Eri. I am deeply grateful for it, Madam.
Ari. And yet you make them languish a long time for what they expect from you. I have promised not to constrain you; but their love claims from you a declaration that you should not put off any longer the reward of their attentions. I had asked Sostratus to sound your heart, but I do not know if he has begun to acquit himself of his commission.
Eri. Yes, Madam, he has. But it seems to me that I cannot put off too long the decision which is asked of me, and that I could not give it without incurring some blame. I feel equally thankful for the love, attentions, and homage of these two princes, and I think it a great injustice to show myself ungrateful either to the one or to the other by the refusal I must make of one in preference to his rival.
Iph. We should call this, Madam, a very pretty way of refusing us both.
Ari. This scruple, daughter, should not stop you; and those two princes have both long since agreed to submit to the preference you show.
Eri. Our inclinations easily deceive us, Madam, and disinterested hearts are more able to make a right choice.
Ari. You know that I have engaged my word to give no opinion upon this matter, and you cannot make a bad choice when you have to choose between these two princes.
Eri. In order not to do violence either to your promise or to my scruples, Madam, pray agree to what I shall propose.
Ari. And what is that, my daughter?
Eri. I should like Sostratus to decide for me. You chose him to try to discover the secret of my heart; suffer me to choose him to end the perplexity I am in.