Doctor: And you're still on your legs?
Harlequin: Oh, yes! And I’ve kept fairly merry, so as to meet boldly the death I desire.
Doctor: Why do you desire it?
Harlequin: Oh, it's just coming at the right time! The man that lives wisely always desires his death.
Doctor: You’re talking in riddles.
Harlequin: Yes, for people like you. (Laughs.)
Doctor: How do you know?
Harlequin: If you like, I’ll tell you how you’ll die.
Doctor: Interesting.
Harlequin (lies on bed and shivers with all his body, then groans): Oh! Ah! Ugh! I’m still so young. I haven’t been able to live yet as I ought. Why have I been so abstinent all my life? I’ve still got all sorts of things I want to do. Turn me to the window. I’m not tired yet of looking at the world. Help! I’ve not been able to do half I wanted. I was never in a hurry to live because I always forgot about death. Help, help! I haven’t been able to enjoy myself yet; I’ve always kept my health, my strength, and my money for the morrow. I filled it with beautiful hopes, and it rolled on like a snowball, growing
