Phil. One feels, at hearing these verses, an indescribable something which goes through one’s inmost soul, and makes one feel quite faint.
Arm.
| Drive forth that foe, whate’er men say, From out your chamber, decked so gay— |
How prettily chamber, decked so gay, is said here! And with what wit the metaphor is introduced!
Phil. Drive forth that foe, whate’er men say.
Ah! in what an admirable taste that whate’er men say is! To my mind, the passage is invaluable.
Arm. My heart is also in love with whate’er men say.
Bél. I am of your opinion: whate’er men say is a happy expression.
Arm. I wish I had written it.
Bél. It is worth a whole poem.