forgive you since you are my friend. There's my hand!

PEHR. [Kisses her hand.] I beg a thousand pardons, my beauty, but I
must have been mistaken as to the day? Meanwhile, be seated. Will
my friends make room at my side? [Friends crowd nearer to him.] No?
Well, he who is the younger must do so. That perhaps you do not
know? Then he who is my best friend will voluntarily give up his
place, for he is always just as near to my heart anyhow. [Both
friends give up their places.] I see that you are both my best
friends.

WOMAN. And I your best friend among women. Am I not, Alonzo?

PEHR. Quite right. And now as I raise the bumper, I want to drain
it to Friendship! Friendship is like gold, for it is pure.

WOMAN. [To friends.] How prettily he speaks!

PEHR. Friendship is like the moon--

THREE FRIENDS. Bravo! Bravo!

PEHR. For it borrows its gold--[Three Friends exchange glances]--
from the sun. And it darkens when the sun departs; true, is it not?

ALL THREE FRIENDS. [Sullenly.] Very well said!

PEHR. But friendship is a fire; it must be fed if it is to be kept
burning. You have given me your friendship, what have I to give
you? [Three friends glance around.] You look on my gold. Alack, it