Part 47 (1/2)

”The Cid” is good!

VILLAC

I tell you it is bad!

Your ”Cid”--why Scudery can crush it with A touch! Look at the style! It deals with things Extraordinary; has a vulgar tone; Describes things plainly by their coainst the law!

”The Cid” has not the right to wed Chimene!

Now have you read Pyramus, Bradamante?

When Corneille writes such tragedies, I'll read!

ROCHEBARON (_to Montpesat_)

”The Great and Last Soliedy!

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 co his shoulders_)

Good!

VILLAC

Then the gentlens to create!

Create! Faith! after Garnier, Theophile, And Hardy! Oh, the coxcomb! To create!

An easy thing! As if the fa

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 soood style

Gasse