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You are here: > Princess Ida >> Act II
Dialogue following No. 14
Lady Psyche enters, and regards them with amazement.
| Hilarion. |
I'faith, the plunge is taken, gentlemen!
For, willy-nilly, we are maidens now,
And maids against our will we must remain. (All laugh heartily.) |
| Psyche. |
(aside) These ladies are unseemly in their mirth. |
The gentlemen see her, and, in confusion, resume their modest demeanour.
| Florian. |
(aside) Here's a catastrophe, Hilarion!
This is my sister! She'll remember me,
Though years have passed since she and I have met! |
| Hilarion. |
(aside to Florian) Then make a virtue of necessity,
And trust our secret to her gentle care. |
| Florian. |
(to Psyche, who has watched Cyril in amazement)
Psyche! Why, don't you know me? Florian! |
| Psyche. |
(amazed) Why, Florian! |
| Florian. |
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My sister! (Embraces her.) |
| Psyche. |
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Oh, my dear! |
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What are you doing here – and who are these? |
| Hilarion. |
I am that Prince Hilarion to whom
Your Princess is betrothed. I come to claim
Her plighted love. Your brother Florian
And Cyril came to see me safely through. |
| Psyche. |
The Prince Hilarion? Cyril too? How strange!
My earliest playfellows! |
| Hilarion. |
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Why, let me look! |
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Are you that learned little Psyche who
At school alarmed her mates because she called
A buttercup "ranunculus bulbosus"? |
| Cyril. |
Are you indeed that Lady Psyche, who
At children's parties, drove the conjuror wild,
Explaining all his tricks before he did them? |
| Hilarion. |
Are you that learned little Psyche, who
At dinner parties, brought in to dessert,
Would tackle visitors with "You don't know
Who first determined longitude – I do –
Hipparchus 'twas – B. C. one sixty-three!"
Are you indeed that small phenomenon? |
| Psyche. |
That small phenomenon indeed am I!
But gentlemen, 'tis death to enter here:
We have all promised to renounce mankind! |
| Florian. |
Renounce mankind? On what ground do you base
This senseless resolution? |
| Psyche. |
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Senseless? No. |
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We are all taught, and, being taught, believe
That Man, sprung from an Ape, is Ape at heart. |
| Cyril. |
That's rather strong. |
| Psyche. |
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The truth is always strong! |
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Page Created
28 February, 2006
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