The Sonorous Island (1771) - Page 21

You carry your homage elsewhere,
You are abandoning me forever.

V I V A T C H E’.

Where do these vain speeches tend?

M E L O P H A N I E.

These are not vain speeches:
You who said that our loves

Of our days

Would equal the course,
You are abandoning me forever.

V I V A T C H E’.

Hey, what makes you think that my heart is releasing itself?

M E L O P H A N I E.

Yes, cruel one, your heart is releasing itself,
Deny it, deny this testimony.
Here, read it. Leave off the detours.

That my beautiful days

Have been short!

V I V A T C H E’, with an air of embarrassment.

I cannot pretend anymore:
It is true... I pity you... arm yourself with courage.

M E L O P H A N I E.

That my beautiful days

Have been short.

V I V A T C H E’.

Cease having recourse to tears.

M E L O P H A N I E.

No, tears are my lot.
Why did I not prevent the outrage
By breaking off first, and breaking off forever!

V I V A T C H E’.

Ah! I have stolen from you the charming advantage
Of quitting before me, of being fickle before me.

M E L O P H A N I E.

Who, me? Could I be fickle?

V I V A T C H E’.

Yes, you want to be fickle.

M E L O P H A N I E.

I am leaving. I am going to die of pain and rage.