The Learned Women | Page 2

heights which are attained by the speculations of learned men,
mine is fitted, sister, to take a meaner flight and to centre its weakness
on the petty cares of the world. Let us not interfere with the just decrees
of Heaven; but let each of us follow our different instincts. You, borne
on the wings of a great and noble genius, will inhabit the lofty regions
of philosophy; I, remaining here below, will taste the terrestrial charms
of matrimony. Thus, in our several paths, we shall still imitate our
mother: you, in her mind and its noble longings; I, in her grosser senses
and coarser pleasures; you, in the productions of genius and light, and I,
sister, in productions more material.
ARM. When we wish to take a person for a model, it is the nobler side
we should imitate; and it is not taking our mother for a model, sister, to
cough and spit like her.
HEN. But you would not have been what you boast yourself to be if
our mother had had only her nobler qualities; and well it is for you that
her lofty genius did not always devote itself to philosophy. Pray, leave
me to those littlenesses to which you owe life, and do not, by wishing
me to imitate you, deny some little savant entrance into the world.
ARM. I see that you cannot be cured of the foolish infatuation of taking
a husband to yourself. But, pray, let us know whom you intend to
marry; I suppose that you do not aim at Clitandre?
HEN. And why should I not? Does he lack merit? Is it a low choice I
have made?
ARM. Certainly not; but it would not be honest to take away the
conquest of another; and it is a fact not unknown to the world that
Clitandre has publicly sighed for me.
HEN. Yes; but all those sighs are mere vanities for you; you do not
share human weaknesses; your mind has for ever renounced matrimony,
and philosophy has all your love. Thus, having in your heart no
pretensions to Clitandre, what does it matter to you if another has such
pretensions?

ARM. The empire which reason holds over the senses does not call
upon us to renounce the pleasure of adulation; and we may refuse for a
husband a man of merit whom we would willingly see swell the
number of our admirers.
HEN. I have not prevented him from continuing his worship, but have
only received the homage of his passion when you had rejected it.
ARM. But do you find entire safety, tell me, in the vows of a rejected
lover? Do you think his passion for you so great that all love for me can
be dead in his heart?
HEN. He tells me so, sister, and I trust him.
ARM. Do not, sister, be so ready to trust him; and be sure that, when he
says he gives me up and loves you, he really does not mean it, but
deceives himself.
HEN. I cannot say; but if you wish it, it will be easy for us to discover
the true state of things. I see him coming, and on this point he will be
sure to give us full information.

SCENE II.--CLITANDRE, ARMANDE, HENRIETTE.
HEN. Clitandre, deliver me from a doubt my sister has raised in me.
Pray open your heart to us; tell us the truth, and let us know which of
us has a claim upon your love.
ARM. No, no; I will not force upon your love the hardship of an
explanation. I have too much respect for others, and know how
perplexing it is to make an open avowal before witnesses.
CLI. No; my heart cannot dissemble, and it is no hardship to me to
speak openly. Such a step in no way perplexes me, and I acknowledge
before all, freely and openly, that the tender chains which bind me
(pointing to HENRIETTE), my homage and my love, are all on this
side. Such a confession can cause you no surprise, for you wished

things to be thus. I was touched by your attractions, and my tender
sighs told you enough of my ardent desires; my heart offered you an
immortal love, but you did not think the conquest which your eyes had
made noble enough. I have suffered many slights, for you reigned over
my heart like a tyrant; but weary at last with so much pain, I looked
elsewhere for a conqueror more gentle, and for chains less cruel.
(Pointing to HENRIETTE) I have met with them here, and my bonds
will forever be precious to me. These eyes have looked upon me with
compassion, and have dried my tears. They have not despised what you
had refused. Such