r terrible hatred for each other.

SYLVETTE. The thought often pains me and makes me cry when I am
alone. Last month, when I came home from the convent, my father
pointed out your father's park, and said to me: "My dear child,
you behold there the domain of my mortal enemy, Bergamin. Never
cross the path of those two rascals, Bergamin and his son Percinet.
Mark well my words, and obey me to the letter, or I shall cast you
off as an enemy. Their family has always been at bitter enmity
with our own." And I promised. But you see how I keep my word!

PERCINET. Did I not promise my father to do the same, Sylvette?
Yet I love you!

SYLVETTE. Holy saints!

PERCINET. I love you, my dearest!

SYLVETTE. It's sinful!

PERCINET. Very--but what can we do? The greater the obstacles
to be overcome, the sweeter the reward. Sylvette, kiss me!

SYLVETTE. Never! [She jumps down from the bench and runs off a
few steps.]

PERCINET. But you love me?

SYLVETTE. What?

PERCINET. My dear child: I, too, sometimes think of us and
compare you and me with those other lovers--of Verona.

SYLVETTE. But _I_ didn't compare--!

PERCINET. You and I are Juliet and Romeo; I love you to despair,
and I shall brave the wrath of Pasquinot-Capulet and
Bergamin-Montague!

SYLVETTE. [Coming a little nearer to the wall] Then we love?
But how, Monsieur Percinet, has it happened so soon?

PERCINET. Love is born we know not how, because it must be born.
I often saw you pass my window--

SYLVETTE. I saw you, too!

PERCINET. And our eyes spoke in silence.

SYLVETTE. One day I was gathering nuts in the garden by the wall--

PERCINET. One day I happened to be reading Shakespeare. See
how everything conspired to unite two hearts!

SYLVETTE. And a little gust of wind blew my scarf in your direction.

PERCINET. I climbed to the wall to return it--

SYLVETTE. [Climbing the wall again] I climbed too!

PERCINET. And since that day, my dear, I have waited at the same
hour, here by this wall; and each time my heart beat louder and
faster, until I knew by your soft laugh that you were near!

SYLVETTE. Now since we love, we must be married.

PERCINET. I was just thinking about that.

SYLVETTE. [Solemnly] I, last of the Pasquinots, do solemnly
pledge myself to you, last of the Bergamins.

PERCINET. What noble recklessness!

SYLVETTE. We shall be sung in future ages!

PERCINET. Two tender children of tw