The Arethusa . Well, sir, oblige me at least by looking at this book. Here, I open it with my eyes shut. Read one of these songs⁠—read this one⁠—and tell me, you who are a man of intelligence, if it would be possible to sing it at a fair?

The Commissary ( Critically. ) Mais oui. Très bien.

The Arethusa . Comment, monsieur! What! But do you not observe it is antique. It is difficult to understand, even for you and me; but for the audience at a fair, it would be meaningless.