E-text prepared by Delphine Lettau and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC. by MOLIÈRE Translated into English Prose. With Short Introductions and Explanatory Notes. by CHARLES HERON WALL 'Monsieur de Pourceaugnac', acted on October 6, 1669, is nothing but a farce. But Molière excels in farce as well as in higher comedy, and 'Monsieur de Pourceaugnac' is one of the best of its kind. The attacks upon the doctors of the time are not exaggerated. Molière acted the part of Mr. de Pourceaugnac. PERSONS REPRESENTED. MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC. ORONTE, _father to_ JULIA. ÉRASTE, _lover to_ JULIA. SBRIGANI, _a Neapolitan adventurer_. FIRST PHYSICIAN. SECOND PHYSICIAN. AN APOTHECARY. A PEASANT. A FEMALE PEASANT. FIRST SWISS. SECOND SWISS. A POLICE OFFICER. TWO INFERIOR POLICE OFFICERS. JULIA, _daughter to_ ORONTE. NÉRINE, _an intriguing woman, supposed to come from Picardy._ LUCETTE, _supposed to come from Gascony._ The scene is in Paris. MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC. ACT I. SCENE I.--ÉRASTE, A LADY SINGER, TWO MEN SINGERS, _several others performing on instruments_, DANCERS. ERA. (_to the_ MUSICIANS _and_ DANCERS). Carry out the orders I have given you for the serenade. As for myself, I will withdraw, for I do not wish to be seen here. SCENE II.--A LADY SINGER, TWO MEN SINGERS, _several others performing on instruments_, DANCERS. LADY (_sings_). Spread, charming night, spread over every brow The subtle scent of thy narcotic flower, And let no wakeful hearts keep vigil now Save those enthralled by love's resistless power. More beautiful than day's most beauteous light, Thy silent shades were made for love's delight. FIRST SINGER. Love is sweet when none our wills oppose; Then peaceful tastes our gentle hearts dispose; But tyrants reign, who gave us birth and life. Ah! love is sweet when love is free from strife. SECOND SINGER. All who strive 'gainst love must fall; Perfect love will conquer all. ALL THREE. Let us love with an eternal ardour! Let parents frown, and try in vain to cure, Absence, hardship, or cruel fortune's rigour Will only strengthen love when true and pure. _First entry of the_ BALLET. (_Dance of the two_ DANCING MASTERS.) _Second entry of the_ BALLET. (_Dance of the two_ PAGES.) _Third entry of the_ BALLET. (_Four_ SPECTATORS, _who quarrelled during the dance, now dance, sword in hand, fighting all the while._) _Fourth entry of the_ BALLET. (_Two_ SOLDIERS _separate the combatants, and dance with them._) SCENE III.--JULIA, ÉRASTE, NÉRINE. JUL. Oh dear, Éraste! take care that we are not discovered. I am so afraid of being seen with you; all would be lost after the command I have received to the contrary. ERA. I see nobody about. JUL. (_to_ NÉRINE). Just keep watch, Nérine, and be careful that nobody comes.