

Appiani, Claudia.

APPIANI.

Go, worthless wretch----Ha! that does me good. My blood circulates----I feel different and all the better.

CLAUDIA (_hastily and alarmed_).

Heavens! My lord--I overheard an angry altercation. Your cheek is flushed. What has happened?

APPIANI.

Nothing, Madam, nothing. The chamberlain Marinelli has conferred a favour on me. He has saved me a visit to the Prince.

CLAUDIA.

Indeed!

APPIANI.

We can therefore leave town earlier. I go to give orders to my people, and shall return immediately. Emilia will, in the meantime, get ready.

CLAUDIA.

May I feel quite at ease, my lord?

APPIANI.

Perfectly so, dear Madam. (_Exeunt severally_.)

ACT III.

Scene, _an apartment in the_ Prince's _country palace_.

Scene I.

_Enter_ Prince _and_ Marinelli.

MARINELLI.

In vain. He refused the proffered honour with the greatest contempt.

PRINCE.

This ends all hope, then. Things take their course,

MARINELLI.

According to all appearances.

PRINCE.

I relied so firmly on your project--but who knows how ridiculously you acted? I ought to have recollected that though a blockhead's counsel may be good, it requires a clever man to execute it.

MARINELLI.

A pretty reward, this!

PRINCE.

Why should you be rewarded?