Fran. He does not look to me like a man who would. Min. Very well. Sir, I perceive that-you play, that you keep the bank, doubtless in places where something is to be won. I must also confess that I am very fond of cardsthat Ric. Tant mieux, mademoiselle, tant mieux! Tous les gens d'esprit aiment le jeu à la fureur. Min. that I am very fond of winning; that I like to trust my money to a man who-knows how to play. Are you inclined, sir, to let me join you—to let me have a share in your bank? Ric. Comment, mademoiselle, vous voulez être de moitié avec moi? De tout mon cœur! Min. At first, only with a trifle. (Opens her desk and takes out some money.) Ric. Ah, mademoiselle, que vous êtes charmante ! Min. Here is what I won a short time ago-only ten pistoles. I am ashamed, so little Ric. Donnez toujours, mademoiselle, donnez. (Takes it.) Min. Without doubt, your bank, sir, is very considerable. Ric. Oh, yes, vary considerable. Ten pistoles! You shall have, madame, an interest in my bank for one-tird, pour le tiers. Yes, one-tird part it shall be-something more. With a beautiful lady one must not be too exac. I rejoice myself to make by dat a liaison avec madame, et de ce moment je recommence à bien augurer de ma fortune. Min. But I cannot be present, sir, when you play. Ric. For why it nécessaire dat you be present? We otter players are honorable people between us. Min. If we are fortunate, sir, you will, of course, bring me my share. If we are unfortunate Ric. I come to bring recruits, n'est ce pas, madame? Min. In time recruits might fail. Manage our money well, sir. Ric. What does madame tink me-a simpleton, a stupid devil? Min. I beg your pardon. Ric. Je suis des bons, mademoiselle. Savez vous ce que cela veut dire? I am of de quite practised Ric. I know one trick or two Min. (amazed). Could you? Ric. Je file la carte avec une adresse Ric. Je fais sauter la coupe avec une dextérité Min. You surely would not, sir Ric. What not, madame-what not? Donnez-moi a pigeon for to be pluck, and Min. Play false? Cheat? Comment, mademoiselle? You call dat to cheat? To correct de fortune, l'enchaîner sous ses doigts, être sûr de son fait-dat you call to cheat? To cheat! Oh, what a poor langage is your langage! What an awkward langage! Min. No, sir, if you think so—————— Ric. Laissez-moi faire, mademoiselle, and be tranquille! What matter to you how I play? Enough! To-morrow, madame, you see me again or with hundred pistoles, or you see me no more. Votre très-humble, mademoiselle, votre très-humble.“ Minna von Barnhelm." The Ape and the Fox "NAME me an animal, though never so skilful, that I cannot imitate!" So bragged the ape to the fox. But the fox replied: "And do thou name me an animal so humble as to think of imitating thee!" Writers of my country, need I explain myself more fully? -"Fables." Zeus and the Horse "FATHER of beasts and of men "-so spake the horse, approaching the throne of Zeus-"I am said to be one of the most beautiful animals with which thou hast adorned the world; and my self-love leads me to believe it. Nevertheless, might not some things in me still be improved?" "And what in thee, thinkest thou, admits of improvement? Speak! I am open to instruction," said the indulgent god with a smile. "Perhaps," returned the horse, "I should be fleeter if my legs were taller and thinner. A long swan-neck would not disfigure me. A broader breast would add to my strength. And since thou hast once for all destined me to bear thy favorite, man, the saddle which the well-meaning rider puts upon me might be created a part of me." 66 Good!" replied Zeus; "wait a moment." Zeus, with earnest countenance, pronounced the creative word. Then flowed life into the dust; then organized matter combined; and suddenly stood before the throne the ugly camel. The horse saw, shuddered, and trembled with fear and abhorrence. "Here," said Zeus, “are taller and thinner legs; here is a long swan-neck; here is a broader breast; here is the created saddle! Wilt thou, horse, that I should transform thee after this fashion?” The horse still trembled. 66 Go!" continued Zeus. "Be instructed, for this once, without being punished. But to remind thee, with occasional compunction, of thy presumption, do thou, new creation, continue!" Zeus cast a preserving glance on the camel: "Never shall the horse behold thee without shuddering."-" Fables." The Raven THE raven remarked that the eagle sat thirty days upon her eggs. “That, undoubtedly," said she, “is the reason why the young of the eagle are so all-seeing and strong. Good! I will do the same." And, since then, the raven actually sits thirty days upon her eggs; but, as yet, she has hatched nothing but miserable ravens.-" Fables." The Decorated Bow A MAN had an excellent bow of ebony, with which he shot very far and very sure, and which he valued at a great price. But once, after considering it attentively, he said: "A little too rude still! Your only ornament is your polish. It is a pity! However, that can be remedied," thought he. "I will go and let a first-rate artist carve something on the bow." He went, and the artist carved an entire hunting-scene upon the bow. And what more fitting for a bow than a hunting-scene? The man was delighted. "You deserve this embellishment, my beloved bow." So saying, he wished to try it. He drew the string. The bow broke !—" Fables." The Peacocks and the Crow A VAIN crow adorned herself with the feathers of the richly tinted peacocks which they had shed, and when she thought herself sufficiently tricked out, mixed boldly with these splendid birds of Juno. She was recognized, and quickly the peacocks fell upon her with sharp bills, to pluck the lying disguise from her. Cease now!" she cried at length, "you shall have your own again!" But the peacocks, who had observed some of the crow's own shining wing-feathers, replied: "Be still, wretched fool! These, too, cannot be yours!" And they continued to peck at her." Fables." Epigrams YOUNG Stirps as any lord is proud, |