Won't you believe Saverny when He says he saw her, hidden somewhere with A lover, and this lover saved his life When thieves attacked him in the street at night?-- Good thieves, who took his purse for charity, And just desired his watch to know the time. GASSÉ. You tell me wonders! ROCHEBARON (_to Brichanteau_). Are you sure of it? BRICHANTEAU. As sure as that I have six silver bezants Upon a field of azure. Saverny Has no desire, at present, but to find This man. BOUCHAVANNES. He ought to find him at her house. BRICHANTEAU. She's changed her name and lodging, and all trace Of her is lost. [_Marion and Didier cross the back of the stage slowly without being noticed by the talkers; they enter a small door in one of the houses on the side._ GASSÉ. To have to come to Blois To find our Marion, a provincial! [_Enter Count de Villac and Chevalier de Montpesat, disputing loudly._ VILLAC. No! I tell you no! MONTPESAT. And I--I tell you, yes! VILLAC. Corneille is bad! MONTPESAT. To treat Corneille like that-- The author of "The Cid" and of "Melite." VILLAC. "Melite"? Well, I will grant you that is good; But he degenerated after that, As they all do. I'll do the best I can To satisfy you: talk about "Melite," "The Gallery of the Palace," but "The Cid!" What is it, pray? GASSÉ (_to Montpesat_). You are conservative. MONTPESAT. "The Cid" is good! VILLAC. I tell you it is bad! Your "Cid"--why Scudéry can crush it with A touch! Look at the style! It deals with things Extraordinary; has a vulgar tone; Describes things plainly by their common names; Besides, it is obscene, against the law! "The Cid" has not the right to wed Chimène! Now have you read Pyramus, Bradamante? When Corneille writes such tragedies, I'll read! ROCHEBARON (_to Montpesat_). "The Great and Last Soliman" of Mairet, You must read that: that is fine tragedy! But for your "Cid." VILLAC. What self-conceit he has! Does he not think he equals Boisrobert, Mairet, Gombault, Serisay, Chapelain, Bautru, Desmarets, Malleville, Faret, Cherisy, Gomberville, Colletet, Giry, Duryer--indeed, all the Academy? BRICHANTEAU (_laughing compassionately and shrugging his shoulders_). Good! VILLAC. Then the gentleman deigns to create! Create! Faith! after Garnier, Theophile, And Hardy! Oh, the coxcomb! To create! An easy thing! As if the famous minds Had left behind them any unused thing. On that point Chapelain rebukes him well! ROCHEBARON. Corneille's a peasant! BOUCHAVANNES. Yet, Monsieur Godeau, Bishop of Grasse, says he's a man of wit. MONTPESAT. Much wit! VILLAC. If he would write some other way-- Would follow Aristotle and good style. GASSÉ.