consumption - like cream
puffs. Although referring to daily experience, it is by no means binding
on him who is to die, but only obliges the listener to rush posthaste to
the assistance of the dying lover. If a man should take to using such
phrases, it would not be amusing at all, for he would be too despicable
to laugh at. Woman, however, possesses genius, is lovable in the measure
she possesses it, and is amusing at all times. Well, then, the
languishing lady dies of love - why certainly, for did she not say so
herself? In this matter she is pathetic, for woman has enough courage to
say what no man would have the courage to do - so then she dies! In
saying so, I have measured her by ethical standards. Do ye likewise,
dear fellow banqueters, and understand your Aristotle aright, now! He
observes very correctly that woman cannot be used in tragedy. And very
certainly her proper sphere is the pathetic and serious divertissement,
the half-hour farce, not the five-act drama. So then she dies. But
should she for that reason not be able to love again? Why not? - that
is, if it be possible to restore her to life. Now, having been restored
to life, she is of course a new being - another person, that is, and
begins afresh and falls in love for the first time: nothing remarkable
in that! Ah, death, great is thy power; not the most violent emetic and
not the most powerful laxative could ever have the same purging effect!
The resulting confusion is capital, if one but is attentive and does not
forget. A dead man is one of the most amusing characters to be met with
in life. Strange that more use is not made of him on the stage, for in
life he is seen now and then. Wh
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