Classic French Course in EnglishWilkinson, William Cleaver
History
Classic French Course in English
Wilkinson, William Cleaver
French literature -- History and criticism
CLÉ. Don't show any resentment, and, if he speaks of an agreement,
listen to him.
LOY. (to ORGON). Your servant, sir! May heaven punish whoever
wrongs you! and may it be as favorable to you, sir, as I wish!
ORG. (_aside to_ CLÉANTE). This pleasant beginning agrees with my
conjectures, and argues some sort of reconciliation.
LOY. All your family was always dear to me, and I served your
father.
ORG. Sir, I am sorry and ashamed to say that I do not know who you
are, neither do I remember your name.
LOY. My name is Loyal; I was born in Normandy, and am a royal
bailiff in spite of envy. For the last forty years I have had the
good fortune to fill the office, thanks to Heaven, with great
credit; and I come, sir, with your leave, to serve you the writ of
a certain order.
ORG. What! you are here--
LOY. Gently, sir, I beg. It is merely a summons,--a notice for you
to leave this place, you and yours; to take away all your goods and
chattels, and make room for others, without delay or adjournment,
as hereby decreed.
ORG. I! leave this place?
LOY. Yes, sir; if you please. The house incontestably belongs, as
you are well aware, to the good Mr. Tartuffe. He is now lord and
master of your estates, according to a deed I have in my keeping.
It is in due form, and cannot be challenged.
DAMIS (_to_ MR. LOYAL). This great impudence is, indeed, worthy of
all admiration.
LOY. (_to_ DAMIS). Sir, I have nothing at all to do with you.
(_Pointing to_ ORGON.) My business is with this gentleman. He is
tractable and gentle, and knows too well the duty of a gentleman to
try to oppose authority.
ORG. But--
LOY. Yes, sir: I know that you would not, for any thing, show
contumacy; and that you will allow me, like a reasonable man, to
execute the orders I have received....
The scene gives in conclusion some spirited by-play of asides and
interruptions from indignant members of the family. Then follows scene
fifth, one exchange of conversation from which will sufficiently
indicate the progress of the plot:--
ORG. Well, mother, you see whether I am right; and you can judge of
the rest by the writ. Do you at last acknowledge his rascality?
PER. I am thunderstruck, and can scarcely believe my eyes and ears.
The next scene introduces Valère, the noble lover of that daughter whom
the infatuated father was bent on sacrificing to Tartuffe. Valère comes
to announce that Tartuffe, the villain, has accused Orgon to the king.
Orgon must fly. Valère offers him his own carriage and money,--will, in
fact, himself keep him company till he reaches a place of safety. As
Orgon, taking hasty leave of his family, turns to go, he is encountered
by--the following scene will show whom:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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