Part 7 (2/2)

Scratch Without wasting time, let's go to the beautiful patient.

Albert (stopping him) No, sir, if you please, there's no need. I am going to take the trouble to bring her to you.

(Exit Albert.)

Worthy Everything's going well. Fortune interests herself in our cause. In your absence Arabella, by means of a beautiful ruse, has figured out how to extract these hundred crowns from Albert.

Scratch (amazed) How'd she do that?

Worthy You'll learn everything in time. Now, we must find a way to save Arabella, and be off, without losing a moment. We'll only be able to separate her from this wretch for a single instant. Albert won't leave her, and even follows her about, so we don't know what to do.

Scratch Rely on me. I'll manage it! You have wit, I am not stupid--and the pretended patient understands the merest hint.

Worthy I am thinking of a way that's very crazy--but who cares? The play will be better because it will be stronger. We must convince Albert that with certain words--as you already told him--you can cure her of this illness--but someone else must take the frenzy. I will offer myself, so as to be ready for all emergencies. Let me alone after that.

Scratch But, how do you hope to get Arabella to take part in this plan, without knowing about it?

Worthy I will instruct her in all, I give you my word. But, think only of playing your role well. When Arabella comes back, keep the old man busy to give me time to explain everything to her. A few words are all the instruction she'll need. Albert is late--ah, but I see him leaving the house.

(Enter Albert.)

Albert G.o.d conduct the s.h.i.+p and send it to safe harbor.-- Oh, gentlemen, her folly increases every moment. A military delusion now torments her.

She's turned her ball dress into a uniform, she's taken up armor,--a dragoon's helmet and a large scimitar. She speaks only of blood and combat. My money must serve to raise an army. She wants to draft me.

(Enter Jenny and Arabella. Arabella is in a fantastic military outfit.)

Arabella Death--long live war! I cannot remain useless around here. My outfit is ready. Ah, Marquis, it's fortunate I find you in this place. I've come to say goodbye to you. I've found money to finance my campaign-- and this very night I leave for Germany!

Albert Heavens--what mental aberration!

Arabella By G.o.d, officers are wrong to obtain money from the dirty hands of usurers. Better to intrigue--better to inflate the roster. This fellow (pointing to Albert) loaned me his money. I hold him to be the greatest rogue, the worst Jew, the worst dog that one can find in such affairs. I wish someone would bring me his ears.-- Now, I'm ready to go serve the king. Nothing's left to do, except for you to go with me.

Worthy Wherever you go, I will go. (to Albert) It's prudent to humor her.

Arabella I quit forever the standard of love. Under its banner, I could go far, someday. I have a thousand endearing qualities--wit, manners. I know the secret of humbling the proudest woman. But for what? What do you want of me? I am not made for women. Glory is what I want. This inhuman Glory, with its brilliant flesh enslaves me. The poor s.e.x can die of love and boredom before I'll do anything for them.-- No more delay--I go where Glory calls. Lead my horse, the time is propitious.

Post, run!

Scratch I won't leave her. I'm ready to follow her into the midst of combat.

(Albert surprises Worthy speaking to Arabella.)

Worthy I examined her eyes. From what I see, some violent access takes hold of her, and will be followed by drowsiness. Order an armchair brought here quickly.

Arabella Delay me from reaching the field of battle? From tearing victory from our enemies? Let widows mourn--let lovers cry! Children, follow me, raise your spirits. I see your courage s.h.i.+ne in your faces. Let all here feel the horror and the carnage. Fix bayonets! Firmly--good. The rogues don't dare face us. Ah--cowards, you flee-- No--no quarter-- flee. (faints)

Scratch In a short while, the blood will flow properly again.

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