But what do we do? We pass our time in taverns;
drink and game, and throw ourselves headlong into such an ocean of
debts, that the best swimmer must sink at last. Let us resolve to
make the attempt. Let us seek recruits on all sides; let us labour
with all our might and main. Things must change, or if they do not,
take my word for it, my friends, this world is no longer a world for
us.
Memmo.--Nay, it's a melancholy truth, that during the last half-year
my creditors have been ready to beat my door down with knocking. I
am awakened out of my sleep in the morning, and lulled to rest again
at night with no other music than their eternal clamour.
Parozzi.--Ha! ha! ha! As for me, I need not tell you how I am
suited.
Falieri.--Had we been less extravagant, we might at this moment have
been sitting quietly in our palaces; but as things stand now -
Parozzi.--Well, as things stand now--I verily believe that Falieri
is going to moralise.
Contarino.--That is ever the way with old sinners when they have
lost the power to sin any longer. Then they are ready enough to
weep over their past life, and talk loudly about repentance and
reformation. Now, for my own part, I am perfectly well satisfied
with my wanderings from the common beaten paths of morality and
prudence. They serve to convince me that I am not one of your
every-day men, who sit cramped up in the chimney-corner, lifeless,
phlegmatic, and shudder when they hear of any extraordinary
occurrence.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54