Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Third series (IA playstranslatedf03benauoft).pdf/78

. Clearly, this is not a solution.

. [To ] No, my dear uncle, not while you are still young. You may be Regent yet, as you would have been with me; the weight of the empire would have fallen upon your shoulders, and you would have inherited it in the end. My imperial career would have been short.

. Who knows? Life then would have had an object for you—it would have acquired meaning. However, if you are satisfied

. Absolutely. And you? Do you recall Daudet's "Rois en exile": "Do you love me less now that I am not to be king?"

. Ungrateful, foolish boy! If you are happy, it is all that I desire.

. A curious coincidence! Edith was playing the national air of your lost empire.

. Yes, upon the lute. How depressing! To do it justice, the theme requires drums and trumpets against a background of flashing swords and shining armorarmor. [sic] I am told that all the fighting spirit of our country has been put into it, although it was composed by a monk who was a foreigner, for the funeral of some poet.

. A preposterous fabrication.

. A monk, did you say, and a poet? The combination is amusing.

. Tennyson might have composed an occasional poem.

. Tennyson was an exceptional poet. He was a gentleman, received in the best society.

. [To ] Lady Seymour is jealous of me. She will not pardon the Prince my invitation.

. You are the scandal of England.