I’ faith, it’s well that so it is, and I’m glad of it. DEMIPHO Aye, and if you did but know; with my eyes, too, I see even better now than I did formerly. LYSIMACHUS That’s good. DEMIPHO Of a thing that’s bad, I’m speaking. LYSIMACHUS Then that same is not good. DEMIPHO But, if I wished at all, could I venture to disclose something to you? LYSIMACHUS Boldly. DEMIPHO Give heed, then. LYSIMACHUS It shall be carefully done. DEMIPHO This day, Lysimachus, I’ve begun to go to school to learn my letters. I know three letters already. LYSIMACHUS How? Three letters? DEMIPHO (spelling.) A M O [I am in love]. LYSIMACHUS What! you, in love, with your hoary head, you most shocking old fellow? DEMIPHO Whether that is hoary, or whether red, or whether black, I’m in love. LYSIMACHUS You’re now playing upon me in this, I fancy, Demipho. DEMIPHO Cut my throat, if it’s false, what I’m saying. That you may be sure I’m in love, take a knife, and do you cut off either my finger, or my ear, or my nose, or my lip: if I move me, or feel that I’m being cut, then, Lysimachus, I give you leave to torture me to death here with being in love. LYSIMACHUS (aside to the AUDIENCE.) If ever you’ve seen a lover in a picture, why, there he is (pointing at DEMIPHO) : for really, in my way of thinking, an antiquated, decrepit old man is just about the same as though he were a figure painted upon a wall. DEMIPHO Now, I suppose, you are thinking of censuring me. LYSIMACHUS What, I, censure you? DEMIPHO Well, there’s no reason that you should censure me. Other distinguished men have done the like before. It’s natural to be in love, it’s natural, as well, to be considerate. Then, please, don’t reprove me; no inclination impelled me to this. LYSIMACHUS Why, I’m not reproving you. DEMIPHO But still, don’t you think any the worse of me for acting thus. LYSIMACHUS I, think the worse of you? O, may the Deities forbid it. DEMIPHO Still, please, only do take care of that. LYSIMACHUS Due care is taken. DEMIPHO Quite sure? LYSIMACHUS You’re wearing me out.