ELMIRE
Ifthatrefusalhasoffendedyou，Howlittledoyouknowawoman’sheart！
Howillyouguesswhatitwouldhaveyouknow，Whenitpresentssofeebleadefence！
Always，atfirst，ourmodestyrestsThetenderfeelingsyouinspireuswith。
WhatevercausewefindtojustifyThelovethatmastersus，westillmustfeelSomelittleshameinowningit;andstriveTomakeasthoughwewouldnot，whenwewould。
ButfromtheverywaywegoaboutitWeletaloverknowourheartsurrenders，Thewhileourlips，forhonour’ssake，opposeOurheart’sdesire，andinrefusingprome。
I’mtellingyoumysecretalltoofreelyAndwithtoolittleheedtomodesty。
But——nowthatI’vemadeboldtospeak——praytellme。
ShouldIhavetriedtokeepDamfromspeaking，ShouldIhaveheardtheofferofyourheartSoquietly，andsufferedallyourpleading，AndtakenitjustasIdid——remember——
Ifsuchadeclarationhadnotpleasedme，And，whenItriedmyutmosttopersuadeyouNottoacceptthemarriagethatwastalkedof，WhatshouldmyearnestnesshavehintedtoyouIfnottheinterestthatyou’veinspired，Andmychagrin，shouldsuchamatchcompelmeToshareaheartIwantalltomyself？
TARTUFFE
’T，pastadoubt，theheightofhappiness，Tohearsuchwordsfromlipswedoteupon;
TheirhoneyedsweetnesspoursthroughallmysensesLongdraughtsofsuavityineffable。
Myheartemploysitsutmostzealtopleaseyou，Andcountsyourloveitsonebeatitude;
AndyetthatheartmustbegthatyouallowitTodoubtalittleitsfelicity。
IwellmightthinkthesewordsanhonesttrickTomakemebreakoffthapproachingmarriage;
AndifImayexpressmyselfquiteplainly，IcannottrustthesetooenchantingwordsUntilthegrantingofsomelittlefavourIsighfor，shallassuremeoftheirtruthAndbuildwithinmysoul，onfirmfoundations，Alastingfaithinyoursweetcharity。
ELMIRE（coughingtodrawherhusband’sattention）
What！Mustyougosofast？——andallatonceExhaustthewholeloveofawoman’sheart？
ShedoesherselftheviolencetomakeThdearconfessionofherlove，andyouArenotyetsatfied，andwillnotbeWithoutthegrantingofherutmostfavours？
TARTUFFE
Thelessablessingdeserved，thelessWedaretohopeforit;andwordsaloneCanillassuageourlove’sdesires。AfateToofullofhappiness，seemsdoubtfulstill;
Wemustenjoyiterewecanbelieveit。
AndI，whoknowhowlittleIdeserveYourgoodness，doubtthefortunesofmydaring;
SoIshalltrusttonothing，madam，tillYouhaveconvincedmylovebysomethingreal。
ELMIRE
Ah！Howyourloveenactsthetyrant’srole，Andthrowsmymindintoastrangeconfusion！
Withwhatfierceswayitrulesaconqueredheart，Andviolentlywillhaveitswhesgranted！
What！therenoescapefromyourpursuit？
Norespiteeven？——notabreathingspace？
Nay，itdecenttobesoexacting，AndsoabusebyurgencytheweaknessYoumaydcoverinawoman’sheart？
TARTUFFE
Butifmyworshipwinsyourgraciousfavour，Thenwhyrefusemesomesureproofthereof？
ELMIRE
ButhowcanIconsenttowhatyouwh，WithoutoffendingHeavenyoutalksomuchof？
TARTUFFE
IfHeavenallthatstandsnowinmyway，I’lleasilyremovethatlittlehindrance;
Yourheartneednotholdbackforsuchatrifle。
ELMIRE
ButtheyaffrightussowithHeaven’scommands！
TARTUFFE
Icandpelthesefoolhfears，dearmadam;
IknowtheartofpacifyingscruplesHeavenforbids，’ttrue，somesatfactions;
ButwefindmeanstomakethingsrightwithHeaven。
（’Tascoundrelspeaking。）[5]
[Footnote5:Moliere’snote，intheoriginaledition。]
Thereascience，madam，thatinstructsusHowtoenlargethelimitsofourconscienceAccordingtoourvariousoccasions，AndrectifytheevilofthedeedAccordingtoourpurityofmotive。
I’lldulyteachyouallthesesecrets，madam;
Youonlyneedtoletyourselfbeguided。
Contentmywhes，havenofearatall;
Ianswerfor’t，andtakethesinuponme。
（Elmirecoughsstilllouder。）
Yourcoughverybad。
ELMIRE
Yes，I’mintorture。
TARTUFFE
Wouldyouacceptthbitoflicorice？
ELMIRE
Thecaseobstinate，Ifind;andallThelicoriceintheworldwilldonogood。
TARTUFFE
’Tverytrying。
ELMIRE
Morethanwordscansay。
TARTUFFE
Inanycase，yourscruple’seasilyRemoved。Withmeyou’resureofsecrecy，Andthere’snoharmunlessathingknown。
Thepublicscandalwhatbringsoffence，Andsecretsinningnotsinatall。
ELMIRE（aftercoughingagain）
Sothen，IseeImustresolvetoyield;
Imustconsenttograntyoueverything，AndcannothopetogivefullsatfactionOrwinfullconfidence，atlessercost。
Nodoubt’tveryhardtocometoth;
’TquiteagainstmywillIgosofar;
ButsinceImustbeforcedtoit，sincenothingThatcanbesaidsufficesforbelief，Sincemoreconvincingproofstilldemanded，Imustmakeupmymindtohumourpeople。
Ifmyconsentgivereasonforoffence，Somuchtheworseforhimwhoforcedmetoit;
Thefaultcansurelynotbecountedmine。
TARTUFFE
Itneednot，madam;andthethingitself
ELMIRE
Openthedoor，Iprayyou，andjustseeWhethermyhusband’snotthere，inthehall。
TARTUFFE
Whytakesuchcareforhim？Betweenourselves，Heamantoleadroundbythenose。
He’scapableofgloryinginourmeetings;
I’vefooledhimso，he’dseeall，anddenyit。
ELMIRE
Nomatter;go，Ibegyou，lookabout，Andcarefullyexamineeverycorner。
SCENEVI
ORGON，ELMIRE
ORGON（crawlingoutfromunderthetable）
That，Iown，amanabominable！
Ican’tgetoverit;thewholethingfloorsme。
ELMIRE
What？Youcomeoutsosoon？Youcannotmeanit！
Getbackunderthetable;’tnottimeyet;
Waittilltheend，tosee，andmakequitecertain，Anddon’tbelieveathingonmereconjecture。
ORGON
Nothingmorewickede’ercameoutofHell。
ELMIRE
Dearme！Don’tgoandcreditthingstoolightly。
No，letyourselfbethoroughlyconvinced;
Don’tyieldtoosoon，forfearyou’llbemtaken。
（AsTartuffeenters，shemakesherhusbandstandbehindher。）
SCENEVII
TARTUFFE，ELMIRE，ORGON
TARTUFFE（notseeingOrgon）
Allthingsconspiretowardmysatfaction，Madam，I’vesearchedthewholeapartmentthrough。
There’snoonehere;andnowmyravhedsoul
ORGON（stoppinghim）
Softly！Youaretooeagerinyouramours;
Youneedn’tbesopassionate。Ahha！
Myholyman！Youwanttoputitonme！
Howyoursoulabandonedtotemptation！
Marrymydaughter，eh？——andwantmywife，too？
Idoubtedlongenoughifthwasearnest，Expectingallthetimethetonewouldchange;
Butnowtheproof’sbeencarriedfarenough;
I’msatfied，andasknomore，formypart。
ELMIRE（toTartuffe）
’TwasquiteagainstmycharactertoplayThpart;butIwasforcedtotreatyouso。
TARTUFFE
What？Youbelieve？
ORGON
Come，now，noprotestations。
Getoutfromhere，andmakenofussaboutit。
TARTUFFE
Butmyintent
ORGON
Thattalkoutofseason。
Youleavemyhousethinstant。
TARTUFFE
You’retheoneToleaveit，youwhoplaythemasterhere！
Thhousebelongstome，I’llhaveyouknow，Andshowyouplainlyit’snousetoturnTotheselowtricks，topickaquarrelwithme，Andthatyoucan’tinsultmeatyourpleasure，ForIhavewherewithtoconfoundyourlies，AvengeoffendedHeaven，andcompelThosetorepentwhotalktomeofleaving。
SCENEVIII
ELMIRE，ORGON
ELMIRE
Whatsortofspeechth？Whatcanitmean？
ORGON
Myfaith，I’mdazed。Thnolaughingmatter。
ELMIRE
What？
ORGON
FromhwordsIseemygreatmtake;
Thedeedofgiftonethingtroublesme。
ELMIRE
Thedeedofgift
ORGON
Yes，thatpastrecall。
ButI’veanotherthingtomakemeanxious。
ELMIRE
What’sthat？
ORGON
Youshallknowall。Let’sseeatonceWhetheracertainboxstillupstairs。
ACTV
SCENEI
ORGON，CLEANTE
CLEANTE
Whitherawaysofast？
ORGON
HowshouldIknow？
CLEANTE
MethinksweshouldbeginbytakingcounselToseewhatcanbedonetomeetthecase。
ORGON
I’mallworkedupaboutthatwretchedbox。
Morethanallelseitdrivesmetodespair。
CLEANTE
Thatboxmusthidesomemightymystery？
ORGON
Argas，myfriendwhointrouble，broughtitHimself，mostsecretly，andleftitwithme。
Hechoseme，inhexile，forthtrust;
Andonthesedocuments，fromwhathesaid，Ijudgehlifeandpropertydepend。
CLEANTE
Howcouldyoutrustthemtoanother’shands？
ORGON
Byreasonofaconscientiousscruple。
Iwentstraighttomytraitor，toconfideInhim;hsophtrymademebelieveThatImustgivetheboxtohimtokeep，Sothat，incaseofsearch，ImightdenyMyhavingitatall，andstill，byfavourOfthevasion，keepmyconscienceclearEvenintakingoathagainstthetruth。
CLEANTE
Yourcasebad，sofarasIcansee;
Thdeedofgift，thtrustingofthesecretTohim，wereboth——tostatemyfrankopinion——
Stepsthatyoutooktoolightly;hecanleadyouToanylength，withtheseforhostages;
Andsinceheholdsyouatsuchdadvantage，You’dbestillmoreimprudent，toprovokehim;
Soyoumustgosomegentlerwayabout。
ORGON
What！Canasoulsobase，aheartsofalse，Hideneaththesemblanceofsuchtouchingfervour？
Itookhimin，avagabond，abeggar！
’Ttoomuch！Nomorepiousfolkforme！
Ishallabhorthemutterlyforever，Andhenceforthtreatthemworsethananydevil。
CLEANTE
So！Thereyougoagain，quiteoffthehandle！
Innothingdoyoukeepaneventemper。
Youneverknowwhatreason，butalwaysJumpfirsttooneextreme，andthentheother。
Youseeyourerror，andyourecogneThatyou’vebeencozenedbyafeignedzeal;
Buttomakeupfor’t，inthenameofreason，Whyshouldyouplungeintoaworsemtake，AndfindnodifferenceincharacterBetweenaworthlessscamp，andallgoodpeople？
What！JustbecausearascalboldlydupedyouWithpompousshowoffalseausterity，Mustyouneedshaveiteverybody’slikehim，Andnoone’strulypiousnowadays？
Leavesuchconclusionstomereinfidels;
Dtinguhvirtuefromitscounterfeit，Don’tgiveesteemtooquickly，ataventure，Buttrytokeep，inth，thegoldenmean。
Ifyoucanhelpit，don’tupholdimposture;
Butdonotrailattruedevoutness，either;
Andifyoumustfallintooneextreme，Thenrathererragaintheotherway。
SCENEII
DAM，ORGON，CLEANTE
DAM
What！father，canthescoundrelthreatenyou，Forgetthemanybenefitsreceived，AndinhbaseabominableprideMakeofyourveryfavoursarmsagainstyou？
ORGON
Tootrue，myson。Ittorturesmetothinkon’t。
DAM
Letmealone，I’llchophearsoffforhim。
Wemustdealroundlywithhinsolence;
’TImustfreeyoufromhimatablow;
’TI，tosetthingsright，muststrikehimdown。
CLEANTE
Spokelikeatrueyoungman。Nowjustcalmdown，Andmoderateyourtoweringtantrums，willyou？
Weliveinsuchanage，withsuchaking，Thatviolencecannotadvanceourcause。
SCENEIII
MADAMEPERNELLE，ORGON，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，DAM，DORINE
MADAMEPERNELLE
What’sth？Ihearoffearfulmysteries！
ORGON
Strangethingsindeed，formyowneyestowitness;
YouseehowI’mrequitedformykindness，Izealouslyreceiveawretchedbeggar，Ilodgehim，entertainhimlikemybrother，Loadhimwithbenefactionseveryday，Givehimmydaughter，givehimallmyfortune:
Andhemeanwhile，thevillain，rascal，wretch，Trieswithblacktreasontosubornmywife，Andnotcontentwithsuchafouldesign，Hedarestomenacemewithmyownfavours，AndwouldmakeuseofthoseadvantagesWhichmytoofoolhkindnessarmedhimwith，Toruinme，totakemyfortunefromme，AndleavemeinthestateIsavedhimfrom。
DORINE
Poorman！
MADAMEPERNELLE
Myson，IcannotpossiblyBelievehecouldintendsoblackadeed。
ORGON
What？
MADAMEPERNELLE
Worthymenarestillthesportofenvy。
ORGON
Mother，whatdoyoumeanbysuchaspeech？
MADAMEPERNELLE
Therearestrangegoings—onaboutyourhouse，Andeverybodyknowsyourpeoplehatehim。
ORGON
What’sthattodowithwhatItellyounow？
MADAMEPERNELLE
Ialwayssaid，myson，whenyouwerelittle:
Thatvirtueherebelowhatedever;
Theenviousmaydie，butenvynever。
ORGON
What’sthatfinespeechtodowithpresentfacts？
MADAMEPERNELLE
Besure，they’veforgedahundredsillylies
ORGON
I’vetoldyouonce，Isawitallmyself。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Forslanderersaboundincalumnies
ORGON
Mother，you’dmakemedamnmysoul。ItellyouIsawwithmyowneyeshshamelessness。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Theirtonguesforspittingvenomneverlack，There’snothingherebelowthey’llnotattack。
ORGON
Yourspeechhasnotasinglegrainofsense。
Isawit，harkee，sawit，withtheseeyesIsaw——d’yeknowwhatsawmeans？——mustIsayitAhundredtimes，anddinitinyourears？
MADAMEPERNELLE
Mydear，appearancesareoftdeceiving，Andseeingshouldn’talwaysbebelieving。
ORGON
I’llgomad。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Falsesuspicionsmaydelude，Andgoodtoeviloftmconstrued。
ORGON
MustIconstrueasChrtiancharityThewhtoksmywife！
MADAMEPERNELLE
Youmust，atleast，Havejustfoundationforaccusingpeople，Andwaituntilyouseeathingforsure。
ORGON
Thedevil！HowcouldIseeanysurer？
ShouldIhavewaitedtill，beforemyeyes，HeNo，you’llmakemesaythingsquiteimproper。
MADAMEPERNELLE
Inshort，’tknowntoopureazealinflameshim;
Andso，IcannotpossiblyconceiveThatheshouldtrytodowhat’schargedagainsthim。
ORGON
Ifyouwerenotmymother，IshouldsaySuchthings！Iknownotwhat，I’msoenraged！
DORINE（toOrgon）
Fortunehaspaidyoufair，tobesodoubted;
Youfloutedourreport，nowyoursflouted。
CLEANTE
We’rewastingtimehereinthemeresttrifling，WhichweshouldratheruseintakingmeasuresToguardourselvesagainstthescoundrel’sthreats。
DAM
Youthinkhimpudencecouldgofar？
ELMIRE
Forone，Ican’tbelieveitpossible;
Why，hingratitudewouldbetoopatent。
CLEANTE
Don’ttrusttothat;he’llfindabundantwarrantTogivegoodcolourtohactsagainstyou;
Andforlesscausethanth，astrongcabalCanmakeone’slifealabyrinthoftroubles。
Itellyouonceagain:armedasheYounevershouldhavepushedhimquitesofar。
ORGON
True;yetwhatcouldIdo？Therascal’sprideMademeloseallcontrolofmyresentment。
CLEANTE
IwhwithallmyheartthatsomepretenceOfpeacecouldbepatchedupbetweenyoutwoELMIRE
IfIhadknownwhatweaponshewasarmedwith，Inevershouldhaveraedsuchanalarm，Andmy
ORGON（toDorine，seeingMr。Loyalcomein）
Who’scomingnow？Goquick，findout。
I’minafinestatetoreceiveavit！
SCENEIV
ORGON，MADAMEPERNELLE，ELMIRE，MARIANE，CLEANTE，DAM，DORINE，MR。
LOYAL
MR。LOYAL（toDorine，atthebackofthestage）
Goodday，goodster。Prayyou，letmeseeThemasterofthehouse。
DORINE
He’soccupied;
Ithinkhecanseenobodyatpresent。
MR。LOYAL
I’mnotbywayofbeingunwelcomehere。
Mycomingcan，Ithink，nowedpleasehim;
Myerrandwillbefoundtohadvantage。
DORINE
Yourname，then？
MR。LOYAL
TellhimsimplythathfriendMr。Tartuffehassentme，forhgoods
DORINE（toOrgon）
Itamanwhocomes，withcivilmanners，SentbyTartuffe，hesays，uponanerrandThatyou’llbepleasedwith。
CLEANTE（toOrgon）
Surelyyoumustseehim，Andfindoutwhohe，andwhathewants。
ORGON（toCleante）
Perhapshe’scometomakeitupbetweenus:
HowshallItreathim？
CLEANTE
Youmustnotgetangry;
AndifhetalksofreconciliationAcceptit。
MR。LOYAL（toOrgon）
Sir，good—day。AndHeavensendHarmtoyourenemies，favourtoyou。
ORGON（asidetoCleante）
ThmildbeginningsuitswithmyconjecturesAndpromessomecompromealready。
MR。LOYAL
Allofyourhousehaslongbeendeartome;
Ihadthehonour，sir，toserveyourfather。
ORGON
Sir，Iammuchashamed，andaskyourpardonFornotrecallingnowyourfaceorname。
MR。LOYAL
MynameLoyal。I’mfromNormandy。
Myofficecourt—bailiff，indespiteOfenvy;andforfortyyears，thankHeaven，It’sbeenmyfortunetoperformthatofficeWithhonour。SoI’vecome，sir，byyourleaveTorenderserviceofacertainwrit
ORGON
What，youarehereto
MR。LOYAL
Pray，sir，don’tbeangry。
’Tnothing，sir，butjustalittlesummons:——
Ordertovacate，youandyours，thhouse，Moveoutyourfurniture，makeroomforothers，Andthatwithoutdelayorputtingoff，Asneedsmustbe
ORGON
I？Leavethhouse？
MR。LOYAL
Yes，please，sirThehousenow，asyouwellknow，ofcourse，Mr。Tartuffe’s。Andhe，beyonddpute，OfallyourgoodshenceforthlordandmasterByvirtueofacontracthereattached，Drawnindueform，andunassailable。
DAM（toMr。Loyal）
Yourinsolencemonstrous，andastounding！
MR。LOYAL（toDam）
Ihavenobusiness，sir，thattouchesyou;
（PointingtoOrgon）
Ththegentleman。He’sfairandcourteous，Andknowstoowellagentleman’sbehaviourTowhinanywetoquestionjustice。
ORGON
But
MR。LOYAL
Sir，IknowyouwouldnotforamillionWhtorebel;likeagoodcitizenYou’llletmeputinforcethecourt’sdecree。
DAM
Yourlongblackgownmaywell，beforeyouknowit，MterCourt—bailiff，getathoroughbeating。
MR。LOYAL（toOrgon）
Sir，makeyoursonbesilentorwithdraw。
Ishouldbeloathtohavetosetthingsdown，Andseeyournamesinscribedinmyreport。
DORINE（aside）
ThMr。Loyal’slooksaremostdloyal。
MR。LOYAL
IhavemuchfeelingforrespectableAndhonestfolklikeyou，sir，andconsentedToservethesepapers，onlytoobligeyou，AndthuspreventthechoiceofanyotherWho，lesspossessedofzealforyouthanIamMightordermattersinlessgentlefashion。
ORGON
AndhowcouldonedoworsethanorderpeopleOutoftheirhouse？
MR。LOYAL
Why，weallowyoutime;
Andevenwillsuspenduntilto—morrowTheexecutionoftheorder，sir。
I’llmerely，withoutscandal，quietly，Comehereandspendthenight，withhalfascoreOfofficers;andjustforform’ssake，please，You’llbringyourkeystome，beforeretiring。
Iwilltakecarenottodturbyourrest，Andseethere’snounseemlyconducthere。
Butbyto—morrow，andatearlymorning，Youmustmakehastetomoveyourleastbelongings;
Mymenwillhelpyou——IhavechosenstrongonesToserveyou，sir，inclearingoutthehouse。
Noonecouldactmoregenerously，Ifancy，And，sinceI’mtreatingyouwithgreatindulgence，Ibegyou’lldoaswellbyme，andseeI’mnotdturbedinmydchargeofduty。
ORGON
I’dgivethveryminute，andnotgrudgeit，ThehundredbestgoldlouIhaveleft，IfIcouldjustindulgemyself，andlandMyft，foronegoodsquareone，onhsnout。
CLEANTE（asidetoOrgon）
Careful！——don’tmakethingsworse。
DAM
Suchinsolence！
Ihardlycanrestrainmyself。MyhandsAreitchingtobeathim。
DORINE
Bymyfaith，Withsuchafinebroadback，goodMr。Loyal，Alittlebeatingwouldbecomeyouwell。
MR。LOYAL
Mygirl，suchinfamouswordsareactionable。
Andwarrantscanbesuedagainstwomen。
CLEANTE（toMr。Loyal）
Enoughofthdcussion，sir;havedone。
Giveusthepaper，andthenleaveus，pray。
MR。LOYAL
Then/aurevoir/。Heavenkeepyoufromdaster！
ORGON
MayHeavenconfoundyouboth，youandyourmaster！
SCENEV
ORGON，MADAMEPERNELLE，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，DAM，DORINE
ORGON
Well，mother，amIrightoramInot？
Thwritmayhelpyounowtojudgethematter。
Ordon’tyouseehtreasonevenyet？
MADAMEPERNELLE
I’mallamazed，befuddled，andbeflustered！
DORINE（toOrgon）
Youarequitewrong，youhavenorighttoblamehim;
Thactiononlyproveshgoodintentions。
Loveforhneighbourmakeshvirtueperfect;
Andknowingmoneyarootofevil，InChrtiancharity，he’dtakeawayWhateverthingsmayhinderyoursalvation。
ORGON
Bestill。Youalwaysneedtohavethattoldyou。
CLEANTE（toOrgon）
Come，letusseewhatcourseyouaretofollow。
ELMIRE
Goandexposehboldingratitude。
Suchactionmustinvalidatethecontract;
HperfidymustnowappeartooblackTobringhimthesuccessthatheexpects。
SCENEVI
VALERE，ORGON，MADAMEPERNELLE，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，DAM，DORINE
VALERE
’Twithregret，sir，thatIbringbadnews;
Buturgentdangerforcesmetodoso。
Acloseandintimatefriendofmine，whoknowsTheinterestItakeinwhatconcernsyou，Hasgonesofar，formysake，astobreakThesecrecythat’sduetostateaffairs，Andsentmewordbutnow，thatleavesyouonlyTheoneexpedientofsuddenflight。
Thevillainwhosolongimposeduponyou，Foundmeans，anhourago，toseetheprince，Andtoaccuseyou（amongotherthings）
Byputtinginhhandstheprivatestrong—boxOfastate—criminal，whoseguiltysecret，You，failinginyourdutyasasubject，（Hesays）havekept。IknownomoreofitSavethatawarrant’sdrawnagainstyou，sir，Andforthegreatersurety，thatsamerascalComeswiththeofficerwhomustarrestyou。
CLEANTE
Hrightsarearmed;andthhowthescoundrelSeekstosecurethepropertyheclaims。
ORGON
Manawickedanimal，I’llownit！
VALERE
Theleastdelaymaystillbefatal，sir。
Ihavemycarriage，andathousandlou，Providedforyourjourney，atthedoor。
Let’slosenotime;theboltswifttostrike，Andsuchasonlyflightcansaveyoufrom。
I’llbeyourguidetoseekaplaceofsafety，Andstaywithyouuntilyoureachit，sir。
ORGON
HowmuchIowetoyourobligingcare！
Anothertimemustservetothankyoufitly;
AndIprayHeaventograntmesomuchfavourThatImaysomedayrecompenseyourservice。
Good—bye;seetoit，allofyou
CLEANTE
Comehurry;
We’llseetoeverythingthat’sneedful，brother。
SCENEVII
TARTUFFE，ANOFFICER，MADAMEPERNELLE，ORGON，ELMIRE，CLEANTE，MARIANE，VALERE，DAM，DORINE
TARTUFFE（stoppingOrgon）
Softly，sir，softly;donotrunsofast;
Youhaven’tfartogotofindyourlodging;
Byorderoftheprince，weherearrestyou。
ORGON
Traitor！Yousavedthworststrokeforthelast;
Thcrownsyourperfidies，andruinsme。
TARTUFFE
Ishallnotbeembitteredbyyourinsults，ForHeavenhastaughtmetoendureallthings。
CLEANTE
Yourmoderation，Imustown，great。
DAM
HowshamelesslythewretchmakesboldwithHeaven！
TARTUFFE
Yourravingscannotmoveme;allmythoughtbuttodomyduty。
MARIANE
YoumustclaimGreatgloryfromthhonourableact。
TARTUFFE
Theactcannotbeaughtbuthonourable，Comingfromthathighpowerwhichsendsmehere。
ORGON
Ungratefulwretch，doyouforget’twasI
Thatrescuedyoufromuttermery？
TARTUFFE
I’venotforgotsomehelpyoumayhavegiven;
Butmyfirstdutynowtowardmyprince。
ThehigherpowerofthatmostsacredclaimMuststifleinmyheartallgratitude;
AndtosuchpusanttiesI’dsacrificeMyfriend，mywife，mykindred，andmyself。
ELMIRE
Thehypocrite！
DORINE
HowwellheknowsthetrickOfcloakinghimwithwhatwemostrevere！
CLEANTE
Butifthemotivethatyoumakeparadeofperfectasyousay，whyshoulditwaitToshowitself，untilthedayhecaughtyouSolicitinghwife？HowhappensitYouhavenotthoughttogoinformagainsthimUntilhhonourforceshimtodriveyouOutofhhouse？AndthoughIneednotmentionThathe’djustgivenyouhwholeestate，Still，ifyoumeanttotreathimnowasguilty，Howcouldyouthenconsenttotakehgift？
TARTUFFE（totheOfficer）
Pray，sir，delivermefromallthclamour;
Begoodenoughtocarryoutyourorder。
THEOFFICER
Yes，I’vetoolongdelayeditsexecution;
’Tveryfittingyoushouldurgemetoit;
Sotherefore，youmustfollowmeatonceTopron，whereyou’llfindyourlodgingready。
TARTUFFE
Who？I，sir？
THEOFFICER
You。
TARTUFFE
Bywhytopron？
THEOFFICER
YouArenottheonetowhomIoweaccount。
You，sir（toOrgon），recoverfromyourhotalarm。
Ourprincenotafriendtodoubledealing，Heyescanreadmen’sinmosthearts，andallTheartofhypocritescannotdeceivehim。
Hsharpdcernmentseesthingsclearandtrue;
Hmindcannottooeasilybeswayed，Forreasonalwaysholdsthebalanceeven。
Hehonoursandexaltstruepiety，Butknowsthefalse，andviewsitwithdgust。
Thfellowwasbynomeansapttofoolhim，Farsubtlersnareshavefailedagainsthwdom，AndhquickinsightpiercedimmediatelyThehiddenbasenessofthtortuousheart。
Accusingyou，theknavebetrayedhimself，AndbytruerecompenseofHeaven’sjusticeHestoodrevealedbeforeourmonarch’seyesAscoundrelknownbeforebyothernames，Whosehorridcrimes，detailedatlength，mightfillAlong—drawnhtoryofmanyvolumes。
Ourmonarch——toresolveyouinaword——
Detestinghingratitudeandbaseness，Addedthhorrortohothercrimes，AndsentmehitherunderhdirectionToseehinsolenceout—topitself，Andforcehimthentogiveyousatfaction。
Yourpapers，whichthetraitorsaysareh，Iamtotakefromhim，andgiveyouback;
ThedeedofgifttransferringyourestateOurmonarch’ssovereignwillmakesnullandvoid;
AndforthesecretpersonaloffenceYourfriendinvolvedyouin，hepardonsyou:
Thusherewardsyourrecentzeal，dplayedInhelpingtomaintainhrights，andshowsHowwellhheart，whenitleastexpected，Knowshowtorecompenseanobledeed，Andwillnotlettruemeritmsitsdue，Rememberingalwaysrathergoodthanevil。
DORINE
NowHeavenbepraed！
MADAMEPERNELLE
AtlastIbreatheagain。
ELMIRE
Ahappyoutcome！
MARIANE
Who’dhavedaredtohopeit？
ORGON（toTartuffe，whobeingledbytheofficer）
Theretraitor！Nowyou’re
SCENEVIII
MADAMEPERNELLE，ORGON，ELMIRE，MARIANE，CLEANTE，VALERE，DAM，DORINE
CLEANTE
Brother，hold！——anddon’tDescendtosuchindignities，Ibegyou。
Leavethepoorwretchtohunhappyfate，Andletremorseoppresshim，butnotyou。
HoperatherthathheartmaynowreturnTovirtue，hatehvice，reformhways，Andwinthepardonofourgloriousprince;
Whileyoumuststraightwaygo，andonyourkneesRepaywiththankshnoblegenerouskindness。
ORGON
Wellsaid！We’llgo，andathfeetkneeldown，Withjoytothankhimforhgoodnessshown;
Andthfirstdutydone，withhonoursdue，We’llthenattenduponanother，too。
WithweddedhappinessrewardValere，Andcrownalovernobleandsincere。