ASC. To obey you, sir, shall be the first compliment I pay you.
SCENE VII.—MASCARILLE, POLYDORE, VALÈRE.
MASC. Misfortunes are often revealed by Heaven: I dreamt last night of pearls unstrung and broken eggs, sir. This dream depresses my spirits.
[Footnote: In a little book still sold on the quays of Paris, and called la Cle des Songes, it is said that to dream of pearls denotes "embarrassed affairs," and of broken eggs, "loss of place and lawsuits.">[
VAL. Cowardly rascal!
POL. Valère, an encounter awaits you, wherein all your valour will be necessary: you are to cope with a powerful adversary.
MASC. Will nobody stir to prevent people from cutting each other's throats? As for me, I do not care about it; but if any fatal accident should deprive you of your son, do not lay the blame on me.
POL. No, no; in this case I myself urge him to do what he ought.
MASC. What an unnatural father!
VAL. This sentiment, sir, shows you to be a man of honour; I respect you the more for it. I know I have offended you, I am to blame for having done all this without a father's consent; but however angry you may be with me, Nature always will prevail. You do what is truly honourable, in not believing that I am to be terrified by the threats of Éraste.