I’ faith, it’s well that so it is, and I’m glad of it.DEMIPHOAye, and if you did but know; with my eyes, too, I see even better now than I did formerly.LYSIMACHUSThat’s good.DEMIPHOOf a thing that’s bad, I’m speaking. LYSIMACHUSThen that same is not good.DEMIPHOBut, if I wished at all, could I venture to disclose something to you?LYSIMACHUSBoldly. DEMIPHOGive heed, then.LYSIMACHUSIt shall be carefully done.DEMIPHOThis day, Lysimachus, I’ve begun to go to school to learn my letters. I know three letters already.LYSIMACHUSHow? Three letters?DEMIPHO(spelling.)A M O [I am in love].LYSIMACHUSWhat! you, in love, with your hoary head, you most shocking old fellow? DEMIPHOWhether that is hoary, or whether red, or whether black, I’m in love.LYSIMACHUSYou’re now playing upon me in this, I fancy, Demipho.DEMIPHOCut 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.DEMIPHONow, I suppose, you are thinking of censuring me.LYSIMACHUSWhat, I, censure you?DEMIPHOWell, 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.LYSIMACHUSWhy, I’m not reproving you. DEMIPHOBut still, don’t you think any the worse of me for acting thus.LYSIMACHUSI, think the worse of you? O, may the Deities forbid it. DEMIPHOStill, please, only do take care of that.LYSIMACHUSDue care is taken. DEMIPHOQuite sure?LYSIMACHUSYou’re wearing me out.