Part 6 (2/2)

Mister Tartuffe! Oh ho! No mean proposal!

Mister Tartuffe, sure, take it all in all, Is not a man to sneeze at--oh, by no means!

'Tis no small luck to be his happy spouse.

The whole world joins to sing his praise already; He's n.o.ble--in his parish; handsome too; Red ears and high complexion--oh, my lud!

You'll be too happy, sure, with him for husband.

MARIANE Oh dear! ...

DORINE What joy and pride will fill your heart To be the bride of such a handsome fellow!

MARIANE Oh, stop, I beg you; try to find some way To help break off the match. I quite give in, I'm ready to do anything you say.

DORINE No, no, a daughter must obey her father, Though he should want to make her wed a monkey.

Besides, your fate is fine. What could be better!

You'll take the stage-coach to his little village, And find it full of uncles and of cousins, Whose conversation will delight you. Then You'll be presented in their best society.

You'll even go to call, by way of welcome, On Mrs. Bailiff, Mrs. Tax-Collector, Who'll patronise you with a folding-stool.

There, once a year, at carnival, you'll have Perhaps--a ball; with orchestra--two bag-pipes; And sometimes a trained ape, and Punch and Judy; Though if your husband ...

MARIANE Oh, you'll kill me. Please Contrive to help me out with your advice.

DORINE I thank you kindly.

MARIANE Oh! Dorine, I beg you ...

DORINE To serve you right, this marriage must go through.

MARIANE Dear girl!

DORINE No.

MARIANE If I say I love Valere ...

DORINE No, no. Tartuffe's your man, and you shall taste him.

MARIANE You know I've always trusted you; now help me ...

DORINE No, you shall be, my faith! Tartuffified.

MARIANE Well, then, since you've no pity for my fate Let me take counsel only of despair; It will advise and help and give me courage; There's one sure cure, I know, for all my troubles.

(She starts to go.)

DORINE There, there! Come back. I can't be angry long.

I must take pity on you, after all.

MARIANE Oh, don't you see, Dorine, if I must bear This martyrdom, I certainly shall die.

DORINE Now don't you fret. We'll surely find some way.

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