Lau. Let go my hand! What crime has the poor wretch committed, that you press it thus? I remember no mischief it has done you.
Aur. O, 'tis a heinous malefactor, and is pressed by law, because it will confess nothing. Come, withdraw a little farther, we have urgent business with one another.
Lau. 'Twere a shame to quit my ground upon the first charge; yet if you please to take a truce a little, I will consent to go behind the lovers, and listen with you.
Aur. I wonder you deferred the proposition so long. I were neither true valet, nor you true woman, if we could not eves-drop.
[They retire behind the other two, who come forward upon the Stage.
Cam. [Kissing Violetta's hand.] Give me another yet, and then—
Vio. And then will you be satisfied?
Cam. And then I'll ask a thousand more, and ne'er be satisfied. Kisses are but thin nourishment; they are too soon digested, and hungry love craves more.
Vio. You feed a wolf within you.
Cam. Then feast my love with a more solid diet. He makes us now a miser's feast, and we forbear to take our fill. The silent night, and all these downy hours, were made for lovers: Gently they tread, and softly measure time, that no rude noise may fright the tender maid, from giving all her soul to melting joys.
Vio. You do not love me; if you did, you would not
Thus urge your satisfaction in my shame;
At best, I see you would not love me long,
For they, who plunder, do not mean to stay.