AGLAEA:
Again, nothing is more true.
ANITUS: Doubtless it's fear of displeasing me that delays your engagement to him?
AGLAEA: Assuredly no. Never having sought to please you, I do not at all fear displeasing you.
ANITUS:
Then you fear to offend the gods by preferring a profane man like this
Sophronine to a minister of the altars?
AGLAEA: Not at all; I am persuaded that the Supreme Being cares very little whether I marry you or not.
ANITUS: The Supreme Being! My dear girl, that's not the way you must speak. You must speak of gods and goddesses. Take care: I perceive in you dangerous sentiments and I know very well who inspired them. Know that Ceres, whose high priest I am, can punish you for having scorned her cult and her minister.
AGLAEA: I scorn neither the one nor the other. They tell me that Ceres presides over wheat: I intend to believe it. But she doesn't meddle with my marriage.
ANITUS: She meddles with everything. You know that very well; but still I hope to convert you. Are you really determined not to marry Sophronine?
AGLAEA:
Yes, I am very determined, and I'm very annoyed about it.
ANITUS: I don't understand these contradictions at all. Listen: I love you. I wanted to make you happy and place you in a high rank. Believe me, don't offend me. Don't reject your fortune. Think that it is necessary to sacrifice everything to an advantageous establishment; that youth passes and that fortune remains. That riches and honors must be your only goal and that I speak to you on behalf of the Gods and Goddesses. I beg you to reflect on it. Goodbye, my dear girl. I am going to pray to Ceres that she may inspire you. And I hope that she will touch your heart. Goodbye, one more time. Remember you promised me not to marry Sophronine.