Chapter 19

Orgon, Elmire, Mariane, Cleante, Dorine

Orgon. Ah! I'm pleased to see you all assembled. [To Mariane] This contract here should make you very gay; I'm sure you know what I'm about to say. Mariane [kneeling]. In the name of God, who knows how I hurt, And of everything which might move your heart, Forgo, for now, the rights of paternity And release me from my vow of docility. Do not reduce me by some brutal rule To asking God why you've grown so cruel. And this life, alas, that you gave to me-- Do not make it a life of misery. If, contrary to all my sweet hopes of Joy, you forbid me to wed the man I love, Hear me at least--on my knees I implore You not to give me to a man I abhor, And don't push me past the point of despair By using your full force in this affair. Orgon [to himself, sensing himself weakening]. Be firm. This is no time for humanity! Mariane. Your fondness for him doesn't bother me. Indulge it, and if it's not enough to consign Your whole estate to him--then give him mine! I freely consent and will sign on demand, But please, please, do not offer him my hand, And allow me to live in a convent where I May count the sad days till God lets me die. Orgon. Young girls always play such religious pranks When their fathers hobble their lusty flanks! Get up! The harder you have to work to bear it, The greater the virtue and the merit. Let this marriage mortify your senses And quit bothering me with your meek defenses. Dorine. But . . . Orgon. Keep quiet, and stay out of this matter. I completely forbid you to add to the chatter. Cleante. If you will allow me to offer some advice . . . Orgon. Brother, your advice is worth any price: It is thoughtful and I truly respect it, But I hope you don't mind if I reject it. Elmire [to her husband]. What can I think about what you're saying Except that your blindness is quite dismaying! You must be besotted and led astray To refuse to believe what has happened today. Orgon. My dear, I only call 'em as I see 'em. You favor my son, that worthless young bum, And I think that you are afraid to condemn His dirty trick on this most saintly of men. You are, in fact, too calm to be believed; You ought to have seemed a bit more aggrieved. Elmire. When a love-sick man makes a foolish mistake Must we take up arms as if honor's at stake? And should we always respond to small slips With fire in our eyes and abuse on our lips? For myself, I laugh at these signs of lust; It doesn't please me at all to grow nonplussed. I seek wisdom tempered with charity, And I'm not one of those prudes whose asperity Is such that they fight for virtue tooth and nail, And scratch a man's eyes out for being male. Heaven preserve me from that kind of virtue! I am an honest wife, but not a shrew, And I believe that a calm, icy glance Is quite enough to rebuff an advance. Orgon. I know what I know and I won't change my mind. Elmire. I'm again amazed that you could be so blind. But would you keep that incredulity If I made you see that we have spoken truly? Orgon. See? Elmire. Yes. Orgon. Fantasy! Elmire. But if I found a way To make you see it all in light of day? Orgon. Fairy tales! Elmire. What a man! At least reply. I don't ask you to believe me, but I Do wonder what you will say of your good man If I bring you to a place where you can Clearly see and hear these things? What then? Orgon. In that case I would say . . . nothing again, For it cannot be. Elmire. You've been blind too long, And in calling me a liar, you're wrong! So for your pleasure, but with modesty, I'll make you witness my veracity. Orgon. Good. I take you at your word. Now let's see How in the world you will prove this to me. Elmire [to Dorine]. Bid him come to me. Dorine [to Elmire]. He's a crafty one And perhaps he won't easily be undone. Elmire [to Dorine]. No, we're easily duped by our affection, And vanity aids in our misdirection. [Speaking to Cleante and Mariane] Send him down here to me. And you can go.