As to drink a drop of water,

Here's the hand to devote him to slaughter.

Let your meager doctorlings

Gather herbs and such like things,

Fellows who with streams and stills
Think to cure all sorts of ills;

I've no faith in their washery,

Nor think it worth a glance of my eye.
Yes, I laugh at them, for that matter,

To think how they, with their heaps of water,
Petrify their skulls profound,

And make 'em all so thick and so round, That Viviana, with all his mathematics, Would fail to square the circle of their attics.

Away with all water wherever I come;
I forbid it ye, gentlemen, all and some.
Lemonade water,

Jessamine water,

Our tavern knows none of 'em-
Water's a hum!

Jessamine makes a pretty crown,
But as a drink 'twill never go down.
All your hydromels and flips
Come not near these prudent lips.
All your sippings and sherbets,
And a thousand such pretty sweets,

Let your mincing ladies take 'em,
And fops whose little fingers ache 'em.

Wine, wine is your only drink!

Grief never dares to look at the brink.

Six times a year to be mad with wine,
I hold it no shame, but a very good sign.
I, for my part, take my can,
Solely to act like a gentleman,

And, acting so, I care not, I,

For all the hail and snow in the sky.
I never go poking,

And cowering and cloaking,

And wrapping myself from head to foot,
As some people do, with their wigs to boot-
For example, like dry and shivering Redi,
Who looks just like a peruk'd old lady.

"Bacchus in Tuscany."

Carlo Goldoni

Forcing a Match

GERONTE, alone.

Ger. Yes, Martuccia is right. I sometimes allow my temper to get the better of me. But I must treat my niece with the gentleness she deserves.

Enter ANGELICA, who remains standing at the door. Ger. Come closer, niece.

Ang. (advancing timidly). Sir

Ger.

How do you expect me to hear you if you remain three miles away?

Ang. (comes nearer, trembling). Sir-I beg your pardon-I

Ger. Well, what have you to say?

Ang. Has Martuccia told you nothing?

Ger. Yes, she spoke of you, and then of your brotherthat erratic fellow-that idiot, who is letting a harebrained woman lead him by the nose, who has ruined himself, who is done for, for whom I have lost all respect! (ANGELICA turns to go.)

Ger. (excitedly). Where are you going?

Ang. Sir, you seem to be angry

Ger. Well, what business is that of yours? If I get angry with a fool, how can that affect you? Come here, and speak

Ang. My dear uncle, I shall never dare to speak until you are in a calmer frame of mind.

Ger. (aside). This is unendurable! Well, I am calm

Ang. Martuccia may have told you

Ger. I don't care a straw what Martuccia told me. I want to hear it from yourself.

Ang. (timorously). My brother—

Ger. (mocking her). Your brother-
Ang. Wants to shut me up in a convent.
Ger. Do you want to go to a convent?
Ang. Why, sir-

Ger.

Answer at once!

Ang. It is not for me to decide.

Ger. I never asked you to decide! (Furiously.) I want to know what you think about it!

Ang. Oh, sir, you frighten me!

Ger. (aside). I am dying with rage! (Restraining him

self.) Come here; I am listening. So the convent does not suit you?

Ang. No.

Ger. What would you prefer to do?

Ang. Sir, I

Ger. Don't be afraid. I am perfectly calm. Speak freely.

Ang. Oh, I have not the courage!

Ger. Come here! Do you want to marry?

Ang. Sir

Ger. Yes or no.

Ang. If you would only

Ger. Yes or no.

Ang. Why, yes, I—

Ger. Yes, do you say?

to throw away your liberty, so much the worse for you.

You want to marry? You want
your peace of mind? Very well,
Yes, you shall
marry.

Ang. (aside). He is really very kind in spite of his bad temper.

Ger. Have you any particular choice?

Ang. (aside). Oh! if I only had the courage to tell him about Valerio !

Ger. What! Do you mean to say you already have some lover?.

Ang. (aside). I am sure this is not the right moment. I shall ask Martuccia to interview him.

Ger. Now, this is enough.

Let us settle the question. The house where you live, the people you see, may perhaps have led you to form some attachment? Out with the truth! (Angrily.) Yes, I am going to do something for you, but only on condition that you deserve it. Do you hear?

Ang. (very much frightened). Ye-e-s.

Ger. Now, then, answer me openly, frankly: Is it the case that you have any preference?

Ang. Oh, no, sir-I-I have none.

Ger. So much the better. I will engage to find a husband

for you.

Ang. Oh-sir-uncle-I had not

Ger. What's the matter now?

Ang. You know how timid I am.

Ger. Yes, yes, I know all about your timidity. I know what women are. You are a turtle-dove now, but after you are married you will be a dragon.

Ang. Well, then, my dear uncle, as you are so kind-
Ger. Yes, too kind-

Ang. Let me confess to you———

Ger. Confound it, that fellow Dorval is not here yet! Ang. Listen, my dear uncle