Benjamin Franklin:
Whichever gentleman, or better still lady that is knocking, I'm around here.
[Washington enters]
Benjamin Franklin:
Ah! Ha ha ha ha. Oh my dear general! How delighted I am to see you, sir!
George Washington:
Pray, sir, do not trouble yourself. Quite unnecessary for the sage of Philadelphia to rise in the presence of a retired soldier.
Benjamin Franklin:
Well, if the sage cannot rise, perhaps the soldier will sit, eh? Some tea?
George Washington:
Thank you, doctor.
Benjamin Franklin:
Ah, alas, gout and the stone have made me into a monument. People must now come to view me, as I am unable to go to them.
George Washington:
Will your health allow you to attend the convention, doctor?
Benjamin Franklin:
Will yours, general? It seems that fate wishes us to postpone our well earned retirement, sir.
George Washington:
Well, I hope our convention will do good.
Benjamin Franklin:
If it does not, it must do harm. Its failure will demonstrate that we have not wisdom enough to govern ourselves. I, of course, have selfish interests in its success.
George Washington:
Oh?
Benjamin Franklin:
Indeed. During the war I staked my life, and what is more important, my reputation on the belief that Americans could govern themselves. And that all mankind should share in that privilege.
George Washington:
Doctor, many know by heart your credo that the rights of Americans should be the rights of all men.
Benjamin Franklin:
Well then, sir, you see the danger I'm in.
George Washington:
If our convention fails, all mankind will suffer.
Benjamin Franklin:
Oh, much worse. I shall be discredited as a philosopher. Laughter. Oh, general, I am grateful you are here. For you, among all men, I hold in the highest esteem. When you voluntarily surrendered power after the war, I knew that in you breathed no tyrant. But that new man, an American, you are the very soul of this republic, sir. With you in our counsels, we must succeed.
George Washington:
You overwhelm me, sir. You must know that I consider you the greatest American alive. My grave fears for the welfare of this country are lightened in your presence.
Benjamin Franklin:
Well then, let us toast ourselves with this tea, and declare that the world is infinitely better off because of us.
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05/03/2025 alle ore 07:58
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