The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing / Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

BATTISTA.

Orsina!

PRINCE.

Orsina? Marinelli!

MARINELLI.

I am as much astonished as yourself.

PRINCE (to Battista).

Go--run--Battista. She must not alight. I am not here--not here to her. She must return this instant. Go, go. (Exit Battista). What does the silly woman want? How dares she take this liberty? How could she know that we were here? Is she come as a spy? Can she have heard anything? Oh, Marinelli, speak, answer me. Is the man offended, who vows he is my friend--offended by a paltry altercation? Shall I beg pardon?

MARINELLI.

Prince, as soon as you recover yourself, I am yours again, with my whole soul. The arrival of Orsina is as much an enigma to me as to you. But she will not be denied. What will you do?