Chapter 15

Orgon, Damis, Tartuffe

Orgon. What do I hear? Good God! Is it credible? Tartuffe. Yes, brother, I'm wicked and culpable, A sorry sinner, full of iniquity, As great a wretch as there ever could be. My entire life has been soiled with evil; It's nothing but a mass of sinful upheaval. And I see that God has, for my punishment, Chosen to mortify me with this event. Let them connect any crime with my name; I waive all defense and take all the blame. Believe what they tell you, stoke up your wrath, And drive me like a felon from your path. The shame that I bear cannot be too great, For I know I deserve a much worse fate. Orgon [to his son]. Traitor! Do you dare, by your duplicity, To taint both his virtue and purity? Damis. What? Can the false meekness of this hypocrite Cause you to belie . . . Orgon. Shut up, you misfit. Tartuffe. Oh, let him go on. You are wrong to scold, And you'd be wise to believe the story he's told. In light of his claims, why should you favor me? What do you know of my culpability? Why put your faith in my exterior? Why should you think that I'm superior? No, no, appearances are fooling you, I am the kind of man you should eschew. The whole world thinks that I have earned God's blessing, But the plain truth is . . . that I'm worth nothing. [Addressing Damis] Yes, my dear son, speak. And don't merely chide. Accuse me of treason, theft, and homicide. Call me every foul name you can recall. I deny nothing. I merit it all. And I beg on my knees to bear this chagrin As the shameful result of my life of sin. Orgon [To Tartuffe]. That's too much, brother. [To his son] Why can't you let go, Scoundrel? Damis. What! Have his words seduced you so . . . Orgon Keep quiet, you bum! [To Tartuffe]. Brother, please arise. [To his son]. Shame! Damis. He can . . . Orgon. Silence! Damis. Damn! Do you surmise . . . Orgon. If you say one word, I will break your arm. Tartuffe. In the name of God, brother, do no harm. I would rather face a ravening beast Than that your dear son should be harmed in the least. Orgon [to his son]. Ingrate! Tartuffe. Leave him in peace. On my two knees I beg you to give him your grace . . . Orgon [throwing himself to his knees and embracing Tartuffe]. Don't! Please! [To his son] Wretch, see his goodness. Damis. Then . . . Orgon. Shhh! Damis. I . . . Orgon. Cease, I say. I'm aware of your motive in this foray: You all hate him, and now I see how my wife, Children, and maid conspire against his life. You impudently try every trick you can To alienate me from this holy man, But the harder you try to drive him away, The harder I'll try to get him to stay. And I'll hasten his marriage to Mariane To demolish the pride of this whole clan. Damis. So you will force her to marry this fellow? Orgon. Yes, this very night, to see you bellow. I defy you all, and stand here to say I am the master and you must obey. Come now. Retract your words, oh foul pollution! Throw yourself down and demand absolution. Damis. Who, me? Of that villain, by whose pretense . . . Orgon. So you refuse, you scum, and your impertinence Persists? [To Tartuffe] A stick! A staff! Don't hold me back. [To his son] Get out of my house and don't even pack, And never again let me see your face. Damis. Yes, I will go, but . . . Orgon. Quickly! Leave this place. I am cutting you off and what is worse I am leaving you with my heart-felt curse.