(To
Fontanares) Good-bye, man of genius. (Exit.)
SCENE FIFTH
Fontanares and Quinola.
Fontanares
His words make me shudder.
Quinola
And me also! The good ideas of a genius are always caught in the webs
of such spiders as he.
Fontanares
Well, if only we can get a hundred ducats more, from that time forth
we shall have a golden life filled with the banquets of love. (He
takes a drink of water.)
Quinola
I quite believe you, but confess that blooming hope, that heavenly
jade, has led us on pretty deep into the mire.
Fontanares
Quinola!
Quinola
I do not complain for myself, I was born to trouble. The question is,
how are we to get the hundred ducats. You are in debt to the workmen,
to the master locksmith Carpano, to Coppolus the dealer in iron, steel
and copper, and to our landlord, who after taking us in, more from
fear of Monipodio than from compassion, will end by turning us out of
doors; we owe him for nine months' board and lodging.
Fontanares
But the work is all but finished.
Quinola
But what of the hundred ducats?
Fontanares
How is it that you, usually so brave and merry, begin now to speak to
me in such a dolorous tone?
Quinola
It is because, as a means of remaining at your side, I shall be
obliged to disappear.
Fontanares
And why?
Quinola
Why? Pray what are we to do about the sheriff? I have incurred, for
you and for myself, trade debts to the amount of a hundred doubloons;
and lo! these debts take, to my mind, the figure, face and feet of
tipstaves!
Fontanares
How much unhappiness is comprised in the term _glory_!
Quinola
Come! Do not be downcast.
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