The Indian Woman (L'Indienne) (1771) - Page 22

CALEB.

Good! It was much worse...

AZORA, with the same affectation as before.

Ah! no matter, we have nonetheless suffered an equally significant loss.

CALEB, in the same tone.

Oh! surely...

( With familiarity. )

But do take off your veil, do not act like a child.

AZORA.

No, Lord, please excuse me from it. What would you see? Perishable flesh, and worthy of the fire that is about to destroy it.

CALEB, taking her hand.

Oh! I do not believe anything of the sort, if I judge by this hand... Oh! how charming it is!

AZORA.

It is very ordinary... and did not deserve the care I took of it.

CALEB.

It did not deserve it! And the arm, what whiteness, what roundness. Ah! permit me... And the waist, oh! how adorable it is!

AZORA.

It is perhaps not so bad; but it is better to burn it before it spoils.

CALEB.

Oh! that would be a murder.

AZORA, removing her veil entirely during the

ritournelle short instrumental prelude.

And was the face itself worthy of my regrets?

CALEB.

Ah! I remain in ecstasy!
What brilliance and what fire!
Ah! I feel that it inflames me;
Let me draw a little closer.