LOTH
It's not my taste that decides in this matter, but perhaps my fate. I
told you once before, I believe, that I have made no renunciation in
regard to marriage. What I fear is this, that I won't find a woman who is
suitable for me,
HOFFMAN
That's a big order, Loth!
LOTH
I'm quite serious, though. It may be that one grows too critical as the
years go on and possesses too little healthy instinct. And I consider
instinct the best guarantee of a suitable choice.
HOFFMANN
[_Frivolously._] Oh, it'll be found again some day--[_laughing_]--the
necessary instinct, I mean.
LOTH
And, after all, what have I to offer a woman? I doubt more and more
whether I ought to expect any woman to content herself with that small
part of my personality which does not belong to my life's work. Then,
too, I'm afraid of the cares which a family brings.
HOFFMANN
Wh-at? The cares of a married man? Haven't you a head, and arms, eh?
LOTH
Obviously. But, as I've tried to tell you, my productive power belongs,
for the greater part, to my life's work and will always belong to it.
Hence it is no longer mine. Then, too, there would be peculiar
difficulties ...
HOFFMANN
Listen! Hasn't some one been sounding a gong?
LOTH
You consider all I've said mere phrase-making?
HOFFMANN
Honestly, it does sound a little hollow.
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