And bare skin makes on you a big impression.
I truly don't know why you feel such passion;
I myself think lust is out of fashion,
For I could see you nude from top to toe
Without your pelt setting my cheeks aglow.
Tartuffe. Put a little modesty in your discourse
Or I must leave you instantly perforce.
Dorine. No, it is I who will leave you here in peace,
And I will just say this before I cease:
Madam is coming down to visit you
And demands the favor of a rendezvous.
Tartuffe. Oh yes! Most willingly!
Dorine [to herself]. Isn't he sweet!
I'm even surer now that dog's in heat.
Tartuffe. Will she soon come?
Dorine. I think I can hear her.
Yes, there. Now I will leave you two together.

SCENE III
Elmire, Tartuffe

Tartuffe. May Heaven forever in its great bounty
Grant you good health both in soul and body,
And bless your days as much as he desires
Who is the humblest of those your love inspires!
Elmire. I'm much obliged for your pious wishes, but please,
Let us be seated and put ourselves at ease.
Tartuffe [sitting down]. Have you quite recovered from your illness?
Elmire [sitting as well]. Yes, my headache quickly lost its sharpness.
Tartuffe. My prayers haven't enough value to buy
Such grace from the Heavenly One on High,
But most of my recent prayers have in essence
Been mainly focused on your convalescence.
Elmire. Your concern for me is somewhat disquieting.
Tartuffe. I dearly cherish your precious well-being,
And to restore it I would have given my own.
Elmire. Such Christian charity is overblown,
But I am much obliged for all your care.
Tartuffe. I try to do as much for you as I dare.
Elmire. I wish to speak of some private business
And am pleased there's no one to overhear us.
Tartuffe. I, too, am delighted, and entre nous
It's very sweet being one-on-one with you.
For this also have I begged the Deity,
But only now has he granted it to me.
Elmire. I myself want an encounter between us two
Where your whole heart is opened through and through.

[Without exposing himself and in order to better hear the conversation, Damis opens the door of the closet in which he is hiding.]

Tartuffe. In exchange for this unique blessing, I
Desire only to