Tartuffe The employment cannot be otherwise than glorious, when it comes from the power that sends me here. Orgon-But do you remember that my charitable hand, ungrateful scoundrel, raised you from a state of misery? Tartuffe-Yes, I know what help I have received from you; but my king's interest is my first duty. The just obligation of this sacred duty stifles in my heart all other claims, and I would sacrifice friend, wife, relations, and myself with them to it. Elmire-The impostor! Dorine-With what treacherous cunning he makes a cloak of all that men revere. Cléante - But if the zeal you speak of is so perfect, how is it that to show it, you wait till he has surprised you making love to his wife? How is it that you inform against him, only after self-respect forces him to send you away? I will not say that the gift of all his possessions he made over to you should have prevented you from doing your duty; but since you wish to treat him as a criminal, why did you consent to accept anything from him? Tartuffe [to the Officer]-I beg of you, sir, to deliver me from all this noise, and to act according to the orders you have. Officer I have certainly put off too long the discharge of my duty, and you very rightly remind me of it. To execute my order, follow me immediately to the prison in which a place is assigned to you. Tartuffe-Who? I, sir? Officer-Yes, you. Tartuffe Why to prison? Officer-To you I have no account to render. [Tells Orgon that the king, who is supernaturally penetrating as well as a mirror of justice, has long since fathomed Tartuffe, who besides is "wanted" under an alias; has only been giving him rope; and now orders his stolen documents taken away, and Orgon's contract annulled and his offense forgiven.] Orgon [to TARTUFFE as the Officer leads him off] — Ah! wretch, now you are . . . Cléante-Ah! brother, forbear, and do not descend to abuse. Leave the wretch to his evil destiny, and do not add to the remorse that crushes him. Better hope that his heart will now, by a happy change, become virtuous; and that, reforming his life through the detestation of his crimes, he may soften the justice of our glorious king. |