TARTUFFE
ACT IV
Raymond Burke
SCENE I, CLEANTHE, TARTUFFE
1185
1190
1195
1200
1205
1210
1215
1220
CLEANTHE Believe me Sir, the word is out and more than one has said it. and what the world is whispering is not much to your credit. Now let me share my thoughts on everything that’s gone before. I’ll tell you in two words... or three... or maybe even more. To trifle with the cause would only serve to fire frustration. So take the thing at worst and try to heed my inclination. Suppose by Damis, you have been quite hurt and wrongly used. and by the crowd you innocently stand alone accused. Is not the Christian way to pause and turn the other cheek, to rid the heart of any small revenge that it may seek? Not suffer that your quarrel has such fierce and rigid borders that you would watch the father give the son his marching orders. I’ll tell you once again the only thought you’ll have to handle that no one great or small denies this sad and shameful scandal, Why not take my advice and henceforth let the matter rest. Forgive the lad for merely getting something off his chest. Then sacrifice to God this tempting pride which drives us mad and let the boy return at once to favour with his dad. TARTUFFE Alas, with all my heart, if it were only left to me I’d bear him no ill feelings. I would proudly let him be. I’d brush it off at once as does befit the wise and older, serve him with my soul without a chip upon my shoulder. But when Heaven is insulted. Then who cares which mortal begs it, if he returns once more then I myself shall find an exit. For after such behaviour and when all the world has seen us The scandal would be worse if then a friendship grew between us. God knows what would be thought of me, although I’d meant the best. They’d put it down to pretence for a cunning self-interest. For then it would be said I fake this charitable zeal, Diverting the attention from this guilt I truly feel, That in my heart I dreaded him and feared the real disgrace, Forgiving only as a means to shut his youthful face. CLEANTHE Your colourful excuses hide a reasoning quite hollow like pie up in the sky they are extremely hard to swallow. Why charge your self with interests of Heaven up above? For punishing the guilty; it is powerful enough.
1225
1230
1235
1240
1245
1250
1255
To leave revenge for Heaven up to Heaven makes more sense. Remember that our duty is the pardon of offence. What need for mankind’s judgement, oh so volatile and flighty, if truly we have faith beneath our sovereign almighty? Or shall the feeble interests of the gossips and the crowd then nullify the glory of an action good and proud? No. Let us always live and breathe as Heaven does command and not confuse our heads with deeds we need not understand. TARTUFFE I’ve told you sir, already, I forgive him with my heart. I’m gladly doing all that is ordained upon my part. But after this great scandal and effrontery and ire, To share a home and live with him, good Heaven won’t require. CLEANTHE So does it then require in this atmosphere so grim, You listen to the father in his great capricious whim. And skip your obligations to accept what will become, When it concerns inheriting a rather tidy sum. TARTUFFE Those who really know me would be greatly shocked indeed. Imagine me affected by emotion such as greed! For all the riches in the world I have no need nor care, Nor am I ever dazzled by their avaricious glare. So if I do resolve that this small present I should take, Which Orgon in his wisdom is determined he should make, It is, to tell the truth, that I am quite afraid because Such wealth as this could fall within the clutch of hidden claws. And lest it be a gift to those who’s morals are more loose, Who’d take it out into the world and put it to ill use, And not to spend it wisely with the goodwill I should plan To the glory of the angels and to help my fellow man. CLEANTHE Please spare us more examples of these scruples, oh so quaint, Which may inspire the rightful heir to serious complaint. Allow the boy, and be your self without such tribulation, To suffer all the perils of a lawful obligation. Consider it as better that misuse could be it’s fate Than people could accuse you of depriving his estate. I can only wonder, with such faith at your disposal That you are not inclined to reconsider this proposal. In short, I can not think of any maxim of true zeal Which guides us to deprive a son and heir without appeal.
1260
1265
and if it is that Heaven put some obstacle in place, Preventing you from sharing Damis’ home without disgrace, Would it not then be wiser in a man who is discreet, That you, in fairness, are the very one who should retreat. Rather than a loving son, whose father’s in some trance, Be turned out in the street because you take a moral stance. Believe me sir, it’s sensible . I’m sure that you agree. And one more thing... TARTUFFE Is that the time? It’s nearly half past three! I am called by such devotions that a man need not explain. Excuse me if you will. And we must really chat again. CLEANTHE Ah! SCENE II
1270
1275
DORINE For pity’s sake come help us. We must do our best. Her very soul is suffering and mortally distressed. This contract, which Papa tonight concludes, is sure despair. He wits are at an end and she is pulling out her hair. But now he comes. I’m sure you’ll join our efforts here, of course. Collectively we’ll weaken him by industry or force. This Lunatic design must not be given passage calmly. SCENE III ORGON Ah, here we are together just like one big happy family! I have with me a contract, which should come as no surprise. I see you’ve guessed it’s content by your happy tear-filled eyes.
1280
1285
MARIANE Oh, in the name of Heaven sir. I beg on bended knees, For all that moves a parent’s heart, to reconsider, please. Though right by law and nature that the father makes this choice, Dispense with my obedience just once and hear my voice. Don’t make me by tradition that is based on law not love, Complain about my duty, under you, to one above. The happiness and beauty of this life you gave your daughter. Will crumble into misery if I’m to wed this rotter. If now, despite my tender hopes which I begin to lose, You disallow a union with the husband I would choose,
1290
At least, out of the goodness which you nurture as a dad, Don’t leave to the torment of a bounder and a cad. Don’t drive me to despair with all the power you behest. So blessed before I dressed - I now feel stressed and quite depressed! ORGON Stand firm my heart, no weakness now. Detached I must remain.
1295
1300
1305
MARIANE Your tenderness for him is not the point that causes pain. Yes give him your inheritance, I’m sure he won’t decline. But if that isn’t rich enough, please add on all of mine. And I’ll consent with all my heart. Abandon land and purse. If only to preserve my mind and body from that curse. Then send me to a distant convent. Lock me deep inside. I’ll meditate each silent day that Heaven shall provide. ORGON Ah, lovesick girls forever dream of desperate romances And fight their father’s choices with the fire of flippant fancies. The more your heart’s against it, and the more adversity, The better is the lesson in wife’s university Now face up to the facts, my dear, you hear what I have said. I’ve chosen your betrothed so please stop nipping at my head. DORINE But what? ORGON Be quiet. Hold your tongue. Who asked for your opinion? Am I to suffer guidance from a servant and a minion?
1310
1315
CLEANTHE Now brother, don’t be hasty. Please allow me to respond. Your counsel is the finest in the world if not beyond. But on this point, despite how much I value your advice, You’ll pardon me this once, I know, if I do not think twice. ELMIRE I don’t know what to say. In fact I can’t believe my eyes, That you could be so blind as to confuse the truth with lies. You act not like a father but like one who is bewitched, To give your son to exile and your daughter to be hitched. ORGON I am your humble servant and I note how you behave,
1320
1325
1330
1335
Complying and denying with my son, the foolish knave, When earlier we watched as you appeared to be afraid, To disavow the trick that boy deliberately played. With that poor man accused, you hardly put him to the test. You must admit how little that the lady did protest. ELMIRE So is it necessary that our honour must decry, A simple overture; no more the blinking of an eye, That we can not respond to this offence with only care. Without the looks of fury, letting insults fill the air. I must admit myself, I simply laugh at such advances, And therefore take no pleasure from the proud pretentious prances. I much prefer discretion with a nature soft and good, To the anger and discomfort of your common savage prude. Her honour is a battlefield, all armed with teeth and claws, To scratch a stranger’s eyes out when he breaks unwritten laws. Oh, Heaven please preserve me from the sense of which your dreaming. I’ll settle for a virtue which avoids such pointless screaming. A calm discreet denial’s best, to cool unwanted ardour, And powerful enough should his resolve grow any harder. ORGON To finish. Hearing what you’ve said, my mind will never change.
1340
ELMIRE I do admire your fortitude, if judgement weak and strange. But would your incredulity live longer than it’s youth, If you were enabled in some way to see the truth? ORGON To see? ELMIRE To see! ORGON Oh, Tweedley dee! ELMIRE Somehow I’ll find a way. To open up your eyes and show the cause of this dismay. ORGON But no one can!
ELMIRE 1345
Oh, what a man! We’ll let you see his pranks. And for this duty we observe, we won’t seek any thanks. Suppose that we could find a place where you, while out of sight, Could watch and listen easily and learn our words were right. What would you say of your good man? Which tune would you then sing? ORGON In such a case I’d have to say... I wouldn’t say a thing. For that could never happen. ELMIRE
1350
You have been too much deceived. The time for talk is over when our words are not believed. It’s obvious that we require some action to behold. Now you yourself will witness everything that has been told. ORGON Oh, very well, do anything, if it will give me peace. When you are proven wrong then all these rumblings will cease.
1355
ELMIRE (To Dorine) Now send him in to me. DORINE But he’s so cunning. Is it wise? I fear it may be difficult to take him by surprise. ELMIRE I’d worry not. An amorous man is simple to defeat, When weakened by his lust and quite secure in his conceit. (To Cleanthe and Mariane) Now go and send him in. All will be safe before you know it. SCENE IV
1360
ELMIRE Come over to the table, dear, and get yourself below it. ORGON But why? ELMIRE You must be hidden to unveil this evil cupid.
ORGON But why beneath the table? ELMIRE
1365
Well, above would be quite stupid. Inside my head I have a plan. The truth shall be revealed. Necessity, it does demand, your person is concealed. Now come along. No sight nor sound. No matter what you’re thinking. ORGON To find myself beneath a desk and not yet started drinking! Your enterprise seems crazy but for peace I shall give in.
1370
1375
1380
1385
ELMIRE I promise when we’re finished you’ll have lost that silly grin. With patience and attention you shall hear such strange discourse, In other circumstances could be grounds for a divorce. Excuse me now with all your strength. What ever I may say, The devilry you’ll witness and deceit I shall display. I’ve been reduced to coax him in with words both soft and gentle. Please hold your ground and bite your lip. But don’t start going mental. I’ll flatter and encourage his most impudent desires And leave an open field to entertain his filthy fires. It’s only for your sake that I shall feign this keen response, In order to expose him as a blackguard and a ponce. When I employ a silver tongue to crack his pious mask, His guard will loosen as he’d have the laces on my basque. So when you’ve seen enough, so as to save you further hurt, I beg you to be quick before he gets in to my skirt. If thing get out of hand, pray do not leave your wife exposed. Spare her blushes, interrupt. While she still has some clothes. All this is in your interest. Though remember you’re the master. But now... be ready... out of sight! Here comes the little... welcome!