{"id":79,"date":"2020-05-12T20:13:18","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T00:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca\/tartuffe\/?post_type=chapter&p=79"},"modified":"2020-05-12T20:32:29","modified_gmt":"2020-05-13T00:32:29","slug":"scene-v-3","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/chapter\/scene-v-3\/","title":{"raw":"Scene V","rendered":"Scene V"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

TARTUFFE, ELMIRE; ORGON (under the table)<\/p>\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nThey told me that you wished to see me here.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nYes. I have secrets for your ear alone.<\/span>\r\nBut shut the door first, and look everywhere<\/span>\r\nFor fear of spies.<\/span>\r\n\r\n(Tartuffe goes and closes the door, and comes back.)<\/span>\r\nWe surely can't afford<\/span>\r\nAnother scene like that we had just now;<\/span>\r\nWas ever anyone so caught before!<\/span>\r\nDamis did frighten me most terribly<\/span>\r\nOn your account; you saw I did my best<\/span>\r\nTo baffle his design, and calm his anger.<\/span>\r\nBut I was so confused, I never thought<\/span>\r\nTo contradict his story; still, thank Heaven,<\/span>\r\nThings turned out all the better, as it happened,<\/span>\r\nAnd now we're on an even safer footing.<\/span>\r\nThe high esteem you're held in, laid the storm;<\/span>\r\nMy husband can have no suspicion of you,<\/span>\r\nAnd even insists, to spite the scandal-mongers,<\/span>\r\nThat we shall be together constantly;<\/span>\r\nSo that is how, without the risk of blame,<\/span>\r\nI can be here locked up with you alone,<\/span>\r\nAnd can reveal to you my heart, perhaps<\/span>\r\nOnly too ready to allow your passion.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nYour words are somewhat hard to understand,<\/span>\r\nMadam; just now you used a different style.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nIf that refusal has offended you,<\/span>\r\nHow little do you know a woman's heart!<\/span>\r\nHow ill you guess what it would have you know,<\/span>\r\nWhen it presents so feeble a defence!<\/span>\r\nAlways, at first, our modesty resists<\/span>\r\nThe tender feelings you inspire us with.<\/span>\r\nWhatever cause we find to justify<\/span>\r\nThe love that masters us, we still must feel<\/span>\r\nSome little shame in owning it; and strive<\/span>\r\nTo make as though we would not, when we would.<\/span>\r\nBut from the very way we go about it<\/span>\r\nWe let a lover know our heart surrenders,<\/span>\r\nThe while our lips, for honour's sake, oppose<\/span>\r\nOur heart's desire, and in refusing promise.<\/span>\r\nI'm telling you my secret all too freely<\/span>\r\nAnd with too little heed to modesty.<\/span>\r\nBut\u2014now that I've made bold to speak\u2014pray tell me.<\/span>\r\nShould I have tried to keep Damis from speaking,<\/span>\r\nShould I have heard the offer of your heart<\/span>\r\nSo quietly, and suffered all your pleading,<\/span>\r\nAnd taken it just as I did\u2014remember\u2014<\/span>\r\nIf such a declaration had not pleased me,<\/span>\r\nAnd, when I tried my utmost to persuade you<\/span>\r\nNot to accept the marriage that was talked of,<\/span>\r\nWhat should my earnestness have hinted to you<\/span>\r\nIf not the interest that you've inspired,<\/span>\r\nAnd my chagrin, should such a match compel me<\/span>\r\nTo share a heart I want all to myself?<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\n'Tis, past a doubt, the height of happiness,<\/span>\r\nTo hear such words from lips we dote upon;<\/span>\r\nTheir honeyed sweetness pours through all my senses<\/span>\r\nLong draughts of suavity ineffable.<\/span>\r\nMy heart employs its utmost zeal to please you,<\/span>\r\nAnd counts your love its one beatitude;<\/span>\r\nAnd yet that heart must beg that you allow it<\/span>\r\nTo doubt a little its felicity.<\/span>\r\nI well might think these words an honest trick<\/span>\r\nTo make me break off this approaching marriage;<\/span>\r\nAnd if I may express myself quite plainly,<\/span>\r\nI cannot trust these too enchanting words<\/span>\r\nUntil the granting of some little favour<\/span>\r\nI sigh for, shall assure me of their truth<\/span>\r\nAnd build within my soul, on firm foundations,<\/span>\r\nA lasting faith in your sweet charity.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE (coughing to draw her husband's attention)<\/span>\r\nWhat! Must you go so fast?\u2014and all at once<\/span>\r\nExhaust the whole love of a woman's heart?<\/span>\r\nShe does herself the violence to make<\/span>\r\nThis dear confession of her love, and you<\/span>\r\nAre not yet satisfied, and will not be<\/span>\r\nWithout the granting of her utmost favours?<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nThe less a blessing is deserved, the less<\/span>\r\nWe dare to hope for it; and words alone<\/span>\r\nCan ill assuage our love's desires. A fate<\/span>\r\nToo full of happiness, seems doubtful still;<\/span>\r\nWe must enjoy it ere we can believe it.<\/span>\r\nAnd I, who know how little I deserve<\/span>\r\nYour goodness, doubt the fortunes of my daring;<\/span>\r\nSo I shall trust to nothing, madam, till<\/span>\r\nYou have convinced my love by something real.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nAh! How your love enacts the tyrant's role,<\/span>\r\nAnd throws my mind into a strange confusion!<\/span>\r\nWith what fierce sway it rules a conquered heart,<\/span>\r\nAnd violently will have its wishes granted!<\/span>\r\nWhat! Is there no escape from your pursuit?<\/span>\r\nNo respite even?\u2014not a breathing space?<\/span>\r\nNay, is it decent to be so exacting,<\/span>\r\nAnd so abuse by urgency the weakness<\/span>\r\nYou may discover in a woman's heart?<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nBut if my worship wins your gracious favour,<\/span>\r\nThen why refuse me some sure proof thereof?<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nBut how can I consent to what you wish,<\/span>\r\nWithout offending Heaven you talk so much of?<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nIf Heaven is all that stands now in my way,<\/span>\r\nI'll easily remove that little hindrance;<\/span>\r\nYour heart need not hold back for such a trifle.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nBut they affright us so with Heaven's commands!<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nI can dispel these foolish fears, dear madam;<\/span>\r\nI know the art of pacifying scruples<\/span>\r\nHeaven forbids, 'tis true, some satisfactions;<\/span>\r\nBut we find means to make things right with Heaven.<\/span>\r\n\r\n('Tis a scoundrel speaking.)[footnote]Moli\u00e8re's note, in the original edition.[\/footnote]<\/span><\/sup>\r\n\r\nThere is a science, madam, that instructs us<\/span>\r\nHow to enlarge the limits of our conscience<\/span>\r\nAccording to our various occasions,<\/span>\r\nAnd rectify the evil of the deed<\/span>\r\nAccording to our purity of motive.<\/span>\r\nI'll duly teach you all these secrets, madam;<\/span>\r\nYou only need to let yourself be guided.<\/span>\r\nContent my wishes, have no fear at all;<\/span>\r\nI answer for't, and take the sin upon me.<\/span>\r\n\r\n(Elmire coughs still louder.)<\/span>\r\nYour cough is very bad.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nYes, I'm in torture.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nWould you accept this bit of licorice?<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nThe case is obstinate, I find; and all<\/span>\r\nThe licorice in the world will do no good.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\n'Tis very trying.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nMore than words can say.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nIn any case, your scruple's easily<\/span>\r\nRemoved. With me you're sure of secrecy,<\/span>\r\nAnd there's no harm unless a thing is known.<\/span>\r\nThe public scandal is what brings offence,<\/span>\r\nAnd secret sinning is not sin at all.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE (after coughing again)<\/span>\r\nSo then, I see I must resolve to yield;<\/span>\r\nI must consent to grant you everything,<\/span>\r\nAnd cannot hope to give full satisfaction<\/span>\r\nOr win full confidence, at lesser cost.<\/span>\r\nNo doubt 'tis very hard to come to this;<\/span>\r\n'Tis quite against my will I go so far;<\/span>\r\nBut since I must be forced to it, since nothing<\/span>\r\nThat can be said suffices for belief,<\/span>\r\nSince more convincing proof is still demanded,<\/span>\r\nI must make up my mind to humour people.<\/span>\r\nIf my consent give reason for offence,<\/span>\r\nSo much the worse for him who forced me to it;<\/span>\r\nThe fault can surely not be counted mine.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nIt need not, madam; and the thing itself . . .<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nOpen the door, I pray you, and just see<\/span>\r\nWhether my husband's not there, in the hall.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTARTUFFE<\/span>\r\nWhy take such care for him? Between ourselves,<\/span>\r\nHe is a man to lead round by the nose.<\/span>\r\nHe's capable of glorying in our meetings;<\/span>\r\nI've fooled him so, he'd see all, and deny it.<\/span>\r\n\r\nELMIRE<\/span>\r\nNo matter; go, I beg you, look about,<\/span>\r\nAnd carefully examine every corner.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

\n

TARTUFFE, ELMIRE; ORGON (under the table)<\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nThey told me that you wished to see me here.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nYes. I have secrets for your ear alone.<\/span>
\nBut shut the door first, and look everywhere<\/span>
\nFor fear of spies.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Tartuffe goes and closes the door, and comes back.)<\/span>
\nWe surely can’t afford<\/span>
\nAnother scene like that we had just now;<\/span>
\nWas ever anyone so caught before!<\/span>
\nDamis did frighten me most terribly<\/span>
\nOn your account; you saw I did my best<\/span>
\nTo baffle his design, and calm his anger.<\/span>
\nBut I was so confused, I never thought<\/span>
\nTo contradict his story; still, thank Heaven,<\/span>
\nThings turned out all the better, as it happened,<\/span>
\nAnd now we’re on an even safer footing.<\/span>
\nThe high esteem you’re held in, laid the storm;<\/span>
\nMy husband can have no suspicion of you,<\/span>
\nAnd even insists, to spite the scandal-mongers,<\/span>
\nThat we shall be together constantly;<\/span>
\nSo that is how, without the risk of blame,<\/span>
\nI can be here locked up with you alone,<\/span>
\nAnd can reveal to you my heart, perhaps<\/span>
\nOnly too ready to allow your passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nYour words are somewhat hard to understand,<\/span>
\nMadam; just now you used a different style.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nIf that refusal has offended you,<\/span>
\nHow little do you know a woman’s heart!<\/span>
\nHow ill you guess what it would have you know,<\/span>
\nWhen it presents so feeble a defence!<\/span>
\nAlways, at first, our modesty resists<\/span>
\nThe tender feelings you inspire us with.<\/span>
\nWhatever cause we find to justify<\/span>
\nThe love that masters us, we still must feel<\/span>
\nSome little shame in owning it; and strive<\/span>
\nTo make as though we would not, when we would.<\/span>
\nBut from the very way we go about it<\/span>
\nWe let a lover know our heart surrenders,<\/span>
\nThe while our lips, for honour’s sake, oppose<\/span>
\nOur heart’s desire, and in refusing promise.<\/span>
\nI’m telling you my secret all too freely<\/span>
\nAnd with too little heed to modesty.<\/span>
\nBut\u2014now that I’ve made bold to speak\u2014pray tell me.<\/span>
\nShould I have tried to keep Damis from speaking,<\/span>
\nShould I have heard the offer of your heart<\/span>
\nSo quietly, and suffered all your pleading,<\/span>
\nAnd taken it just as I did\u2014remember\u2014<\/span>
\nIf such a declaration had not pleased me,<\/span>
\nAnd, when I tried my utmost to persuade you<\/span>
\nNot to accept the marriage that was talked of,<\/span>
\nWhat should my earnestness have hinted to you<\/span>
\nIf not the interest that you’ve inspired,<\/span>
\nAnd my chagrin, should such a match compel me<\/span>
\nTo share a heart I want all to myself?<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\n‘Tis, past a doubt, the height of happiness,<\/span>
\nTo hear such words from lips we dote upon;<\/span>
\nTheir honeyed sweetness pours through all my senses<\/span>
\nLong draughts of suavity ineffable.<\/span>
\nMy heart employs its utmost zeal to please you,<\/span>
\nAnd counts your love its one beatitude;<\/span>
\nAnd yet that heart must beg that you allow it<\/span>
\nTo doubt a little its felicity.<\/span>
\nI well might think these words an honest trick<\/span>
\nTo make me break off this approaching marriage;<\/span>
\nAnd if I may express myself quite plainly,<\/span>
\nI cannot trust these too enchanting words<\/span>
\nUntil the granting of some little favour<\/span>
\nI sigh for, shall assure me of their truth<\/span>
\nAnd build within my soul, on firm foundations,<\/span>
\nA lasting faith in your sweet charity.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE (coughing to draw her husband’s attention)<\/span>
\nWhat! Must you go so fast?\u2014and all at once<\/span>
\nExhaust the whole love of a woman’s heart?<\/span>
\nShe does herself the violence to make<\/span>
\nThis dear confession of her love, and you<\/span>
\nAre not yet satisfied, and will not be<\/span>
\nWithout the granting of her utmost favours?<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nThe less a blessing is deserved, the less<\/span>
\nWe dare to hope for it; and words alone<\/span>
\nCan ill assuage our love’s desires. A fate<\/span>
\nToo full of happiness, seems doubtful still;<\/span>
\nWe must enjoy it ere we can believe it.<\/span>
\nAnd I, who know how little I deserve<\/span>
\nYour goodness, doubt the fortunes of my daring;<\/span>
\nSo I shall trust to nothing, madam, till<\/span>
\nYou have convinced my love by something real.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nAh! How your love enacts the tyrant’s role,<\/span>
\nAnd throws my mind into a strange confusion!<\/span>
\nWith what fierce sway it rules a conquered heart,<\/span>
\nAnd violently will have its wishes granted!<\/span>
\nWhat! Is there no escape from your pursuit?<\/span>
\nNo respite even?\u2014not a breathing space?<\/span>
\nNay, is it decent to be so exacting,<\/span>
\nAnd so abuse by urgency the weakness<\/span>
\nYou may discover in a woman’s heart?<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nBut if my worship wins your gracious favour,<\/span>
\nThen why refuse me some sure proof thereof?<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nBut how can I consent to what you wish,<\/span>
\nWithout offending Heaven you talk so much of?<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nIf Heaven is all that stands now in my way,<\/span>
\nI’ll easily remove that little hindrance;<\/span>
\nYour heart need not hold back for such a trifle.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nBut they affright us so with Heaven’s commands!<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nI can dispel these foolish fears, dear madam;<\/span>
\nI know the art of pacifying scruples<\/span>
\nHeaven forbids, ’tis true, some satisfactions;<\/span>
\nBut we find means to make things right with Heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

(‘Tis a scoundrel speaking.)[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n

There is a science, madam, that instructs us<\/span>
\nHow to enlarge the limits of our conscience<\/span>
\nAccording to our various occasions,<\/span>
\nAnd rectify the evil of the deed<\/span>
\nAccording to our purity of motive.<\/span>
\nI’ll duly teach you all these secrets, madam;<\/span>
\nYou only need to let yourself be guided.<\/span>
\nContent my wishes, have no fear at all;<\/span>
\nI answer for’t, and take the sin upon me.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Elmire coughs still louder.)<\/span>
\nYour cough is very bad.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nYes, I’m in torture.<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nWould you accept this bit of licorice?<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nThe case is obstinate, I find; and all<\/span>
\nThe licorice in the world will do no good.<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\n‘Tis very trying.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nMore than words can say.<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nIn any case, your scruple’s easily<\/span>
\nRemoved. With me you’re sure of secrecy,<\/span>
\nAnd there’s no harm unless a thing is known.<\/span>
\nThe public scandal is what brings offence,<\/span>
\nAnd secret sinning is not sin at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE (after coughing again)<\/span>
\nSo then, I see I must resolve to yield;<\/span>
\nI must consent to grant you everything,<\/span>
\nAnd cannot hope to give full satisfaction<\/span>
\nOr win full confidence, at lesser cost.<\/span>
\nNo doubt ’tis very hard to come to this;<\/span>
\n‘Tis quite against my will I go so far;<\/span>
\nBut since I must be forced to it, since nothing<\/span>
\nThat can be said suffices for belief,<\/span>
\nSince more convincing proof is still demanded,<\/span>
\nI must make up my mind to humour people.<\/span>
\nIf my consent give reason for offence,<\/span>
\nSo much the worse for him who forced me to it;<\/span>
\nThe fault can surely not be counted mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nIt need not, madam; and the thing itself . . .<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nOpen the door, I pray you, and just see<\/span>
\nWhether my husband’s not there, in the hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

TARTUFFE<\/span>
\nWhy take such care for him? Between ourselves,<\/span>
\nHe is a man to lead round by the nose.<\/span>
\nHe’s capable of glorying in our meetings;<\/span>
\nI’ve fooled him so, he’d see all, and deny it.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELMIRE<\/span>
\nNo matter; go, I beg you, look about,<\/span>
\nAnd carefully examine every corner.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

  1. Moli\u00e8re's note, in the original edition. ↵<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-79","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":68,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/79","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/79\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/79\/revisions\/114"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/68"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/79\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=79"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=79"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tartuffe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=79"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}