Moliere Volume . 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ...Damis. Leave him to me; I 'll cut his ears off Against his insolence no quarter should be given. It is my duty with one blow to free you. I 'll strike him down and end the matter. Cleante. Ha that is young men's talk. Moderate, if you please, these dashing transports. We live beneath a reign and in an age when violence is not the way to win our rights. SCENE THIRD Madame Pernelle, Orgon, Elmire, Cleante, Mariane, Dahis, Dorine Madame Pernelle. What is all this? I have heard dreadful things. Orgon. Yes, dreadful things, to which mine eyes bear witness. You see the payment here of all my kindness. With hearty zeal I succor a man in poverty; I take him to my home and treat him like a brother; I load him, day by day, with benefits, --give him my daughter and all my property; and while I do so, the villain, the traitor, attempts his foul design of tampering with my wife. And, not content with such base actions, he dares to turn my benefits against me, and for my ruin means to use the advantages with which my unwise goodness armed him. He seeks to drive us from this house, which I transferred to him, and bring me to the state from which I rescued him. DORINE. Poor man Madame Pernelle. My son, I cannot in the least believe he means to do so foul an action. Orgon. What? Madame Pernelle. Devout and godly men are always envied. Orgon. Mother, what do you mean in saying that? Madame Pernelle. Your home is managed in so strange a way; and we all know the hatred that pursues him. Orgon. That hatred did not cause the things I tell you. Madame Pernelle. My son, I taught you a hundred times, when you were little, that virtue in this world is always persecuted. Envious persons die, but envy never. Orgon. But what has that to do with the facts that now...