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You are here: > Princess Ida >> Act II
Dialogue following No. 18
| Princess. |
You say you know the court of Hildebrand?
There is a Prince there – I forget his name – |
| Hilarion. |
Hilarion? |
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| Princess. |
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Exactly – is he well? |
| Hilarion. |
If it be well to droop and pine and mope,
To sigh 'Oh, Ida! Ida!' all day long,
'Ida! my love! my life! Oh, come to me!'
If it be well, I say, to do all this,
Then Prince Hilarion is very well. |
| Princess. |
He breathes our name? Well, it's a common one!
And is the booby comely? |
| Hilarion. |
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Pretty well. |
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I've heard it said that if I dressed myself
In Prince Hilarion's clothes (supposing this
Consisted with my maiden modesty),
I might be taken for Hilarion's self.
But what is this to you or me, who think
Of all mankind with undisguised contempt? |
| Princess. |
Contempt? Why, damsel, when I think of man,
Contempt is not the word. |
| Cyril. |
(getting tipsy) |
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I'm sure of that, |
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Or if it is, it surely should not be! |
| Hilarion. |
(aside to Cyril ) Be quiet, idiot, or they'll find us out. |
| Cyril. |
The Prince Hilarion's a goodly lad! |
| Princess. |
You know him then? |
| Cyril. |
(tipsily) |
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I rather think I do! |
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We are inseparables! |
| Princess. |
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Why, what's this? |
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You love him then? |
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| Cyril. |
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We do indeed – all three! |
| Hilarion. |
Madam, she jests! (aside to Cyril ) Remember where you are! |
| Cyril. |
Jests? Not at all! Why, bless my heart alive,
You and Hilarion, when at the Court,
Rode the same horse! |
| Princess. |
(horrified) |
Astride? |
| Cyril. |
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Of course! Why not? |
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Wore the same clothes – and once or twice, I think,
Got tipsy in the same good company! |
| Princess. |
Well, these are nice young ladies, on my word! |
| Cyril. |
(tipsy) Don't you remember that old kissing-song
He'd sing to blushing Mistress Lalage,
The hostess of the Pigeons? Thus it ran: |
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Page Created
28 February, 2006
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