'What do you say to that, most learned?' demanded he, rubbing his
hands. 'Let us see if we can agree upon the meaning of this _cave
amantem_.'
'But,' said I, 'there are two senses in which it may be understood. It
may be translated 'Beware of him who loves you; do not trust lovers.'
But in this sense I hardly know whether _cave amantem_ would be good
Latin. On looking at the diabolical expression of the lady, I should
rather think the artist wished to put the spectator on his guard
against this terrible beauty. I would therefore prefer translating it:
'Take care of yourself, if she loves you.''
'Humph!' said Monsieur Peyrade; 'to be sure that meaning is admissible;
but with due deference I prefer the first translation, which however I
will develop a little. You remember the lover of Venus?'
'She had a great many.'
'True, but the first one was Vulcan. Now does not this mean to say:
'In spite of all your beauty, and your proud and disdainful looks,
you shall have a blacksmith, a miserable lame wretch for a lover.' A
profound lesson, Sir, for coquettes!'