Xantippe, his
wife, presses for this marriage. You know what feelings you have
inspired in me. You know my rank and my reputation. You see that my
happiness and perhaps yours depends on a word from your mouth.
AGLAEA:
I am going to respond to you with the truth which that great man who
just left here instructed me never to dissemble, and with the liberty
that he left me. I respect your dignity; I know little of your person
and I cannot give myself to you.
ANITUS:
You cannot! You who are free! Ah, Aglaea, you don't wish it then?
AGLAEA:
It's true that I don't wish it.
ANITUS:
Are you really aware of the affront you are giving me? I see very
clearly that Socrates has betrayed me. It's he who is dictating your
response. It's he who is giving preference to this young Sophronine,
to my unworthy rival, to that impious--
AGLAEA:
Sophronine is not impious; he's been attached to him since childhood.
Socrates serves as a father to him as to me. Sophronine is full of
grace and virtue. I love him and I am loved by him. He clings only to
me to be his wife. But I will no more have him than you.
ANITUS:
All that you tell me astonishes me.
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