Monsieur de Pourceaugnac | Page 3

of your inclinations?
JUL. I will threaten to shut myself up in a convent.
ERA. But if, notwithstanding all that, he wished to force you to this
marriage?
JUL. Why, what would you have me say?
ERA. What do I want you to say?
JUL. Yes.
ERA. What is said when one loves truly?
JUL. But what?
ERA. That nothing shall force you; that in spite of all your father can
do, you promise to be mine.
JUL. Ah me! Éraste, be satisfied with what I do now, and leave the
future alone. Do not perplex me in my duty, by speaking of sad
expedients to which we may not be obliged to have recourse. Allow me
to be led by the course of events.
ERA. Will....

SBRI. Sir, here is our man. Be careful.
NER. Ah! what a guy! [Footnote: Sbrigani and Nérine are merely the
conventional rogues of the stage. Compare Mascarille, Scapin.]

SCENE V.--MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC, SBRIGANI.
MR. POUR. (_turning to the side he came from, and speaking to the
people who are following him_). Well, what is it? What is the matter?
What do you want? Deuce take this stupid town, and the people who
live in it! Nobody can walk a step without meeting a lot of asses staring
and laughing like fools at one. You boobies, mind your business; and
let folk pass without grinning in their faces. Deuce take me if I don't
knock down the first man I see laughing.
SBRI. (_speaking to the same people_). What are you about? What is
the meaning of such conduct? What is it you want? Is it right to make
fun like that of strangers who come here?
MR. POUR. Here is a man of sense at last.
SBRI. What manners! And what is there to laugh at?
MR. POUR. Quite right.
SBRI. Is there anything ridiculous in this gentleman?
MR. POUR. I ask you?
SBRI. Is he not like other people?
MR. POUR. Am I crooked or hunchbacked?
SBRI. Learn to distinguish people.
MR. POUR. Well said.
SBRI. This gentleman's qualities call for your respect.
MR. POUR. Perfectly true.
SBRI. He is a person of quality.
MR. POUR. Yes, a gentleman from Limoges.
SBRI. A man of intelligence.
MR. POUR. Who has studied the law. [Footnote: Compare act ii. scene
xii.]
SBRI. He does you too much honour in coming to this town.
MR. POUR. Ay, indeed.
SBRI. This gentleman has nothing in him that can make you laugh.
MR. POUR. Certainly not.
SBRI. And the first who laughs at him, I will call to account.
MR. POUR. (to SBRIGANI). Sir, I am extremely, obliged to you.

SBRI. I am sorry, Sir, to see a person like you received after such a
fashion.
MR. POUR. Your servant, Sir.
SBRI. I saw you breakfasting this morning, Sir, with the other
passengers; and the grace with which you ate created in me at once a
great friendship for you; and as I know that you have never been here
before, and that you are a perfect stranger, I am glad I met you, to offer
you my services at your arrival, and to assist you among these people,
who do not always behave to strangers of quality as they should.
MR. POUR. You are really very kind.
SBRI. I have told you already; the moment I saw you, I felt an
inclination for you.
MR. POUR. I am greatly obliged to you.
SBRI. Your countenance pleased me.
MR. POUR. You do me much honour.
SBRI. I read honesty in it.
MR. POUR. I am your servant
SBRI. Something amiable.
MR. POUR. Ah! ah!
SBRI. Graceful.
MR. POUR. Ah! ah!
SBRI. Sweet.
MR. POUR. Ah! ah!
SBRI. Majestic.
MR. POUR. Ah! ah!
SBRI. Frank.
MR. POUR. Ah! ah!
SBRI. And cordial.
MR. POUR. Ah! ah!
SBRI. Believe that I am entirely yours.
MR. POUR. I am greatly obliged to you.
SBRI. I speak from the bottom of my heart.
MR. POUR. I believe you.
SBRI. If I had the honour of being known to you, you would find that I
am altogether sincere.
MR. POUR. I do not doubt it.
SBRI. An enemy to deceit.

MR. POUR. I feel sure of it.
SBRI. And that I am incapable of disguising my thoughts.
MR. POUR. It is exactly what I think.
SBRI. You look at my dress, which is not like that of other people; but
I came originally from Naples, at your service; and I always like to
keep up the way of dressing as well as the sincerity of my country.
[Footnote: The Neapolitans had no great reputation for sincerity.]
MR. POUR. You are quite right. For my part, I was desirous of
appearing in the court dress for the country. [Footnote: Mode de la cour
pour la