Being aware that Cupid, with all his assurance, would not dare to aim one of his golden-tipped arrows at such an all-conquering hero as my unworthy self, I have given him a little encouragement; and, in order that the shaft may penetrate to the generous lion's heart that beats in this broad breast, I have laid aside the world-famed coat of mail--made of the rings given to me by goddesses, empresses, queens, infantas, princesses, and great ladies of every degree, my illustrious admirers the world over--which is proof against all weapons, and has so often saved my life in my maddest deeds of daring." "All of which signifies," interrupts the valet, who had listened to this high-blown tirade with ill-concealed impatience, "as far as my feeble intellect can comprehend such magnificent eloquence, that your most redoubtable lordship has fallen in love with some young girl hereabouts, like any ordinary mortal." "Really, Scapin," says Matamore, with good-humoured condescension, "you have hit the nail upon the head--you are not so stupid after all, for a valet.

Yes, I have fallen in love, but do not imagine for a moment that my courage will suffer diminution on that account.

It was all very well for Samson to allow his hair to be cut off, and for Alcides to handle the distaff at the bidding of his mistress; but Delilah would not have dared to touch one hair of my head, and Omphale should have pulled off my boots for me--at the least sign of revolt I would have given her worse to do: cleaning the skin of the Nemaean lion, for instance, when I brought it home all fresh and bleeding, just as I had torn it from the quivering carcass.

The thought that has lately occurred to me, that I have subjugated only half of the human race, is humiliating.

Women, by reason of their weakness, escape me; I cannot treat them as I do my masculine opponents--cut their throats, run them through the body, or hew off their arms and legs; I must lay siege to their hearts, and conquer them in that way.