out 63 years of age, Sganarelle wished to
marry Dorim[`e]ne (3 _syl._), daughter of Alcantor, a girl fond of dances,
parties of pleasure, and all the active enjoyments of young life.
Feeling some doubts about the wisdom of this step, he first consults a
friend, who dissuades him, but, seeing the advice is rejected, replies
"Do as you like." He next consults two philosophers, but they are so
absorbed in their philosophy, that they pay no attention to him. He then
asks the gypsies, who take his money and decamp with a dance. At length,
he overhears Dorim[`e]ne telling a young lover that she only marries the
old dotard for his money, and that he cannot live above a few months; so
he makes up his mind to decline the marriage. The father of the lady
places the matter in his son's hands, and the young fire-eater, armed
with two swords, goes at once to the old _fianc['e]_, and begs him to
choose one. When Sganarelle declines to fight, the young man beats him
soundly, and again bids him choose a sword. After two or three good
beatings, Sganarelle consents to the marriage "forc['e]."--Moli[`e]re, _Le
Mariage Forc['e]_ (1664).

Moli[`e]re wrote _Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire_ (_q.v._) as a
supplement to this comedy.

[Asterism] This joke about marrying is borrowed from Rabelais,
_Pantagruel_, iii. 35, etc. Panurge asks Trouillogan whether he would
advise him to marry. The sage says "No." "But I wish to do so," says the
prince. "Then do so, by all means," says the sage. "Which, then, would
you advise?" asks Panurge. "Neither," says Trouillogan. "But," says
Panurge, "that is not possible." "Then both," says the sage. After this,
Panurge consults many others on the subject, and lastly the oracle of
the Holy Bottle.

The plot of Moli[`e]re's comedy is founded on an adventure recorded of the
count of Grammont (_q.v._). The count had promised marriage to la belle
Hamilton, but deserted her, and tried to get to France. Being overtaken
by the two brothers of the lady, they clapped their hands on their
swords, and demanded if the count had not forgotten something or left
something behind. "True," said the count; "I have forgotten to marry
your sister;" and returned with the two brothers to repair this
oversight.

_Sganarelle_, father of Lucinde. Anxious about his daughter because she
has lost her vivacity and appetite, he sends for four physicians, who
retire to consult upon the case, but talk only on indifferent topics.
When Sgan