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(Franco, to a friend who duels.) I now come for advice to you, to whom the forms of duels and honour are known, according to which the world is stricken and slain. To you, because you're a gallant warrior, and not only an expert in war, but through your kindness you bear me love, I turn for advice; and I am sure that you will not be of slight help to me, more from your graciousness than for my merit. But I do not want to turn at once to what my longing for revenge invites me, although the way to it is simple and clear; I want before I come to pull out weapons, to communicate my opinion to you and above all to ask you for counsel, and if between us we should decide that I should express my resentment in deeds, then I won't hesitate to take up arms...... But what if I hold my peace, and some day it happens that I cross his path and go to meet him armed for the kill? Perhaps I shall slake my thirst completely on his malignant blood, and with pleasure win a victory without any battle. Shall I really commit the foul error of soiling these hands of mine with that blood, infected with malice and cowardice both? Enough of thoughts so alien to me! But what shall I do? Silence is bad, but action is worse. Oh, useless words of mine! Give me, my lord, your advice......... [ll. 10-27, 166-178; pp. 233-241] |
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