Part 55 (1/2)

Faith! I've a most malicious sort of heart

I like destruction; find delight in evil; I love to kill! So that I thought I'd be A soldier or a doctor, sir, at twenty

But I hesitated long, and finally I chose the sword It's not so sure, but twice As quick There was a tied to be a poet or an actor, Or an exhibitor of bears--but then, I like dinner and supper every day

A plague upon the poetry and bears!

LAFFEMAS

With this hope in your mind you studied verse?

SAVERNY

A little bit, in Aristotle Yes--

LAFFEMAS

The Marquis knew you?

SAVERNY

He knew me as well As a lieutenant knows an upstart soldier

I belonged to Monsieur de Caussade first, Who gave me to the Marquis' colonel Poor The present, but we do the best we can!

They made me officer--I'm worth as much As any, and I wear a black mustache

That is my history

LAFFEMAS

They sent you here To notify the uncle?

SAVERNY

Yes; I came With Brichanteau, the cousin, and the corpse

He will be buried here--where, if he'd lived, He would have had his wedding!

LAFFEMAS

Tell is bore the news

SAVERNY

With calmness, without tears

LAFFEMAS

He loved hih?

SAVERNY

Asno children Of his own he had but this one passion-- His nephehoh They had not seen each other for five years