Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 050.djvu/347

The highest prize for painting—that is to say,
Provided I object not to the match.
Now, I myself do love her—though perhaps
More as a father than a lover—yet
My heart is touch'd, and I have come to you
That you may help me to two blessed things—
A cherish'd wife and glory—both at once.
⁠Sal. A wife and glory! I have heard it said
A wife, ere now, has proved her husband's shame.
⁠Cal. You see then how the matter stands.
⁠Sal. ⁠I do.
⁠(Aside,) Scoundrel! I'll hackle you.—(Aloud,) Well, I agree.
⁠Cal. To all I ask?
⁠Sal. ⁠I've said it—we must now
Settle the price.
⁠Cal. ⁠I pray you name your sum.
⁠Sal. The sum must be enormous, or we split.
⁠Cal. (in evident trepidation.) ⁠What do you call enormous?
⁠Sal. ⁠Look ye, sir,
I'm selling to you not my work alone,
But my great name besides; you, in return,
Must part with a large share of the possessions
You hold most dear: that is but reasonable.
⁠Cal. It is: provided you don't ask too much.
⁠Sal. You said that you were rich.—
⁠Cal. ⁠I meant to say—
⁠Sal. Whate'er you meant, I tell you, friend, you must
Pay like a prince, or else the bargain's off.
⁠Cal. What is the price then?
⁠Sal. Twenty thousand crowns.
⁠Cal. Almighty heavens! Salvator, are you mad?
⁠Sal. Not one sous less than twenty thousand crowns.
⁠Cal. I thought you said you cared not for my gold.
⁠Sal. Nor do I—but if I permit another·
To call himself the father of my works,
It shall not be for nothing.
⁠Cal. ⁠I'm in office,
And may be able to assist you, Rosa.
⁠Sal. Thank you—but I require no man's assistance.
As long as I can paint—My time, good sir,
Is precious, and my painting still requires
Some finishing touches—
⁠Cal. Rosa! think again,
And fix a lower sum.
⁠Sal. ⁠I've named the price.
⁠Cal. Well, then, it shall be paid give me the picture.
Sal. When you give me the money.
⁠Cal. ⁠Do you think
That I have twenty thousand crowns about me
⁠Sal. Then go and fetch them.
⁠Cal. ⁠Yet suppose, Salvator,
Your picture should not gain the prise—What then?
⁠Sal. I'll pay the money back.
⁠Cal. ⁠I am content.
(Sighing.) Oh! What a sum is twenty thousand crowns!
⁠Sal. Consider what you've purchased therewithal—
Your ward—is she a beauty?
⁠Cal. ⁠She's but young—
Yet I admire her—you shall see her soon.
⁠Of course, our marriage must be over first. For no man yet has seen her but myself.
⁠You know how wickedly the world's inclined.