tten
By rejecting Tartuffe like one who's love-smitten?
Am I, because of Valere's strength and beauty,
To renounce my modesty and duty?
And would you have me show my heart to all . . . ?
Dorine. No, no, not at all. I'm wrong to forestall
Your marriage to Tartuffe, and my defiance
Is apparent in barring that alliance.
What reason have I for my outrageous
Attempt to stop something so advantageous?
Tartuffe! Oh! Isn't he something to behold?
Surely Tartuffe is not made from such a mold,
If rightly viewed, as to make a person laugh;
'Twould be an honor to be his better half.
The whole world already crowns him with glory;--
Both in physique and character he's laudatory;
He has red ears and a florid, flushing face
With him for a mate you'd live in joyful grace.
Mariane. Dear God!
Dorine. What delight you will feel within
To know that you're wed to a man like him.
Mariane. Oh! Please stop talking, and show me the way
To avoid this marriage. I will obey,
You've said enough, and I'm ready to be led.
Dorine. No. A good daughter must obey her dad--
Even if he wishes her to make love
To an ape. What are you complaining of?
You will proceed to his little villa
Where you will get your absolute fill of
Uncles and cousins to be entertained.
Right away you'll move among the most urbane
Of hicks. First you will make some overture
To the wives of the judge and the tax assessor,
Who will kindly seat you on a folding chair.
During Carnival, you may hope to have there
A ball with two bagpipes for an orchestra
And maybe some puppets and a tame gorilla.
But if your husband . . .
Mariane. Oh! You're killing me.
Please help me avoid this catastrophe.
Dorine. I am your servant.
Mariane. Oh! Dorine, mercy . . .
Dorine. To punish you, I ought to leave things be.
Mariane. My dear girl!
Dorine. No.
Mariane. If I declared my love . . .
Dorine. No. Tartuffe is your man; that's sure enough.
Mariane. You know that I've always trusted that you'd
Help me . . .
Dorine. No. I'm sure you will be tartuffed.
Mariane. All right! Since my fate no l