LICIDAS: What do you want, brother? I thought there were only two ways of living in this world. Like my father or like my mother; like you or like me. And I much preferred mine. But since I became acquainted with Signora Fantastici I would really like to resemble her. Come see her with me.
RODOLPHE: Me? Desert my post! How can you think of it? I am remaining steady here until my father's return. And indeed I will prevent you from leaving.
LICIDAS: Ah, my God! What a bore! Suppose I were to rehearse during this time the verse that the Signora gave me to learn. It's the declaration of Hippolytus. But it has to be addressed to Aricie. Fine. My brother is precisely at my right. He's what's needed. Stay there Rodolphe, stay there.
RODOLPHE:
Surely I'm staying here. Why are you commanding me to do what I wish?
LICIDAS:
"You see before you a lamentable prince."
RODOLPHE:
Why's he saying "lamentable?" Isn't that the same thing as pitiful?
Why are you saying that about yourself? That's very modest.
LICIDAS:
"My bow, my javelins, my chariot all importune me
And my idle horses.—"
RODOLPHE: What? What chariot, what horses are you talking about? You always go by foot.
LICIDAS:
Leave me alone; it's in my part. Shut up!
RODOLPHE:
And what does the princess say to your love?