_Cyril._ Are you indeed that Lady Psyche, who At children’s parties drove the conjurer wild, Explaining all his tricks before he did them?
_Hilar._ Are you that learned little Psyche, who At dinner parties brought into dessert Would tackle visitors with “you don’t know Who first determined longitude--I do-- Hipparchus ’twas, B.C. one sixty three!” Are you indeed that little Psyche then?
_Psyche._ That small phenomenon in truth am I! But gentlemen, ’tis death to enter here-- My vow will make me speak. What shall I do? This palace is a rat trap--we the bait-- And you the foolish victims!
_Cyril._ Be it so-- A prisoned rat, before he dies the death, Has liberty to nibble at the bait! (_kisses her_).
_Psyche._ Forbear, sir--pray--you know not what you do! We have all promised to renounce mankind.
_Hilar._ But on what grounds do you, fair Psyche, base This senseless resolution?
_Psyche._ Senseless? No! It’s based upon the grand hypothesis That as the Ape is undeveloped Man, So Man is undeveloped Woman.
_Hilar._ Then, This, of all others, is the place for us!
_Enter MELISSA unperceived, at back; she listens in astonishment._
If Man is only undeveloped Woman, We men, if we work very hard indeed, And do our utmost to improve ourselves-- May in good time _be_ women! Though I own Up to this point (as far as I’m aware) The metamorphosis has not commenced.
_Melissa._ (_coming down_). Oh, Lady Psyche!--
_Psyche._ (_startled_). What--you heard us, then? Oh, all is lost!
_Melissa._ Not so; I’ll breathe no word. (_Advancing in astonishment to FLORIAN._) How marvelously strange! And are you then, Indeed, young men?
_Flori._ Well, yes--just now we are; But hope, by dint of study, to become, In course of time, young women!
_Melissa._ (_eagerly_). No! no! no! Oh, don’t do that! Is this indeed a man? I’ve often heard of them, but till this day Never set eyes on one. They told me men Were hideous, idiotic, and deformed! They’re quite as beautiful as women are! (_patting FLORIAN’S cheek_) Their cheeks have not that pulpy softness which One gets so weary of in womankind! Their features are more marked,--and oh! their chins (_feeling his chin_) How curious!
Melissa. Oh, don’t apologize--I like it so! But I forgot; my mother, Lady Blanche, Is coming--and her eyes are very keen-- She will detect you, sir!