Prelude
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Dialogue following No. 3
| Amanda. | I've but one hope in life — and that's to die! |
| Off, wretched weeds? (She flings away her cloak.) One plunge, and then my woes — |
(At this moment Piscator returns for his bait-can, and Amanda,
hurrying towards the pond, runs against him.)
Piscator (bowing). I beg a thousand pardons!
Amanda (wildly). Double them!!
| And multiply by anything you please; Add what you like; produce the quotient, E'en to the farthest limit of the dot That marks an oft-recurring decimal; Let x be equal to a million; Subtract not from the nth power of apology One single surd; but do not bar my way! |
Piscator (amazed). Indeed! Why not? Kindly explain yourself!
| Amanda (gripping his arm with demented earnestness). | |
| If two to one bar one, they may succeed; But 'tis but you and I; and I am young, Healthy and vigorous — |
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| Piscator (rubbing his arm). | I feel you are! |
| Amanda. Whilst you are but a feeble, frail, old man, | |
| Puny and weak — | |
| Piscator (drawing himself up). Indeed? I beg your pardon! |
| Amanda. I'm desperate. Be warned, and let me pass! |
| Piscator (aside). She's rather muscular. I'll temporise. | |
| (Aloud) Where do you want to go? | |
| Amanda. | To yonder pool! |
Piscator. To drink? Insanitary!
| Amanda. | No! To drown! |
Piscator. Puppies or kittens, may I ask?
| Amanda. | Myself! |
Piscator. Your motive?
| Amanda. | Hopeless love! |
| Piscator (turning away disgusted). Another of them! | |
| Why can't they leave a fisherman in peace? | |
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Page modified 3 August 2019