Part 13 (2/2)

No!--let us always do as Heaven commands, And not perplex our brains with further questions.

TARTUFFE Already I have told you I forgive him; And that is doing, sir, as Heaven commands.

But after this day's scandal and affront Heaven does not order me to live with him.

CLEANTE And does it order you to lend your ear To what mere whim suggested to his father, And to accept gift of his estates, On which, in justice, you can make no claim?

TARTUFFE No one who knows me, sir, can have the thought That I am acting from a selfish motive.

The goods of this world have no charms for me; I am not dazzled by their treacherous glamour; And if I bring myself to take the gift Which he insists on giving me, I do so, To tell the truth, only because I fear This whole estate may fall into bad hands, And those to whom it comes may use it ill And not employ it, as is my design, For Heaven's glory and my neighbours' good.

CLEANTE Eh, sir, give up these conscientious scruples That well may cause a rightful heir's complaints.

Don't take so much upon yourself, but let him Possess what's his, at his own risk and peril; Consider, it were better he misused it, Than you should be accused of robbing him.

I am astounded that unblus.h.i.+ngly You could allow such offers to be made!

Tell me--has true religion any maxim That teaches us to rob the lawful heir?

If Heaven has made it quite impossible Damis and you should live together here, Were it not better you should quietly And honourably withdraw, than let the son Be driven out for your sake, dead against All reason? 'Twould be giving, sir, believe me, Such an example of your probity ...

TARTUFFE Sir, it is half-past three; certain devotions Recall me to my closet; you'll forgive me For leaving you so soon.

CLEANTE (alone) Ah!

SCENE II

ELMIRE, MARIANE, CLEANTE, DORINE

DORINE (to Cleante) Sir, we beg you To help us all you can in her behalf; She's suffering almost more than heart can bear; This match her father means to make to-night Drives her each moment to despair. He's coming.

Let us unite our efforts now, we beg you, And try by strength or skill to change his purpose.

SCENE III

ORGON, ELMIRE, MARIANE, CLEANTE, DORINE

ORGON So ho! I'm glad to find you all together.

(To Mariane) Here is the contract that shall make you happy, My dear. You know already what it means.

MARIANE (on her knees before Orgon) Father, I beg you, in the name of Heaven That knows my grief, and by whate'er can move you, Relax a little your paternal rights, And free my love from this obedience!

Oh, do not make me, by your harsh command, Complain to Heaven you ever were my father; Do not make wretched this poor life you gave me.

If, crossing that fond hope which I had formed, You'll not permit me to belong to one Whom I have dared to love, at least, I beg you Upon my knees, oh, save me from the torment Of being possessed by one whom I abhor!

And do not drive me to some desperate act By exercising all your rights upon me.

ORGON (a little touched) Come, come, my heart, be firm! no human weakness!

MARIANE I am not jealous of your love for him; Display it freely; give him your estate, And if that's not enough, add all of mine; I willingly agree, and give it up, If only you'll not give him me, your daughter; Oh, rather let a convent's rigid rule Wear out the wretched days that Heaven allots me.

ORGON These girls are ninnies!--always turning nuns When fathers thwart their silly love-affairs.

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