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INTRODUCTORYNOTE
JeanBapttePoquelin，betterknownbyhstagenameofMoliere，standswithoutarivalattheheadofFrenchcomedy。BornatParinJanuary，1622，wherehfatherheldapositionintheroyalhousehold，hewaseducatedattheJesuitCollegedeClermont，andforsometimestudiedlaw，whichhesoonabandonedforthestage。HlifewasspentinParandintheprovinces，acting，directingperformances，managingtheaters，andwritingplays。Hehadhshareofapplausefromthekingandfromthepublic;butthesatireinhcomediesmadehimmanyenemies，andhewastheobjectofthemostvenomousattacksandthemostimpossibleslanders。Nordidhefindmuchsolaceathome;forhemarriedunfortunately，andtheunhappinessthatfollowedincreasedthebitternessthatpublichostilityhadbroughtintohlife。OnFebruary17，1673，whileactingin\"LaMaladeImaginaire，\"thelastofhmasterpieces，hewasseizedwithillnessanddiedafewhourslater。
ThefirstofthegreaterworksofMolierewas\"LesPrecieusesRidicules，\"producedin1659。InthbrilliantpieceMoliereliftedFrenchcomedytoanewlevelandgaveitanewpurpose——thesatirizingofcontemporarymannersandaffectationsbyfrankportrayalandcriticm。Inthegreatplaysthatfollowed，\"TheSchoolforHusbands\"
and\"TheSchoolforWives，\"\"TheManthrope\"and\"TheHypocrite\"
（Tartuffe），\"TheMer\"and\"TheHypochondriac，\"\"TheLearnedLadies，\"
\"TheDoctorinSpiteofHimself，\"\"TheCitizenTurnedGentleman，\"andmanyothers，heexposedmercilesslyoneafteranotherthevicesandfoiblesoftheday。
Hcharacterticqualitiesarenowherebetterexhibitedthanin\"Tartuffe。\"ComparedwithsuchcharacterizationasShakespeare’s，Moliere’smethodofportrayinglifemayseemtobelackingincomplexity;butitprecelythesimplicitywithwhichcreationslikeTartuffeembodytheweaknessorvicetheyrepresentthathasgiventhemtheirplaceasuniversallyrecognizedtypesofhumannature。
TARTUFFE
ACOMEDY
CHARACTERS
MADAMEPERNELLE，motherofOrgonORGON，husbandofElmireELMIRE，wifeofOrgonDAM，sonofOrgonMARIANE，daughterofOrgon，inlovewithValereCLEANTE，brother—in—lawofOrgonTARTUFFE，ahypocriteDORINE，Mariane’smaidM。LOYAL，abailiffAPoliceOfficerFLIPOTTE，MadamePernelle’sservantTheSceneatParACTI
SCENEI
MADAMEPERNELLEandFLIPOTTE，herservant;ELMIRE，MARIANE，CLEANTE，DAM，DORINE
MADAMEPERNELLE
Come，come，Flipotte，andletmegetaway。
ELMIRE
Youhurryso，Ihardlycanattendyou。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Thendon’t，mydaughter—inlaw。Staywhereyouare。
Icandpensewithyourpoliteattentions。
ELMIRE
We’reonlypayingwhatdueyou，mother。
Whymustyougoawayinsuchahurry？
MADAMEPERNELLE
BecauseIcan’tendureyourcarryings—on，Andnoonetakestheslightestpainstopleaseme。
Ileaveyourhouse，Itellyou，quitedgusted;
Youdotheoppositeofmyinstructions;
You’venorespectforanything;eachoneMusthavehsay;it’sperfectpandemonium。
DORINE
If
MADAMEPERNELLE
You’reaservantwench，mygirl，andmuchToofullofgab，andtooimpertinentAndfreewithyouradviceonalloccasions。
DAM
But
MADAMEPERNELLE
You’reafool，myboy——f，o，o，lJustspellsyourname。LetgrandmatellyouthatI’vesaidahundredtimestomypoorson，Yourfather，thatyou’dnevercometogoodOrgivehimanythingbutplagueandtorment。
MARIANE
Ithink
MADAMEPERNELLE
Odearieme，hlittlester！
You’realldemureness，butterwouldn’tmeltInyourmouth，onewouldthinktolookatyou。
Stillwaters，though，theysayyouknowtheproverb;
AndIdon’tlikeyourdoingsonthesly。
ELMIRE
But，mother
MADAMEPERNELLE
Daughter，byyourleave，yourconductIneverythingaltogetherwrong;
Yououghttosetagoodexamplefor’em;
Theirdeardepartedmotherdidmuchbetter。
Youareextravagant;anditoffendsme，Toseeyoualwaysdeckedoutlikeaprincess。
Awomanwhowouldpleaseherhusband’seyesAlone，wantsnosuchwealthoffineries。
CLEANTE
But，madam，afterall
MADAMEPERNELLE
Sir，asforyou，Thelady’sbrother，Iesteemyouhighly，Loveandrespectyou。But，sir，allthesame，IfIwereinmyson’s，herhusband’s，place，I’durgentlyentreatyounottocomeWithinourdoors。YoupreachawayoflivingThatdecentpeoplecannottolerate。
I’mratherfrankwithyou;butthat’smyway——
Idon’tmincematters，whenImeanathing。
DAM
Mr。Tartuffe，yourfriend，mightylucky
MADAMEPERNELLE
Heaholyman，andmustbeheeded;
Ican’tendure，withanyshowofpatience，Tohearascatterbrainslikeyouattackhim。
DAM
What！ShallIletabigotcriticasterComeandusurpatyrant’spowerhere？
AndshallweneverdareamuseourselvesTillthfinegentlemandeignstoconsent？
DORINE
Ifwemustharktohim，andheedhmaxims，There’snotathingwedobutwhat’sacrime;
Hecensureseverything，thzealouscarper。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Andallhecensureswellcensured，too。
Hewantstoguideyouonthewaytoheaven;
Mysonshouldtrainyoualltolovehimwell。
DAM
No，madam，lookyou，nothing——notmyfatherNoranything——canmakemetoleratehim。
Ishouldbeliemyfeelingsnottosayso。
Hactionsrousemywrathateveryturn;
AndIforeseethattheremustcomeofitAnopenrupturewiththsneakingscoundrel。
DORINE
Besides，’tdownrightscandaloustoseeThunknownupstartmasterofthehouse——
Thvagabond，whohadn’t，whenhecame，Shoestohfeet，orclothingworthsixfarthings，Andwhosofarforgetshplace，asnowTocensureeverything，andruletheroost！
MADAMEPERNELLE
Eh！Mercysakesalive！ThingswouldgobetterIfallweregovernedbyhpiousorders。
DORINE
Hepassesforasaintinyouropinion。
Infact，he’snothingbutahypocrite。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Justltentohertongue！
DORINE
Iwouldn’ttrusthim，NoryethLawrence，withoutbondsandsurety。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Idon’tknowwhattheservant’scharacterMaybe;butIcanguaranteethemasterAholyman。YouhatehimandrejecthimBecausehetellshometruthstoallofyou。
’Tsinalonethatmoveshhearttoanger，Andheaven’sinteresthonlymotive。
DORINE
Ofcourse。Butwhy，especiallyoflate，Canheletnobodycomenearthehouse？
heavenoffendedatacivilcallThatheshouldmakesogreatafussaboutit？
I’lltellyou，ifyoulike，justwhatIthink;
（PointingtoElmire）
Uponmyword，he’sjealousofourmtress。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Youholdyourtongue，andthinkwhatyouaresaying。
He’snotaloneincensuringthesevits;
Theturmoilthatattendsyoursortofpeople，Theircarriagesforeveratthedoor，Andalltheirnoyfootmen，flockedtogether，Annoytheneighbourhood，andraeascandal。
I’dgladlythinkthere’snothingreallywrong;
Butitmakestalk;andthat’snotasitshouldbe。
CLEANTE
Eh！madam，canyouhopetokeepfolk’stonguesFromwagging？ItwouldbeagrievousthingIf，forthefearofidletalkaboutus，Wehadtosacrificeourfriends。No，no;
Evenifwecouldbringourselvestodoit，Thinkyouthateveryonewouldthenbesilenced？
AgainstbackbitingtherenodefenceSoletustrytoliveininnocence，Tosillytattlepaynoheedatall，Andleavethegossipsfreetoventtheirgall。
DORINE
OurneighbourDaphne，andherlittlehusband，Mustbetheoneswhoslanderus，I’mthinking。
Thosewhoseownconduct’smostridiculous，Arealwaysquickesttospeakillofothers;
TheyneverfailtoseizeatonceuponTheslightesthintofanyloveaffair，Andspreadthenewsofitwithglee，andgiveitThecharacterthey’dhavetheworldbelievein。
Byothers’actions，paintedintheircolours，Theyhopetojustifytheirown;theythink，Inthefalsehopeofsomeresemblance，eitherTomaketheirownintriguesseeminnocent，OrelsetomaketheirneighbourssharetheblameWhichtheyareloadedwithbyeverybody。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Theseargumentsarenothingtothepurpose。
Orante，weallknow，livesaperfectlife;
Herthoughtsareallofheaven;andIhaveheardThatshecondemnsthecompanyyoukeep。
DORINE
Oadmirablepattern！Virtuousdame！
Shelivesthemodelofausterity;
Butagehasbroughtthpietyuponher，Andshe’saprude，nowshecan’thelpherself。
Aslongasshecouldcapturemen’sattentionsShemadethemostofheradvantages;
But，nowsheseesherbeautyvanhing，Shewantstoleavetheworld，that’sleavingher，AndinthespeciousveilofhaughtyvirtueShe’dhidetheweaknessofherworn—outcharms。
Thatthewaywithallyouroldcoquettes;
Theyfindithardtoseetheirloversleave’em;
Andthusabandoned，theirforlornestateCanfindnooccupationbutaprude’s。
Thesepiousdames，intheirausterity，Mustcarpateverything，andpardonnothing。
Theyloudlyblametheirneighbours’wayofliving，Notforreligion’ssake，butoutofenvy，Becausetheycan’tenduretoseeanotherEnjoythepleasuresagehasweanedthemfrom。
MADAMEPERNELLE（toElmire）
There！That’sthekindofrigmaroletopleaseyou，Daughter—in—law。OneneverhasachanceTogetawordinedgewe，atyourhouse，Becausethladyholdsthefloorallday;
Butnonetheless，Imeantohavemysay，too。
ItellyouthatmysondidnothingwerInallhlife，thantakethgodlymanIntohhousehold;heavensenthimhere，Inyourgreatneed，tomakeyouallrepent;
Foryoursalvation，youmusthearkentohim;
Hecensuresnothingbutdeserveshcensure。
Thesevits，theseassemblies，andtheseballs，Areallinventionsoftheevilspirit。
YouneverhearawordofgodlinessAtthem——butidlecackle，nonsense，flimflam。
Ourneighbouroftencomesinforashare，Thetalkfliesfast，andscandalfillstheair;
Itmakesasoberperson’sheadgoround，Attheseassemblies，justtohearthesoundOfsomuchgab，withnotawordtosay;
AndasalearnedmanremarkedonedayMostaptly，’ttheTowerofBabylon，Whereall，beyondalllimit，babbleon。
Andjusttotellyouhowthpointcamein
（ToCleante）
So！Nowthegentlemenmustsnicker，musthe？
GofindfoolslikeyourselftomakeyoulaughAnddon’t
（ToElmire）
Daughter，good—bye;notonewordmore。
Asforthhouse，Ileavethehalfunsaid;
ButIshan’tsoonsetfootinitagain，（CuffingFlipotte）
Come，you！Whatmakesyoudreamandstandagape，Hussy！I’llwarmyourearsinpropershape！
March，trollop，march！
SCENEII
CLEANTE，DORINE
CLEANTE
Iwon’tescortherdown，Forfearshemightfallfoulofmeagain;
Thegoodoldlady
DORINE
Blessus！WhatapitySheshouldn’thearthewayyouspeakofher！
She’dsurelytellyouyou’retoo\"good\"byhalf，Andthatshe’snotso\"old\"asallthat，neither！
CLEANTE
Howshegotangrywithusallfornothing！
AndhowsheseemspossessedwithherTartuffe！
DORINE
Hercasenothing，though，besideherson’s！
Toseehim，youwouldsayhe’stentimesworse！
Hconductinourlateunpleasantness[1]
Hadwonhimmuchesteem，andprovedhcourageInserviceofhking;butnowhe’slikeAmanbesotted，sincehe’sbeensotakenWiththTartuffe。Hecallshimbrother，loveshimAhundredtimesasmuchasmother，son，Daughter，andwife。HetellshimallhsecretsAndletshimguidehacts，andrulehconscience。
Hefondlesandembraceshim;asweetheartCouldnot，Ithink，belovedmoretenderly;
Attablehemusthavetheseatofhonour，WhilewithdelightourmasterseeshimeatAsmuchassixmencould;wemustgiveupThechoicesttidbitstohim;ifhebelches，（’taservantspeaking）[2]
Masterexclaims:\"Godblessyou！\"——Oh，hedotesUponhim！he’shuniverse，hhero;
He’slostinconstantadmiration，quoteshimOnalloccasions，takeshtriflingactsForwonders，andhwordsfororacles。
Thefellowknowshdupe，andmakesthemoston’t，Hefoolshimwithahundredmasksofvirtue，Getsmoneyfromhimallthetimebycanting，Andtakesuponhimselftocarpatus。
EvenhsillycoxcombofalackeyMakesithbusinesstoinstructustoo;
Hecomeswithrollingeyestopreachatus，Andthrowsawayourribbons，rouge，andpatches。
Thewretch，theotherday，toreupakerchiefThathehadfound，pressedinthe/GoldenLegend/，CallingitahorridcrimeforustomingleThedevil’sfinerywithholythings。
[Footnote1:ReferringtotherebellioncalledLaFronde，duringtheminorityofLouXIV。]
[Footnote2:Moliere’snote，insertedinthetextofalltheoldeditions。Itacuriousillustrationofthedesireforuniformityanddignityofstyleindramaticverseoftheseventeenthcentury，thatMolierefeelscalledontoapologizeforatouchofrealmliketh。Indeed，theselineswereevenomittedwhentheplaywasgiven。]
SCENEIII
ELMIRE，MARIANE，DAM，CLEANTE，DORINE
ELMIRE（toCleante）
You’reveryluckytohavemsedthespeechShegaveusatthedoor。Iseemyhusbandhomeagain。Hehasn’tseenmeyet，SoI’llgoupandwaittillhecomesin。
CLEANTE
AndI，tosavetime，willawaithimhere;
I’llmerelysaygood—morning，andbegone。
SCENEIV
CLEANTE，DAM，DORINE
DAM
Iwhyou’dsayawordtohimaboutMyster’smarriage;IsuspectTartuffeOpposesit，andputsmyfatherupToallthesewretchedshifts。Youknow，besides，HownearlyI’mconcernedinitmyself;
IfloveunitesmysterandValere，Ilovehstertoo;andifthmarriageWereto
DORINE
He’scoming。
SCENEV
ORGON，CLEANTE，DORINE
ORGON
Ah！Goodmorning，brother。
CLEANTE
Iwasjustgoing，butamgladtogreetyou。
Thingsarenotfaradvancedyet，inthecountry？
ORGON
Dorine
（ToCleante）
Justwaitabit，please，brother—in—law。
LetmeallaymyfirstanxietyByaskingnewsaboutthefamily。
（ToDorine）
Haseverythinggonewelltheselasttwodays？
What’shappening？Andhoweverybody？
DORINE
Madamhadfever，andasplittingheadacheDaybeforeyesterday，alldayandevening。
ORGON
AndhowaboutTartuffe？
DORINE
Tartuffe？He’swell;
He’smightywell;stout，fat，fair，rosy—lipped。
ORGON
Poorman！
DORINE
AteveningshehadnauseaAndcould’ttouchasinglethingforsupper，Herheadachestillwassosevere。
ORGON
AndhowAboutTartuffe？
DORINE
Hesuppedalone，beforeher，Andunctuouslyateuptwopartridges，Aswellashalfalego’mutton，deviled。
ORGON
Poorman！
DORINE
Allnightshecouldn’tgetawinkOfsleep，thefeverrackedherso;andweHadtositupwithhertilldaylight。
ORGON
HowAboutTartuffe？
DORINE
Gentlyinclinedtoslumber，Heleftthetable，wentintohroom，Gothimselfstraightintoagoodwarmbed，Andsleptquiteundturbeduntilnextmorning。
ORGON
Poorman！
DORINE
Atlastsheletusallpersuadeher，Andgotupcouragetobebled;andthenShewasrelievedatonce。
ORGON
AndhowaboutTartuffe？
DORINE
Hepluckedupcourageproperly，Bravelyentrenchedhsoulagainstallevils，Andtoreplacethebloodthatshehadlost，Hedrankatbreakfastfourhugedraughtsofwine。
ORGON
Poorman！
DORINE
Sonowtheybotharedoingwell;
AndI’llgostraightwayandinformmymtressHowpleasedyouareatherrecovery。
SCENEVI
ORGON，CLEANTE
CLEANTE
Brother，sheridiculesyoutoyourface;
AndI，thoughIdon’twanttomakeyouangry，Musttellyoucandidlythatshe’squiteright。
Wassuchinfatuationeverheardof？
Andcanamanto—dayhavecharmstomakeyouForgetallelse，relievehpoverty，Givehimahome，andthen？
ORGON
Stopthere，goodbrother，Youdonotknowthemanyou’respeakingof。
CLEANTE
Sinceyouwillhaveitso，Idonotknowhim;
Butafterall，totellwhatsortofmanHe
ORGON
Dearbrother，you’dbecharmedtoknowhim;
Yourrapturesoverhimwouldhavenoend。
Heamanwhoah！infactamanWhoeverdoeshwill，knowsperfectpeace，Andcountsthewholeworldelse，assomuchdung。
Hconversehastransformedmequite;heweansMyheartfromeveryfriendship，teachesmeTohavenoloveforanythingonearth;
AndIcouldseemybrother，children，mother，Andwife，alldie，andnevercare——asnap。
CLEANTE
Yourfeelingsarehumane，Imustsay，brother！
ORGON
Ah！Ifyou’dseenhim，asIsawhimfirst，YouwouldhavelovedhimjustasmuchasI。
Hecametochurcheachday，withcontritemien，Kneeled，onbothknees，rightoppositemyplace，Anddrewtheeyesofallthecongregation，Towatchthefervourofhprayerstoheaven;
Withdeep—drawnsighsandgreatejaculations，Hehumblyksedtheearthateverymoment;
AndwhenIleftthechurch，heranbeforemeTogivemeholywateratthedoor。
Ilearnedhpoverty，andwhohewas，Byquestioninghservant，wholikehim，Andgavehimgifts;butinhmodestyHealwayswantedtoreturnapart。
\"Ittoomuch，\"he’dsay，\"toomuchbyhalf;
Iamnotworthyofyourpity。\"Then，WhenIrefusedtotakeitback，he’dgo，Beforemyeyes，andgiveittothepoor。
Atlengthheavenbademetakehimtomyhome，Andsincethatday，allseemstoprosperhere。
Hecensureseverything，andformysakeHeeventakesgreatinterestinmywife;
Heletsmeknowwhooglesher，andseemsSixtimesasjealousasIammyself。
You’dnotbelievehowfarhzealcango:
Hecallshimselfasinnerjustfortrifles;
Themerestnothingenoughtoshockhim;
Somuchso，thattheotherdayIheardhimAccusehimselfforhaving，whileatprayer，Intoomuchangercaughtandkilledaflea。
CLEANTE
Zounds，brother，youaremad，Ithink！OrelseYou’remakingsportofme，withsuchaspeech。
Whatareyoudrivingatwithallthnonsense？
ORGON
Brother，yourlanguagesmacksofathem;
AndIsuspectyoursoul’salittletaintedTherewith。I’vepreachedtoyouascoreoftimesThatyou’lldrawdownsomejudgmentonyourhead。
CLEANTE
Thattheusualstrainofallyourkind;
Theymusthaveeveryoneasblindasthey。
Theycallyouathetifyouhavegoodeyes;
Andifyoudon’tadoretheirvaingrimaces，You’veneitherfaithnorcareforsacredthings。
No，no;suchtalkcan’tfrightenme;IknowWhatIamsaying;heavenseesmyheart。
We’renotthedupesofallyourcantingmummers;
Therearefalseheroes——andfalsedevotees;
AndastrueheroesneveraretheonesWhomakemuchnoeabouttheirdeedsofhonour，Justsotruedevotees，whomweshouldfollow，Arenottheoneswhomakesomuchvainshow。
What！WillyoufindnodifferencebetweenHypocryandgenuinedevoutness？
Andwillyoutreatthembothalike，andpayTheself—samehonourbothtomasksandfacesSetartificebesidesincerity，Confusethesemblancewithreality，Esteemaphantomlikealivingperson，Andcounterfeitasgoodashonestcoin？
Men，forthemostpart，arestrangecreatures，truly！
Youneverfindthemkeepthegoldenmean;
Thelimitsofgoodsense，toonarrowforthem，Mustalwaysbepassedby，ineachdirection;
Theyoftenspoilthenoblestthings，becauseTheygotoofar，andpushthemtoextremes。
Imerelysaythbytheway，goodbrother。