Part 19 (1/2)

ORGON Be still. You always need to have that told you.

CLEANTE (to Orgon) Come, let us see what course you are to follow.

ELMIRE Go and expose his bold ingrat.i.tude.

Such action must invalidate the contract; His perfidy must now appear too black To bring him the success that he expects.

SCENE VI

VALERE, ORGON, MADAME PERNELLE, ELMIRE, CLEANTE, MARIANE, DAMIS, DORINE

VALERE 'Tis with regret, sir, that I bring bad news; But urgent danger forces me to do so.

A close and intimate friend of mine, who knows The interest I take in what concerns you, Has gone so far, for my sake, as to break The secrecy that's due to state affairs, And sent me word but now, that leaves you only The one expedient of sudden flight.

The villain who so long imposed upon you, Found means, an hour ago, to see the prince, And to accuse you (among other things) By putting in his hands the private strong-box Of a state-criminal, whose guilty secret, You, failing in your duty as a subject, (He says) have kept. I know no more of it Save that a warrant's drawn against you, sir, And for the greater surety, that same rascal Comes with the officer who must arrest you.

CLEANTE His rights are armed; and this is how the scoundrel Seeks to secure the property he claims.

ORGON Man is a wicked animal, I'll own it!

VALERE The least delay may still be fatal, sir.

I have my carriage, and a thousand louis, Provided for your journey, at the door.

Let's lose no time; the bolt is swift to strike, And such as only flight can save you from.

I'll be your guide to seek a place of safety, And stay with you until you reach it, sir.

ORGON How much I owe to your obliging care!

Another time must serve to thank you fitly; And I pray Heaven to grant me so much favour That I may some day recompense your service.

Good-bye; see to it, all of you ...

CLEANTE Come hurry; We'll see to everything that's needful, brother.

SCENE VII

TARTUFFE, AN OFFICER, MADAME PERNELLE, ORGON, ELMIRE, CLEANTE, MARIANE, VALERE, DAMIS, DORINE

TARTUFFE (stopping Orgon) Softly, sir, softly; do not run so fast; You haven't far to go to find your lodging; By order of the prince, we here arrest you.

ORGON Traitor! You saved this worst stroke for the last; This crowns your perfidies, and ruins me.

TARTUFFE I shall not be embittered by your insults, For Heaven has taught me to endure all things.

CLEANTE Your moderation, I must own, is great.

DAMIS How shamelessly the wretch makes bold with Heaven!

TARTUFFE Your ravings cannot move me; all my thought Is but to do my duty.

MARIANE You must claim Great glory from this honourable act.