Selected Plays

Uncle Jack is sending you to Australia.
Algernon Australia! I’d sooner die.
Cecily Well, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia.

Algernon I hope tomorrow will be a fine day, Lane.
Lane It never is, sir.
Algernon Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist.
Lane I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.

Algernon What shall we do after dinner? Go to a theatre?
Jack Oh no! I loathe listening.
Algernon Well, let us go to the Club?
Jack Oh, no! I hate talking.
Algernon Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten?
Jack Oh, no! I can’t bear looking at things. It is so silly.
Algernon Well, what shall we do?
Jack Nothing!

To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.

When you do become engaged to someone, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself …

Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. Don’t try it. You should leave that to people who haven’t been at a University. They do it so well in the daily papers.

You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to everyone as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn’t Ernest. It’s on your cards.

...Я не была у нее с тех пор, как умер бедный ее муж. И я никогда не видела, чтобы женщина так изменилась. Она выглядит на двадцать лет моложе.....

Сесил, сколько времени ты мог бы любить женщину, которая тебя не любит?

Сесил Грэхем. Которая не любит? Всю жизнь.

Не нахожу никакой романтики в предложении. Быть влюбленным это действительно романтично. Но предложить руку и сердце? Предложение могут принять. Да обычно и принимают. Тогда прощай все очарование. Суть романтики в неопределенности.