human
Now, have you felt Shakespeare?
gpt
I think so.
human
And have you felt anything in Coriolanus like you?
gpt
Perhaps I have.
human
Was he not faulty as well as great?
gpt
And what was his fault? What made him hated by the citizens? What caused him to be banished by his countrymen?
human
What do you think it was?
gpt
Well, answer yourself, Sphinx.
human
It was a spice of all; and you must not be proud to your workpeople; you must not neglect chances of soothing them; and you must not be of an inflexible nature, uttering a request as austerely as if it were a command.
gpt
That is the moral you tack to the play. What puts such notions into your head?
human
A wish for your good, a care for your safety, dear Robert, and a fear, caused by many things which I have heard lately, that you will come to harm.
gpt
Who tells you these things?
human
I hear my uncle talk about you. He praises your hard spirit, your determined cast of mind, your scorn of low enemies, your resolution not 'to truckle to the mob,' as he says.
gpt
And would you have me truckle to them?
human
No, not for the world. I never wish you to lower yourself; but somehow I cannot help thinking it unjust to include all poor working-people under the general and insulting name of 'the mob,' and continually to think of them and treat them haughtily.
gpt
You are a little democrat, Caroline. If your uncle knew, what would he say?
human
I rarely talk to my uncle, as you know, and never about such things. He thinks everything but sewing and cooking above women's comprehension, and out of their line.
gpt
And do you fancy you comprehend the subjects on which you advise me?
human
As far as they concern you, I comprehend them. I know it would be better for you to be loved by your workpeople than to be hated by them, and I am sure that kindness is more likely to win their regard than pride. If you were proud and cold to me and Hortense, should we love you? When you are cold to me, as you _are_ sometimes, can I venture to be affectionate in return?
gpt
Now, Lina, I've had my lesson both in languages and ethics, with a touch on politics; it is your turn. Hortense tells me you were much taken by a little piece of poetry you learned the other day, a piece by poor André Chénier--'La Jeune Captive.' Do you remember it still?
human
I think so.
gpt
Repeat it, then. Take your time and mind your accent; especially let us have no English _u_'s.