SOS.No, I am speaking openly to you.I was in a wretched state.Ihad a certain load, which your words have lifted from my soul.I was very apprehensive, and feared that I had played the fool with you.
CLE.What is this fear? Come, let us know what you mean.
SOS.The doctors say that, when one is drunk, one should abstain from one's wife, for, in that condition we can only have children who are dull, and who cannot live.Think, if my heart had not armed itself with coldness, what troubles might have followed!
CLE.I do not care a fig for doctors, with their insipid reasonings.
Let them rule those who are sick without wishing to govern healthy people.They meddle with too many affairs when they seek to rein in our chaste desires; in addition to the dog days, and their strict rules, they tell us a hundred ridiculous stories into the bargain.
SOS.Gently.
CLE.No; I maintain theirs is a worthless conclusion: those reasons come from idiotic brains.Neither wine nor time ought to prevent the duties of conjugal love from being fulfilled; doctors are donkeys.
SOS.I entreat you, moderate your anger against them; they are honest people, whatever the world may say of them.
CLE.Things are not what you think them; you can shut up; your excuse will not go down; and, sooner or later, I tell you plainly, Iwill avenge myself for the contempt you show me every day.Iremember everything you said just now, and I shall try to make use of the liberty you gave me, You faithless, cowardly husband.
SOS.What?
CLE.You told me just now, you villain, that you would heartily agree to my loving another.
SOS.Ah! In that matter I was wrong.I retract; my honour is at stake.You had better beware you do not give way to that sentiment.
CLE.Nevertheless if some time I can make up my mind to the thing...
SOS.Just stop talking for the present.Amphitryon is coming back, and he seems pleased.