第5章

ELMIRE Ifthatrefusalhasoffendedyou，Howlittledoyouknowawoman’sheart！ Howillyouguesswhatitwouldhaveyouknow，Whenitpresentssofeebleadefence！ Always，atfirst，ourmodestyrestsThetenderfeelingsyouinspireuswith。 WhatevercausewefindtojustifyThelovethatmastersus，westillmustfeelSomelittleshameinowningit;andstriveTomakeasthoughwewouldnot，whenwewould。 ButfromtheverywaywegoaboutitWeletaloverknowourheartsurrenders，Thewhileourlips，forhonour’ssake，opposeOurheart’sdesire，andinrefusingprome。 I’mtellingyoumysecretalltoofreelyAndwithtoolittleheedtomodesty。 But——nowthatI’vemadeboldtospeak——praytellme。 ShouldIhavetriedtokeepDamfromspeaking，ShouldIhaveheardtheofferofyourheartSoquietly，andsufferedallyourpleading，AndtakenitjustasIdid——remember—— Ifsuchadeclarationhadnotpleasedme，And，whenItriedmyutmosttopersuadeyouNottoacceptthemarriagethatwastalkedof，WhatshouldmyearnestnesshavehintedtoyouIfnottheinterestthatyou’veinspired，Andmychagrin，shouldsuchamatchcompelmeToshareaheartIwantalltomyself？ TARTUFFE ’T，pastadoubt，theheightofhappiness，Tohearsuchwordsfromlipswedoteupon; TheirhoneyedsweetnesspoursthroughallmysensesLongdraughtsofsuavityineffable。 Myheartemploysitsutmostzealtopleaseyou，Andcountsyourloveitsonebeatitude; AndyetthatheartmustbegthatyouallowitTodoubtalittleitsfelicity。 IwellmightthinkthesewordsanhonesttrickTomakemebreakoffthapproachingmarriage; AndifImayexpressmyselfquiteplainly，IcannottrustthesetooenchantingwordsUntilthegrantingofsomelittlefavourIsighfor，shallassuremeoftheirtruthAndbuildwithinmysoul，onfirmfoundations，Alastingfaithinyoursweetcharity。 ELMIRE（coughingtodrawherhusband’sattention） What！Mustyougosofast？——andallatonceExhaustthewholeloveofawoman’sheart？ ShedoesherselftheviolencetomakeThdearconfessionofherlove，andyouArenotyetsatfied，andwillnotbeWithoutthegrantingofherutmostfavours？ TARTUFFE Thelessablessingdeserved，thelessWedaretohopeforit;andwordsaloneCanillassuageourlove’sdesires。AfateToofullofhappiness，seemsdoubtfulstill; Wemustenjoyiterewecanbelieveit。 AndI，whoknowhowlittleIdeserveYourgoodness，doubtthefortunesofmydaring; SoIshalltrusttonothing，madam，tillYouhaveconvincedmylovebysomethingreal。 ELMIRE Ah！Howyourloveenactsthetyrant’srole，Andthrowsmymindintoastrangeconfusion！ Withwhatfierceswayitrulesaconqueredheart，Andviolentlywillhaveitswhesgranted！ What！therenoescapefromyourpursuit？ Norespiteeven？——notabreathingspace？ Nay，itdecenttobesoexacting，AndsoabusebyurgencytheweaknessYoumaydcoverinawoman’sheart？ TARTUFFE Butifmyworshipwinsyourgraciousfavour，Thenwhyrefusemesomesureproofthereof？ ELMIRE ButhowcanIconsenttowhatyouwh，WithoutoffendingHeavenyoutalksomuchof？ TARTUFFE IfHeavenallthatstandsnowinmyway，I’lleasilyremovethatlittlehindrance; Yourheartneednotholdbackforsuchatrifle。 ELMIRE ButtheyaffrightussowithHeaven’scommands！ TARTUFFE Icandpelthesefoolhfears，dearmadam; IknowtheartofpacifyingscruplesHeavenforbids，’ttrue，somesatfactions; ButwefindmeanstomakethingsrightwithHeaven。 （’Tascoundrelspeaking。）[5] [Footnote5:Moliere’snote，intheoriginaledition。] Thereascience，madam，thatinstructsusHowtoenlargethelimitsofourconscienceAccordingtoourvariousoccasions，AndrectifytheevilofthedeedAccordingtoourpurityofmotive。 I’lldulyteachyouallthesesecrets，madam; Youonlyneedtoletyourselfbeguided。 Contentmywhes，havenofearatall; Ianswerfor’t，andtakethesinuponme。 （Elmirecoughsstilllouder。） Yourcoughverybad。 ELMIRE Yes，I’mintorture。 TARTUFFE Wouldyouacceptthbitoflicorice？ ELMIRE Thecaseobstinate，Ifind;andallThelicoriceintheworldwilldonogood。 TARTUFFE ’Tverytrying。 ELMIRE Morethanwordscansay。 TARTUFFE Inanycase，yourscruple’seasilyRemoved。Withmeyou’resureofsecrecy，Andthere’snoharmunlessathingknown。 Thepublicscandalwhatbringsoffence，Andsecretsinningnotsinatall。 ELMIRE（aftercoughingagain） Sothen，IseeImustresolvetoyield; Imustconsenttograntyoueverything，AndcannothopetogivefullsatfactionOrwinfullconfidence，atlessercost。 Nodoubt’tveryhardtocometoth; ’TquiteagainstmywillIgosofar; ButsinceImustbeforcedtoit，sincenothingThatcanbesaidsufficesforbelief，Sincemoreconvincingproofstilldemanded，Imustmakeupmymindtohumourpeople。 Ifmyconsentgivereasonforoffence，Somuchtheworseforhimwhoforcedmetoit; Thefaultcansurelynotbecountedmine。 TARTUFFE Itneednot，madam;andthethingitself ELMIRE Openthedoor，Iprayyou，andjustseeWhethermyhusband’snotthere，inthehall。 TARTUFFE Whytakesuchcareforhim？Betweenourselves，Heamantoleadroundbythenose。 He’scapableofgloryinginourmeetings; I’vefooledhimso，he’dseeall，anddenyit。 ELMIRE Nomatter;go，Ibegyou，lookabout，Andcarefullyexamineeverycorner。 SCENEVI ORGON，ELMIRE ORGON（crawlingoutfromunderthetable） That，Iown，amanabominable！ Ican’tgetoverit;thewholethingfloorsme。 ELMIRE What？Youcomeoutsosoon？Youcannotmeanit！ Getbackunderthetable;’tnottimeyet; Waittilltheend，tosee，andmakequitecertain，Anddon’tbelieveathingonmereconjecture。 ORGON Nothingmorewickede’ercameoutofHell。 ELMIRE Dearme！Don’tgoandcreditthingstoolightly。 No，letyourselfbethoroughlyconvinced; Don’tyieldtoosoon，forfearyou’llbemtaken。 （AsTartuffeenters，shemakesherhusbandstandbehindher。） SCENEVII TARTUFFE，ELMIRE，ORGON TARTUFFE（notseeingOrgon） Allthingsconspiretowardmysatfaction，Madam，I’vesearchedthewholeapartmentthrough。 There’snoonehere;andnowmyravhedsoul ORGON（stoppinghim） Softly！Youaretooeagerinyouramours; Youneedn’tbesopassionate。Ahha！ Myholyman！Youwanttoputitonme！ Howyoursoulabandonedtotemptation！ Marrymydaughter，eh？——andwantmywife，too？ Idoubtedlongenoughifthwasearnest，Expectingallthetimethetonewouldchange; Butnowtheproof’sbeencarriedfarenough; I’msatfied，andasknomore，formypart。 ELMIRE（toTartuffe） ’TwasquiteagainstmycharactertoplayThpart;butIwasforcedtotreatyouso。 TARTUFFE What？Youbelieve？ ORGON Come，now，noprotestations。 Getoutfromhere，andmakenofussaboutit。 TARTUFFE Butmyintent ORGON Thattalkoutofseason。 Youleavemyhousethinstant。 TARTUFFE You’retheoneToleaveit，youwhoplaythemasterhere！ Thhousebelongstome，I’llhaveyouknow，Andshowyouplainlyit’snousetoturnTotheselowtricks，topickaquarrelwithme，Andthatyoucan’tinsultmeatyourpleasure，ForIhavewherewithtoconfoundyourlies，AvengeoffendedHeaven，andcompelThosetorepentwhotalktomeofleaving。 SCENEVIII ELMIRE，ORGON ELMIRE Whatsortofspeechth？Whatcanitmean？ ORGON Myfaith，I’mdazed。Thnolaughingmatter。 ELMIRE What？ ORGON FromhwordsIseemygreatmtake; Thedeedofgiftonethingtroublesme。 ELMIRE Thedeedofgift ORGON Yes，thatpastrecall。 ButI’veanotherthingtomakemeanxious。 ELMIRE What’sthat？ ORGON Youshallknowall。Let’sseeatonceWhetheracertainboxstillupstairs。 ACTV SCENEI ORGON，CLEANTE CLEANTE Whitherawaysofast？ ORGON HowshouldIknow？ CLEANTE MethinksweshouldbeginbytakingcounselToseewhatcanbedonetomeetthecase。 ORGON I’mallworkedupaboutthatwretchedbox。 Morethanallelseitdrivesmetodespair。 CLEANTE Thatboxmusthidesomemightymystery？ ORGON Argas，myfriendwhointrouble，broughtitHimself，mostsecretly，andleftitwithme。 Hechoseme，inhexile，forthtrust; Andonthesedocuments，fromwhathesaid，Ijudgehlifeandpropertydepend。 CLEANTE Howcouldyoutrustthemtoanother’shands？ ORGON Byreasonofaconscientiousscruple。 Iwentstraighttomytraitor，toconfideInhim;hsophtrymademebelieveThatImustgivetheboxtohimtokeep，Sothat，incaseofsearch，ImightdenyMyhavingitatall，andstill，byfavourOfthevasion，keepmyconscienceclearEvenintakingoathagainstthetruth。 CLEANTE Yourcasebad，sofarasIcansee; Thdeedofgift，thtrustingofthesecretTohim，wereboth——tostatemyfrankopinion—— Stepsthatyoutooktoolightly;hecanleadyouToanylength，withtheseforhostages; Andsinceheholdsyouatsuchdadvantage，You’dbestillmoreimprudent，toprovokehim; Soyoumustgosomegentlerwayabout。 ORGON What！Canasoulsobase，aheartsofalse，Hideneaththesemblanceofsuchtouchingfervour？ Itookhimin，avagabond，abeggar！ ’Ttoomuch！Nomorepiousfolkforme！ Ishallabhorthemutterlyforever，Andhenceforthtreatthemworsethananydevil。 CLEANTE So！Thereyougoagain，quiteoffthehandle！ Innothingdoyoukeepaneventemper。 Youneverknowwhatreason，butalwaysJumpfirsttooneextreme，andthentheother。 Youseeyourerror，andyourecogneThatyou’vebeencozenedbyafeignedzeal; Buttomakeupfor’t，inthenameofreason，Whyshouldyouplungeintoaworsemtake，AndfindnodifferenceincharacterBetweenaworthlessscamp，andallgoodpeople？ What！JustbecausearascalboldlydupedyouWithpompousshowoffalseausterity，Mustyouneedshaveiteverybody’slikehim，Andnoone’strulypiousnowadays？ Leavesuchconclusionstomereinfidels; Dtinguhvirtuefromitscounterfeit，Don’tgiveesteemtooquickly，ataventure，Buttrytokeep，inth，thegoldenmean。 Ifyoucanhelpit，don’tupholdimposture; Butdonotrailattruedevoutness，either; Andifyoumustfallintooneextreme，Thenrathererragaintheotherway。 SCENEII DAM，ORGON，CLEANTE DAM What！father，canthescoundrelthreatenyou，Forgetthemanybenefitsreceived，AndinhbaseabominableprideMakeofyourveryfavoursarmsagainstyou？ ORGON Tootrue，myson。Ittorturesmetothinkon’t。 DAM Letmealone，I’llchophearsoffforhim。 Wemustdealroundlywithhinsolence; ’TImustfreeyoufromhimatablow; ’TI，tosetthingsright，muststrikehimdown。 CLEANTE Spokelikeatrueyoungman。Nowjustcalmdown，Andmoderateyourtoweringtantrums，willyou？ Weliveinsuchanage，withsuchaking，Thatviolencecannotadvanceourcause。 SCENEIII MADAMEPERNELLE，ORGON，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，DAM，DORINE MADAMEPERNELLE What’sth？Ihearoffearfulmysteries！ ORGON Strangethingsindeed，formyowneyestowitness; YouseehowI’mrequitedformykindness，Izealouslyreceiveawretchedbeggar，Ilodgehim，entertainhimlikemybrother，Loadhimwithbenefactionseveryday，Givehimmydaughter，givehimallmyfortune: Andhemeanwhile，thevillain，rascal，wretch，Trieswithblacktreasontosubornmywife，Andnotcontentwithsuchafouldesign，Hedarestomenacemewithmyownfavours，AndwouldmakeuseofthoseadvantagesWhichmytoofoolhkindnessarmedhimwith，Toruinme，totakemyfortunefromme，AndleavemeinthestateIsavedhimfrom。 DORINE Poorman！ MADAMEPERNELLE Myson，IcannotpossiblyBelievehecouldintendsoblackadeed。 ORGON What？ MADAMEPERNELLE Worthymenarestillthesportofenvy。 ORGON Mother，whatdoyoumeanbysuchaspeech？ MADAMEPERNELLE Therearestrangegoings—onaboutyourhouse，Andeverybodyknowsyourpeoplehatehim。 ORGON What’sthattodowithwhatItellyounow？ MADAMEPERNELLE Ialwayssaid，myson，whenyouwerelittle: Thatvirtueherebelowhatedever; Theenviousmaydie，butenvynever。 ORGON What’sthatfinespeechtodowithpresentfacts？ MADAMEPERNELLE Besure，they’veforgedahundredsillylies ORGON I’vetoldyouonce，Isawitallmyself。 MADAMEPERNELLE Forslanderersaboundincalumnies ORGON Mother，you’dmakemedamnmysoul。ItellyouIsawwithmyowneyeshshamelessness。 MADAMEPERNELLE Theirtonguesforspittingvenomneverlack，There’snothingherebelowthey’llnotattack。 ORGON Yourspeechhasnotasinglegrainofsense。 Isawit，harkee，sawit，withtheseeyesIsaw——d’yeknowwhatsawmeans？——mustIsayitAhundredtimes，anddinitinyourears？ MADAMEPERNELLE Mydear，appearancesareoftdeceiving，Andseeingshouldn’talwaysbebelieving。 ORGON I’llgomad。 MADAMEPERNELLE Falsesuspicionsmaydelude，Andgoodtoeviloftmconstrued。 ORGON MustIconstrueasChrtiancharityThewhtoksmywife！ MADAMEPERNELLE Youmust，atleast，Havejustfoundationforaccusingpeople，Andwaituntilyouseeathingforsure。 ORGON Thedevil！HowcouldIseeanysurer？ ShouldIhavewaitedtill，beforemyeyes，HeNo，you’llmakemesaythingsquiteimproper。 MADAMEPERNELLE Inshort，’tknowntoopureazealinflameshim; Andso，IcannotpossiblyconceiveThatheshouldtrytodowhat’schargedagainsthim。 ORGON Ifyouwerenotmymother，IshouldsaySuchthings！Iknownotwhat，I’msoenraged！ DORINE（toOrgon） Fortunehaspaidyoufair，tobesodoubted; Youfloutedourreport，nowyoursflouted。 CLEANTE We’rewastingtimehereinthemeresttrifling，WhichweshouldratheruseintakingmeasuresToguardourselvesagainstthescoundrel’sthreats。 DAM Youthinkhimpudencecouldgofar？ ELMIRE Forone，Ican’tbelieveitpossible; Why，hingratitudewouldbetoopatent。 CLEANTE Don’ttrusttothat;he’llfindabundantwarrantTogivegoodcolourtohactsagainstyou; Andforlesscausethanth，astrongcabalCanmakeone’slifealabyrinthoftroubles。 Itellyouonceagain:armedasheYounevershouldhavepushedhimquitesofar。 ORGON True;yetwhatcouldIdo？Therascal’sprideMademeloseallcontrolofmyresentment。 CLEANTE IwhwithallmyheartthatsomepretenceOfpeacecouldbepatchedupbetweenyoutwoELMIRE IfIhadknownwhatweaponshewasarmedwith，Inevershouldhaveraedsuchanalarm，Andmy ORGON（toDorine，seeingMr。Loyalcomein） Who’scomingnow？Goquick，findout。 I’minafinestatetoreceiveavit！ SCENEIV ORGON，MADAMEPERNELLE，ELMIRE，MARIANE，CLEANTE，DAM，DORINE，MR。 LOYAL MR。LOYAL（toDorine，atthebackofthestage） Goodday，goodster。Prayyou，letmeseeThemasterofthehouse。 DORINE He’soccupied; Ithinkhecanseenobodyatpresent。 MR。LOYAL I’mnotbywayofbeingunwelcomehere。 Mycomingcan，Ithink，nowedpleasehim; Myerrandwillbefoundtohadvantage。 DORINE Yourname，then？ MR。LOYAL TellhimsimplythathfriendMr。Tartuffehassentme，forhgoods DORINE（toOrgon） Itamanwhocomes，withcivilmanners，SentbyTartuffe，hesays，uponanerrandThatyou’llbepleasedwith。 CLEANTE（toOrgon） Surelyyoumustseehim，Andfindoutwhohe，andwhathewants。 ORGON（toCleante） Perhapshe’scometomakeitupbetweenus: HowshallItreathim？ CLEANTE Youmustnotgetangry; AndifhetalksofreconciliationAcceptit。 MR。LOYAL（toOrgon） Sir，good—day。AndHeavensendHarmtoyourenemies，favourtoyou。 ORGON（asidetoCleante） ThmildbeginningsuitswithmyconjecturesAndpromessomecompromealready。 MR。LOYAL Allofyourhousehaslongbeendeartome; Ihadthehonour，sir，toserveyourfather。 ORGON Sir，Iammuchashamed，andaskyourpardonFornotrecallingnowyourfaceorname。 MR。LOYAL MynameLoyal。I’mfromNormandy。 Myofficecourt—bailiff，indespiteOfenvy;andforfortyyears，thankHeaven，It’sbeenmyfortunetoperformthatofficeWithhonour。SoI’vecome，sir，byyourleaveTorenderserviceofacertainwrit ORGON What，youarehereto MR。LOYAL Pray，sir，don’tbeangry。 ’Tnothing，sir，butjustalittlesummons:—— Ordertovacate，youandyours，thhouse，Moveoutyourfurniture，makeroomforothers，Andthatwithoutdelayorputtingoff，Asneedsmustbe ORGON I？Leavethhouse？ MR。LOYAL Yes，please，sirThehousenow，asyouwellknow，ofcourse，Mr。Tartuffe’s。Andhe，beyonddpute，OfallyourgoodshenceforthlordandmasterByvirtueofacontracthereattached，Drawnindueform，andunassailable。 DAM（toMr。Loyal） Yourinsolencemonstrous，andastounding！ MR。LOYAL（toDam） Ihavenobusiness，sir，thattouchesyou; （PointingtoOrgon） Ththegentleman。He’sfairandcourteous，Andknowstoowellagentleman’sbehaviourTowhinanywetoquestionjustice。 ORGON But MR。LOYAL Sir，IknowyouwouldnotforamillionWhtorebel;likeagoodcitizenYou’llletmeputinforcethecourt’sdecree。 DAM Yourlongblackgownmaywell，beforeyouknowit，MterCourt—bailiff，getathoroughbeating。 MR。LOYAL（toOrgon） Sir，makeyoursonbesilentorwithdraw。 Ishouldbeloathtohavetosetthingsdown，Andseeyournamesinscribedinmyreport。 DORINE（aside） ThMr。Loyal’slooksaremostdloyal。 MR。LOYAL IhavemuchfeelingforrespectableAndhonestfolklikeyou，sir，andconsentedToservethesepapers，onlytoobligeyou，AndthuspreventthechoiceofanyotherWho，lesspossessedofzealforyouthanIamMightordermattersinlessgentlefashion。 ORGON AndhowcouldonedoworsethanorderpeopleOutoftheirhouse？ MR。LOYAL Why，weallowyoutime; Andevenwillsuspenduntilto—morrowTheexecutionoftheorder，sir。 I’llmerely，withoutscandal，quietly，Comehereandspendthenight，withhalfascoreOfofficers;andjustforform’ssake，please，You’llbringyourkeystome，beforeretiring。 Iwilltakecarenottodturbyourrest，Andseethere’snounseemlyconducthere。 Butbyto—morrow，andatearlymorning，Youmustmakehastetomoveyourleastbelongings; Mymenwillhelpyou——IhavechosenstrongonesToserveyou，sir，inclearingoutthehouse。 Noonecouldactmoregenerously，Ifancy，And，sinceI’mtreatingyouwithgreatindulgence，Ibegyou’lldoaswellbyme，andseeI’mnotdturbedinmydchargeofduty。 ORGON I’dgivethveryminute，andnotgrudgeit，ThehundredbestgoldlouIhaveleft，IfIcouldjustindulgemyself，andlandMyft，foronegoodsquareone，onhsnout。 CLEANTE（asidetoOrgon） Careful！——don’tmakethingsworse。 DAM Suchinsolence！ Ihardlycanrestrainmyself。MyhandsAreitchingtobeathim。 DORINE Bymyfaith，Withsuchafinebroadback，goodMr。Loyal，Alittlebeatingwouldbecomeyouwell。 MR。LOYAL Mygirl，suchinfamouswordsareactionable。 Andwarrantscanbesuedagainstwomen。 CLEANTE（toMr。Loyal） Enoughofthdcussion，sir;havedone。 Giveusthepaper，andthenleaveus，pray。 MR。LOYAL Then/aurevoir/。Heavenkeepyoufromdaster！ ORGON MayHeavenconfoundyouboth，youandyourmaster！ SCENEV ORGON，MADAMEPERNELLE，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，DAM，DORINE ORGON Well，mother，amIrightoramInot？ Thwritmayhelpyounowtojudgethematter。 Ordon’tyouseehtreasonevenyet？ MADAMEPERNELLE I’mallamazed，befuddled，andbeflustered！ DORINE（toOrgon） Youarequitewrong，youhavenorighttoblamehim; Thactiononlyproveshgoodintentions。 Loveforhneighbourmakeshvirtueperfect; Andknowingmoneyarootofevil，InChrtiancharity，he’dtakeawayWhateverthingsmayhinderyoursalvation。 ORGON Bestill。Youalwaysneedtohavethattoldyou。 CLEANTE（toOrgon） Come，letusseewhatcourseyouaretofollow。 ELMIRE Goandexposehboldingratitude。 Suchactionmustinvalidatethecontract; HperfidymustnowappeartooblackTobringhimthesuccessthatheexpects。 SCENEVI VALERE，ORGON，MADAMEPERNELLE，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，DAM，DORINE VALERE ’Twithregret，sir，thatIbringbadnews; Buturgentdangerforcesmetodoso。 Acloseandintimatefriendofmine，whoknowsTheinterestItakeinwhatconcernsyou，Hasgonesofar，formysake，astobreakThesecrecythat’sduetostateaffairs，Andsentmewordbutnow，thatleavesyouonlyTheoneexpedientofsuddenflight。 Thevillainwhosolongimposeduponyou，Foundmeans，anhourago，toseetheprince，Andtoaccuseyou（amongotherthings） Byputtinginhhandstheprivatestrong—boxOfastate—criminal，whoseguiltysecret，You，failinginyourdutyasasubject，（Hesays）havekept。IknownomoreofitSavethatawarrant’sdrawnagainstyou，sir，Andforthegreatersurety，thatsamerascalComeswiththeofficerwhomustarrestyou。 CLEANTE Hrightsarearmed;andthhowthescoundrelSeekstosecurethepropertyheclaims。 ORGON Manawickedanimal，I’llownit！ VALERE Theleastdelaymaystillbefatal，sir。 Ihavemycarriage，andathousandlou，Providedforyourjourney，atthedoor。 Let’slosenotime;theboltswifttostrike，Andsuchasonlyflightcansaveyoufrom。 I’llbeyourguidetoseekaplaceofsafety，Andstaywithyouuntilyoureachit，sir。 ORGON HowmuchIowetoyourobligingcare！ Anothertimemustservetothankyoufitly; AndIprayHeaventograntmesomuchfavourThatImaysomedayrecompenseyourservice。 Good—bye;seetoit，allofyou CLEANTE Comehurry; We’llseetoeverythingthat’sneedful，brother。 SCENEVII TARTUFFE，ANOFFICER，MADAMEPERNELLE，ORGON，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，VALERE，DAM，DORINE TARTUFFE（stoppingOrgon） Softly，sir，softly;donotrunsofast; Youhaven’tfartogotofindyourlodging; Byorderoftheprince，weherearrestyou。 ORGON Traitor！Yousavedthworststrokeforthelast; Thcrownsyourperfidies，andruinsme。 TARTUFFE Ishallnotbeembitteredbyyourinsults，ForHeavenhastaughtmetoendureallthings。 CLEANTE Yourmoderation，Imustown，great。 DAM HowshamelesslythewretchmakesboldwithHeaven！ TARTUFFE Yourravingscannotmoveme;allmythoughtbuttodomyduty。 MARIANE YoumustclaimGreatgloryfromthhonourableact。 TARTUFFE Theactcannotbeaughtbuthonourable，Comingfromthathighpowerwhichsendsmehere。 ORGON Ungratefulwretch，doyouforget’twasI Thatrescuedyoufromuttermery？ TARTUFFE I’venotforgotsomehelpyoumayhavegiven; Butmyfirstdutynowtowardmyprince。 ThehigherpowerofthatmostsacredclaimMuststifleinmyheartallgratitude; AndtosuchpusanttiesI’dsacrificeMyfriend，mywife，mykindred，andmyself。 ELMIRE Thehypocrite！ DORINE HowwellheknowsthetrickOfcloakinghimwithwhatwemostrevere！ CLEANTE Butifthemotivethatyoumakeparadeofperfectasyousay，whyshoulditwaitToshowitself，untilthedayhecaughtyouSolicitinghwife？HowhappensitYouhavenotthoughttogoinformagainsthimUntilhhonourforceshimtodriveyouOutofhhouse？AndthoughIneednotmentionThathe’djustgivenyouhwholeestate，Still，ifyoumeanttotreathimnowasguilty，Howcouldyouthenconsenttotakehgift？ TARTUFFE（totheOfficer） Pray，sir，delivermefromallthclamour; Begoodenoughtocarryoutyourorder。 THEOFFICER Yes，I’vetoolongdelayeditsexecution; ’Tveryfittingyoushouldurgemetoit; Sotherefore，youmustfollowmeatonceTopron，whereyou’llfindyourlodgingready。 TARTUFFE Who？I，sir？ THEOFFICER You。 TARTUFFE Bywhytopron？ THEOFFICER YouArenottheonetowhomIoweaccount。 You，sir（toOrgon），recoverfromyourhotalarm。 Ourprincenotafriendtodoubledealing，Heyescanreadmen’sinmosthearts，andallTheartofhypocritescannotdeceivehim。 Hsharpdcernmentseesthingsclearandtrue; Hmindcannottooeasilybeswayed，Forreasonalwaysholdsthebalanceeven。 Hehonoursandexaltstruepiety，Butknowsthefalse，andviewsitwithdgust。 Thfellowwasbynomeansapttofoolhim，Farsubtlersnareshavefailedagainsthwdom，AndhquickinsightpiercedimmediatelyThehiddenbasenessofthtortuousheart。 Accusingyou，theknavebetrayedhimself，AndbytruerecompenseofHeaven’sjusticeHestoodrevealedbeforeourmonarch’seyesAscoundrelknownbeforebyothernames，Whosehorridcrimes，detailedatlength，mightfillAlong—drawnhtoryofmanyvolumes。 Ourmonarch——toresolveyouinaword—— Detestinghingratitudeandbaseness，Addedthhorrortohothercrimes，AndsentmehitherunderhdirectionToseehinsolenceout—topitself，Andforcehimthentogiveyousatfaction。 Yourpapers，whichthetraitorsaysareh，Iamtotakefromhim，andgiveyouback; ThedeedofgifttransferringyourestateOurmonarch’ssovereignwillmakesnullandvoid; AndforthesecretpersonaloffenceYourfriendinvolvedyouin，hepardonsyou: Thusherewardsyourrecentzeal，dplayedInhelpingtomaintainhrights，andshowsHowwellhheart，whenitleastexpected，Knowshowtorecompenseanobledeed，Andwillnotlettruemeritmsitsdue，Rememberingalwaysrathergoodthanevil。 DORINE NowHeavenbepraed！ MADAMEPERNELLE AtlastIbreatheagain。 ELMIRE Ahappyoutcome！ MARIANE Who’dhavedaredtohopeit？ ORGON（toTartuffe，whobeingledbytheofficer） Theretraitor！Nowyou’re SCENEVIII MADAMEPERNELLE，ORGON，ELMIRE，MARIANE，CLEANTE，VALERE，DAM，DORINE CLEANTE Brother，hold！——anddon’tDescendtosuchindignities，Ibegyou。 Leavethepoorwretchtohunhappyfate，Andletremorseoppresshim，butnotyou。 HoperatherthathheartmaynowreturnTovirtue，hatehvice，reformhways，Andwinthepardonofourgloriousprince; Whileyoumuststraightwaygo，andonyourkneesRepaywiththankshnoblegenerouskindness。 ORGON Wellsaid！We’llgo，andathfeetkneeldown，Withjoytothankhimforhgoodnessshown; Andthfirstdutydone，withhonoursdue，We’llthenattenduponanother，too。 WithweddedhappinessrewardValere，Andcrownalovernobleandsincere。