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N\i 



THE. 

W O R K S 

OF. 

M I I E R E'y 

French and English. 
VOLUME tbe THIRD. 

""'mi 




LONDON: 

Ptinted by and for J o a n W a tt i at the Printing. 
Office m fFild-Court near Ui/coWs-Inn Fieldt. 



"^""^vEW 



V O L. III. 

•C ONT A I N I N G, 

Li*£coIe des Maris. 

L'Ecole des Femmes. 

La Critique de TEcole des Femmes. 

L'Impromptu de Veriailles. 

The School for Husbands, 
Tbi School fbr Wives. 
The School for fHves Criticised. 
The Impromptu of Verfailles. 



L*£coLE DEs Maris. 

CO ME I E. 

THE 

School jW-HusBANps. 

' , ,v •■■^ .;A.' • - ■ : ■ . 

COME D Y. 



Vol. III. A t 





L*EcoLE DBS Map. IS, comedie en trots 
aSles en vers^ reprefentee a Paris fur le the- 
aire du palais royal le 24 Juin 1661. 

[ L eft peu de pieces, fur tout en trois 
aftej, auffi fimjies, au£B claires, auf- 
fi ftcondes que celle-d. Chaquc fc^c 
produit un incident nouveau, & ces 
incidcns d6veloppes avcc art, am^ncnt 
infenfiblement un des plus beaux d^nouemens qu'on < 
ait vus fur le theatre fran^ois, Les Adelphes dc 
Terence n'ont fourni que I'idde de Vecole des ma- 
ris : dans les Adelfhes^ deux Vieillards d'humcurs | 
oppof(6es, un p6re & un oncle, donnent unc Edu- 
cation tres-diftircnte. Tun ^ fon fils, I'autre ^ fon 
neveu ; dans P^cole des marisy ce font deux tuteurs 
charges d'^lever chacun une fiUe qui leur a Ete 
confiee ; Tun fiSvere, Tautre indulgent : le poete 
fran^ois a enchfiri fur le poete latin, en donnant 
a ces deux perfonnages, non feulement TintfirSt dc 
p6res, mais encore celui d'amans; intirfit fi fin,j 
fi vif, qu'il forme une pi&c toutc nouveUe, fur Yi 
4£c fimple de rancienne. 




rl^^ ScHOOL/t?r Husbands, a Comedy of 
three A£ts in Verfe^ aSfed at Paris, at the 
^theatre oftb^ Palace-Royal^ June 24, 1661. 

[HERE are few Pieces, efpecially of 
three AAs, fo fimple, fo polifh'd, ^nd 
fo copious as this : Every Scene pro* 
duces a new Incident, and thefe Inci- 
dents, artfully unfolded, infenfibly lead 
to one of the moft beautiful Cataftrophes that was 
ever feen upon the French Stage : The Adelphi of 
Terence otAy gave the Hint to the School for Husbands^ 
In the Adelphi two old Men of oppofite Humours, 
one a Father, and the other an Uncle, gave a very 
very different Education, the one to his Son, and the 
other to his Nephew. In the School for Husbands 
are two Guardians, who had each of them the Care 
of bringing up a young Girl, that was intrufted to 
them, the one of them being of a rigid Temper, the 
other of an indulgent one. The French Poet has 
improv'd upon the Latin .one, in giving to his two 
Characters, not only the Concern of Fathers, but of 
Lovers likewife, an Intereft fo exquifite and lively, 
that it forms a Piece intirely new upon the fimple 
Plan of the ancient Author. 



As 



'\ 



A c r E U R s, 

f Fre'its. 
Aristb, 3 



isabelle, 1 
Leonor. 3 



Soeur$. 



Valere, amant d'^Ifabelle. 
LisETTE, fuivantc dcLconor* 
Ergaste, valet de VaLere. 
Un Commissaire. 

Uh NOTAIRE. 

Deux La^uais. 

LaSCENE eji a Parts dans une phce pull 



A c r O R s. 



Scan ARE L; 
Aristo, 


} 


Brothers, 


ISABELLAj 

Leonora, 


1 

. :• 

► 3 


Siprs: 


Valirb> 


Lavir 


to Ifabdla. 


LlSETTA, 


Wahing*Woman to Leooorsi. 


Ergasto, 


Falet 


to Valcrc 


Commissary, 




Notary. 






Two Footmen 


. 



SCENE,* publick Place In PARIS. 



A + 



in 





L'EcoLE DEs Maris- 



CTEL SCENE I. 

SGANARELLE, ARISTE. 

Sg AN AR B LLB. 

I ON frirct 8*11 vous plaits ne dircouroni 
point tantf. 
Et que Chacon de nouf vive comme tt 

Tentend i 
Bien que fur moi des ana vous ayez V^ 
vantage, 
£t foyex aflez vieux pour devoir etre &ge, 
Je vouB dirai pourtant que mes intentions] 
Sont de ne prendre point de vos corredUons : 
Que j'ai poor tout confeil ma fantaifie i fxdyre, 
Et me trouve fort bien de ma fa9on de vivre. 
A R I s T B . Mais chacun la condamne, 
ScANARELLE. Oui, des fou9 commc vous. 
Men frere. 
Ariste. Grand-merci, le compliment eft doux. 
Sganarelle. Je voudrois bien f9avoir, puifqu*il 
faut tout entendre, 
Ce que ces beaux cenfeurs en moi peuvent reprendre ? 
Ariste. Cette farouche humeur, dont la feverite 
Fuit toutes les douceurs de la fociete, 
A tous vos precedes infpire un air bizarre, 
£t, jufques a Phabit, rend tout chez vous barbare. 
Scan are LLE. II eft vrai qu'a la mode il £iut m'af- 
fujcttir, 

Et 



i 



(I 

I i 

f 



[9] 



^i& 



im^ 



THE 

ScHo oL/^r Husbands- 

ACT I. SCEJSTEI. 

SGANAREL, ARISTO. 

Scan ARE l. 
[RAY Brother, don't let us talk fo much, 
but let each of us live according to his 
Inclination ; tho* you have the Advantage 
over me in Years, and are old enough 
to be wife, I muft tell you, notwithlland- 
ing, that I don't intend to bear Reproofs 
from you : that my Fancy is the only Diredor I have 
to follow, and I am well pleas*d with living after my 
own manner. • 




A R I s T o . But every Body condemns it. 
Scam A RE L. Ay, Fools like you. Brother. 

A R I s T o . Thank ye ; the Compliment is kind. 
Scan ar£ l. IM fkin know, lince all muft out, what 
thefe fine Cavillers can find in me to reprove ? 

Ari s T o. That furly Temper, the Severity of which 
fhuns all the Pleafures of Society, gives a whimfical 
Air to all you do, and renders all about you barbarous,, 
even to your very Habit. 

Sgav arbl. I ibould make my felf a Slave to the 
A 5 FafhioA 



10 L'Ecoti DEs Maris. 

Et cc n'cft pas pour moi que jc me dois vetir. 

Ne voadricz-vous point par vos belles fornettes, 

Monfieur mon frcre aine, (car Dieu-merci vous Petes \ 

l)'ane vingtaine d'ans, k ne vous rien celer, 

Et cela ne vaut pas la peine d'en parler i l 

Ne voudriez-vous point, dis-je, fur ces matierc* I 

De vos jeuncs muguets m*infpiter les maniered,. I j 

M'obliger a porter de ces petits chapcaux l\ 

Qui laiflent eventer leurs debiles cerveaux, ]] 

Et de ces blonde chtveux9 de qui la. rafle enflure : ] 

Des vifages humains ofFufque la figure ? ja 

De ces pedts pourpoints fous les bras ic perdans, 

Et de ces grands colets jii£qu*au hombhl pendans ? 

De ces manches qu*a table on voit titer les fauffes^ \ 

Et de ces cotillons appelles haut-de-chaufTes i- \\ 

De ces fouliers mignons de Cubans rcvetus 

Qui vous font refFembler a des pigeons patus ? 

Et de ces grands canons ou, commo en des entraves. 

On met tous les matins ies deux jambes efclaves, 

Et par qui nous voyons ces mefiieurs les gsdan$ 

Marcher ecarquilles ainfi que des volans ? 

Je vous plairois fans doute equipe de la focte, 

Et je vous vols porter les fottifes qu'on porte. 

Ariste. Toujours au plus grand nombre on doit 
s^accommoder, 
Et jamais 11 ne hut ie faire regarder. 
L'un & Pautre exces choque, & tout homme bien iage 
Doit faire des habits ainfi que du langage, 
N'y rien trop afFeder, &, fans empreffemcnt, j 

Suivre ce que Pufage y fait de changement. ] 

Mon fentiment n*eft pas qu^on prenne la methode ' 
De ceux qu'on voit toujours rencherir fur la mode ; • | 
Et qui, dans cet excSs dont ils font amoureux, | 

Seroient faches qu*un autre eut etc plus loin qu'cux i^ I 
Mais je ti^ns qu'il eft mal, fur quoi que Pon fe fonde, t 
De fuir obftinement ce que fuit tout le monde, I 

Etf 



fttfe Sc *i L' /or jffusSAN os. tf 

Faflupn to be fure, and it's not for my felf that I ought 
to drefs my {elf;-^ would you not, by your pretty tittle 
tattle Stories, Mr. Elder Brother of mine, (for, thank 
Heav'n, fo you are by one twenty Years, to tell 
you pl^ly, tho* its not worth while to fpeak on't ;) 
would you not, I fay, in thefe things perfuade me into 
the Faihions of your young Coxcombs ? Oblige me to 
wear thofe little Hats, which let their weak Brains eva- 
porate, and thofe powdered Wigs, the vaft Bufhinefs 
whereof obfcures the Figure of an human Counte- 
nance ? Thofe fhort Jerkins but juft below the Arms, 
and thofe large Bands hanging down even to the Navel ? 
Thofe Sleeves, which one fees dip in the Sauce at Table, 
and thofe Petticoats called Breeches ? thofe pretty Shoes 
bedeck'd with Ribbons, that make you look like rough- 
footed Figecffls, and thofe large Rollers, where, as in 
the Stocks, the captive Legs every Morning are con- 
fin*d, and which make thefe accomplifh'd Gentlemen 
walk ftraddling as if they were flying ? — I fliould de- 
light you, without doubt, equipped in this manner ; 
for you, I perceive, carry about you the fame Geugaws 
that they do. 

Aristo. One (hou'd always comply with the Ma- 
jority, and never make one's felf be flared at. Either 
Extreme is oiFenfive; and every wife Man in his 
Clothes as well as his Words, fhou'd have nothing 
too much affeded, but with Readinefs follow what- 
ever Change Cuftom introduces. I do not think one 
ihoald imitate thofe one fees continually draining be- 
yond the Fafhion, who are fo fond of being in Ex- 
tremes, they would be uneafy fliould any Body go a 
Step beyond them. But I hold it wrong, upon pne's 
fmgle Opinion, to avoid obftinately what all the World 
purfues, and think it's better to be amongfi: the Num- 
ber 



12 L'EcoLE DES Maris. | 

Et qu'il vaut mieux foufFrir d'etre au nombre des foas, L 

Que du fage parti fe voir feul centre tous. ' y 

Sganarelle. Cela fent Ton vieillard, qui, pour ea | 

fairc accroire. 
Cache fes cheveux blancs d'une pemique noire. 

Ariste. Ceil un etrange &it du foin, que vons | 

prenez, L 

A me venir toujours jetter mon .age au nes j / l: 

Et qu'il faille qu'en moi fans ccfle je vous voic *. I 

Blamer Tajuftement, auffi bien que la joie : j: 

Conune fi, condamnee a ne plus rien cherir, * i 

La vieilleffe devoit ne fonger qu'a mourir, 
Et d'affez de laideur n'eft pas accompagnce. 
Sans fe tenir encor mal-propre & rechigQee. 

Sganarelle. Qaoiqu'il en foit, je fuis attache 

fortement 
A ne demordre point de mon habillcment. 
Je veux une coeffure, en depit de la mode. 
Sous qui toute ma tete ait un abri commode ; 
Un bon pourpoint bien long, & ferme comme^il faut. 
Qui, pour bien digerer, tienne Teftomach chaud ; 
Un haut-de-chaulTes fait juftement pour niia cuiffe ; 
Des fouliers ou mes pieds ne foient point au fupplice^ 
Ainfi qu'en ont ufe fagemfent nos ayeux : 
Et qui me trouve mal, iv'a qu'a fermer les yeux. 



SCENE II. 

LEONOR, ISABELLE, LISETTE, ARISTE ^ 

SQANAKELLE parlant has enfemhle fur k de<vant 

du thkatre^ fans itre apper^us. 

Leon <Ht^^ I/ahelie, 

JE me charge de tout-, en cas que Ton vous gronde. 
LisBTTE a Ifabelle,'] Toujours dads une cham- 
bre a ne point voir le monde \ 

Is A- 



7l>e School for Husbands. 15 

bcr of Fools; than find one's felf the only one on Wif- 
dom's fide in oppofition to every Body elfe. 

Scan ARE L. Thus thinks an old Felloe, who to im« 
pofe upon the World conceals his grey Hairs under a 
black Periwig. 

Aristo. It's a ftrange thing yon always take fiich 
care to fling my Age in my Teeth, and that I mufl 
conftantly find you blaming Decency iit me as well as 
Chearfiilnefs : as if old Age was condemned to give 
up all Enjoyment, and ought to think of nothing dfe 
but dying : Or was not attended by enough that's dif- 
agreeable, without being alfo crabbed and ilovenly. 



Scan AR EL. Be it as it wilU Tni refolutely de- 
termined to alter nothing of my Drefs. In fpite of 
the Faihion, Til have a Brim to my Hat, under which 
my Head may find a convenient Shelter ; a large long 
Doublet, button'd clofe as it ought to be, that it may 
keep the Stomach warm to digefl well ; a pair of 
Breeches made exadily to fit my Thighs, and Shoes 
wherein my Feet may not be tortured ; fuch as our 

Fore-fathers wifely wore. And whoever does not 

like me, need only fhut his Eyes. 



S C E N E II, 

LEONORA, ISABELLA, LISETTA, ARISTO 

tf«^SGANAREL 'whijpering together at tbefar^ 

ther fart of the Stage, ivith&uf being feen. 

Leonora /» I&bella. 

I Take it all on me, in cafe you fhould be chid. 
LisETTA /<? Ifabella.] What, for everina Cham*^ 
ber without feeing any Body \ 

ISA-^ 



J4 L*^EcoLB DES Maris. 

Is AB ELLS. Ileftainfibad. 
Leon OR, Jeyous en plains, ma ionir. 
LiSBTTE a Leonor,'] Bien vous prend que ion frere 
ait toate one autre humear, 
Madame, & le deftin vous fiit bien favorable, 
£n vous fai(ant tomber aux mains du raifonnable. 
IsABBLLE. Ceft on miracle encor qu*il nem^ait 
aujourd^ui 
Enferm^ k la clef, ou menfe avec lui. 
LisBTTE. Mafbi, jeTenvoyeroi^au diable avec fi 
feuze« 

Et 

ScANARELLF biurti par Life tte."] O^ done allez- 

vous, quMl ne vous en deplaife ? 
Lb ON OR. Nous ne fjpivons encore, & je prefibis ma 
faur 
De venir du beau terns refpirer la douceur : 
Mais .... 

Sganarellb a Leonor,^ Pouf vous, vous pouvez 

aller oIl bon vous femble, [montrant Li/ett4. 

Vous n*avez qu*i courir, vous voila deux enfemble : 

\a Ifabelle.'] Mais vous, je vous defends, 8*il vous plait, 

de fortir.* 

Ar I s T E . Ah ? laiffez-les, mon frere, aller fe divertir, 

Sganarblle. Je fuis votre valet, mon frere. 
Aristb. LajeuneiTe 
Veut .... 
Sganarelle. La jeunefle efl fotte,^ & par fois la 

vieilleffc. 
Ariste. Crojrez-vous qu'clle efl mal d'etre avec 

Leonor ? 
Sganarellb. Non pas; mais avec moi je la crois 

mieux encor. 
Artste. Mais. . . . 

Sganarellb. Mms fes anions de moi dolvent d^- 
' pendre. 



The ScBOOt Jbr Husbands. 15: 

Is A B E L L A . Such IS his Humour . 

Leonora. I pity you for it. Sifter. 

Li SETT A /^Leoiiora.] It*s well for you. Madam, 
that his Brother is quite of another Temper, and Fate 
was r&ry kind to you, in making you fell into the 
Hands of a Man of Reafon. 

Isabella. It's even a Miracle, that he has not 
lock'd me up, or taken me out with him to Day. . 

LisETTA. Faith I fhould fend him to the Devil 
with his Ruff, and— — ■ 

Scan A RE L hing run againft hy Lifetta.} By your 
Favour, whither are you going ? 

Leonora. We don't yet know j I was perfuading;, 
my Sifter to walk out and enjoy the Sweetiiefs of this 
fine Weather. But 

Sganarel /^Leonora.] For your part, you may 
go whither you think proper ; \fointing to Lifetta. j 
you have nothing to do but ramble, both of you toge- 
ther ; [/tflfabdla.] but as for you. Madam, if you pleafe, 
I forbid your going. ^ 

Aristo. Ah! Brother, let'i give 'em Leave to ga 
and divert themfclves. • 

Sganahel. Tm your Servant, Brother. 

Aristo. Youth would—— 

Sganarel. Youth is fooliih, and old Age toofome* 
times. 

Aristo. D'ye imagine there's any I^m in her 
being \vith Leonora f 

Sganarel. No, but I think it ilill better ioft her to 
be with me. 

Aristo. But— 
"^ Scan A re l* But her Adions muft be under my Di- 

re^on ; 



%6 L'EcoLE DES Maris» 

£t je {^ rinteret enfin que j*/ dois prendre. 

AfcisT)!. A celles de fa fear ai-je un moindrem* 
teret ? 

Sganarelle. Mon Dieu, chacun raifonne, & £dt 
comme 11 lui plait. 
Elles font fans parens, & notre ami, lear pere. 
Nous commit leur conduite a fon heure derniere ; 
£t (nous chargeant tons deux, on de les epoufer, 
' Ou, fur notre refus, un jour d'en difpofer,} 
Sur elles par contrat, nous f9ut des leur enfance^ 
Et de pere, & d'epoux donner pleine puiiTance : 
D'elever celle-la vous prites le fouci, 
£t moi je me chargeai du foin de celle-ci ; 
Selon vos volontes vous gouvernez la votre, 
LaiiTez-moi, je vous prie, a mon gre regir Tautre. 

Ariste. II me femble 

Sganarelle. Ilnie femble, Sc je le dis tout haut^ 
Que fur un tel fujet c^eA parler comme il faut. 
Vous fouf&ez que la votre aille leile & pimpante^ 
Je le veux bien : qu'elle ait & laquais & fuivante» 
J'y confens : qu'elle coure, aime i'oiiivcte, , 
Et foit des damoifeaux flairee en liberte, 
J'en fuis fort fatisfait* «iais j'entends que la miennt 
Vive a ma fantaiiie, &«non pas a la iienne ; 
Que d'une ferge honnete elle ait fon v^tement, 
Et ne porte. le noir qu'aux bons jours feulemcnt ; 
Qu'enfermee au logis en perfonne bien fage, 
Elle 5*appliqne toute aux chofes du menage^ 
A recoudre mon linge aux heures de loifir, 
Ou bien a tricottcr quelque bas par plaifir 5 
Qu'aux difcours des muguets elle ferme roreille, 
Et ne forte jamais fans avoir qui la veille« 
Enfin la chair eft foible, & j'entends tons lea bruits. 
Je ne veux point porter des cornes, fi je puis ; • 
Et> comma a m'i?poufer fa fortune I'appdle,. 
Je pretends, corps pour corgs, pouvoir repondre d*elle. 



Itbe School fir Husbands, ly 

re£Uon : in fhort, I know it's my Intereft to take cue 
of them. 

Aristo. Am I Itfa concemM in thofe of her 
Sifter? 

Sganarel. Lack-a-day, every one judges andads 
as he pleafes. They have no Relations, and oar Fri^d 
their Father, at his lafl Hour, committed the Care of 
them to us, injoining both of as either to marry them 
our felves, or (fhould we refufe that,) to difpofe of them 
at a proper Age to others ; by this Contra£l, he meant 
to give us over them, from their Childhood, the full 
Authority both of Father and Husband. TJhat you 
took the Trouble of bringing up, and I chargM my 
felf with the Care of Thu : you govern yours accord- 
ing to your own Will, and, pray^ give me leave to 
manage mine as I like bell. 

Aristo. Methinks ■ ■ ■ 

Scan A RE L. Methinks, .and I fpeak it aloud, that 
this is talking as I ought upon fuch a Subje^^. You per* 
mit yours to Baunt about fine and taudiy : — with all 
my Heart. Let her have both a Footman and a Wait* 
ing-woman-— I agree to*t. Let her gad abroad, love 
Idlenej(s, and be at Liberty for the Beaux to Compli- 
ment ;— I'm well contented with it ^^ but I'm rcfolv'd, 
mine (hall live according to my Fancy, and not her 
own ; that fhe fhall b^ clothed in a decent Stuff, and 
wear black only on Holydays ; that flaying at home, 
like a difcreet Perfon, fhe fhall apply herfelf intirely to 
Aflairs of Houfewifry, dearn my Linen at her leifure 
Hours, or elfe knit Stockings for her Diverfion ; that 
fhe fhall not Men to the Difcourfe of Coxcombs, nor 
ever flir abroad without fomebody to watch her. In a 
word, the Fieih is weak, I know what Stories are told 
to that purpofe, nor will I wear Horns if I can help 
it ; and fincc 'tis her Fortune to marry me, I'm refolv- 
ed to be as fecure of her Perfon as of my own. 

ISA- 



to L'EcoiE DEs Maris. 

Sganarelle a Ariftc] Voila, beau prcceptcar, 
votre education : 
£t V0U8 foufFrez cela fans nulle emotion ? 

Ariste. Mon frerc, fon difcours nc doit que fairc 
rire, 
Elle a quclque raifon en ce quVlle veut dire. 
Leur fexe aime a jouir d*un peu de liberte ; 
On le retient fort mal par tant d'aufterite, 
Et les foins dcfians, les verroux & les grilles 
Ne font pas la vertu dcs femmes, ni des filles ; 
Ceft rhonneur qui les doit tenir dans le devoir, 
Non la feverite que nous leur faifons voir. 
Ceil une etrange chofe, a vous parler fans feinte,^ 
Qu'une femme qui n'eft fage que par contrainte. 
Envain fur tous fes pas nous pretendons regner^ 
Je trouvc que le cceur eft ce qu'il feut gagner ; 
Et je ne tiendrois moi^ quelque foin qu'on fe donne, 
Mon honneur gueres fur aux mains d^iine perfonnc 
A qui, dans les deiirs qui pourroient rafTaillir, 
II ne manqueroit rien qu*un moyen de ^ilir. 

Sganarelle. Chanfons que tout cela» 

A&isTE. Soit; mais je tien&fansceiTe 
Qu^il nous faut en riant inftruire la jeunefTe, 
Reprendre fes de&uts avec grande douceur, 
Et du nom de vertu ne lui point faire peur. 
Mes foins pour Leonor ont fuivi ces maximes ; 
Des moindres libertes je n'ai point fait des crimes, 
A (es jeunes defirs j'ai toujours confenti, 
Et je ne m'en^fuis point, grace au Ciel, repenti. 
J'ai foufFert qu'elle ait vu les belles compagnie's, 
Les divertiifemens, les bals, les comedies ; 
Ce font chofes, pour moi,. que je tiens de tout tenu 
Fort propres a frrmer Tefprit des jeunes gens ; 
Et Tecole du monde, en Fair dont il faut vivre, 
Inftruit mieux a mon grc que ne fait aucun livre. 
£Ile aime a depenfer en habits, linge & ncsads. 

Que 



y^^ School /flr Husbands. .21 

Scan A RE L /p Arifto.] This is your way of Educa- 
tion, good Mr. Teacher ; and you can bear it without 
any Emotion. 

Ar I s t o . Her Difcourfe, Brother, ihould only make 
one laugh ; thc^ there's fome reafcm' in what fhe fays. 
Their Sex loves to enjoy a little Liberty, and they arc 
kept from any thing very indifferently by fo much Au- 
fterity j diftruflful Cares, Bolts and Grates, make nei- 
ther Wives nor Mddens virtuous : It is Honour, not 
Severity, muftTccep them to their Duty. To fpeak fin- 
cerely, a Woman who is difcreet by force only, is a 
very fixange thing. We pretend in vain to govern all 
their Adions ; it's the Heart that mud be gain'd, in my 
Opinion ; and take what care one can, I fhould.not 
think my Honour mighty fafe in the Hands of a Perfon, 
to whom, amongft the AfTaults of Temptation, nothing 
fhoold be wanting bat an Opportunity of tranlgrefling. 

Sganarel. It's all idld Stuff. 

Ari s T o . So let it be then ;, but I always hold, that 
we fhould inflru£^ Youth with good Humour, reprove 
its Failings with great Gentlenefs^ and not make it a- 
fraid of the Name of Virtue. My Cares for Leonora 
have been guided by thefe Maxims ; I've not made 
Crimes of little Liberties ; I've continually comply'd 
with her youthful Defires ; and, thank Heaven, I don't 
repent of it. Tve given her leave to fee good Company, 
Diveriions, Plays and Balls ; thefe are things, which, 
for my part, I always Judge very proper to form the 
Minds of young People ; and the World is a School, 
which, in my Opinion, teaches the way of living bet- 
ter than any Book. She likes to fpend Mony in Clothes, 

Linen, and new Fafhions; *- what would you have me 

dr 



22 L'EcoLE Dzs Maris. 

Que voulez-vous ? je tdchc ^ contenter fcs vorax, 

£t ce font des plaifin qu'on peut dans noa fiunilles, 

Lorfque Ton a da bien, permettre aux jeanes filles* 

Un ordre patemd Toblige i m'epoufer $ 

Mais mon deflein n*efl pas de la tyrannifer. 

Je f9ais bien que nos ans ne fe rapportent gaere« 

£t je laifle a fon choix liberty toute entiere. 

Si quatre mille ecas de rente bien venans, 

Une grande tendreffe, & des foins complaiians 

Feuvent, a fon avis, pour un tel manage 

Reparer entre nous Tinegalite d'age. 

Me peut nfepoufer ; iinon, choiiir ailleurs. 

Je confens que fans moi fes deflins foient meilleurs, 

£t j'aime mieux la voir foas un autre hymenee. 

Que fi contre fon gti b, main m^etoit donnee. 

Sgamarsllb. H^, qu'ileft doucereuxl c*eft toat 
fucre Sc tout mieL 

Am ST e. Enfin c*eft mon homeor, & j*en rends grace 
au Cid. 
Je ne fuivrois jamais ces maximes feveres 
<^ font que les en^s comptent les jourt d^ peres. 

Sganarellb. Mais ce qu*en la jeunefle on prend 
de liberte 
fSTe fe retranche pas avec fecilite, 
£t tous fes fentiments fuivront mal votre envie 
Quand il faudra changer fa maniere de vie. 

Ariste. £t pourquoi la changer ? 

Sganarblle. Pourquoif 

Ariste. Oui. 

Sganarellb. Jenef9ai. 

Ariste. Y voit-cm quelque chofe tHi Thonneur foit 
bleffe ? 

Sganarblle. Quoi? fi voos Tepoofez, eUe pour- 
ra pretendre 
lies memes libertes que fille on lui voit prendre ? 

Ariste. Pourquoi non? 

SOA- 



Itbe School /ir Hxxsbamds., 23 

do ? I endeavour to gratify her Wiihes ; and thefe are 
Pleafures one ihould allow young Women when one's 
Circumftances can afibrd it. The Command of a Fa- 
ther obliges her to Jnarry me ; but I doxCt intend to ty- 
rannize over her. I know well enough that our Years 
don't well fait, and leave her to her own Choice intire- 
ly. If a Thoufand Pounds a Year well paid, a great 
deal of Tendemefs, and a complaifant Regard, can in 
her Opinion make amends in fuch a Nfatch lor the Dif- 
ference between us as to Age,^ fhe may take me for her 
Husband ; if not, let her chufe elfewherc. — If fhe 
can be happier without me, I confent to it, and had ra- 
ther fee her married to another, than give her Hand to 
me againft her Will. 

Sc AK ARE L . How fwcet hc is ! *tis all Sugar, all Ho- 
ney. 

Aristo. Inftiort, it's my Humour, and I thank 
Heaven for it ; I (hall never follow thofe rigid Maxims, 
which m^ke Children wifh their Parents dead. 

Sganarsl. But the Liberty that's taken in Youth 
cannot eafily be abridg'd, and this way of thinking will . 
be diiagreeable to you, when her manner of Hving 
muftbealter'd. 

Aristo. And wherefore muft it be alter'd ? 

Sganarel. Wherefore? 

Aristo. Ay. 

Sgai^arel. I don't know. 

Aristo. Is there any thing in it to prejudice one's 
Honour ? 

Sganarel. What? if you marry her, ihaU Ihe pre- 
tend to the fame Liberties which ihe took while flie was 
a Maid ? 

Aristo. Why not? 

SCA- 



14 L'EcoLi DCS Maris. 

So A N A R.E L L B . Vos deiirs lui feront compIaiianSf 
Jufques a lui laiiTer & mouches & rubans ? 

Aristb. Sansdoute. , 

^GANARELLE. A lui Tuffrir, en cervelle troublce, 
2}e courir tons les bals, Sc les lieux d'afiemblee ? 

Aristb. Oul vrayment. 

Sganarelle. £t chesLVOus iront les damoifeaux? 

Ariste. Etqaoidonc? 

Sganarelle. Qui joaeront^ & donneront a- 

deaux ? 
Ariste. D'accord. 
Sganarelle. £t votre femme entoidra les fieu- 

rettes ? ■ 
Ariste. Fortbien. 

Sganarelle. £t voas verrez ces rifites mugaettM 
D'un ceil a temoigner de n*en itrc point fou ? 

Ariste. Cela s'cntcnd. 
Sganarelle. AUez, vous etes un vieux fou. 
[a Ifabeiie.'] Rentrez pour n*ouir point cette pratique 
in^me. 



SCENE III. 

ARISTE, SGANARELLE, LEONOR, 
L I S E T T E. 

Aristb. 

JE veux m*abandonner a la foi de tna femme ; 
Et pretends toujours vivre ainfi que j*ai vecu. 
Sganarelle. Que j^aurai de plaiiir quand iliera 

cocu \ 
Ariste. J'lgnore poor quel fort mon aftre m'a 
fait naitre ; 
M^ je f(^ que pour vous, fi Yousmanquezderetreg 

On 



^s School /ev Husbands. 25 

So A N ARE L. Will your Love be fo complai(ant as to 
allow her Patches and Ribbons ? 

AaisTO. Without doubt. 

Scan ARE L. To let her run about like a mad Crea- 
tare to every Ball and Aifembly ? 

Aristo. Yes, really. 

Sganarbl. And ihall the Beaux come to your 
Houfe? ' ' • ■ 

Aristo. And what then ? 

Scan ARE L. To make merry, andgire Entertain*' 
ments ? 

■"Aristo. I confent to't. 

Sganarbl.' And (hall your Wife hear their fine 
Speeches ? 

Aristo. Ay. 

Sganarbl. And yon^l behold thefe Coxcombs Vi- 
fits in fttch a Manner, as may fhew you are under no 
concern about them ? 

Aristo. Certwnly. 

Sganarbl. Go, you're an old Fool. ——* [7i Ifa-. 
bella.] Get you in, that you mayn^t hear this infamous 
Condua. 



SC EN E III. 

ARISTO, SGANARBL, LEONORA, 
L I S E T T A. 

Ari s t o. 

I'LL commit my felf to the Fidelity of my Wife, 
and intend always to live as 1 have done. 
Sganarbl. How glad ftall I be when he's a Cuc- 
kold!" 

Aristo. I can't tell to what Fortune I am bom; 

but I know^ that for your part, if you fail to be one. 

Vol. III. B the 



On oe T0U5 en doit point impates le de&,qc : 

Car vos foins pour cela font biea tout ce qu'il fyu^, 

' Sgamarelle. Riez done, Uau rj^or. QK! que 

qeU dx)it plaire 
De voir un goguenard pi<efi|ue {enagBome ! 

Leon OR. Du fort dont voos pgrles je le giuaAtis 
moi, 
S^il faut que par Phymen il re9oive ma fbi ; 
II s^en pent aiTuier : mai& fishes que oipn am». 
He r<pon4roit d^ rien, fi j'«toi» votrQ frnuM^^ 

Li s £ T T E . Ce'ft confcience a ceox ,qni s^affuveBt ^ 
nous i 
IJiais c'efl pain beni, c^^, k des gens covune vous. 
Scan ARE LLE. Allez langue maudite, & des plua 

mal apprifes. 
Mists. Yoof yqi^^„ msmi^,. aittmcsa^&t- 

Adieu. Changez d'humeur, & foyej« asrerti 
Que renfermer fa femme eft an iwmW9 pBrti>:. 
Je fuis votre valet. 

ScANARSLt^. Je nft fiiis pt« lj( VQTfl^ 



o 



S g E N E IV. 

S G A N A R E L L E /^«/. 

H ! que les voila bien tons formes Pun pour Pautre! 
Quelle belle familie ! Un yieillard infenfe 
Qui fait le d:aneret dans un corps tout cafle, 
Une fille maitrefTe & coquette fupreme, 
Des valets impudens ; non. la fageffe meme 
Wen viciidroit T>:i a Ik«ic, perdxpit fons- & raifim 
A vouloir ^' • r^?.: iiiic telle maifon. 
Ifabe^lc p- .i i' 1. pedre dansces hantifes 
Les iciui^^^ces d'honneur qU'avec nous elle a prifes s 

Et 



TT^e Sci^oot for Ku s^b an»b s. 2*7 

the Fault muft not be laid on you, for you have takert 
all the pains that can be towards it. 

Sga N A R E L / Laugh on, Giggler ; O what a Pleafoie 
It muft give one to fee a BuJfFoon of almoft fixty I 

LfiONORA. I engage to preferve him from the Fate 
you talk of, if I marry him ; he may affure hini- 
ielf of it : But know that my Heart would anfwer for 
nothing, was I to be your Wife. 

Li SETT A. Thcre*s a Confcience due to thofe that 
place a Confidence in us ; but it's delightful, really, to 
cheat fuch Folks as you. 

Sgamarbl. Be gone with your damn'd ill>hred 
Tongue. 

Ari s T o . You bring this Ridicule on your fclf, Bro- 
tlier. Adieu, alter your Temper, and be forw^m'd, 
that locking up a Wife is a very wrong ftep. —— • Your 
Servant. 

Sganarel. Pm not yours. 



S C E N E IV. 

SGANAREL alofte. 

O How excellently they're all fuited one to another! 
What a hopeful Family ! A fenfelefs old Fellow 
that afts the Fop in a crazy worn-out Carcafe, a 
Girl that's Miftrefs, the arranteft Coquette that can 
be, and impudent Servants ? ■ No, not evea 

Wifdom herfelf could bring it about, {he would lofe 
all Senfe and Reafon to endeavour the Regulation of 
fuch a Family. — Jfabilfa may lofe thofe Prin- 
ciples of Honour (he has imbib'd with me amongll 
fuch Acc[uaintance \ and, in ord^r to pr«v«nt it, I 
B 2 intend 



z8 L'EcoLE DES Maris. 

£t pour Ten empecher, dans pea nous pretendons 
Ltd faire aller revoir nos choux Sc nos dindons. 

SCENE V. 

VALERE, SGANARELLE, ERGASTE. 

V A L E R E Jans le fond du theatre, 

ERgafte, le voila cet argus que j'abhorre, 
Le fevere tutcur de cclle que j'adore. 
* Sg A N A R E L L E fe croyant fe ui."] N*eft ce pas quelquc 

chofe enfin de furprenant 
Que la corruption des mcsurs de maintenant ? 
Vale RE. Je Toodrois PaccoHer, s'il eft €n ma pu- 
ifTance ; 
£t tacher de Her avec lui connoifTance. 

ScANARELLB. Au lieu de voir regner cette feverite 
Qui compofoic fi bien Tancienne honnetete, ' 
La jeunefTe en ces lieux, libertine, abfoiue^ 
Ne prend ..... 

Va LERE . II ne voit pas que c'eft lui qu'on (alue. 
Erg A ST £. Son mauvais oeil peut-etre eft de ce 
cote ci : 
Paffons du cote droit. 

SoANAREtLE. II feut fortir d'ici. 
Le fejour dela. ville en moi ne peut produlre 
Que des . .... 

Va LERE en s^approchant peu a peu^ II fiiut chcz lui 
tacher de m'introduire. 
Sganarelle entendant quelque bruit. 
He ? J*ai cru qu'on parloit. Aux champs, graces aux 

Cieux, 
Les fottifes du tems ne bleflent point mes yeux. 
Er g a s t e a Falere.l Abordez-le. 
Sganarelle entendant encore du bruit .^ Plait-il ? 
Les oreilles mecornent. 

La 



72fe School /e?r Husbands. 29 

intend fhortly to (end her back again to my Cabbages 
and my Tarkies. 



SCENE V. 
VALERE, SGANAREL, ERGASTE. 

Va LUKE at the further Tart of the Stage, 

T Here's the jirgus that I abhor, Ergafte ; The ri- 
gid Guardian of her I adOre. 
Scan A RE L thinking him fe if alone. '\ Is not the Cor- 
ruption of Manners now-a-days a thing ^that*s in Ihort 
furprifing ? 

V A L E R B . 1*11 (peak to him, if I can^ and endeavour 
to get Acquainted with him. 

Sganarel. Infteadof feeing that Severity prevail, 
of which in former times Virtue fo properly conMed, 
the young People hereabouts, debauch'd, without Re- 
ftraint, don't take ■ 

Valere . He don't fee 'tis him we bow. to. 

Erg a s t e. His blind Eye is on this jfide perhaps ; — 
let's get to the right fide of him. 

SoAN ARE L. I rouft leavc this Place. — A City 
Life can only produce in me the — 

Valbrb approaching him ] I mull try to gain Ad- 
mittance to his Houfe. 

^Q hYi h%ZL hearing a Noife,'] How I I thought (bme 
body fpake — in the Country, Heaven be prais'd, thefc 
^fhionable Fooleries don't offend my Eyes. 

Ergaste to Valere.] Go up to him. 
So AN A RE L fill hearing a Noife. 1^ What wou*d he be 
z\ \ My Ears tingle.— -There, all Uie Amufements of our 
B 3 young 



^ L'Ecot^ ©E« Maris. 

iLa, totts les paire-tems de nos filles fe boment . . . « 
^// afferqoit VaUre qui le falue."] Eft-ce a nous ? 

Erg AST E. Approchez. 

Sganarelle fans prendre .garde a ValereJ] La nul 
godelureaa 
Ne vient . . . ^Falere le falue enc^e.'] Qaediable . . . 
[///^ retoume^^ 'voitErgafie qui Je falue de P autre cote,"] 
£nccr ? Que de coups de chapeau I 

Valere. Monlieur, an tel abord tous interrompt 
pcut-etre. 

.SCanarelle. Celafcpeut. 

Va LER E. Mais qiioi ? Phonneur de vous connoicre 
JM'dl UQ ii grand bonheur, m'eil un fi doux plaifir 
Que de vous faluer j'avois un grand de&r. 

5.CAMA&ELLE. Solt. 

Vaji^ers. £t Je vous venir, nais faas ml artifice, 
/Lilurer ^jae je fuis tout a votre fervioc* 

Sganarelle. Je le crob, 

Va LER^. J'ai le bien d'c:r£ de vos roiiiet^ 
£f j'^ dais r^odre grace a mc& ivpcureox deAias, 

Sganarelle. CVd bien fait, 

VAXfE^f. Man, Modieiir, r9a¥eE*irous ke ooHvdles 
Que Ton dit a la cour« ic qu^oa tjeat pour fiddles? 

Sganarelle. Que m'importe ? 

Valcrc. Ilefivfays siais poor ki souvcautis. 
On peut avoir par fois des curiofitcs. 
VoiB ii«e voir^ Monfieiir^ cette cMgMiicfiacr 
Qge de la^ire Danphin prepare la ttn&nce i 

SGANAREi«i.t. Sijeveux. 

Vale RE. Avouons que Paris nous fait part 
De cent plaifirs t:harjnaQ9 qu^oa n^a point aatxe put : 
JLes pn^yJACtt ai»pr^s foaic i» lieax ioUlEirci* I 

SCA- I 



^7>e ScHbbi. fair H^&bands. 3» 

young Women go no farther than — — • [^Seehig Vrfere 
^i0<u;. J Is that to sue? 

Ercastb. Goneaxer. "^ 

SganXrel WW minding Vakire.] iThkh* nia Cox- 
comb comes. — ■■ ; ■■ [Valc9c ^owj rt^*f*.] What 
the Devil ! '■ " -■« ^nrns unifies Ergafte h^nn on 
the other fid* \ Again? ^ ' ■ > > ■>. t What m«an thefc 
Bows ! " 

V A L E R B . Aocoft ing^ y«u kSL Ats manner^ Si)'> intei*- 
rupts yoa perhaps. 

Scan A RE L. May be To. 

Valere. But why ibf l)vs Ho]|«^ «f ycmr Ac^ 
quaintance is to me fo great an Happinefs, To exquifite 
«neafttte, thatiindaYftftlncUMtioiitopayihyRt- 
ipeCts to you. 

Sganarel. Beit fo. 

ValEri. To wittton yout, tm^ Jittareyou, without 
any Difiimulation, that I^ intirely at your Service. 

Sg a N a r E L .- 1 btelicve fo. 

VaU^e. IVe the good Luck to be ©ttc of yoftr 
Neighbours, for which I am thankitii to my happy 
Deftiny. 

Sg A N A RE L, That's well doiie. 

Valere. But, Sk, d'ye hear the News which is 
current at Ceitrt, and thought to be tme ? 

Sganarel, What does it coiiCern nie ? 

Valere. True; however a Min> ibmetiiAes^ may 
be cvrioos after Nttvekies. Will yon gd fee the magirifi^ 
cent Preparations for the Birth of owr Dattphn, Sir ? . 

ScANAREL. ifl think At. 

ValbHs. Tarie^ we owfti ai&r4s im{mI hundred 
ddightfttl Pl«i(fim whack arc iia where dfe. The 
Country is a S^itide ill «Ofliparifimb How ^ yon paTs 
ayvay thr.Tiiaii 

£4 Soa- 



32 L'EcoLB DBS Maris. 

Sganarelle. a mes afikires. 

Valerb. L'cfprit vcut da rclache, 8e fuccombe par 
fois 
Par trop d'attachcment aux fcricux cmplois. 
Que faites-vous les foira avant qu'on fe retire ? 

Sganarbllb. Ce qui me plait. 

Valbr E. Sans doate : on nc peut pas mieux dire, 
Cette reponfe eft jufte, & le bon fens paroit 
A ne vouloir jamais faire que cc qui plait. 
Si je ne vous croyois Tame trop occupfe, 
J'irois par fois chez vous paffcr Taprcs-foup^e. 

Sganarbllb. Servitcur. 







SCENE VI. 
V A LE R E, E R G A S T E. 
Valerb. 
U E di9-tu de ce bizarre fou ? 

Ergaste. II a le repart brufque, it Taccucil 
loup-garou. 
Valbre, Ah f j'enrage, 
Ergaste. Et de qnoi ? 
Valerb. De quoi ? c'eft que j'enrage 
De voir celle que j*aime au pouvoir d'un ^auvage^ 
D'un dragon furveillant dont la feverite 
Nc Itti lailTe jouir d*aucune liberte. 
£rga\6te. Ceftcequi feit pour vous, & fur cc8 
conf(6quences, 
Votre amour doit fonder de grandes efperaiices. 
Apprenez, pour avoir votre efprit ailermi, 
Qu*une femme qu^on garde eil gagnee a demi, 
£t que les noirs chagrins des maris ou des peres 
Ont toujours du galant avance les aHaires. 
Je coquette fort peu, c'eft mon moiiidre talent, 

Et 



73&^ School for Husbands. 33 

Sg A N A R E L . About HI/ Bafinefs. 

Valors. The Mind fhould have fbme Relaxation; 
it flags by too earneft an Attention to ferioiis things. 
What d'ye do in an Evening before Bed-time ? 

Sg A N A RE L . What I pleafe. 

Vaxere. Certainly? nothing could be faid better ; 
it's a reafonable Anfwer, and good Senfe appears in ne- 
ver doing any thing but what one pleafes. If I thought 
you was not too much taken up, I fhould come to 
your Houfe now and then after Supper, to pafs away 
the Time. 

Sganarel. Your Servant. 



w 



S G E N E IV. 
V A L E R E, E R G A S T E. 

V a L B R E. 

l&f 8 your Opinion of this whimfical Fool ? 



, , Erg A ST E. He has a furly way of anfwering^ 
and receives People like a Bear. 

Valbre* Ah I how mad I am! 

Ergastb. At what? 

Valere. At what ? It provokes me to fee h^r 

I love in the Power of a Savage, a watchful Dragon, 
whofe Severity won't allow her any Liberty . 

Ergastb. That makes for you, and on the EfFeft 
of it your Paffion muft build its fureft Hopes. Know, 
for your Encouragement, a Woman that's watch'd is 
half won, and the Peevifhnefs of Fathers and Hus- 
bands has always forwarded the Bufmefs of Lovers. I 
intrigue very little,' it is my lead Accomplifhment, 
and I don't pretend to Galantry ; but I've aififled 
B 5 twenty 



34 L^EcoLS DCS Ma&is. 

£t de profeflion je ne fois point galant : 
Mais j*en ai fervi Tingt de ces chcrcheurs de piXMe,. 
Qui difoient fort Ibsvent qae Icur plus grande joic " 
Etoit de reBcontrer de ces anris faclwfix 
Qni jamais fans gronder ne reviennent chcz eux^ 
De ces brutaax fiefies qui, fims raiibn ni ^aStc, 
De lettrs lenmses en tout controlent !a condmte^ 
Sty du noBi oe iman nereincut le parans, 
Leur rompenten riiiere anx yeax des fonpirani. 
Oncnfyait, difent-ib, prendre fcs avamagcs, 
Et raigrcor de la dune a ces fortes d*ontragC8 
Dont la plaint doucement le complaifant temcSn, 
£it un champ 21 poulTer fes chofes aifez Idn ; 
En un mot, ce vofu eft one attenfee wB» bdle 
Que la feverite du tuteur d'lfabelle. 

Valere. Mais depi& qsatre ttois que je Taime ar- 
denunenty 
Je n'ai pour lui parler pu trouver un moment. 

Ergaste. L^amonr rend inventif; mais Yoas ne 
1 etes gnereSy 
£t fi farois eti . . . . 
" Vale RE. Mais qu'auroh-tn pi feifC 
Puifque fans ce brutal on ne k voit janrteis f 
Et qu'il n'eft eft la dedans fervantes ni valets 
Dont, par l*appas flatenr de quelque recompcmfi^^ 
|e puiffe pour roes feux menager Taffiftance ? 

£rgaste. Elle ne f9ait done pas eKor que ^vtms 
I'aimez ? 

V A LE R E . Cell un point dont mes vceox ne font pas 
informcs. 
Par tout ou ce farouche a conduit cette bdle 
£iie m'a toujours vu comme/une ombre apres die, 
£t mes regards aux fiens ont tache chaque jour 
De pouvoir expliquer Texccs de mpn amour. 
Mes yeux ont fort parle ; mais qui me pei\t apprendre 
Si kux langage eniin a pu fe iaire entendre ? 

Ergaste 



^^ ScK^iOh fir HiiSBAlrbs. S$ 

tweo^ of yoor SponfflRii) wko often faid, they were 
hcSt pleased to meet with thofe churiidl Husbands, 
that never oome home withoat gmmbling, thofearnml 
firain; thttt tvitlK>tt I%oti|^t or Reftfoa condnihti the 
Condud of their Wives in every thing, tsuA kaughtily 
afTuming ixprnt die NaMe of H«sba^, fall out widi 
them for nothing in the Comptfiy cpf thttir Admirers.^^ 
One knows, fiiy thcjr, M make the beft of theft Ad- 
vanti^s i nd dit LsAy^i tiidignatiaii at fuch kind «f 
Ufkge, the foft Complaining, the obliging Condolence of 
the Lover upcm the Occafion, ailbm an Qffortasa^ 
to pufli things fer enough. In a Word, the Surlineft 
of I/abeli^'^ Kee^ris 4 CircaMftana ^ofiioiendy &- 
Toarable for you.. 

Valere. But finr the four Moaths that I have lov'd 
her paiBmwtdy, I could ntver foA oae Moment to 
canverfe with her. 

Ergaste. Love quickens Peoj^V Wits ; tho*iChas 
little e&(Sl on yours : tf i had h«eh ■■» 

Valere. Why, what coold yoa have done f when 
^i never to be ftca without that Brme, and thore are 

neither Maids nor Footmen in the Houft whom I might 
influence to affift my Paflion by the flattering Ttmpta- 
tam of a Reward. 

' Ergaste. Don't Ihe yet know then that you lov>e 
her? 

VALtRfi. That^fi A Matter which my Heart's not 
yet inform'd of; where-ever that Churl hat carry'd 
the Fair One, ftie has feen me contipually after her like 
a Shadow, ^ and my Looks have endeavour'd Day by 
Day to declare to her the Violence of my Paflion. My 
Eyes have fpoke loudly to her ; but who can inform 
me whether they could make their Language be un- 
dcrftqod \ . 

Ergaste^ 



36 L'EcoL£D£s Maris. 

Erg A STB. Celangs^e, il eft vni, 'peat eti-e bbicar 
I parfbis 
S^fl n*a poar truchement recriture oa la voix. 

Valbrb. Qae £ure pour fortir de cette peine ex- 
treme, 
St f9avoir fi.la belle a coanu que je Taime ? 
Bi-m^en qadqae moyen. 

Eroastb. Ceft ce qu'll fiiut tronver. 
Entrons un peu chez vons afin d*y mieax reirer. 

A C T E 11. SCENE I. 

ISABELLE, SGANARELLE. 

Sganarbllb. 
A, je ffais la maifon, & coimois la perfonne 
Aux xnarqdes feulement que ta boache me 
domie. 
Isablle apart."] O'Ciel! fois-moz pro- 
pice, k feconde en ce jour 
Le ftratageme adroit d*un innocent amour. 

Sganarbllb. Ois-tu pas qa*ont*adit> qu'il s*ap- 
pelle Valere ? 

ISABBLLB. Oui. 

Sganarbllb. Va, fois en repos, rentre & me 
laifTe faire ; 
Je vais parler fur Theure a ce jeune etourdi. 

IsABELLB en s'en aliant,'] Je £u8, pour une fille, 
un projet bien hardi ; 
Mais rinjufte rigueur dont envers moi Ton ufe, 
Dans tout efprit bien ^t me fervira d*excufe. 

SCENE 




ne School for Husbands. 37 

Ergaste. That Language, 'tis true, may fometim^s 
unintelligible, if it has neither Writing nor 
Ipeech for its Interpreter. 

V A L B R B . What fhall I do to get out of this extreme 
Uneaiinefs, and learn if the Fair One'underilands I 
love her ? —- Tell me fomc way. 



p rove 

''^peecl 



Ergastb. That's what muft be contriv'd. Let*4 
go into your Houfe a little, that we may confider on't 
better. 

•ACT II. SCENE h 

ISABELLA, SGANAREL. 

S G A N A R E L. 

O, I know the Houfe and Perfon by the 
Marks alone that you give me. 




Isabella afide,"] O Heaven! be propi- 
tious to mq, and favour, at this tinie» the artfid Con- 
trivance of an innocent Pafiion ! 

Sganarel. Don't you fay you was told that he is 
caWd Fa/gre? 

Isabella. Yes. 

Sganarel. Go, be eafy : Get you in, and^ leave 
me to do't. I'll go talk immediately to this young 
Kattle. 

Isabella ^o/«g'.] Pm about a very daring Proje£i 
for a young Girl ; but the unjuft Rigor wherewith I 
am treated, will be my Excufe with every coniiderate 
Pcrfon. 



SCENE 



sS L'EcoLk 0£j Majl»s» 



SCENE If. 

SGANAKELLE/M. iifr^^pft ajk ftne, 
<r€yant fug x^tft teiUde Falere. 

NE pcrdons pwt dc terns; c'eft ici. Qui va la ? 
Bon, je rate. H»li, dis^je, koli ^pNlm%in,. 

Je ne m^etonne pas, apres cette lumiere, 
S^il y venoit tantot de fi douce maniere : 
Mais jeTecDC me hater, & de fon fol efpoir . .... 



SCENE m. 

VALERE, SGANARELLE, ERGASTE;^ 

PEfte foit dtt fros boeitf, q«y ^poor me ikire cheoir, 
Se vient devant me^ pas planter comme uttt percht. 

Vaieiic. M^Bfiflur, fA du regrtt .... 

Sganarelle. Ah! c^eft tom ^je^efdie. . 

VAttRt. Moi, Monfieur? • 

Sganarelle. Vous. Valere eft-il pas V©ttt nom f ' 

Valere. Oui. 

SoARARBLLE. Je vieitt TOW patkr, fi Ytmslctrou- 

Tcz bon. 
Valere, Puis-je etre aflez heureux pour vous ft3i«< 

drc fcrvkc ? 
Sganarelle* Non; mah je pretends, inoi> vots. 

rendre on bon office ; 
Et c'eft ce qui chez vous prend droit de m^amenet. 
Valere. Chez moi, Monfieur ? 
Sganarelle. Cheaivoia. Faut-il tant s'etonner? 

Valere. 



the S^ SLOX^t fir Hv^BAWX)«. j^ 



SC E NE 11; 
SG ANAREL ^«^, JkmcJtktg^iheDmr^iiUtk' 

L£T*s lofe no time : Tlus is tke Ptee. •-^«* WHo 
goesthere?— — Wdl, Ta dunking. -^---*^Soiio, 
I £17,. foho* fbrndbody, foiu>. I don*! w<xtder» after 
this Difcovery, that he came thither juft now info com- 
plaifant a msBcr; but Pli be cgpcditiCTi% and his 
fbolifli Hope — — 



SCENE ni. 

VALERE, SGANAREL, ERGASTE. 
ScAVAREL t9 Ergste, Qtil» tomis9ut bi^fy. 

APkgfie on the hibbcrly Ais, who plants himfelf like 
a Stake diredly before me> in order to fling me 
down. 

Valere. Sir, I'm eoBCcmM— ^ 

ScAKAREL. Ahf *tis yon I lode ^. 
} Valere. Me, Sir? 

Scan ARE L. You: Isn't yoor Nsritte ^Ar^ f 

Valere. Yes. # 

Sganarel. I come to talk with yoo, if yonthink 
«t. 

Valere. Can Fbe fo happy as to do yon any fcr- 
vice ? 

Sgaharel. No, bat I ray fdf intend to do a good 
Turn for you i and that's what brings me 10 your 
Houfc. 

Valere. TomyHoufe, Sir? 

Sganarel. ToyonrHoufe} need yoo be fi> afto- 

nifh'datthatf 

VALiRr 



40 L*EcoLE DES Marts. 

Vale RE. J'en ai bicn du fujet, &.mon ameravie 
De rhonneur .... 
So ANARELLE. LoiiTons-la cet honnear^ je vous prie. 

Vale RE. Voulcz-voas pasentrer? 

Scan ARE LLE. II n^en eft pas befoin. 

Vale RE. Monfieur, de grace. 

Sg ANARELLE. Non, je n^irai pas plus loin. 

Vale RE. Tant que vous ferez-la, je ne puis vous 
entendre. 

Sganarellb. Moi, jen^en veux bouger. 

Vale RE. He bien, il faut fe rendre : 
Vite, puifque monfieur i ccla fe rcfout, 
Donnez un fiege ici. 

So ANARELLE. Je vcux parler debout. 

Valere. Voiis foufFrir de la forte? 

Sg A N A R E L L E . Ah ? contrainte efFroyal^ f 

Valere. Cette inclvilite feroit trop condamnable. 

Sg ANARELLE. Cen eft une, que rien nef9auroic 
egaler, 
De n'ouir pas les gens qui veulont nous parlerl 

Va l e r e . Je vous obeis donc.1 

Sganarelle. Vousj ne f9aurie2 mieux feire. 
\Ils font de grandes ceremonies four fe couvrir.'] 
Tant de ceremonie eft fort pcu neceflkire. 
VouIez-vou#m'ecouter ? 

Valere. Sans doute, & de grand coeur. 

Sganarelle. S^avez-vous, dites-moi^ que je fuis le 
tuteur 
D'une fiile afTez jeune, & paffablement belle 
Qui loge en ce quartier, Sc qu'on nomme Ifabelle ? 

Valere. Oui. 

Sganarelle. Si vous le f9avez, jenevous Tap- 
prends pas. 
Mais fjavcz-vous auffi, lui trouvant des appas, 
Qu'autrement qu'en tuteur fa perfonne me touche ? 
"^t qu'elle eft deftinee a I'honneur de ma couche I 



ne School for Husbands. 41 

Valerb. I have Rwibn to be fo, and my Soul is 
tranfported at the Honour ? 

Sganarel. Let's ha' done with that Honour, I pray 
you. 
. Valbrb. Won't you walk in? 

Sganarbl. There's no occaiion for it. 

Valerb. Sir, pray now. 

Sganarel. No ; I'll not go a ftep farther. 

Valerb. Whilft you ftay here, I cannot hear you,^ 

Sganarel. I won't dir. 

Valerb. Well, I muft fubmit : ■"' ■ " Since the 
Gentleman is refolv'd upon't, bring a Chair hither^ 
quickly. 

Sganarel. I'll talk (landing. 

V A LE RB . Can I fufier you in this manner ? 

Sganarel. Oh I it^s a terrible Force upon you ? 

Valerb. Such Rndenefs would be too inexcufable* 

Sganarel. Nothing can be fo rude as not to hear 
People that would fpeak.to us. ^ 

Valerb. I obey you then. 

Sganarel. You can't do betder. [7>&/y u/g ahun- 
dance of Compliments about putting on their Hats.,"] 
There is little need of fo much Ceremony I — — Will 
you hear me ? 

Valerb. Without doiibt, and very gladly. 

Sg A N A R E l . Anfwer me then : — Do you know that 
I am the Guardian of a young Woman, tolerably hand- 
fome, who lodges in this Neighbourhood, and is call'd 
I/abel/a? 

Valere. Yes. 

Sganarel. If you know it, I need not inform 
you — But do you know likewife, that being fenfible 
of her Charms, I'm^ concern'd for her in another Man- 
ner than as a Guardian, and that ihe is deHin'd to thr 
Honour of my Bed ? Valbri 



42 L^EcoLt Dzs Maris. 

Valbre', Nc». 

Sganarelle. Jev^MMr^pprendsdcmc; &qu^eft 
a propos 
Que V06 feuxy s'il vous plait, la laiiTent en repos. 

Valer-e. Qui? Moi, Monfiear? 
^ ScANARELLE.Oui, votts. Mcttotis Ibs tcute feltite. 

Vale RE. Que vous a dit que j*ai pour die Taine 
atteinte f 

Sganarblle. Des gens & qui Ton peutdosner quel- 
que credit. 

V A LE r E . Mais encore ? 

Scan ARE LLE. £lk>inextte. 

Valere. EUe? 

Sganarellb. Elle; eft-ce affez dit ? 
Comme une fiUe honnete, Sc qui xn^aime d^eafimo^ 
Elle vient de m^en faire entiere confidence i 
Et» de pills, m'a charge de vous donner avif 
Qne, depuis que par vous tons ies pas (bnt fmvh. 
Son coBur, qu'avec exc^ votre pourfuite outrage. 
N'a que trop de vos yeux entendii le langage 5 
Que vos fecrets delirs lui font affez connus, 
Et que c'eft vous donner de3 foucis fuperHus 
De vouloir davantage expliquer une flame 
Qui choque Tamitie que me garde fon ame* 

Valere. Ceftelle, dites-vx>us* qui de & port vous 
&it . . . 

Sganarex«le. Oui) vowvenir dtoner cet avis franc 
&net; 
£t qu^ayant vu Tatdeor dont vot» ane eft Ueffie^ 
Bile vous eat plutot fait fipavoir £1 penile. 
Si fon coeur avoit eu, dans fon emotion, 
A qui pouvoir donner; cette commiflion ; 
Mais qu'enfin k doulttur d^une oontrainte extridie 
Ua nidaite i vottloit & iervir de moi-mtee 
Four vous renire avcrti, tamtsat je vous ai ditv , 
Qu*i tOHi autre <pte aioi kit ccsur eft ioiterdic,. 
'Qge "peuy avez aflez joue de la prunelie. 



Vale RE. No. 

Scan ARE l. Then I idbrm f on of that i and, that. 
It's very fit you fhould BOt difturb her with your Paffioi* 

Vale RE. Who f , Sir? 

ScANAREL. Ay, you :— Let's hare no diffemblkig. 

Valere. Who told you that I had r Pa£ian for 
her ? 

Sganarel. People that one inay grve {bme Credit 
to. 

Valere. But who, pray? 

Sganarel. Sheherfelf. 

Valere. Shcf 

Sganarel. Ay, fhe: Is that faying enough .?— 
Lilce an koneft Girl, that has lov'd me from her 
Childhood, fhe told me all, yak now ; and more than: 
that, charged nxe to let you know, tliat fince fhe has 
fccen foUow'd every where by you, her Heart, which 
your Purfuit exjceedingly offends, has underflood but 
too well thcLangu^e of your Eyes ; that your fecret. 
Wifhes are difcover'd to her fufficiently ; and that it's 
giving your fclf a needlefs Trouble to endeavour at 
explaining a Padion farther, which is contrary to that 
Affedlion fhe referves for me. 

Valere.. Is it fhe, d'ye fay, that from her felf 
made you— — 

Sganarel. Ay, — come to give you this frank 
and true Account ; and that having obferv'd the vio-. 
lent Love which diEurbs your Mind, fhe would fooner 
have let you know her Thoughts, if,, under fuch Emo- 
tion of Sod, fhe could have found any Body to fend 
this MefTage by ; but that, at laft, the Vexation of be- 
ing under a flrid Confinement, brought her to make ufe 
of me, to apprize you, as I have told you that her 
Affe£ticm mvA not be granted to any Body dfe but mefv 
that you hav« ^Pd hot iong caough, and that, if yoa 

have 



44 L'EcoLB DBS Maris, 

£t que, £i vous avez tant foit peu de cervelle, 

Voas prendrez d^autres foins. Adieu, jufqu'au revoir.* 

Voila cc que j*avois a vous faire f^avoir. 

Vale RE Sas."] Ergaftc, que dis-tu d'une telle avan- 
turc ? 

Sgamarelle has a fart.'] Le voila bien furpris! 

Eegaste has a FaUre,] Sdon ma conjcdure, 
Je tiens qu^elle n'a rien de deplaifant pour vous, 
Qu^un myflere af&z fin e& cache l^-deiTou^, 
Et qu'enfin cet avis n'eft pas d'une perfonne 
Qui veuille voir cefl'er Tamour qu'elle vous donne. 

Sganarelle ^ parf."] II en tient comme il &ut. 

ValerE ias a Ergafte,"] Tu crois inyfterieux .... 

Ergaste ^^/.] Oui . . . . Mais il nous obfcrve, 
6 tons-nous de {es yeux. 



SCENE IV. 
S G A N' A R E L L E j[euL 

QU E fa confufion paroit fur fon vifage ! 
II ne s'attendoit pas, fans doute, a ce meflagc. 
Appellons Ifabelle, elle montre le fruit . 
Que Teducation dans une ame produit. 
La vertu fait fes foins, 8c fon coeur s'y confomme 
Jufques ^ s'offenfcr des feuls regards d'un homme. 



SCENE V. 
rSABELLE, SGANARELLE. 

Isabelle has en entrant. 

J' AX peur que mon amaut, plein de fa paflion^ 
N'ait pas de mon avis compris Pintention % 
Et j'en veux, dans les fers oil je fuis prifonniire^ 
Hazarder un qui parle avec plus de lumiere* 



SOA- 



^e School for Husbands. 45 

have ever fo little Underflanding, you will take foine 

other Meafures. Farewel, till I fee you again—— 

This is what I had to inform you of. 

Valere /<7w.] What fay you to this Adventure, 
Ergafie ? • 

Scan ARE L low afide,'\ He's much furpris'd.J 

Ergaste law to Valere.] 'Tis my Opinion, there's 
nothing in it to difpleafe you, but that fome fubtileMy- 
ftery is concealed under it : And in ihprt, that this Mef- 
fage does not come from one who would deftroy the 
Love ihe infpires in you. 

Scan A re L afide^ He takes it right. 

Valere low to Ergafte.] You judge it to be my* 
fierious. 

Ergaste ^w.] Yes—— but he obferves us, let u» 
get out of his Sight. 



S C E N E IV. 
SGANAREL alone, 

HO W his Confufion is vifible in, his Countenance f 
He look'd for no fuch Meffage, to be fure.— - 
Let's call Ifahella^ (he fhews what Eflfeft Education has 
upon the Mind. Virtue is all Ihe cares for, and her 
Heart is fo intirely full on't, that the very Looks of a 
Man difpleafe her. 



S C E N E V. 
ISABELLA, SGANARBL. 

Isabella to berfelf entring, 

I' M afraid my Lover is fo full of his Paffion, that he 
does not comprehend the Intention of my MeiTage ; 
and iince I'm fuch a Prifoner, I'll run thiC rifque of ano- 
ther that may fpeak my Meaning plainer. 

f So A- 



46 L^EcaLS d£&Mar(s« 

Sax N A R£ L L E • Me voila de retour. 
IsA&ELLE. Hebien? 

Sg A N A RE L LB . Ull plcill C&t 

M fuivi tes difcoun, & ton homme a foa &it. 
II me vouloit nier que fon coeur fut malade j 
Mais, lorfqae de ta part j*ai marque Pambaffade^ 
11 eft refte d*aburd & muet & conifus, 
£t je ne penfe pas qu*il y revienne plus. 

IS.ABBLLB. Ah f que me dites-vous ? Pai bien peur 
da contraire, 
£t qu*il ne nous prepare encor plus d*une afialre. 

Sg A N A R E L L E . £t fur quoi fondes-tu cette pear que 

tu dis ? 
IsABELLE. V0U8 n^avez pas ^te plutot hors da logis, 
Qu*ayant pour prendre Pair- la tete a ma fenetre, 
pai vu dans ce detour un jeune homme paroitre. 
Qui d^abordy de la part de cet impertinent. 
Eft venu me donner un bon jour furprenant, 
Et m*a» droit dans ma chambre^ une boete jettee 
Qui renferme anc lettre en poulet cachetee. 
Pai voulu fans tarder lui rejctterle tout ; 
Mais (es pas de la rue avoient gagne le bout, 
Et je m'en lens le coeur tout gros de facherie. 

Sgaharbllb. Voyez un peu la rufe, & la fripon' 
nerie! 

IsABELLE. Ileftde mon devoir de faire promtement 
Reporter boete Sc leUre a ce maudit amant, 
Et j*aurois pour cela befoin d^uhe perfonne .... 
Car, d'ofer a vous-meme .... 

Sganarblle. Au contraire, mignonne, 
Ceft me faire mieux voir ton amour & ta foi^ 
Et mon coeur avec joie accepte cet enoqploi ; 
Tu m*obiiges par la plus que je ne puis dire. 

IsABELLE. Tenezdonc. 

Sga^arell-e. Bon. Voyons ce qa'il a pu t'ecrireJ 



^e Scmo^oz far Husi'iiNBs. 4f 

Sgaka-rx l. Hwe I'm come back. 

•Isabella. Well. 

Sganarbl. Yoar Miffi^ has had its foH Efftft; 
your Mali's Bufinefs is done. He would have deny'd 
that hix Heart was fkk with Love, but when I aflur'd 
him I cane from you^ he wasftruck immediately^ dumb 
and confounded, and I don't believe he'll come any 
more hither* 

Isabella. Ha! What it it you tell me? I very- 
much apprehend the contrary, and that he's agsun cut- 
ing out more Work for us. 

Scan A HE l. What Reftfon have you for this Appre- 
heniion>? 

Is A BELLA. YoQ was hardly ^ot out of Doors, when^ 
putting my Head out at Window to take the Air, I faw 
a young Fellow at yonder Turning^ who came very 
furpriiingly , to wiih me a good Morning from that Inv- 
pertinenit Fellow, and fiungaBox dire£bly into my Chara^ 
ber, in which was a Letter fealed likcsLBilht'cioux, — I 
would iniUntly have thrown it back to him, but he 
was got to the end of the Street, and my Heart fwells 
with Vexation at it. 

Sganarel. Obferve a little the Cunnmg^ the 
Knaveiy! 

Isabella. It*« my Duty to fend back immediate- 
ly the Box and Letter to this curfed Lover, and I 
(hall want fomebody for that purpofe, for to oiake 
bold with you 

Sganahel. On thecontmry^ Dearee, it convinceg 
me the betlfer of your Affe^on and Fidelity ;. my Heart 
accepts the Office with Joy, and you oblige me by it 
more than I am able to exprefs. 

Isabella. Take it then. 

Sganarel* W^, let's &e what he could write to 
you. 

Is A- 



48 L^EcoLE Dss Maris. 

IsABELLt. Ah Ciel ! gardez-TOOs hica de Toavrir. 

Sganarelle. Etpoorqaoi? 

IsABELLE. Lai voidcz-vousdomieracroireqaec^cft 

lIloi^ 
Une fiUe d'honnear doit toujoars fe deibidre 
De lire ies Hllets qu^un homme lui fait rendre. 
La curio£te qa*on &it lors edater 
Marque on fecret plaifir de s*en onir conter, 
£t je trouve i propos qoe, toute cachetee, 
Cette lettre lui foit promtement repoitee ; * 
Afin qae d^aatant mieux il connmfie aujoard*litti 
Jji mepiis eclatant que mon coeur fait de lui» 
Que fes feux deformais perdent toute efperance, 
£t n'entreprennent plus pareille extravs^ance. 
Sganarelle. Certes, ellea raifon loifqa'dle parle 

ainfi. 
Ya, ta vertu me cliarme, & ta prudence anfli ; 
Je vois que mes le9ons ont germe dans ton ame, 
£t tu te montres digne eniin d'etre ma femme. 
Is A BELLE. Je ne veux pas pourtaot gener votre 

dcfir. 
La lettre eft dans vos mains, & vous pouvez Touvrir. 
Sganarelle. Non jein'd^^de; hdas? tes rai- 

fons font trop bonnes, 
Et je vais m'acquicter du foin que tu me donnes ; 
A quatre pas de la dire enfuite deux mots, 
Et revenir ici te remettrc en repos. 



SCENE VI. 

S G A N A R E L L E >«/. . 

DAns quel raviffemtnt eft-cc que mon coeur nage^ 
Lorfque je vois en elle une fille fi fage ? 
OeSi un trefor d'honneur que j'ai dans ma maifon. 
Frendre un regard d'amour pour une trahifon^ 

Recevoir 



Tie S c H o 04. fcr H u s b an d s. 49 

Isabella. O Heavens I Take care not to open it. ^ 

Sganarbl. Why fo. 

Isabella. Would yoa give him reafon to beliere 
'twas I ? — A Wpmao of Honour ought always to avoid 
reading the Letters a Man fends her ; the Cariofity one 
then difcovers, fliews a fecret Pleafure in hearing one's 
felf commended i and I thipk it proper ..this Letter 
ihoald immediately be carried to him^ feal*d up as it is, 
that he may fo much the better learn how greatly my 
Heart defpifes him ; that his Faffion may lofe all kind 
of Hope henceforward, and no more attempt the like 
Exuavagance. 



Sganarbl. She has certainly Reafon for what (he 
(ays. ■ Well, your Virtue and Difcretion charm 

me. I perceive that my InflrudUons are rooted in 
your Soul : and in ihort, yon (hew that you deferve to 
be my Wife. 

Isabella. I would not, however, balk your Cu* 
riofity ; You have got the Letter^ and you may open it. 

Soak ar EL. Lack-a-day, I dont care ;— no, your 
Reafons are too good for thatj^ ^d I am ]uft going to 
difcharge the Triift you put in me ; afterwards I itiall 
ftep a little way to fpeak a Word or two, and then come 
back to make you eafy. 



SCENE VI. 

S G A N A R E L, a/one. 

O W my Soul overflows with Joy to find her Aidi 

a prudent Girl I She's a Treafere of Honour in 

my Family !. to take the glances of Love for Treafoc, 

receive a BiUetdoux as a y^ty great Injury,, and fend it 

Vol. III. C b^cfe 



H 



50 L'Ec^LE Dfis Maris. 

Recevoir an podet comme vie iojune extrdime; , 

£t le fatre au galant reporter par moi-meaic i 

Je TCHidrois bien f^aToir, en Toyant tout cecu 

Si celle de mon frere en nferoit ainfi. 

Ma ibiy Ics fiUes font ce que Toil lesiait ^dre. 

Hold. U^fr^tf^ ^ ^ P^^^ ^ VMre. 



SCENE vn. 

SGANARELLE, ERGASTE. 

£ HG A 8 T E. 

\J Sg A N A R E L L E . Tcncz, ditcs a votre maitie 
Qu'il ne s'ingere pas d'ofer ecrire encor 
Des lettres qu'il envoye avec des boetes d*or^ 
£t qa*Iikbelle en eft puilTanmient irritee. 
Voyez, on ne Ta pas au moins decacketee i 
W connoitra I'etat que Ton fait de fcs fcux, 
£t quel heureux fiicc^ il doit efperer d*eux. 



SCENE vm. 

VALERE, ERGASTE. 

V A L fi R E. 

OU E vient de te donncr cette faronclie bete ? 
Ergaste. Cette lettre, Monfieur, qa'avecqoe 
cette boete, 
On pretend qu'ait re^ue Ifabellc de vous, 
Et dont elle eft, dit il, «i un fort grand conrroux. 
Ceft fans vouloir Touvrir qu'elle vous la fait rendre ; 
iifez vite, h voyons fi je me puis m^prcndre. 

Vale RE /rV.] Cettt lettre *vous furfrendret /km 
ioute^ &r Von pent trouper bieu harii four aoi, fji* /# 
d^Jfiin d$ winu Ncrire^ fsf Id muniire di ^ous h fatre 

fntr ; 



TheSc Hoo L for Hv sn A N Ds. gt 

back again to her Gallant by me ! Vd fein know, 
wliether upon fuch an occaiion my Bfother^s Dam(e( 
would Have adled thus. Faith, Girls arc jttft what 
•they arc t»ight to be ■■ So ho. 

^Knocking at Valerc*s Door. 



SCENE VIL 
8GANAREL, ERGASTE. 

£ RO A S T E. 

WHo's there? 
Scan A R EL. Take this; and tell your Ma* 
fler that he muft not any more impertinently prefume 
to write Letters and fend them with golden Boxes, and 
that lf»htila is violently enraged about it. See, ihe 
has not fo much as opened it. I^eMl iind the Re- ' 
gard ihe has for his Paffion, and what happy Succeft 
he ought to hope from it. 



SCENE VIII. 
. V A L E R E, ERGASTE. 

V A L E R E. 

WHAT has that furly Brute been giving you ? 
Erg A ST E. This Letter, Sir, which, with 
this Box, he pretends that Ifahella received from you, 
and about which, he lays, ihe's in a very great Fury. 
Its without opening that (he returns it you : read it 
quickly/ and let's fee if I'm raiftakcn. 

Valb'rr reads:\ "This Letttr will m doubt furprift 

you : and hotb the Defign of <writing and the man^ 

ner of getting it to you, m»f he thought werx rajb in me i 

' * C 2 ^^ 



52 L'EcoLE DBS Maris* 

unir ; mahje me 'vois dans un eiat a ne pluigarder de 
mefures, Lajufi* horreur d*un mar tag f dont je fuis me* 
nacee dans fix jours ^ me fait Ifaxarder toutes cbofes \ &« 
dans la rifolution de nien affrantbir far fuelque 'voie . 

^^ue te fiiti fat cru que je debuts pluiot q/ous chtifir 
one le defeffoir. Ne croyez pas fourtant que yous foyiex. 

.rede'uable di tout a ma mawvaife diftinie ; ce n^ eft pas 
ia contrainte ouje me trowve qui a fait nattre les fen- 
timens que fxii pour vot/s, mats c^eft elle qui en preci- 
pite le tesneignage^ W qui me fait puffer fur des for* 
malites cu la bienjeance du fexe oblige. II ne tiendra 
fiCa vous queje fois a vous bientot, &r fatte,nds feule* 
ment que mous .nCaye% marque les intentions de votre 
amour ^ four njous faire f^avoir la rifolution que fai 
prife: mais^fur tout, fongex que le terns prejfe, £lf qui 
deux cceurs qui s*aime9ft doi*uent s* entendre a demi mot. 
;Erqa9tb. He bien, Monfieur, le tour eft-O d'ori- 
ginal ? 
pQjir une jeune fiUe, die n*en i<p\t pas mal ^ 
De ces rufes d'amour la croiroit*on capable ? 

V'alerb. Ah ! je la tronve U tout4-&it adorable ; 
Ce trait de fon efprit, 6c de Ton amitie 
Accroit pour die encor nion amour de moitie ; 
£t joint aux fentioieos que. fa bc^aute m^infpire . . • • 
Erg A STB. La dappe vient, fongez a ce cpi^il voos 
&ut dire. 



S C E N E ' IX. 

8GANARELLE, VALERE, ERGASTE. 

ScANARBLLE/f croyant feuL . 

OTrois Sc quatre fois beni foit cet edit 
F^ qui des vetemeos le luxe eft interdit I 
Les peines des maris ne feront plus fi grandes, 
Et les femmes auront un frein i leurs demandcs* 

Oh r 



ne School fir Husbands. 5j 

hut J find m^felf in a Situation not toobfor've Forms any 
longer. The juft dread of a Marriage ^wberenvitb I am 
threatened in fix Days , makes me run allRifques : and be- 
ing refoi*ved to free my felf by fime means or other ^ t 
believed^ that I ought rather to choofe you thandefpair. 
Howe^verf don^t imagine^ that you are nvho/Iy obliged 
to mjf e*vii Defiiny : it is not the Conftraint lam under 
that giv^J birth to the Sentiments I ba^e for you ; bui 
it^s that which hafiens the Difco^ery ofthem^ and make t 
me pafs over thofe Formalities *which the Decency of mf 
Sex requires. It defends on yourftlf alone to ha^ve me 
fpeedily yours^ and I nuait only till you Jhenn me •what 
your Love dej^ns, before I let you know the RefolutiofB 
I have taken: But above alT^ remember that Time 
is prejpngi and that two Hearts in Love Jbould under" 
ftand each other by half a Word, 

Ergastb. Well, Sir, is not this Contrivance ail 
Ori^nal ? For a young Creature, her Underftanding 
in this A£&ir is not amifs. Would one believe her ca- 
pabljs of theft Lo^ Stratagems ? 

Valbre. Ah! I find her perleffly adorable f 
This Stroke of her Wit and Friendfhip even doublet 
my Paffion for her ; and adds to the Sentiments where- 
with her Beauty infpires me. 

Eroaste. The Bubblc*s coming j confidcr what you 
rouftfaytohim. 



SCENE IX. 
. SGANAREL. VALERE, ERGASTE. 
SoANAREL thinking himfelf alone, 

O Thrice, and four Times bleft be this Edid which 
forbids Extiavagance in Drefs ! The Uneafinefs of 
Husbands will be no more fo grievous, and Wives will 
now be limited in their Demands. Oh ! how 1% pb- 
C 3 liged 



54 L^EcoLB desMahss. 

Oh ! qoe je f^ais an Roi bon gre de ccs decrb ? 
£t qoe» poor le repos de ct$ m^mes maris, 
Je voudrois bien qu^on fit de k coquetttrie, 
Cbmme' de la guipure & de la hroderie f 
j'ai voiiltt Tacheter Tedit exprtfii6ment, 
Afin que d*I&belle il fok la Jiantement ^ 
£t ce &rsL tantot» n*etaiit plus occupee, 
lie diTerdflemeiit de nodre apres^ibupee. 
[afpircivant Faltre,'} EnvoyercaB-Toas enoor» Monfieur 

aux Uonds cbereiut, 
Avec des boeces d*or des billets amooreux ? 
Vous penfiez bien trouver qudque jenae coquette. 
Friande de rintrigoe, Sc tendre a la iienrette ? 
Vous voyez de qnel air on re9ott vos jojrauz : ^ 

Croyez-moi, c^eil tiier rotre poodre aux moineaux^ ^' 
Bile eil fage, elle m^aime, St votre amour l*oatrage, 
Prenez vifee'ailleurSy & troalTez^moi bagage. 

Valirb. Opi» 001, Toucmente, i qui cbacoa fe 
rend. 
Eft a mes voeux, Monfieur, im oUbde tnop grand # 
£t c*efl iblie k nnoi, dans ma aideor fidele, 
De pretendre afvec vous i Tanidor d*l(abelle» . 

Sganar'illb. Ileftvrayy c^eEfblie. 

V A L£ RE . Auffi n'aurois-je pas 
Aband(»ne mon ocsur a fuivre ies appas. 
Si j^avols pu prevoir que ce coeur xniferable 
Dut trouver un rival ccmme vous redoutabie. 

SganarbX'LE. Jelecrois. 

Valere. Jen*ai gardeaprcfentd'efperer; 
Je vous cede, Monfieur, Sc c'eft fins murmurer. 

Scan A RE L LB. Vous faites bien. 

Valere. Le droit de la ibrte Toidomie j 
Et de tant de vertus brille votre perfonne. 
Que j^aurois tort de voir d*un regaid de courroox 
Le3 tendres fentimens qu'I&belie a poor voQS. 

S«AiiARBL^E. Qela s^eucend. 

Valbrb. 



liged to the King for thk Decree F And, for the Sa- 
tisfadion of the laid Httib9Dds5 how I wifh that Co-^ 
quettry was forbidden as well as Laces and ^broidery. 
I hare bought the £di£k on parpoTe for I/abella to read 
to me; and that, for v^^ant c^ other Employ men t» ihall 
be our Diveriion by and by after Supper^ i/^^f^g V*- 
lere] Will you fend Love- Letters with golden Boxes 
again, Mr. Fgppington f You furely thought to find 
fome young Coquette, fond of Intrigue;, and c&fily me!t«- 
cd down by Flattery ; bat you fee with what an. Air 
your Prcfents ite received ; and take my Word for't, it 
is rpending your Powder to kill Sparrows. She'i dif- 
creet ; fne loves me } and Ihe^s affronted at your Paf- 
fion; away. Bag and Baggage, therefore, and icus^^ 
your Defsgns elfewhere. 



Valbub. Ay, indeed. Sir, your Merit, to. which 
every Body yields^ is too powerful an .Obfbicle to my 
Addrc£es $ and it is Foolifliiiefs is jne fincere as my 
Pa£on is, tP contend with you ibr IfahiUiCi Love. 

ScANAaBXt. Itistrue, *tisaFblly. 

Vale RE. Nor fhould I have devoted my Heart to 
the Purfuit of her Beauty, could I have forefeen tliat 
this wretched Heart fhould find a Rival fo formidable as 
you. 

ScAMAREL. I believe it. 

Valbkb. Now I have no room Ibr Hope :^ to you. 
Sir, I give place, and that too without murmuring. 

Sganarel. Youdowell. 

Va LE RE . Reafon will have it fo ; for fo much Vir- 
tae (bines in you, that I fhould be in the wrong to be- 
hold with anangry Eye the tender Sentiments Ifalella 
has &r yon. 

Scan ARi l. That*$ to be fupposM. 

C 4. Valsre. 



56 L'EcoLi DBS Maris. ' 

Va le re. Oui« oul, je voas quitte la place r 
Mais je vous prie an moins, 8c c*e& la feule grace, 
Monfieur, que vous demande un miferable amant 
Dont vous feul anjourd'hui cauiez tout le tourment^ ' 
Je vous conjure done d^aflurer liabelle 
Que, fi depuis trois mois mon cceur brule pour elle» 
Cec amour eft fans tache, & n*a jamais penfe* 
A ricn dont fon honneur ait lieu d*ecre offeofe. 
SganArblle. Oui. 

Va LB RE. Que, ne dependant que da choix de mon 
ame, 
Tous mes deiTeins ecoient de Tobtenir pour femme. 
Si Ics deftinsy en vous qui captivez fon coeur, - 
N^oppofoient un obftade i cette jufte ardeur. 
Sganarbllb. Fortbien. 

Valbrb. QuCj quoi qu'on Me, il ne lui £iut pas 
croire 
Que jamais fes appas fortent de ma m^moire 1 
Que, qudque arret des Cienx qu*il me ^Ile fuhir, 
Mon fort eft de-raimerjufqu^iu dernier foujHrt 
£c que, fi qudque chofe etoufte mes poorfvites, 
C*eft le jufte re(ped que j'ai pour vos merites. 
Sganarillb. Ceft parler fagenicnt, & je yaia dc 
cepas 
Lui faixe ce difconrs qui ne la choquepas ;. 
Mais, fi vous me croyez, tachez de £iire en forte 
Que de votre cerveau cette pafiion forte. 
Adieu. 
, £rga8Te a P'aUre. La duppe eft bonne. 



8113- 

SCENE 



fie School for Husbands. sJ 

Valerb. Yes, yes^ I give pkce to you. But, Sir, 
I befeeeh you, (and it's the only Favour a mifendblc. 
Lover begs, whofe prefent Torment you alone occa- 
fion :) I conjure you then, to aflure Ifabella; that if for 
three Months paft my Soul has lovM her, its Paffion has 
bee^ pure and fpotlefs, and never had a Thought which 
her Honour coold reaibnably be difpleafed at. 

Sganarsl. Ay. 

Vale as. That having nothing but my own Incli- 
nations to gratify, all my Defigns were to obtain her 
for a Wife, if, in you, who captivate her Heart, Fate 
bad not oppos'd an Obftacle to this juft Faflion. 

ScANARBC. Mighty well. 

Valerb. That, happen what will, (he muft not 
imagine I can e'er forget her Charms ; that in what 
manner foever I muft fnbmit to the Decrees of Heaven, 
Tin deftin'd to love her even to my latefl Gafp ; and 
tliat, if any thing itifles my AddrefTes, it is the juft 
l^gard I have for your Merit. 

Sganarbl. That's wifely (aid, and Tin going to 
inform' her of this Difcourfe, which won't be diiagree* 
able; but if you'll truft to me, endeavour eameftly to 
drive this Pafiion out of your Head. Farewel. 

Ergastb. Excellent Bubble ! 



Cs SCENE 



Sf L^'FcoLf fSTEs Marts. 

S C E N E X. 
SGANARELLE /«/; 

IL me fait grand piti^ 
Ce pauvre malheuraix tout rempli d*iUnitie r 

Mais c*eft on mal pour lui de s^etre mis en tete 
De vouloir prendre un fort qui fe volt ma ocmquete. . 
[Sgrnn^relli heurH k fn fort. 



SCENE XI. 
SGANARELLE, ISABELLE. 

SGAKAaStLfi. 

JAmais amant n^a fiiit taat dc trouble edater. 
Au pOtt!et renvoy6 fans te dccachcter ; 
II pcrd totttc efperancc enfin, & fe retire v 
liais ii m'a tendrement conjuridc te dire 
.Que du moins, en t'aimant, ii n'a jamaiB penfe: 
A rien dont ton honncur ait lieu d'etre offenfc, 
Et que, nc dependant que da choix de fon ame, 
iVjs fee dMrfi itoieiit de t'bbtemr pour iemtiie» 
Sf les deftini, en moi qui captive ton ccjwir, 
N'<^pofoient un obflacle a cette jufle ardeur % 
Que, quoiqus'on puiiTe faire, il ne te feut pas croirc. 
Que jamais tes appas fortent de (a memoire j 
^Qje, qodque arret des Cieux qu'il lui faille fubir. 
Son fort dl de t'aimfcr jufqu*au dernier foi^pir j 
Et que, fi quelque chofe etoufFe fapourfuite, 
Ccft le jufte refpe^ qu'il a pour mon merite. 
Ce font fes-propres mots, . & loin de le blamer, 
Je le trouve honnete homme, ..& le plains de t'aimer. 
IsAdELLE ^a/. J Sea feuxne trompent point ma fe- 
crette croyance,. 
£t toujours fes re^ds nL'en ont dit Titmocence. 



ithScuo6tfir fit v'sB ANOs. 59 



S C E N E X. 

SGANAREL a/onf. 

I'M very forry for this poor good-natur'4 Wrctcli % 
bst *twas mhupjpj lor him to thiokof takiaga Fort 
that I had conqacsrM. 

[Sganard hwis «/ iU Da9r. 



SCENE XL 
SGANAREL, ISABELLA. 

Sgama&£l. 

NEver Lover diicovcr'd fuch Uueafinefs at a Let- 
ter fent back uaopeifd: his Hopes, in iBort; 
are qaice dedroyed, axul he*s withdrawn : But he ear* 
neftly conjured me to acquaint you, that in loving 
you, his Faflion has been pure and ^otlefs« and never 
had a Thqoght which your Honour coukl xeafonably 
be difpleafed at ; and that havinj; only his own Licli- 
nations to gratify* all his Defires were to obtain yoi^ 
for a Wife, ifi in mc who captivate your Heart, Eate 
had not opposed as Obilacleto his fincere Pafllon; thdr, 
let what will be&l, you Hiuft not im^ine your Charni^ 
can ever be forgotten by him i that whatibever Decrees 
^ Heaven he muft fubmit to, he is deflin'd to love 
yoi even to the lateft Gafp ^ and that, if any thing 
ftifles his Addfefiies, it is thejufl Regard he has for 
my Merit. Tkefe ase his.ow« Words, and fo far 
from blaming hia, 1 think him an honefl Fdlow, an4 
pity him for loving yon. 

Isabella frfti^ ] I am not aiilaken in my Belief 
of his Pa£oa h his Lookfi affured m^ alvv:iys of its In- 
floocnce, Sga- 



^o L'EcoLE DEs Maris. 

SCAHARELLE. Que dls-tU ? 

IsABELLB* Qu*il m'eft dar que voot plaignlcz i 
fort 
Un homme que je hais k Tegal de la mort ; 
Et que, fi vous m'aimiez aatant que vous Ic ditcs, 
Vous fcntiricjB raflFront que me font fes poarfoites. 
: Sg A N A a E L L E . Mais il ne r9ayoit pas tea inclinationss 
Et, par rhonn^tete de fes intentions. 
Son amour ne merite .... 

IsABELLE. Eft-ce les avoir bonnes, 
Dites-nioi, de vouloir enlever les perfonnes f 
Eft-ce ecre homme d'honneur de former des defleins 
Pour m'epoufer de force, en^ m*6tant de tos mains ? 
Comnie fi j'etois fille i fapporter la vie 
Apres qu'on m*aur6it fait one telle infiunie. 

Sganarelle. Conmient? 

IsABELLE. Ooi, oni, j'aifjuqoecc traitred'amant 
Parle^e mVbtenir par un enlevement ; 
Et j^ignore pour moi les pratiques fecrettes 
Qui Pont inftruit fi-t.6t du defldn que vous ^tes 
De me donner la main dans huit jours au plus tard, 
^oifque ce n^eil que d^hier que vous m*en fites part : 
Mais 11 veut prevenir, dit-on, cette joumee 
Qu* doit a votre fort unir ma defHn^e. 
, Sganarelle. Voil^ qui ne vaut rien. 

IsABELLE. Oh I que pardonnez-moi ! 
C*eil un fort honnete-homme, & qui ne fent pour moi 

Sganarelle. Ilatort; & ceci pafTe la raiUei-iel 

IsABELLE. AUez^ votTC dottceuT entretient ik folJe : 
S'il vous eut vu tantot lui parler vertement, 
II craindroit vos tranfports Sc mon reflentiment i 
Car c'eft encor depuis fa lettre meprlfee, 
Qu*Il a dit ce deiTeinr qui m'a fcandalifee i 
Et fon amour conferve, ainfi que jc Pai f^u. 
La croyance qu'il eft dans mon co^ar bien re^u. 

Que 



72^^ School far Husbands. 6jr 

SoA N A HE L. What d'ye fay \ 

Isabella. That it's unkind to me to pity* a Man 
fo much whom I hate ta Death ; and that if you loved 
me, as you iay you do, you'd be fenfible how I'm iS- 
fronted by his Addrefles. 

ScANAREL. But he didn^c know your Mindi. and 
for the Honefty of his Intention, his Love does not de- 
ferve 

Isabella. Is it a good Intention, pray now, to 
think to runaway with People? Is it like a lAan, of 
Honour to form Defigns of taking me from yon, and 
marrying me by Force, as if I was a Creature that 
could b«ur' life after fuch Infiuny being thrown upon 
me? 

Sganarel. Mow? 

Isabella. Yes, reaUy, Uiis bafe Lorer^ lunder- 
ftand, talks of running away with me r but I can't 
imagine, for my part, by what fecret means he leani'd 
fo foon that you deiign'd to marry me at £utheil in 
aght Days, fince it was but Yederday you told me fo ; 
but, it's' reported, he'll prevent that Day which fhould 
unite your Fate and mine; 

Sga k a r b c . That fignifies nothing. 

Isabella. O! pardon me$ he's a very honeft 
Man, and does not retain for me ' 

Scan are l. He^s in the wrong, andthisis carrying 
the Jefttoofar. 

Isabella. Come, your * A^ldnefs encourages his 
Polly. If, juft now,* he had found yon talk roundly to 
^im, he would have dreaded your Rage and my Re- 
fentment, for it is even fince* his Letter was rejected, 
that he fpoke of this fcandalous Defign ; and, as &r 
as I perceive, his Paffion makes him ftill im^ne that 
my Heart approves of him/ that I avoid marrying 



6i L'EcoLS ocs Ma &i$. 

Que je fiiis votre hy mea qooiqne le monde en crair« 
It me vtmia tirer de yob mains avec joie. 

6GAHAllBLI.Bi II eft fell. 

l8AtBi.x.fe. DtnmcvousU f^tkdcgjdkrp' 
Bt fon intention eft de voos amuier. . 
• Croyez par ces beaux mots que le traitre voiu joae. 
Je Ibis bka aaUkcoreafe, il &ut ^e jc Pavoue, 
Cymrecqve coos mes foins pour vivre dans rhoDnei»v. 
£t rebuter ks vceiix d*im lache fubornear, 
II Mie etie expofik «ox fidmiies {iirprifes 
De voir £uxc £vx aaoi d'iii6mes entreprifes. 
ficAKARSLLE. Va« DC ivdotttr rien. 
i8ABBii.x. Ponrmoi, jevouskdi. 
Si TOSS B^edates fbrtconire im trait fi kardi^. 
£t ne troavez bientot moyen de me defaire 
Des perfecutions d*un pareil t^meiaire, 
J*a;baiidonneiad tost« & venoftce k Teiuiui 
Oe feuffrir ies afironts que je re9Qift <k loL 
SGAifARBi.i.«. Ne t*aA%e paint tant f va, xta pe- 
tite femBaSy 
Je ei'ea vais le tnmrer» ic lui chaater & gamme. 
Is ABSLLB. Dites-ku bien an moins qa*il le niercut 
• envain, * / 

Que c'eft de txmne part qa^on m*a dit Ton deflein ; 
£t qa*apres cet am* qnoiqa^fl posfle entrepneadreu 
yoSe le ddier de Bae .pouvoir forprelidre ; 
£nfin» que, (ass plus pecidie & foupirs •& moxneBS, 
li dok ijsivoir poar- voos qvds font mes fentimeas 4 
£t que, fi d*un malheur il ne veut ^tre caufe* 
II neiefiJfe pas deux fbts dive «ne citoJe. 
6CAWARSE.X.S. Jedtrai^cqtt*il£HMt. 
IsABBLLB. Maistovtoela» d'ua ton 
Q«i manjue que mon corar loi paik toot de bon. . 
ScANRBLLE. Va, je B^ooUierai rieo, jet'endom^e- 

ajShrance. 
Is AB E LtE. J^Attends votte x«tocur avec impatience ; 

Hdtez^ 



fhe 5c HOC L /tfr H tfSB A ft DS. 6^ 

you, whatcveirthe'WoHd may thmk cf it, and that I 
Aodd with Joy fnd my (elf ont.of yoor Clutches. 

Scan AUt I.. He's aFoo!. 

Isabella. Before you he knows how to difgaife 
himfelf, aad his Intentioa k to aRMiie you : But be 
certain the Tfaitor impofes upon you with hfs fair 
Speeches. I am. very unhappy, Tm fure, that not* 
wichftanding all ;ny Endeavoara to live with Ho- 
nour, and reptdft die Addreffes of a tile Seducer, I 
muft be expofed to the Vexation of his in&nous At* 
tempts upon me. 

SoANARkL. Wefl, don*t fear any thing. 

Isabella; For my part, I affure you, that un- 
Icfs you (hew your fclf exceeding angry at fo impu- 
dent an Attempt, «ftd quicMy find out fome way to 
&ee me from the Perfecutions of fuch a rafli Creature^ 
PH give up everything, and not endure the Affi-onts 
which I recdve from hxm. 

Sgaivahel. C(»Be, don^t afflid thy felf fo much,, 
my Dearee ; Til go find him out and fing him fuch a 
Tune. 

Is ABEL LA. However, tell him^ that denying it is 
to no purpofe, for I was informed of his Ddign by a 
good Hand ; and that after this ^Notice, I dare defy^ 
him to furprifeme, whatever ht may attempt. In fhdrt,*^ 
that without farther lo6 of Time and Trouble; he Yni/ 
be f^fible what my Sentiments are tC)wards you, and, 
that, if he would avoid making Mifchief, he mulhi*t 
wantbdng told the fame thing twice. . 

Scan A R EL. MrteW him what's proper. 
IsA B E L L A. But do it in a Tone that may Ihew him 
it really comes from tAy very Soul. 
Sganarel. Well, m forget nothing, Iwarrant 

ye. 

ISABELLA. I'm impatient for yx)ur Return ; Pray 

make 



64 L'EcotB Dss Maris. 

Hiteae-le, s'il toqs phit, de tout Totre pomroir. 
Je lai^ttis quand je fuis un moment fans vous voir. 
/SGAMAM.BLLB. Va, poopomie, ipon coear, jc rc- 
viens tout i rhenre. 



SCENE XH. 
S G AN A R E L LE /euf. 

ESt-3 ane perfomie, Sc plus tagi & meilleure ? 
Ah? que je fuis heureux^ & que fai de plaiiir 
De tronver une femme an gre de mon deiir f 
Oni, voSli comme 11 &at que les femmes foient ikites i 
Et non, comnie j*en {(ais, de ces franches coquetta 
Qui ft*eii laiflent conter, & font dans tout Fans 
Montrer au bout du ddgt leurs honn^tes maris, 
\llfrafpe a la forte de VaUreJl Holi> notre galant aux 
belles entreprifes. 



SCENE xni. 

VALERE, SGANARELLE, ERGASTE. 

V A L E us. 

MOnfieur» qoi vous ramene en ce lieu ? 
Sganarbllb. Vosfottifes. 
Valere. Comment? 

Scan A BELLE. Vous f9ave9B bien de quoi je veax 
parler. 
Je vous croyois j^iis fage, i, ne vous rien celer. 
Vous venez m'amufer de vos bdks paroles* 
£t confervea^ fous-main des efperances foUes. 
Yoyez-voud, j^ai voulu doucement vous traiter f. 
Mais vous m'obligerez a la fin d*^eclater. 
N*avez-vous point de honte, etant ce que vous etes^ 
De falre en votre efprit les pKJets que vous ^ites ? 

De 



fhi School for Husbands. 63 

make all the iiafte yoa can. I langaifh if yoaVe from 
my Sight one Moment. 
SoANAREL. Go, my He^t*5 Delight, TU be back 

inilantly. 



SCENE XII. 

SGANAREL a/om. 

IS there a better or difcreeter Perfon ? — Ah ! how 
happy I am, and what a Joy it is to find a Wife 
according to my own Wiih/ Ay, thus Wiv« 
ought to be, and not like fome I know, dowright Co* 
quettea, that fufFer themfelves to be courted, and make 
their honcft Husbands be pointed at thro' all Parit, 
[Knocking at ValereV DoorJ] Soho, there, wherc's this 
fine entcrprifing Spark of ours I 



SCENE XIIT. 
VALERE, SOANAREL, ERGASTE. 

V A L B R B. 

SI R» what brings you here again ? 
ScANAREL. Your Follies. 
Valerb. How? 

Sqanarel. You rery well know what I want to 
talk about. To tell you plainly, I took you to have 
n^ore Senfc. You come to amufe me with your 
fine Speeches, ahd fecretly retain your own foolifh 
Hopes. I was inclinable, d*yc fee, to ufe you gently, 
tut at laft youMl force me into a Paffion. Are you not 
alham'd, confidering who you are, to contrive in your 
Mind fuch Projeas as you do, to intend running awaj; 

* withi 



66 L^EcoLB DBS Maris. 

De prteadre enlever ume fiUe d'honneury 

Et troubkr un hymen qui fait tout fon baohear F 

VAL1I.B. Qgivoasadit> Moofieur^ ceae etrange 
nouvelle ? 

ScANARELLB. Ne dlfllmaloiis pointy je la tiens 
<i*6faelle 
Qui vous mande par moi, pour la deniiere fois, 
Qu*elle vous a Bat voir afTez quel eft (on choix. 
Que fon conir, tout i moi, d'un td projct-s-offenfc, 
Qu*eile moorroity plat6t quVn foufFrir rinColence t 
£t que vous caoferez de terribles eclats. 
Si vous ne mettez fin a tout cet embarras. . * 

Valerk. S'ii eft vray qu^elle att dit ce que je vien» 
d'entnidre, 
j'arouerai que xncs feox n*ont plus rien i pr^tendre ; 
Par ces mots aiSez dairs je v<ms tout termine, 
Et je dois reverer Tarrlt qa*elle a donne. 

Sganarblljs.. Sil Vous en doutez donc« Sc pre 
BOE pour des ntntes 
Tout ce que de fit port je vous ai &it de plaintes ? 
Voulez-vous qu^elle-meme clle explique fan coeur I 
jy confens vokatiers pour vous tirer dVrrenr. 
Suivez-moiy vous verrer s'il eft rien que j'avance,, 
£t fi fi)n jeune coenr entre nous deux bakuice. 

[ // 'vaf rapper a fa fort*. 



SCENE XIV. 

ISABELLE, SGANARELLE, VALERE. 
E R G A S T E, 

ISABELLB. 

QU 1 1 VOUS me Tamenez ? Quel eft votie defleinl 
Prenezf-vous 'contre moi fes interets en main ? 
ist voulez-Tous, charme de fes rarcs merites, 
M'oblipr i Taimcr, & fouffrir fes vifitcs ? 

SCA- 



72peSCHOOL/^Hv SB AMDS. 67 

with a Woman of H(Miour, and interrapting a Marriage 
whiph her whole Happinefs depends on f 

Vale RE. Who told you this wonderfid News, 
Sir? 

ScAHARSL. NodiflTembllng: I have it from J/a- 
hella i who, for the laft time, (ends yoa Word hy 
me, that (he has plainly enough difco?er'd to you 
whom (he chuffs \ that her Heart, which is intirely 
mine, is enrag*d at fuch a Contrivance ; that (he'd ra; 
ther die than fiiffer fuch an Inftdt ; and that you'll oc- 
ca(k>n terrible Doings, ankfs you put an end to all this 
Unea(ine(s. 

.Vale RE. ir (he really faid what you inform mc, 
I own my PafCon can pretend to nothing farther : Thcfc 
Expreffions are clear enough to let me fee all is over, 
and I mnft revere the Sentence fiie has paffed. 

S c A w a R B L. If f iyye«raake a: Doubt on't. 
then, and fe^icy all the Complaints I've brought 
from her to fon arc mere Pretences ? Will you have her 
tell you her own Mind ? To fet you right, I willingly 
Gonfent tp't. Follow me, you (hall fee if I have added 
any thing, axid if her youthful Heart is in fufpcnfe be- 
tween us. [Going t9 knock at bis own Door.. 



SCENE XIV. 

ISABELLA, SGANAREL,.VALERE, 
• E R G A S T E. 

ISABILLA. 

HO W ? D'ye bring him to m%f What ie't yo» 
mean ? D'yt take has part againft me ? And, 
charm'd wkh his* rare-Qualltiei, w31 you force me to 
love him, and endure his Vifes ? ^ 



68 L'Ecotx pbsMahis. 

So AN ARBLLE. NoD, ma mie, & um conur poor c^ 

la m^tfft trop cher : 
Mau il prend mes avis pour des contes en Pair, 
Croit que c*eft moi qui parle^ & te Bus, par adrdTct 
Pldne pour lui de haine, & pour moi de teodrefle } 
£t par tDi-mcme ai£n j*ai voulu, &119 retour, 
Le tiicr d^onc cneur qui noonit fan amour. 
Isabella a FaJire.'} Quoif monamc a yos yoiz 

ne fe montre pas toute, 
Et de mes voeux encor vous pouvez etre en doute ? 
Valbrb. Ouiy tout ce que moniienr de vocre part 

m*a dit, 
Madame,, a bien pouvoir de furprendre on efprit. 
J'ai doute, je Tavoue, 8c cet arret fupreme 
Qui decide du fort de mon amour extreme. 
Doit m'etre afiez touchant, pour ne pas ft*o£fenfer 
Que mon corar par deux ibis le Bifle pnmoncer. 
IsABBLLa. Non, 9on^ im celarretnedoit pasTOia 

furprendre, 
Ce font mes fentimens qu^ vons a fait eateiidfr» 
£t je les tiens fbndes fur aflfcx d*eqoite» 
Pour en Eiire eclater tonte la verite. 
Qui, je venx bien qu*on ffache, & j*en [dois etre cni^ 
Que le fort offre ici deux objets i ma vu^. 
Qui, m^infpii-ant pour enx differens fentimens. 
Be mon coenr agite font tons les monvemens.^ 
L^un, par un jufle choix on IHionnenr m^int&efle, 
A toute mon eftime Sc toute ma tendrefle ; 
£t Tantre, pour le prix de fon afiedion, 
A toute ma colore, & mon averfioD. 
La prefence de Tun m^eft agreaUe 8e chitCp 
J*en re9oi3 dans mon ame une all^refleentiere} 
£t Tantre par (a vue infpire dans mon coear 
De fecrets monvemens & de haine & d*i&orrear. 
Me voir femme de Tun eft toute mon envie $ 
£t plutot qu^etre k Taotre, on m*6teroit la vie. 
Maia c*eft aflez montrer mes juftes femimens» 



fheScttOOt far Husbands. 6^ 

SaANARBL. No, Hony» I fet too great a Value 
on your Heart for that ; but he imagines what I told 
him to be an errant Fidlion, he believes *tis &oni my felf 
I fpeak, and that I cunningly repreient you fiili of 
Hate towards him, and Tendemefs for me ; wherefi>re, 
horn, yoor own Mouth I would cure him in&llibly of a 
Miihke which encourages hb Paflion* 

l8AB'Bi«LA. What, does not xhy (Soul fully dedare / 

its Meaning to yam, and can you ftiU be doubtfid whom 
Hove? 

Valbrb. Indeed, Madam, whatever the Gentle- 
man faid -tonus from you mighl; mrell furj^fe me. I 
was in doubt^ I own, and that final Sentence which de- 
termini the Fate of my unbounded Faffion* mnft be To 
feniibiy felt by me, that it can be no O£«ttoe if I defire 
the Repeddon of it. 

Isajblla.. No, no; yoa muft not wonder at fueh ' 
a Sentence; be told you my very • Thoughts, and I 
concdve them founded on Reafen fnfiicient to prove 
how fincere they are. Yes, indeed, Pd have it known^ 
^ I ought to be credited, that Fate here pre&ats 
two Objeds fo my View, which infpiring me with \ 
difoent Sentiments, agitate all the Paffions of my > 
Sottl. One, by a reafonable Choice, whereto Honour \ 

engages me, poflefles all my Efteem and Love; ^d \ 

the other, in return for his Affeftion, has all my An- 
ger and my Averfion. The one's P'reience is agreea^ 
ble and dear to me, and fills my Soul with Joy ; but 
the Sight of t'othei" mfpires my Heart with fecret Emo- 
tions both of Hatred and Horror. To fee myfelf flie 
Wife of one is all my Defire, and t had rather lofe my 
Life than be marry'd to the other. But* tis fufficient 
that I declare my real Sentiments^ and languiih too 

long 



TO L'ECOLB DSS Marm. 

£c trop ]oBfp*teiiis languid dau ccs nsdes toondcnsi 
II .fkat q«e oe qoe j*aiiiie, ofiuit de diUgence, 
Fafie 2 oe qoe je ktis perdre tonte efpenmce, 
£t qu'iin heareia hymen afranckiile moft felt 
]>*im fapplice poor moi {dm afi-eox que k moit« 

SoAHAaiLl^i. Oiii» Bugnonne, je ilbngt i fiessplir 
Urn attente. 

Xi ABE LLB. Ceft Poaiqcie moyn de me midfecaa- 
. taite* 

Sgamarelle. Ta le feras dans pea. 

ItABBLLE. Jei^qs'iieftliotttedx' 
Aux fiUes* d'ezpliqucr fi Ubrement kors ¥Beaac. 

Sgamabbllb. Pointy ponit. 

IsABBLLB. Matscnritacoafbntaesdtftiiieett 
De tdlies libeitfc dohrtac m*4tre dcnneei^ 
£t je puis, fans rougir, Eire un avea idoiBit 
A celai que deja je regarde en epoox. • 

SCAMARBLX/B. Otti» VUk pBUVTCl ftHfiuiy! pttSpOOUe 

dei^ioname.. 
IsABELLB. Qj{*il fixige donc» de gmcc^ a me proa- 

ver {a flame. 
Sganarellb. Oui, tien, faairemamain. 
Is A BELLE. C2ge ians plus de foupirs 
II conchie on hymen quT&it tous Ines* defin, 
Et fe^ve en ce Ilea la fol que je ltd ddnne 
De n*^atier jamais les yoeox d'antre pei'femxe. 

fa maim a haijkr k Falin, 
Sganarellb. IM» hai» man pethntz, pauvxe 
petit bottchon^ 
Tu ne (angttims pas lo^g-tems> je fea repond, 
Va, chut. ^ 
{a Valire^'l Voiis le voyez, je nc lui fais pas dire, 
Ct n^eft qu*apr^s mdi feul ^ue fofi ame refpire. 
Valere. H^bicn, Madame, heblcn, c'cds*expli- 
qoer aifi». 



The Sc H oo t j%r H u 9 b a k ds. yt 

long under theft eniel Tonnents i the Perfon I hm 
maSL now exert his Diligence to deftroy ktireljr the 
Hopes o£ him I hate, and deliver me hj a happy 
Marmge from a Pastftnent I dread much more thiui 
Death. 

^GANAREL. AjfViy Dttoet, I intend to fttisff 
thyWilh. 

Isabella. It*8 the only way to make me cafy. 

Sganarbl. Yoa ihall be fo fhortly. 

Isabella. I IdMw *tis ittlecem; i^ yoang Womeil 
to declare their Loye fo fteely. 

Sganarbi.. No» no. 

Isabella. Bat in the G>nditioii Fate hat placed 
me, theie Liberties may be allowed ; aad I caa^ with^ 
outaBhilb» anake this tender AckaowScdgmcBt to lihn 
whom I already confider as my Hodbnid. - 

Sganarbi^* Ay» my poor dear Child* my &oid*e 
Ddight 

Isabella. Then p»y let him think of proriAg 
his Paffion for me. 

ScAHARBL. Ay, therfy kUsmy Hand. 

Isabella. Without farther CofutOiip* let him 
conclude a Marriage* which 1 heartily defire, and ac^ 
cept the Afluranee I now give him thaf I'll never hear- 
ken to the Vows of any other Perfon. 

[^bi frttwrnds #0 imhra€t Sganafelt mnd gi'vei btr 
Hand to Valeie to kifs. 

Sgawahbl. Ha* ka, my Pretty-fioe, nqrpoordmr 
Hony : Yoa (hall not pine very long, I promife you. 
^Oi fay no more. [7© Valere.] You fee I don't make 
^r fpeak j {he's fond of none but me. 



Vale RE. Well, Madam, very wdl, your Meaning 
IS plain eaough : I learn by 'this Difcourfe what it is 



j2 L*£co LB Dts Maris. 

Jvyms par oedifoonn deqaoi vous me pr^fies^ 
Et je r^annu dans pea voos dter h pefence 
De cdai qui vous fiut fi grande violence. 
ItABiLLi. Vout ncmeffaoriezfiuicimplascliar* 
mant plaifir { 
Car enfin cette vae eft ftdieafe i foaffrir, 
Elle m*tA odieofe, $e Tliorrear eft fi forte • • • 
SoANAaiLLi. H^, hi} 
IsABBLLB. Vous oflSenfiu-je en parlantde la forte r 
Fais-je. . • 

' SoANARBLLB. MoA Dieu, nenoi, je ne dif pat Gcia ; 
Mab je plains, fans mentiry Vitat on le voiU, 
Et c*eft trop hantement que ta haine fe moatre. 
IsABBLLB. Je n'en puis trop moatrer en pareille 

rencontre. 
' Valbrb. Ov&f vods foes contente, 3c dam trok 

jonrvvos yenx 
Ne verrant plus Tobjet qui vous eft odienx; 
Isabblls. a la boime heure. Adieu. 
SaknAKEhhEaFaler^.'] Je plains votre infbrtune : 
Mais .... 
Valbrb. Non, Vous n^enlendxts de moA coeor 
plainte aucune $ 
if adane afiarement nnd juftioe i tons denx» 
Et je vais travailier k contenter fes voeux. 
Adieu. 
ScAVARBLLB. Fuivre guTfon! 6l doulear eft ex- 
treme ; 
VeneZf embn^OesE-moi, €*eft one autre dle-m^me. 



SCENE 



fie School for Hv^BAvrys. 7j 

yon urge me to ; and ere long I (hall be able to re- 
move from your Prefence hfm who gives you this great 
Diilurbance. n 

IsAB'ELLA. You Can't oblige me more agreeably," 
for, in ihort, the Sight of him is grievous to en- 
dare; *tis hateful to me, and the Honor is fo great — 

Scan ARE L. So fo. 

Isabella. Does my talking thus difpleafe you? 
Dol — -— 

Sganahel. Alas, by no means, I don't fay thatt 
but, without lying, Fm forry for his Condition, and 
your Averfion fhews itfelf too violently. 

Isabella. I can't (hew it too mjjchon fuch an 
Occafion. 

Vale RE. Well: You ftiall be fatisfy'd; and af- 
ter three Days never more Ihall your Eyes behold the 
hated Objeft. 

Isabella. Heaven grant it! Adieu. 

Sganarbl. I pity your Misfortune : but i rf 

Valerb. Nay, you fliall hear no Complaint at aH 
from me; the Lsv^y certainly does juflice to. us both^ 
and I'D endeavour to &tisfy her Wifhcs. — — Adieu» 



ScAHAREL. Poor young Fellow! his AiHi£lion it 
exceffive. Come, embrace me, for I'm your feond 
Self. 



mm 

V01.IIL 3> _ 'SCENH 



f4i Is^'EcoLE DBs^ Maris. 



S C E N E XV- 
XSARBLLE, SGANARELLE. 

8 G ANARBLLE. 

JE Ic ticns fort i plaindre. 
Is A BELLE. AUez, il nc l*fcft poiiit. 
ScANARBLLE. Au rede, ton amoar me totxche an 
dernier point, 
Mgnonnette, & je veux qu'il ait ft recompenfe, 
C*eil trop que de huit jours pour ton impatience» 
Des dcmain jc t'epoufe, & n'y veux appeller • • . 
Ps A B E L LB . «Des dexnain ? 
Sganarelle. Par pudeur tn. feins d*y Feculer ; 
Mais je r9ais bien la joie ou ce difcours te jette> 
£t ttt voudrois deja que la chofe fat ftite. 
Isabelle. Mais .... 

Sgakiarelle. Pour ce mariage alloits tout pre- 
parer. 
Isabelle a part.} Q Cielf infpirez-moi ce qui 
peut le parcr. 



;3f%?*e 



^n^ 



^SKSSSORl 



A C T E III. SCENE I. 

ISABELLE. 

I U I, le trepas cent fois me [fernble moins a. 
craindre 
Que cet hymen ^tal ou Pon jveut me con- 
traindre ; 
Et tout ce que je fais pour en fuir les rigueurs. 
Doit trouver quelque grace aupres de mes cenfeurs. 
Le terns preiTe, il fait nuit, alions, fans crainte aucunct 
A h foi d'un amant commettrc ma fortune. 

»CBNI 




th School fir Husbands. 75 



SCENE XV. . 
ISABELLA, SGANAREL." 

Sganarel. 

I Think he's greatly to be pityM. 
Isabella. Pho, not at all. 

Sganarbl, As for the refb, Dearee, your Love 
touches me to the lafl degree, and I'm defirous it fhould 
be rewaided. Eight D&ys are too long to Aay confi- 
dering your Impatienoe; I'll marry you to morrow> 
and won't invite ' "^ 

Isabella. Tomorrow? 

Sganarel. Yqu pretend Reladance out of Mo- 
dcfty, but I know what Joy my faying fo gives you, 
and you wifh it. was already doa«. 

Isabella. But— — 

SoANARBL. Let's go get all things ready for this 
Wedding. 

IsABBLLA 4^/.] O, Heaven affift mehow tohiA- 
dcrW 

ACT III. SCENE !• 

ISABELLA. 
l^ES, Death, methinks, is an hundred timet 
Lefs dreadful than this BdaX Marriage, where- 
I yCo I'm forc'd ; and whatfoe'er I do to avoid 
the Terrors of it, ought to find feme Fa- 
vour with thofe that cenfure me. Time prcffes : It's 
Night : let me go with Courage, and commit my 
Fortune to a Lover's Fidelity. 

J)z SCENE 




y6 L'EcoLE DEs Maris. 



SCENE II. 
iSGANARELLE, ISABELLB. 

Sganarelle far Ian f a eeux qui font dans fa maijon. 

JE reviens, & Ton va pour demain de ma part . . . 
ISABELLE. O Ciel! 

Sganarelle. Ceft toi, mignonne? Ou vas-ta 
done ii tard ? 
Ta difois qtt*en ta chambre, ctant an pea laflee» 
Tu fallois renfermer lorfque je t*ai laiflee ; 
£c tu m^avois prie meme, que mon retour 
T'y fouflfrit en repos jufques a demain jour. 

IsABELLE. Ileftvrai; mais . • . . 

ScANAjiELLE. He? Quoi ? 

IsABELLB. Vous me voye2 confafey 
Et je ne f9ais comment vous en dire Texcufe. 

Sganakelle. Quoi done ! Qge poafroit-ce etre ? 

IsABELLE. Un fecret furprenant . 
Ceft ma focur qui m'oblige a»fortir maintenant ; 
£t qui, pour un defTein donC je Tai fbrt'blamee^ 
M*a demande ma chambre ou je Tai renfermee. 

Sganarelle. Comment? 

IsABELLE. Ueut*on pu croire ? Elle aime cet amant 
Que nous avons baoni. 

Sganarelle. Valere? 

Is A BELLE. Eperduement. 
Ce'ft un tranfport fi grand qu'il n*en eft point dc meme] 
Et vous pouvez juger de (a puiflance extreme, 
Puifque, feule, a cette heure, elle eft venue id 
Me decouvrir a moi Ton amoureux fouci. 
Me dire abfolument qu'elle perdra la vie 
Si fon amc n'obticnt I'effet de fon envie. 
Que depuis plus d'un an d'aflez vives ardeurs 
JDans un feu^t commerce entrstenoient leurs cocurs. 

It 



The School fir Husbands. 77 



I 



S C E N E II. 
SGANAREL, ISABELLA. 

Sg AH AKEL /peaking to the People in the Houfi.' 
' M' retumMy and to morrow TU fend ■ ■ ■ ■ 

Isabella. OHeaV'n! 
Scan A RE L. Is it you, Dearee ? Whither d'ye go 
fo late H You told me when I left you, that being a lit- 
tle weary you'd fhut yourfelf in your Chan^ber ; nay, 
you defir'd that at my coming back Vd let you be at 
quiet tin to morrow Morning. 

Isabella. It's true; bat ■ 

Sganarbl. But what? 

Isabella. I'm in Confuiion you fee, nor know I 
how to excufe it to you. 

Sg A N A R E L. How fo ! What can this mean ? 

Isabella. A wonderful Secret: 'Tis my Siller 
now obliges me to go abroad, who, with a Defign for 
which I have blam'd her very much, defir'd my Cham- 
ber of me where I have lock'd her upj 

Sganarel. For what purpofc ? 

Isabella. Could one believe it? She's in Love 
with this Spark we havedifcardcd. 

So AN A RE t. With Fa/ere P 

Isabella. Defperately: Nothing can equal the 
greatnefs of her PaiSon. You may judge how exceed- 
ing violent it is, by her coming hither alone at this 
Hour to difcover the Anguiih of her Love to me, and 
to tell me that ihe certainly fhall die unlefs fhe may 
obtain what her Soul fo much defires. ; that for above a 
Year their Amour has fecretly been carry'd on with 
Warmth and Spirit ; and that, at the very beginning of 
D 3 their 



j9 L*£coLt dCsMarI^. 

£t que inSme ils s'eCoient, lear fl&me ctanC nottveUef 
Donne des^^podfer ane foi matudle. 

Sganarbllb. Lavilaine! 

Is A BELLE. Qu'ayant appris le defefpoir 
Ou j'aivprccipitc cclui qu'elle time a voir, 
Elle vient me prier de fouiFrir que fa flame 
PuifTe rcmpre un depart qui lui pcrccroit Tame^ 
Entietenir cc foir cet amant fou8 mon nom 
Par la petite rue ou ma chambre repond, 
Lui peindre, d'une voix qui contrefait la mienne, 
Qaelques doux fentimens dont I'appas le retknae, 
J:t menager enf.n pour elle, adroitem^t, 
Ce que pour moi Ton r9ait qu^il a d'attach«a0xtt« 

SOANARELLE. Et tU tfOUVCS Ccla . . . 

IsABELLE. Moi? J'cu fuis courfoaccc. . 
Quoi! mafoeur, ai je dit, ctes-vous infen(ce ? 
Ke rougiflez-vous 'point d'avoir pris tant d^amoar 
Pour ces fortes de gens qui changent chaqac jour ? 
D*oublier votre fexe, & tromper refpcrance 
jy*{xn homme dont le Ciel vous donnait Talliance ? 

Sgakarellb. II le merite bien, &j'€a fcuB £ort 
ravi. ' 

IsABELLB, Enfin, dccpnt raifons mon dfpit s'«ft 
fervi 
Pour lui bien reprocher des baffeffcs fi grandes, 
Et pouvoir cette nuit rejetter fes demandee : 
Mais elle m'a fait voir de fi preffans d^firs, 
A tant verfe de pleurs, tant poufle de foupira, 
Tant dit qu'au defefpoir je porterws ibn ame 
Si je lui refufois ce qu'exige fa flame, 
Qa'a ceder, malgre moi, mon cceur s'eft vu redait 5 
Et, pour juftifier cette intrigue de nuit 
bu me feifoit du fang rdachcr la tendreffe, 
J*alloi8 feiie avcc moi venir coucher Lucr^ce 
Dont roufi me vantez tant tes rertas diaqtte joor j 
MaM vow m'vfm &aq^te atmc » fmm^^Mr. 

SCA 



Jle Sc ux>oL for Husbands, yf 

their Fondnefs, they eag^M themlblves to each other 
by a matual Promife of Marriage. 

SganahbX, a Villain! 

Is A B B L L A . That being infonn'd to what Defpair t 
have driven the Man wliofe Sight fhe dotes on, ihe came 
to beg Vd permit her Fafiion to prevent a Separadoft 
which would pierce her Sool, and give her leave to eth- 
tertain the Spark this Evening in my Name at my 
Chamber-window that looks into the little Street, 
v/herc, counterfeiting my Voice, ihe may talk a little- 
kindly to him, and thereby tempt his Stay ; in fhort, 
that fhe may dextroufly manage to her own Advantage 
the Regard lie*s known to have for me. 

Scan ARB L. And d'ye think that ? * ■ " ■ 

Isabella. For my part, I'm provok'd at it. What, 
Sifter, faid I, arq you out of yoiir Wits ? Are you not 
alham'd to be thus in Love with one of thefe fort of 
People, who change every Day ? To forger your Sfex^ 
and (leceive the Hope of a Man whom Heaven has ap- 
pointed ^r you ? ■ 

ScANARE t. He well deferves it, and I sun very glaft 
on't. 

IsABSLXA. In fhoTt, my Vexation msdo ufe o^aa 
hundred Reafons to reproach her for fo much Bafe- 
»efs, and enable me to refufe what (he this Night re- 
quefted ; but I found her Defires fo importunate, fhe 
filed fo many Tears, fetch'd fo many Sighs, and fo 
often, told me I fhould drive her to Dei pair if I de- 
Jiy'd to gratify her Paflion, that, in fpice of my Teeth, 
^y Heart was' forcM to yield; and to juilify this 
Night*s Jntrigoe, . whiqh a Tendernefs for my own 
filood made me give way to, I was going to get Lucre^ 
/<a to^ome and lie with me, whofe Virtaes yoiu daily 
praiie ib ^ach ; hox }roa iarpris'dmie by this quick 
Ketum, 

D 4 ' %Gx^ 



So L*£coLB D£S Maris. I 

. SoANAHBLLB. NoD, hoii, je He veuz point dies i 

moi tout ce jnyftere. 

py pourrois confentir a Pegard de men frcre i | 

Mais on peut etre va de qaelqa*un de dehors, | 
£t celle que je dois honorer de men corps 

Non feulement doit etre Se pudique & bien nee, \ 

II ne faut pas que meme elle foit foup9onnee. ' 

AUons chaffer I'infune, 8c de i&4>affion .... I 

, IsABBLLB. Ahl vQusluidonnerieztropdeconfafioB^ » 

£t c*eil avec raifon qu'elle pourroit fe plaindre | 
Su pea de retenue ou j'ai {^ me contraindre ; 

Puifque de fon deflein je dois me departir, r 
Attendez que du moins je la faiTe fortir. 

Sganarblle. He bien, fiiis. . 

IsABBLLE. Mais fur tout cachcz-vous, jevons prxe, I 

It, ians lui dire rien, daignez voir h fortie. ] 

ScANARE.LLE. Ooi, pouT ramooT dc toi jc redcns j 
mes tranfports ; 
Mais, des le meme inftant qa*elle fera dehors, 
}e veux, ians differer, aller trouver mon frere : 
J'aurai joie a courir lui dire cette afiaire. 

IsABBLLB. Je vous conjure done de ne me point 
nommer. 
Bon foir ; car tout d^un tems je yais me renfermer. 

Sganarblle. Juiqu^a demain, ma mie. i 

{^Seu/,1 ^^ quelle impatience 1 

Suis-je de voir mon frere, & lui conter (a chance t } 

II en tient le bon homme avec tout fon phebus^ 
£t je n*en voudrois pas tenir cent bons ecus. 

Isabellb dauj la mai/onJ] Oui, de vos deplaifin I 

I'atteinte m*eil feniible ; ; 

Mais ce que vous voulez, ma four, m^eft impoffible^ | 

Mon honneur qui m*eft cber y court trop de hazard s 

Adieu. Retlrez vous avant qu*il (bit plus tard. ^ I 

Sqanarellb. La voila qui« je crois, peftedebelle | 
(brte: De 



7J^ School /?r Husbands. 8i 

ScA N A RS L. No, no, I won't have all this juggling 
atmyHoufe; I could agree to't fo far as it concerns 
my Brothery but they may be feen by fomebody in the 
Street, and ihe whom I honour with my Perfon (hould 
sot only be modell and well-bred, but ihe muft not even 
be fufpe&ed. Let's go turn out the fhamelefs Creature ; 
and for ha Paifian — — 

IsABBLLA. Ah! y6a*ll pat her in too great Confiir 
fion, and ihe may juftly complain how little Secrecy 
I'm Mifbreis of. Since I muft not countenance her De* 
fign, fiay here at leaft till I Ceaii her going. 

Sganarel* Well then, dofo. 

IsABBLLAr But above all things conceal your ielf, 
I befeech you^ and let hei go without fpeaking one 
Word to her. 

ScANAREL. Ay, for thy lake Pllreftrain my An- 
S^r ; but the very Inftant fhe's got without the Door^ 
ru go find my.Brother : *Twill delight me to run and 
tell him this A&ir. 

Isabella. I conjure yoa then not to mention my 
Name. Good Night t'ye, for Vm going to fliut my felf 
up diis Moment. i ' 

Scamarbl. Until to-morrow, my Life. [J/one.J 
How impatient am I to fee my Brother, and in- 
form him of this Accident ? The good Man is chous'd 
with all his Wifdom, and I would not be without tfiis 
Difcovery for an hundred Crowns. 

Isabella in the Houfe, ] Yes, • Sifter,. I*m forry to 
incur your Difpleafurc, but it's impoflible for me to 
gratify you ; my Honour, which is dear to me, runs 
too grcataRifque by'tj adieu; be gone before it isr 
too late. 

Sg ab are l. There ihe goes : She^s a pretty kind of 



$i L'EtteiE DCS MAitt^. 

Oe pMT qa^elle rerint^ fcrmons kdih pttte. 

IsABELit en entrmtt,'\ O del f dans nees deBete 

ne iii*abmdoimez pas. 
BeAHAnciLY a^kffrf.] Oo poctmi-t-dleaSer ? Sn^- 

Yofts on peti fts ptts* 
IsABELLE a/tfr/.] Dam mon trouble da aiolBs h 

nait me favorife. 
SoAHAnvLiB hpart!\ Aalogisdu gdast! Qodle 

tft ion enmprife ? 



SCENE IIL 
VATJERE, KABELLE, SGANARELtE. 

VAh'EK^ firUuit hru/quement, * 

OU I, 4WW je vtiiK ttmor ^ttelque efiart cettc^t 
Pottrparkr. .. QttivalaP 
l^ABtExxft. Neitfies point de bruit, 
Yalere, on voas previent, & je fuis Iid»elk. 

Sganakelle. Vona en avez menti, chienne, ce < 
nVft.paseUe. 
De rhonneor qne tnftiisy die liut trap les hatL^ . 
Et tu prends fauflement, & fon nom & ^ voia:. 
I^AABXLV. Mtns anKrinsde^ttiainDirpar m ttit 

' hymen^ .... 
Valehb. Oui> c^eft romqne Ink ca tend joi da^ 
ftJtiecj 
Et je vous donne ici ma fcA^ que dis demlii * 
Jc vais d!i vous voodress Tccevoir^votre main. 
SoANARELLE u fart,'} Pauvic fotquiVdWef 
V A L E n e . Entrez en aiTurance : 
J>e votre argus diq>p^ je brave la paif&nce^ 
Et devant quit vous put oter a mon ardeur 
MoR te» 4te mitte ooups loi perceroit k ^erar.* 

SCENE 



7i^ S c H dO % far H V ss a:n jd s. 83* 

a Pbgtte, I warrant ye : Let's lock the Door, for &ar 
ftie fhould come back a^in. 

Isabella entrimg.} Oh Hoaren I forfake me not 
in my Defies ! . 

Sga N AR^ L afide.^ >^hithtT Can (he be goilig ? Let's 
follow, ber a little. 

IsAB»LLA^i/ip.3 The N^t, however, fevours me 
in my Diftreis. 

SoAN ARB^ «>WV.3 ToAe Spark's Lodgmge ! -What 
an £ofeef^cUiB k this ! 



SCENE III. 

VALERE, ISABELLA, SGANAREL 

Vale RE coming out hafiily, 

YE S, ^es* I'll try fomte way this very Night to- 
i^ Who's there? ..- ^ 

Isabella. Make no Noife, t^ahrs, you are pre- 
vented, and I am Ifabella. 

SoANAREL. You lyo, yoo Ba^age, 'tis not fhe; 
She follows clofely thofe Laws of Honoor which you: 
^Hate, and you afitirae felfely both her Name and 
Voice. 

Isabei^la. Botwasknot diat jou by holy Matri« 
mony -.i » 

Valers. indeed, diat is the only Purpofe of my 
Deftiny 5 and here I make you a folcmn ProihHe, that 
tb«morrow I'll go wherc-e'er you pleafe to perform the 
Ceremony. 

Sgakare^, afide,'] Poor fclf-cown'd Fool? 

Valerb. Go in fecurely : I now d^fy the Power of 
your deluded Guardian ; and before he Ihall take 3?ott 
from my PafTion Hbk ioHxttaXk jrf^ce his Heart with- 
a tboaiand Strokes. 

SCENE- 



$4 L'EcoLK DBS Maris; 



SCENE IV. 
SGANARELLE /iuT. 

AH I je te promets bien que je n^ai pas envie 
De te 1*6 ter, Vinhmc i fes feox aflervies 
Qw du don de ta foi je ne fais point jaloox, 
£t que, fi fen fois cm, tu feras fon epooz. 
Oai, fidfons-le farprendre avec cette efihmt^ : 
La m^moiie da pere, i bon droit refpedee. 
Joint an grand inter^t qoe je prends I la taear, 
Veut qoe da moins Ton tache k lui rendre Phonneiir. 
Holi. [Ilfrafpe i la forti d*un Cwnmiffain^ 



SCENE V. 

SAGNARELLE, ^N COMMISSAIRE, UN NO- 
TAIRE, UN LAQUAIS amec vn fiambeau. 

Lb Commissaihi. 
AXU*eft-ce? 

V^ Sgamarelli. Salot. Monfieorlecosmiiflaixi;; 
Votre prefence en robe eft id neceilaire ; 
Soivez-moiy s'il voas plait» avec votre clart6. 

Le Com miss airs. Noas fortions .... 

Sganarbllb. II s*agit d'an fiat affezhkc. 

Le CoMMissAiRB. Quoi ? 

Sganarbllb. Dialler la dedans, &. d*y farprendrt 
enfemble 
Peax perfonnesy qa*il feat qu'un bon by men affexnUe; 
C*eft une fille a no^s qjue, foos un d(Mi de jfoi^ 
Un Valerea feduite^ & fait entrer chezfoii 
EUe fort de £uDEiille & noUb U vertueofe^ 
lAm • , . • 



yjtf SC H O L /?r H U S B A N DS. 85 



S C E N E IV. 

SGANAREL aUme. 

O'H \ I have no Indmation, I aiTure you, to take 
from you a fhamelefs Creature enflav'd to her 
Paflion ; I'm not jealous of your Promife to her, and 
believe me, you fhall be her Husbanid. Ay, let's catch 
him with this impudent Creature : The Memory of her 
Father, well worthy of Refped, together with the 
great Intereft I have in her Sifter^ require my Endea- 
years at leaft to preferve her Honour. — Soho. 

\Knocking at a Commiffarfs D^r^ 



SCENE V. 

SGANAREL, the COMMISSARY, thi^OTABY, 
Mtendant nuitb a Flambeau*., 

The Commissart. 

WHO*8 there? 
ScANA&Bi*. Your Servant, Mr. C(mmiffavy% 
we want a Caft of your Office v pleafe to follow me 
with your Light. 

TfiE Commissary. We*re going tor ■ 

Sganarel. The AfBur's in great hafte. 

The Commissary. Whatis't? 

Sganarel. To go in there,, and furprife two Pec- 
file together, who muft be hone^y married : 'Tis a 
Girl of ours whom one Valere^ has dccciv'd, and 
got into his Houfe by promiiing her Marriage; 
She comes of a noble and virtuous Family, but— 



Tb* 



96 L'£4;t>Lt o£s M^iitirt; 

LiCoMiiiasAiRB. Sic*eilpo«r«eb, larencontie 

«ft heureufe, 
Paifqu^ici nous avons uQ'Botdre. 
Sganarbllb. Monfiear ? 
Ls NoTAiRB. Oai, notaire royal. 
Lb Commissairb. De plus honrnie d%dnMiir. 
Sganarbllb. Cda sVn mi iaas dire. Ei^aoB diM 
cette porte, 
Bt fins bruit ayez roil que ftrfyam a^en forte : 
Voas km f Mntmtnt oontent^s de vos imM » 
Mais ne vous laifies pas grufler la patte au moinB.. 
Lb CoMMissAiRB. Commeiit? VooBCfoymisdMt 

qu'an homflEie de jufHce ... 
^AM ARELLB. Ot^pucj^ttk das'ii^eft pas poor taxer 
votre office. 
Je vais faire venir mon frere promtementy ' 

Faites qae le HambeBU m^eclaire feulement. 
{a part."] Je vais le rejouir cet homme fans colere. 



SCENE VL 
ARIST£» SGANARS1.LE. 

A R r S T B. 

OU I frappe ? Ah, ah \ Que vontez-vom, aiMt^efe ? 
Sganarbllb. Venez beao diredatff, fimDDt 
damoifeatty 
On vcut vous fhire voir qvdqae diole de^beas; 
Aristb. Comment? 

Sganarbllb. Je vow af^orte une •bonne llOlM^ll)^ 
Aristb. Quoi? • 
S«anarell£. Votn Lfonor^ c^ je voub pife» eft- 

clle? 
Ari 8 T E . Pourquoi cetce demande ? Eile eft> comxne 
jc croi, 
Au LbI cJiez fon^ amfet Sca^ 



9Jfe Scftd^t far Hty^«ANt)S. ^ 

The Comtwissary. If it's for that, our Meetin^^ 
is Ycry lucky, for herc*s a Notary witli us. 

Sganarel. Sir. 

Notary. Y^s, Sir, a Poblick Notary. 

The Coratrt^^ART. And aMb^a Man of Honotir.' 

Sganarel. Hiatus fupposM without your ikying 
fo. Go ifi at diat Door, xnake no Noife but mind that 
no-body get^ out : You fhall be folly fatisfy'd for your 
Piins ; Iwt don*t fufcr yoorfdvcs to be grcasM in th« 
Fift however. 

The CoMMi'ssART. How ? D^ then believe that 
» Officer of JofHce 

So AN ARK L. 1 dori^t fay it as a Refle£Uon up6n your 
Office, im fetch my Brother hither immediatdy* 
Let the Flambeau ligjit me. [afide.'} 1*11 go congrata- 
late this ACaaofPalkiice. Soho. 



S C E N E VI. 
ARISTO, SGANAREL. 

A R I 8 T O. 

WHO knocks ?— Oh ! Brother, what d*ye want? 
Scan A re L. Come along fweet Mr. Di- 
wftor, ni ihew you fomcthing that*s pretty^ fuper- 
"MMiatcd Pop. 
Aristo. How? 

SoANAREL. I bring yoo good News. ' 
Aristo. What is it ? 
Sganarel. Whereas your t^eonora pray t 

Aristij. Wherefore that Qucftion? She's at s. 
f ncnd's Houfe I believe^ at a Ball* 



I 



M L'EcoLC Dss Marxs« 

Sganarcllb. He, oui» oui» ftiivez-moi» 

Vous verrez i quel bal la donzelle eH aliee. 
Ari s te. Que voutez-vous conter ? 
SgamarbClb. Vdus Tavez bien ftilee. 

n n*eft pas bon de vivre en fevere ceniear. 

On gagne ks efprita par beaacoi^) de doucear, 

Et les foins defians, les verroux Se les grilles^ 

Ne font pas la verm des femmes, ni des fiUes : 

Nous les portons au mal par tant d*aufterite> 

£t leur kxe deniande nn peu de liberte. 

Vraiment elle en a pris tout Ton iaouly la nifee^ 

Et la vertu chez die eft fort humanifee. 
Ari s te . Oh veut done aboutir un pareil entretien f 
Sganarcllb. AUez, mon frere aine, cdavous iied 
fort bien ; 
. Et jetie voudrois pas pour vingt bcmnes piftoles. 

Que Tous n*euffiez ce fiuit de vos maximes foUes : 

On voit ce qu*en deux (ceurs nos le90iu ont prodoit^ 

L'une fttit les gahms, & i'aatre les pourfuit. 

Ariste. Si vous ne me rendez cette enlgme plat 

claire .... 
Sganarblle. L'enigme eft que fon bal eft chex 
monfieur Yalere^ 

Que de nuit je Pai vue y condoire ies pas, 

£t qu'i rheure prefente elle eft entre iesbras. 
Prists. Qui? I 

Sgamarellb. Leonor. * 

Ariste. CefTons de railler, jevousprie. J 

Sganarblle. Je raille: H eft fort bonavec ia rail-^ 
lerie. 

Pauvre efprit ! Je vous dis, & vous redis encor 

Que Valcre chez lultient votre Leonor, 

£t qu'ils s^^toient promis une foi mutuelle | 

Avant qu*il eut fonge de pourfuivre Ifabelle.' 
Ariste. Ce difcours d*apparence eft & fort dt^ i 
pottrvu . . • • 

•Sgat 



SJbe ScHOO h for Hv SB A vv$. 89 

SoAN ARBL. Hey ! ay, ay, follow me : Yoa (hall fee 
what kind of Ball the Gendewoman^s gone to. 

Akisto. What d'ye mean ? 

Sg A N A a E L. Yoa have broaght her op mighty \irell. 
It's not right to be always finding Faalt; much 
GeDtlenefs wins the Mind ; and diftraftfiil Cares, Bolts, 
and Qrates make neither Wives nor Maidens virtuous. 
Tlie Sex requires a little Liberty, and by fuch Severity 
we occafion them to do amiis. She has really taken 
her fill of it, a cunning Baggs^, and Virtue with her 
ii grown exceeding gentle. 

• Aristo. What's ^e Drift of this Difcoorfe ? 

Scan ARE L. Come, Mr. Elder Brother of mine, it*s 
what you well deferve ; and I would not for twenty 
Moles, but that yoa fkould have this Fruit of your 
filly Maxims. It's plain what EfFed our Inflru&ions 
have produc'd on two Sifters : one flies firom Galants, 
and the other runs after them. 

Aristo. Unlefs you make this Riddle clearer to 
me — -. 

Scan are L. The Riddle is, that her Ball is at 
Mr. Falere*af that I faw her go thither by Night, 
and that at this prefent time (he's in his Arms. 

AmsTO. Who? 

Scan ar EL. Leonora. 

Aristo. Leave oflF your bantering, I befeech you.' 

Sganarel. Bantering f 'tis very good to hear 
him talk ot bantering : poor Soul f I tell you again 
and again, that Valert has got your Leonora at his 
Hoafe, and that they were engaged by a mutual Pro* 
nufe befi»:e he thought of following I/abella. 

AmsTo. Thia Story is fo highly improbaUe. 



90 L'EcoLlB DCS Maris. 

Scan ARBLLB. n nele croira pas encore en rayantvn : 
penragc. Par xna foi, Tagc ne fert dc gucrc 
Qnand on n'a pas ccla. . [ // met U dngt fur fan front • 

AGISTS. Quoi ! Voulca-Toos, mon frcrc .... 

80ANABELLE. Mon Dieay je ne yeax rien. Siti wz- 
Rioi feulement; 
Votre efprit toat-a-rheure aura contentement ; 
Vous vcrrez ii j'impofe, & fi Icur foi donnee 
N^avoit pas joint lears corurs depuis plus d'ane aimee. 

Aa 1 8 T B . Uapparence qu^ainfi, (am m'en £ure avertir, 
A cet engagement elle eut pu conientir ! 
Moi^ qui dans toute chofe ai, depuis Ton enfance, 
Montre ton jours pour elle enticrq complaiiknce i 
Et qui cent fois ai fait des protcftations 
De ne jamais gener fes inclinations. 

Scan ARE LLB. Enfin vos propres yeux jugcrcmt dt 
TafFaire. 
J*ai fait venir deja commiflaire & notaire ; 
Nous avons int^ret que I'hymcn •pr^tendu 
i^pare fur le champ Thonneur qa'elle a per^-: 
Car je ne penfe pas que vous foyez ii lache 
De vouloir I'epoufer avecque cette tache u 
Si vous n*^avez encor quelques raifonnemens 
Pour vous mettre au-defTus de tous les bememem. 

Ar I s TB . Moi ? Je n*aurai jamais cette foiblefTe extreme 
De vouloir pofTeder un corar malgre lui'meiae. 
Mais je ne ffaurois croire enfin . . . 
Sganarellb. Que de difcoars ? 
Allons^ ce proc^ la continueroit toujoun. 



SCENE VII. 

UN COMMISSAIRE, UN NOTAJRJE^ 

SGANARELLE, ARISTE. 

Lb CaKTMI-SSAIRE. 

IL ne faat mettre ici nulle force en ufage, 
Mefficurs^ & £1 vos vceux ne voat qu'au marlage^ 



STbe School f&r Htrs^AHDs. $« 

Scan A^ EL. He won*t believe it, tho* he fees it. 
It makes me mad. Years fignify nothing when Folks 
want it here. [^Pointing to his Forehead. 

Aims TO. What! Brother, would you have — 
So A N ARE L. Lack-a-day ? I'd ha' nothing : only fol- 
low me, your Mind fhall prefently be made eafy. Yoa 
(hall fee if I impofe on you, and if they have not been 
contradted for more than a Year pad. 

Aristo. Is it likely {he ihould confent to this 
Engagement without apprizing me of it ! Me, who al- 
ways from her Infancy upon every occasion have prac*- 
tis'd towards her a perfedl Complaifance, and an hun- 
dred times have proteAed never to force her Inclina- 
tions. 

Scan ARE L. In (hort, your own Eyes fliall judge oT 
the Matter : I've already fetch'd a Commiffary and « 
Notary, it's our Intereft that the Honour ftie has loft 
fhould be repair'd upon the Spot by Marriage ; for I 
don't imagine you'll be fo mean-fpiritcd to make het 
your Wife with this Stain upon her,* nnleft you have 
fome new Arguments to place you ^ove Ridicate. 

Aristo. I ihall never be fo esrceeding weak to 
defire the Pofreffion of an Heart againft its Will. But 
after aH I can't belie v e « ■ 

Sganarel. What a talking yOtt make! lewnc a* 
long, this Diijptftew^ld laft for ever. 



SCENE VII. 

?;&/ COMMISSARY, JAfNOTAftV, 

SGANAREL, A&ISTO. 

C0MMIS«AR'r. 

HEre's no oscftfioti for Compuificm, Gcntieffliens 
if you Qflly mih li ih i r c Vm maceyVi^ f wvniA 

be 



92 L'EcoLZ DES Maris. 

Vos tr^fports en ce lieu fe peuvent appuier ; 

Tous deux egalement tendent k s'epoafer ; 

£t Valere deja, fur ce qoi vous regarde, 

A iig;iie que poor femme il dent cdle qu^il garde. 

Aristb. LafiUe. . . 

Le Commissaire. Eft renfennee^ & neveot point 
fortir 
Que vos defirs aux leurs ne veuxllent confentir. 



SCENE VIIL 

VALERE, UN COMMISSAIRE, UN NO- 
TAIRE, SGANARELLE, ARISTE. 

Valere a /a fenetre de fa mat/on, 

NO Ny Meflieurs, & perfonne ici n^aura I'entr^e 
Que cette volonte ne m'ait ete montree. 
Vous f9avez qui je fuis, Sc j*ai fait mon devoir 
En vous iignant Taveu qu'on peut vous iaire voir» 
Si c'eft votre deffein d'approuver I'alliance, 
Votre main jpeut audi m^en figher TafTurance, 
Sinon, fsdtes etat de m^anacher- le jour 
Pluto t que de m^ote^ Tobjet de mon amour. 

Sganarellb. NoHy nous ne fongeons pas a Tons 
feparer d*elle. * 
{apart,'] II ne s'eft point encor detrompe d'liabelle : 
Pro£tons de I'erreur. 

Ariste A VaUrt, Mais, eft-ce Leonor ? 
. Sganarellb^ Arifte.1 Taifez-vous. 

Ariste. Mais ... 

Sganarellb. Paix done. 

Ari s t'b . Jc veux r9avoir ... • 

Sganarellb. Encor? 
Vous tairez-vous, vous dis-je ? 

Valbrb. Enfin, quoiqa'il avienne, 
liabelle a ma foi, j*ai de meme la iienne^ 

It 



17^/School/v Husbands., pj 

}» no more uneafy, for they both are eqaally inclined 
to it. And, as to what concerns you, Valere has given 
it under his Hand already, that he deiigns for his Wife, 
Ler who now is with him. 

Aris.to. The Girl 

Commissary. Is locked up, and won't come oat^' 
onleis you confent to gratify their Defires. 



SCENE VnL 

VALERE, r^^^ COMMISSARY, 7:&/NO^ 
TARY, SGANAREL. ARISTO. 

Valere at the Window. 

NO, Gentlemen, nor (hall any Body enter hrere 
till yoar Pleafure be known to me. You are 
lenfible who I am, and I have done my part in fign- 
ing the Inftrument, which they may ihew you : f f it*s 
your Intention to agr«e to the Match, you muft like- 
wife fet your Hand to a Confirmation of it ; but, if not, 
depend upon't, you ihall kill me fooner than take from 
me the Obje£l of my Love. 

Scan ARE L. Nay, we don't defign to feparate yott 
from her. {afide^ He's not yet undeceiv'd, as to Ifa- 
hella, let's take Advantage of the Miftake. 

Aristq to Valeie] But is that Leonora P 

Scan A RE L to Arifto.] Hold your Tongue. 

Aristo. But 

Sganarel. Be quiet* 

Aristo. I wou'd know ■ ■ 

So a;i AR E L. What, again ? hold your Tongue, I tell 
you. 

Valere. In fliort, whatever be the Co'nfequence, 
Ifahella has my folemn Promife, as I have her's^ and 

lam 



94 L'£C:OI.C ^t9MA%t% 

£c ne fuit pcnnt un choix, a tout examioa'. 
Que votts (byez re9ut a hire candamnor. 

Aai s T E ^ SgOMArelUJ] Ce qu'il dit la n^eft poi • • r 

ScANARELLB. Taifez voos, & pour cauie s 
Vous f9aurez le fecret. Oui, fans dire autre Aot^^ 
Noofr confentons tous deux que vou^ foyea repQHX 
JDe celle qu'a prefent on trouvera chez vou^. 

Le CoMMissAiRE. Ceftdansces termes-la qaeb 
cbofe eft con^oe, 
Et le nom eft en Wane pour ne Tavoir point vac. 
Signez. La fille apres vous mettra tous d*accord. 

Va^lere. J*/ confeni de la forte. 

Sganarelle. Et moiy je le veux fort. 
[apartJl Nous rirons bien tantot. La, £gnez doQCj 

mon firere, 
L'honnear vous appartient. 

Aai 8TB. Mais quoi, tout ce myftere . . . 

Sganarelle. Diantre, que de fafonsl Sigiia» 
pauvre butor. 

Ari s T E . II parle d'Habelle, U vous de Leonor. 

Sganarelle. N'^tes-vous pasd'aocord, moDfrexe^ 
fi c'eft cUe, 
De les laifTer toas deux a leur fi>i mutuelle ? 

Ariste. Sans doute. 

Sganarelle. Signez done ; j'en faisds mfime aitffi* 

Ariste. Solt. Je n*y comprends rien, 

Sganarelle. Vous ferez eclaird* 
Le Commissaire. Nous allons revenir* • 
Sganarelle a Jrtfte,1 Or 9a, jevaisvous dire 
La fin de cette intrigue. 

[^Ils/e retirsfU dam Ufond du. tbiatri. 



S C £ N S 



n^ SiriiooL fir Hiti^bakds. 9^ 

r am not a Match> cojifidering ail things, wiiicb yoa 
ihall be admitted to difapprove. 

Aristo to Sganarel.} What he (ays is not ^ 

Scan ARE L. Hold' your Tougue; I have a Reafon 
for't : and you fhall know the Secret. Well, with- 
out any more Words». both of U9 confent that you (hall 
marry her whb is at prefent wkh you. 

Coft^Mis»ARY. *Ti9 in thofe Terms the Thing is 
clrawn ; and there's a Blank for the Naiiie» fince we 
did not fw hcr«^-*- Come, fet your Handa; thoLjady 
will make you all Friends afterwards. 

Valbitb. I agree to* tin that.maiuHnr. 

Scan AR EL. And, for my part, I like it mightily : 
[afide,'] We fhall have rare laughing by-and-by. 
There, iigik it firft. Brother, that Uoiifmr belongs to 
yoa. 

Aristo. But what all thisMyftery ■■■ . >■■ 
.SoANARBu. Pox d* your Impertinence! Come^ fign, 
you Simpleton. 

Ari STQ. He talks of Ifahella^ and you of Leonora, 

SoANARBi.. 'Don't you confent. Broker, if 'tis fhe^ 
to let 'em make good their mutual Promife» \ 
\ 

ARisTa. Without doiibt. 

Scan ARE L. Set your Hand then, and I will do the 
lame. 

Ari s T o . So let it be, I comprehend nothing of the 
matter. 

Sg AN A r B L. You (hall be let into the matter. 

CoMMissABY. We*ll be back again prefently. 

Sgaharbl u Afifto.] Well, now I'll teU you the 
Subtilty of this Intrigue. 

[5^ r9tiTt to tbi farther part of tbt Stagi. 



SCENE 



g6 L'EcoLB D2S Maris; 



SCENE IX. 

LEONOR, SGANARELLE, 

ARISTE, LISETTE. 

liBONOR. 

OL'etrange maityre ! 
Que toas ces jeunes fbus me paroiileiit fach^ax ! 
Je me fuis d^robee aa bal pour Tamour d'eux. | 
Li SB T TB . Chacun d'eox pres de vous veut & rendi« 

agreaUe. 
Lbomor. Et moi^ je n*ai rien vu de plus infup- 
portable/ 
Et je prefererob le plus (imple entretien 
A tons les contes bleox de ces difeurs de rien ; 
lis croyent que tout cede a leur perruque Uonde^ 
Et penfent avoir dit le meilleur mot du monde, 
Lorfqn'ils viemienty d'un ton de mauvais goguenard^ 
Vous railler fottement fur Tamour d^un vieillard ; 
Et moiy d*un tel vieillard je prife plus le zele. 
Que tous les beaux tranfports d'une jeube cervelle : 
Mais n'appcr9ois-je pas ... • 

Sganarelle^ Arifte,"] Oui, Tafiaire eft ainfi. 
[afperfewant Uomr,"] Ab ! je la vois paroitre^ k k 
fuivante aufli. 
Ariste. Leonor, fans courroux, j*ai fujet de me 
plaindre. 
Vous f9avez fi jamais j*ai voulu vous contraindre^ 
Et fi, plus de cent fois, je n*ai pas proteile 
De laifTer a vos vceux leur pleine liberie : 
Cependant votre coeur, meprifant mon fuf^age^ 
De foi comme d*amour a mon inr9u s*engage. 
Je ne me repens pas de mon doux traitement ; 
Mais votre procede me touche aiTurement, 
Et c'eft une afltion que n'a pas meritee 
CettA tqudre amitii que je vous ai port^e. 

Lii- 



7^<? School /^Husbands. 97 



SCENE IX, 

LEONORA, SGANAREL, 
ARISTO, LISETTA. 

Leonora. 

Of What a deal of Torment yiave I endurM \ How 
impertinent all thefe young Fools appear to me !— * 
I illp*d away from the Ball upon their Account. 

Li s E T T A . They were all defirous to make themfelves 
agreeable to you. 

Leonora. For my part, I never met with any 
thing more unfulFerable, and ihould prefer the meanell 
Converfation to all the flafhy Speeches of thefe Dif- 
courfers of nothing : They believe all muft give place 
to their powder'd Wigs, and fancy themfelves the v/it- 
tieft Folks in the World when, with a wretched ban- 
tering Tone, they rally one in a ftupid manner about 
the Love of an old Man : whereas I value the AfFedUon 
of fuch an old Man, beyond all the giddy Raptures of 
a youthful Brain. But don*t I perceive — — 

Scan are L /ff Arifto.] Well', thus ftands the Affair.' 
[feeing Leonora.] O ! I fee her coming, and her Maid 
with her. 

Aristo. Without being angry, Leonora, I have 
Reafon to complain : You know, I have never defir'd 
to lay any Conftraint upon you, and that I have pro- 
nus'd more than an hundn4 times, to allow' you a full 
Liberty of gratifying your own Wiflies. Your Heart, 
notwithftanding this, difregarding my Approbation, has 
tngag'ditfelf by Promife, as well as Love, without ac- 
quainting me. I am not forry for my Indulgence 
towards you, but fyour Behaviour touches me very fen- 
tbly ; it's a Way of a^ng which my Fondncfs of yoa 
lid not deferve. 

Vol. in. ' E Leo- 



pS L^EcoLE desMaris. 

Le o N o R. Je ne f^ais pas fur quoi voas tenez oe dlf- 
cours ; 
Mais croycz que je fais la meme que toajours. 
Que rien ne peat pour vous alterer mon eftiiney 
Qnc route autre amitie me paroitroit un crime, 
£t que, a vous voulez (atisfaire mes vceax, 
Un fainf noeud des demain nous unira tous deux. 

Ariste. DeiTus quel fondement venez-voos donc^ 
mon frere . . . 

Scan ARE L LB. Quo! I Vous ne fortez pas da logis 
de Valcre ? 
Vous n*avez point conte vos amours aujourd^hui, 
£c vous ne brulez pas depuis un an pour lui ? 

L B ON o R. Qui vous a fait de moi de fi belles peintures» 
£t prend foin de forger de telles impoilures ? 

SCENE DERNIER E. 

ISABELLA, VALERE, LEONOR, ARISTE, 
SGANARELLE, UN COMMISSAIRE, UN 
NOTAIRE, LISETTE, ERGASTE. 

• ISABELLB. 

MA foeur, je vous demande un gcnereux pardon, < 
Si de mes libertes j'ai tache votre nom. 
Le preffant embarras d'une furprife extreme 
M'a tantot inipire ce honteux flratageme ; 
Votre exemple condanmc un tel emportement 5 I 

Mais le fort nous traita tous deux diverfemenf . 
[/J Sganarelle.'] Pour vous, je ne veux point, Monfieur, 

vous faire excufe, 
Je vous fers beaucoup plus, que je ne vous abu(e. 
JLe Ciel, pour etre joints, ne nous fit pas tous deux, 
Je me fuis reconnue indigne de vos feux, 
Et j'ai bien mieux aimc me voir aux mains d*un autre 
Que ne pas meriter un cceur comme le votre. 

Va- 



fZ^SCHOOL/^HtTSBAtJDS. ^ 

LfONORA. The Reafon of your talking thus I do 
not know ; but be affur'd, I am the fame I always was : 
Nothing can alter my-Eftcem for yoji ; a Regard for 
any other,, would,* to me, feem criminal, and if you*d 
compleat my Wiflies, the iacred Knot ihould make us 
One to-morrow. 

Aristo. Upon what Foundation then. Brother, 
came you 

Sg AN A RE L. What! don't you come from VaUre*% 
Lodgings ? Have you not this very Day deckr'd your 
Paffion ? and ha'n't you been in love with him for a 
Year paft ? 

Leonora. ^Y^ohas given you this fine Account of 
ae, and took the pains to invent fuch Lyes ? 



SCENE THE LAST. 

ISABELLA, VALERE, LEONORA, ARISTO^ 
SGANAREL, Ue COMMISSARY, ne J^O- 
• TARY, LISETTA, ERGASTE. 

* ISABELLit. 

Sifter, I beg you generoufly to pardon, me, if I have 
brougftt any Scandal upon your Name by the Liber- 
ties I have taken. The great Perplexity a violent Sur- 
prize occafion'd put me upon that ihameful Contriv- 
ance. Your Example condemns fach a Paffion, but Fate 
deals differently with you and me. \jo Sganarel.] As for 
you. Sir, I'll make no Excufe, fmce I do you Service, 
rather than ufe you ill. Heaven did not deiign us for 
one 'another. I found my felf unworthy of your Love, 
rind chofe much rather to be in another's Arms than 
prove und6ferving fuch an Heart as yours. 

Ez Ya- 



1^0 L*EcoLE DES Maris. 

Vale RE a SganarelleJ] Pourmoi, je mets magloire 
& inon bien fouverain 
A la pouvoir, Monfieur, tenir de voire main. 
Ariste. Mon frece, doacement il faut boire la 
chofe. 
D^ane telle adtion vos precedes font caufe, 
Et je vols votrc fort malheareux a ce poinf, 
Qae, voos f^achant duppe* Ton ne vous plaindra point. 
Lisette. Par ma fol^ je lui f9ais bon gre de cettt 
a&ire, 
Et ce P9X de {es foins eft an strait exemplaire. 

Le o N o R. Je ne r9ais fi ce trait fe doit faire eftimer, 
Mab je f^ais bien qu'au moins je ne le puis blamer. 

BRGAaiTE. Au fort d*etre cocu fon afcendant Tex- 
pofe. 
It, ne Tetre qu'en herbe, eft pour lui douce chofe.^ 

Scan ARELLE. Non, je ne puis fortir de moa cton: 
n'ement. • 

Cette rufe d'enfer confond mon jugement, 
Et je ne penfe pas que Satan en perfonnc 
PuifTe etre H mcchant qu'une telle friponnc. ^ 
J'aurois pour elle au feu mis la main que voila i 
JMalheureux qui fe fie a femme apres cela ; 
Xa meilleure eft toujours en malice fecondg, 
Ceft un fcxe engendre pour damner tout le m(mde s 
Je renonce a jamais a ce fexe trompeur, 
Et je le donne tout au diable, de bon cceur. 

Ergaste. Bon. 

Ariste. Allons tous chez moi. Venez, feignciir 
Valere, 
Nous tacherons demain d'appaifer fa colere. 

Li s E T T E tf« parterre. '\ Vous, fi vou« connoilTcz d«l 
maris loup-garoux,^< ^ 

Eavoye^'Us au moins a I'ecole chez nous* 

F I II. 



7Z'^ScBaoL/?rHusB ANi>s. loi 

Valbre /^Sganarcl.] For my part. Sir, I efteem 
It my Glory and Happinefs to receive her from your 
Hands.' 

Aristo. Brother, you muft put up this matter 
quietly ; your own Behaviour is the Occafion of it, and 
I perceive it's your unhappy Lot, that no body will be 
forry for you tho* they know you're cheated. ^ 

Li SETT A. By my Faith Pm mighty glad of thit 
AlFair, and this Reward of his MiftruS is an exemplary^ 
Stroke. 

Leonora. I can't tell if this Contrivance ought to 
be commended, but for my part, I am fure I can't 
blp.me.it. 

Ergaste. His Stars e5cpos'd him to the Danger of 
being a Cuckold, and to efcape upon the Brink of being- 
one is a lucky thing for him. 

Scan A RE L. No, I can't get rid of my Aftonifh- 
ment ! This hellifh Trick perplexes my Undcrftanding, * 
md I believe the Devil in Perfon could not be' fo wick- 
ed as this Jilt. I could have engag'd my Life it was 
not itt her. After this, wretched is he that puts his 
Truft in Woman ; the beft of 'em are conftantly hatch- 
ing mifchief ; they werie made to damn the whole 
World ;— I renounce the treacherous Sex for ever, «ld 
heartily wifh 'eni all at the Devil. 

Ergaste. Well faid. 

Aristo. Let us all go to my Houfe. Come, 
^r. Valere^ to-morrow we'll endeavour to appeafe his 

Fury. 

. Lisbtta /ff the Pit,"] If any bf you arc acquainted 
ivith bmtiih Husbands, fend them hither to our School. 

THE END. 



L'EcoLE i>:es Femmes, 

CO ME D I E. 

T HE 

S c H 6 o L for W IV E s. 

C O k E D Y. 



E5 



Hh ^^tili 




L'EcoLB DE8 F^MMESy comidie in cini 
a£ies en verSj reprefentee a Paris fur U the- 
atre du falais royal le 26 dicernbre 1662. 

I *Ecok disfetmnes attira tout Paris 

au theatre de Moliere, Cette 

affluence de i^)e£bateurs ne le 

garantit point des critiques im 

nombre qui fe repandirent dans 

le public contre Ion ouvrage,^ niais elle fervit 

a Pen conlbler. Soit malignite, Ibit cabale, 

on infifta for de legers defauts, on releva 

jufqu*aux moindres n^ligences ; le defaut le 

plus eflentiel ne fut pas remarque : il eft des 

images dangercufes, qu'on ne doit jamais 

expofcr for la fcene. Mais, fi l*on ne con- 

fidere que Part qui regne dans cette piece, 

on fera force de convenir que l^ecole des 

femmes ^ft une des plus excellentes pro- 

duftions de I'elprit humain. Les reOorts en 

font caches, & la machine en produit un 

mouvement plus brillant. La confidence rei- 

teree que fait Horace au jaloux Arnolphe, 

toujours la duppe, malgre fes precautions, 

„ jyunejeune innocente^ (sf d^mjeme eventCj 
le caradtere inimitable d* Agnes, le jeu des 
perfonnages fobalternes, tous formes pour 
clle, le paflage promt & naturel de forprife 

en 




yZ'^ ScHOOx/^r Wives, a Comedy of Five 
A£t$ in Verfey aSled at Paris at the theatre 
cf the Palace-Royalj DccttnbcT 26j 1662. 

I HE School for Wives drew all 
Paris to Moliere's Theatre; how- 
ever the multitude of Spe6bators 
could not guard him againft a 
vaft many Criticifms being pub- 
lifliM upon his Work, tho* it afforded him 
Comfort in it. Such was the Malice or Ca- 
bal againft it, that they infifted on the flight- 
eft Faults, and cry*d out againft the fmalleft 
Neglefts; but the moft eflential Fault was 
not taken notice of, I mean Ibme dangerous 
Images in it which Ihou'd never be brought 
on the Stage. But if we confider only the Ait 
which appears in this Piece, we fliall be forc'd 
to acknowledge that the School for Wives is 
one of the moft excellent Produd:ions of hu- 
man Genius. The repeated Confidence which 
Horatio places in the jealous Arnolphy who 
was always made a Dupe in fpite of Iiis 
Precautions by a filly innocent young Girl ; 
the inimitable Charafter of Agnes^ the Hu- 
mour of the under Charaders which were 
chofen to attend her, together with the natu- 
ral and quick Tranfition from one Surprife to 

another. 



en furprile, font autant de coups de maitrc. 
Ce qui diftingue encore plus particulierement 
l^icole des femmes^ & don*t Pantiquite ni ks 
theatres modcrnes n'ont donne aucun mo- 
dele, c'eft que tout paroit recit. & tout eft ' 
en adion; chaque recit, par la proximite 
avec ^incident qui y a donne lieu, le retrace 
fi vivement, que le Ipeftateur croit en etre le 
temoin ; & par un avantage fingulier que le 
recit a liir I'aftion dans cette piece, en ap- 
prenant le fait, on jouit en meme tems de 
Pefiet qu*il produit, parce que la perlbnne 
qui a interet d'etre inftruite, apprend tout 
de celle qui a le plus d'interet a le lui cachen 
Ia refljbmblance que ?on pourroit trouver en- 
tre Pecok des maris & l*ecok des fetnmesy fiir 
ce qu'Amolphe & Sganarelle font tous deux 
trompes par les meliires qu'ils prennent pour 
afTurer leur tranquillite,, ne peut tourner qu'a 
la gloire de Moliere,. qui a trouve le fecret 
de varier ce qui paroit uniforme. Les traits 
naifs d* Agnes ingenue & Ipirituelle, qui ne 
peche contre les bienfeances, que parce qu*Ar-^ 
nolphe les lui a laifle ignorer, ne foiit pas 
le* memes que ceux d'llabelle fine & deliee> 
qui n*ont d'autre priricipe que la contraintc 
oii la tient fon tuteun. 



another, are Strokes the moft fine and mafter- 
ly: That which diftinguifhes the School for 
tVives ftill more particularly, and which neither 
the ancient or* modern Stages had given any 
Model of, is that the whole appears to be re- 
lated, and yet at the fame time is all in adtipn. 
Every Relation, by its Proximity to the In- 
cident which gave occafion to it, traces it 
over agziin in {o lively a manner, that the 
Spectator think himfelf.prefent at it, and by 
a peculiar Advantage which the Relation in 
this Piece has over the Aftion, at the fame 
time that we learn the Faft we enjoy the Ef- 
fe<5b which it produces; forafmuch as the 
Perfon who is concerned to be inftrufted 
learns every thing whiqh there is the greateft 
reafon Ihould be hid from him. The Refem- 
blance which appears in the School for Hus- 
bands and the School for Wives ^ with regard 
to Jmolph and Sganarel being both deceived 
by the very MeadKires they took to prevent it, 
muft tui:n to M?liere*s Reputation who found 
out the Secret of varying what appeared to 
be ib much alike. The natural Strokes of the 
witty fprightly -4?^^j, who olBfended againft 
Decorums only becaufe Arnolph had kept her 
in ignorance of *em, are vpry diflerent from 
thofe fine fubtil ones of Ifabella^ which Iprang 
from no other Principle but the Conftraint 
her Guardian kept her under* 

©113. 



A c r E V R s, 

A1LNOLPHE9 ou La Souths. | 

Agnss, fiHe d'Enrique. j 

Horace, amant d^Agnes. I 

C^URisALDE, aoii d*Arnolphe. ^ 1 

£n R I Qjx B y beaa-fr^re de Chrifalde. 

Oronts, pere d*Horace» & ami d'ArnoIphe, 

Un Notaire. 

Alain^ paifan, valet d^Arnolphe. ■ 

Georgette^ pai^ne, fervante d*Arnolphe. 

La Seine eft a Paris, dans me place JCun fauxbourg^. 



A c r O R s. 

Arnolph, otherwife Mr. di la SoucBe^ 

Acnes, Daughter to Hi?9r/f«^/. 

Horace, hoy tt to Agnes. 

Crrisaldvs, ulr«0ij»i&*s Friend. 

Hb N R I QJ7 B 8 9 Brother-in-law to CbinfaUusl 

Oron TBS, Horatio % Father, and a Friend to Amolfh. 

ANOTARY. 

Allen, a Country-Fellow, AmolpU% Man* 
GfiORGBTTAf a Country- Weocbf ^rxroi^i&'s Maid« 

SCENE PAR /S, A Squart in theSuhiris. 



[ 112] 




L'ECOLE DES FeMMES. 




ACT EL SCENEL 

CHRISALDE, ARNOLPHE^ 
Chrisalde. 

I O U S vcjnez, dites-vous, pour lui donncxL 
la main F 
Arnolphe. Oui. Jevcux terminer 

la chofe dans demain. 
Chrisalde. Nous fommes ici feols^ 
& Ton peut, ce me femble^ 
Sans craindre d*etre ouis, y difcourir enfemble. 
Voulez-vous qu'en ami je vous ouvre mon cceur ?. 
Votre deffein, pour vous me fait trembler de peurj 
£t de quelque fa9on que vous toumiez Taffaire, 
Prendre femme, eft a vous un coup bien temerairc. 
Arnolphe. Ileftvraiy notreami. Peut-etre que," 
chez vous, 
Vous trouvez des fujets de craindre pour chez nous ; 
Et votre front, je crois, veut que du mariage 
Les comes foient par tout I'infeillible appanage. 

Chrisalde. Ce font coups du hazard, dont bit' 
n*eft point garant, 
Et bien fot, ce me femble, eft le foin qu*on en prend^ 
Mais quand je crairis pour vous, c'cft cette raillerie 
Dont c^nt pauvres maris ont fouflert la furie : 
C^r enfin vous f9avez qu'il n'«ft grands, ni petits. 
Que de votre critique on ait vus garantis 5 

Que 



C "3 ] 




THE 

School for Wives. 



CTI. SCENE 

CHRISALDUS, ARNOLPH. 

Chrisaldtts. 

' Y E come, fay you, to marry her ? 



I. 




Arnolph. Yes, I'll make an end 
o' the Affair to-morrow. 

Chrisaldus. We're here alone, and 
may con verfe, I believe, without fear of 
being overheard. Would you have me open my 
Heart to /ou as a Friend? Your Defign makes me 
tremble with Fear for you, and what way foever you 
confider the Matter, to marry is in you a very great 
piece of Rafhnefs. 

Arnolph. My Friend, that's true. Perhaps you 
find reafon at home to be apprehenfive for me : Your 
own Brows make you imagine, I fuppofe, that Horns 
are every where the infallible Appurtenances of Ma- 
trimony. 

Chrisaldus. Thofeare Accidents no body is fe- 
cure againfl, and the care People take on that account 
feems to me exceeding fooliih. But when I'm afraid 
for you, it^s becaufe o' that Raillery which an hundred 
Husbands have endur'd the Sting of. For in fhort, 
you're fenfible that neither high nor low have been ex- 
empted from your Reflections, that your chief Delight 

in 



114 L*EcoLB desFbmmes. 

Que V08 plus grands plaifirs font, par tout ou voas ctcj, 
De ^e cent eclats des intrigues fecrettes .... 

Arnolphe. Fort bien. £A-il au monde une autre 
villc aufli, 
Oa Ton ait des maris fi patiens qu^ici ? 
Eft-ce qu'on n'cn voit pas de toutcs les e^eces. 
Qui font accommodes chez eux de toutes pieces ? 
Uun amafTe du bien, dont fa femme hit part 
A ceux qui prennent foin de le ^re comard ; 
L^autre un peu plus hereux, mais non pas moins itthme^ 
Voit faire tous les jours des prefens a {a. femme, 
Et d'aucun foin jaloux n'a Tefprit combattu, 
Parce qu'elle lui dit que c'efl pour fa vertu. 
L'un fait beaucoup de bruit qui ne lui fert de gueres f 
L^autre en toute douceur laifTe aller les affaires, 
Et, voyant arriver chez lui le damoifeau, 
Prend fort honnetement fes gands & fon mianteaa. 
L'une de fon galant, en adroite femelle. 
Fait fauife confidence a fon epoux fidele 
Qui dort en furete fur un pareil appas, . . 

Et le plaint, ce galant, des foins qu'il ne ptrd pas ; 
L'autre pour fe purger de fa magnificence, 
Dit qu'elle gagne au jeu Tareent qu*elle depenfe^ 
Et le mari benet, fans fonger h quel jeu, 
^ur les gains qu*elle fait rend des graces a Dieu. 
Enfin ce font par tout des fujets de fatire, 
Et comme fpe^teur, ne puis-je pas en rire ? 
Puis-je pas de nos fots . . . 

Chrisalde. Oui; mais qui rit d*autrui 
Doit craindre qu*en revanche on rie auili de lui. 
J'entends parier le monde, Sc des gens fe delaiTeat 
A venir debiter les chofes qui fe pafTent : 
Mais, quoique Ton divulgue en endroits ou je fois. 
Jamais on ne m'a vu triompher de ces bruits j 
J|*y fuis aifez modefte, & bien qu'aux occurrences . 
Je puiiTe condapuier certaiues tolerances^ 

Que 



The Sc nooh far Wivzs. 115 

in every Place yoa comey is to make a mighty Outcry 
of fecret Intrigues ■■ 

Arnolph. Very good. Is there another City in 
the World where Husbands are fo tame as here ? Don*c 
we fee all forts of 'em fcurvily usM at home ? One 
heaps up Wealth, which his Spoufe difiributes to 
thofe who take the pains to make a Cuckold of hinu 
Another, a little more happy, but not lefs infamous, 
fees Prefents made to his Wife every Day, and yet 
no Jealoufy diilurbs his Mind, becaufe fhe tells him 
'tis out of regajrd to her Virtue. One makes a migh- 
ty Buftle, which ferves but to little purpofe: Ano- 
ther, in perfed Tranquillity, lets Matters take their 
courfe, and feeing the Spark come to his Houfe, ve- 
ry civilly takes up his Gloves and Cloke. One Wife, 
with female Artifice, pretends to make a Confident of 
Her £uthfid Husband, who fleeps fecurely under fuch 
Deluiion, and pities the poor Galant for taking pains— 
which he does not lofe. Another, to clear herfelf of 
Extravagance, fays, that fhe gets at Play the Mony fhe 
lays out, and the filly Husband, without dreaming at 
what Game, thanks God for what fhe wins. In a 
word, there are every where thefe Subje^ of Satyr j 
and mayn't I laugh at 'em as a Looker*on f Mayn't 1 
of our Fools ■ 

CiiitisALDus. Yes; but whoever laughs at ano- 
ther fhould be afraid that in return others will alfo 
laugh at him. I hear what the World fays, and 
how People divert themfelves with tattling things that 
happen, but whatever's divulg'd in places where I come, 
no body ever knew me triumph at fuch Reports. 
Vm referv'd enough in that refpedl 1 and though I 

might. 



ii6 L'EcoLfi desFjcmmes, 

Que mon defTein ne foit de fouffrir nullement 

Cc que quelques maris fouffrent paiiiblementy 

Pourtant je n'ai jamais affedle de le dire : 

Car enfin il faut craindre un revers de fatire, 

Et Ton ne doit jamais jurer fur de tels cas 

De cc qu'on pourra faire, ou bien ne feire pas. 

Ainii, quand a mon front, par un fort qui tout mene, 

II feroit arrive quelque difgrace humaine, 

Apres mon precede, je fuis prefque certain 

Qu'on fc contentera de s'en rire fous-main : 

Et peut-etre qu'encor j'aurai cet avantagc 

Que quelques bonnes gens diront que c'eft dommigeJ 

Mais de vous, cher compere, il en eft autrementi 

Je vous le dis encor, vous rifquez diablement. 

Comme fur les maris accufei cle foufFrance, 

De tout terns votre langue a daube d'importance, 

Qu'on vous a vu contr'«ux un diable dechaine, 

Vous devez marcher droit pour n'etrc point berne 5 

Et, s'il feut que fur vous on ait la moindre prife, 

Gare qu'aux carrefours on ne vous tlmpanife. 

Et . . . 

Ar;«olphb. Mon Dieu, notre ami, ne vous tour- 
mentez point. 
Bien rufe qui pourra m'attraper fur ce point. * 
Je f9ais les tours rufes, & les fubtiles frames, 
Dont, pour nous en planter ffavent ufer les fexomts,, 
Et comme on eft duppe par leurs dexterites, 
Contre cet accident j'ai pris mes furetes j • 
Et celle que j'epoufe a toute I'innocence 
Qui peut fauver mon front de maligne influence. 

Chrisalde. He, que pre tendez- vous ? Qu'une fbt- 
te en un mot ... 

Arnolfhe. Epoufer une fotte, eft pour n^ette 
point fot. 
Je crois, en bon chretien, votre moitie fort &ge ; 
Mais une fonme* habile eft un xnauvais prefage^ 

. . Et 



Tbe Sc H 00 l/tt Wives.' 117 

might, on thefe Occafions., blame certain degrees of 
Porbearance, and my Defign were not by any means 
to fuflfer what fome Husbands quietly endure, yet, £ 
have never afFefled to fay this ; for after all *tis to be 
fear'd the Satyr will come home, and one fhould never 
pofitively fwear what one may, or may not do, in 
fuch, or fuch a Cafe. So that fliou'd fome human Dif- 
grace befal my' Brows, by an over-ruling Fate that di- 
reds all things, I*m almoil fure that, after my behaving 
in this manner. People would be fatisfy'd with laugh- 
ing at it underhand ; and it may be I fhou'd have the far- 
ther Advantage that fome good Folks would Giy, it's 
pity. But as for you, dear Friend, the Cafe is quite 
otherwife, and again I tell you that you*ll run a devil- 
jfh Hazard; for as your Tongue has been always rea- 
dy to banter patient Husbands, and you*ve been a mere 
Devil broke loofe againft *em, you mull walk upright 
indeed not to be made a Laughing-ftock : And if they 
get the lead: Hank upon you, beware they don't pub- 
liih your Shame at the very Market-Crofs. And — - 

Arnolph. Lack-a-day, Friend, don't trouble your 
felf. He muft be mighty cunning that catches me as 
to that P<5int. I'm acquainted with'the artful Tricks,' 
the fubtil Contrivances which Women make ufe of to 
ingraft Horns upon us ; and fmte we're fbol'd by 
their Dexterity, I've fecur'd my felf againft that Ac- 
cident, for'fhe I marry has Innocence fufHcient to pre- 
ferve my forehead from any unlucky Influence. 

Chrisaldus. Hey, what do you pretend ? that a 
Fool, in one word " ■■ 

Arnolph. To marry a Fool, is to be no Fool. 
I believe as a good Chriilian, that your other Half 
is exceeding wife ; but a cunning Wife is a very ill 
Prdage, and I know what the caking thofe with too 

great 



tiS L'EcoLE DBS Femmes; 

Et je f9ai8 oe qu'il coute a de certaines gens. 

Pour avoir pris let leurs avec trop de*talens. \ 

Moi, j^irois me charger d*ime fpirituelle I 

Qui ne parleroit rien que cercle & que ruelle ? | 

Qui de profe 8c de vers feroit de doux ecrits, i 

£t que viiiteroient marquis, 8e beaux efjprits, I 

Tandis que fous le nom du man de madame, I 

Je ferois comme un faint que pas nn ne reclame ? 

Non, non, je ne veux point d'un efprit qui foit haut,' 

£t iemme qui compofe en r9ait plus qu^il ne faut. 

Je pretends que la mienne en clartes pea fublime, '' 

Meme ne fpche pas ce que cVil qu'une rime ; I 

£t s*il faut qu^avec die on joue au corbillon, 

Et qn^on vienne a lui dire a fon toar» qu'y met-on ? ; 

Je veux qu'elle reponde, une tarte k la creme ; ' 

En un mot qu'elle foit d*une ignorance extreme, ' 

£t c*efl afTez pour elle, a vous en bien parler, 

De r9avoir prier Dieu,,m'aimer, coudre' & filer. \ 

Ch ri s a l d e . Une femme flupide eft done votre ma« 
rotte ? 

Ar N o L p H^ . Tant, que j'alma-oxs mieux unejaide 
bien fotte, » 

Qu'une femme fort belle, avep beaucoup d'efprit. 

Chrisalde. L'efprit & la beaute ... 

Arnolphe. L'honnetete fuifit. 

Chrisalde. Mais comment voulez-vous, aprcs 
tout, qu'une bete 
PuiiTe jamais ffavoir ce que c'eft qu'etre honnete ? 
Outre qu'il ei\ affez ennuyeux, que je croi, 
D'avoir toute fa vie une bete avec foi, 
Penfez-vous le bien*prendre, & que, fur votre idee. 
La furete d'un front puiffe etre bien fondce ? 
Une femme d'efprit peut trahir fon devoir, 
Mais il hnt pour le moins qu'elle ofe le vouloir ; 
Et la ftupide au lien peut manquer d'ordinaire. 
Sans en avoir I'envie, Sc fans penfer le faire. 

Ar- 



^^ S c H o L for Wives. 119 

great Abilities has coft certain People. Shall I charge 
my {<M with fhe Care of a witty Wife, who talks of 
nothing but the Ring and the Drawing-room ? who 
writes foft things both in Profe and Verfe, and whopi 
the Marquifs and the Wits vifit, whilft under the 
Name of Madam^s Husband, I fhould be like a Saint 
that no body calls upon ? No, no, I'm not for a high- 
Hown Genius ; a Woman that writes, underAands more 
than fhe fhould. * I intend that mine fhall have in her 
fo little of the Sublime, that fhe fhall not know even 
what a Rhime is ; and fhould one play with her at the 
Basket, and ask her., in one's Turn, Wbafsfut into^tf 
Vi have her Anfwer be, A Cream Tart. In a word, 
Td have her extremely ignorant ; it's fufficient, to tell 
you plainly, if fhe knows but how to fay her Prayers, 
to love me, to few, and fpin. 



Chrisaldus. a flupid Wife then is your Fancy \ 

Arnolph. So much, that I fhould like an ugly 
Fool better than a very handfom Woman with a great 
deal of Wit. 

Chrisaldus. Wit and Beautjr ■■ 

Arnolph. Virtue is fufHcient. 

Chrisaldus. But how, after all, wouM you have 
a Fool ever know what it is to be virtuous ? Befides, I 
believe it tirefom.e enough for a Man to have a Fool 
>^ith him all his Life-time. 'D'yt think, taking the 
Blatter right, that ones' s Forehead can be well fecur'd 
opon your Scheme ? A Woman of Senfe may aft con- 
trary to her Duty, but then fhe 'mull do fo knowing- 
ly, whereas a Fool may foil in the common Courfe of 
her's, without having a mind to't, or even thinking 
of it. 



120 L*EcoL3s desFemmes. 

Arn o l p h b . A ce bel argument^ a ce difcours pro^ 
fond, 
Ce que Pantagruel a Panurge repond ; 
Prcffcz-moi de me joindre a femme autre que fotte> 
Prechez, patrocinez jufqu'a la Pcntccote, 
Vous ferez ebahi, quand vous ferez au bout* 
Que vous ne m^aurez rien perfuade du tout. 

Chrisalde. Je ne vous dis plus mot. ■ 

Arn LP HE. Chacun a (a methode. 
En femme, comme en tout, je veux fuivre ma mode* 
Je me vois riche affez pour pouvoir, que je croi, 
Choifir une moltie qui tienne tout de moi, 
£t de qui la foumife & pleine depefidance 
N*ait a me reprocher aucun bien, ni naiflance. 
Un air doux 8c pofe, parmi d^autres enfans, 
M^infpira de Tamour pour elle des quatre ans ; 
Sa mere fe trouvant de pauvrete preffee, 
De la lui demander il me vint en penfee, 
£t la bonne paifanne apprenant mon defir, . 
A scoter cette charge eut beaucoup de plaifirJ 
Dans un petit couvent, loin de toute pratique, 
Je la lis elever felon ma politique, 
Cefb-a-dire, ordo nnant quels foins on employeroit 
Pour la rendre idiottc autant qu'il fe pourroit. 
Dieu mcrci, le fucccs a fuivi mon attente ; 
Et grandc, je I'ai vue a tel point innocentc. 
Que j'ai beni le Ciel d'avoir trouve mon feit 
Pour me faire une femme au gre de mon fouhait.' 
Je I'ai done retiree ; & comme ma deineure 
A cent fortes de gens eft ouverte a toute heure, 
Je I'ai mife a I'ecart, comme il faut tout prevoir, 
Dans cette autre maiibn, ou nul ne me vient voir ; 
Et pour ne point gater fa bonte naturelle, 
Je n'y tiens que des gens tout aulTi fimples qu'elle. 
Vous me direz, pourquoi cette narration ? 
Cell pour vous rendre inftruit de ma precaution. 



Le 



fie^cuooL for Wives, xiz 

Arnolph. To this fine Afgament, this profeand 
Difcottrfe, I (Hall anfwer as Paniagruel ixd to Panur^ 
gus : Perfuade me to marry a Woman that is not a Fool, 
preach to ine, plead from June to J'anuary youMl be 
»fi»niih'd, when youVe done, to find' that youVc pie- 
Tail'd not at all upon me, 

CkuiSALDtrs. rH fay nota word more t'yo«. 

Arnolph. Every one to his own way. InaWife^' 
«8 in every thing elic. Til follow my own. Humour, 
fm rich enoug)i, I think, to take a Wife widi nor- 
thing, whofe low Station and intire Dependence oir 
me, mayn't allow Her to reproach me either with her 
Birth or Fortmie. A foft and (laid Look, when a«r 
mongft other Children, infpir'd me with a Love fos 
her fi-om the time ihe was four Yiears old. Her Mo-^ 
ther- being very poor, it came into my Head ta beg 
her, and the good Cbuntry-womaif underilanding my 
IHre, was mighty glad to rid herfelf of the Charg?. 
I caus'd her to be bronj^t up in a little Convent^ 
remote from all Company, according to my own Po- 
%, tKat*8 to fay, injolhiiig them to employy all their 
pains to make her as much an Idiot as poiSbk. The* 
Succeis, thank Heaven, anfwer'd my Expectation {* 
^ when (he grew upi I found her iilly to fuch a* 
degree, that I blei?d Heaven for having done my^ 
Bufinefe in giving me a Wife exaftly to my Wi(hi 
I brought her home, and' as my Hbufe is continual- 
ly open to an hundred forts of People, (Precautioa 
king always needfu},). I have pka*d her out a* the 
v^y, in this other Hbufe^ where no' body, comes^ to 
viiit me; and that her good Difpofition mayn't be 
fpdl'd, I keep none about her bat People eveiy whit ar 
foolifh as her fdtfl Ybn^ll asfe me. Wherefore this long' 
Story ) Why it's t6 tet you fee the Csure Lhave takav 
— The Rrfttlt of all is, that this Evening, as a 

Voi.IIL F faithfid 



122 L'ECOLS. DBS FbMM£S,^ 

Le refaltat de tout, eft qa*en ami fiddle, 
Ce foir je vous invite i fooper avec die ; \ 

Je veoz que vous poiffiez un pea rexaminer, .• 

Et voir fi de mon choix on doit me condamner. || 

Chrisaldb. Pyconfcns. 

AaNotPHE. Vous pourrez dans cettcconlcrence, i 

Juger de fa perfimne & de fon innocence. | 

CaaisALDE. Poor cet aiticle-U« ceqoe.voasmV ' 

vcz dit .. I 

Ne peat « . . 

AaNOLPHB. La verite pafle encor moa recit. 
Dans fes fimplicit& i, tous coups je I'admirc, 
Et par fbis die en dit, dont je pame de rire. 
L*autre jour, (pourroit-on fe le perfuader ? ) 
Elle itoit Ibrt en pdne, & me vint demander, 
Avec une innocence i nulle autre pardlle. 
Si les enfims qu'on fidt, fe faifdent par roreille. 

CnaisALDB. Je me rejouis fort, ieigaeiur At* 

nolphe ... 
Abnolphb. Bon! '^ 

Me voulez-vons toujours appeUer de ce nom ? 
CHBISAX.DB. Ah! malgre que j*eQ aie, tlmevient 
k la bouche* 
St jamais' je ne fonge I monfienr de la Sooche. 
Qui diabl^ vous a &it anffi vous avifer 
A quarante-deux ans de vous debaptifer, 
Et, d*un vieux tronc pourri de votre metairie, ' 
Vous &ire dans le monde un nom de fdgneurie ? 
Arnolprb. Oup^que la maUbn par ce nom le 
connoit, 
la Souche, ^plui qu^Amdipiie, i mes oreilles pkit. 
'Crrisalob. Qud abtts de quitter le vrai nom dc 

fes peres. 
Pour en vouloir prendre un l^ti fur des chijneres f 
De la plupart des gens c^eft la demangeaifon ; 
Et iaus vousembr^er dans la compandfon^ 

I. ' .. ■ jt 



The School for Wives. 123 

faithful Friend, I invite yoir to Suppei- with her : I'd 
have you examine her a little, and fee wLcther I'm ;q 
be condemned for my Choice. 

Chrisaldus.I agree to't. 

Arnolph. You may judge by this Converfadoa 
with, her, both of her Ftarfon and her Innocence. 

Chris ALDUS. As to that Article, what you have 
told me can*t ■ 

Arnolph. My Defcripdon comes even fliort of 
Ae Truth. I admire her Simplicity on all occafions^ 
uid fometimes Ihe lays things that I'm ready to drop 
down with laughing at. T'other day (could one ima- 
P^ it?) ihe was uneafy, and came to ask me, with an 
IgQonmce nothing can be equal to, whether Childrem 
when they're bom come into the world by the Ear. 

Chrisaldus. I am very glad, VLx . Amolpb ^^-^ 

Arnolph. How ! Will you always call me by that 

Name? 

Chrisaldvs. Why, do aB I can it comes into my 
Mouth, and I never remember Mr. di la Swcbe. What 
the Deuce has put it in your Head to nnchriHen your 
fdf at two and forty Years of Age, and take a Title 
upon you firem an old rotten Stump belonging to your 
Farm? 

Arnolph. B^des that the Houfe is known by that 
Name, La Soucbi is more agreeable to my Ears thaa 

^HRisALDus. What a Sliame is it to quit the real 
N^Btt of one*8 Anceftors to take up another founded up« 
^'^ Chlatfas ! Yet this is the Whim of moft People^ 
^^ without including you in the Comparifon, I know 
* ^try-FcUow called Fat Pttfr, wlwfc whole Eftate 
F 1 .. " \ being 



X24 L'EcOLR D«F.S.Fs:tt»SS^ 

Je ifusutt pifiaii, qa?oo.appaUoitgso&Pjerni. 
QoH n*a)i«iitpo«Ftocitlnenqa'imiadqnaiikcdt;t^ 
Y fit tout k rentoar fiiire on-fofle boiubeiiir^ 
Et de monficnr de Plfle en prit le aom pompeux. 
AftNOLPHB. Voas pourriev.voB&pafieii-^aHaqpb 
dthi foito^ 
Mab enfin derk'Sottoho tft fo nomiqiie jflL^puto ;, 
Pf Toia^da l^tMm^ pytromvo dttvaj^pau 
Ecm^appeller de Tautr^ eft ne m*obHger*pt9» 
Cheibaldb. Cependant lapluput onpdiieasV 
vnuuemrCf 
Efjetw raeme encar de»<adreA»da lettieik. . . 
AltvoxPHB. Jte le fimfe aUSmonr dt quiiM^psi 
infthiit; 
lAds ¥008 ... 
€iHtis^ALD«. Mu La^diCiiB' nmia. nVnimv point 
de-brtiity. 
Et je prendnd le ibin d^ a oq w to m er' ma boAoiio* 
A ne plus voos nommer que monfieiur de la Sooche. 
Ax)M>LPH'B^ AdieB: Jb, fiappo idpottttdoBoeple 
bon joor, 
£t*dlreiealement qae*je fus'deTiotoHr.^ 

CliaiSALDB ipart, et^s'ett aUOwtiyMkka, je4e 

dens fba debates • les raanierttc 
Aano-LrHBy^ir/J Il^eft- impeu bMe^ &r cettainn 
natierw: 
Chofe etiange de voir, comme avec paffion, 
Un chaQm eft cbaoffe de fon opinion! 
iU/raffe a/aforte.J Hdi; 



S C E N E U. 

ikmsi la muifm^ 

^^ AiAIIK 

v^DIhcurteJ Aa-j 



I 



\ 

M^jnfy one dng^Qaarternof an Anei, Iw ttude a 
jttudd/ Ditch all ronnd it, and affnm'dttiie pompons 

Aanolph. YoamightletlsftatotBiortlmkiiif a* 
lonei Infhort, i^&irrifr^is AeMnie)IJicar ; S'Tea 
Keafon for it, I find a Fkitoeiniit, audto^ril me I^ 
any other is difoUiging me. 

Cmrisaldus. Moft Folks hmiraverliasdly^canruB-^ 
nit to it, and ^ ^ •eivn MU-tlie Wat^^iam «f yoar 
Letters- 

Arnolfh. I beai'4t«tityil«Mi tholb^wlia i«e not 

rafcrm'ds ^imt yon " 

Cbrisalbvs. Belt 'fe. We^Hlia^einD Qaarftl a- 
boot tliat : Pll take care to nfe «i^ MiOtk^O'CtfH yoo 
nothing elfe but Mr. it la Smicbt. 

Aritolpr. Goodb*ye. I knock hece^y t6%id 
Good-morrow, and tell diat 1%1'cdllietack. 

ClTRTS A'LUVS t^^ g^ifig <»M^.^ 1CroA> i fook 

opoQ him as an accomplifhM Fool. 

AnNoxPH irhne.J He^alitfle'tDatfiM is «0 4bme 
certain things. It*s wonderful to fee 4vM how much 
Paffion every Man fs wedded l!» lAi «w4i XPfMiMt 
[Knociing at his D^or.l Sol^o. 



SCENE H. 

ARNOLPH, AJuLEN 4i«/<5EOJapJIST!rA 
iu tbi-Ha^fo^ 

Wftttttlr. 
HO kttocfaY 

F J An- 



126 L^EcoLK D«$ Fi Mii'iai; 

Arnolpbs« Ouvrez. [a fart.J On aim, qiie Je 
penfe, . . 

Gnnde joie i me voir apr^ dix jours d'aUeoce. 

Alaih. Qaivalaf 

Arnolphb. Moi, 

Alain. Georgette. 

Gborobttb* He Uen f 

Alain. Ouvrelibas. 

Gbobgbttb. Vas-y toi. 
' Alain. Vas-y toi. 

Gborobttb. Mafoi, jen^iraipaa^ 

Alain. Jc n'irai pas auflk 
. Arnolp&b. 5clle ceremonic 
Pour me laiffer dehors I Hola ho, je TOttS pric. 

Georgette. Quifrappe? 

• Arn o l p H B. Votrc maitre, 

Georgbttb. Alain* 

Alain. Quoi? 

Gborgbttb. C*eSL moD&tUm 
Ouvrevite. 

Alain. Ouvre, toi. 

Georgette. Je fouffle notre feu. 

Alain. J*empcche, pcur du chat, que mon moi- 
neau ne forte. 

Arnolphb. Quiconquedevous deux n'oovriw pas 
la porte, 
,N*a9ra point a manger deplos de qi^tre jours. 

Ah I . ., 

Gkorobttb, Par quelle raifon y venir, qiumd j'y 

cours ? • 

Alain. Pouiquoi plutot que m(»| ? Le jj^fant fira* 

tagemef 
Gborgbttb. Ote-toi done de H» - 
Alain. Non, ote-toi, toi^m^mc* 
Gborgette. Jc veux ouvrir l^portc. 
Alain. Et jc Ycux PouOTr, |bo& ... 

Gbor- 



ih School /(ft Wsvis. 127 

Armolph. Open the Dbor. IJfide.^ They'll be 
very glad, I fuppofc, to fee me after tea Days Ab- 
fence. 

Allen. Who's thew? 

Arnolph* I. 

Allen. George tta, 

Georgetta. Well. 

Alle n. Open the Door below thei^^ 

Georgetta. Go doit your fclf. 

Allen. You ff> do*t. 

Georgetta; I woA^t go, faiths 

Allen. And I won't go. 

Arnolph. a pretty kind of Ceremony, whifft I 
am left without ! — Soho, foho there ; pray — — • 

Georgetta. Who knocks at Door f 

Arnolph. YonrMafter. 

Georgetta. Alien f 

Allen. Whiat d'ye fay ? 

Georgetta. It's my Maftcr. 0|cii the Doo» 
quickly. 

Allen. Do you open it. 

Georgetta. I'm blowing the Fire. 

Allen. I can't ftir for fear of the Cat, left my 
Sparrow fhoaM get out; - 

Anolph. Which ever of you two won't open the 
Dm, ihan't Have a hit of Viauals fi)r above thefe four 
Days. 

CeoroittaI What occafion have you to come^ 
when I am running ? 

Allsn. Why you more than I? A fine Contri- 
nnce truly F 

Georgetta. Stand out o' the way. 

Allen. I wen't, ftand you t>ut o' the way* 

Georgetta. I'll open the Door, 

A^i^sv. .And rU open it. 

F 4 GiOJi* 



I2S L'Cc«iI.X UXSJFtMU%S. 

G B 0JL0E7 TS . ^ ne I!oavjiia8 .p^. j 

Alain. Mi toi -non plus. ' 

Gborgettb. KitoL 

Ab.no LP HB. II &at qpe f aie .id ilame biea pa- 
tiente! 

Alaim en entrant, 1 Au xnoios c^eft^moi^ Monfiear. I 

Georgzttb in entrant."} Je:£ais vottce/enouMkies I 
Ceft moi. | 

Alain. Sans k n^peiX de monfiear que voil^ i 

Je tc . . . 

Akvoi^fhe ri;cemant,nn,eot^d*jflaift.2 f ^ftc f . 

Alain. Pardon. / 

JlnNOLPHB. V^oycz ce Jourdant-U. I 

Alain. Ceft-elle aufii, Moniieur. \ 

Arnolp.he. Que tous deux on fe taife. j 

Songes k me repondre, & laiflpns la&daiic. 

He bieo, Alain, comment & j¥)i:te-t-.QnicIi 
Alain. Moniieur, nops aous^ • . 

J^Jr^to/jtlke ofe ^ar treis foh U d^eauJi JeJptsJkJitt ' 
^ J Jain. 2 Monfieiir, nous nous por • . . 

Dieu merci. 

Nous nous •. ... 
4«iN o LJ> HP . Q^ ypus jQ>j»end, imprrtio^ile liete, 

A parler devant moi le chapeau £;ix la tips} 
Alaijk. VojBsfaitesliiCTi. J!ai iftft. , 



aCEUE fIL 

A B N O L P H B. 

LOrfquejexu'^^Xiu, <iii(^ettettlifteif>fjj^ 

Arnolfhb. NfiA'f 
Geoecette, Si&tt* 

A*- 



y 



Georgbtta.- Voti to&*t i^M'k. 
^LLSN. No moretMlyeCi. 
Georo^tta. N<9ry<Mi. 

Allen entring,'] However, *tis my Bofinefi, Sir. 

Georgett A /»/ri»|;.] Pm your Servant for that ; 
is mine. 

Allen. Was not it out ofkefped to my Mafter 
we, r ^ ■* «■ 

Arn o LP h rreeiHfiiign 9ht»frmn Allen.] Plague ! 

Allen. laskpaMba. 

Aii«oi.»v. Sae tint Ltaggevkoul diepe, 

A^llisti . $ka^ ib too, Si T '^ * -■■. 

Arnolph. Hold your Tongves Mh cf yot. i&* 
lone with your ^brimg^ and meeak lAat I «uk jfc. Well^ 
i//^, lMW^«Hheoedo^ 

Allen. Why, Sir, we we-— [Arnolph ifulh off 
Me(i*# iibr thrfB tima.l ^> we ws «t -^im^ *an: 



Arnolph. Impertinent Fool, wfio 4aM|^ you to 
talk to me with your Hat upon yoar H«ad } 
Allen. YoudbweU, Sir, I wai in tin wivqg^ 
Arnolph /^ Allen.] Vii Agmt'Cmmt^mni. 



SCENE in. 

ARHOLPH, G£0&G£TTA. 

At. N O 1 PH. 

WA S (he melancholy after I went away ? 
Gborgetta. Mdancholy ? No. 
Arnolph. No? 
Ga<k^O£TTA. Yes, yes. 

JP S Ar- 



130 L'EcaLi DCS FsMUfis: 

Arkolybb. Pomqiioi done ? . • . 

^BORGSTTS. Oai, jemeare. 
Elk Tons croyoit voir de retour a toate heuie ; 
£t noas n'ojriaiM jamais poffer devant chez BOOS, 
Cheval* 2ne» oa mulet, qa^elle ne prit poor yoqs.^ 



S G E N E IV. 

ARNOLPHE, AGNES, ALAIN, 
. GEORGETTE. 

Arnolpre. 

LA befogpBe i b main, c^eft an bon feAnoignq^e. 
tU bien, Ag^^, je fuis de retour da voyap. 
En tes-T0U8 Men aife ? 
AcNis. Otti, Monfiear, Dien merd. 
Arnolphb. Etmol, dcvottsrerdrjc fais Ken aife 

aoffi. 
Yous Toas £te9 toojours, comme onToit, Uenporteer 
Acwis. Hors les puces qui m'ont la nuit inqoietee. 

ARMOtPBB. AkI voos aaitx dans pea qadqu'an 
poor les cliafler. 

Aoiiis. Voos me fierez phifir. 

Armolprb. Je le pais bien penfer. 
Que faites-vons done li ? 
^, Agmbs. Je me fais des c omettes. 
Vos chemifes de nuit, & vos coelfes fimt fiitesr 

Arnolphb. Ah! VoiUqui vabien. AUez, mo&- 
tez la-haot, 
Ne vous ennuyez pomt, je reviendnu tantftt i 
£t je voos parkrai d'a&irei importantes. 



SCENI 



^e Sx^nooL for Wives* 131 

Arnolph. Why tkea 

Ge.orgetta. Yts, let me die: Slie conthitially 
ext^edied your coming back; and we iaw ndther Horfe, 
Afs, nor Mule paik by the Houfe, which ihe did not 
take for you. 



S C E N E IV. 

ARNOLPH, AGNES, ALLEN, 
GEORGETTA. 

ArN OLPH. 

HER Work in her Hand is a good SigiH-— »WeI], 
Jgftis, Vm come back from my Journey. Are 
you glad of it ? 
Agnes. Yes, Sir, thank Heaven. 
Arnolph. And I too am glad tofeyoa agaift«' 
Yoa've been well all the time,* as one may fee. 

' Acnes. Except for the fleas that diftnrbM me in 
the Night. 

Arn o I. p h. O, in a little time yon fhall have fome^^ 
body to catch *em for you. 

Agnes. YouUl do me a kindnefs. 

Arnolph. So I can eafily imagine. What are 
yon about there ? 

A<?NEs. I'm ntaking my felf ibme Head-dothes. 
Yoor Night-ihirts and Caps are done. 

Arnolph. Hoh, that's well, go up ftairs, don't 
tire- your (el^ I fhall be back again preftntly, and will i 
talk to- you dbottt A&irs of Confequence. 

^^ 

SCENE 



isz L^EcoirS 9SS FsMifrs 



SCENE V. 
A R N p L P H E feu/. 

HEroinei da terns, mefdames ks fcavantes. 

Je defie a la fois tous vos yen, vos roniant, 
Voskttres, billeeid«uxt tooteroirefcieiice, 
De vjdoir cettp homwoe & podique igioniicr. 
Cc n'dl pointpw- Ic Wen qa^il &it Itit i^hloui a 
Et pounra que Thoimear foit . . . , 



S C E N E VI. ! 

HOEACE, ARN'DXPHE. | 

A » « O 4. «c H B- j 

017 E voi8-je ? Eft-cc }..: Ooi. 
JcmtroflKpe. Nmai. U6k. Hoa^t^ha- 
incme. 
Jicfir • » • • * 
Horace. Seigneur Ar ., • 
Arnolphe. Hoxate. 
Ho % ACE. Arnolphe. 
Arnolphe. Ahf Joie extreme f 
Xt depms qund id ? i 

Horace. Depois meaf jom* 
Arnolphe. Vmyment... 
Horace. Je fas d'abordcLes vim^ MJ^iMUik* 

ment. 
Arnolphe. J'etois ^ la campagne. 
Horace. Ooi, depuis dix joumto. 
Arnolphe. Oh! Qomms les en&ns croiflcnt en 
peu d^annees \ 
f a&ilre d» le voir ati point o^ le voil^ 
Apres qoe je Tai va pas plus grand que cela^ 



Skicn^oh fir Wtr b^. 13^ 



SC£N£ V. 
A & N O L P H A&««. 

YOU Hnoittt «f tlKs Age, 9M lemed Ladie»; 
diatflttar tcafar md ftie teitiaieMi, I^dy at 
«nce aU yawr V«iAi» |war BsaeM^ yoitf Letters^ 
your Love-Letten, and all your KnovvMge, to come 
op to the Valued tUttaoieftMid^vlitaoas Ignoraace. 
It*8 not i^ RidKa <« Aorfd be Mnpted ; and proyictei 
tluu Honour I 



SCENE Vt 
HORACE, ARNOLJPM. 

Arm o LPR. 

WHOM do I feel la it lie? Ay. rmmi- 
ftaken. No, no. Bat it is. May^ ks he Mni- 

Mf. a^_ 

Horace. Mr. jfr ' 

AnKOLTH. Horace. 

HeaACt. Annffh. 

AaNOLPH. O, Joy extrenael Howr kmg haye yov 
been here? 

Hon Act. Nine Days. 

Arnolph. Reall y ■> "^ 

Horace. I went deftly to yonr Hoiie, but tow 
purpofe. 

Arnolph. I was in tlie Country. 

Horace. Ay, you'ad been gone two Days. 

Arnolph. ]^yw Children (hoot up in a fewYeaisi 
Tm forpriz^d to find him giowB fi>> afier having known 
bisino bigger dlan this. 

Il0|kACB« 



§34 L'EcoKi diiFbmlmes. 

HoRAci. Voosvofes. 

AftNaLPui. Mais, de grace, Onmte votre pert , 
Moo boo & chcr ami qjantftSdrnt Sc revere, 
Qge &it*a i prttnt f^ Eft-U toojoars gaiUi^ ^ 
A toot €• qui k tonche 3 (ftk que je proids put; 
Nooi ne nou Ibflmat yqs depois qnatre aiM cnfiaabk 
Ni, qui ploi cftj ^rit Tan i Vzatre^ me ftmbte. 

HoRACft. n eft, fogoaxx AniolplMe» anoor pUist^r 
qiieaoM» 
Et j*a¥tts de ik fut ooe lettre poor voot r 
Mids depuia par one aatre il m*appraid fit irenne^ 
Et la ralfim cncor ne m*cn eft paaconnoe. 
SfavesJErToos qoi peat-£tre on de vos dtoycns, 
Q^ jietoome en ces lieozavec beaucoup de Uens. 
Qg*il sVft en qoatone aau acquis dans PAm^ique ? 

AnNOLrBB* Non. Ibis Yoos a-t-on dit commc oa 
knommc? ^ 

Ho RAG B. Enriqne* 

Arholpbb. Non. 
' HoRACB. Mon pere m*en park, & qu'il eft xtvenB) 
Comme s'il devoit m^edre enticement, conna i. 
Et m'ecrit qa*en chcmin enfemUe ik ie vont mettre. 
Poor un &it important qu^ ne dltpas. & lettre. 

[Horace remit U Uttre iPOronte a Jrfu^ht, 

Armolphb/ paurai certainemeot graade jpie a Ic 
icoir, 
fit poor le regaler je feai mon poovoir. 
[jfyrh enfoir it la lettre.J II Ant poor les amis dcs let- 

tres moins clviles, 
Et tons ces complimens ibnt diofes inotiles. 
Sans qa*il prit le fouci de m'en ecrire rien, 
Voos pooves libremcnt difpofer. de mon bien. 

HoRACB. Je {jm homme a iai£r les g^is par kars 
paroles, 
&t j'ai prefentement befoih de cent pifloles. 

Arnolphb, Ma S», c'cft m'oUiger qucd'enufo 
aiflfi. 



Jl^ ScHOOh far Wives.* 135 

Horace. Yoa fee bow it is. 

AtfNOLPH. But, pray, liow jdoes Or^/v^f/ yoar Fa- 
ther, my good and dear Friend, wliom I refped and 
rcmere? Is he hearty ftill ? He knows I bear a part in 
eFer/ thii^ whidi concerns him t we have not feen one 
another for diefe four Years, nor writ to one another, 
wUch is ftiU moic^ inethinks. 

HonACB. H^s even heartier than we are, Mr. Jr^ 
mfyh:-^ Tve got a Letter fi>r you from him : Bat by 
anodier fince he fends me word of his own coming, tho* 
I donH yet know the Reafon of it.— Do yon know who 
of yoor Townfinen it fhould be, that^snpon hisRetiim 
hither with almndaace of Wealth, which he has been 
fcnrteen Years ac^piiring in the Wefi-LuHeu 

AanoLPB. No. Was yon told his Name? 

Ho HACK. Himriquit., 

AaMOLPH* Na 

HoRACB. My Father iQpedea to me of him and his 
Setam, as if I was perfeftly acquainted with him i 
and writes me Word diey are fetthig oat together upon 
an ASair of Confequence, which his Letter does not 
xaention. [Gi*ving OranttsV L§ttir to Amolph. 

Arvolpb. I fhall certainly be extremely glad to 
^ him, and will do all in my Power toentertam him. 
\^After ba'oing read iht Lettir.l Letters amongfl 
Friends (hould be lefi ceremonioiis ; all thefe Com- 
pliments are needlefs things ; yon might freely [have 
tu'd my Fortune, without his taldng the Pains to write 
to me on that Score. 

Horace. Pm one who take Pieople at their Word : 
^ Pve jufl now occaiion for an hundred Piftoles. 

Ai^voi.pii« TVoAi to make nfe of me in this man- 

ncr# 



i3< L^EcOLB D<l f'tiff^iftt; ' 

JEt je me r^joois de let 4iirttrici. 
GvdoB Aifi WL txNnpfe* 

Hom^iicB. I14uit... 

Aehol^vb. Luttcum ct tSk. 
Uiiittt, OMUBCnt^cncfv troDfCK'voiiBioetieTnfe? 

no A ACS* xVQOibieiiie en crdjWu* vKfuijt tt oBtt'" 



Bt j*cA craii onraifaixlei 
A&voLffHB« CSacvn « fa flaifin qn*!! fe&itift 

goifel 
ihis pavoMK i|iie4aiioai destkns voa lBptire» 
lb •odt «ii cefsys ^ qsoi jfe coatcmer, 
Omt kf IbflMoai y Ant fiim A co^oflttBT, 
On tromre fhnnflm- d»ooe> <fe kiinDe khiiamici 
£t les maris auffi les plus benins du monde ; 
Ceftttn|)liiirdBfiiaae» A» te toanqaejci^ 
Je me donne fimvent la compile a moi. 
Peut-eCre en avesb-voas dija feni qttfcqa^unc, 
Voos eft-il point encore arriv^ de fortune i 
2a gens Aks coBODc V008 Mit ffaM q«e les cenia^ 
£t TOQi <te8 de faik i fiaredes coons. 

Ho«Ac«. Ane^roMTiencndberdelareift^pu^' 
yu 4*Hno«r en oes liens en oertaine avadtine ; 
Bt t*aMJlie m'oUlge i voDi en 6i«e part. 
. AaftiofcpaB mfawf.l Ban. Voci de aourcai qkel- 

qne conse jjaniafdy 
Bt «e femde quoi i^eCCre fiir ties taUettea^ 

HoaACB. Mais de pmac ^n'lia ibcnna cts tM» 
wnttit iiDCFettes* 

AavDi.paB. CMk! 

Horace. Vous n*ignorez pas qn^tti ccs nooafiens, 
Un fecret eve^ite rompt nos pretentions. 
|e VOQ6 arooerai done avec pleine fi^ndufe, 
Qa'id d*nne beautui mon aane s^eft q[vile. 
Mes petits foins d^abord ont eu tant de fucces 
Qge jc ine fiiii Chen pile osfeit UA deuK aecisy 

It, 



ner, 1S40 obl^.ine> and I'm glad Pve jot 'xm ready 
for you. — take Eurfe and .all. 

Horace. Itmuft— - 

A^itohrai^ het us dipp this . Difcourfiu WtU, 
what d'ye think of this -City ? 

HonACE. Its Inhabitants ^e iiuiaef i»is> itstBufld- 
ings fumptnoHs, ..and I helieveits Sivosfions^admiiaUe. 

Ar.n.o.l^h. ,£yery Manhashis Pfeafiures fijitaUeto 
his Tafte ; but as &r thofe who .ai;e .call'd :Galants, 
they .ha«e all they can ^ilh in gthis ^Coyuntry ; :&)riHie 
Women axe made &r Coqoettry, jyod'il find !eni^ a 
gentle T)sm§er, both .the £air and the vBrown, and 
the ^usbaads js^e withal .the civileft daatnves in the 
World. It's an Entertainment for a Prince, it^s a meer 
Comedy to mectoftethePianksIdo.^^MayheyoaVe 
aheady fmitten fomebody,««-<- Have ^a Jiad no luck 
jwt-? People .&ssm'd iibe ypu are more worth than 
Golds— yott'^rpitf a:Sh^peio be^lCackold-Malw. 



Ho R A c B . To conceal nothii^g.£rQm you of ^ n^ed 
Truth, I\ne Jbsd iiene a certain Xiove-Advontiu^, and 
Tm obliged in^Friendlhiip to acquunt yon xnth it. 

AiLNOLPH.4^^.] G^. Here^s fome «uBw^Kiaggiih 
Story to miiuifie doiw» in j»y Rocket-Sook. 

Horace. BatJl)qs« fcmimrflr^ ,tUs MaHer mqr be 

*ScC3«t. 

Atatos^^Pji. pQh ? 

Horace. Yoa're not igx^^aaa^ ^^At .on Aefe Oeot- 
^> if d fio:»et ^ts Air it >bnaks all our Meafiiw. 
^n freely ccnf^ tt'y^ <tben« tibAt a^prtai* Bair^one in 
^Plase ia» ^tivated my Hsart, MyfmaU fin- 
^•HM JiaMe knmcdiaiely had fo AUK:h.Suc(Ee(6» ti^t 
ire obtain'd SLi^sMmtUKR ioims «m1 w^ithoat 

boafting 



1)8 L*EC0LB DtS FEBfMKS. 

Be, fims trop iiieTaiitier« ni Im Sin one injury 
Mei afiuies y font ca fert bonne poftore. 

Arnolphb #»rM»/.] H^? C*eft? 

Ho It AC B ^/ moutrmnt It kgh d'Jguex,'] Un jeoat 
objet qui log^ en ce logu, 
Dont vons voyez d*ici que les man fimt Ttyaig& i 
Simple, 2 la verit^, par Tentar fims (econde 
D*un homme qui la cacbe an commerce da monde \ 
Mais quiy dans Tignoiance oa Ton vent TaiTervir, 
Fait briller des attraits capaUes de ravir, 
Un air toat engageant> je ne f9ai8 qaoi de tendre, 
Bont il n*eft point de corar qui fe poifle d^lendre. 
Mais peat-^tre il n*eft pas que voos n'ayez bien tqt 
Ce jeune afire d*amour de tant d'attraits ponrm i 
Cell Agnis qu^on Tappelle. 

AaMOLPHE apart,"] Aht Jecr^vCi 

HoKACB. PoarThomme, \ 

Ceft, je aois, de la ZoafTe, oa Source qa*<» !e fiomttt. ^ 
Je ne me fois pas fort arr^t^ far le nom ; ^ 

Riche, i, ce qu'on m*a dit i mais det plus fenfes^ noB^ 
Et Ton m'en a parl^ comme d*an ridicale. 
Le connotiTez-voas! point ? 

AanoLPHB ^/«r/.] La flcheafe pilule f 

HoRACB. He I Voas ne dites mot ? 

Arnolpmb. He 001... jeleomnd. 

HoRACB. Cefl an fba, n*eft-ce pas? 

Arnolprb. He«. • 

HoRACB. Qu^en dites-voos ? Quoi? 
H^, CtSi'l^rt^ ooi. Jaloax a faire rire ? • 
Sot ? Je vois qa*il en eft ce que Ton m^a pa dire. 
Enfin Taimable Agnis a f9u m'aflujettir, 
Ceft on joli Ujoa, poor ne voos point mentiri 
Et ce feroit peche, qa*ane beaute fi rare 
-Fat WSit au poaT<Mr de cet bomme Inzarre. 
Pour moi tous mes efforts, tous mes vorax les irfaadooK 
VoQt I mVn rendra aaitrc on depit do jaloax ip 

' ' ^ Et 



53&^ Sen 00 L far yfiyi^ 139 

boafting of my felf too much, or doing her an Injury, 
my ABdrs with her are in a mighty good Pofture. 

^RNOLPH /at^^ifig''} Ha, ha, whois't? 

Horace pointing to Agnes* j Loi/ging,'] A yoang 
Creature that lodges in the Hoafe with red Walls you 
fee yonder."— Simple indeed fhe is, thro' the matchlefs 
Folly of a Man who hides her from all Company ; bnt 
amidft that Ignorance to which he woa*d enflave her, 
(he difcovers Charms that wou*d throw one into Rap- 
tares ; an Air moft eng^ifig, and I know not what of 
Tendernefs, which ho Heart is proof againfl. But, 
perhaps yoaVe often feen this young Star of Love, 
adom*d with £o many PerfedUons. They call her 

Arnolph ajde.'} Oh F I burft. 

Horace. As for the Man, 'tis, I think la Zouffe, 
or Sourci, that they call him ; I don't much conc^n 
myfelf about his Name. He's rich, by what they told 
nie» but not over-wife. Tl^y talk'd to me of hima& 
a ridiculous Fellow. D'ye know him ? 

Arholph afiJeJ] A hitter Pill F 

Horace. What I don't'' you anfwer ^ 

Arnolph. O, ay— I know him. 

Ho rac£. He is a Fool, is not htl 

Arnolph. He h 

Horace. How now ? what d^ye iay to't? ileh! 
tHat means Yes. Ridiculoufly jealous : Fool ? I find 
lie's joft as I was told. In ihort, the lovely Jgnes has 
conquer'd me i to tell you the truth, lhe*s [a charming 
Creature, and 'twould be a Sin to let a Beauty fo ex- 
traordinary remain in the Power of this whihifical 
Wlow. For my part, all my Endeavours, [all my moft 
P^onatc Wiflies are, to make her mine, in fpite of 
^ jcidQtts Wretch 1 ud the Mony I was fo free to 

bOROW 



140 L^Ecx^tt d««Fjb wills. 

• He rnrgat *q«e -de tous jVanpnmteavec ^findiufe, 
N'dl 'C[nc ]^Mr nettK a'faoiit'iMttc jufte* cntKprHe. 
Vous ffarezittieiix que moi, qudques Toiisfit ti«B^rtS| 
{Qw raignt eft Jaxl^ de ^mi8%s;gnmds .r^!!brts» ; 
&t que ce d«m mtolqul fhtppetaiit de4dtes^ 
'Sb 'smoofy cQuuiie en gueiie, n^vanoe ies Lunqsotti. 
'Vont me ^femblez chagrin. '6eroit-oe -^n^en eSet 
"Yoos d^prooveriez It deffein qoe-j^ai £tic f 
AitKOi.TrB. Non^ c*eft t[iie je ^feng e ois . . • 
Ht>RACB. -Cet lentretien vonslafli;. 
Adiea. J4nu chesB vous lantot ToosTendre grace. 
^ AtLTtOLnM/fcro^ant/eitl,'] Ah f Tatit-«I ... 

Ht>RACE ri'uenajit,'] Deredief,-vcnillttB^toeffifcret, 
Bt n^allez pas, de grace, Center mon fecret. 
AkkoisPhe fi croyant feuLI Que je fens dans mo& 

ame. .. 
Horace revenant.'] Et fintoot 2 mon fitt, 
tjm si'en icroit pcnt^tre un fiijct 4e co!&«. 
Arji OLPHB trcyant ptIhracfrroi9iitt «r«rr.]'Oh... 
XfiuL^ Oh1t2aej^ifooftrtduiantcctcntrcdail 
Jamais trouble d*efpritiie At i%al anmtien. 
Atcc qndUe imprudence, 4s qudle hate e3ctrem^ 
II m'eft venu conter cette 2d{aire<d moi-mSme f 
Bien que mon autre nom le tienne dans Vtxrtor, 
Etonrdi montra-t-S jamais tant de "fiutur^ 
Mais ayan< tant foixfiert, je devois me t:o mrai i ti he 
Juiques i m^^claircir de re que jedois cr a lmirc, 
.Aj)Ottffer}uiqa'*att bout Ion caquet indMcret^ 
"Et fj^voir i^leinement leur commerce ibcret. 
TichoBs de Ic rejoinfire, 11 n'*eft pas loin, je penfe; 
Tiransen de ce feittdidere confidence. 
}e tremble dn madheur qui m*en .peut ariiver, 
Xt Ton ttodhe foutent j^us qtt*^an ae^veot cnnnrer. 



ACTE 



fS^ School. j^ Wftvrs. 141. 

borrow of 70a, is £x no other purpoie but to bring 
aboat this laudable Entaprife. You know better than 
Ii that whatever, wt undertake. Gold is the Mafter- 
Key ; and that: fwdot Metal which diflrafo fa man/ ^ 
Heads, procures the Vldory in Love as well as War, 
Eat methinks you dovft ftem pifca/d : isiic that yoa dif- 
8ppixnrani|rfoDgeft'i. 

HoEACB. This Convedation tire» yam: Farewd; 
ril come b^HBdib]fitQ^7Oin::Hjbai^t»rtliintt:70a; 

Arn LP H:/i»'«ifoj>^K»^^^i&M:]*WhM?f'iDnll Hf-^' 

Horace cg/w^&gfifc]' Oner mora, I faifbeBii yo» 
tobe war}^. aodnot^gcPtadiTttl^nif' Saoner.. 

ARN0L#«:iM«l/a^'Mi5^^«te»4 Whac^iiirSaA 

HofrAcE'riMvisgf fenk]. EifMOillyt tSP myi BAhoi^ 
who wottld^nufee^t perhapt a ibbf^^of^ Anger. 

Arnoi/PH' tJ^mki9^i^/i'€mm^iatMagai0.l Ok t^ 
[alone-.]- Oh V what have- 1 ihfflBied' donng thi» DiT- 
^orfe ! never V«xatietiway«q«il: fore tan^ne ! With 
what Impmdhice and* wtot.ffiBttcnMiHaftohexuMrto 
give an Account of this^Bftfiitell' w ntevay Mil Tta* 
^f other Ntaie keejB him in an Error, yet did ever 
any Har-hniaa- run- oa> ib^ fnrioaffly^f But hawng fof* 
fer*d fo modi, I ihoald' have dieck'd my felg tiU I 
^ difeovei'd what I lonrey reafon to apprehend ; I 
&OQld have enconnqpd his feolifh Babbling to inform 
®y ielfperftaiy-theRby, of* what is carrying on- jpri- 
^^^Y between *em. Let^ try tcf^ join him again, he*8 
^ got £u>, I believe ;. let'fr w«MnM»nto£hini^the wbok 
Secictef thiaiMMK LtmsUe fon ibus of. the Mis^- 
^''rtQne thafjM9» beUme by. fa^aingi^ oaa^emftaki' 
a&or what one would not find. 



ACT 




i4t L*EcoLB DBS Femmes. 
A C T E II. S C £ N E I. 

ARNOLPHE. 
[L m*eft, lorfque j*/ penfe, avantageaz tm 
doQte 
D*av€ir perdo mes pas, & pu manqner & 
rooie: 

Carenfin, de mon conir le trauUe imperianc 
H'cot pa ie renlermer tout entier a fes Teux, 
Heat fidt ^dater Teiiniii qui me devore, 
Et je ne voudrois pas qu*il f9Ut ce qu*il ignore. 
Mais je ne fuis pas homme i gober le morcean, 
Et hiffer on champ lihre aox yeux d*an damoiieaa s 
pen Teux rompre le coorsy ft/fimstarder, apprendxe 
Jufq^oa rintdi^ence entr*eax a pu s*etendre : 
jy prends poor mon honneur on notable interet ; 
Je la regarde en fenime» aux tennes qu*elle en eft ; 
EUe n*a pa iaiUir fims me coovrir de honte, 
Et tout ce qu*eUe fait enfin, eft fur mon compte. 
Eloigoemeat bxall Voyage malheureox I 

\llfraffiifaf9rte. 



S C E N E II. 
ARNOLPHE, ALAIN, GEORGETTE. 

Alain. 

AH ! Monfiear, cette fbis . • . 
Arnolphb. Faix* Venca-9a tous deox.^ 
YzSSffiAliy paflesB-lit. Venez-U, venez, dis-je. 

Gb ORGETTB. Ah! voos AC fiutcs peur, h teal 
man fang ic fige« '' 

Ar- 




3^ School for 'Wtvst. 143. 
AG T II. SCENE I. 

A R N O L P H. 

1 1 S Lack for me, I really think, that I ~ 
loft my Walk, asul mifs*d of the way he 
went ; for in fiiort the overbearing Coufa- 
fion of my Mind could not have en^re- ' 
\y conceaPd itfelf from him ; *twoald have difcoverM 
the Grief that preys upon me, and I would not have 
him know what he is ignorant of at prefent* But 
I'm not a Man that can put up this Matter, and leave 
the Spark at liberty to purfue his Defign. I am re- 
folvM to break the Neds: on^t,^. and learn hnmediate- 
I7 how &r Afiairs have been canyM on between 
diem. I take it, that my Honour is deeply concerned 
therdn ; as the cafe fiands, I confider her as a Wife 
already. She can't be tardy but *twiil redound to my 
Shame, and whatever flie does will be placed to my 
Account. O &tal Abfence! unhappy Journey ! 

[Knocking Hi the D99r. 



S C £ N E II. 
ARNOLPH, ALLEN, GEORG^TTA, 

A L L I N« 

AH! Sir, thisdme-— . 
Arrolph. Be quiet. Come hither both of 
ye : That way, that way. Come along, come along, 
I fey. . 

GBoacsTTA. Ah! you frighten me ! all my Blood 
TttOftcoldl 

Aa- 



t44 L*EcoL£ dssFemb^ss. 

iUiHMJPHB. Ceft doac ainfi c[a*abrait, yoa m% 
veiobfi? 
Etf (OQi deux de conctrtp tous m^avez done trahi I 
Gbo«obttb itmbamt^Mut genmuf d*Am9lfbe\W^ 
ne me mangpe paj» Mbnfiear, je voos conjoit. 
Alain apartnl Qodqoe ducQ tmzgi Ta mnda, je 

m*afibre. 
Aritopr* tf'^tftf.] Oaf; Jenepois parler, tantje 
ftiiapr6iremr;' 
JrACbque; fc votKfrdi me'potxvoir mettre nod. 
[i'iAinrGf Ghtgrtu:} Vbus av€t done fonfirt, 6a- 

imiUeattR^tev 
(^*lin honmeioit venu . . . TVi yenx prenftre la fbite^ 
n* ftot qoe fizr le diamp. . Si tu bou^ . . Je vesz 
Que Ton^xnedifiear. • . • Hf f Ooi, je venx qae m 

OvQF • • • • 

[jlSbffV GT' GetTgtttt Ji *levenf, GT* wuleni enmt 
s'iffftfir.f 
Qoloonqoerettmeta; per Ui morr^ je raflomme. 
Ctanne eft^ce'que cKez nroi s'eil' introdait cet lioiiunc f 
Hi? ¥Mtzi Depe^hefe, vtte; prcmtement, tot^ 
Sans revet,, veotmn' dire? 
AcArN'tt'SaaaofeTTB. Ab, ah! 
Gbobgbttb ntomtant a»x genoux i^jtrttol/ii']^ 

conn* mc fiaCk 
Alain retomhaut aux genoux d^Jmo^be,'] Jeineaif* 
AkNOLPHB^/«r/.] Jefiiiaeiiesiu: prenoosonF^ 
d*Ji^Bet 
Iliaatqaej9m*evente» 1^ que je me pnunoie. 
Aarois-je devini, qiiand^jei*^ to petit, . 
Qa*llcroitroitpoorcela? Gdl C^ mon conir pitit ! 
Jrpe&fe qa*i! vaat mieux qnedc (a pnopre boacbiBr 
Jcr drerayecr doaoenr T^l&te qui me toache. 
Tachons a mod^rer notre xe£fentiiiieBt ; 
P4ticncei mon conir, doacemenc, doucement. 
ii Jlaiu Gr a Georgette.} Levez-voos^ & icntiant Si' 
tes qu^ Agn^ delcaide. Axz 



fhe Sc H 00 L for yi^i VMS. 145 

Arnolph. Is this the way youVc obeyed me la 
ly Abfence ? and have you both betrayM me by Agree- 
lent ? 

Georoetta /t:l/ing at ArnolphV J/f/.J Oh I 
on'tcatmc, Sir, I befeech you. 
Allen afide.1 I'm certain fome mad Dog has hit 
b. 

kx^o'Lvviafide^l Ugh! I am*t (peak I caaie ib 
il, Tm ilified ; wou'd I cou'd throw off all mjr 
lothes. [7i» Allen tfWGeorgetta.] Ye corfed Scoaa- 
rels, youVe per]nitte4 a Man to come then, have y« 
— What, weald you run away ? — You muft this 

tftant if you flir PU have you tell nfe. 

gh! Ay, rU have you both — — S'death I whoever 
in m murder him •— How came that Man into 
tyHoufe? Hehl— — fpeak, IFanting.'l make hafte, 
lick, difpatch, in a MomQit« without confidering ; 
raiyctdlmc? 



Allen tftfi/GBOncBTTA. Oh! Oh! 
QtQxzrTk falling at Amolph's Feetnl I fwoQiu . 

^'^izisk falling at Arnolph*/ Tttt^ I die. 
Arnolph tf/?i/#.] I'm all over ina Sweat: I^me 
^t a little Breath. I muft walk and cool myfelf. 
^uld I have imagined when I faw him a litde One« 
lat he would grow up for this! HekvensJ what my 
icart endures \ •Twou'd be better I think to draw 
om her own Mouth by kind Uiage an Account of 
luit concerns me. Let me try to moderate my PaA 
on. Patience, my Heart, gently, gently. \To AI- 
.VouIIL C }m 



44* L^EcotE DtsFsMMBS. 

Amttoz. £a fari.^ 8a forprife ea deviendroit mdns 

gnmde, 
Dn chagrin qai me troable, 3s iroient VarcTtir, 
Et moi-meme je veox Taller fidre fortir. 
la Alain 6f a Georgeiti.'\ Que Ton m'attende id. 



SCENE SI. 
ALAIN, GEORGETTE. 

Georgette^ 

MO N Dieu, qu'il eft terrible \ 
Ses regards m'cflit feit peur, mais une pear hor* ' 
rible, 
£t jamais je ne vis un plus hideux thfetlen. 

At A in. Ccmonficturrafache, je teledifoisbien. 

GsoROETTS. Mftis qoe diantre eftd)^, qtf*a?cO 
tant de radefle 
II nous ^t aa logis garder notre maitrefTe ? 
JfovL vient qu^a tout le monde il veut tant la cacher^ 
Et qu'il ne f^auroit voir perfonnc en approcher ? 
Alain. Ceft que ceCCe aftioni le met en j^loxifie. 
GfioRCB'T TB. Mais d'ou tidvt qtt*U eft pris de cet' 

te fantaiiie ? 
Alaim. Cda vient ..... Cela vient de ce qu'il eft 
jal6ux. 
' GiiOROBrrE. Oeot; m^s potfrqODi^ fgft^il ? Et 
posrqfQOfi ce courromr ? 
Alain. Ceft que la. juloufie . . . £Afi«nds-ffa bien, 
Georgette, 
£ft an« chofe ... la ..; qui fait qtt'#n s^inquiete • . 
Et qui chaiTe les gens d*autour d'une naifon. 
Je m*en vais te bailler une comparaifon, 
Afindc concevoir la choie davantage. 
J^i-mcn^ n*eft-it p&d vrai, quand to tiei^ tonpcftage. 



*J^ S C H OO L /^ W I V E 1^. 147 

fen M Georgetta.] Rife, gjct ye in, and bid Agnes 
come down. Stay. \^Afide^ They'll go tell her the 
Uneafinefs I'm under, and fhe'Il be the lefs furpris'd. 
ril fetch her out myfelf. ^0 Allen i2«^ Georgetta.] 
Wait here for me. 



SCENE III. 

A L L E N, G g O R G E T T A. 

Georgetta. 

GOod-la^' ? how terrible he is ! his X^oks frighttti 
me horribly; asid I never faw a more hideous 
Chriitian. 

Ai^LBN. That Gentleman has angerM him, I toM 
you fo. . ' . 

Georgetta*. But what the Deiice is the matter 
that he makes us keep in our Miilrefs with fo much 
^triibiefB f Why woti'd he hide her thus from all the 
World, aid cannot bear to fee any body come near her? 

Allen. *Tis becaufe this Aflair makes Jiim jealous. 

Georgetta^ But how comes this Fancy into his 
Head?- 

Allen, it c;oirffes it cofties, becauft h]e*fi 

jealous I 

GEOJLGETTA..Ay ;. but wherefore is he fo? and 
why this PaiHon ? 

Allen. It's becaufe Jealoufy . . . d'ye underiland 

me right, Georgetta^ is a thing -?— which makes 

People uneafy *^ and drivies 'em all round the Houfe. 

ru give you a Comparifon^that you m^y conceive it 

better. Now tell me the Truth, when you've got a 

Mefc €f Porridge, if^fome greedy Gut ftould come to 

G X- «t 



,1^' L*EC0LE DESpEMMtS. 

Que fi qoelque afiame venoit poor en manger, 
Tu ferols en col ere, Sc voadrois le charger i 

Georgette. Oui, je comprends cela. 

Alain. Ceft juflemept toat comme. 
La femme eft en effet le potage de rhomme, 
£t quand un homme Toit d*aatres liemmes par feis^ 
<2ai yeuleat dans fa foape aJIer tremper leurs doigts, 
II en montre auffi-t6t\ine colore extreme. 

Gborgbttb. Qui: mais ppurquoi chacan n*e| 
fait-it pas de meioe/ ^ 
£t que nous Jtn. wyons qud jKLfoilTent joyeoZf 
Lorfqne learsiemines font avec les beaux monfieoxl 

Alain. Ceft que chacan n*apas cette amiui^ goolai 
Xini ii*en reut que poor foS. 

pEORGETTB. Si jc n^ai la berlttc, 
Je le vols qui revient. 

Alain. Tes jrcux font bons, c'eft Im. 

t^EORGBTTB. Voi comftie il eft chagrin. 

Al Ai N. Ceft qu*il a de Tennui. 



SCENE IV. 
ARNOLPHE, ALAIN, GEORGETTE, 

A R N o l p H B '2 fart. 

UN certain grec difoit k rempereur Augufte, 
Comme une inftru£Uon utile, Mutant que jufie. 
Que, lorfqu^iine avanture en colere nous met. 
Nous devons, avant tout, dire notre alphabet ; 
A£n que dans ce terns la bile fe tempere, 
£t qu^on ne iaife rien que Pon ne doive &ire. 
Pai fuivi (a le9on fur le fujet d' Agnes, 
Et je la Mi vcnir dans ce lieu tout expret 
•Sous pretexte d*y feire ui^ tour de promenade,* - 
^n que ks foupgons-de mn efprit malade 

Puiffcrt 



eat ]( from yoa, wou*dn*( you &11 in a PatBon and be 
read/ to beat him ? 

GEoacBTTA. Ay, I underfland tbat. 

AtiBH. It's juft in the fame manner. Womair re»» 
ally is a Man's Porridge ; a^ when sr Man feea other 
Folks endeavouring to dip thdr Fingers in his Porridge^ 
k flies immediately into a violent Fury. 

G£b RG E T T A . Ay ; but why doesn' t every Body da» 
fo alike ? Why fee we fbme that a^ppesa pleased when 
tlieir Wives are with fine Gentlemen ? 

Ali^ek. Becaufe every body hasn'( this gluttoncut' 
Love, that would keep all to itfclf. 

Gboroeitta. If my Eyei arc not Varied, I k^ 
Um coming. 

Allbn. Your Eyes an good i 'tis he.* 

GioROBTTA. LoA how melancholy he is» 

Allbn. That's becaufe he's vex*d. 



S C£N E .IV. 

ARNOLPH. ALLENi GEORGETTA. 

A a n o & F H afids. 

A Certain GneA told Jugujlms the Emperor^ a« a 
Maxim equally ufdU and reafonable, that when 
any Accident puts us in a Paffion, we Ihould firft of 
afl repeat the Alphabet ; that in the naean while our 
Anger may abate, and we may do nothing which we 
ought not to do. This Advice I*ve followed in the Af- 
fair of Jgnef; and I have brought her on purpofe hi* 
tiier> under pretence of taking a Walk, to the Intent that 
the Safpicions of mj diibrderM Mind may attfiiUy bripg 
G 3 this 



PjiifTent fi|r le diicours la xpettre udmil^^mtp 
£c, lui fondant le coeur, Veclairclr d^uQ^meot. 



SCENE V. 
ARNOLPHE, AGNES, ALAIN, GEORGETTE, 

Arn olphe. 

VEnez, Agnes. 
la Akin ist Georgitte.'] Rentx«2. 



S C E N E VI. 
ARNOLPHE, ApNES. 

Arnolphb. 

LA promenade eft boUe. 
As^H^^- Fojt belle, • . • 

Agnes. Fort beau. 
\Arnolphb. Qgelle nouvelle ? 
Agn Es . Le petit chat eft mort, 
Arn olphe. Oeft donunage ; mais quoi ? 
Nous fommep toofi n^ortels, & ckK:i)n eft poor Tot. 
Lorftfue j'etois aux champs, nVt-il point Faitde playc? 
Agnes. Non. " . ' 

i A*N.ex.pjHE. Vous.^nayojti'il i - , .- .j : 
^AcNfs. j[amais j|e Jtue m^eiUKuy?. 
-AtNojLpHB. Qii'wii-vWs fait'.encox ces ncuf ou 

dix jours-ci ?* . " ' 
'Abis^Es.. Sixchemifes, Je penfc,. & fix coeffes aufS. 
'AitNOLfirE aprh avoir un^eurfi^,'] Le monde, 
' , • chei-e'A'gnfe, cft-une etrange chofe. 
V^ei l2t. Mdifynce, &- cbmme chaeua caufe. 
Q^qfites v<Mii&£ in -o&t dlr qii^un jeane liom^e ieeesna 
Etoit ea Jiutvafa^Bse & k inaifeA ise^jD^ 
^ - . - • ftje 



this Difcoarfe about fo as to di?e iato her H^t, and 
clear np the Matter gently. 



SCENE V. 
ARNOLPH, AGNES, ALLEN, GEORGETTA. 

• A B. N i. r H. 

COME ^ngjs ITo Allen end Qeorgettsi.] Qet 
jrein. 



S C E N E VL 
A R NT O L P H, A G N E 8. 

A KR O LP R« 

JT^IS finewalku^ 

1. Agnks, Very fine. 

Arm L p H . A charming Day f 

Agnbs. Mi^ty charming. 

Arnolph. -What News have ye? 

Agnes. The little Cat is dead. 

Arnolph. It's pity: But what? we're aH mortal, 
and every one for himfclf. Did'nt it rain whilft I wa$ 
in the Country ? 

AoNEs. No. 

Ark L p H . Were yon not tired ? 

AoNBs. I never am tired. 

Arkolph. But what have you done thefe nine of 
ten Days? 

Agne«. Six Shirts, I think, and likewife fix Cap». 

Arnolph having mu^d mj^hile^ This World is a 
ftrange World, ^y dear AgH9$. Obfervc the Scandal, 
and how every one prattles. Some o* the Neighbours 
^ve been^ telling me that a young Man, a Stranger* 
^me to my HQuft in my Abfeace* and that you per^ 
G 4 xnitted 



Igi L^ECOLI DISF^MMZS. 

Qoe voas aviez foaflSnt fa vue 8c fes haraogaes ; 
Mais je n*ai point pris foi fur ces mechantes langues, 
£t yai vodtt gager qae c*etoit ^laiTement . . . 

Agnes. Moa Dica, ne gagez ipas, vous perdriea 
Yraimeiit. 

Aenolphb. QomI Ceft la verite qn^an hommt . • 

Agues. Chofe fare. 
n n*a prefqoe boage de chcK nous, je vohs jure. 

Aemolphb itfi a fart,"} Cet avea qu*el]c &it avee 
iinccrite 
Me marque poor le znoins fon ingenait^. 
[Atfx/.^ Mais 11 me femble, Agnes, £ ma memoire eft 

bonne, 
Qoe j*avois defenda que voas vifEez perfonne. 

AoMEs. Oul; nuus quand je Tai vu, voiuij^oriei 
poarquoi, 
Xc vons en aariez hit fans doute autant que moi. 
AaMOLPHS. Peat-etre: mais en£n,- contez-moi 
cette hifloire. 

Agnes. Elle eft fort etonnante Sc difficUe i croire. 
petois fur le balcon a travailler au frais, 
Lorfque je vis paifer fous les arbres d*auprcs 
tin jeune homme bien £ut, qui, rencontrant ma vue^ 
D^une humble reverence auila-tot me falue : 
Moi, pour ne point manquer a la civiHte, 
Je fis la reverence auffi de mon cote. 
Soudain *1 me refidt une autre reverence : 
Moi, j^en refais de mime une autre en diligence; ] 
£t lui d*une troiiieme auffi-tot repartant, * 
D*une troifieme aufli j*y repars i Tinfiant. 
II pafie, vient, repaife, & toujoiirs de plus bdte 
Me fidt a chaque fois reverence nouvdle : 
Et moi, qui tous ces tours fixement regardois* 
Nouvelle reverence aoffi je lui rendols : 
Tant que, fi fur ce point la nuit ne fut vcnoe^ 
Toujours comme cela je me ftrois tenue^ 

Ne 



JJ^fSCHOOL/tffWlVlSi ^ iSS 

mittri liim i6 fee and talk with you. Bat I gave no 
Credit to thefe flandeiing Tongues, and would l^velald . 
aWageritwas felfe ■ 

Agns8. Lack-a-day, ddn^t lay, you^ll certainljr 
lo/e. 

Arnolph. Whatf is it true that a Man -— « 

Agnss. *Twas really fo. He fcarce flirr'd out of 
our Houfc, I'll fwear. 

Arnolph afide.'] This fincere Declarati<m fhews 
me her Ingenuity liowfver. [Aloud, \ But, mpthinks, 
AgHe$, if I remember right, I forbad your feeing any 
body. 



Agn £8. Yes : But tho* I law him, you don^t know 
the Reafon of it. You'd certainly have done fo as well. 
a»I. 

Art^olph. That may be; but> in ihort, tell mt 
how this Matter was. 

AoiiBs« It's very furprifing, and almoft incredible* 
I was out in the Balcony a working in the freb 
Air, when I faw a well-made young Man pafs along, 
under the Trees juft by, who perceiving me look at 
him, immediately bow'<i to me very refpedUully : ^I^ 
not to feii in Civility, letum'd him a Curtly. He. 
prefently bow*d to me again, I took care to make-hiia 
another Curtfy ; and he bowing to me a third time», 
I alfo inftantly anfwerM with a third Curtfy . He walked, 
to and fro, making me every time the handfomeft Bow 
that couM be, and I, who look'd at him eameftly all : 
the while, made him as many Gurifies: So that if 
Ni^t had not come on, I fhould ilill have continued' 
ia that jaanner* being unwilling to give overi or to lie 
G* 5 under 



154^ L^BcokE i^'s Wuuixkt 

Ne yoohnt point cedet» ni reeevoir ¥^miA 
Qo^il me pat eftimer meioi civllt ^vn kii. 

AnNOLPHE. Fortbien. 
'>Ag!c Bf . L<- lendemaui^ ^tent fiv iiotse poxlf^ 
Une vicille in*aborde en parlant de la forte : 
Mon enhnt, h boa Dieu paifle-t-zl voos b^ur, 
Bt dam tous-ros attrait» l^g-teoM VQm laintunbt 
II. ne vous a pas £dte one beUe peribaiM, 
Afin de nud-nfer <ks ckoki ^il vtus disnne i 
Bt voas devcis f^airoif qas vctte S|{vcz bl^de 
Un €ahir» qui de i'en plaindre eft ai^ouisd'iiul fivdr 

Arnolphe a fart.'] Ah I fuppot de Satao^ exitfl^ 
ble damnee ? 

Agn£s« Moi, j'ai bleffe qaelqu*an? fis-je toute e- 
tonnee. - . , 

Our, dit-eUe, bleiTe, mftis bkfletout ddi>flB, 
Et c'eft rhommc qu'hier vous vites du balcon* 
Rflas*'Qii pourroit, dis-je, en svdir ^te cauTc f . • 
Surlui, fansypenfer, fis-je cheoir quehpcckofef 
Non, dit-elle, vo6 yeux out fidt oe c^^p &taU 
Sc c^elt de Icairs regards quVft vena toot fon mat. 
HSf monDiea! ma furpriie eft, fis-j^, {aesfecoadej 
Mes yeux ont-ils da mal poar en doxiner au mon^el 
Oui^ fijt-dk, vos yeux pour caufer le trepan,. 
Ma filte^ ont on venin que vous ne f^avez pas* 
En un mot, il languit le jauvre miferable j 
it s'il faut, pourfuivit la vieille charitabfc^ ^ 
Que votre craaute lai refufe un iecoors^ 
C^eft an Komme i porter en terre dans deux joiun& 
Mori'Diea ! J'en aurois, dis-je, unpdouleurbienfiaijdc* 
Jtlais poar le fecourir, qu'eft-ce qu'il me demande I 
Mon enf^t,; me dit-elle, il ne vpit obtenix 
Q^ le bien d^ vous voir & vous entretenir ; 
Vos yeux peuvent eux ieuls empccher fa ruinfe, 
Et dunuil qu'ils'ont fait etre la medecine. 
Helas! Volontiers, dis-je, &, puifqu'il eft auifi, 
li peut tant qu'il voudra me venir voir ici. 



cojiiplaifant than he. , . 

A(?¥4»-*Tk« JX^9i^^y 'hm%M pqr Ppor, »n old 
Woman cmfi ^9 mi ^4S^^94k pk ^^ ^^ nanaex': 
My Chil4, vm ^i HiB»^9}bl¥s (l«te, and loKg pM- 
ferve thee in &1| j£[y. S^Hty i It h^s not isacte the« fiicll 
a loyely CrefttiHrc^.fqr tbM to viifenpicy ks Gifte : ani 
thoa {ho|^d'il.^«ow« %t.tWu Ima ivoundcd tMPi Hcait 
Vfiucb A^l^/i^^^ ^€Qin(>l9i4^ of k, 

ARiioL,ii«4i^*} ^l AseatofdwDifva; dimn*4 
curfed Jade,!^ 

Agnes. 1 1 Ij^ve J wounded SMsy Body ? aafwer'd I, 
quit^«ft<Mtiih*d* Woiindodl Ay^^ th<m hsUl wpunded 
him m^6^, cfm dm 1 aad it's thi Gcntlemaa thoa 
^iv«ft&0Q^th«[Balc<3fiyy^erday. Absl faysl^ how 
could I poiTibly do it ? Did I throw any thing down 
upon him caiek% ^ N«»« repto fhe, thine Eyes havf 
giv<a thf latal Str<ike«. aad ic*8 from thtir Glances all 
^is Hurt proceeds. Good lack J fays I, I'm furpris'd 
^he moil that ever w^ h can my Eyes do Fec^ any 
^<A J i^y, Daoghier^ cries flie, thine Eyes have a 
(ieadly Poifoa in 'em which thou doft not know oil 
^tiaword, tke poor Wretch is languiihing away, and 
^^ fo l»» cootinoes the clvaritable old Woman, thy 
Cruelty refufes him AiTiftance, he'll be a dead Man in 
'wo Dayi tjgie, Blefs me ! I ibou'd be very fwry for't, 
^^ys I ; but what Afliftancc does he require of me P 
^h Child, cri« ftie, he only requefts the Happinefs of 
^<^eing thee, and talking to ihee : Thine Eyes ^one are 
'Me to prevent his Ruin, and remedy the Mifchief 
they have prpduc'd. Lack-a-day ! with all my Heart, 
%s I, atKi fmce it is fo, he may come to fee me ai 
•^^'Cenash^hasafftiodto't,. 



i$6 L^EcoLt Dta JPs4iMCt. 

AitHoLP«Ba/«ri.] Ah! ttadkt m»afii%;tmfd^ 
fonneafe d'anw^ 
Pdffe Pcnfa' payo- tes ckirHiito tnoief I 

Et pMnroit-jd, aprcs coot, Mroir b tcmUmci^ 
De le kifler nowir fate drone affiflnct ? 
Moi, qui compltii tant anx gait qaVm &tt fiMfiir» 
EtDepnisi fimspleurer, voir on penlec noaiir. 

Arnolfhi Ai»iy«i^.] Toot cola n^ift prd qui 
d*ttii€ ame innocente i 
£t j*eii dois accofer mem abfeoce impni3iBM$ 
Qoi £ui8 gnide A latfie cette bont^ de mcrun 
Expofee anx agaetB des rofes fiBda&eort. 
Je ciaint que k pendard, dans fes voeaxtteoatos 
Un pen plus fort que jea n^ait pdolK lei affidres. 

Agnbs. Qu*avez-voa8? V«K grondea/ cciBcfcm-! 
hie, an petit 2 
£ll-ce qne c*efl mal fiut ce que je wo$ ai dit ? 

Arkolph£. Non. Mais de cette we apprea^^^^ 
les fttites, 
Kf comme le jeune homme a paffe fes vifites. 

Aovis. H^lasf Si voii6f9avie2coinnie3etoitnTif 
Comme il perdtt fon mal fitdt que je le Vi» 
Le pr^fent qu^il m*a fait d'ane belle caflette, 
£t Pargent qu'en ont eo notre Alain St Georgette^^ 
Voas raimeriez ^s doate, & diries comme noos. 

Arkolphb. Otti; mais qde 6ifoit-il etant feol «^ 
vcc vous ? 

Agn^s. II difoit qii^il m'aimoit d^une amoor &>* 
feconde, 
Et me difoit des mots les plus gentils du moAde« 
Bes chofes que jamais rien ne pent egaler, 
£t dont, toutes les fpis que je I'entoids parler^ 
JLa douceur me chatouille, & Ik dedans remue 
Certain je ne fyai quoi, dont je fuis toute ^muc. 



9kScu66 ufir Wi ris. i$f 

Awn^LPu mfidf,') O curfe^ SiMTceref^ f Pcrffimer- of 
S0sbr fit7 Hdl fcwaid tky dMviiAble Wiles I 

AciTBt, 36 lie ft w aw ifld tteti^A a Cure. Don't 
yoa joofilctf ddttk now* Att I had Reafen for what 
I<lldr ttdaftar all, could I have &e Confokace lo 
kt Jilmdwlbrwaatof Hdp? I who am feM of Pi* 
tf fordiore that fofier, t^ I can^fee a Chitkea di» 
without wiqgng. 

AairottFs ^ffifib'l Attthb is odlj the £&ft 
cf an hmocent Mind; asd I muft blamemy own in^ 
discreet Abfenee for it, which Idt this perfea^ Good- 
nefs ezpos'd to the Defigns of sortfdl Sedacers, with- 
out to/ Advifer. I fear the Rafcal, by his impudent 
Pretences, has canyM the Matter femewhat beyond- a 
Jcft. 

Agues. What alls you? keti^ks yon^re a lihTe 
out of Humour. Is it that I did amifs in what I told 
you? 

ArhoIph. No. But tell mt whatfdlow'd upon 
(His Interview, and how the young M^ behaved in his 
Vifits. • . 

Agnbs. Lack-a-dayf didyoubutknowhowhewas 
tranfported, how he loft his Illnefs as ibon as I faw 
Urn, thePFefenthehas made me of a iline^ Cadcet, and 
the Mony oar AUen and Georgetia have had of him» 
yoqM certainly be in Love with him, and fay as we do. 

Ar)9ol.ph. Wefl, but whatdidhe do When hewas 
^one with you? 

Ao N B s. ' He find he- loved me wkh an une- 
qually Paffion; ^d told me in the fineft Language in 
the World, things that nothing evw can come up 
^; t&e Agreteblenefs whei«of delighted nie every 
time I heard him fpeak, and rais'd within me a cer- 
^n I know not wl»t Emotion which intirely charmed 
me. 

Aa- 



JI^S L^EcOkL t «^fi Fs» irms: 

Oa rexaminatear foafie feul tout le mal 1 

\/>mti.^ QMU tPiia4i»4ifiM|iii». MI«rl:oHgMiiUkf 

Stila far 1» liMlifr ^ »!i|(4Jm^>K 
Armolphb. Ne tous a*t-il poio^ fri^; lAglBSi 

Apnm. fn». ... 

AavoiPiit* Hef ' * 

AcNis. Le. . . . 

'Aitvoi.»ii4. PUiMl^ ^ . 
: Aciii>. Jeyofe:: !: • . 
£t vous vous facherez peut-etre contre-moi* 

Arnolphb. MonDiea! Non. 

Ao«B6. Jur^ 4oac votve foi. • 

ARKOi^piif. Ma&i^fojir. 

AghIi.! It 10*9 prjs ^ . .. . Voiip (9m§f^ celfTfi 

ARNOftP^B* Nod, 

Aiciiis. Si* ^ . . . 

, !4Rjiqi,pjfB. Nop,,*WV 1W,JK»U J>mM» que 

dcmyftere! 
Qa^cft^c qi^l voiw a f^il ?: . 

ACiifS. II ... . 

A«iioLpii£ if^rt.} Jt (oi$8kf «R dumiui. 
. • A<2Nfi>< llm'aprislenibsraquevouftm'liviezdDnQe; 
A v^u# dire }e vrai, js n'ai pw in'«ii d^fodra. 

Arnolphb reprenant J^^/eiff.e.'] Paff? pow te raban* 
Mais je voulois apprendre, 
S'il QC vons a rica iait que vous baifer les bras. 



faj Secret, where the Enquiren mUfitHm «H the P^ii | 
[Aoud.] Be««aU..thii!r#^ aHtthefe pretty Ww», 

• ' ••• •' .-• ' •■ • 
AoHis. Oh. to that degree r he took my Hands 
»nd Arms, tad wwoMmr weuy <tf kaft« Vm. 

AnHotPH. Didi* take notkuig dfe.iiom yonJ 

Arnolj»h. Wfc^? 
AcNBs. Trite. , ,.TP 
ARNai-jPH. How? 

Agnes. The> 

Afciia;;,^. Vnm^^y^vm^}' ^ - 

Agkbs. I durft not tell you j for„ yiiv fctw you'll 
^angrywiVme. -^ y ^ 

Arnoj^ph. No. . 

Agnes. Yea Ut 79* willw 

Arno^ph, Udc;ft-4iy, Iwoa't» 

Ag NE 5 . Swear Fuith then» 

AjUfQ^^H. Wdl, Faith. 

Agnes. He took I You'U be in a'Paffion. 

Ariioi,»h. No. 

Agnes, Yes. 

Arnolph. No, no, no; no: Wtet the puce k 
ills Myftcry ? What did ]»e trice fiom yon ^ ' 

AONBB. He ■ r ■> 

Arnolph ajidi,'\ I fuffer Damnation. 

AcKBs. HctookawaythelUbhonyottgaveincitQ 
^ you th« Truth, Icw'dnothdpit. 

Arnolph recovering himfei/.'] No matter for the 
^<^\m BtttIwa»ttokw)ifwJbettoi«diiaethi»g 
«>«kif8 your Hand*. . Ao. 



M6a L^Et^D&i bts F^fHffis; 

Acifis. Comment? Efr«eqa*onfidtd*aatmdlofe^ 
ARNOi.pRs>Nonpis. 
l/bis, poar gnenr do nial qit*il £t qoi le poflede, 
N Vt-il pas exige de vous d*Juitio remede ? 
AcNis. Non. Vons pouTte jogtr, iTil oi cot de* 
mand^ 
Que, pour le iSscourir, faurais toot accord^* 
AnNOLPHB ^Afir/ar/.] Grace anxfaontesdaCid^ 
; j*en jiiis quitte i bon compie. 
S! f y retombe plus, je veox bkn qa*^ m^iOaoXfB: 
Chnt.lhaut.'i Devotreiimocence, Agnes, €*eftimclit» 
Je ne vous en dis mot: Ceqai s*^ fait» eft fiit; 
Je f9ais qu*en voos flatant k^^ant^ne defii« 
Que de vous abufer, & puis aprissHsn rire. 
AgnIs. Oh I point. II mera'<3it plnsdc-fkigticHi 

a moi. 
Arnolphb. AhlViws nit f^avea pas ce-^yie c*<ft 
. que la roi* 
fJisls etin apprenez qu^aceepter des caflettes, 
£t de ces beaux Uondins l^couter ies fornettes. 
Que fe laiffer par eux, i fixece de langueur» 
Baifer ainfi Ies matnt, Ss chatouiOer le coniry 
Eft un pech^ mortcl des plus gros qo'il (e feffe. 
AgnJs. Un pechc, dites-vous? Et la raiioo <ic 

grace? 
AaNOLPHB* Laraifon? Laraifen eft rarric po- 
noiice. 
Que par ces aflions le Ciel^ eft cowrroucei ^ ^ 

Agn^s. Gourroucc? Mais pourqooi fattt-ilqu'ils^ 
' courroucc ? 
Ccft une chofe, helas! fi plaifante & fidoocev 
J'admire quelle joie on goute a tout cda, 
Et je ne f^avois point encor ces chofes-la. 

AnNOLPHB. Oui, c*eft un grand plaifirquctoottf 
ces tendrefles, 

Ces propos fi gentils^ & ces dooces careffes ;- 

l/m 



f2« Sc H 00 L/^r Wives. itfi 

AevKA. Why I do People do other tilings ? 

i4ftivoLPH'» Noy no. But didn^t hede&reof yoa 
Tome other^ Remedy to core Ae Difoxder he bid 
hid feiz'd him. 

AcwEs. No, You may imaginey had he defirM it, 
I fhould have granted any thing to do him good. 

Arnolph a/hfe,} Heaven's Goodnefs be prais'd, 
Tm come cheaply o£ If I fell into the like Miftake ^ 
again, Vll confent to be ill usM. [J/ouJ.} Peace, *ii8 
an Efffeft of your Innocence, J^ftes : I'll fay no more 
of it : What's done is done. I'm fenfibie that by flat- 
tering yon the Spark only wants to impofe upon yoa» ^ 
and afterwards to laugh at you. 

Agnjls. Oh, no; he told me fo above twenty times. 

A1L1101.PH. Oh\ yoa don't know how little he it 
to be bdiev'd. But' in fhort I mufl tell yoa, that to 
accept Caskets and hearicen to the idle Stories of theft 
powdered Fops, to permit 'em, in a languilhing way» 
to kifs yoar Hands and charm yoor .Heart in thit 
manner, is a mortal Sin, the greateft that can be com- 
nutted. 

Aoms. A Sin, d'ye iayl The Reafon, pray? 

Arnolpb. TheReafon? Why the Reafon is, be- 
caufe it's dedar'd that Heaven is offended at faeb 
Doings/ 

Agnes. Offended! Bot wherefore ihoold it be o& 
fended ? Lack-a-day I 'tis fo fwcet, fo pleafant I I ad- 
mire at the Delight one inds in't, and didn't ijkor^ 
thefe things before. - 

Armolph. Ay, ihete*s a great ddil of Ffeafure in 
all thefe Tendemeffes, thcfc conphuiatit Difcourfts, 
thtif fond Embraces ; but Aey .ftoald be tafted 4n 

, an 



Mais il %t le pouter ^n toute Konaet^te^ 
£^ ^'en fe iqarunt, le crifne eix foit ote. 

• Aon is. N'«ft-ce plui ua jp^db^^ lorfque Ton {( 

marie ? 
AnNoi^PHE. Ncvu 

* Agnes. MariezHOioi done prOflHtement* jevoosprie; 
Arnolfhe. Si voos te fouhaitez, je le fouliaite auffi; 

E^poi^ ypus mairier on me revQit ici, 
' AoNEs/ Eftilpoifibte? 

Arkolphb. Oui. 

Aqiies. Qie vou me feresp ai£e I 

Aruolphb. Oui, je ne doute point que Tby^^ 
ne vous plajfe. 
' Acnes. Vous nous voulez, oi^ns deux * * • 

Arnolfhe. Rien de plus aiTar^. 

Aciiis. Que, ficelafe&it, je vous carefleiui* 
, Aj^VOLPUE.rjEie^ la chofe iCera* 4e nui part a:i^t 

proque. 
. A<2N£s. Je ne recomoi^ point, pour moii qa^ 

on fe moque. 
|^le?-vaus tout de bon ? 
.Arnolfhe. Oui, vous le pourr§9i voir^' 
• Agnes. Nous ferons maries? 

Arnolphb. Om, 

Agnes. Mais quand? 
. ARi<o<f.PH9. DesC&fo^. 
, ApN^s riattf,} Des i^ feiir ? 

Arnolfhe. Descefoir. Cela votts&it doQ^ni^^^ 

.JloN'Es. Qui. ' ^ 

^RNOLPRB. Vqua v6irlbi«ii<^9iitQ^ eft oe que JQ 
deiire. 
AcNis. H^l Qgeje vous aigrande obligation^ 
9fiqi»'j|veel(iij'ter9»4»6iliiMMar ' 

A^NOLfHR* Avee^itif 
. ^fiNftS. AvK«« .1^. «; i 



an hmtmmm^ and tlnr SIp Aq44 k9 t^lgai a«Mi|7 
b/ marrying. 
A^m^f U it AA s^Que a jSift whtfi 9 J^yl^imvrj 

lyM? " 

Arnoi^bb. If ycoi dc^e id { d^fifii i^ tm, wi* 
came back o& purpofe t&ms^ty ym* 
Agi|«.^. Jjb tliajt pQfifak i 
AtLvohv^. Yes. 

Arkolfh. Ayy I iktt't <)ii«ftio|L but ^altbipayi 
Hill pleafe you. 
Ac N B s« Will you have U3 tw> ' i m u 
Arnolfh. Nothing aioie certain. 
Agnss. If'itfasib^ IihaU«nb»£$y»ii. 
Arkolfh. And I ihall do the iamefa|r yiHc 

Agkbs. For my part, I do&'t uoderfland wheaPiKH 
pie are in jeft. jyo yoa fjpeak feriou^y .? 

Arsolph. Ay, yottft^fi feeI4o« 
Agnes. We fhall be tnaTry*d then t ' .^ . ^ 
Arnplf^. Yee. 
Agues. Bat when ? 
Arholfh. This rery Evcniftg. 
Agues laugimig,'] This iFery Evening ? 
Arn o L p H . This. y^y. Ei^fm^g. Does it make yoo 
l^g^thett?* • 

Aenis. Yoi. 
A»jK0i.Fs. Ilfi 9IX I>^ir« to fise yott happy. 

Agnes. Lade-SHb)? ( \fm gt99tiY I am oU%'4 (^ 
70a r and whae foti^fii^w iMl I.«9M^ Wtil^ )¥» ! 
Arholpii. WithwkAm^ . . 

Agnbs. With««^iw|ijAi«&i).. / 



^$4 L^EgCLE DBS FlMlf It 

AiiNOLfHB. U . . • li ii*eft pas mem compie^ 
A choifir on Biauri, toiu etes «» pea prcnater 
C«ft un aatre» ca im mot, que je to&s titm ti»epreti 
Et qaaac an jnanficnr, li, je pretends, 8*ii voas plait. 
Dot le mettre aa tombeau le mal dont il vom Une, 
Qtt*aTcc Ini deibnnais tous ronpiea toat coauumt, 
Qoe, vcaant an logis, pourvotre compliment. 
Vous hi ftrmies an ness la porte hmin^emenr^ 
Etloijettant, s*ilhenrte, un gris p^ la fepe&e, 
L*obligiex tout de bon i ne plos y paroitre. 
M^entendez-vons, Agn^f Moi, cache /dans an coiiH 
Oe vocre proced^ je fisrat le temom. 

Aci(B8. Las f II eft'fi bien fait. Ceil 

ARNOLPHt. Abf Qne.de laagage ! 

Acnes. Je n^aurai pas le cceur . • • 

AaN0LPHi« Point de hruit davaAtage. 
IfontesfrUrbaat. - > 

AoNss. Mais, quoi? Vonlez-vpus . »• 

AaNoifPHB. C'eftaflez. 
Je fuis maitre, je parle, allez, obeiflez. . 



A C T E III. ^S C E N E L 

ARNOLPHE, AGNJ28, ALAIN, 
GEORGELTTE. 

^ ' ■ Aeno lf.H b. 

[ U I,^toot a Wen it6, ma joic eft fans fsraflt, 

Vous avez la fuivi mes ordres-i- mcrveille, 
{. Confbndtt de toat point te blondin Tedu^ar. 
£t voili de quoi ^t an iage dire^eur. 
▼otre innocence, Agnes,' avok et4 Arprifc : 
Voyek, &ns y pcn&if, oa vocts vous iBtt mift* 
Vous enfiliez tout droit, fakimon inikrofiiany. * 
\c siaad ^h^w w d*cnfiar^ de timditkni « • • 




f%tSc VLOohfor Vfi vis. i6f 

Aritolph. Him ther^— I don*t talk of him there : 
y^oa*re a little forwani» xnethinks, to choofe an 
Elusband. In a word, it*i another Body IVe got ready 
ibr you ; and as for that Gentleman thape» I intend^ 
by yoor Favour, (even tho* the Mdady he aaoles yoa 
Krith, ihoold be the Death of htm,) that hencefor- 
nrard yon fiiall l»eak off all Acquaintance with him ; 
That when he comei to the Houfe, your Compliment 
Ml be cnrilly to ihut ikt Door upon him» and if he 
bocks, ^row a Slone at him out o* the Window, and 
oblige Jiim In good eanieft to appear there no more. 
D'ye un^rftand me Jgmst PU lie Gonceal*d in % 
Comer, and be witnefi of your Behaviour. 

Agnes. Aluekl he*s fo handfome, *tit«-— • 

Arno.lph. Heh! what a Speech f 

Aches. I flian^t ha* the Heart— 

ARNeLPH. No more dtfputing. Go up Stairs. 

Aghes. But what ? Will yoi^— — 

Arnolpr. *Tis ettOtt|;h rmMbfter; I command, 
go you and obey. 

ACT III. S C E N E I. 

ARNOLPH, AGNES, ALLEN, 
GEORGETTA. 

Aa V o I. p H. 
I.Ndeed every thing has iocceeded well, 
and I*m delighted extremdy : YouVe fbl« 
low'd my Dire^(ms to a Wonder, and utter- 
ly confounded liie handlbme Seducer. This 
^( 18 tf have a difcreet Advifer ; yoor Innoceape, Ag-^ 
'''^ had been inihar'd ; and iee what a Condition you'^ 
^ been in, before you were aware on't. You^ were 
'^u^g dirceUy on inthehlghRoadtoIMaluiDe- 
ibrafiion^ 




i66 L*EeoLE dssFemmes. 

Dt taa» cesdaauM&aux on iipdt trop les coatnttitsi 
lis out de beaux canons, force rubans 8c plum^, 
Oitmds chevtfuxy bblles dents, & des propos fort doox \ 
Mais, oommeje'ircHts dis, la grHi^ eft la-deflbwi 
Bt ce font vrais Satans, dont la goeule alt^i^ 
j)e rhonneur feimniii eherche a iafie car^ : 
Mais efK:ore one fois, grace au foin apporte, 
Vons en iies forlie avec honnotete. 
i/air dcftt)e'rotis ai tu ltd jetter cette pieiw 
Qjii de totis fed defi^iis a mis Pefpdir par teii^^ 
Me conirme enctrmle^x^'lfie^oifitdiffeier 
ii^'rtedfts, oil jeKlis^u'll^dus feif- pr^rer. 
Mais, avanM6ute th6ib^ H eft boti de vbos feke 
Quelque petit (iifeours qtii vbus Ibit iatotaii«. 
[a Georgette {ff ^ ^/^fisr.] Un fiege au fms id. VoflSi 
fi jamais en rien . . . 

GabRGBl-rrf. De t«»0s vos tegons neas fl(«sfoii- 
viendronr bicn^? . • « 1 . 
£et aiitre moiflleur-la nDus eft ftifdit accroiiv : 
Mais • . . . . ' 

Aii A-i N . S*il eatte punais,* je venx jamais ne boii«> 
Auffi-hien'eft-ce jxn fot, il nous a I'autre fois 
Donne deux ecus d'or qui n'etoient point de poids. 

Arn oiiPiri. ifyezioic pour" fiiper' tout ie queje 
-defire, , ,. . . 
Et ^"Guir noire cofttrit,, *Coihme je .^ieais de dire,' * 
Faites venir ici Tuh ou Taultre au retouf 
Le notaire qui loge ati flofti'dtl earifefour' 



A 



sceKe n. i 

A RN aL-PH'l^, A G NEK | 

A RN p i. i»H.E tf^j. 

Gnes, pour m'ecouter, laiffez ja votre ouvrsg^ 
Levez un peu la t^te, ' & tournezle vifag^i , . 



' ?^^ScH00L/r Wives. i^y 

fti-uftioo, had hot I fet you right. One kno\Vs the 
Wzyi of all thefe Blades but too well; they've fine 
Stockings; Ribbons arid tdathers ih slbundance, vaft 
Wigs, good f eeth, and a fmooth Tongue j but I af- 
fure you, there's a cloven Foot underneath, arid they 
are Devils in reality, whofe voracious Appetite en- 
deavours to make a Prey of Female Honour. Howevcf, 
this time, Ihanks to the Cai^ has been taken,- you're 
efc-'p'd with ydxst Viftoe. The Air whcfeiesfith I faw 
you fling that Stone at him, ^Kich hats renderM althis 
Defigns 'hopekfs, makes me ftill more fefolvM not to 
delay the Nu"ptials, ftfr whkh t (old you Co pfefpar^ 
youffelf; • But it's projier, firft of all, to have a little 
talk with you, thsCt may be to yoifr Advatitage. [fb 
Georgetta afilt Alleii.] Brhig ottt a Cha;ir hither, tt 
you eve r 

GEORGErrA. W^ll femembcf ill yout Ififtrudfi- 
ons perfeaiy : T^dthfer Gentleman tliete impos'd up- 
on us : But-^— 

Allen. If ever he gct3 in any mofe, m^ I nievcft 
drink again. Befides heV a Moekhead, he gave us twb 
Crown Pieces t'other Daiy that were not weight. 

Arnolfh. Get what I ordcf'd for Stippier, and sts 
for our Contraft which.I fpokc? of, let (jnedT you fetch 
the Notary hither, th*C livtt « the Cttfrittr of thb 
Market-place. - ^ . 



SCENE ii: 
A R N O L t H, A G N E S, 

|UT away yo»r Work, ^ms, that yoli afiBy hearkifo 
to va» : Hdd yowhMd up a Uttfe^ md cam your 

Face ; 



1^8 L'ECOLX D£SF£MMBS» 

lA, regardez-ffloi la durant cet entretien ; 
£C9 jufqii'au moindre mot, imprixnez-Ie vous bien. 
Je voas epouie, Agnes, Be, cent fols la joarnee, 
Voos devez benir rheur de votre deftin^^ 
Contempler la baiTeiTe ou vous avez ete, 
£t dans le meme tenis ^ulmirer ma bonte 
Qui, de ce vU ^tat de paavre villageoire, 
Voos fait moater au rang d'lxonorable bourgedfi^ 
Et jooir de la couche 8c des embraffemens 
D*un Ixomme qui fayoit tons ces engagetnens/ 
Et dont, 1 vingt partis fert capables dc plaire» 
Le corar a refufe Piionnear qa'il voos vent fiiire.' 
Voos derez toajours, dis-je, avoir devant leu ytuX 
Le pea que vous 6tiez fans ce noeud gloricux, 
Afin que cet objet d*antant mieux vous inftruiie 
A meriter Tetat ou je vous aurai mife, 
A tbujours voos connoitre, & Aire qu*a jamais 
Je polfle me louer de Pa&e que je iais. 
I^ manage, Agnes, n'eft pas un badinage, 
A d^aufteres devoirs le ntag de fbnme engage 
£t vous n*y montes^ pas, i ce que je pretends^ 
Pour etre libertine Sc prendre du bon terns. 
Votre fexe n'eft li que pour la dependance. 
Da cote de la barbe eft la toute-puiflance« 
Biea qu^on foit deux moities de la' ibciite, 
Ces deux moities pourtant n* ont point d*egaliee : 
L'une eft moitie fupreme, & Tautre fubalteme ; 
L*une en tout eft foumife a Tautre qui gouvemes 
Et, ce que le ibldat dans fon devoir inftrait 
Montre d'ob^lflance au chef qui le conduit, 
Le valet a fim maitre, on en&nt i fan pere, 
A fon fnp6ieur le moindre petit frere. 
N*approche point encor de la docilite, 
£t de I'ob^iflance, & de Phumilite, 
Et da profond refpea on la femme doit etre 
Pour fon man, ^Bm chef, fim &ign^r, & fan maitre.' 

Lorfqtfil 



f2/ School/^ Wives. i6g 

Face: There ; look at me fo whilft I'm fpcaking, and 
be fu« remember every Tittle of what I fay. j^gnes, 
I intend to marry you, and you ought an hundred 
times a day to blefs your Fate, to confider the humble 
Condition you were in, apd at the fame time admire 
my Goodnefs, which from the low Station. of a poor 
Country-Girl raifes you to the honourable Rank of a 
Citizen's Wife j to cn^oy both the Bed and the Em- 
braces of a Man who has ihun*d all fuch Engage- 
ments, and whofe Heart has refus'd the Honour *twill 
<lo yon, to twenty People very capable of pleafing. 
Yott OQght> I fay, continually to have in mind, how 
infignificant you wou'd be without this glorious Al- 
liance, to the intent that Confideration may the better 
teach you to deierve the Station I fhall place you in, 
and make you always know your felf, fo that I may- 
ne'er repent ^ what I do. Matrimony, J^jtes, is not 
a trifling thing $ {even Duties are required of a Wife ; 
and I don't defign to exalt iyou to that Condition, for 
yoQ to be a libertine and take your Pleafure. Your 
Sex is meerly dependent in that State, all the Power 
is on the Husband's fide ; tho* they're two Parts of the 
iame Body, yet thofe two Parts are by no means equal ; 
•ne is the fuperior Part, and t'other is fubordinate : the 
one is in all Cafes fubje^ to the other that governs s 
and that Obedience which the well-dlfciplin'd Soldier 
^cws to hb General, the Servant to his Mafter, it 
Child to his Father, or the loweft Monk to his Su- 
perior, comes even very ftw t of the Traaablenefs,. the 
Suliniffion, the Humility, and the profound Refpeft 
^Wch a Wife fhonld have for her Husband, her Chief, 
^er Lord and Maftcr. When he looks ferioufly upon 
Vdl.HI. H her 



^yo L^EcoLE DES Femmes. 

Ldrfqu*!! jette fur elle un regard ferieux. 
Son devoir auffi-t6t eft de baifier les yeax, 
£t de n^ofer jamais le r^arder en face. 
Que quand d^uir doux regard il lui veut faire grace. 
Ceft ce qu*entendent mal les femmes d^aujourd'hoi ; 
Ulais ne vous gaCez pas fur Texemple d'autrui. 
'Gardez-vous d^imiter ces coquettes vilaines 
Dont par toute la ville on chante les frcdaincs, 
£t de vous laifler prendre aux aflauts du malin, 
Ceftri-dire, d*ouir aucun jeune blondin. 
Songez qu^en vous &iiant moitie de ma peribrme, 
C*eft m<m honneur, Agnes, que je vous abandonnei 
<2ue cet honneur eft tendre, Sc fe bleife de pea, 
-Que fur un tel fujet il ne faut point de jeu, 
£t qu'il eft aux enfers des chaudieres bouillantes, 
Ou Ton plonge a jamais les femmes mal.vivantes. 
Ce que je vous disla, ne font pas des chanfons, 
£t vous devez dn coeur devorer ces le9ons. 
Si votre ame les fuit, & fuit d'etre coquette, 
£Ile (era toujours comme un \ys, blanche Sc nette } 
Mais, 8*il faut qu*i rhonneur elle fafle un £uix bond, 
EUe deviendra lors noire comme un charbon. 
Vous paroitrez i tous un objet eftroyable, 
Et vous irez un jour, vnd partage du diable» 
Bouillir dans les enfers a toute etemite, 
Pont vou» veuille garder la celefte bont^. 
Fsutes la r^v^rence. Ain£ qu*nne novice 
Par coeur dans le convent doit f9avoir f<m offiA 
Entrant au mariage il en Ikut' fidre autant : 
Et void dans ma podie un ecrit important 
Qui vous enfeignera Toffice de la ftoune. 
J'en ignore I'auceur : mais c*eft quelque bonne 9ttM 
£t je veux que ce (bit votre unique entietien. 
lU/f Icve^l Tenez. Vpyons on peu fi vous U lirc« bien* 

[Agnes //^ 



5^^ School /(T Wives. 171 

her ihe (hoald tarn her Eyes 'immediately upon the 
Ground, and ne^er prefume to look him in the Face, 
till he favoas her with a gracious Glance. . This » 
what oar Wires now-a days little underfbuid, but be 
not yon corrupted by the Example of other People. 
Beware of imitating thofe vile Coquettes, whofe Prsmks 
tre talked of all the City over : and don*t let the Devil 
tempt you, that is to fay, hearken to no, young Cox* 
cofflb. Confider, ^xr^jy that by making you Part' 
tf my fdf, 1 give you up my Honour, which Honour 
JK tender, and offended at a little matter ; that there's 
10 trifling on fuch an Occafion as this, and that ia 
Hell there are boiling Cauldrons wherein Wives that 
Eve wickedly are plunged for ever and ever. I*m not 
telling you a pack of Stories, and thefe LefTons fhould 
le imprinted in your Heart. If you praftife *em fin- 
cerely, and avoid being a Coquette, your Soul will b« 
always as white and fpotlefs as a lily, but if you for- 
feit your Honour, *twill become as black as a Coal s 
you'll feem an* hideous Creature to every Body, and 
h time you'll be the Devil's Property, and boil ia 
Hell to all Eternity, from which may Heaven's Gobd- 
Befs preferve you. NW« a Curtfy. As a Probatio- 
ner in a Convent muft know her Duty by Heart, fo 
ihe that marries &ould do the very fame ; and I've 
a Writing of great importance in my Pocket, which 
will teach you the Duty of a Wife. I don't know the 
Author of it, but it*s fomcgoodWy, and I'd haye^. 
this be your only ftu4y.' [H* «^//*/-] Hold : Lefs 
fe if you can read ittafdj. l^t^^i r«df 

Ha ' Ma.x- 



172 L*EcoLE desFemmes. 



Les M A X I M £ s du *M A R I A G E, ou le 

. devoirs de la Femme mariee, avec fo: 

Exercice journalier. 

I. M A Z I M E. 

CIELLE qu^un lien bonnets 
Fait entrer au lit d* out rut ^ 
Doitfe mettre dans la tits^ 
Mttlgre le train d'aujour^huiy 
^ue rhmme qui la preni ne la prend que pour lui, 

A RN oi F H E . Je vons cxpliquerai ce que cela veut dlr 
Mais pour Theure prefente il ne faut rien que lire. 

[Agnhfwrjd 

II. M A Z I M E. 

Elk ne fe doit par er 
^^ mutant que peut defirer 
Le mari qui la pojfede ; 
•Ceft lui que touche feul le foin de fa leautii 
Et pour rien doit etre cosnpti^ 
Sine les autres la trowvent laide, 

III. M A X I M E. 
Loin ces etudes daeillades^ 

Ces eauxy ces hlancsy ces pommadgSf 
tt mille ingrediens qui font des teinsjleuris i 
4 Phonneur, tons lesjours^ ce font drogues mrttlUu 

Et lesfoins de parottre belies * 

Se prennent pen pour les maris, 

IV. Max I ME. 
Sousfacoeffe en foftant^ comme Pbonneur Nrdennt, 

.Ufaut que defesyeux elle etouffe les coups s 
. Car, pour hien plaire a fin epouXt 
Elle ne doit plaire a perfinne. 

V. Max I M E. 
Sort (tux dont au mari la 'vifite fe rittd. 

La bonne regie defend 



ne School for Wives. 173 



Max I M s of W E D L o c K, or the Dutiea 
of a Married Woman j together with her 
daily Exercife. 

I. M A Z I M. 

SHE that tntars into the State of Matrimon^y ought 
to remember 9 not^withftanding the Train of Aimi- 
ttn^ther Women have ntyvo-a'daysy that the Man whm 
kket her, takes her only for himfelf 

Arnolph. I fliall explain to you what that 
means; but for the prefent let us only read. 

[Agncs-^^^/ on* 
•II. Max I M. 
I She ought not to drefi her f elf* hut according to her 
fiishand's liking. The Care of hfr Beauty is what 
mcems him onljy and Jhe Jhould not regard tho^ other 
'ftople think her homely. 



III. Ma x.i M. 

Far he from her the Study of Ogling^ Beauty^ajhes, 
hints. Pomatums, and a thoufand Ingredients that fet 
«/ the Complexion, Thefe are always mortal Poifons . 
toHonaur, and the Pains hefio^d to appear hdndfome^ 
^ftfeldomfor the HushanePsfake^ 

IV. Max iM. 

When fie goes abroad, Jhe ought, as Honour requires^ 

fo prevent the Wounds her Eyes might give, by conceal^ 

in9 them' under her Hood : for in order to pledfe her 

Riband perfectly, Jhe Jhould pleafe no body elfe, 

V. M a X I M. 

^Ktept fucb Folks as pay Vijits to htr Husband^ 2)/- 

H 3 ceny 



174 L^EcoiE dbsFemmes* 

Di rice*uoir aucune ame \ 
Ciux fuit di galantt humeur, 
N^ont affaire fiCa madame, 
N^accommodent pas monfieur, 

VI, M A X I M E. 

11 f ant des pre/ens des homnus 
^V//f Je defende bien ; 
Car^ dans h fiecU qu nous fommes. 
On ne donne run pour rien, 

VII. Max I M E. 
Dans fis meubleSf dut-eile en avoir de P ennui ^ 
llnefaut icritoire^ encre, papier ^ ni plumes : 
he mart doit^ dans les bonnes coutumes, 
. Ecrire tout ce qui s*ecrit cbez lui. 

yill. M AXIMl. 

Ces ficietes deriglies^ 

Sitfon nomme pelles aJjfembUes^ 
Disfemmes tons les jout^s corrompent les i/prits 2 
Mtt bonne politique on les doif inter dire : 

Car c*eft la que Von conjpire 

Contre les pauwres maris, 

IX. M A X I M E. 
7oHte femme qui *veut a l*honneur./e vouer. 

Doit fe defendre de jouer^ 
Comme JPune ehofefunejle : 

Car lejeu fort decevant 

Pouffe une femme fowvent . 

A jouer de tout fin rejfe, 

X. M A X I M E. 
Des promenades du terns ^ 

Ou repas qtCon donne aux champs^ 
11 nefaut point qt^elle effaye, 
Selon les prudens cer*oeaux^ 
Le mari dans ces cadeaux 
EJi toujour s celus qui fay e. 

XI. Ma 



^e School for Wives. tf^ 

eency forbids her recei*ving a/^ Friend 'wbate*ver ; t/jo/e 
Peafle of Galantry that hajve no Pufinefs but nvith thi 
Wifty are nat at all agreeable to the Husband, 

VI. Maxim. 
She mufi refufe alt Prefents from Men, fir in th^ 
Age we live, nothing is given fir nothing. 



VII. Maxim.. 

Amongfi her Moveables y Jhould Jhe be difpleafed at 
//, there mufi neither be Scrutoir, Ink^ Paper, nor 
Pins, The Husband, according to good Cufiom, Jhould 
vjrite all that is ivritten in his Familj, 
VIII. Max I M. 

Thofi difirderkf Societies calP d Afftmhlies, mfhich al- 
nvays corrupt the Minds of Women, ought in good Po' 
Bey to he forbidden them ; for there it is they contrive 
their Plots^ againfi poor Husbands, 



IX. Maxim. 

Every Woman that voould prefervt her Honour, ought 
to refrain from Gaming as a terrible thing ; fir Play 
is very hev^itching, and often drives a Woman to hef^ 
lafi Stake. 



X. M a X I M. 

Puhlick Walks Jhe mufi not come into, nor accept of 
treats in the Country \.for the Wife are of Opinion, Uie^ 
ihe Husband ahways pays fir Juch Entertainments. 



H-4, XI. Max- 



176 L'EcOtJB DIS FtMMlS. 

XL Maxims. 
Arnolphe. Vous acheverez feule, &, pas Jpas, 
tantot 
Jc vous expliqucrai ccs chofes comme il faut. 
Je me fuis fouvenu d'une petite affaire : 
Je n'ai qu'un mot a dire, & ne tarderai guere. 
Rentrez, & confervez ce livre chcrcment. 
Si le notaire vient .qu'il m'attende on moment. 



J 



SCENE III. 
ARNOLPHE /eul. 
E ne puis faire mieux que d'en faire ma femme. 



Ainfi que javoudrai, je toumerai cettc ame, 
Comme un morceau de cire entre mes mains ellc eft, 
Et je lai puis dcnner la foime qui mc plait, 
II s*en eft peu fallu que, durant men abfence. 
On ne m*ait attrape par fbn trop d^innocence ; 
Mais il vaut beaucoup mfeux, a dire verite. 
Que la femme qu'on a, peche de ce cote. 
De ces fortes d'erreurs le remede eft facile ; 
Toute perfonnc fimplc aux le9ons eft docile, 
£t, il du bon chemin on la fait ecarter. 
Deux mots incontinent Vy peuvent rejetter. 
Mais une femme habile eft bien une autre bete. 
Notre fort ne depend que de fa feule tete, 
De ce qu'elle s'y met rien ne la feit gauchir, 
Et nos enfeignemens ne font la que blanchir : 
Son bel efprit lui fert k railler nos i^aximes, 
A fe feire fouvent des vertus de fes crimes, 
Et trouver, pour venir i fes coupables £ns, 
Des detours a dupper TadrefTe des plus fins. 
Pour fe parer du coup en vain on fe ^tigue, - 
Une femme d^efprit eft un diable en intrigue^ 
Bt (Li$ que fon caprice ft prononce tout bas 

LVret 



Ji^ School /^ Wives: 177 

XI. .Maxim. 
Arnolph. You fhall make an end on*cby youw 
{elf,^ and by-and-by Til explain thefe Matters to yott» 
as they fhouM be Line by Line. I have a little Affair 
come into tay Head, 'tis only to fpeak a Word, and I 
Hian't flay at all. Go in, and take a fpedal Care ot 
that Book. If the Notary comes^ let him wait fpr me 
a little. 



S C ENE III. 
. A R N O L? HaUne. . 

ICan*t do better than to make her my Wife. I fhatt 
be able'. to manage her juft as I*ve a mind. She*^ 
in my Hands exaiSUy like a piece of^ Wax, and I may 
give her what Form I plcafe. I very narrowly efcap'd 
being choasM in . my Abfence thro* her over Inilo- 
cence ; but to fey the truth, One's Wife's Failings had 
much better be from that Caufe ; for fuch £brt of Mi- 
fiakes are eafily amended. All fimple People are atten- 
tive to Advice, and if they're led out o* the right Way,. 
i a Word or twb will bring them into it again immedi- 
atdy. But a witty Wife is quite another kind of Crea* 
ture ; our Fate depends on her Judgment only ; nothing 
can divert her from purfuing what fhe is once fet upon, 
and all our Precepts, in this cafe, prove abortive. Her 
Wit enables her to ridicule our Maxims, to make Vir- 
toes of her Faults, and find out AJ^ays of deceiving the 
moft dext'rous, . in * order to bring about her wicked 
Purpofes. We labour in vain to turn afide the Blow ; a 
Woman of Wit is a Devil at Intrigue, and after her 
Caprice has fdently pafs'd Sentence on our Honour,. it 

H 5 muft. 



17$ L*Ecot2 pejFemmes* 

L'arret de notre honneary il faat pafler le pas. 

Beaacoap d^honnetes gens en pourroient bien qae^re^ 

Enfin mon ^tourdi ii*aura pas lieu d'en rire ; 

Far fon trop de caquet il a ce qu^it lui faut. 

VoiU de nos fran90is rordinaire de&ut ; 

Dans la pofleffion d^nne bonne fortune, 

Le fecret eft toojoars ce qui les importune, 

£t la vanite fotte a pour eux tant d^appas. 

Quails fe pendroient plutot que de ne caufer pas. 

Ok ! que les fenunes font du diable bien tent^es, 

LoHqu'elles vont choifir ces tetes eventees ! 

£t que . . • Mais le void. Cachons-nous toujoun bien, 

£t decouTTons na peii quel chagi-in eft le fien. 



S C E N E IV. 
BOJIAOE, ARNOLPHE. 

Horace. 

JE reviens de chez vous, & le deftin me montre 
Qu*il n'a pas refolu que je vous y rencontre. 
Mais j^irai tant de fois, qu'enfin qudque moment . . ^ 
Arnolphe. He, mon Dieu, n^entrons point dans 
ce vain compliment. 
Rien ne me fache tant que ces c^'anonies^ 
£t, fi Ton m^en croyoit, elles feroient bannies* 
C'eft un maudit uiage, Sc la plupart des gens 
Y perdent fottement les deux tiers de leurs tevoM* 
Mettons done, £uis &9on. 11/ /e coui/re.l He bien, n(A 

amourettes? 
Pttis-je, feigneur Horace, apprendre ou vous en etes ? 
Petois tantot diftrait'^par quelque viiion ; 
Mais depuis l^-defTus j'ai ^it reflexion : 
De vos premiers progres j'admire la vitefTe, 
£t dans Pevenement mon ame s^interefTe. 
Horace. Ma ibi, depuis qu^a vous s*eft decoovcrt 
mon ccsur, 
*^ ' ^ a mon amour arrive du malheur. 



V 



7Te Sc3 HO L /^ Wrv« s. 179 

jpaSt be fubmitted to. A great many boneft People 
are ab!e to declare as mach. But my Blandeibais tbslb 
ind no Caafe to laugb ; he has met with what he de* 
fenres for tattling. This is the common Fault of our 
Frenchmen^ in the Pofleffion of good Fortune they arc 
never eafy, while it's a Secret, and fo dear to *em is- 
this fenfdefs Vanity , that they would rather lofe their 
Happineis than not talk of it^ Sure the Devil mull 
be very ftrong in Women when they choofe fuch Rattle- 
Pates ! and-— But here he comes : let me be upon . 
my Guards and find out how much he's mortify'd. 



SCENE IV. 
HORACE, ARNOLPH. 

Ho iAc s. 

I'M juft come from your Houfe, where Fate feems 
refolv'd I (hottld never meet with you ; .but I'll go 

fo often, that fome Moment at laft (hal l - ■■ 

Armolph. Poh! don't let us enter upon thefe 
ifdefs Compliments ; nothing is fo tirefome to me as 
Ceremony, and could I prevail, it (hou'd be intlrely 
banifli'd. It's a wretched Cuftom, wherein moft People 
waile two parts in three of their time. Let's leave it 
off then without any more ado. {Puh on bh Hat,1^ 
Well, as to your Love-Affair, Mr. Horaci^ inAy I be 
inform'd how you go on ih't ? I was taken off before by^ 
fome Bttfinefs that came in my Head, but I'l^e been con. 
fidering of it fince: I admire the quick Progrefs 
you've made at the Beginning, and am folicitous for ther 
Event. . 

Horace. Troth fince I laidopennay Heart to you^. 
my P^on has been unfortunate, 

^ Ar. 



x8o L'EcotE DES Femmes* 

• Arholphe. Oh, oh! Comment cda ? 

' Horace. La fbrtane cradle; 

A ramene des champs le patron de la bdle. 

Arnolphb. Quel malheur ! 

Ho R A c E . Et de plusy a mon tres-grand regret i 
II a f9a de nons deax le commerce fecret. 

Arn o lph e. D'oa diantre a-t-s'ii fi*tdt appriscette 
avanture ? 

Horace. Je ne f^aii : mais enfin c*eft nne chofe 
fure. 
Je penfois aller rendre, a mon heure a peh pres. 
Ma petite vi£te i fes jeanes attraits, 
Lorfque, changeant pour moi de ton & de vi&ge^ 
£r fenrante & valet m'ont bouche le pafiage ; 
£t d'uHy RetirsZ'^ouSf vous nous importunez^ 
KTont aiTez rudement ferm^ la porte au nez* 

Arnolphe. La porte au nez ! 

Horace. Au nez. 

A R N o L PH E . La choTe eft nn pea forte ; 

Horace. J'ai voulu leur parler ao travers dels 
porte; 
Mais a tous mes propos ce qu'ils oat repondii» 
C'eft, Vous n^entrerez point ^ monfieur Pa difendu* 

Arnolphe. 11*8 n'ont done point ouvert ? 

Horace. Non. £t de la fenetre 
Agn^s m'a con£rme le retour de ce maitre, 
£n me chafiant de la d'un ton plein de fierte^ 
Acc(Mnpagne d^un gres que (amain a jette. 

Arnolphe. Comment d'un gres ? 

Horace. D^un gres de taille non petite, 
Bont on a par fes mains regain ma vifite. 

Arnolphe. Diantre! Ce ne font pas des pnifl^ 
que cela : 
£t je trouve ficheux Tetat ou vons toili. 

Horace. II eft vrai, je fnii mal par ce retoor ft' 
nefte. 



9ie School fir Wives. i&i 

AtKOLPH. Ay! how. fo? 

Ho R AC B. Crael Fortune has brought my Fair One's 
Mailer back again out o' the Country, 

Arnolph. What a Misfortune I 

Horace. And befides, to my very great Sorrow, 
he knows what has paisM in private between us two. 

Arn 9 LPH. How the Deuce cou*d he learn this Af- 
6ir fo foon ? 

Horace. That I can't tell : But it is certainly ib^ 
I intended at my ufual Hour to pay 9 fhort Vifit to 
this charming GirU when the Man and Maid both, 
widi a Voice and Countenance alter'd from what 
they us'd to be, opposM my Entrance, and fhut 
the Door to my Face with a Gef you gone, you^rt 
trwblefome. 

Arnolph. The Door to your Face ? 

Horace. To my Face. 

Arkolph. That's a little hard. 

Horace. I wouM have talked to*em thro^ the Door, 
bat to all that I could fay their Anfwer was, YouJbarCt 
<me in, my Mafier has forbid it. 

Armolpm . Didn't they open the Door then ? 

HtRACE. No. And Jgnes confirmed her Mafter's 
Return to me from the Window, by bidding me be 
gone in a very angry Tone, and flinging a Stone at 
me. 

Arnolph. How f a Stone? 

Ho R a c B . A Stone that was none of the leail neither, 
by which with her own Hands (he receiv'd my Vifit. 

Arnolph. The Devil J Thefe arc no Jdccs : Yonr 
A&ir, I think, is in a iad Condition. 

Horace. Very true, Tm in a bad way by thisim- 
Iftcky Return ©f his. 

Aa- 



jSz L'EcotB DBS FsMif r^.. 

Arnolphk. Gerties, j'en fuis f ache poor toid, je 
Tons protefte. 

Horace. CethommeTnerdrnpttcnir. 

Arn o lph e. Oui ; maSs ccla n'eft rien, 
£t de vous racrocher vous troaverez ffioyen ? 

Horace. II &ut bien efiayer, parqudqae inteUl* 
gence, 
De vaincre da jaloux Texade vigilance. 

Arnolphe. Cela vous eSt bdle, ^MafiUe, apr^ 
toat, 
Vonsaime. 

Horace. Aflorement. 

Ar NO LP HE. Vous en viendrez a boat. 
.Horace. Jcrcfperc. • 

Arnolphe. Le gres vous a mis en deronte^: 
Mais cela ne doit pas vous etonner. 

Horace. Suisdoutei 
£t j'ai compris d^abord que mon homnie etoit la» 
Qui/ fans fe faire.voir, conduifoit tout cela. 
Mais ce qui jD*a furpris, 8c qui va Vous furpimdre,. 
C*€& un autre incident que vous allez entendre^ 
Un trait hardi qu*a fait cette jeune beaute, 
£t qu'on n'attendroit point de fa fimplicite. 
II le fant avouer, Tamour eft un grand maitre> 
Ce qu*on ne fut jamais il nous enfeigne i TetrV 
£t ibuvent de nos moeurs Tabfolu changement 
Devient par fes le9ons Touvrage d*un moment.. 
De la nature en nous il force les obftacles, 
£t fes efFets foudains ont de Tair des miracles*. 
D*un avare i Tinftant il £ut un liberal ; 
Un vaillant d'un poltron j un civil d'un brutal i, 
II rend agile a tout Tame la plus pefante, 
Et donne de i'efprit a la plus innoccnte. 
Ouiy ce dernier miracle eclate dans i^gnes; 
Car, tranchast aVec^ mol par ces termes expres^ 
JU/gre»"*vous, mon ante aux *vifitej rcHoncCp 

7' 



ne ScHQot for Wivis. rgj 

ARNOLPK.f>Really Tm forry for you, I proteft I 
am. 

Horace. This Man breaks all my Meafares. 

Arnolph. Ay, but that's nothing; you*ll find a 
way of fctting your felf to rights again. 

Horace. . I muft endeavour by fome Intelligence to 
baffle the fhrid Vigilance of this jealous Fellow. 

Arnolph. You*11 cafily do that, for when all*i 
done the GirlloTCs you. 

I Horace. Without doubt (he does. 

! Arnolph. You*11 bring Matters to bear* 
Horace. I hope fo. 

Arnolph. That Stone has perplexM you, but yoo 
ihouM not wonder at it. 

Horace. That*8 certain, for I prefently foimd 
out that my Rival was there, and managM the whole 

, Affair without being feen in't. But what furpris*d 
me, and what you will wonder at, was another Accident 

! I'm going to tell you of, a bold Stroke of the love- 
ly Girl, which one woa*dn*t have expedted from her 

j Simplicity. It muft be confefsM, Love is a skilful 
Mafter; he teachea tts to be what we never were be- 
fore, and oftentimes an intire Alteration in our Man** 
ners becomes by his Leffons only a Moment^s Work. 
He breaks thro* the Obftacles of Nature in us, and his 
fudden Elte&s have the appearance of Miracles. In 
an Inftant he makes a Mifer liberal, a Coward counu 
geotts, a Churl obliging ; he renders the duUeft Capa- 
city fit for every thing, and gives Wit to the moil 
ignorant. This laft Miracle is indeed remarkable in 
•^^«*/, for fnappbg me up in thefe very Words ; Get 
you gont, Pm refolv^d veUr^o nee ive your Vifitsi 1 



i84 L^EcoLK DES Femmes. 

ye/fais tousfvos di/courSf ^ voila tna reponftj 
Cctte picrrc, ou cc gres dont vous vous etonniez, 
Avec un mot de lettre eft tombee a xnes pieds : 
Et j*admiie de voir cette lettre ajaftee 
Avec le fens des mots^ & la pierre jett^. 
D*iine telle a^on n'^etes-voas pas furpris ? . 
Uamour ffait-H pas Tart d^aiguifer les efprits I 
£t peat-on me nier qae fes flames puiflantes 
Ne £iffeQt dans un cctur des chofes etoniiantea \ 
Que dites-vous da tour, & de ce inot d^ecrit } 
He ? N'admirez-vous point cette adrefle d'efpnt ? 
Trouvez-voas pas plaifant de voir quel perfonnage 
A joue mon jaloux dans tout ce badinage I 
Dites 

Arnolphe. Oui» fort plaifant. 

Horace. Riez-en done un peu. 
[Jrnnlphe rit d^un airforce.'] Get honmie, gendarme 

d^abord contre mon feu. 
Qui chez lui fe retranche, & de gres fait parade> 
Comme fl j*y voulois monter pas efcalade, 
Qui, pour me repouffer, dans fon bizarre effroi 
Anime du dedans tous fes gens contre moi, 
£t qu^abufe i. fes yeux, par fa machine meme^ 
Celle qu'il veut tenir dans Pignorance extreme. 
Poor moi, je vous Tavoue, encor que fan retour 
£n On grand embarras jette ici mon amour, 
Je tiens cela plaifant autant qu'on f^auroit dire i 
Je i\e puis y fonger fans de boh coeur en rire,. 
Et vous-n'en riez pas affez a mon avis. * 

Arnolphe avec un r is force.'] Pardonnez-moi, j*ttl 
ris tout autant que je puis. 

HoR A c © . Mais il faut qu'en ami je vous montre £ilettre» 
Tout ce que fon coeur fent, &. main a f^u Py mettre ^j 
Mais en termes touchans, 8e tous pleins de bonte>. 
JDe tendreife innocente, Sc d'ingenuite : 
De la maniere enfin que la pure nature 
Exprime de Tamour la premiere bleflUre* 



9te School far Wtvis. 185 

intw all you ha've to fafy and there* s my Anfvaer. 
This Stone, or this Pebble, at which you'd wonder, 
M. down with a Letter at my Feet ; and what lad- 
mire is to find this Letter adapted exadly to the mean- 
ing of her Words, and the Stone fhe threw. Are not 
you amaz'd at fuch an Adion as this ? Doesn't Love 
know the Art of quickening the Underftanding ? And 
can it be deny'd that his powerful Flames have ailonifh- 
ing Efieds upon the Mind ? What d'ye fay to all this ? 
What think you of the Letter ? Heh ! don't you ad- 
mire this cunning Contrivance ? Isn't it comical to ob- 
ferve what a Part my jealous Rival has been a6Ung with 
all this Foolery ? Tell me ■ 

A R N o L p H . Ay,* very comical . 

Horace. Laugh at it a little theff. [Arnolph /^rr^i 
« Laugh^ This military Man, who fortifies himfelf in 
Ms own Houfe againft my Paflion, and feems provided 
with Stones, as tho' 1 meant to enter by Storm, who in 
a whimfical Fright encourages all his Servants to drive 
nic away, is inipos'd upon before his Face, even by his 
own Inftrument, by her whom he would keep in the 
ntmoft Ignorance. I own, for my part,, tho' his Re- 
turn has thrown my Affair under a very great Difficul- 
ty! I think 'tis fo exceeding comical that I can^ forbear 
^aghing whene'er it comes into my Head, and me- 
thinb you don't laugh at it enough. 

Arnolph ^with a forced Laugh. '\ I beg your par- 
don, I laugh at it as much a^ I'm able. 

Horace. But I muft (hew you her Letter as a 
l^riend. All that her Heart felt her Hand has there 
Writ down ; but in Terms fo affeding, fo perfedly full 
^^Goodnefs, of innocent Tendemefs and Sincerity \ ia 
^oft) in the very manner that pure Nature ejqprelTes 
^cArft Wound Love gives. 

Ar- 



x86 L'Ecoiz DZ^FzMMis. ! 

Arnolphe 0/ar/.] Voili^ firipoime^ iqaoiVi. 
critaretefert, ' 

Et contre mon deflein Tart t^en fat d&ouvert. 

HoRABB lit.] Ji ^ettxvoMS ecrire, faT jefi^s lien 
§n piiui par ouje m^y prendrai, . J^ai des ptnfits qta 
ji difirerois que <V9us f^uj/iex ; mats je ne f^ah comment \ 
/aire pour vous les dire^ & je me defie de mes paroles, 
Commeji commence a counoitre qt^on nCa touyiur$ tenue \ 
dans r ignorance ^ faipeur de meftre quelque cbofi qui 
ne foit pasbieUfi^d^en dire phs que je ne devreis. En 
veriti, je ne fqais ce que vous m^a<uex fait \ mail je 
fins -que fiiis facbie a mourir de ce qi^on me fait f aire 
centre vous, que faurai toufes les peines du mende a 
me pajfer de ^ous, .(^ que je ferois hien aife detre a 
moys. Feut-itre qu^ily ^ du mal a dire cela, mats en* 
fin je nepuis nCempecher de le dire, fcf je voudroit fue 
eela fe put f aire fans qv^ il y en eut. On me dit fort 
que totu lesjeunts bommes font des trompeurs^ qu^H «' 
lesfaut paint iceuter, Gf que tout ce que inut. m^-d*- 
tes, t^eft que pour m^abufer : mais je <veus ajfure ^ 
je n^ai pu encore mefigurer cela de vous, i^ je/uis fi 
teuchie'de 'vos paroles , 9'^^ j^ •' ffaurois croire qt^elh 
foient menteufes. Dites-moi francbement ce qui en efi : 
car enfin^ comme je fuis fans malice, *vous auriez le 
plus grand tort du monde fi vous me trojnpiez,' (^j^ 
penfe que fen mourrois de deplaifir* 

Arnolphb ^^ar/.j Hon^ chiennef 

Horace. Qu'avcz-vous ? 

Arnolphe. Moi ? Rien. Ceft que je toofle. 

Horace. Avcz-voos }amai3^ vu d*expreffion plus 
douce \ 
Malgre les foins maudits d^an kjafte pouvoir^ 
Un plus beau naturel fe peut-il faire voir ? 
£t n*ell-ce pa» ians doute un Crime pamifabley 
De gater mecbammeat ce fend d'ame admirable ? 

D*avoir, 



^e School for Wives. 187 

Arnolph ajide,'] This is the Confequence of your 
Writing, . yoa Slut ; 'twas contrary to my Intentioa 
that yoa was taught it. 

Horace reads.] Pvi a mind to write to you, but 
Pm at a lofs nuhere I Jhall begin, I ha*ue feme 
Noughts njohicb Pm dejirous you Jhould be acquainted 
vjttb; but I don't know how to telPemyou, and dijiruft 
wy want of Wordi. As I begin to underfiand that 
Tve ahways been kept in Ignorance, Tm afraid of ^wri' 
''"g" fomething that nuouid be *wrong, or faying mort 
than IJhou*d do. In troth, I can't tell tvhat you've 
done to me ; but I find that Pm ready to die luith Vex-- 
ation for ivhat Pm forc*d to do againft you, that 
''t'wouid gi<ve me all the Uneajtnefs in the . World to lofe 
pu, and that I Jhould be mighty glad to be yours. 
There'' s barm, perhaps, in faying fo, but really I can't 
forbear, tho' I nvijb it could have been brought about p 
and no harm bad i^en in it. Pm told, for certain^ 
that all young Men are falfe, that what they fay mujt 
not he minded, and that every thing. you tell me is on" 
If to deceive me : But laffureyou, I caiCt yet imagine 
that of you, and Pm fo affeSed by your Words, that 
I don^t knov) hovj to believe thefre Lies. Tell jwr 
gcneroujly if they be'\ for as Pm without any ill De- 
fign, you'd da the greateft Injury in the World Jhould 
j/ou deceive me, and I believe I Jhould die with the Vexr^ 
ation of it. 

Akviolth afde."] Um, Bitch f . • 

Horace. What d'ye fay? 

Arnolph, I? Nothing. I only coughM. 

Horace. Did you ever fee. more Tendernefs of 
£xpreffion ? In fpite of alt the curfed Endeavours of 
unreafonable Power, is it poffible to find a better na- 
tural Capacity? and isn't it certainly a mortal Sin 
villanoufly to fpoil fuch an admirable Genius ? to bede- 
firous of objuring the Brightneis of fuch a Mind in 

Ignorance 



i88. L*EcoLB DES Femmxs. 

D'avoir, dans Tignorance & la ftupidite» 
Voolu de cet efprit etoafier la clarte ? 
L'amour a commence d'en dechiier le voile, 
Et, iiy par la faveur de quelque bonne etoile, 
Je puis, comme f efpere, a ce franc animal, 
Ce traitre, ce bourreau, ce faquin, ce brutal . . • 

Arnolphe. Adieu. 

HqRACB. Comment ? Si vice ? 

Arnolphe. II m'eft dans la penfee 
Venn tout maintenant une afiaire prefTee. 

Horace. Mais ne f9auriez-vous point, comme off 
la tient de pres. 
Qui dans cctte maifon pourroit avoir acces ? 
J'en ufe fans foupule, & ce n'eft pas mcrveille, 
Qu*on fe puiiTe, entre amis, fervir a la pardlle. 
Je n'ai plus la dedans que gens pour m'obferver; 
£t fervante & valet, que je viens de trouver, 
N'ont jamais, de quelque air que jenn'y fois pu prendre^ 
Adouci leur rudeffe a me vouloir entendre. 
J*avois pour dd ids coups certaine vieille en main 
D*un genie, a vrai dire, au dcffus de Thnmain. 
Bile m*a dans Tabord fervi de bonne forte ; ' 
Mais, depuis quatre jours, la pauyre femme eft morte. 
Ne me pourriez-vons point ouvrir quelque moyen ? 

Arnolp.h£. Nonvrayment, &, fans moi, vooscn 
trouverez bien. 

Horace. Adieu done. Vous voyez ce que je voui 
confie. 



S C E N E V. 
A R NO L P H E fiul, 

COmme il &ut devant lui que je me moctifie f 
Quelle peine a cacher mem deplaiiir cuitot I 
Quoi ! Pour une innocente, un efprit £ prefent ? 



Elle 



fbe School for WivEsi 189 

Ignorance and Stupidity ? Bat Love has begun to 
pull off the Mask; and if by the Favour of fame 
lucky Star I can be able to deal with this mere Ani- 
mal, this Traitor, this Hang-dog, this Scoundrel, this 
Brute — :— 

Arn L p H . Good by t'ye. 

Ho RAG B. Why in fuch a hurry ? 

Arnolph. An urgent AfEdr is come intg my Mind 
this Infiant. 

Horace. But don*t you know any Body (as yo« 
live near at hand) that couM get Admittance into this 
Hoafe ? I make free with you, and 'tis not unufual 
for Friends to ferve one anodier on thefe Occaiions. 
At prefent IVe no body in it but People to watch 
me; the Man and Maid both, as I found juft now, 
notwidiflanding all that I could do, would not be fo 
civil as to hear me. I had a certain old Woman in 
my Intereft for fome time, of a Genius, to fay the 
Truth, more than Human. She did me great Ser- 
^ce at the Beginning; but the poor Woman has 
been dead thefe four Days. Can't you put me in fomc 
Way? 

Arnolph. No, really; you'll find out fome with- 
out me. 

Horace. Farewelthen* You fee what Coniidenc^ 
^patinyou. 



SCENE V. 
ARN O L P H akite. 

OW Pjjn oblig'd to mcwtify my felf before him ! 
What a Pain it is to^conceal my tormenting An- 
*^ ! What \ a Simpleton have fo much ready Wit ! 

- Such 



H 



ipo L'EcoLE dssFemmes. 

Elle a feint d'etre telle i xnes yeux, la traitrefle, 
Ou le diable i fon ame a fouffle cette adrefle. 
Enfin me voila mort par ce fonefte^^crit. 
Je vols qa*il a, le traitre, empatune fon efprit* 
Qu'a m*a fuppreiSoiiy il s^eft ancre chez ell$» 
Et c'eSt mon defefpoiry & ma peine mortelle. 
Je fouffre doubleinent dans le vol de Ton ccear, 
£t Tamour y patit auffi bien que rhonnear. 
penrage de tronver oette place ulttrpee, 
£t j*enrage de voir ma prudence trompee* 
Je f^aii que, pour punir fon amour libertin, 
Je n*ai qu*i laiiTer &ire i fon mauvais deftiOf 
Que je ferai venge d'elle par dle-meme : 
Mais il eft bien facheux d.e perdre ce qa^on aime. . 
Ciel ! Puifqne pour on choix j*ai tant philofophe, 
Faut-il de fes appas m'ctre fi fort coeffe ? 
Elle n*a il parens, ni fupport, ni richefie» 
Elle trahit mes fbins, mes bontes, ma tendrefle, 
Et cependant je Palme apres ce lache tour, 
Jufqu^a ne me pouvoir paiTer de cet amour. 
Sot, n*as-tu point de honte ? Ah F Je creve, j^enragf) 
Et je fonfReterois mille ibis mon vifage. 
Je veux entrer un peu : mais feulement pour voir 
Quelle eft fa contenance apres un trait ft noir. 
Ciel f Faites que mon front foit exemt de difgrace ; 
Ou bien, s^ll eft ecrit qu'il fiuUe que j*y pafte/ 
Donnez-moi tout au moins, pour de tels accidens^ 
La conftance qa*on voit a de certaines gens. 




ACTE 



fk School /?r Wivis. 191 

Sach the Traitrels has pretended to be in my Sight. 
Where the Devil has her Soul fucked in this Subtilty ? 
After all, that fatal Letter is the Death o'me. IJnd 
the Rafcal has corrapted her Mind, and by difplacing 
fflc has fix'd himfelf there : This gives me Defpair, 
and mortal Pain. I fufier doul>ly by being robbed 
of her Heart, for thereby Love is injur'd as weM as 
Honour. It makes me mad to find my Place ufurp'dy 
I and it mads me ftlfo to fee my prudent Meafures de« 
felted.. Vm fenfible that to punifh her guilty «Paf« 
fion, I need only leave her to her evil Deitiny, and 
tlut (he herfelf would revenge me upon herfeLT; but 
it's very grievous to lofe the thing oiie loves. Hea* 
vensi after making ufe of fo much Philosophy in my 
Choice, why mu& I be fo mightily bewitched by 
; H Charms ? She has neither .Parents, Friends, nor 
\ Mony 5 flie abufes my Care, my Favours, my Ten- 
<Wfs ; and yet I love her, even after this bafe A^ 
fair, fo much that Tm unable to throw off this 
I^ondnefs. Fool ! haft thou no Shame ? Oh I buril ! 
I rave! and I cou*d box my felf a thouiand times. 1*11 
^P in a little, but only to fee how fhe looks after fo 
^le an A^od. Heaven ^rant that my Brows may be 
free from Difhonour ! but if 'tis decreed that I inuft 
^D%r it, beftow upon me at leaft that Fortitude 
which fome People are endoyv*d with to bear fuch 
AcddcBtsI 




A CT 




192 L'ECOLE DES FeMMES. 

A C T E IV. S C E N E 1. 

A R'N O L P H E. 

I ' A I pdne^ je 1^'avoue, a dcmeurcr en place, 
Et de mille foods mon efprit s^embarraiTe, 
Poor pouvoir mettre un ordre Sc dedans k 
dehors^ 

Qai du goddareau rbmpe tous les efforts. 
De qael ceil la traitie^e a foutenu ma vue f 
De tout ce qa^elle a &it elle n^eft point emne, 
£t, blen qu'elle me mette i deux doigts du trepas. 
On diroit a la voir qu'elle ny touche pas. 
Plus, en la regardant, je la voyois tranquille^ 
Plus je fentois en moi s*^chauiFer une bile ; 
Et ces bouillans tranfports dont s*enflammoit mon ca^h 
Y fembloient redoubler mon amoureufe ardeur. 
J'etois aigriy fache, defefper^ contr'elle, 
Et cependant jamais je ne la vis ii belle ; 
Jamais fes yeux aux miens n*ont paru ii per9an59 
Jj^mais je n'eus pour eux des defirs fi preflans, 
Et je Tens Ii dedws qu^il feudra que je creve. 
Si de mon trifte fort la dirgraces^acheve. 
Quoi ? J'auiai dirige fon education 
Avec tant de tendrelTe & de precaution ? 
Je Taurai i&it paiTer che% moi des {am en^ce, 
Et j'en aund ch^ri la plus tendre efperance ? 
Mon coeur aura bati fur fes attraits naiiTans, 
Et cm la mitonner pour moi durant treize ans, 
Afin qu'un jeune fbn, dont elle s^amouracbe. 
Me la vienne enlever jufques fur la mouftache^ 
Lorfqu'elle eft avec moi mariee a demi ? 
Non parbleu, non parbleu, petit fot mon ami : 
Yous aurez beau tourner^ oujy perdrai mes peinesy 

Ou 



tieScnooLforyfivtt. igi 



^^\ 



A C T IV. S C E N E I. , 

A R N O L P H. 

\ CAN'T be eafy, I muft confeTs, in any Place i 
fer my Mind is under a thoufand Perjdext- 
ties how to manage tlungs both within Doors 
and without, fo as to difappoint theProje(6ls of* 
tiiis Coxcomb. With what an AfTurance the Trax- 
^tefs bore the fight o* me ! She^s not*at all concerned • 
Itwhatflie has done; and tho* flie has brought me 
within an Inch of tKe Grave, one would fwear, to look 
fit her, that ihe had' not the leaft Hand in*t. The 
aiore ihe appeared compos*d when I faw her, the 
loore was I enxag*d> and thofe boiling Tranfportt 
vHich mflamM my Heart, feem'd (fly to redouble my 
inlent Paffion. I was provx)k*d, vex'd, incensed a* 
i^ft her, and yet I never iaw her look fo hand- 
fooie; her Eyes, methought, never were before fo 
piercing, never did they bdbre infpire me with foc^ 
violent Defires ; and I perceive *twould kill me fhou'd 
ny ml -Deftmy bring this Difgrace upon me. What F 
&ve I brought her up with fo much Tendernefs aftid 
f'^Qtion ? Have I taken her to me from her In* 
facy? Have I in^nlg'd the fondeft Hopes? Muft 
1 build upon her growing Charms ? And during thir* 
^cen Years have I fondled her to be my own, as I ima- 
giti'd, for a young Fool whom fhe^s in love with to • 
:onie and ran away with her before my Face, and 
that even when fhe*s half marryM to me ? No, by 
fevcns, my foolifti young Friend} by Heavens, 
w : You muft be a cunning Fellow to overturn my 
Scheme, or elfe, t)y my Faith^ I ihall render all 
Vol.. III. I your 



1^4 L*EcoL,E DBS FemmxI 

Ou jc rendrai, ma foi, vos efperances vaines, 
Et de xnoi tout-i-fait vous ne vous rirez point. 



S C E N E II. 

UN NOTAIRE, ARNOLPHE. 

Le Not aire. 

AH! Levoila. Bon jour. Me voici tout a point 
Pour dreflcr le contrat que vous fouhaitez laire. 
Akvoi^vh^ fans <voirm entendre Is notaire.] Con- 

ment hhe^i 
Le Notaire. IlJe faut dans la forme ordinaire. 
ARNOLPHEy5r croyant feu/,'] A mes precautions je 
veux fonger de pris, ■ . i 

1/E Not AIRE. Jc ne paffcrai riea contre vos in- , 

ter^ts. . , 

Arnolphb> crayant/iul.} II fe feut garantir d« 

toutes Ics furprifes. 
Lb Notaire. Suffit qu*entremca mains vosafiairts 
foicntmifes. 
II ne yous faudra point, de peur d'etre d^9U, 
Qoittancer le contrat, que vous n'ayez re^u. ^ 
Akvolvhb /e^crqyant/eul.'] pai peur, fi jc vatf 
faire eclater quelquc chofe. 
Que de cet incident par la ville on ne caufe. 

Le Notaire. He bien, 11 eft [aifc d'cmpedicr cct 
cdat, 
Et Ton peut en fecret falre votre contrat. 

Arnolphe fe cryant feul'\ Mais comment fe«' 

dra-t-il qu'avec elle j'en forte ? ^ 

Le Notaire. Le douaire fe regie au bien quofl 

vous apporte. 
Arnolphe y^ croyant feuL'\ Je Taime; &'CCta' 
mour eft mon grand embarras« 



^i School for Wrv^ s. rgg 

jwr Hopes abortive, and you*!! fi&d no caufe to !augli 



at me. 



SCENE 11. 
J NOTARY, ARNOLPH.' 

The N T A R Y. 

O There lie is ! Good-morrow f ye : Tm ready to 
draw up tlie Contradl as you de/ire. 

Arnolfh not feeing er bearing hm,'} Howmuftit 
be done? 

The Notart. It m^ft be in tlie ufual Form. 

Arnolfh not feeing him.'} I'll ufe the utmoft Pre- 
caution poflible. 

The Notary. Til do nothing contrary to your- 
Intereft. 

Arnolph notJieinghimJl I muft guard againft any 
Surprife. 

The Notary. •Tis enough that your Afiairs arc 
put into my Hands. You xnuft by no means iign the 
Contra^ before you recdve the Portion, for fear of be* 
3Dg cheated. 

Arkolph not feeing him."] I'm afraid, fliould I 
make any Difcovery, 'twould become a publickTown* 
talk. 

The Notary. But it is mighty eafy to prevent a 
Difcovery ; your Contra^ may be tranikiSled privately. 

Arnolph noi feeing him ^ But how fhall I fettle 
the Point with her? i 

THENoTARY.The Jointure fliould be in proportion 
to the fortune ftie brings you. 

Arnolph not feeing him, '^ I love her, and that 
Love i3 the great Difficulty I labour under. 

I 2 The 



t^.6 L^ECOIE DXSFfiMMES; 

Lb Not aire. On peat avantager one femme €a 

ce cas. 
Arnolphe /f croyant fiul!\ Quel tndtement lui 

faire en pareille avanture ? 
Le Notairb. L'ordre eH que le futur doit doner 
, la future 
Du tiers de dot quVUe a ; mais cet ordre n'eft rien» 
£t Von va plus arant lor^ue Ton le veut bien. 

Arn o lphb fi crttyant fiul.2 Si . . . 

[// apperpii le noUtlre] 

Lb Notairb. Pour lepreciput^ il les regardeen- 
femble. 
Je dis que le futor peut« comme bon loi fenble. 
Doner la future. 
'Arnolphb. He? 

Lb Notairb. II pent Tavantager 
liorfqu*il Taime beaucoup, & qu^il veut robligeft, 
£t cela par douaire» ou prefix qu*on appelle. 
Qui demeure perdu par le trepas d^icelle, 
Ou fans retour, qui va de ladite a fes hoirs, 
Ou contumier, fdon les differens vouloirs^ 
Ou par donation dans le contrat formelle 
Qu^on fait ou pure ou fimple, ou qu'on fait mutuelleJ 
Pourquoi Jiaufler4e dos ? Eft-ce qu*on parle en fat, 
£t que Ton ne f9ait pas les formes d*un contrat i 
Q[ui me les apprendra P-Perfonne, je prefume. 
S9ais-je pas qu'etant joints, on ell par la coutume 
Communs en meubles, biens, immeubles & conquetSy 
Amoins que par un a£le on n'y renonce exprea ? 
S^s-je pas que le tiers du bien de la future 
Entre en cbmmunaut6, pour . . . 

Arnolphe. Oui, c*eft chofe fure, 
Vous fi^vez tout cela : mais qui vous ea a dit mot? 

U 



Thb Notary. In that Qife the Wife may have fo 
modi tbe more. 

Arnolph not feeing him,^ How to behave to her 
t)n fach an Occafion ? 

The Notary. The Law feys, the Husband that 
is to be ihall fettle upon the Wife that is to be the third 
part of' her Portion} bat the Law fignifies Aothing at 
aUy you may do a great deal more than diat if yoaVc 
a mind to it. 

Akholfh not feeing l^int.'] I£ 

[ Perceiving the Notary^ 

The Notary.' As for the Prefents to be madtf, 
kt them agree together. I fay the Husband that is to 
be may jointure the Wife that i» to be juft as he thinks fit, 

Arnolph. Heh f 

Th B N o T a R Y. He may give her fo much 
and more, if he loves her greatly » and is deiirous 
to oblige- her, and that by way of Jointure or Set- 
tlement as they call it, to be lofl and go away in. 
tirely to the right Heirs of the faid Wife that is to be, 
upon her Deceafe ; or dfe according to the Statute^^ 
as People have a mind ; or as a Gift, by a Deed in 
form which may be made either 2ngle or mutual. 
Wherefore do you (hrug ? talk I like a Fool, or don't 
I underflaud the manner of a Contrad ? Who is it can 
teach me ? No body, I prefume. Don't I know that 
when they are marry 'd they have in Law an equal 
Right to all Movables, Monies, Immovables, and 
Acquifitions, unlefe they give it up by an A£t of Re* 
nunciation ?; Don't I know that a third part of the 
Portion of the Wife that is to be, becomes in com- 
mon, for 

Arnolph. Ay, to be fure you know all this; but 
who (ays one Word t'ye about it ? 

I 3 Thi 



IpS L^Ec OLE D E S F£ M'KE^. 

L£ Not AIRE. Vous, qui xnc pretendez faire paffer 
. pour fot, • 

£n me haaiTant Pepaule, Sc faifant la grimace. 
Ar N o L PH B. La peile foit de ' rhommey Sc (a chi- 
ennede&ce! 
Adieu. Ceil le moyen de voas &ire finir. 
^ Le Not AIRE. Poor drefier on contrat rnVt-on pas 
^ fait venir ? , < 

ArIiolphe. Oui^ je voas ai mande : mais la diofe 
eft remife ; 
Xt Ton vous mandera quand Pheure fera prife* 
Voyez quel diable d^homme avec fon entretien t 
Le Not aire /eul.'} Je peofe qa^il tn umt, ic j< 
crois penier biea. 



S C E N E in. 
; XEN.DTAXRE, AJ^AlN, GEORGETTE.! 

Lb Not ai re. 

M^tes-voas pas venu querir poor votreinaitref 
Alain. Oui. ' 

I Lb No.taire. Pignorc pour qui voas le pouTCl 

connoitre.: ''- ; 

Mais allez de ma part lui dire de ce pa» 
Que c'ett un fouf fieffe. 
Gborgbtte. Nous n^y manqoerons pas# 



SCENE IV. 
'; ARNOLPHE, ALAIN, GEORGETTE. 

A LA 1,11, U ' 

MOnfieur. .,, . ^, : -""r " ■ ' : 
Arno LPH^. Approchcz yous, vous e^esmtt 
fideles, ' .. 
Mes bons, mes vrais amijt> Sc j'cn f^ais des nouvcUcs. 



tie School fir Wrv fs. ig^ 

The Notary. You, "who feem to take me for a 
Foo], by fhrugging up yonr Shoulders, and making 
Faces at me^ 

A R N L p H . Hague take the Fellow with Jiis Puppy V 
Face. Fare you well; that^s the way to make yoa. 
have done. 

The Notary. Was not I fetchM hither to draw 
DpaContraft? 

Arnolph. Yes, I fent for you ; but the Affair is put 
oiF, and -m fend for you again when the Time is fixM^ 
What a Devil of a Fellow this is with his Jabbering ! 

The Notary alone,'} I think he's mad, andtb«^ 
£e?e I think right too. 



SCENE III. 
fke NOTARY, ALLEN, GEORGETTA. 

Th r Not ar y. 

DI D not you come to fetch me to your MaRer t 
Allen. Yes. 
The Notary. I don't know what you may take- 
Jilrn for, but go arid tell him from me, that he's an ar- 
rant FooJ. 

Georgetta. We won*t fail to do it.' 



S C E N E IV. 
ARNOLPH, ALLEN, GEORC3ETTA. 

Allen- 

SIR^ 
Arko LPH. Come hither, yon are my faithfirf, 
^y good, my real Friends, and I've fome News for you. 
1 4 ALL£:ir. 



gtOO L^ECOLX D£$ FfittM25. 

Alaik. Lenotaire... 

Arnolphe. Laiflbns, cVft poar quelqu^aatre jouri 
On veut a mon honneur jouer d^un mauvais tour ; 
£t quel afFront pour vous; mes en&ns, vpourroit-<e etre. 
Si Ton avoit ote rhonnear a votre maitre ? 
Vous n^oferiez aprcs paroitre en nul endroit, 
£t chacan» vous voyant, voos xnontreroit an doigt. | 
Bone, puifqu*autant que moi TaiTaire vous legardey 
II fiiut de votre part hire une telle garde, . 
Que ce galant ne puiiTe en aucune ^900 ... 

Ge rg b t t e . Vous nous arez tantot montre notre 
le9on. 

Arnolphe. Mais, a fes beaux difcourSf gartiez 
bien de vous rendre. 

Alain. Oh! Vraymfent . . . 

Georgette. Nous ffavons comme il faut s^en de- 
fendre. 

Arnolphe. S'il venoit doucement, Alak, moo 
pauvie cceur. 
Par un peu de fecours foulage ma ]angueur. { 

Ala^n. Vous etes un fot. 

Arnolphe. Bon. [a Georgette.] Georgette ma I 
mignonne, 
Tu me parois fi douce, Sc fi bonne perfonne. 

Geor.gette. Vous etes un nigaud. 

Arnolphe. Bon. [a Alain,'] Quel mal trouvcs-ttt 
Dans un de£ein honnete, Sc tout plein de vertu ? 

Alain. Vous etes un fripon. 
' Arnolphe. Fort bien. [a Georgette.] Ma mort 

efl fure. 
Si tu nc prends pitie des peines que j'endure. 

Georgette* Vous itcs un benct, unimpodcnt. 

Arnolphe. Fort bien^ 
{a Jlainl Je ne fuis pas un homme a vouloir rictt 

pour rien. 
Je f9ai5> quand on me fertj en garder la memoire. 



JJ^ ScH 00 L/(?r Wives. 201 

Allem. Tkc Notary 

AftNOLPH. No matter, fome other time for 
tliat. A wicked Deiign is contrivM againU rnyHo^ 
ftour ; and wliat a Difgrace would it be for you, Chil> 
dren, to have your Mailer's Honopr taken from him ? 
After tha( you'd not dare appear ih any |^ace, for 
whoever fees you would point at you. Therefore, 
iincethe Af&ir. concerns you as much as me, you muft 
takefuch care, for your part, that this Spark may not 
in any manner — — — — 

Georgetta. YouVe taught us our LefTon already. 

A & N LP H . But beware ofliflning to his fair Speeches.' 

Allen. O ! tobe fure.— 
GioRCETTA. We know how to deny him. 

Arnolpr. Suppofe he fhould come now in z 
wheedling manner ; Jllen, my dear Heart, cheer up 
my drooping Spirits by a little of your AiTiftance. 

Allen. You're a FcJol. 

Arnolph. Right. [T'^ Georgetta.] Georgetia^ my 
Pretty- Face, you feem fo fweet-tcmpcr'd, and fo good 
a Body, 

Georgetta. You'rcanOaf. 

Arn o LP H. Right. [To Allen.} What harm is there, 
d*ye think, in an honeft and virtuous Defign ? 

Allen. You're a Rogue. 

Armoi>ph. Mighty welL [71? Georgetta.] I fliall 
certainly die, if you take no pity on the Pains I 
fHfter. 

Georgetta. You're a Blockhead, an impudent 
Fellow. 

Arnolph. Very good. [To Allen.].. I'm not a Per- 
fon that deiires fomething for nothing ; I know how 
to remember Services that are done me ; Howievcr, 



202 L'EcfOLX D2S FcilMES. 

Cependant par avance, Alain, voil& poor botre, 
Et voila pour t'avoir. Georgette, un cotillon. 
[/// tendent tons deux la main^ ^ frennent rargtnt\ 
Ce n'e$ de mes bienfiuts qu^un fimple echantillon. * 
Toute la courtoiiie enfin dont je vous prefle, 
C*eft que je puifib voir votre belle maitrefle. 
Gborcktte U pouffantJ^ A d^autres. 

^ * 

Arnolpbe. Bon cela. 
Alain le pouffant.'] Hors d*id. 
Arnolphe. Bon. 
Georgette le pouffant, 2 Mais tot. 
Arnolphb. Bon. Hola, c'eft affcsc. 
Georgette, Faisrje pas comme il faut ? 
Alain. Eft-ce de la feyon que vous voulcz I'en- 

tendre ? 
Arnolphb, Oui, fortbien, hors Pargcnt qu*il ne 

fidloit pas prendre. 
Georgette. Nous nc nous fonuncs pas foavcnitt 

decc'point. 
Al Ai n* Voulez-Tous qu*a Pinftant nous rccomjaea* 

dons? 
Ajinolph^. Point. 
Suffit. Rentrez tous deux. 
Alain. Vous n^avczrien qu*i dire. 
Arnolphb. Nod, vous dis-je, rentres^i puifqocjC 
, le d^fire. 
Je vous laifle Targent. AUez. Je vous rejoins, 
Ayez bien Poeil a toutj & fecondez mes foins. 



SCENE V. 
ARNOLPHB feul. 

JE veux pour efpion qui foit d'exadte vue. 
Prendre le favetier du coin de notre rue. 
Pans Jamaiigix toujours je pretends la tenir. 



fBe Sc iro o l. for Wi v e s. 203 

Jlkn, there's fomewhat to make you drink before- 
hand; and there's to buy you an Under- Petticoat, 
Gtorgetta. \^Both bold out their Hands and take the 
Mony."] This is only an Earneft of my Kindncfs j 
and all the Favour I requell of you is only to let me 
fee your pretty Miilrefs. 

George TT A puffing him,"} Notiq o' your Tricks 
upon us. * 
Arnolph. That's good. 
Allen pujhing him.\ Get you gone. 
Arnolph. Right. 

Gborgetta fuflnng him."} This Moment.' 
j Arnolph. Very well. Hold, enough. 
I Georgetta. Don't I do right ? 
I Allen. Is this the way you'd have as behave td' 
him ? 

Arnolph. Yes, it's mighty well, except as ta 
tiie Mony, which you muftn't take. 
G EORc ETTA. We didn't think o* that, 

Allen. Wou'd you have us begin again juftnow«? 

Arnolph. No; 'tis enough, go in both of yba- 

All^n. Ycu need only fpcak. 

Arnolph. No,. I tell you, go in when I defire 
voa. You may keep the Mony ; go, I'll come to 
you again ; have an Eye to every thing, and fecond 
-7 Endeavours, 



SCENE V. 
ARNOLPH aUne. 

I'LL get the Cobler at tlje Corner of our Street 
to be a Spy for me 5 I defign to keep her al- 
ways within Doors, fet a good Guard upon her^ 

anil 



204 L'£C0L£ DES F£MME5« 

Y ^re bonne garde, & fur toat en banpir 
Vendeafes de rubans, perniquieres, coeffeufes, 
Faifeufes de mouchoirs, gantieres,. revendeufes. 
Tons ces gens qui fous main travaillent chaque jour 
A feire reuflir les myfteres d^amour. 
Enfin j*ai vu le monde, & jVn r9ais les finefles. 
Ji faudra que mon homme ait de grandes adreiTes, 
Si meflage 6u poulet de fa part pent entrer. 



SCENE VI. 

HORACE, ARNOLPHE, 

Horace. 

A pkce m*eft henreufe a v6us y rencontrer. 



LA place m*eft henreufe a v6us y rencontrer. ; 

Je viens de Techaper bien .belle, je vous jure* I 
Attfortir d'avec vous, fans prcvoir Tavanture, ' 
Seule dans fon balcon j^ai vu paroitre Agnes \\ 

Qui des arbres prochains prenoit un peu Ic frafs. 
Aprcs m'avoir fait figne, ellc a f9u faire en forte, 
Pefcendant.au jardin, de m'en ouvir la porte: 
Mais k .peine tous deux dans fa chambre etions-nou5^ 
Qtt*elle a fur les degres entendu fon jaloux, 
Et tout ce qu'elle a pu dans un tel acceffoire, 
C'eft de me renfermer dans une grande armoire^ 
II eft entre d'abord j je ne le voyois pas, 
Mais je Toyoi^ marcher, fans rien dire, a grands pas, 
youlTant de terns en terns des foupirs pitoyables, 
lit donnant quelquefois de grands coups fur les taHes, 
Frappant un petit chien qui pour lui s'emouvoit, 
£t jettaht brufquement les hardes qu^il trouvoit. 
11 a meme caffe, d?une main mutinee, 
Des vafes dont la belle ornoit fa cheminee, 
Et fans doute il faut bien qu'a ce becque comu. 
Da train qutlle a joue, quelque jour foit venu, 
Eniin, apres vingt tours, ayant de la manrere, 
$ui ce qui h*en peut mais^ d«charge fa colere^ 



f^^ScHOOL/^r Wives. 205 

and above all banifli your Sellers of Ribbons, Tire- 
Womcn, Milliners, Handkerchief-makers, Glove- 
waihcrs, and Fripery- Women, all thofe Gentry wh© 
make it their daily Buiinefs to help on your Love-In- 
trigues. In fhort, I've fcen the World, and under- 
ftand the Tricks of it, and my Spa'rk fliall be migh- 
ty canning if he get Admittance for either Letter or 
Meflage. 



S C E N E VI. 
HORACE, A R N O L P H. 

Horace. 

ITs happy for me to meet you here j I had a vtty 
£ur Efcape e'en now, I affure you. As I went from 
you, I faw J^gnes unexpeftedly in the Balcony all a- 
ione, enjoying the cool Breezes from the Trees juA by. 
After having made me a Sign, ihe found means fome 
way or other to get down iftto the Garden, and open 
me the ]>oor. But we were fcarce both of us in her 
Chamber, before ihe heard her Jealous-pate upon the 
Stairs i and all ihe poilibly could do at fuch a pinch» 
was to lock me up in a large Prefs for Clothes. He 
came into the Room immediately : I didn't fee him, 
but I heard him walk to and fro' at a great rate, 
without fpeaking a Word, but fighing grievoufly now 
and then, and fometimes giving great Thumps upon 
the Table, llriking'a little Dog that fawn'd upon hrm, 
and flinging about in a mad manner whatever came in 
his way ;. he broke in his Paflion the very Flower- Pots 
with which the Fair One had fet out her Chim- 
ney j and without doubt the Trick (he has play'd 
niuft have come to the Ear of this Cuckold in Embrio. 
At laft, after having by twenty fuch Tricks difcharg'd 
his Fury on things that could not help it> my jealous, 

reft- 



2o6 L*£ c b t E b\i Fe M M E s: 

Mon jalonx inquiet^ fans dire fon ennui. 

Eft forti de la chambre, &.moi, de mbn etui; 

Nous n'^vons point voulu> de peor du per^onnage,^ 

Kifquer a nous tenir enfemble dkvantage, 

C^toit trop haz%rder : msds je dois, cette nuit, 

Dans fa chambre un peu tard m*introduire fans bruit^ 

En toaffant par trois fois je me ferai connoitre, 

£t je dois aufignal voir ouvrir la fen^tre, 

Don!, a'Vec'one ^dictte, 1^ leconde d^ Agnes, 

Mon amour tacbera de me gagner Tacces. 

Comme a mon fenl ami, jeveax bien vous T^pprendre. 

L*allegre^e dt cdeur s*augmente k la repan^e, 

£t goutat-on cent fois un bonhear tout parfait. 

On n*en eft pas content, fi quelqu*un ne le f^ait. 

Vous prendrez papt, je penie, a Theur de dies affiures* 

Adieu. Je vais Tonger aux cKofes neceflaires. 



S C E N E VIL 

A R N O L P H E feii/, 

Ojioi ! L'aftre qui s*obiline a me defefperer,;. 
Ne me donnera pas le terns de refpirer ? 
iJoup fur coup je verrai, par leur intelligence, 
De mes foins vigilans confondre la prudence, 
Et je ferai la duppe, en ma maturite, 
D*une jeune innocente, & d'un jeune evente K 
En fage philofophe, on m*a vu vingt annees 
Contempler des maris les trifles deftinees, 
£t m^nilfuire avec foin de tous les accidens 
Qui font dans le malheur tomber les plus prudcns : 
Des difgraces d^autrui profitant dans mon ame, 
J'ai cherche les moyens, voulant prendre unefemm^i 
De pouvoir garantir mon front de tous affronts, 
Et le tirer de pair d'avec les autres fronts ; 
Four ce -noble deflein, j*ai cru mettre en pratique 

- ^ ^ Tout 



' ^e ScH'ODX fdr Wivis. 20^ 

reMefs Gentleman, without faying what diftdrbM him, 
left the Chanjber, and I my Prefs. We were unwil- 
ling to venture flaying together any longer for fear of 
fomcbody, *twou'd have been running too great a 
Rifque : But to Night when it*s late Pm to get into 
her Chamber without making any Noifej the Sign 
hr her to know me is to be three Hems, and then the 
Window will be openM, at which, by a Ladder and . 
the Ailifiance of Agnes^ Love will try to gain Ad- 
mittance for me. Thid I tell to you as my only 
friend : Joy increafes by being reveal'd ; and fhould 
one tafte tiie atmoft Happinefs an hundred times over» 
*twou'd not be fatisfiiftory unlefs *twcre known by fome*- 
body; You*ll take part, I believe, in the Succefs of 
my A£urs. Adieu, I*m going to take care of what 
is ncccflary. 



W^i 



SCENE vn. 

A R N O L P H uhm, 

:, will my perfecuting 9tau? allow me no time 
to breathe? Blow after Blow I Am..! £ited by 
them to %xA all my Wiflom and Vigilance defeated f * 
And (hall I in the Meridian of my Life be made a Fool 
of by a fimpk Girl, and a flatterbninM young Fet- 
low ? For twenty Years paft, like a difcreet Philofo- 
pher, I^ve beoi contemplating the unhappy^ Deftiny of 
marry'd Men, and have carduHy inibrmM my felf of 
all the Accidents which plunge the moid prudent in- 
to Misforttme: Pondering: in my own Mind, and pro- 
fiting by the Difgraces of others, (it being my Intent 
to marry) I have endeavoured to find the way of fe- 
curing my Brows from all Affronts, and prevent their 
Matching with other Foreheads : For this noble Pur*- 
pofe I imagined I had put in practice whatever human 

Policy 



208 L'ECOLE D£$ FemMBS., 

Toat ce que peat trouver rhamaine politique ^ 
Et, comme fi du fort 11 etoit arrete 
Que nul homme ici bas n^en feroit exemte^ 
Apres Tcxpenence, & toutes les lumieres 
Que j*ai pu m'acquerir fur de tcUes matieres, 
Apres viogt ans & plus de meditadon 
Pour me conduire en tout avec precaution, 
^e tant d'autres snarls j'aurois qoitte la trace 
Pour me trouver apres dans la meme disgrace ? 
Ah 1 Bourreau de deftin, vous en aurez menti. 
De Tobjet qu*on pourfuit^ je fuis encor nanti j 
Si fon coeur m*efl vole par ce blondin fonefte, 
J'empecherai du moins qu'on s^empare du refte, 
£t cette nuity qu*on prend pour ce galant exploit^. 
Ne fe paifera pas & doucement qu^on croitJ 
Ce m^ieft quelque plaifir, parmi tant de triileflc^ 
Que Ton me donnefavis du piege qu'on me drciTe, 
Et que cet etoardi, qui veut m^etre &tal^ 
FaiTe fon confident de fon propre rival. 



SCENE VIII, 
CHRISALDE, ARNOLPHR. 

C»HI S AL D E. 

HE* bien f Soopermis-nous avant la promenade ?^ 
Arnolphe. Non. Je jeune ce foir. • 
Ch R I s A L D E . D*o^ vient cette boutade ? 
Arnolphe. Degrace^excafez-moi^j'aiquelqu^tre 

embarras. 
GfiRiSALDE. VotreiiymenrefolaQef&ferart-ilpas ? 

. Arnolphe. Oc& trop s'inqmeter des a^iresdes 
autres. 
Ch Ri s A L D E . Oh 9 oh f Si brufquement ! Quels cha* 
grins fbnt les votrcs ? 

Seroit: 



yfeScHOOL/(?r Wivjs. ao9 

Policy could invent, but as if it was decreed by Fate 
that no Man on Earth (honld be exempted from it, 
after all the Light and Experience that I could poffibly 
gain in thefe Matters, afier more than twenty Years 
fhidying how to conduft my felf warily thro' the whole 
Afiair, hare I adlcd contrary to the PrafUce of fo ma- 
ny Husbands, to find my felf invdv'd in the very lame 
Difgrace at laft ? Ah ! cruel DefUny, thou art a Lyar ! 
Vm ftill in PoiTeffion of the defirM Objed ; and if her 
Heart is ftolen from me by this unlucky Spark, I*H 
prevent him however from feizing any thing elfe, and 
tonight, which they intend for this Piece of Galan- 
try, (hall not be fpent fo agreeably as they imagine. 
It*s fome Pleafure to me, amidft fo much Uneafinefs, 
that IVe notice of the Snare prepar'd for me, and that 
this Blunderer who would be &tal to me, makes hit 
own Rival his Confid^t* 



SCENE vm. 

CHRIS ALDUS, ARNOLPH. • 
Chris ALDUS. 

WE^LL^ fliall we fup before our Walk ^ 
Arnolph. No, I fail to-night. 
C H R I s A L D u s . Whence comes this Whim ? 
Arnolph. Pray now excufe me, Tvefomething 
dfe that hinders me. 

Chrisaldus. Isn't the Wedding you refolv'd up 
on to be performed ? 

Arnolph. That's troubling yourfelf too much with 
odier People's Bufinefs. 
Chri8AL9.V8. Ohp, fo fnappiihl What is'tdiflurbs 

you i 



4IO L^Ecoir bffs FtMVf^s^ 

Seroit-iL'pointy compere, i votre paffion. 

Arrive qadque pea de tribulation i 

Je le jarerois preique a voir votre vifage. 

'Arnolphe. Qooiqull m'arrive, au moins auraTj^ 
Pavantage 
De tic pas reffembler k de certaines gens. 
Qui fouffxcnt doucemcnt Papproche des galans. 

Chrisaxde. Ce& un etrange fait qu'avec tant de- 
lumiereSy 
Vou9 vous efEtroQChiez toujour s fur ces xnatieres,. 
Qtt'en cela vous mettiez le fouverain bonheur, 
£t ne conceviez point au monde d^autre honneur*. 
£tre avare, brutal, fburbe, mechant & lache* 
N'ed rien a votre avis^aupres de cette tache ; 
£t» de quelque £i9on qu^on puifTe avoir vecu^ 
On eft honune d^honneur, quand on n^eft point cocn. 
A le bien prendre au fonds, pourquoi voulez-voos croire 
Que de ce cas fortuit depende notre gloire, 
£t qu^une ame bien nee ait k fe reprocher 
^'injufUce d'uamal qu'on ne peat empecher l- 
Pourquoi voulez-vous, dis-je, en prenant iine lemme,' 
Qu*o|i foit digne i fon choix de louange on de blame^ 
£t qu^on s^aiUe former un nionftre plein d'effroi, 
De I'affront que nous fait Ton manquemerit de foi> 
Mettez-vous dans Tefprit qtt*bn peut du cocuage 
Se faire eil galant homme une plus douce image^ 
Que, des coups du hassard aucun n*etant garant. 
Get accident de foi doit ^fre indifFerent, 
^ qa*enfin tout le mal, qQoique le monde glofe, 
Jl'eft qpe dans la fa9on de recevoir la chofe ; 
fit, poir fe bien conduire en ces difficultes, 
II y faut, comme en tout, fuir les extremites, 
Is^imiter pas ees gens un peu trop debonnaires 
QhI tirent vanite de ces fortes d'affaires, 
Pe leursfemmes toajonrs vbnt citant'les ^lans,^. 
Ea fbnt par tout Teloge, & froneat leur^ talens, 

Tcmo- 



Vhi Sc^HO L for W r^rt s. 2 ri 

joa ? Have you met with anyjlittle miBfortune m Love, 
my Ffiend ? By your Countenance I'd almoft fwear 
70a have. 

; Arnol^h. Let what will bcfel me, I fhall at leafk 
have the Advantage of being unKke certain People^, 
i wh» ^e«ly fttffer Gaknts to make Uieir Vi£ts. 
! . V '. . •• • 

.-Chrisaldus. It*s a flrange thing, that with ^ 
Bioch Difcemment, youfhould always take Fright up- 
on this Affair, that you fhould place your fovcreign 
Happinefs in this, and im^ne no other kind of Honour 
in the World : To be a Mifer, a Brute, a Villain, a 
Bully, and Coward is nothing in your Opinion, com- 
pa>*4 with this Blot ; and in whatfoevei manner a 
Man may have lived, he is a Man of Honour if he*« 
not a Cuckold, To come clofer to the purpofe, why 
will you fuppofe that all our Glory depends on fuch 
an Accident ? And that a virtuous Mind has any thing 
to reproach it felf for the Injuftice of a Vicious 'onp 
which it could not help ? Why will you, I fay,'ima- 
ginc. that in taking a Wife one defervcs either Praife 
or Blame for ;the Choice one makes, and form a mcft 
horrible Moflfter of the Affront that is done one bj^ 
her Falfehood ? Be perfuaded that a Man of Honour 
n^ay have a lefs frightful Notion of Cuckoldom j that 
none being fecure from the Strokes of Fortune, this 
Aosiim (hould be thought- in itfclf indifferent ; and in 
ftiort, that all the harm of it, let the World pretend 
what it will, lies only in the manner of our bearing it. 
To behave well under thefe Difficulties, one mutt, as 
well as in all others, avoid Extremes ;.not be like thofe 
over-good-natur'd People, who, proud of fuch A^rs, 
are inviting their Wives Galants continually, praifing 
I 'em in all Places, and crying up their good Qaalities i 
I who. 



212 L'EcoLE desFemmbs. 

Temoignent avec eax d'etroitef fymp^thies, 

Sont de tous leurs cadeaux, de toutes leurs parties^ 

£t font qa'avec raifon les gens font etonnes 

De voir leur hardieiTe ^ xnontier la leur nez. 

Ce procede fans doate eil toat-a-iait blamable $. 

Mais Paatre extremite n'eft pas moins condamnable* 

Si je n'approuve pas ces amis des galans, 

Je ne fuis pas auffi pour ces gens turbolens 

]>ont rimprudent chagrin, qui tempete & qui ffrondc. 

Attire, au bruit qu^il ^t, les yeux de tout le jnond^^ 

£t qui, par cet eclat, femblent ne pas voulotr 

Qu^aucun puifTe ignorer ce qulls peuvent avoip* 

Entre ces deux partis, il en eH un honnete, 

Ou, dans roccafion, Thomme prudent s'arrete ; 

Et, quand on le f^ait prendre, on n'a point k rougir 

Dm pis dont une femme avec nous puiflb agir. 

Quoi qu'on en puifTe dire enfin, le cocuage 

Sous des traits moins afFreux aifement s'enviiage^ 

Et, commeje vous dis, toute Tbabilete 

Ke va qu*a le r9avoir tourner du bon cote. 

Arnolphe. Apres ce beau difcours,^ toate la con* 
frairie 
Doit un remerciement i voire feigneurie ; 
£t quiconque voudra vous entendre parler, 
Montrera de la joie a s'y voir enroler. 

Chrisalde. Je ne dis pas cela ; car c*efl; ce que jff 
blame : 
Mais, comme c^eft le fort qui nous donee une femme, 
Je dis que Ton doit &ire ain£ qu^au jeu de dez, 
pu, s^il ne vous vient pas ce que vous demandez, 
II £aut joucr d'adrelTe, &, d'une ame rcduite, 
Corriger le hazard par la bonne conduite. 

Arnolphe. CeA-adire dormir &manger toujour^ 
bien, 
JLt fe perfuader que tout cela n^efl rlen. 
; Chrisalde. Vous penfez vousmoquer: snaisj a 
ne vous rien feindre. 



Tie School/^ Wives- 2ij- 

who appear exadly of their Humour, come to all 
their Treata and Meetings, and give every Body Reafon 
I to wonder -at their having the Affurance to Ihcw their 
I faces there. This way of afting is certainly highly 
bkmeable, but t'other Extreme is no lefa to be 
condenined.' As I don*e approve of fuch as arc- 
Friends to thfiir Wives Galants, I am no more for 
thofe violent People whofe indifcreet Refentment 
fell of Rage and Fury, draws the Eyes of all the 
World ttpon them by its Noife, and who, by the 
Softie they make, appear unwilling that any Body 
ihould be ignorant what they are. There's a Medium 
between thefe two Extremes, where a wife Man ftopt 
spon fucE an Occaiion : -When a Body knows how to 
take it, there's no Caufe to be aiham'd for the worft 
t Wife can do. In ihort, whatever People iay of it, 
Cackoldom may be eaiily made to appear lefs fright* 
fill, and as I told you before, all the Dexterity lies in 
knowing how to turn the fidr fide outwards. 

AvLHOhTH. After this fine Harangue, the whole 
Fraternity ought to thank your Worfhip, and any 
body that hears you fpeak mnft rgoice to find himfelf 
cnroird amongft the Number^ 

Chrisaldus. I don't (ay that, for *tis what I 
blame : but as a Wife is the Gift of Fortune, one Ihou'd 
do^ I fay, as at Dice, where if what you expeft don't 
come up, you muft make ufe of Dexterity and Temper 
to amend your Luck by good Conduct. 

AaNOLPH. That is to fey, always eat and fleep 
qoietly, and perfuade yourfelf it fignifies juft nothing. 

CnaisALDixs. You think to make a J«ft on't : but 
to deal jfinc^rely with you> I know m hundred things 

in 



«f4" L^EcoLr Dis Femmes. 

Dans le monde je vois cent chofes plas a craindre, 
£t dont je me ferois vox bien plus grand malhear, , 
Que de cet accident qui vous fait tant de pear. 
Penfez-votts qtt*a choiiir de deux chofes prefcrites» 
Je n*aimafle pas mieux etre ce que vous ^tes. 
Que de me voir mari de ces femmes de bien 
Boat lamauvaife hameur fait un proces fur rien^ 
Ces dn^Bs de vertu, ces honn^tes diablefles, 
Se retranchant toujours fur leurs fages proueiTes, 
Qjiiy pour un petit tort qu'elles ne nous font pas* 
Pxemient droit de traiter les gens de haut en bas« 
£t» veulent fur le pied de nous etre fideles. 
Que nous foypns tenus'de tout endurer d'elles ? 
£ncore un coup, compere, apprenez qu'en efiet 
Le cocuage n^efl que ce que Ton le fait, 
Qa*on pent le fouhaiter pourde certaines caufes> ^ 
Et qu*il a fes plaiiirs comme les autres chofes. 

Arm o L p H E . Si tous £tes d^humeur a vous en cofl^ 
tenter, 
<2uantamoi, ce n*e{l pas la mienoe d*en tater ; 
£t plutot que fubir une telle avanture • . . 

Chrisaldb. Mon Dieu, ne jurez point de ]^ 
d'etre parjure. 
Si le fort Pa regie, vos foins font fuperflus, I 

£t Ton ne prendra pas votre avis la-defTus. , 

Arnolphe. Moi? Je ferois coca ? 
Chrisalj>e. Vous voila bien malade. 
Mille gens le font bien, fans vous faire bravadc, , 

Qgi de mine, de cceur, de biens & de maifbn, 
Ne feroient avcc vous nuUe comparaifon. * 

Ark o l p h e . Et moi, je n'en voudrois avec cux feirc | 
aucune s 
Mais cette raillerie en un mot m*lmportune, 
Brifons la; s'il vous plait. 

Chrisalde. Vous etcs en courroux. 
llouscnfjauronslaxaufc. Adieu, Souvcncz^ vous, 

Quoi 



V 



^Zi* School/^ Wives; tig 

in the 'World that are to be dreaded more, and which 
I fhould think a mach greater Misfortune than the Ac* 
cident yoa*re fo terrMy afraid of. Do yon imagine^ 
was I forced to make nvy Choice, that I fhou^dn't ra- 
ther like to be what yon fay, than to be marryM to 
one of thofe good Women whofe Perverfenefs makes a 
Qoarrel oat of nothing 1 Thofe Dragons of Virtue, thofe 
honeft She-devils, who pique themfelves continually 
upon their wife Condud, who, becaufe they don't do us 
a flight Injury, take upon 'em to behave haughtily^ 
and expedl for their being true to us, that we ihou'd 
bear every thing from 'em. Once more, . Friend, let 
me tell you, that Cuckoldon is really nothing but What 
one makes it, that it may be even wiih'd for on fome 
Accounts, and that it has its Pleafures as well as other 
ithlngs. 

AftNOLTH. If you're of a Temper to be contented 
under it, I've no mind to try it for my part, and 
rather than fubmit ^ fuch a thing 

ChkisaI'Dus. Blefs me, don't fwear for fear of be- 
ing peijar'd. If Fate ordsuns it fo, your Precaution* 
are all to no porpofe ; your Advice will not be taken 
about the Matter. 
Armolph. Shall I be a Cuckold ? 

Chkisaldus. You are grievoufly hurt: A thou« 
Hud People, are fo, without Difparagement to you, 
who for Perfon, Courage, Wealth, and Family, would 
think it an Affront to be compar'd with you. 

A&NOLPH. For my part, I ihall make no Compa- 
rifona vith them. But, in one word, this Raillery is , 
Xronbfefome; let's ha' done with it, if you pleafe. 

Chrisaldus. You're in a Paffion; we ihall imd 
«at the Caofe of iU Fare you well : but, remember, 

what- 



tl6 L'£C0LJC DESFXMMJESJ 

Qaoi que fur ce fujet votre hoimear vans infpire^ 
Que c*eft etre a demi ce que Ton vient de dire. 
Que de vouloir jurer qu*(m ne le fera pas. 

Arnol^phb, Moi,.jele jure encore, & je vsus de ce p&i 
Contie cet accident trouver an bon rem^. 

[// court beurter a fa forte. 



SCENE IX. 
ARNOLPHE, ALAIN, GEORGETTE. 

Arnolphe. 

ME S amis, c*eft ici que j'implore votre aide i 
Je fuis ddifie de votre afiedion, * 
Mais il faut qu*elle eclate en cette occafion ; 
£t, fi vous m'y fervez felon ma confiance, 
Vous etes affurcs de votre recompenfe. 
Uhomme que vous f9avez, n*en &ites point de bruit^ 
Veut, comme je Y2I {^xx^ m*attraper cette nuit, 
Dans la chambre d* Agnes entrer par efcalade ; 
Mais 11 lui feut, nous trois, dreffer une embuicade. 
Je veux que vous preniez chacun un bon baton, 
£t, quand il lera pres du dernier echelon, 
(Car dans le tems qu^il £iut j'ouvrirai la ^eCre,} 
Que tous deux a Tenvi vous me chargiez ce traicie, 
Mais d*un air dont fon dos garde le fouvenir, 
£t qui lui puiiTe apprendre a n^ plu« revenir ; 
Sans me nommer pourtant en aucune maniere, 
Ni faire aucun fcmblant que je ferai derriere. 
Auriez-voas bien Tefprit de fervir mon courronx ? 

Alain. S'il ne tient qu'a firapper, Monfieur, toat 
eft a nous, 
Vous verrez, quand je bats, fi j'y vais de ttxm vaott^ 

Georgette. La mienne, quoi qu'aux yeux die 
femble moins forte, ' 
N*cn quitte pas fa part a le bicn etriller. 



ne School for Wives. 117 

wbateirer your Honoar may make you imagine as to 
tkis Afiair, that it is being half what we were talking 
of, to fwear yon will not he fo. 

Arnolph. Again, I fwear it, ^nd am going this 
In^t to find out a good Remoiy aga^nfl that Acci- 
^t. ^ IRunni/gg to knock at his Door2 



SO ENE IX. 
ARNOLPH, ALLEN, GEORGETTA. 

Arnolph. 

MY Friends, now*s the time that I implore your 
Affiftance. Tm iatisfy'd of your Love for me r 
but it mnft be {hewn on this occafion ; and if you ferva 
me, as I alTure my lelf you will, you may be <:ertain of a 
Reward. The Man you know of (but not a woidX 
intends, as I underfbind,. to trick me this very Nighty* 
and get by a Ladder into Jgnes'i Chamber. But we 
three muft lay a Trap for him. I'd have each of yoiv 
take a good Cudgel, and when he*s almoft at the top 
Konnd of tiie Ladder, {for I^il open the Window in the 
nick of time) both of you ^1 upon the Rafcal for me» 
in fuch a manner that his Back may be fure to remem- 
ber it, and teach him to come there no more. How* 
ever, don't mention me at all, nor make any Appear- 
ance of my being behind. Should you have the Courage 
to execute my Refentment ? 

Allen. If he's only to be thralh'd. Sir, depend 
upon us, you fhall fee whether I ftrike wit]i a dead 
Man's Arm or not. 

Gbo.rgetta. Tho' mine feems not fo ftroi^ it 
ihall play its part in drubbing him. 

Voi.IIL K Ar** 



ai$ L*EcoLJ^ DEs Femjtes; 

Arnolphb. RentrezdonCj & fur tout g^udez de ba* 
biller. 
l^fiuL'] Voila pour le prochain une le^oa utile i 
Et, ii tous les maris qui font en 9ette ville 
De leurs femmes ainii recevoient le galant, 
Le nombre des cocus ne feroit pas fi grand. 

A C T E V. &€-E N E L 
ARNOLPHE, AL-AIN, GEORGETTE. 

ArN'OI.PH£. 

IRaitres, qu'av«a-vou8 fiut par cctte violence? 
Alain« Nova vous aroas rendu, Monileury 

obeiiTance. 
Arnqi^ph, Decette exjcufeen TOftvoBS 
v4>ule2 vouis arsAer. 
L*ordr&etok4c k barter, & aon de rafibmaier ; 
Et c*etoit fur le dos^ 8c non ps^ fur la tete^ 
Qie j'avds command^ qu'on ftt cbeoir la tempete, 
Ciel ! Dans quel accident me jetle ici le fort I 
Et que puis-}e refoodre a voir oet homme mort ? 
Kentrez dans la maifoa, & gaodez de rten dire 
De cet ordre innocent qae j'ai pu vans pre£:rxre« 
i/euJ,] Le jour s'en va paroitre, & je vais cnnfolter 
Comnient dans ce malheur je me dois comporter. 
Helas ! Que deviendrai-je ? Et que dira le pere, 
JiOrs qu'inopinemcnt il^ fijauni cette afeire ? 




SCENE II. 
ARNOLPHE, HORACE. 

Horace a part. 
\1ji hsA que j^aille ua pen reconnoitre qai c*6ft. 
Akv QL? Hi /e^rvyastJiuJ.} But-09 jain»i» pr^' 

ya . . . 



fbe School yjTWrvBs. 21^' 

Arnolph. Go you in then, and above all things, 
be careful not to tattle, lalonej] This is a ufeful Lef- 
fon for my Neighbour, and if all . the Husbands in 
tliis Town were t6 receive their Wives Galants in the 
fame manner, the Number of Cuckolds would not be 
fo great. 

A G T V. S G E N E L 

I ARNOLPH, ALLEN, GEORGETTA. 

Ar no X.PH. 

les^ what have you done by yoarViolence> 
Allbn. Sir, we^ve d^'d you. 




Ar N oT L p B • You endeavour in vain to make 
^tyoupExcuie, you were orderM to be&t and not ta 
murder him : *twas his Back and not his Head that I 
commanded you to difcharge the Blows upon. Heavens ! 
into what a Condition has Fortune now brought me! 
what can I think of doing, to fee the Man dead ? Get 
ii^to the Hoofe» and be fure you &.y not a Word of 
the innoQcntx Order I gave yp«# lalone,] 'Twill be 
Day-light prefently, and I'll go ask Advice how f 
"^uft condudi • my felf under this Misfortune. Alas I 
what win become of mc? And what will the Father 
^^y> when he comes to be inlbrm'd of this unexpected 
Accident ? 



SCENE n. ' 

A R N O L P H, H O R A C E. 

H o R A o B aj!de, 

I Mud go inquire a little who it is. 
AanoLPii thinking [himftlf abuc^l Could one 
K * cv«r 



t20 L*Ec LE nZ% FZMMt Sl 

vu . . • [beurtSpar Horace,"] Qui va-la ? «'il 
vous plait. 

Horace. Ccft vous, Seigneur Arndphe ? 

AnNOLPHE. Ouu Mais vous... 

Ho R AC El C*«ft Horace. 
Je m'en allois chez vous, vous prier d*ime grace,' 
(Yooa fortez Uen matin ? 

Arnolpub iasapart,'] Qodle confbfion t 
£ft-ce an enchantement ? £ft-ce une illufion ? 

Horace, pitois, r<^ vfai, dansuiegrandepeioei 
Et je benis du Ciel la bonte foaveraine, 
Qtti £dt qa*i point nomme je voas rencontre ainfi. 
Je viens vous avertir que tout a reafli, 
Et meme beancoup pla8 que je n'eniTe ofe dire, 
Et par on incident qni devoic tout detmire. 
Je ne f9ais point par on Pon a pa foap9onner 
Cette affignation qu^on m^avoit f^a dohner ; 
Maisi etant for le point d*atteindre ^ la fenitre, 
J^aiy contre nuui efpoir, vn quelqaes gens paroitre. 
Qui, far moi brufquement levant chacon le bras, 
M^ont fait manquer le pied, & tomber ja(qa*en basi 
Et ma chute, aux depens de quelque meurtriflbre^ 
De vingt coups de baton m*a faove l*avanture. | 
Ces gens-la, dont etoit^ je penfe, mon jaloax, 
Ont impute ma chute i Pefi^rt de lenrs coaps^ 
Et, comme la dodear, un aflez long efpace, 
&ra fait, fans remner, demearer fur la pla^, 
lis ont era tout de bon qa*ils m^avoient aflbmmey 
Et chacun d*eax s*en eft auffi-tot alarm^. 
J^entendois toat le brait dans le profond filence, 
L'un I'autre ils s'accufoient de cette violence, 
Et, fans lumiere aucune, en querdlant le fort, 
Sont venus doucement tater fi j*<£toi8 mort. 
Je vous laifTe ^ p«afer fi, dans la nuit obftare, 
J'ai d*un vrai trepafie f9a tenir la figure i 
lis fc font t^e9 avec beancoup d*e^« 

It, 



^^ S c !4 o L for Wives. 2:21 

ever have forefeen— — \heing run againft hy Horace.) 

Who's there ? pray. 
Horace. Is it you Mr. Arnolphf 
Arnolph. Yes, but who are you ?— — 
HoRACB^ Horace ; I was going to your Honfe t^ 

beg a Favour of you. You're abroad ytxy early. 

Arno LPH low afidi^ Surprizisg ! Is it an Enchant- 
ment ? Is it a Vifion ? 

Horace. To fay the truth, I have been in abun- 
dance of Trouble, and I thank Heaven^s great Good- 
ncfe for meeting you here thus luckily. I'm going 
to tell you how every thing has fucceeded eveH much 
.^ttcr than I durft have promi&'d, and that too by an Ac- 
cident which'might have ruin'd all. I don't know how 
the Affignation we had made could poffibly come to be 
fflfpcfied 5 but juft as I was got to the Window I faw 
fomc People appear contrary to my Expc^ation, who 
flriking furioufly at me, made me mifs my Step and 
tumble to the very Ground : which Fall, at the Ex- 
pence of a Bruife, favM me from a hearty Drubbing* 
Thefc Pepplc, (amongft whom my Jealous-Pate, I fupr 
pofe, was one) imagined my Fall to be occafionM by 
tHe force of their ^ows \ and as my Pain made me lie 
a good while nrotionlefs on the Spot, they believ'd ve- 
rily that they had knock'd me o* the Head ; which im- 
mediately alarm'd 'em all. I heard their Noife witfc; 
a profound Silence : They accus'd one another of the 
Violence, and complaining of their hard Fate, came 
^ftly*. without any Light, to feel if I was dead. I leave 
you to guefs whether or no in the Night I could not 
put on the Appearance of a real dead Body. They 
went away very much terrify 'd: and as I was confider^ 

K 3 ing 



2t2 L'EcaiiE ^)ES V%UMt^\ 

Bt, comme je fongeois a me retirer, xnoi» 

De cette feinte mort la jeune Agnes emue, 

Avec empreiTement eft devers'moi venue : ^ 

Car les difcours qa'entr*eax ces gens avoient tenus 

Jufqaes a Ton oreille etoient d^abord venus, 

^t, pendant toat ce trouble ^tant moins obfervee, 

Du logis aifement elle s'^toit fauv^ : > 

Mais, me trouvant fans mal^ elle a £ut eclater 

ITn tranfport difficile ^ bien reprefenter. 

Que vous dirai-je eniin ? Cette aimaUe perfonne 

A fuivi les confeils que Ton amour lui donne, 

N'a plus voulu fongcr ^ retoumcr chcz foi» 

£t de tout Ton deiiin s*efl commife i ma foi. 

Oonfid^rez un pea, par ce tndt d*inaocaice» 

Ou Texpofe d*im fbu la haute impatience ; 

Et quels facheux perils elle pourroit courir. 

Si j'etois mabtenant homme a la moins cherin 

Mais d*un trop pur amour men amc efl embrafiee^ 

J'aimerois mieux mourir que Tavoir abufeei 

Je lui vols des appas dignes d*un autre (brt, 

Et rien ne m'en f9auroit fcparcr que la mort. 

Je prevois la-deffus Temportement d^un pere« 

Mais nous prendrons le terns d*appai(er fa colere. 

A des charmes ii doux je me laiffe emporter^ 

£t dans la vie enfin il fkut fe contenter. 

Ce que je veux de vous, ibus un fecret fidele, 

C'eft que je puifTe mettre en vos mains cette belle, 

Que dans votre maifon, en favcur de mes feux, 

Vous lui donniez retraite au moins un jour ou deux ; 

Outre qu^aux yeux dii monde il faut cacher fa fuite^, 

Et qti'on en pourroit faire une exafte pourfuite^ 

Vous fgavez qu'une iille auffi de fa fa9on 

Donne avec un jeune homme un etrange foup^on ; 

Et oomme c'eft a vous, fur de votre prudence, 

Que j*ai ^t de mes fcox entiere confidence, 

Ceft 4 vous feul audi, coname ami geneieuXi^ 

Que je puis coniSer ce depot amouxeux. j 



\ng how to get oiF, young ^gnes, whom my pre- 
tended Death had frighted, came to me in great 
Concern : (l^or Ihe had heard what the People faid to 
one another, . and . teing; kfs obfervM during all thi» 
BnfHe, ihe eafily flip'd out 'of the Houfe.) Bit Ending 
I was not hurt, ihe appearM in a Transport hardly to 
be exprje£»'4.. Wiyit ihall I %nioret*ye? At kft 
this charming Creature has followed the Di^tes of 
her Loye^ and bekig linwilling to go home any more» 
has committed hferfelf ifttrrcly to my Truft. You may 
find a Httle, by this harmlefs Proceeding, how much 
the grofs Impertinence of a Fool expofes her, and 
what a dreadful Rifque ihe might have run had I a 
lefs fincere Regard for her ; but my Heart bums with 
too pure a Flame, and I would rather die than injure: 
her. I ice Charms in her which delhre a better Fate, 
and nothing bat Death fliall part f». I fbrefee my 
Father's Anger, but we ihall End a time to appeafe 
his Wrath. I yield to her tender Charms, and in 
fliort, we muft pleafe our felves in Life : The Favour^ 
therefore, I would beg of you, (rdiying on your Se- 
crecy and Sincerity,) is, that I may put this Beauty 
into your Hands, and that you'll fo far ailiil my Paf- 
fion, as to conceal her in your Houfe for s^ Day or 
two at kaft. For, befid68> that her going off ihoold 
be kept from ev«ry Body' to prevent any certain Pur- 
iiiit after her, you are fenfible that a Girl of her 
Beauty would be flrangely fufpefted in the Company 
of a young Man; and as I haVe tru&ed you with the 
whole Secret of my Pailion, being well aiTur'd of your 
Prudence, fo to you only, as a generous Friend, can I 
commit this belov'd Treafure. 

K4 Ar- 



224 L'EcoLJB D2S F£tf Mirsr 

Arnolphb. Je (iiis» n*en doatez pointy tout i y^ 

trc fenrice. 
HonACB. Vous voalez iMen me lendre an fi char- 

mant office f 
AairdXPHB. Tres-volonders^ vbosdis-je^ 8c je me 
fens ravir 
De cette occafion que yai de voos fervir. 
Je rends graces a» Cid de ce qa*il me Venvoic, 
£t n*ai jamais rien fait avec fi grande joie. 

Horace. Que je fuis redevable i toutes vos boiit& ! 
J*avois de votre part craint des difficultes : 
Mais voos etes du monde, Sc dans votre iageilb 
Vous r^avess^ excufer le feu de la jeuneffe. 
Un de mes gens la garde au coin de ce detour. 
Arholprb. Mais comment ierons-nous? Car il 
£dt un peu jour. 
Sije la prends ici, Pon me verra peut-etre, 
Ety s^il fant que chez moi vous veniez il paroitre^ 
Des valets cauferont. Pour jouer au plus fur, 
II fiiut me Tamener dans un lieu plus obfcur» . 
Mon allee eft commode, &. je Vy vais- attendre. 
Horace. Ce font precautions qu*il eft. fort, bon de 
prendre. 
Pour moi, je ne ferai que vous lia mettre en mam, 
£t chez moi fans eclat je retoume (budain. 
Arnolph £>>»/.] Ah fortune! Ce trait d*avaiitare 
propice 
Repare tous les maux que m*a faits ton caprice. 

J^I/ j^euye/gffi U nez dans fim numt^uui 



N 



SCENE III. 

AGNES, HORACE, ARNOLPHE. 

Horace i Agnes. 
£ foyez point en peine ou je yais vouff mener s> 
C^eft un logeme^t fur que je vous &is donner. 



7T^^ School for Wivrs. 2^5 

Arnolph. I am, you need make no doubt, intire- 
, ly at your Scrvicc- 
Ho R AC B . And will you do me this kind Office ? 

Arnolph. Very readily^, I siffare you; rmover- 
}oy'd at this Opportunity of ferving you, and thank 
{ieavea for giving it me. I never did any thing with 
k mnch Pl^ure.^ 

Ho & A c B . How mnch am I obliged to you for your 
Goodnefs ? I was afraid youM make a Difficulty of do- 
agits faot|yon underfbiid the World, and your Wif- 
dom can excufe the heat of Youth. One of my Ser- 
nmts waits with her at the Corner of that Turning. 

Arh o l p h. But how fhall we manage ? for the Day 
begins to break. If I take her here,'perhaps I (hall 
k feen, and if yon ihould come to my Houfe the Ser- 
rants will tattle. To z€t the fafeft way, ihe muft be 
brought to me in fome IHace that^s darker. That Ak 
ley of mine is convenient^ Pll go wait for her there. 

Horace. *Tis very right to ufe thefe Precautions ^ 
for my part, I fhall do no more than put her into yony 
Hands, and then get me home immediately without 
&ying any thing. 

AvLVOi^TH akne.^ Ah, Fortune! This propitious 
Accident maker amends for all the Mifchief thy Caprice 
has done me. [Throws his Cloke o-uer his Face. 



SCENE HI. 

AGNES, HORACE, ARNOLPH., 

H o r A c B to Agnes. 
.Oii*t be uneafy about the Place I'm carrying you 
to, 'tis a Lodging yx)u?]l be very fafe in i 'twould 
ft 5 ruiif 



P 



^26 L*EC0I-B DES FlMMES; 

Vous loger avec moi ce ieroit toat detminc, 
Entrez dans cette porte, & laiiTez-vons coaduife. 
lAntdJj^J^t lui frend la main fans ficelle U cww§t 
AoNEs a Horace.] Pourquoi me qaittez-voas ?, 
Horace. Ckere Agnes, il k fiuit. 
Agnes. SoBgez done, je voosprie, areveoirbieft 

^tot. 
Horace. J*en fuis afTez prefle par maflUme anon 

reufe. 
Agnes. Qnand je ne toos vds t>oint, je oe foi 

point joyeufe. 
Horace. Hors de votre pr^jGmcc^ on ne vent tiilh 

auffi. 
Agnes. Hclas? S*il ctoit vrai, vous rdfccrica Id. 
Horace. Quoi! Vous poarriez doater deBKOS* 

mour extreme ? 
AoNis. Non, vous ne m^atmcz pas anbmt ^f 
vous apie.' 
Ah I [Arnolpbe la tire.l L'on me tire trop. 

Horace. C'efb qu^il eft dangerenx, 
Chere Agnes, qu*en ce lieu nous foyons vus tous dcWI 
^ £t ce parfkit ami, de qui la main vous prefix. 
Suit le zele prudent qui pour noiis Tinterefle. 
Agnes. Mais fnivre un inconnu que . . • 
HoRACR« N^apprehendez rien. 
Entre de telles mains vous ne (erez que biea. 

Agnes. Je me trouveroismieux entre ceile8d*Hor^ 
Et j^aurois ... 

\a Jrnolpbe qui la tire encBre.l Attendez. 
Horace, ^dieu. Le jdur me chafTe. 
Agnes. Quand vous verrai-je done ? 
Horace. Bien-tot aiTurement. 
Agn^s. Que je vais m^ennnyer juiques a ^ 

ment \ 

Horace en /V» allantJ\ Grace au Ciel, flWiiW 
heur n^eft plus en concurrence, 
Et je puis maintcnant dormir en affurance* 



Sie.S:c » o o %. for Wrv^ s. 227 

niiii all for you to be with me. Go in at this Door, 
and be conduded. 

[ Arnolph takes her Hand ^without her knowing him* 

Agn e s /(P Horace .J Wherefore do you leave me ? 

Horace. Dear Jgnes, it mufl be fo. 

Ac N B s . Remember then^ . pray now, to come bock 
fpeedily. 

Horace. My Paffion urges me to that fufficiently. 

Agn B 8 . I led no Joy bat when yoa*re in my iight. 

HoRACB. When from your Prefence Vm melan* 
choly likewife. 

Agnbs, Akck! you'd fiay here» if that was true.' 

Horace. What! can you doubt of my exceffive 
Lovef 
k AoNEs. Nay, you don't love me {0 much as I 
love you. [Arnolph fuiis her.'\ Oh \ yaa pull me too 
hard. 

Horace. Dear Jgnes^ that's becaufe 'tis dangerous 
for us two to be feen here ; and this true Friend whq 
pulls you fo, is prudently zealous for our Service. 

Aeifss. Bat to ibUow a Strai^r, who — *- 
Horace. Don't &ar any thing, you cannot but be 
well in fuch Hands. 

Agnes. I fhould thiidc my felf much better in Ho- 
race's J and I ihou'd [To Arnolph who pulls btr 

again,'} Stay a Uttle. 
Horace. Fare you well . The Day drives me away* 
Agnes. When fhall I fee you then^ 
Horace. Very foon, you may be fure. 
Acn b 8 . How uneafy I ihall be till that time comes f 

Horace. Heseven be thanked, my Happinefs is no 
longer in fufpcnce, and now I may ileep fecarely. 

SCENE 



m8 L*Ecole DBS Fimme^. 



S C E N E IV. 

A R N O L P H E„ AGNES. 

A&NOLPHB cache dans fin manteau, (sT 
/a 'v^ix, 

VEnez, cc n'cft pas liquc je vous Ibgerai, 
£t votre gite ailleurs eft par moi prepare, 
Je pretends en lieu fur mettre- votfe perfonne. 
[Sefai/ant connoUreJ} Me connoiflez-voas ? 

Agues. Half 

Arnolphb. Monvifagey friponne, 
Dans cette occafion rend vos iens efiray&, 
& c^eft a contre-ccettf qoUci vous me voyez i 
Je trouble en fes projets Tamour qui vous poflfedc' 
C-4f**' f^^rde fi iU$ ne 'uerra point l&race.] N'ajK 

peUez point des yenx le gdant a votre aide, 
U eft trop ^loigne pour vous donner fecours. 
Ah, ah, £ jenneencor, vou»jouez de ces tours? 
.Votre fimplicite^ qui femble fans paieille^ 
Demande & l*on fiut ies enfims par i*oralle^ 
£t votts f(avez donner des rendez-vous la nuit» 
Xt pour fuivre on galant vous evader ians bruit > 
Tu-Dieu f Comme avec lui votpe langue cajole * 
II &ut qu^on vous ait mife i qudque bonne ecole. 
Qui diantre tout d'un coup vous en a tant appris ^^ 
Vous ne craignez done plus de trouver des efprits,. 
Et ce galant, la nuit, vous a done enhardie ^ 
Ah I coquine, en venir i cette perfidie I 
Malgre tous mes bien&its former un tel deiTein / 
Petit ierpent que j^ai recbaufie dans mon iein, 
Et qui, des qu^il fe fent, par une humeur ingfate 
Chercte a ^re du mal a celui qui le flate. 

Agn^s. Pourquoi me criez-vous f 

Arnolphs. J'ai grand tort en eflet. 

Acwis. 



72^ S c H ao L fir Wiy b «. wp 



S C E N E IV^. 
ARNOLPH, AGNES. 

I A R N o L P H CQficiaPd under his Cloke^ and di/guifin^ 
i bis Voice, / > 

COme alongi I iha^'t let you lodge here 5 I've pre* 
par^d an Aipartment elfewHere for yott, and intend 
to place yoo where you may be iafe enough, [pi/cover^ 
ifg bimfelf.'] D'ye know me ^ ■ 

* AoNKS kntwing him.'] Hah! 

Arn o x«p h. The Sight of me frightens you on this 
Occafion, Huffy $ and 'tis much againil your WiH 
to find me here : I interrupt the Love-Contrivances 
you've in your Head. [Agnes looks if fie canU fee Ho*, 
lace.] Don't imagine your Byes can call back your 
Spark to help you, he's gone too far to give you any 

• iftMancc. Ha, ha, fo young, and yet to play thefe 
Pranks. •'Your extraordinary feeming Ignorance en- 
qair'd if Children were produc'd at the Ear, tho' yoa ~ 
know well enough how to make Affignations by Night, 

I and can fteal away very filently to run after a Oalant. 

i Odsbobs, how flippant your Tongue was with him ! 

; fare you mufl h^e beoi at fome rare School : Who 
tkeDeooe has taught you. all this fo fuddenly ? You're 

I no longer it feems afraid of Sprights ? This Galant 
kas i^ven you Courage in the Night* time. Ah V B&g- 

I gage, to arrive at this Deceit ! to form fuch a Defigny 

I notwithftanding all my Kindnefs : Thoa^rt a little Ser« 
pent that I've warm'd in my Bofom, which when it 
comes to. iufeelinig, ungratefully tries to. mifchief him 
that cherifh'd it. 

Agnrs. Why d'ye fcold at me ? 
ARMoiFn. L^mmuchinthewroi^tmlyr. 

Agnis^ 



2^0 L'ScpirS DM-FxR|}br0S:; 

Aciiis . Je ii*entsiids point de laal dans tout ce qae 

j'ai felt. 
Arkolphe. Swrreim galant n'eft pas one a^on 

in&me? 
Acuka. Ceft an homme qui At qu'H me v^ut poor 
ft kmwci 
pai faivi vos lemons, & Tcms m*avez preclte 
Qtt*il fe ^t Buucter pour 6ter k peche. 

A&NOLPHB. Om. Mais pour femme, xata, jsfri- 
tendois vons prcDdre, 
Et je vous I'avois &t, me femUe, aflet entendre. 
Agnss. Ooi. Mais ivoaspaikr itsiodtemaAmtxi 
nova, 
II eft plus pour cda feloa mon goat que tous. 
Chez vous le Buu-jage eft faclieax & peoible^ 
£rv<» difccmrs en font une image terrible ;. 
Mais, laal n le fist, loi, fi rempli dephufirs. 
Que de fe marier il doime des deii^. 
AnNOLFBE. Akl cVft que Tous rauKz> tmStrefi^^ 

Agnes. Oai. JeTaime. 

A&NOLPHB. Et voos arez le front de k dm I 

moi-meme ? 
Agnss. £t poarqaoi, Vil eft ttsi, ae le dinas-je 

pas? 
Arkolphb. Le deviez-vons airaier, lApatinentei 
Agnes. Helas! 
Eft-ce que j'en puis.mais f Lui fboi en eft k caufe, 
£t je n*y fongeois pas« lor^que fe fit k ckofe. 
Aenolpkb. Mais il falloit diaftHBr cet aHurareux 
dcfir. 
. AgnIs. Le aoj^en de dudkr ce qni ftit ivt pkifir I 

[ Arnqlphe. £tne f^aviez-vous pas que c^etoit me 
depkire ? ^ 
Agnes. Moi? Point da tout. C^iel taal cda voos 
peut-il feirc ? 



fie Sc H 00 1 for Wivis. 23^ 

A^y^d, I don'c know any harm in aH this that Pve 
done. 

Arnolph. Isn^t running after a Galant a fcailda* 
lous Adtion ? 

Agnbs. *Tis a Man that (ays he^ll. marry. me. I 
follow^ your Direflbns^ forxyo^ told me one xnult:: 
marry to take away the Quilt. 

Arnolph. Ay, but I intended to anarry you my 
Ui, and QifitUnks I let yoa faiow my Mesu^mg |^a 
enough. 

Agnb«. Yd?, but to tell -you freriy between yon 
and I, he^3 mofe according to my likkg^ fiur a Hu$* 
band tiban you ase. Matrimpny with, yoa is a trou- 
blefome uneafy thing, and you give a terrible Defcrip- 
tionpf.it; -but arkck-a-day ! ' he r^eefents it/o hrinis- 
Mt>f Pleafinres,. thai it nu^ca one have a mind to. be 
marry'd. . > 

Arno L FH . Ah i Tiaiticfi ! tibrt's becanfc you lovr 
ium. . , 

Agnes. I do love him indeed. 

Arnolph. And have you die Lbpodence to telt^ 
jne fo ?; 

AcaBfl. Why if it's true, maya*t l&yfyf 

Arnolph. Ought you to love him. Impertinence? 
Agn E8. Ladc-a-day I can I help it f He only is the 
Caufe on't ; I didn*t think of it 'till it was o^er. 

Arnolph. But you fhouM have difcazded that a* 
morous Defire. 

Agnes. How can a body difcard what is agreea-^ 
Ue? 

Arnolph And don't you »know diat it difpleafet 
mcf? 

Agnbs. Not at all: What harm can it do you? 

Ak2 



2j2 L^ECOLB DBS FlMMBS. 

Arnolfhb. II eft vrai, j*ai fujet d*en etrerejooii^ 
Voos ne m^aimez done pas, i ce compte ? 
Agmbs. Voos? 

A&NOLPHS. Oui. 

Agnes. Helasf Nbn. 

AftN o LFH E . Comments non ? 

Aon is. Voalez-vous que je mente ? 

Arnolphb. Poarquoi ne m'aimer pas, madame 

rimpodente ? 
Agn^s. MonDicQy ce n^eft pas moi quevoiuderez 
blimer ; 
Qae ne voos ^ces-yona, comme Ini, fait aimer ? 
Je ne votu en ai pas emp^^, que je penfe. 
.Abnolphb. Jein*y fttiseffbrcede toate ma petf*; 
iance, 
Mais les Joins que j^ai pris, je les ai perdns tons. 
Agn^s. Vnumenty il en f9ait done li-deffus plus 
que Yousy 
Car, i fe £ure aimer, il n*a point eu de peine. 
Arnolfhb^ part.} Voyez comme raifonne Se ti^ 
pond la vilaine { 
Pefte I Une precleufe en diroit-elle jdus ^ 
Ah I Je Tai mal connue, ou, ma £oi, li-deflus 
Une fotte en f9ait plus que le plus Labile homme. 
[a Jgfies.'} Puirqu*en raifonnement votre efprit ft con- 

fommcy 
La belle raifonneufe, eft-ceqn'unfi long-terns 
Je vous aurai pour lui nourrie a mes depens ? 
Agnes. Non. II vous rendra tout jufques au dernier 

double. 
Arnolphe ias a fart. 'J EUe a de certains mtts 
ou mon dqHt redoubled 
[hautj] Me rendra- t-il, coquine, avec tout Ton pouvoir* 
lues obligations que vous poiavez in*avoir ? 
Acnes. Jc ne vous en ai pas dc fi grandcs qu*ott 
F«nre*. . .... 

An- 



fbe Sc H 6 r /^ W I v i s. 233 

Arnolfs. Very true, rvereafon to rejoice at it. 
Yoo don't love me then at this rate. 
Agnes. You I 

AUNOLFH. Ay. 

Agnes. Alack! ob. 

AaNOLPH. How! no. ' 

Acne s< WouM yon ha* me tell a Lye ? 

Aenolpk. WhydoQ*t you love me. Madam Im^ 
fttdence? 

Agnes. Lack-a-day, you fhoa'dn't blame me : Why 
didn't you make yourfelf belov'd as he did ? I didif t 
Under you from it that I know of. 

Aenolfb. I endeavoured it all I could, but m^ 
pains were to no purpofe. 

Agues ^ Then he underfiands it better than you d(^ 
for he made me love him without any pains at all. 

AR.NOLPH afiJe.} Obferve how; the Jade anfwers 
and argues ! Plague! could one of your witty Ladies 
Ittve ^d more I Ah ! I did not well know her,, or 
elfe, by my Faith, in thefe Cafes a iimple Woman 
nnderftands more than the wifeft Man. [To AgnesQ 
Since you're fo .'good at reafoning, Mrs. Cbap-Logick^ 
is (here any reafon why I fhould maintain you fo long 
a time at my own Charge for him I 

AoNEs. No, he*il repay you all, even to the laft 
Farthmg. 

Arnolph afid^.\ She hits upon certain Words 
which give me double Vexation. [To Agnes.] Is it in 
his Power, HuiTy, to repay me the Obligations you 
have to me ? 

AoNBs. I have no fuch great ones as you think. 

A«:- 



234, L'EcOtE DBS F^MM£$, 1 

Arholpks. N*cft-ce tiea que les folns d^eleirer v(S I 
tre enBince ? < 

Agnes. Vous avezla dedans bien 'Op^re vtsdmcntp\ 
Et m'<avez £ut en toat Inftruire joliment* i 

Croit-on que je me flate, & qu^infin, dans ma tdte> 
Je ne jage pas bien que je ibis une bece ? i 

Moi-meme j*en ai honte^ 8c, dans Tage ou je fah, 
Je oe veux point pafier pour fotte^ fi je puis. 

Arnolphb. Vous fuyez Hgnorance, 8c voulesv 
qnoiqu*il cottte, 
Jipprendre du falondin quelque choTe. 

Agnes. Sansdoute. • { 

Ceft de lui que je {qals ce que je peux f9avoir, 
$X, beaucoup plus qu*il vous, |e ptefe lui devoir. | 

Arnolphe. Je nefjpdsqui me tient qo^avec mat 
gourmade, | 

Ala main de ce difcours ne venge la bravade. 
yenngt quand Je vois fa piqttante froideur, 
£t quelques coups de poing fatisferoient mon coeor.' 

AoNds. Hel^f Vous k pouvez, & ceb vous peut 
plaire. 

Arnolphe a/^r/.] Cemot, & ce regard dcfanne 
ma colcfc, 
St produit un retour de tendrefTe de cceur. 
Qui de fon a£lion e£iice la noirceur. 
.Chofe Strange d'aimer, & que, pour ces traitrefle9>. 
Les hommes foient fujets a de telles fbil^efCss ! 
Tout le monde connoit leur imperfe6lion> 
-Ce nVft qu'cxtravagance, 8c qu'indifcretion, ' 
Leur efpriteft mechant, & leur ame fragile, 
II ii*eA rien de plus fo'Me, 8c de phis itnbecflle^ 
Rien de plus infidele, &, malgre tout cda, 
Dans le monde on iait tout pour cea animaux-la. 
la Agnes.'] He bien, iaifons la paix. Va, petite trai- 

trcffe, 
Je te pardonne tout, 8c te rends ma tendrefl'e. 

Con- 



52^ School for Wins. 23^ 

Arnolph. Is it nothing to take care of your £du- 
cation firom your Infancy ? 

Ag N E s . YouVe been at great pains about that Mat- 
ter traly, and have caosM me to be bravely intruded 
in every thing. Wyt imagine I ilatter myfelf ^o £ir 
as not to know in my own Mind that I'm intirely ig- 
norant ? I'm afliam'd on't myfelf, and at this Age 
won't pafs any longer for. a Fool, if I can help it. 

Arnolph. You hate Ignorance, and arerefolvM,. 
whatever it cofb, to learn &mething of your Spark. 

Agnes. To be fure. •Tis of fiim that I know what 
I do know, and I think myfelf mote obliged to him 
than you. 

Arnolph. I can't teQ what ihould hinder me 
from revenging this fancy Language with my Fift. 
Tm (Ufiraftetfat the Sight of her provoking Coldnefi^ 
&ud beating her would be a Satis&£lion to me;» 

Agnes. Lack-a-day ! you may do it if that would 
pleafe you. 

Arnolph ^</*.] That Speech and that Lookdif- 
arm my Fury, and produce a Return of Tendemefs 
which effaces all her Guilt. How flrange is it to be 
in love ! and that Men fhould be fubjedl to fuch Weak- 
nefs for thefe TraitrefTes I^ Every body knows their 
Imperfedlion ^ they Ve nothing but Extravagance and 
Indifcretion ; th$ir Mind is wicked and their Under- 
Handing weak; nothing is more frail, nothing more 
unfleady, nothing more ^fe, and yet for all that one 
does every thing in the World for the fake of thefe 
Animals. [To Agnes.] Well, let us make Peace : Go, 
thou litde Traitrefi, I forgive, thee all, and now anv. 

fond 



136 L^E COLE DBS Ft MM til 

Confidere par li Tamour que j*ai poor toi, 
Et; me voyanC fi bon, en revanche, aime moi. 
, ^ Ac N is « Du meillear de mon coeur, je youdrois vi 

complaire 1 
Que me coateroit-il, fi je le pouvois Sure f 
Arm OL p H s . Mon pauvre petit co&ur, tu. le peux, i 

tu veax« 
Ecoute feulement ce foupir amonreux ; 
Voi ce regard mourant, contemple ma perfonne, 
£t qukte ce morveax, & Tamour qu^il te donne. 
Ceft quelqae fort qu'il faut qu'il ait jette fur toi, 
Bt tu ibras cent fois plus heureufe avec moi. 
'Ta foitc paffion eft d'etre brave & lefte,'» 
Tu le {eras toujours, va, je te le protefte. 
Sans ceiTe^ nnit & jouc, je te careiTerai, 
Je te bouchonneraiy baiferai» mangeiai^ 
Tout comme tu vottdxas» tu te pourras conduire*: 
Je ne m*explxque point, 8c cela, c*eft tout dire. 
l^oj a partJ] Jufqu'ou la pafBon pent-elle feire aDcr ? 
[baut,^ Enfin, a mon amour rien ne pent si'egaler; 
Quelle prenve veux-tu que je t'en donne, ingratc? 
Me veux-tu voir pleurer i -Veux-tu qua je me batte? 
Veux-tu que je m'arrache un cote de cheveux ? 
Veux-tu que je me tue ? Oui, di fi.tu le veux, 
Je fuis tout pret, cruelle, a te prouver ma flame. 
AcNis. Tenez, tous vos difcours ne me toachcnt 

point Tame ; 
Horace avec deux mots en feroit plus que vous. 
' Arnolphe. Ah! Cell trop me braver, trop po*^: 

fer mon courroux. 
Je fuivrai moa deifein, bete trop indocile, 
Et vous denicherez a Pinftant de la ville. 
Vous rebutez mes vosux, & me mettez i, bout^ 
Mais un cul de couvent me vengera de tout. 

SCENR 



3j&tf School for Wives. 23^ 

ibnd of thee again : Learn by this how much I love 
thee, and feeing I*m fo good, love thou me in return, 
ko^zz, rd oblige you at any rate, with all my 
Heart, if 'twas in my Power* 

Arnolph. My dear life;, thon canft if thoa 
voa'dft. Do bat hear that amorous Sigh^ behold thi* 
dying Look, contemplate my Perfon, and ha' done , 
with this young Coxcomb, and the Love he offers 
thee. He muft certainly have put fome Spell upon 
thee, and thou'lt be a hundred times more happy' 
with me. Thy ftrong PafEon is to be fine and gay, and 
I proteft thou ihait always be.fo. I (hall be fondling 
thee continually both Night and Day ; I (hall hug . 
thee, and kifs thee, and eat thee up. Thou ftalt do 
every thing thou haft [a mind to % which is ikying all 
that can be faid without coming to Particulars. [AfiieJl 
How &r wUl my Paffion go ? \^Ahiud!\ Nothing really 
on be equal to my Love. What Proof of it would'ft • 
Aou 'have me give thee, ungrateful Girl ? Would'ft 
thoa behold me weep ? Would'ft thou have me beat my - 
felf ? Would'ft thou have me tare off half my Hair ? 
Woald*ft thou have me kill my felf ? Ay, fay if thou 
would have me do it, I'm intirely ready, cruel Crea- 
ture, to convince thee of my Love. 

AcNBs. Hold; all your talking does not touch my 
Heart ; Horau with two Words would have wrought 
upon it more than you. 

AnNOLPH. Heh! this is too great an Infult, pro- 
voking my Rage too far : I'll purfue my Defign, you 
untradabie Brute, and pack you out of Town immedi* 
ately. You rejefi my AddrefTes and drive me to Ex- 
tremity, but a Convent fhall be my Revenge for all. 



SCENE 



±$8 L*EC0LE DES FsfirMEs; 

SCENE V. 
ARNOLPHE, AGNES, ALAIN. 

Alain. 

JEnef9adsceqaec*eft, Monfieur, maisilmeiembk 
Qa^ Agnes Sc le corps mort s'en font aUesenfemble. 
.Aanolphs. Lavoici* Sans ma duunbre allez ou 
la nichor. 
la part.'\ Ce ne fera pas li qu'il la viendra chercher ; 
£t pais» c'eft feulement pour une demi-heore, 
Je vaisy poor loi donner une fare demeure» 
\i AlaimJ] TiDarer one vottare. Enfermez-vons del 

mieuxy 
Et, fur tout, gardez*vous de la quitter des yeux. 
[fiulJ] Peut*6tre que fon ame, etant depaifeiB» 
Pourra de cet amoju: etre deiabufee. I 

SCENE VI. 
HORACE, ARNOLPHE. 

Horace, 

AH ! Jc vicns vous trouver accable de doulcuf. 
Lc Ciel, feigncur Arnolphe, a condu mon malt 
hear ; • i 

£t, par un trait &tal d^une injuflice extreme. 
On me veut arracher de la beaute que j'aimc. 
Pour arriver ici, mon pere a pris le frais ; | 

J'ai trouve qu'il mettoit pied a terre ici pres, 
£t la caufe en un mot d^une telle venue 
<2ui, comme je difois, nc m'ctoit pas connue, 
C'eft qu'il m'a marie, fens me'n ecrire rien, i 

Et qu'il vient en ces lieux celebrer ce lien. ' 

Jugez, en prenant part k mon inquietude, 
S*il pouvoit m'arriver un contxe- terns plus rude. 



The. School fir VTtrzs. jsj^ 



S G E N E V. 

ARNOLPH, AGNES, ALLEN. 
Allen. 

I Don't know how^tis, Sr, but mcdionght JgM^i 
the dead Corps went away together. 
Arnolph. Here fhe isz Go fhut her up in my 
Chamber, [^2/^ J He won't come there to feek her, 
Belides, It's only for half an Hour. PJl go get » 
Coach, that I may put her in a fccuwr Place. Fallen 
your felves in well, and be fure don't let her be out o' 
%ht. [^/:7«ir.]. When (he is once in the Country fhe 
xaay perhaps be undeceiTOl as to this Love-bflianefs. 



S C E N E VL 
H O R A C E, A R N O L P H. 

, H O R A C E. • V 

0! Pm come td' find y«Ui <jiHte^vcrwhelm'd with 
Sorrow : Heaven, Mr. Arwlph^ has decreed ray 
Ill-fortune ; and by a fatal Stroke of extreme Injuftice 
^ey would tare from me the Fair One whom I love. 
My Father is juil arrived, I found him alighted at an 
Inn hard by, and in ihort, the Reafon of his coming, ' 
which I told you before I did not know, is, that he 
lias made a Match for me without writing me one word 
atx)ut it, and is come to this Place tocdebrate the Nup- 
, ^ials. Judge you, by the part you bear in my Unea- 
' ^efs; whether a more (hocking Difappoiatnient con*d 
I hay# 



I^O LfEcOLC D£8 FrMMK$« 

Get Enrique, doat hier je m^informois a voos, 
Gattfe tout le malheur dont je reffais les coups 3 
n vient avec mon pere achever ma ruine, 
Et c^eft fa fille unique a qui Ton me deftine. 
J'ai des leurs prconiers mots penfe m'evanouir, 
Ec d*abord, ians youloir plus long-terns les ouir* 
Mon pere ayant parLe de vous rendre yiiite, 
i/efprit plein de frayeur, je I'ai devance vite. 
De grace« gardez-Yous de lui rien deconvrir 
]>e mon engagement qui le pourroit aigrir, 
Et tachezy comme en vous il prend grande creailCCf 
De le diffuader de cette autre alliance. 

AnKOiPHE. Oui-di. . 
' Horace. Confeillez-lui de diJTerer an peu, 
Et rendez, en ami» ce fervice a mon feu. 

Arkolphe. Je n'y manquerai pas. 

Horace. Ceft en vous que j'efpere. 

* Armolphb. Fort bien. 

* Horace. Etje vous tiens mon veritable pcre.^ 
Dites-lui que mon age ... Ah ^ Jc le vois venir. 
Ecoutez^les raifons que je vous puis foornir. 



SCENE VIL 

ENRIQUE, ORONTE, CHRISALDE, 
HORACE, ARNOLPHE. 

Horace (^ Arnolphe fe retireut dans un coin du theatre $ 
fef parlent has en/emhie, 

E N R I qjj e a Chri/aide. 

AUfli-tot qu'i mes yeux je vous ai vu paroltre, 
, Quand on ne m'eut rien {dit, j*auroi8 f^u voui 
connoitre. 
J«ai reconnu les traits de cette aimable feur 
Dont rhymen autrefois m'avoit fait poflefleur, 
Et je fcrois heureux, fi la parquc crudle 



W^ScHOOC >r Wives. 241 , 

hare befallen me. That HinrifMSy whom I ask*d 
you about Yofterday, is the CauCe of fdl my Mi^or- 
tune ; he's come alaog with my Father to complete m/ 
Rttioy and 'tis his only Daughter for whom I'm deftin'd. 
I thought I ihou'd have {wooned when firil they fpoke 
of ity and not caring to hear any more on*t, (as my 
Father talk'd of paying you a Vifit) I hafled hither be- 
ibre-hand, with a Mind loll of Gdhftemation. I be- 
feech you take ca»e noc to let him know any thing of 
my Engagement, whidh slight ineenfe him ; and as he 
pots a gfcat Confidence in ym, pmy now endeavour to 
diflbide him Irom this other Match* 

Arnolph. Ay, ay. 

HoRACB. Adidfehimtotmtitoff ftfitde, andaea 
Friend, offift jay Paffion in this parCicqlar. 

Armolph. I won't M of d<»ng it. 

HoRAcc. My Hopesare idl in yon. 

Arnolph. Very well. 

Horace. I look npoii yoa M my rtri Father. Tell 
him that my Age «-^ Ah f I fte him cesifaig % hear the 
Rates I can Ibmiih you with. 



S C E N E VIJ. 

HENRIQUE*, ORONTES, CHW8AI-DUS, 
HORACE, ARNOLPH- 

Horace anJAmolfh retire to a drner^/ the Stage, 
and n»hi^er. 

H E K R I o IT « 6 /0 Chriialdut. 

AS ibon a» ever I ^ yon, tho' I hadnU been told, 
1 fhculd have Inown you; I yecolkaed the 
Features ^ yfmXatmkfW^s whwn Martiage once 
made mme ; ^appy Ihould I have been had cruel De* 
fiiny permitted me t^ .bvi&( inick that iaitbfol Wi&; 
Vol- III. L Jt 



.114^ L^EcoLX Dss Femmes. 

' M^eut laifle ramener cette epoafe fidele, 
Poor jottir avec moi des feofiUes douceurs 
De rc¥oir toos Ics £ens apres nos longs malheon. 
Mais poifque da deftin la &tale paifl^ce 
Noas piive poor jamais de fa chire prefence» 
T^chons drnous refoudre, & de nous contenter 
Da feul frijit amoureox qoi m*en eft pa refter. 
Jl TOOS louche de pi^ Se fims votre foffbtge 
J^auiois ton de voaloir difpofer de ce gage. 
Lexh(MX da fils d^Oionte eft glorieux de foi, 
Jiiiais il £uit qoe oe cboix voos plaile conime i, moi. 
Chrisaldb. Ceftde man jugiment avoir maavaift 
cftime, 
-Que douter fi j^approave un ohoix ft legitime. 

^RHOLPHE a fart Jt MtnaaJ] Oai, jefOUCVOO 

fenrir de la boone fapon. 
HoRACB a part ^ Jmolpk§.1 Ganks cncore u 

coup ... 
Arno lpbb a Afwr#.] N'ay^ txnom ibap^on. 
[Aru§^i qaittf Ibraci pour alUr tmbrajfer Orwn, 
Orontb a Arm^lphf.l Ah f Qjie cetcie embiaffiuie 

eft pleine de tendrcfle f 
Armolpbb. Queje fens i.vooa voir miegiaiKle at 

l^greffe! 
Orontb. Jc Eiis id vcnu . • ^ 
Arnolpmb. Sans m*en Sure recite 
Je f9ais ce qui tous m6ne. 
Orontb. On vous Pa d^a dit ? 
Arnolphb. Oui. 
Orontb. Tant mieox* 
Arnolphb. Votre £b i cet hymen refiftSf 
Et fon ccsur prevenu b*x yoit rien que de triftcw 
II m'a meme pxie de ¥oas en detounier } 
£t moi, tout le coikieil ^ue je vous puis donner, 
Ceft de He pas ibuftrir que ce norad ft difer^ 
St de £uxe ^nUw iw»n\i de perr* 



to enjoy with me the fenfible Delight of feeing again 
all her Relations after our long Misfortunes. But fmce 
the irrefiKUble Power of Fate has depriv'd us for ever 
cf her Dear Company, let us endeavour and refolve to 
k contented with the only Fruit that remains of our 
Loves. It concerns you nearly; and without your 
Cbnfent I fhould do wrong to difpofe of this Pledge. 
The Choice of the Son of Orontes is in itCelf honour- 
able, botyonsmft be pleas*d in this Choice 9s well 
ail. 

CHitiSALDVs. ''I^s havmg a bad Opinion of my 
Judgment, to doubt my Approbation of fo reafbnable 
a Choice. ' 

Aritolph aJUc t9 Horace.] Ay, Til ferve you is 
the beft manner. 

Horace afide to Amolph.] But beware of one 

Arnolph /o Horace.] Be under no Concern. 

[Amolph quits Horace to gmiraa Orontes.' 
Oromtbs to Amolph.] O ! how fiill of Tenderneft 
is this Embrace ! 
Arnolpb. How much I sgoice to fee you f 

Oromtbs. Tm come hither —«»*— 

Arnolfh. I know what brings you, without your 
telling me. 

Orontes. Have yon been infi»m*d already I 

Arnolph. Yes. 

Orontes. So much the better. 

Arnolph. Your Son oppofes thfe Match, and hit 
Heart being pre-engag'd looks uptrn it as a Misfor- 
tune : He even defired me. to diflhade you firom it s 
and for my part, all the Advice I call give you is 
to exert the Audiority of a iFather, and not let the 
Wedding be deferiM. Young People ikould be go> 
L« ' ircra'4 



ft44 L'EcoLfi DBS Femmcs. 

II £Mit av«c vigueur nmger les jeuBcs gens, 
Et Bous fiufoBs coBtr^cHx i leur etre indulgens. 

Ho«.ACB apart,'} Ah! Tcaicse! 

Chris ALOE. Slibaooear.aqueLqaerepugRaQcey 
Je ticBs qa'oa ne doit fea lui £ure xefiHance. 

A&NOLPHE. Quoi? Se laiflea-t^ gouveraer par 
foafilsi 
Eft<e que voiu vovlez qu'«n pece ait la moIleffiB 
De ne f9avoir pas faire ohiir la jeuneiTe ? 
II feroit beau vraiment, qa^on le vit aajoord'liai 
Prendre k» de qui^ok la xccetrmr de laL . 
Non, turn, c^tSt uum mtmc^ ^iaglokeeftlaflucue; 
St parole eft donnee, il faut qo*!! k maintienne^ 
Qa*il Me VDv ki de ^naes icBtiiBeniv 
£t force de fon iils tous les attachemena. 

OaoMTi. CVftparkrcomiiBil hatp isdanstftte 
alliancey 
Ceft aoi qtti V9tt6 ««poBd8 de £» «MiJBa»ce. 

CHaisALos « Jm0^.2 Je fuis&rjnis^ pourmoi, 
du gnuul eBi^iTemcnt 
Que vous me fiiites voir pour cet engageaayeaC» 
£t ne Jim deviner qyet notif voaa in^ire • • • 

Arnolphk. Je f^ais ce que jefiis, & discequ*!! 
£uit dire. 

Oronte^ Ouiy oui, de^pyBm Amolphc^ ileft*** 

Ch R 1 8 A L D B. Ce nom Paigrit, 
Ceft VMUfieur de laSaudM, on vmi I'a d^^Htf 

Arnolphe. II n'importe. 

Horace a fart,} Qg^enfiends-je ? 

(Ariiolphs fi tourmaat *uirs Bama^ Oui.* C^" 
likm^ileiVy 
St vous pouvez jugor ce que je derais £ure. . 

tio RAM ifart.^ £R«qi]di ^tmabte • , . 

SCENB 



vcra'dwjth sn higk Hiuid, we da 'cm hum 1^ beings 
iodalgent to 'em. 

HoRACB afide.l Oh! Thtitorf 

Ch r 19 A LDu s . If it's aj^nft his Inclination^ I think 
we fbould not force him. My Brother^ I beliere, will 
be of my Opinion. 

Aknolph. What! will he fuBnnr himfelf to bego- 
vern*d by his Son ? Wou'd you have a Father be fa 
weak as not to know how to make Youth obey him ? 
'Twonld really be mighty fine to fee him at this time 
of Life receiving Laws from one who ought to receive 
*cm of him. No, no, he's my intimate Friend, and 
Us Honour is mine, his Promife is given, and he muft 
perform it. Let him now fhew his Refolution, and 
force his Son's AftedUons. . 

Oaov TBS. Voa fay rigjbit, and to what regards thi| 
Match^ ril be anfwefable for my Son's Obedience. 

Cmrisaldus to Amolph.] For my part, I'm fur- 
priz'd at the great Eagernefs you fhew for this Match, 
and can't conceive what Motive iafpires you «— * 

Arnolph. I know what I know, and fpeak what 
I ought to fpeak. 

Gro.ktes* Ay, ay, Mt. Amolpb^ he's— — 

Chrisalsus. That Name difpleafes him; 'tis 
Mr. Je U Souchf as you've been told already. 

Arnolph. It's no matter. 

Ho RAC B afiJe*'] What is this I hear ? 

Arnolph turning towards Homos.'] Ay, there lie^ 

ie Secret, and yon may judgjt what I ooght to do. 



f 



H«iiii0 1 a/Ut.'i Into whtt Uanfiaeib — ^ 

Lj S'CENE 



246 L'ECOLB DBS FeMMES. 



SCENE vm. 

INRIQyE, ORONTE, CHRISALDE, HORACE 
ARNOLPHE, GEORGETTE. 

Ge o rge tt 1. 

MOnfieur, fi vous n*ete8 aupre?. 
Nous aorons de la peine a retenir Agcih; 
Elle veut k tous coups s'echaper, & peut-etre 
Qu'ellc fe pourroit bien jetter par la fenctre. 

Arnolphs. Faites-la moi venir , aufli bien de cc pas 
Pretends-je Temmener. p Horace,^ Ne vous en fachca 

pas. 
Un bonheur contina rendroit rhomme fuperbe, 
£t chacnn a fon tour, comme dit le proverbe. 
Horace apartJ] Quels xxiaux peavent^ 6 Ciel, e- 
galer mes ennuis f 
Et s^efl-on jamais vu dans I'abime 00 je fuis f 

Armolphb a Oronte.1 Prcffea vite le jour dc la 
ceremoniey \ 

Yy prends part, & deja moi-m^me je m*en prie. 
Oronte. C*efl bien la mon defTein. 




S C E N 

AGNES, ORONTE, ENRIQUE, ARNOLPHi 
HORACE, CHRISALDE, ALAIN, 
GEORGETTE. 

Arkolphe a Jgnh. 

VEneZi belle, venez, 
Qu*oa ne f^auroit teolr, U qui voas matinee 
yoici votre galant, ^ qui, pour r^compcnfe, 
Vous pouvez faire une humble & douce reverence. 



Tie School for Wi v j^i^ 247' 



SCENE VIIL 

HENRIQIJES, ORONTES, CHRISALDUS; 
HORACE, ARNOLPH, GEO RG ETTA. 

Gborgetta. 

SI R, if you don't come, we (hall have much ado to> 
keep Agues ; flie'll run all Hazards to get away,, 
and will perhaps fling herfelf out at Window. 

Arnolpr. Bring her to me, for I intend to ftikit 
her away from honce immediately. [7i Horace.] Don*t 
yoQ be troubled at it ; continual gpod Fortune woulcT 
make a Man proud, and every one in his torn, as thc: 
Proverb fays.. 

Horace. O Heaven !' What Misfortunes can equal 
ninef' and was ever any body plunged in fuch an 
Abyfs as I am ! 

Arnolph to Orontes.] Haften the Day of the Cf 
rcmony, I dcfire it may be fo, and invite myfelf to \t. 
already. 

Orontes. That really is my Defign. 



SCENE IX. 

AGNES,* ORONTES, HENRIQTJES, ARNOLPH;, 

HORACE, CHRISALDUS, ALLEN, 

GBORGETTA- 

Arholph H Agnes. 

COme hither, pretty Face, come hither, you wh(i> 
are headflrong and ean^t b^ manag'd i here's your^ 
Spark, to whom, as an Amends, you may make aa\ 
humble and obliging Curtfy. \fQ Horace.] Fare you. ' 
L 4 wdL. 



248 L*£cots ])»s Fin »rfti 

[a I&rae€.'\ Adieu. UeveaeiBeiit trompe w pea vos 

foohaitSy 
Mais tous les amoareuz ne feat pts ^itisl^ts. 
Agnes. Me laiflez-vous, Horace, emxnener de la 

forte? 
HoEACE.. Je ne r9ai8 es 'fett ibis, tan! Aa dctileur 

eft forte. 
Aemolphe. AHonSy caufeufe, sillons. 

AcNBs. Je veux rcfler ici. 
Or o NTE . Dites-nous ce qae c'ell que ce my llcre-ci. 
Nou^ nous regardons tous, fans le pourotr comprendie. | 
Aenolphe. Avec plus de loifir je pourrai vouij 
l^apprendre. 
Jufqu'an revoir. 

Oeo m t e . Ou done pretendez yous allef ? 
Vous ne nous parleK.poioc, eomme il noiis faut parler. 
Aunolphb. Je vou» ai confeiUe, malgre t«ut 'oQ 
murmure, 
D'acheyer rhymenee. 

Oeokts. Oui. Maisy pour leconclore. 
Si Ton vous a dit tout, ne vous a-t>on pas dit 
Que vous avez che» vous celle dont il s*agit ? 
La fille qu^antrefois, de Taimable Angelique, 
Smis des liens (eerets eirt le feigneur Enrique. 
Sur quoi votre difcours etoit-il done fbnde ? 
CuEisALpB. Je m*etonnois auffi de voir 1^ P^^' 

c^e. . 
Aruolphb. Quoi? 

Chrjsalde. D'un hymen fecret mafosureat one 
fille, 
Dont on cacha le fert a toutt k fetfiille; 
'OEO iTTB. Et qui, tocjidit ftinis nem^, pwr nerfe/i 
d^coovrir. 
Par f<m epowi aas eliantp* fat donate i nenrrir . 



ne School fSrWiyfts: M9 

v9^. ThM Bnnt is a Ucdt coatrarjr t« your Wilbes^ 
but all Lovers are not fortunate. 

Aoirf 4. D*ye Itt me be cany^d dway ia this iiubi- 

DCr, HoVHtir 

HoftAcib. My AAiaiott it fo great I ka<ivr Hot 
where I am. 

Arnolph. Cmie akm{i witk your Tinle^tattto^. 
cotte aldiig. 

Agnes. TU ftay here. 

Orontbs. Eic^aiii w n tfait Mfftcry i wt iUr^ 
ofte at Afidther WitM^ut bdng aUe ttt couprehciMl ki 

Arn o lph. 1*11 tell you at a more convttiiiftt time. 
Yoar ScfVttit* 

Orontbs. Afid whithisr d^y« .HMftii to gd? Yw 
dofl^f fed us wfieit w« want ydu At^iiM t^l u%. 

Arn o LP h. I have advisM yo«> 'it fjitd tf llis mur^ 
ffioring, t6 eo(i€lud«£tieA&tdl. 

OaoHtis. Yes, but itt tftitt Id Mitlodt it, (If 
you were told all,) w^re you not infofto'd tkot fli* wc 
mean is in your Houfe, and that fiie*li tk^ Daughter of 
the lovely An^tUca^ whfch ffife hftd jyrivatdy hy 
Mr iSinH^ti f What could be the R^nfim of ydur 

Talk juft now ? 

CittiSAliDttl. I \m llkfilwife fttfxfa'd to fte Us 
Behaviour. 

Arnolph. What? 

Chrisaldus. My Sifter, by a private Marnzgt^. 
had one Daughter, who was conceal*d from the whole 
Family. 

Orontbs. Andtnder &i2n*2 Names, to prevent 
Difcovery, was by her Husband put oat to ourfe in the 
Country. 

L 5 Chri' 



2S0 L'ECOLB BBS FeMMES* 
Cheisalbk. Et» dans ce terns, le fort lui declarant 
la gocrrey • 

L*obligea de fortir de fa natale terre. 

Oaonti. Et d'aller effuyer mUlc perils divers, 
Dans ces lienx fepar^s de nous, par tant de mers. 
Cruisaldb. Ou fcs foins rat gagnecc qocdaat 
fit patrie 
Avoient pa lui layir rimpofture & l^envie. 
Oko wti. Et de rctonr en France, il a chcrcKc d> 
bold , 
Cdle 2 qui de fii fiSe il ccmfia le fort. 
Chris ALDB. Et cctte paifiumc a dit avec fran- 
diife, 
Qa*ett Tos mains i qoatre ans die Tavoit remife- ^ ^ 
Orohte, Et qu^elle ravoit fiut, fur votre charitc, 
Par un accaUcment d'extreme pauvreti. , 

Chrisaldb. Etlui, plcin de tranfport, &tfallc- 
grefle en Tame, 
A &it jafqa*en ces lieux conduire cette fenme.^ ^ 
Or o N T B . Et vous allez cnfin la voir vcnir ici. 
Pour rcndre aux ycux de tons ce myftcre eclairci. 
Chrisaldb a Jmoipbi,'] Je dcvine i pcapr&qaei 
eftyotrefapplice: 
Mais le fort en cela ne vous eft que propice. 
Sk n'etre point coca vous feinble an fi grand bien, 
Ne voas point marier en ell le vrai moyen. 

Arnolphb #V« al/a^t tout tttmJfwH fl^ *f 
fouvafit farhri 




SCKNS 



S2^ S c H o h for W IV Es. 2^1: 

Chusaldvs. At which timc^ Fortune beii^ his 
foe, he was fbrc'd to leave his native Land. 

Oromtes. And to undergo a thooiknd difierent*: 
Ihttg^ in Places beyond Sea. 

Chrisaldus. Where his Induftry has acqui'rd? 
jwiiat Envy and Rbgaery tore from him in his own- 
ICoontry. 

Oeoittbs. At his Retom into Frana he immedi*< 
ttdyfoaght after her whom he had introfted with the: 
Care of his Daughter. 

Chrisaldus. And the Goontrywoman told him^ 
plainly, that at four Years old flie had pat her into 
your Hands; 

Oeontis. Hiat (he did ib OB account of your Cha^- 
itf, being herfdf oppreft with extreme Poverty. 

Chrisaldus. And he, fall of Tianrport and Sas^- 
ds&aion, has even brought the Womap bkher.^ 

Orontbs. In ih'ort, you'll tot her come here pr^- 
fatly CD clear up this Myftery to every Body. 

Chrisaldus t9 Amdlph.] I guefs pretty nearly. 
wl^at a Poniihment this muft be to you. But Fate i&> 
kind to youin the A&ir 1 fince to be no Cuckold ieema^ 
to you fo great an Happi^efi, the certain way of at>^* 
timog it is for yon not to marry. 

Arxolpx going aw€^ in awBUntPa^frnt Md^ 

OKI 




8 C E N Er. 



252 L'Ecoit tz%TtDlitltC 



SCENE DERNIER E. 

ENRIQJJE, ORONTig, CffRISALOB, 
AGNES, HORACfi:. 



D 



O K N T B. 



Horace. Ahf monpere, 
Vous {^viTe% pdffitimit u foprenidit maiBt€t0. 
Ub hazard &tt cm ^esit ^vcAt ea^uKi 
Ce que votre fagefle.avoit premedite. 
J*^ois, pet ks doux iicMd^ dTdne $aAmit iiuitirel!er> 
Engage d^ {terok flrr(^^«e Ctettf btilei 
£t c^eft die, eti an mot/ qtie yoa» Veneas ck«rdMr> 
£t pour qui mcDi refiid a ^iHi^ -wwi iirhef . 

£mriqj;b. Je n'en ai point doate d*abord que je 
Tai Vne, 
Et men amd d«pafa rk*k ttfCi ^ittt 4mm* 
Mt ! ma filte, je e^ i d^ ttmkfyom fi doiut. 

Cmrisaldb. fell ftyd^dl b€ttl c^ew^ flK^ fi:<i0^ 
antant que vdu^ i 
Ma^s ces lieax & c^a ne s^^ee^MriMtddeftt gtf tfrai^ 
Allons dans la maifon dihf&tilAlef €ei lffifl^e»> 
Payef i iMrCref asili fe» fbins offleieux,. 
Et f endre grace aa Ciet qai /kit imir poor le micoz. 




WfScHOOL/^ Wives. 253 



SCENE THE LAST. 

HENRIQUES, ORONTES, CHRISALDUS, 
AGNES, HORACE. 

O K. O N T B 8. 

HO W comes it he runs away without iaying any 
thing? 
Horace. Ah, Father I yoa (hall know the whole of 
this furprissing My&ery. Accident has here brought 
to pafs the iame thing which your Prudence intend^ ; 
to this Fair Creature I was engaged ftriAly by the .en- 
dearing Ties of mutual Love. She's the very Ferfon 
you came to feek after, and my Refufal for her fake I 
imagin'd would have anger'd you. 

Hbnrk^jes. I madenodoubtof itfrom theMo- 
i^t I iaw her, and my Heart has yeam*d after her 
ever fince. Ah, my Daughter ! J yidd to fnch tender 
Tranfporti. 

Crrisaldvs. I could do fo with all my Heart» 
Wher, as well as yon ; but thb is not a proper Place 
^or it i let us go into the Houfe to clear up thefe My- 
Scries, to difcharge the Obligations we owe our Friend, 
and give Thanks to Heaven which prden all things for 
tkcbcft. 

THE E ND. 





"tJi^^r i^ 



^.J^'^*^ucAtJ<^'' 



tA C R r T I Q U E 0E 

UEeoLE DEs Femmes. 

C 6 M E D I E 

': '.th.e ■ 
ScfefooLjSr Wives 

C R I T I C I ^'D. 
■ ,: ■ ■ ■ ■ a' 

C O M E D Y. 




La Critio.ue de L'Ecole des 

Femmes, comidie en un a£le en frofe^ 
reprefentie fur k theatre du palais royal U 
ijuin 1 66 J, 

[OLIERE n'oppola pendant 
long-tems^ que les rqjrefentations 
toujours liiivies de UEcoIe des 
Femmesy aux critiques que Y<xt 
en faifoit, & nc Ibngea a Ics 
detniire, du moins en parde, qu*au mois dc 
juin 1663, qu*il donna au public la come* 
die intitulde la Critique de l^Ecole des Femmer. 
Le fonds en devoit etre une diflertadon, & 
n'admettoit par conlequent ni intrigue ni de- 
nouement; mais Moliere ne s'ecaite jamais 
de I'obget que doit avoir un auteur co- 
mique^ quefque genre qu*il mette fur la 
fcehe. U §ut, par le tsdbleau de ce qui & 
pai& dans les cercles de Paris, tandis que 
l^Ecole des Femmes en faiibit l^entretien, tra- 
cer une image fidele d*unc des parries'de la 
vie civile, en copiant le langage & le ca- 
cai^ere des convcriadons T)rdinaires des per- 

fonnes 




fbe School forWivzs CRixicis'Dt 

a Comedy of One A£l in Frqfe^ alied at the 
^eatre of the Palace-Royal the iji of June 
1663. 

LI ERE for a long time 
made no other oppofition to the 
Criticifms which were publilh*d 
upon the School for fVives^ than 
the continued Reprefentations of 
the Piece it felf, which were always crowded^ 
nor was at any Pains to lupprels them, in part at 
Icaft, *till the Month of June 1663 j when he 
brought out his Comedy call'd the School for 
WivesCrtticis^d. TheSubjed feem'd bnly proper 
for a Diflertation, and confequendy admitted 
of neither Intrigue nor Cataftrophe: But 
Moliere never loft Sight of the Objeft which 
a Comiclt Writer ought always to ■ have in 
view in what^er kind of Performances h^ 
brings on "" thcf Stage : He knew, from what 
had palsM in the Circles of Paris whilft the 
School for Wives was talk'd of, to draw a 
faithfiil Image of one part of Civil Life by 
copying the Language and Character of the 
common Converiations of the People of Fa* 

fhion^ 



(bnnes da momle. Far k choix des per- 
ibnnages ridicules qu^il introduit, il paroit 
n'avoir pas cu moiiis en vue de faire la fe- 
tire de fes een&urs, que l*apctogie cfc la 
pieces feduit *pcut-etre par le panchant de 
la malignite humaine, qui croit ne pouvoir 
pas mieux fe defendre qu*en attaquant. 
Bourfault ne laif& pas de faire jowerS Phd-' 
tel de Bourgogne k Conire-critifue ou It 
Portrait du Peintn\ il liiivit l*idee & le 
plan de la Critiqucy mais il dla trop loin, 
en fiippofant une clef connue de fEcoU des 
Femmes qui indiquoit Ics originaux copies 
d'apres nature. 




Ihiofl. By the Choice of ridiculous Charafters, 
which he introduc'd, he appears to Have had 
it as much in view to fatirize his Cenfurers 
as to apologize for his Piece : Seduc'd perhaps 
by the Teadency of ixuman Spleen, whicli 
makes People think diey can't fi> wtU defend 
themfelves as by attacking others. Bourfalt at 
the fame ^me play'd at die Hoiel de Bourgogne 
the CmiteK-Critickj or the Painters Piffure^ 
in which he followed Aibliere*s Plan and Man- 
ner, but went too far in fiippofing a known 
Key to the School for Wtves^ which pokitied 
out the Originals copy'd from Nature;. 




A C T E U R S, 

Uramii. V 

Elisi. 

Climehb. 

DoRANTS, mLb Chbtalibr. 

Ltsidas, Poete. 
Galopxn, Laqoais. 

L0 Scifu ijl s PariSi dans. U mat/on (TUranii. 



^'j>^^'-i-r^^-^v:^^^- 



ACTORS, 

UftANIA. 

Eliza. 
Climinv. 
Ths MarquisJ 
DoRANTis, or the Knight. 
LTSIDA89 ft Poet 
Galopiv, ft 'Lacquey. 

SCENi: PARIS, im tbi Hmfi ^ VnnM. 



[ "O 




La C R I T I qjU E De 
L'ECOLE DES FemMES. 



E N 



I. 



£ L I S E. 




U R A N I E, 

U It A N I I. 

[UOI! coufine, perfonne ne t*eft veni 
rendre viiite ? 
Elise. Perfonne du aoniie. 
Urania. Vraimcnt, voila qui m'e- 
tonne, qne nous ayions ete ieules i'une k 
Tautre tout aujonrd'hui. 
Elise. CeU m'etonne auffi ; car ce n^eil gueres no- 
ire coutume, & vdre maifon. Bleu merci* eft k re- 
fuge ordinaire de tous les faineans de la cour. 

iJ&ANiti. V^fsh-dinse, i dire vi^ of a femblc 
fort longue. 
Elise. Et moi, je Pai trouvee fort courte. 
Urami s. C^eft que ks beaux tfpj^^covimep aiment 
la folitode. 

Elise. Ah f Tres-humbk fervante au bcl efprit, 
vous f9avez que ce n^eft pas la que je vife. 

Uranie. Pour moiy j^aime la compagnie, je Ta- 
voue. 

Elise. Je Taixne aufli: mais je Paime choiiie^ & la 
quantite des fottes vifites qu'il vous faut efliiyer parmi 
ksautrcs, eft caufe bien fouven^ ^^'^ J^ prends plaiiir 



d*ctre fcuk. 



Ura' 



C 265 ] 




THE 

School for Wives 

CRITIC IS* a 




C E N E L 

U'R A N I A, ELIZA. 

U R A M I A. 

I H AT, Coaiin, is no body come to vifit 
you ? 
Eliza. Not a Sod. 
Urania. lam aftoniihM truly, that 
we have both of us been alone this 
whole Day. 

Eliza*. It aftonifhc? me too j for 'tis by no meant 
oar Coftom, and your Houie, thank Heaven, is the or- 
dinary Refuge of all the Saunterers about CoUrt. 

Urania. The Afternoon, to fey the Truth, feemi 
long to me. 
Eli z a. And I think it very Ihort. ♦ 

URAwiA.,That*s becaufe your fine Wits, G)uTin, 
love Solitude. 

Eliza. O! your fine Wits moft obediott; you 
know I don't aim at that. 

Urakia. For my part, I confefs, I love Company, 

Eliza. So do I too; but I love fcleft Company,* 
and the great number of Nfooliih Vifits one muft endure^ 
amongft your other forts, is very often the Reafon why 
I uke Pleafure in being alone. 

V^i*. III. M Ura' 



l66 La Criiifue it VEcde ies Femmes. 

Ukanib. LaddicatdTcefttropgraiidey dei^epoa* 
mr {buffirir que do gens triei. 

Eliss. BchocMivhiianeeefttiQpg^B^ffakdefimf- 
frir indifenmnieiit toatn iortii^de perfonnes. 

Uranib. Je goate cebz qui fom nifonnaUesy & mt 
cliveitis dn cxtrsvag^iis. 

ELfsB. Mb fi»» lies c jitravagaitf ne vcmt gtieres loin^ 
fins Toos cn]|iqr«r« & l^jpluparldexesieiB^i ne fonc 
l^os plaiiaas (fes la. feccmd^ vifite. Si ais i^ propos d*ex- 
tfsivagfiis, ite voiilez-voas pas me de&ire de votre mar* 
qois iqqommode ) Penfat-voos me le bUer tMijonn 
far Ies bras, &.qi]f jf fgaSe-Axiftt If Sb$ tprlapinadn 
perpeto^les. 

U&AHis. Celangq^ieftUmodej &roiiktoomc 
«i pfadfMKik i la eeur. 

Elisb. Tant pis poar cenx qm le^fimty Jbq^ife 
tuent toat le jour V paiter ce jBrgGnobTcor. I* bdle 
diofe de ftira eafFSi', anz conventions do l^QTrt, de 
vieBles ^nii^iies ramafll^ parmi- Ies boner des halles 
J^ de la place maobert ! La . jolie fk9on dc plaiianter 
ptfor des coordfiuis, k qu^un homme montte d'^fprit 
lofi^a^U vicAt veosd^: Madame^ vqos dt^ datas U 
place royob* & tontleniondeToasVQitde trofs li^ei 
dn hvis» car ekiesn focrs veJtde ben eeih; icaufe ^ne 
Bonnoeil.eft un village ^ trois lieoes d'icj ! Cda d^^eft-il 
pas bkn galant U bkn (^ifitad, k Cenx qui troitnnt 
««t bdbss rcBCoHMs/ a'onl-ib pas litis de a^ olo- 
fifcr? . ^ 

Ub A»t B. On wt dit pes cdfrtuft, commeime choft 
fpirituelle^ k la plupart de cemc qui afikamt ce hn- 
gfl^ fjavent \ifih eu-m&HA qu*il eft ildicnle. 

Elisb. Tant pis encore, de prendre p£^ie i. dire dcs 
f<miAi« ft d^toe manvais pkifins dc deffisin fbnn^. Je 
liB tieiM mj^ cxeniablei, &: fi J'enitois Jage, je ry?ft 
Uin a quflf]! QOttdomnenns tpos c^ iqeffiegrs lea tor- 
lopmi. 



»i? Schoi^for W i V t s Critidfi. tSf 

Ukakia. 'Tis toogre^t Delicacy, not to be able 
lb bear any but yoar choice People. 

Eliza. And the Complai&nce is too general tH 
bear indifferently forti of People. 

UranI a. I reliih diofe who are reafonable, and di- 
irert my £A£ with the extravagant. 

Eli z a . In truth, the extravagant don*C go fax with* 
oat wearying yon, and the gntateft part of thefe fort 
of People are no more diverting alter the fecond Vifit. 
Bat to the Bafineb of your ^travagants, w6n*t yon 
.rid me <^ your impertinent Marquis ? D^e think al- 
ways to leave him upon my Hands, and that I can hold 
oat againft his perpetual Puns'? . 

UR.ANIA. Hiis is a faihionable Language, -and they 
make *emfdvte merry with it at Court. 

Eliza. So much the worfe for thofewho do fo, 
and who rack thdr Brains all Day long to talk thia 
obfcure Jargop. A pretty thing to bring into the Con- 
verfiition of the Louvrf, your double fintendres, rak^d 
together ftom the Kennds of Hai/es and Plaa Maw 
ieH ! A fine maimer of Jeftii^ lor Courtiers, and of 
a Man^s fhewing his Wit by coining and fiiyingr 
Afadam, you are at the Flaa Ra^al, and all the World 
fees you t|iree Leagues from Paris ; for every body feet 
you with a good Ey)5; becaufe Bontuil is a Village at 
du'ee Leagues diibuce from hence! Is it not very 
galant, and v€tf wlttjr ? Andhan^t they who fait upon 
theie pretty Puns, Reafon to be proud of *em ? 

UraiTia. Thfey don't, atthefexnfetime; fpeakthia 
as a Pi^ "^e of Wit, for moft ol diofe who afied thin 
Language knoy^ that •tis ridicidotas. 

]fiSi z A. Worfe ftffl, to take Pains to fay filly things, 
a^ to bd forry Jokers on fet Purpofe. I hold *em 
left eatcufidMe for that, aiH were I Ji*l]^, l^rery wdl 
know to what I ftdo^d confemA ift thefr^^Genoy the 
Pimftco. 

Me U»A^ 



tSS La Critique de UEcole des Fmmes. 

U RAN IE. Laiffons cette matiere qui > t'qdiaufft Aia 
pea trop, & difons que Dotante vient bien tard, a mon 
avis, pour le fouper que nous devons faire enfemble. 

Elisb. Pcttt-ctre I'a-t-il oublic, & que . . . 



SCENE IL 
URANIE, ELISE, GALOPIN. 

G A L O P I N. 

VOila Climene, Madame, qui vient icipoorvoas 
voir. 

Uranie. He, mon Dieu f Quelle vifite !* 

El I s E . Vous yous plaignez d^etre feule ; aufli le Ciel 
vous en punit. 

Ur AN I s . Vite, qu'on aille dire que je n*y fuis pas. 

Ga l o pi n. On a deja dit que vous y etiez. 

Urania. £t qui eH le fot qui Pa dit ? 
.Galofin. Moi, Madame. 

Uranie. Diantre foit le »petit vilain f Jevousap- 
prendnd bien a faire vos reponfes de vous-meme. 

G a L o p I N . Je vais lui dire, Madame, que vous vou- 
Icz ^tre fortic. 

Uranie. Arretez, animal, Sc la laiflez monter, 
puifque la fottife ^ft feite. 

Galopin. £Ue parlc encore a im homme dans la 
rue, 

Uhanib. Ah! confine, que cette vifite m'embar- 
lafle a Jt'heure qu'il eft ! 

Eli s E II eil vrai. que la dame eft un pen embarraf- 
£mte de Ton nature! ; j*ai toujours eu pour elle une fu- 
ricufe averfion, &, n'en deplaife^a fa qualitc, c'eft la 
.plu« fotte bete qui (e foit jamais m^lee de raiibnner. 

Ur a N iB^ L'epitiietc eft on pcu forte. 

EmsHi 



^e School for Wives Criticis-d. z6g 

Ur A N I A . Let us have done with this Affair, it heats ye 
a little t90. much ; and let us talk of Dorantes, he*s long- 
a coming, methinks, to the Supper weVe to have to- 
gether. 

Eliza. Perhaps he has forgot it^ and— — 



M 



S C E N E IL . 
GALOPIN, URANIA, ELIZA. 

G A L O P I N.' . 

Adam, here's Climena comi to fee you. 



Ur AN I A. * Oh ! blefs me ! what a Vifit is this ? 

Eliza. You complain of being alone; fo Heaven 
pQiuihes you for it. 

.Urania. Quick, go tell her Pm not at Home. 

Galopin. She is told. already that you are. \ 

Urania. And who's the l^ool that told her fq? 

Galopin. I, Madam. * 

Urania. Deuce take the little Rafcal ; I Ihall 
teach you to give Anfwers of your own He^id. 

Galopin.. I'll go tell her. Madam, that you won't 
be at home. 

Urania. Stay, ye little Afs, and let her come up, 
fince the Folly is committed. 

Galopin. She's fliU talking to a Man in the 
Street. 

Urania. Ah! Coufui> how does this Vifit per- 
plex me at this time I 

Eliza. 'Tis true, the Woman is naturaHy troublc- 
fome : I always had a furious Averiion to her ; and, 
no offence to her Quality, fhe's one of the moft ilupid 
Afles, that ever pretended to Reafon. 

Ur an I a. The Epithet is a little of the firongeft. 

M % Eliza. 



ffo La CrUipe di VEcUi des Frnmn. 

Ex. J SB. ARtz, ailesBy elle merite bien ceb, &q^- 
qoe diofe de plus, fi on lui &ifoit jufHce. Eft-ce %tt*il 
y a nne perfonne qui folt plus yiritablemcRt qa^elie, ce 
qa*on appelle precleaie, a prendre le mot dans (a j\m 
jnanvaife fignificadon ? 

Ur ANiB. Elle fe defend bien de ce nom, poortant 

£li8b. Il.eft viai. £Ue fe defend da nom; mail 
son pas de la chofe i caj: enfin elle 1*^ depuis les picck 
jnfques ji la tite, Sc la plus grande fa9onniere da monde. 
II femble qu6 tout fdn corps foit d^mont^, k que les 
snouvemens de fes^ handbes^ de ies epaales, & de & 
tke, n^aillent que'^ar leiTorts. Elle sik&is toi^ooj? vis^ 
ton de TOix languifl^t, & xnsas, £ait la moiie pQtit 
aontrer une petite boachc » & roule }e» ycCtx poor to 
6iie paroZtre grands. 

Ua AMiB. Doucexnent done. Si elle venoit i eatGir 
dre . . . 

Elis^. Ho^^ point, die ne mqnte pas encore. Je 
me fituviens toiuoii,rs d^ ibir qu'elle eut envie 4t 
voJr Pamon fur la reputation qron lui donne, & lei 
choies que le public a vues de lui. Yous connoi&z 
rhomme, ^ fk naturelle pareiTe a foutenir la convc^i- 
tion. Elle Tayoit iavite i fonper cc^ame fael efpritj k 
jamais i) nt parut fi fot, parmi une demi dQi^;^n^ ^ 
gei^ a qui jdl^ wojif hit feie 4e lui, ft q^i le;^- 
doient avec de grands yeux| coinn^ \uve vcrfixppfi ^91 
1V5 devoit piv etrc feiXje ^ojnme I^ uitrefi. lU p^' 
foient tons qu^il etoit la pour defrayer la compagnu? # 
bons moC^ } ^ cj^aaue p^o^ quj fortpif de ifL ho9f^c 
devoit etre extraordinaire, qu^il vdeygjit ipjre ^ V9^ 
prompt^ f9f tmt ce<^vi'Qn diipit, & n^ den^u^^ ^ 
boire q^Vec iwfi poi^te. j^fjais il let tfooit^^ M par 

jc ie fus d^elie. 

la chambre. 

lUlB 



Eliza. Come, come, ihe ricbly ddcrvcs it, find 
fomediii^ more, i( one were to do ho* JiifiiQe. I« 
there a Creature more truly, what we csdl a Piece ^ 
AMation, than ihe is» taking the Word in the worft 
Signification of it ? 

Urania. She fcoms the Name, for all that. 

Eliza. Trtte, &e fcoms the Nalnte; but not &e 
Thing : for in ihort fhe has it from Head to Foot, and 
is the moft formal ^iece in the WorM : Her whole Bo- 
dy feems as 'twere ost of joint, and ai if the Motion 
of herl^ps, her Shoulders and her Head went all by 
Clock-work. She. always afieds a languiihing filly 
Tone of Voice ; makes Faces to make her Mouth ap- 
pear little; and rpUs her Eyes, te m^fae ^uA, loofe 
large, 

Urania. Softly then. If Ihe ihott'd hapjpcn tm 
overhear'-—^ 

Eliza. No, no, ihe^s not a cimiing iq> yet. I Ikall 
l^ever fbrg^ the Evening that ihe w^ defiroos of fee^ 
'^l Damon, on account of the Reputation he has, and 
the Things of his that he had pufalifh'd. Yo« know 
^c Man, and his natural Indotence m keeping up^ 
Convcrlation. She had invited him to fupper, as a Wit, 
and never did he appear fo much a Fool, among half 
2 dozen People whom iht defign^d hifii as an Enter- 
tainment for, and Who flarM upon him, as if he ought 
^ to be tasak Hke ether Men. They aU-thong^t he 
^as there to regale the Company ^ith his Jiefts 1 thjM: 
*^ Word he i^e wee td be eactnondinary, that he 
v^ to make extemporary Repartees «po* every tfeinj^ 
^t was .faid, and not call Ar % Ghifiof Wine, but 
wltKaWittic]^ ButhedeOBiv'd'embyhisfiiieaee; 
^ the lAdy wai a» little (atisfy'd witk fcim, as I wai 
^Uh hor, 

Uramia. Hold jgax T^iie« Tilgo receive ber 
^tkChainber-I>oor. 

M 4 Eli3a« 



flr;^ La Critique ie VEcole des Fmmh. 

Eli SB. Encore un mot. Je voudrois bien la vol 
mariee avec Ic marquis, dont nous avons parle. Le b 
affcmblage que ce feroit d'une prc'cieufc, & d'un tui 
*lapinf 

» Uranib. Veux-tu tc taire ? La Void. 



SCENE m. 

CLIMENE, URANIE, ELISEi 
G A L O P I N. I 

U R AN I B. 

V Raiment, c'eft bien tard que . . . 
Climene. He, de grace, ma chere, fait» 
moi VI tc donncr un fiege, 

Uranxe ^ GalopinJ] Un fauteuil promtcment. 
I Climene. Ah, mon Dieu ! 

Uranie. Qij'cft-ce done ? 

Cljmene. Je n*en puis plus. 

Uranie. Qu'avez-vous ? 

Cli MEN B. Le coear me manque. 

Uranie. Sont-ce vapeurs qui vous ont pris ? 

Climene. Non. 

Uranib. Voulez-vous qu'on vous delace ? 
. Climene. Mon Dieu, non. Ah! 

Uranie. Quel eft done votre mal ? Et depuis quand 
vous a-t-il pris ? 

Cli MEN E. II y a plus de trois heures, & je Tai ap- 
porte du palais royal. 

Uranie. Comment? 
. Cli MEN E . Je viens de voir, pour mcs pcchcs, cettc 
mechante rapfodie de Tccole des femmes. Je fois en- 
core en dcfaillance du mal de coeur que cela m'a donne, 
& je pcnfc que je n'en rcviendrai de plus de quinze 
jours. 

Elise. 



Th School /ar W I V E s Critki^d. 275 • 

Eliza. One Word more. I wouM fhe iveremar- 
ry'd to the Marquis we were talking of. The admir- 
able Union it wouM be betwixt a She-Coxcomb and a 



Urania. Will you hold your Tongue ? here fhe is- 



SCENE III. 

CLIMENE, URANIA, ELIZA^ 
GALOPIN. 

•_ Urania. 

'^TpIS very late truly'that— — 

1 Clim>ene. Oh ?. for Heaven's lake, my Dear, 
bid 'em give me a Chair immediately. 

Urania to Galopin.] An arm'd Chair here,, quick. . 

Climene. Oh! my Stars? 

Uran lA. WhatV the matter then ? 

Climene. I can fupport no longer. 

Urania. What ails yp\;i ? 

Climene. I feint. 

Urania. Are they .Vapours, that hare feiia'd you \ : 

Climene. No. '• 

Urania. WouM you be unlacM ? 

Clj^men^. O.lud, no. Oh!/ 

Urania. .'WhatV ybur/iUnefs then? aiid when ' 
did it feize you ? 

Climene. Above three Hours ago, and I biought it 
from Court. 

Urania. How? 

Climene! As a Punifhmcnt for my Sins, I've juft 
feen that villanous Rhapfody of the School far Winjits^ 
I have ftill a Qualm from the Fainting- Fit it gave m^ 
a^d Ihan't'come to my felf again, I believe^ this Fort- 

M 5 , Eliza; . 



%4 L^erm^dtlfEffhdiihmmii^ 

Sliss . V^yeai oft fan cwuac ks Butefib arrifnt» 
Abb i|u*oii y foBge I 

Urawib. Jeneffaiipttdtlqimaii^iiiBtttiiow 
fommes ma confine Se mot ; mais notts fomei avtsC- 
liier il la meme piece, ic ftOM c& Ityiames ttoatei ikax 
Aiaet & gaillanies.' 
Cli MSN b. Qooi f Vons Pavc« vuc I 
Ubanib. Otti ; ic &out^ d*im bout i, Tzxtae. 
Climbnb. Et vons n'en avez pas 6xi jaiques aoi 
•emynUioiis, maeh&e? 

UaANiB. Je or fob pis ft dflieate, Diea meici^ & 
]e tronve poor moi que cette comedie feroit plotota- 
paUe de ga^rir les geos, q^Qb de les rendre maladfi: 

Climbnii. Ah, mon Dien! Qu« dite»»Toa$ U? 
Cette propofition peut-^e £tre avancee par one peri 
foftne, qui ait dn xevenu en fens commun? Feat-on, 
impnfiement, comme rous fidtei, rompre en vifier^ a 
laiaifon, &, da|isl«vrai de la chofe, eft-Bun cfpit 
fiaffiun^ de plaifanterie, qu'il puifle ater dp^fc» 
doDt cette comedfe eft afl^fannSe } Vavrim, if voos 
avene qne je n'ai pas troov^ U mobdire gnimde iH ^ 
(out ceh. lfi» $mfims far tw9iU$ m'bni payni'tt" 
goat deteftaltfe: U thru i la cr^ in'a 9S^ ^ 
coeor ; & j*ai penii vonur «» /0Mx#« 

Si-iBf! Mon Diea I Que tout opb| eft dit ele- 
ment ! Janrois cm que cette p&e ^toit heme, n^ 
madaiiM % va» floquesce fiparfoafire, etie tounieles 
chdcs d'une maiii&e ft zfpMAe, qa*ii fint £tre da m 
ientinie&t, malgre qn^on en ait. ...... 

Ui^aMiB. Po^r moi, je tfai p^ tant de c^PJf- 
jbncei *, potir dire ma peirfce* Je tiens cettc cotncOlC 

«ne des pkis pkifantes que raotcor ait prodoitei. 

CLiiiiiiB. Aht Voos me fitto piti^ 4c pff 
wAi l^jenefsaarois ifons taalbk eci» M^^,^ 



Elis A. Se» ham DiAcmpen cone^ widMBt Mt^t 
Uakn^ of *cn. 

Ukahia. Idai*tkBoir«rlMtCmiitati(m»70ow» 
fin and I are of ; bat we were at the fiune Piece the 
Bay befim Yvfarday^ aafi we icdi eaaie vmf well 
and joUf. 

CLiMBiifl. What^ hare fen, fen it ? 

Urani a. YeSy and heard it from one end to t^edMrJ 

CuMBva. AndwevairottaotalnMiftinGoiiTBlfioBSy 
my Dear? 

Uraiiia. lanaocfedelicBlt, diaakilea^mf aai 
fcr my part, I^think this Play fhoold be more apt IP 
(are People than to nalie '^n fick. 

Climbmb. Oh I my Start/ What it*t yoo iayf 
Can thit Fr^ofitien be adivaoc'd bf a PevfiMi who has 
(be leak Revcane hi wiuneii«ea#s# D^ye Ihink aM 
can, with Impumty» quarral poiilt-btfuik with Rcafim 
as yon do I Aad i« thera^ in ihe trath of the thiat» a 
Mind fo f^BiiAi^ 6r Drollery* ^hat eaa talk the 
% thingi this Pky is ftafon'd with f For jDy ^rt« I 
coaffis^ I^oaM fM fed theleaft Offdnef Salt thro* 
the whole of St : CkHdnn fy tht Emr^ had, to tky 
thinUog, a deteflable GcHt: The Crnow 7^/ tam*d 
ny Stoaaachi and I ^ii|ht I flum'd have iNMuted al 
the Porridge^ 

£ 1. 1 z A . Heavens f moft elegantly fpokfc ! I ihoaVl hhve 
thought this Piece had been good i but the lady hiu fa 
perft^ve an Etoqaeoeo, fhe tonis thnga ia ib agit- 
able a manner, that one moft he of her Opoioii in 
^te of anes own. 

Ubami A. For my part, I haVt b mnch Complat^ . 
&ace s and to fptak fliy Thoughts^ i look upon ihia , 
Play to be one of the nioft divertmg the Author hit. 
prodocVl. 

Climbkb. Oh! ydanulceiiiepityy^n, to talk ia 
this SDanta^ i cM't bear tiw OUjpDfhy ^f Dtfcern- 

mcnc 



%y6 La Critique de VEcole its Femmesi 

diicernement. Pcttt-on, ayant dc la verta, troava de 
Pagrement dans une piece, qui tient fans celTe la padeor 
en alarme, Sc falit a. tout xnoment Timagination. 

£lisi. Les jolies &9ons de parler que voila ! Qae 
vous eteSy Madame, une rude joueufe en cridque, & 
que je plains le' panrre Moliere dc vous avoir pour en- 
memie! 

Climenb. Croyez-moiy |na chere, corrigez de 
bonne foi votre jugemcnt, &, pour votre hoimeur, 
n^allee point dire par le mbnde que cette comedle vous 
ait plu. 

Uranib. Moi, jc ne f9ais pas cl que vous y av« 
tronve qui bl^e la pndeur. 

Cli meke. H^las f Tout ; & je niets en fait qu*unc 
honn£te femme ne la f^auroit voir fans cpnfufion, tant 
J*y ai decouvert d'ordures & de faletes. 

Uranib. II feut done que pour les ordurejvous 
ayiez des lumieres que les autres n*ont pas ; car, pour 
moi, je n'y en ai point vu. 

Climenb. Ccft que vous i» vonlez pas en avoir vu» 
ftflurement : car enfin^ toutes ces ordures, Dieu tnerch 
y font ^ viiage decouvert. * EUcs^n'ont pas la moindrc 
cnvdoppe qui Ict'couvre, Sc les yeux lesplnshardM 
font effrayes de leur nudite. 

£li8B. Ahl 

Climenb. Hai, hai, hai. 

Uran I B. Mais encore, 8*il vous plait, marquez-moi 
ine de'ces ordures que vous.dites. 

Cli MEN B. Helas ! £ft-il necefTaire de vous les mar- 
quer ? * 

UraKib. Oui. Je vous demande feulemcnt un cn- 
droit, qui vous ait fort choquee. 
- Cli MEN*. En faut-il d'autre que la fcenc de cetti 
Agnes, lorfqu'elle dit ce qu'on lui a pris i 

Uran I b . £( ^ue trouvez-vous Ik de tiki 



.fhe school for Wivis Criticised:. 2yj 

ment in you. Can one, who has any Virtife, find ai^y 
thing agreeable in a Piece that keeps one's Modeily un- 
der a perpetual Alarm, and fuUies the Imagination at 
every turn ? ' ' 

Eliza. What a pretty manner of fpeaking is diatl 
How terribly rough you pky. Madam, in Criticifm ; 
and kow I pity poor Moliere for having you for an 
Enemy! 

Clime NE. Bdieve me, my Dear; corred in good 
eameft your Judgment; and: for your Honour, don't 
tell it to the World, that this Comedy pleas'd you. 

Urania. I M can't imagine what you found in it 
^booking to Modefty. 

Climenb. Lack-a-day, allpf it ; and I do maintain it 
as Fad, that an honefl Woman can't fee it without Con- 
Hon, I difcover'd fo much Ordure and Naftjnefs in it, 

Ukania. You muft have a particiilar Difcernment 
then for Ordure ; for as to my part» I bm none in it. 

Clime MB. 'Tis, undoubtedly, becanfe you won't foe 
k; for in (hort, all this Ordure is, thank Heayen, naked! 
to the Eye : It haSt npt the leaft Cover to hide it ; and 
the bcddeft Eye^ are (hpck'd at the Nudity of it. 

Eliza. Oh! 
Climbnb. Ha, ha, ha. 

UaANiA. But once more, if you pleafe, point me 
tut feme of this Ordure yon fpeak of. 
Climbnb. Alafs, is it necefiary to point it out I 

Urahia. Yes; X only ask of you one PafTage that 
was very (hocking to you* 

Climenb. Needs there any other than the Scene 
of that Agnes, when flie tells what they took from her. 

Ubakx A. And what do you find {mutty in that ? 

Cn- 



CUuiw. Ah I 

UftABiB* Dttgiaee. 

Ctiifivt. Vu 

U&ANis. Mais encore? 

Cuifiiii. lefl^fieBiTondtre. 

UftAVis. Post nun, jenYcBteiidipoktdeaiai. 

Ci.iiiiM,^TMi-|tt pouir voiii.> 

Uramii. Tantinieiix plat6t, ce me femUe. Je 
itgn^c Id ckofcft da cote qn'on me les nontre, & 
ae Its tBonc pdnt, poor j ctereher ce qii*U oeto 
pasveir. 

QLiuim. VYkosatmi d*aiie femme . . . 

UftAiiift; Vhmitimii ^udb Ibume n^eft pB dans 
les ^imaces. H fiti mal de voii]<sff toe i^lns ftge^ 
4ttt eetkb qd feM fiiges^ L'eiUbtiott cti eettenoa- 
tiin dft ]^ qii*iMi txmte autre ; ^ je se r^uft rfen ^ 
fi ridiciili) qae cette dtficaCefl^ d*k6iiiimir qid F^ 
ftNit en^iuMitaife yait, ^onae va ftas csiiBiael sux 
pkeisMcinfet partte^ J^ ^VifliBafe Ai Pcunive dei 
chofes. Groyex-aioi. Celles qui font tantde 6(01159 
#eki tet pas tellfiite piift leattMb ile Um. Aatdn- 
ftidi^« lite tivtAzi aMirtetffir, ifc ten fritaaaccs if^ 
Mi&ii iitittiit b Mifoia i€ Ijoot la ttkolide, ^ontrelei 
a^cns de kulr <rie. Oil M raVi de d^convrif ce qtt*il 
7 peat avoir & redixe, &, poor tomber dans Vaoaiv^h 
il y swoit VaxLtTt joor des femmes i eeifte ceai^e^ 
vis-a-vis de la loge ou nous etaoas^ ^^ ffiiur lia nma 
qiiVDes uScMreat dprant teate la fiiise^ leors dtoir* 
nemens de tete, A: leairs dmdhemens de vifii^y iriat 
dire de tous cAtds d»t fettifts de lem> coadoi^ ^oe 
ToQ n'a^roit pas dites fans cela ; 8c qudqu'un laeme 
i^ kqn^ cria tefoft hJhit^ quVlies ^ent plus dUiftes 
des prdllesy que de tout le reflis da odrpfr. 

Clim^nb. Ettfih il &ut ^re aveugie daifs tAte 
pMce^ Sctitp» bire iisaib^ iy vm to efaflfes. 

UaA»if» 



fktStkrifit'VfiriiCfitiii^l tf9 

Ciiiffisc. Ahl 
Urahia. Pray? 

Urania. Nay, bat? 

CuMBNS. I'veftoiiiiii^te hy t'fC. i 

Urania. For my part, I fee no harm in it. 

Climiiib. So much the wnrfe for you; 

Uravia. JRadw fo mxigji th« better, I diink. I 
bok apoQ thin^ on the fide that^s {hewn me i aa4 
loa'ttim Vm abeut> to &td what i oi^ht Mt to %. 

Climb Nt. A IMft Modefty-i«*~ 

l^UNU. A Lady*^ Mpdefty cooiit ndt in 6ri^ 
^^^' It ill becomes one to be wi&r thap theie wh« 
H^wifi^; AfettaiioA to thii Afiur ii worft thanevtry 
^gd^ ; and I fta nothiilg €a ridicnkii&eB that D^ 
''fu:^ of Honour v^hkh ttkm etrery tidng in ili part^ 
pves i criiiiiaal Settfe tto the moft inhoeeit Wox4i^ 
and is oAaM at th^ Shadow of thUigi. Beinre aie^ 
^7 ^0 ihake fo inneh ado aie aot i0ft<«*d tho 
^««(eft Woiaen. Ok i^ cMtniy, dMbr teyteiaui 
Severity, andaftfted GiiBi^kct ]MP0vriie dM Ooil^ 
^ the World ^ipon the Altteni el tiMblivet. People 
■^iNtodSfeoveri^ythSnjBto eftrpatj andfogive 
re an finunple, thtri were fome Ladkt et dus my 
^tker Xhy^ oiFor agidnft the Box we wiftre iiii who 
V the UkM tk^ aftaed dtiriAg the whete PiecB^ 
^ taining away their Heads, aood the hiding theiff 
'^1 «€cafioii*d e fctiiidttd fily things bdng Aid on 
^CoDdaa» all round them, that woa'd liever havi 
^ fiud wiUiout this ; toA ev*ft one of the Footmca 
^7"^ tA\ aloQd> tliai they wore more chi^ in di^ 
^s than inall the rSft of the«r B6dies. 
. ^I'litBiiB. fh 4^11 one itittKlipeUiAd in this Keoe^ 

Urahia* 



a8o La Critique de VEcok des Femmes. 

Ukanib. II ne Eat pas y vouloir voir ce qai n*y 
eft pas. 

Climenb. Ah! Je foatiens encore on coup, qaeles 
faletes y crevent les ycux. 

URANiEiEt inoi, je ne demeurepas d'aceord de 
cda. 

Climenb. Qooi ? la. pndeur n*eft pas vifiUement 
UeiTfe par ce que dit Agne* dans Tendroit dont nous 
parlons. 

Uranib. Non yraiment. Ellenedit pas un mot, 
qui de foi ne foit fort honnete ; &, fi vous voulez en- 
tendre deflbus qudqu'autre chofe, c*eil voui qui faites 
I'ordure, & noa pas elle, puifqu'elle parle feulement 
d*an ruban qu^on lui a pris, 
* Climenb. Ah! Ruban» taht qu'il vous plaira; 
mais ce, U, on elle s'arr^te, ii*e^ pas mis pour des 
prunes. II vient fur ce, /r, d'^tranges penfees. Ce, 
%, fcandaiife furieufeiiient : ,Sc, quoique vous puifez 
dire,, vous ne.f9auriesi defendre rinfdence de ce, /?. 
; Elisb. II €& vrai, ma confine, je fuis pour ma* 
dame contxe ce, /r. Ce, le^ eft infolent au. dernier 
foint, & vous avez tort de defendre ce, /e. 

Cl I MB K E .11 a une pbfcenite qui n^eft pas fupportable. 
Elise. QommeAt dites-vous ce mot4a» Madame^ 
Climene. Obfcefute^ Madame. 
£lise. Ah! MonDieu! Obfcemte, Jenefpisce 
que ce mot veut direi mais je le trouve le plus jolida 
monde. 

; Climenb. EniiB, vous voyez conune votre fasg 
jprend mon parti. • , 

Uranie. He, m(» Diett!C'eft une xaufeufe qoi 
ne dit pas ce qu^elle penfe. Ne vous y &ez pas beaa- 
coup, fi vous m'en Toukz croire. 

Elise. Ah! Que vous ct^ mechante, demcroa- 
loir rendre fufpcae k madame ! Voyez 4?n peu ou j*eD 
fcrois, fi cHe allbit croirc ce que vous dices. Scrois-js 

i 



* 92>(f School /(?r W I V E s Criticii^d. 281 

Urania. One ought not to fee in't what is not 
in it. • * 

' Climene. Ah! I maintain it once more, that the 
Smnttinefs in it puts out ones Eye?. 

Urania. And I am not of that mind. 

Climene. What ? does not Agnes y in the Paflage 
we are fpealdng of, fay what is vifibly (hocking to Mo- 
defty ? 

Urania. No truly : She fays not one Word but 
what, of itfelf, is decent enpugh ; and if you will 
conceive fomething elfe as coiich'd under it, *tis you 
who make the Ordure, and not fhe, fincc Ihc only 
fpeaks of the Ribbon that was took from her. 

Cli ME NE. Hoh ? Ribbon as long as you picafe, but 
that My that fhe flops at is not pot there for nothing. 
Strange Thoughts arife upon this My, This My is fu- 
rjoufly fcandalous ; and fay what you canj you can ne- 
ver defend the Infolence of this il'^. 

Eliza. True, Coufin, I'm for the Lady againfl 
this My. ik^ is to the lafl degree infolent ; and you're in 
the wrong to defend this My, 

Climene. It has an'Obfcenity that is infupportablc. 

Eliza. How do you call that Word, Madam ? 

Climene. Obfcenity, Madam. 

Eli z A. Hoh ! good lack-a-day ? Obfcenity. I don't 
kiiow the meaning of this Word, but I think 'tis the 
prettieft in the World. 

'Climene. In fhort, you fee your own Relation 
takes my part. • 

Urania. Odear! fhe's a tattling Girl, who don't 
fpeak as fhe thinks. Yea won't much depend upon her 
if you'll believe me. 

Eliza. Fy ! what a wicked Creature are you to 
make the Lady fufped me ! Confider a little wimt Con- 
dition I fhou'd be in fhou'd fhe believe what you fay. 

Am 



ccttB pcnicc ? 

folcst & je TOus craia plus finqire qu^elle me dit. 

Bliss, Ah I Qge^roiu avcz bi«n xaifoB/ Madame, 
ft qae vons ine rendrez juftlce, quand vous croiiez que 
jevoutvonvebpljiaav^^lQliiCe pei&niie da monde, 
que j*c&tredi|iu toas vw feadmais, ft fiiii channee dc 
loatcs ks expreffions qai fortent de votre boucBe. 

^hiuin^. Hcbul Jepftrleiansaflelktion. 

Elisb. On le Yoit blen, Madame^ ft qn^ toot eft 
oatnrd en voiu. Va9 paroks, le ton de votre tqix, 
VOB icj^wds^ V06 pas, votie adion, ft votse aju&emmt 
ant je ne fgue quel air de qaalite, qui enchaiitelesgens. 
je rem Aiidie dei yeax ft des oreiHes ; ft je fak fi rem- 
plie de voaa, que je (ache d^etre yotrefixigtj ftdevooi 
centicfiuxe e& tout. 

CiiiMBiiB. Vow voos moqacs de moi, Madanf. 

Elisb. Paidonney-moi, Madame. Qd Toodroit ft 
Vioquerde voos? 

Clim£iib. Jene ivispai anbonmodele, Madaa^ 

Elisb. Ohi Qnefi, Madame. 

Climbiib. VowaiDflat^, Madame. 

Elisb. Point du tout^ Madame. 

CLiiiiNB. EpargM^HSspi^ 9% voiia plaits ]illdtO^ 

Elisb. Jevdps^patgneaoilt'Madamey ftjeflf^ 
pas la moitie de ce qae je penile, Maidame. 

CLticiiiB. Alg moa Dieal Brifons-I^ de p»^ 
Voas me jetteriez dans one confafion eponvaiit^* 
yt UrmsM.'] EsAi, mm veiU d)B«x omtre ifooi^ & 
lVl>»iMntefi4ifimdaitt perfeones ^ttidfc»« • • 



sciNi 



kml fohr unhappy, Madam^ that you (hoa*d enters 
^n this Thoaght of me ? 

Climbhb. Nq, no, I ^onCt jpuj^ her Words, I 
]iink you more finc6re thah ihe iajrs. 

EtifeA. Oh ! yc»a ate infimt^ kl the jighl, Ma* 
bun ; and yon do me jilfiice vflytd yfru bdieve I think 
m the moft engaipili; Perfon ^ntl;^ World i Viat I en- 
er into all your Senti^ieuls^ and ^SfL jchaoa^d wiith 
prery EjcpiciSon you utter. 

Climbnb. Alas! I fpeak without Ai^^tioQ. 

£i.iBA. One fees it, Madam, veryfhk^y^ ^d that 
vVy thing is natural in you. Your Words, the Tone of 
nur Voice, your Look^, your Gait, jrourAdiQn a|id your 
)ie£, have a j^e ne fqwf qwi of Quality in >em that 
Bchant Feojde. I ftody you by mjr Eyes, by ^y i^u? ; 
nd I am fo full of you, that 1 ftrive to ape yon fm4 
counterfeit you in every thing. 

Climbnb. You^replea^M tokuvberme^ Madam* 

£li z A« Pardon me, J^dam ; who cqhM i^anticr y^n ? 

Climbnb. I am no good Model, Madam. 

Eliza. Oh I yes. Madam. 

Climbnb. You flatter me, Mad!am. 

Eliza. Not at all, Mads^ 

Climbnb. Have a little Mercy on me, Mp4i«|« if 
oa plqaft. 

Eliza. I have ib much |fercyq»yo«, ({i^IdiQ&^ 
yi haif oS what I thjnk of yf^. 

Climbnb. Oh Heavens! Let us drop it, pray. 
Tea'd throw PM \ft» a horriUe G<¥^^Q. \J» Umoia.] 
fou fee in fliort. Madam, wf ^^ \^ ^VfM^ft ymt 
84Qbtoicy6iBfi)iH upp^ y«ir lNt*rf Wit*»*- 



un 



SCBNI 



J 84 ^ Critique de 1/Ecde des Fmmes. 



SCENE IV. 

■ LE MARQUIS, CLIMENE, URANIE, 
ELISE, GALOP IN. 

Galopin a la parte dt la ebamhre» 

ARrfitcz, s'iWous plJiit, Monfieur. 
Le Marquis. Ta ne me connois pas, 
doutc; 

Galop in. Si £ut, je tous connois: mais yot 
n^entreres pas. 
• L« Marquis. Ah! Que de bruit, petit laquais 

Galopin. Cela n'eft pas bien de vouloirentrermal 
gre les gens. | 

Lb Marquis. Je veux voir ta maitrefle. 

Galopin. EUe n^y eil pas, voas dis-je. 

Le Ma r qv i s . La voila dans fa chambre. 

Galopin. II eft vrai,. la voila : mais ellc n*/ efl 
pas. 

Uranie. Qu'eft-ce done qu'il y a la ? 

Lb Marquis. C'eft votre laquais, Madame, qa 
feit k fot. I 

Galopin. Je lui dis que vous n'y etes pas, Ma^ 
dame, & il ne veut pas laifTer d*entrer. | 

Uranie. Et pourquoi dire a monfieur que jc n'y 
fuis pas. ] 

Galopin. Vous me grondates I'autre jour, deloi 
avoir dit que vous y ctiez. 

Uranie. Voyca cct infolentf Jevouspric, Moo* 
fieur, de ne pas croire ce qu*il dit. C*eft un petit ecer- 
vele, qui vous a pris pour un autre. 

Le Marquis. Je Tai bien vu, Madame; &, fans 
Totre rcfpea, je lui aurois appris a connoxtrc les gens 
de quallteT £lise. 



The School /or W i v e s Critici^d. 2 R5 



S C E N E. IV. . 

BiMARQUIS, CLIMENE, GALOPIN, 
URANIA, ELIZA. 

G A L o PIN mt the Chamber Door, 
JOLD, Sir, if youpleafc. 
n Th E Ma r ^u I s . Certainly thou doft not know 

Galofin. Yea, I do know you, bat you flian*c 
in. 

The Marquis. Hey, what a Bnftle is here, yc 
ttle Skip. Jack. 

Galopik. It isn't fair [to endeavour to get in, in 
nte of People's Teeth;. 
The Mar qui s. I will fee thy Miftrefs. 
Galopxn. She's not at home, 1 tell you. 
Th E M a R qu 1 s . Why there ihe is, in her Chamber.' 
Galop IN. That's true, flic is there; but flie's not 
^ home for all that. 

Urania. What's the meanmgof this ? What's the. 
latter there ? 

The Marqjjis. 'Tis your Lacquey, Madam, who's 
laying the Fool. 

Galopin. I tell him, [Madam, you are not at 
ojae, and ftill he'll needs come in. 
Urania. And why did you tell the Gentleman that 
'^ not at home ? 

Galopin. You fcolded me t'other Day for telling 
^ you were at home. 

Urania. See thclnfolence of this Knave! Pray, 
ir, don't believe what he fays; 'tis a little giddy-' 
rain*d Mortal, and he takes you for another Pcrfon. 
The Marquis. I faw it plainly, Madam, and had^ 
^tiot been in refped to you, I fhou'd'ha'- taught him' 
*^ Imow People of Quality. Eliza.- 



Blisb. MacollSaevoclscftfortoUig«edecetted^ 
iSrence. 

Uranib i Gahpim.l ^^ ^^g^ ^GOt^ impotinent 
ij^KMxii^i H . tVta vbilit- t-il pks on I 
Uranib. Appixiche-le. 



SCENE V. 
l^B MARQJJIS, GLIMENB, UKAN1& 
E L I S E. 

£ B Mar ^u is. 

Vptrp pf tit U^^aia, Madame^ a da mepris poaroi 
perfonne. 

Elisb. II aurpit tort, &bs doate. • 

Lb Marquis, Ceffi p«ut-ctre qoc jc payc rifltew 
dc ma mauvaife migc ; [7/ r;V.] hai, hai, hai, iai; 

Elisb. Uagf; le itndia plus eclaire en honi»t« 
gens. 

Le MARQjris, Suf qiKnen etiez-voos, Mefdaffl»> 
lorfqae je vous ai interrompues ? 

0R A N I B . Sur J^ comedic d.e Tecole d« ft»m«' 

Le Marc^is. Je ne fais que d'cn fortir. 

Climbnb. Hebien, Moofieur, comment btiot' 
vez-vous, s'il v6uspiait? 

Le Ma rqjtis . Tout a feit iippertmeatc. 

Climene! Ah f Que jVn fuis ravie f 

Lb MARQjfis. C'eft Ja pljus mechante chpftdi 
aUdnde. Comment, diable I A pc^e ai-Jc p.o tro«ivff 
place. Pai peafe etre etouSe a la porte,>jainaiso'' 
ne m'a taat marche fur les jseds. y oyez conjuc »« 
caiions, & mes ruha^ c4 font ajjiftes, .de grace 

E^tsE. II eft vrai qjiic cj?la crie yengcanc* ^^ 
IVcoie d^ feam^f if que yQ^» la co^«»nc» *^^^ 
juflicc. ' 



«i.i X A. My Coulfi is much cWigM to y6u tot this 
Deference: 

Ukahia h GMeptir.J a aait thcit; Imi^rtiiifciice, 
GAiorix. Isn't there one ? 
UititwxA*. Bring it hkhcr. 

[Galopln >y&r/ the Cbah nu^fy, mnigou out. 



S C E N E V. 

S, CLIWEI^E, 1 
ELIZA. 

Tj»E M A R <^UIS. 



MARQJJIS, CLIWEl^E, URANIA. 
ELIZA. 



YOUR Boy. ^adaos, has a CoAtempt fo nr 
Perion. 

Eliza. Up wou'd be much to blame, ctrtainjy. 

Tm Marc^is. Tis pprhap becAufc I j»y Inteteft 
fdr my iU Looks. iLaugbs.-] He, he, he, he ! 

Eliza. Agp will loak^ him hettcjr aisquainted with 
Rople of Fafliion. 

THBMARqryis. What wtti^ you upoxj, Ladiea. 
when I interrupted you ? 

Urania. Upon the Play of 7& ScbtHflfir ^w#i* 

The MARoyis. Fm but juft pdmft frpip it. 

Climbne. Well, Sir, what d'yipthwkpf itpiay? 

The Mar<^is. Abfolutely filjy. 

Climine. Ofef how glad aw I (^ that !. 

Tkje Marq^ip. The mpjft vilfanpus rfijijg in th# 
World. What tk9 Dcu^e ! I couM fcarce get a PUice. 
I thought 1 fhouM have been flifled at th^ Door, and 
never was I fo trampled upon. See^ pi»y, ^hat a Q>a* 
dition my Rollers and Ribbons are in. 

Eliza. Very true, this cries Veogqanee 9oi^ fig 
hbnifir JFivts, and you juftly condemn it, 

T«E 



288 La Critique de VEcole dcs Femmes. 

Lb Maik^is. II nc s'cil jamais fait, je penfe, unc 
fi mcchante comcdie. 

U RAN IE. Ah! Voici Dorante qae nous attendions. 



SCENE VL 

DORANTE, CLIMENE, URANIE, EUSE, 
LE MARQMLFIS, 

D O R A N T E . 

NE bougezy dc grace, & n*interrompcz point vo- 
tre difcours. Vous etes-la fur une matiere, qui, 
dcpuis quatrc jours, fait prefque lj,entrctien de toutei 
les maifons de Paris, & jamais on n*a rien vu de fi plai- 
fant, que la diverfite des jugcmens qui fe font la-def- 
fus. Car enfin, j*ai oui condamner cette comedle a 
certaines gens, par les memes chofes que j*ai vu 'd*au- 
tres eftimer le plus. 

Uranie. Voila monfieur le marquis qui eh dit forci 
mal. 

Lb Marqitis. Ileftvrai. Je la trouve deteftablc, 
morbleu, deteftable, du dernier deteibbles ce qa^on 
appelle deteftable. 

Dor ANTE. Etmoi, mon cher Marquis, je troave 
le jugement deteftable. 

L E M A R Qu I s . Quoi, Chevalier, eft-ce que tu pre- 
tends fotttenir cette piece ? 

Dor ANTE. Oui, je pretends la foutenir. 

Le Marquis. Parbleu, je la garands detelhiWe. 

DoRANTE. La caution n*eft pas bourgeoife. ' Mais, 
Marquis, par quelle raifon, de grace, cette comcdie. 
cft-eile ce que tu dis ? • ^ 

Le M A R c^ I s . Pourquoi elk dl deteftahle ? 

' DORAVTE. Otti, 



Li 



^e School for Wives Criticised. 289 

The Marquis. I think there never was fo wretch- 
ed a Play made. 

Urania. Hoh ! here's Z>^rtf«^«/, that we were ex- 
pedUng. 



S C E N E VI. 

DORANTES, THE MARQUIS, CLIMENE, 
ELIZA, URANIA. 

DORANTES. 

PRAY don't flir, and don't break oflF your Dif- 
courfe. You are upon a Subjea: there which for 
this four Days makes the Converfation of almoft every 
Houfe in Paris ; and never was any thing more di- 
verting than the different Judgments, that are pafs'd 
upon it. For in fhort, Iluve heard this Play con- 
denuf d by fome People for the very things that I found 
others cfteem'd it moft for. 
Urahia. Here's the Marquis fpeaks very ill of it* 

The. Marquis. 'Tis true. I think it deteftable," 
i'gad ; deteilable to the laft degree of deteflable ; what 
one may call deteflable. 

Dor ANTES. And I, my dear Marquis, think the 
Opinion deteflable. 

The Marquis. How, Knight, d'ye pretend to 
vindicate this Piece. 

Dor ANTES. Yes, I do pretend to vindicate it. . 

The Marquis. I'gad, I warrant it deteflable. 

DoRANTEs. That Warrant is not City -Security.' 
But, Marquis, pray for what Reafon is this Play what 
you fay it is ? 

Th e Marquis. Why is it detelbble ? 

DoRANTEs. Yes. 

Vol. III. N The 



tpo La Critique de VEcole des Femmes. 

Le Marquis. Elle eft dcteftable,' parcc qu'clk eft 
detdlable. 

DoRANTE. Aprcs cela, il n*y a plus rien ^ dire, 
voila fon proces fait. Mais encore inflrui-noas, & 
nous di les defauts qui y font. 

Le Ma r qu i s . Que f9ais-je moi ? Je ne me fuls pas 
feulement donne la peine de Tecouter. Mais enfin je 
f9ais bien que je n^ai jamsus rien va de & mechant, 
Dieu me fauve; 8e Dorilas^ contre qui j'etois, a ete 
de men avis. 

Dor ante. L*autorite efl belle, & te voila biea 
appuye. 

Le Marquis. II ne feut que voir les continues e- 
clats de rire que Ie4)arterre y fait. Je ne veux point 
d^autre chofe pour temoigner qu'elle ne vaut rien. 

DoRANTE. Tu esdonc. Marquis, de ces meflieurs 
dtt bel air qui ne veulent pas que le parterre ait du fens 
conunun, & qui feroient faches d*avoir ri avec lui, 
fut-ce de la meilleure cJiofc du monde ? Je vis Tautre 
jour fur le theatre un de nos amis qui fe rendit ridicule 
par li. II ecouta toute la piece avec un ferieux le plus 
ibmbre du monde, & tout ce qui egayoit les autres, 
ridoit fon front. A tous les eclats de rifee, il hauflbit 
les epaules, & regardoit le parterre en pitie ; & quel- 
quefbis auffi le regardant avec depit, il lui difoit tout 
haut, Rt donc^ parterre ^ ri done. Ce fut une fecon- 
de comedie> que le chagrin de notre ami. II la donna 
en galant homme a toute raffemblee, & chacun de- 
meura d'accord qu'on ne pouvoit pas mieux jouer qu'il 
fit. Appren, Marquis, je te prie, & les autres auffi, que 
le bon fens n*a point de place determinee a la come- 
die ; que la difference du demi louts d'or, & de la 
piece de quinze fols, ne fait rien du tout au bon gout ; 
que debout ou affis Ton peut dbnner un mauvais jage- 
ment ; & qu'enfin, a le prendre en general, je me fie- 
rois aflez a Tapprobation du parterre, par la raiibn 

qu'entre 



Ji&/ School for W IV IRS Criticised. 29 1 

The Ma»<^uis. 'Tis deteftable, becauTe it#is de^ 
tdable. 

DoRANTEs . There's not a Word to fay after this 5 
the Caofc is ended. But yet infonn us, and tell us what 
faults it has. 

ThbMar<^18. What do I know? I didn't {q 
much as give myfelf the trouble to hear it. But in 
ihort, I know I never faw any thing fo villanous, as I 
hope for Mercy ; and Dorilas^ who fat oppofite to me, 
was of my Opinion. 

DoRANTEs. The Authority is good, thou'rt well 
fupported. 

The ^arquis. One needs only obferve the per- 
petual loud Laughs fet up in the Pit: I want nothing 
elfe to prove 'tis good for nothing. 

Dor ANTES. Then, Marquis, you are one of thofc 
fine Gentlemen who won't allow the Pit to have com- 
mon Senfe, and who wouM be griev'd to laugh along 
with that, tho' 'twere at the beft thing in the World I 
I faw t;'other Day one of our Friends upon the -Stage, 
who made himfelf ridicuL.*8 by this. He heard the 
whole Piece with the moft gloomy Gravity in the 
World ; and every thing that made others merry, made 
him frown. At every loud I^augh he ihrugg'd his 
Shoulders, and look'd with Pity upon the Pit j and 
fometimes again looking down with Vexation, he cry'd 
ou: aloud. Laugh then^ Pit^ laugh. Our Friend's 
Ciiagrin was a fecond Comedy ; he fhew'd away like 
a generous Fellow to the whole Affembly, and every 
body.allow'd no Man cou'd play his Part better than 
he did. Learn, Marquis, you and others with you, 
that good Senfe has no determin'd Place at a Play ) 
that the difference betwixt Half a Guinea and Half a 
Crown makes nothing at all to a good Tafte j and whe- 
ther one Hand, or fit, one may pafs a bad Judgment ; 
and that, in ihort, to take it in general, I ihou'd de- 
N a pend 



192 La Critique de VEcoU des Femmes. 

qa*entre ceux qui le compofent, il y m a pluHears 
qui font capables de juger d'une piece felon les. regies, 
& que les autres en jugent par la bonne h^on d^en ju- 
ger, qui eft de fe laifler prendre aux chofes, & de n'a- 
voir ni prevention aveugle, ni complaifance afFeflee, 
nl delicatefle ridicule. 

Lb Marquis. Te y<rila done. Chevalier, k de- 
jenfeur du parterre ? Parbleu, je m'en rejouis, & fi ce 
manquerai pas'de Tavertir, que tu es de fes amis. Hai, 
hai» hai, hai^ hai^luu. 

Dora NT E. Ri tant que tu voudras. Je fuis pour 
le bon fens, Sc ne r9aurois foufTrir les ebullitions de 
cerveau de nos marquis de Mafcarille. J'enrage de 
voir de ces gens qui^ fe traduifent en ridicules, malgre 
leur qualite ; de ces gens qui decid^nt toujours & par- 
lent hardiment de toutes chofes, fans s'/ connpitrei 
qui, dans une comedie fe recrieront aux medians en- 
droits, & ne branleront pas a ceux qui font bons ; qai» 
^oyant un tableau, ou ecoatant un concert de mulique, 
blament de mem^ Sc louent tout a contre fens, pren- 
nent par ou ils peuveht les termes, de Part quails attia- 
pent, Sc ne manqnent janoais de les eftropier, & de les 
snettre hors de place. He, mcM-bleu, Meffieurs, tai- 
fez-vous. Quand Dieu ne vons a pas doni^e la con- 
noifTance d^une chofe, n*appretez point a rire a ceux 
qui vous entendent parler, Sc fongez qu'en ne difant 
jnot^ on croira peut-etre que vous etes d'habiles gens. 

Le Marquis. Parbleu, Chevalier, tu le prends 
U 

DoraVtb. Mon Dieu, Marquis, ce n'eft ps^s a 
toi que je parle. C'eft i une douzaine de meffieurs 
qui deshonorent les gens de cour par leurs manieres 
cxtravagantes, & font croire parmi le peuple que nous 
jaous reffemblons tPus, pour mQi, je ai^cn vcux jafti- 

fier 



The School for Wives Criticised. 293 

pcnd a good deal upon the Approbation of the Pit, 
becaufe among thofe who compofe it, there are many 
who are capable of judging of a Piece according ta 
Kales, and becaufe others judge by a proper Method of 
judging, which is to be guided by Things, and not to 
have any blind Prejudice nor affeftcd Coxnplaifance, 
nor ridiculous Delicacy. 

The Marquis. So, Knight, thou'rt a Defender of 
the Pit, ar't ? Tgad, I'm glad on't, and I fhall not 
feil to acquaint it thou'rt one of its Friends. Ila, ha, 
ha, ha, ha, he ! 

Dor ANTES. Laugh as much as you will, I am for 
good Senfe, and can't endure thofe Ebullitions of the 
firain in our Toupee MarquiiTes. It makes me mad to- 
fee People make Fools of themfelves in fpite of their 
Quality ; your Folks who are always decifivr, and 
fpeak boldly of every thing without knowing a Word 
o* th' Matter ; who (hall clap ye all the bad Parts of 
a Play, and not fo much as ftir at thofe that are good ; 
who upon viewing a Pifture, or hearing a Concert of 
Mufick, both blame and praife every thing by Rule 
of Contraries ; who pick up Terms of Art wherever 
they can, which they get by heart, and never fail to 
diijoint 'em, and put 'em out of their place. S'death, 
Gentlemen, be filent. Since Heaveur has not blefTed 
yoa with the Knowledge of one earthly thing, don't 
make yourfelves a Laughing-ftock to thofe who hear 
you ; and confider that by faying never a Word, you 
may perhaps be thought clever Fellows. 

The Marquis. I'gad, Knight, thou carry'A thi» 
matter — . 

Dora NT Bs. Why, Marquis, I don't fpeak to you;, 
'tis to a dozen of thofe Gentry who difgracc the 
Courtiers by their extravagant Manners, and make 
the People believe we are all alike. For my part, I'll 
^uftify myfelf from it to the utmoft of my Power, and 
N 3 ^^ 



294 ^ Critique de VEcole des Femmeu 

£er le plus qu^il me i^ra poilible ; & je les dauberai 
tant en toates rencontres^ qa'a la fin ils fe rendront 
fages. 

Lb Marquis. Di-moi un ^peu. Chevalier, crois-ta 
que Lyfandre ait de Pefprit ? 

Dor ANTE. Ouiy fans doute, & beaucoup. 

Uranib. C'eft une chofe qu'on ne peat pas nier. 

Le Mar (^ is. Demande-lui ce qu'il lui femble de 
rccole des femmes. Tu verras qu'il tc dira qu*clle ne 
Lui plait pas. 

DoRANTB. He^ men Dieu! II y en a beaucoup 
qne le trop d'efprit gate, qui voyent mal les chofes a 
force de lumiere, & mexne qui feroient bien faches 
d^etre de l^vis <k8 autres pour avoir la gloire de de« 
cider.' • 

Uranib. Heft vrai. Notre ami eft de ces gens- 
B, fans donte. II vent etre le premier de fon opinion, k 
qu^on attende par reipe^ fon jugement. Toute appro* 
bation qui marche avant la fienne eft an attentat far 
ies lamieres, dont il fe venge Jiautemoit en prenant le 
contraire parti. li vent qu*on le confulte fur toates 
ks aftaires d^efprit ; & je fuis fure que fi Pauteur loieut 
montre fa comedie avant que de la faire voir au pablic, 
il Teat trouvee la plus belle iu monde. 

Lb Marqjjis. £t que direz-vous de la marqnife 
Araminte, qiii la publie par tout pour epouvantable, k 
dit quelle n'a pu jamais fouffrir les ordures dont elle 
eft pleine ? 

DoRANTi. Je dirai que cek eft digne du cara^lere 
qu'elle a pris, & qu*il y a des perfonne*qui fo rcndent ^ 
ridicules^ pour vouloir avoir trop d^honneor. 'Sen 
qu'elle ait de Tefpri^ elle a fuivi le mauvais exemple 
de celles qui, etant fur le retour de Pige, veulent resi' 
placer de'quelque cbofo ce qu^elles voyent qn'dles per- 
cent, Se pretendent que les griioaces d^uiie praderie 

fcm- 



ne School /(?r W I V E s Criticised, i^f 

rU fo rally 'em wherever I meet 'em, that at M they 
ihail grow wife. 

The Marqjjis.- Pr'ythee tell me. Knight, do*ft 
think Lyfander has Wit I 

DoRANTSs. Yes, doubtlefs, and a good deaL 

Uran 1 A. That's what no body can deny him. 

Th e Marquis. Ask him what he thinks of T^he 
School for Wi<ves ; you'll fee he'll tell you 'tis not to 
his Tafte. 

DoRANTEs. Lack-a-dayf there are a good many 
People who are fpoird by too much Wit, who fee 
things imperfedlly by ftrength of Light, and who 
wou'd even be forry to be of other folks Opinion that 
they may have the Glory of deciding. 

Urania. 'Tis true. Our Friend is doubtlefs one of 
thofe People : He muft be the firft of his Opinion, 
and have others wait thro' Refped to his Judgment : 
Every one's Approbation that gets the ilart of his is 
an Outrage upon his Underftanding, which he highly 
revenges by taking the oppofite Party : He wou'd have 
Folks confult him in all Affairs of Wit ; and I'm cer- 
tain had the Author fliewn him his Play before he ex- 
hibited it to the Publick, he wou'd have thought it the 
finell in the World. 

The Marquis. And what fay ye of the Marchio- 
nefs Jraminta, who publifhes it about Town for a 
dreadful one, and fays ihe cou'd never endure the Or^ 
dure it is full of? 

Dorant^s. I fhall iay Ihcdefcrves the Charader 
{he has afllim'd, and that there are Perfons who make 
Ihemfelves ridiculous for afiedling too inuch Honour^ 
Tho' (he has Wit, flie has follow'd the ill Example of 
thofe, who, being upon the Decline of Age, want to- 
make amends' for what they fee they've loft, and ima- 
gine the Grimace of a fcrupolous Prudery will fupply 
N 4 the 



^g6 La Critique de UEcole (fej Femmes. ' 

fcrapoleufe leor tiendront lieu de jeuneflb & de beaate. 
Celle d poofle IVifl^re plus avant quVucune, & Tha- 
bUete de Ton fcrapule decouvre des Metes, ou jamais 
perfonne n*en aroit tu. On tient qu*il va> ce {era- 
pule, jofques a defiguier notre langue, 8c qu^il n'y a 
point prefque de mots, dont la feverite de cette dame 
ne veuille retrancher ou la tete on la queue, pour les 
fyllabes deshonnetes qu*elle y troave* 

Uranie. Vous etes bien fbu. Chevalier. 

Ls Marquis. Enfin, Chevalier, tu crois defen* 
dre ta comedie, en faiiant la fatire de ceux qui k 
condamnent. 

DoRANTi. Nonpas; mais je tiens que cette dame 
fe fcandalife a tort ... 

Elisb. Tout beau, monfieur le Chevalier, il poor- 
roit y en avoir d'autres qu*elles, qui feroient dans les 
memes fentimens. i 

DoRANTE. Je f9ai6 bien que ce n^eft pas vous, an 
moins, & que, lorfqne vousavez vu cette reprefentation . . 

Eliss. Ileftvrai; mais j^ai change d^avis, & ma- 
dame [montrant CHmeneJ] {ipit appuyer le iien, par 
des raifons fi convaincantes qu^elle m*a entrainee die 
ion cote. 

DoRANTBA C limine, "] Ah ! Madame, je vousd^ 
jnande pardon, &, fi vous le voulez, je me dediraii 
pour Tamour de vous, de tout ce que j*ai dit. 

Cl I ME N B . Je ne veux pas que ce foit pour ramour I 
de moi i mais pour Tamour de la raifon : car enfiii cette 
piece, a le bien prendre, eft tout- a-fait indefendabki 
& je ne confois pas . . . 

Uranie. Ah! Voici Tauteur monfieur Lyfidas. II 
vient tout a propos, pour cette niaticre. Monfieur Ly- 
fidas^ preaez un fi^e vous-meme, k vous metcez-Ia. 

SClNE 



fhe School for Wivfi S Criticised. 29 f 

tie place of Youth and Beauty. This fame Lady car- 
ries the Affair further than any body ; the Ingeniouf-' 
ncfe of her Scruple difcovers Obfcenity where no Perfon 
would ever have feen it. They tell ye that thefe Scru- 
ples proceed fo hr as even to disfigure our Language, 
and that there are fcarce any Words in it which the 
Severity of this Lady won't retrench either the Head 
or the Tail* on account of the immodeft Syllables ihe 
finds in ^em. 
Urania. You are a very Wag, Knight 
Th e Marqui s. In fhort. Knight, you think to de- 
fend your Play by fatirizing thofe who condemn it ? 

DoRANTEs. Not at alls but I think that this Lady 
15 unjuftly fcandaliz'd ■ 

Eliza. Not too faft. Sir Knight ; there may be 
other Ladies befides her who may be of the fame- Scxi^ 
timents. 

DoRANTEs. I know * tis not you at leail^. and that 
when you faw this PerformaniBe ' 

Eliza. 'Tis true, but I haveehangM my Opinion^ 
and this Lady [pointing to Qimene.] fupports hers by 
fuch convincing Reafons^ that ihe has carryM me qwte 
cmheriide. 

DoRANTEs to Climene.] Oh ! Madam, I ask Par-^ 
don ; and, if you will> 111 unfay^ for Love of you, all 
that I have faid. 

Climbne. I won't have it to be fcH* Love of me, 
but for the Love of Reafon ; . for in fhort that Piece, to 
take it right, is abfotutely indefenfible ; and I don't 
conceive ' 

Urania. Hoh! Here's the Author Mr. Lyfidasy 
ho comts a fropo J, for this Affair. Mr, Ljifidaj, taker 
your Chair and fit down there* 



N.S' SCENE 



^9^ Ls Criti^e de VEcoti des Fmmis. 



S C E N E VII. 

LYSIDAS, CUMENE, URANIE, EU8E, 
DORANTE, LEMARQJJIS. 

L Y 8 IDAS* 

MAdame, jt viens on pea tard ; mais il m^a ftlla 
lire ma piece chez madame la marquife^ do&t 
je voos avois parle, Sc les loaanges qui lui ont hi don- 
fiies, m*ODt retenu une heure plus que je ne croyois. 

BLifts. Ceft un grand charme que les louanges pour 
arrlter un auteur. 

Uramib. Affcyez-rous d<»ic> monfieur Lyfidas« 
nous lirons votre piece apres fouper. 

Ltsidas. Tous ceuxqui etoient*la doivent venir 
i fa premiere rcprcfentation, & m'ont promis 4e fairc 
leur devoir corome il &ut. 

URAMfE. Jele crois. Mais, encore une fbis; aiTe- 
ycz-vous, s*il vous plait. Nous fommes ici fur une 
snatiere que je feral bien ai(e que nous pouflions. 

Lysidas. Jepenfe, Madame, que vous retiendrez 
aufii une loge pour ce jour-li. 

Ur a N I E . Nou« verrons. Fourfuivons de grace no- 
tredifcours. \ 

Lysidas. Je vous donne avis, Madame, qu^elles 
font prefque toutes r6tenues. 

Ur a n I b .^ Voil^ qui e^ Hen. Enfin j*avois befoin de 
yotts, lorfque vous 6e$ venu, & tout le monde ecoltici 
contre moi. 

Eli SB a Urante, montrani DoranfeJJ II s^efi mis 
d'abord de votre cote : mais maintenant qu'41 fjait que 
madame eft a la t^te du parti contraire, je penfe que 
vous n'avez qu*a chercher un autre fecours. 

Climene. Non, non, je ne voudrois pasqu*il fit 
mal (a cour aupres de madame votre couiine, & jeper- 
jnets i fen efprit d*etre du paiti de fon cceur. 



£& School for W I V r s Critidfd. 299 



S C E N E VIL 

LYSIDAS. CLIMENB, URANIA,. ELISE; 
DORANTES, THE MARQUIS. 

L Y s r D A s. 

MAdam, I come fomething of the lateft ; but I 
was obllgM to read my Piece to my Lady Mar-^ 
duoiieri I was fpeaking of to you> and the Praifes 
given it hare kept me an Hear longer than I thought of.r 

Eliza. Praife is a powerful Charm to detain an 
Author. 

Urania. Sit down then, Mr. tyfiddi, we fhall 
read your Piece after Supper. 

Lysibas. a 11 they who were there are to come the-. 
£rfl Night, and have promisM me to do their Duty a* 
they fhouM do. 

Uravia. I believe it; bat» pray once more pleafe* 
to fit down. We are upon an Afloir here which I 
ihou*d be very glad to go on with. 

Lysidas. I hope. Madam, you will take a Box 
too for that Day. 

Urania. We fliall fee. Pray Iet*s go on with our 
Difconrfe. 

Ly s I D A s . I give you warning, Madam, that the/ 
are almofl all taken. 

Urania. •Tis mighty well. In fhort I wanted 
you when you came, and all the World was againft 
me here. 

Eliza /^ Urania, and f dinting to Dorantes.] Hr 
was on your fide at firfl ; but now he knows the Lady 
is at the Head of the contrary Party, I iaxify you 
have nothing to do but feek out for other Affiftance.. 

Climbnb. No, no, I wou'd not have him negled 
his Court to Mifs your Coufin, I allow his Wit to be 
<» the fide of his Hearts Do^ 



300 La Critique de VEcole des Femmei. 

Do RANTS. Avec cette permiffion» Madame, je 
prendrai la hardiefle de me defendre. 

Uran IE . Mais auparavant f^acHons un pea les fen- 
timens de monfieur Lyfidas. 

Lysidas. Sarqaoi^ Madame? 

Uranie. Sar le fujet de Tixole des femme^. 

Lysidas. Ah, ahf 

Dor ANTE. Que vousen femble? 

Lysii>as. Je n'ai rien a dire la-deflbs; k vous f^i' i 
vex qii*entre nous autres auteur^ nous devons parlerj 
des ouvrages les uns des autres avec beancoapdecircoorj 
fpelUon. ! 

DoRANTE. Miis encore^ entre nous, que penfea* 
Tons de cette comedie. ' 

Lysidas. Moi, Monfieur? 

Uranie. De bonne fbi, dites^noos votre avis.] i 

Lit s iJ>A s . Je la trouve fort bellci 

Dor A NTS. AiTurement? 

Lysidas. Aflur cment. Pourquoi non I N'eft-dlfi 
pas. en efiet la plus belle du monde ? 

Do RANTS. Hon, bon, vous etes un mechant dia* 
Ue, monfieur Lyfidas ;. vous ne dites pas ce que vous 
penfez. 

Lysidas. Pardonnez-moi. 

Dora NT E. Mon Dieu ! Je vous connois. Ne dif- 
fimulons point. \ 

Lysidas. Moi, Monfieur? 

Dqrante. Jevois bien que le bien que vous dit« 

\ decott^ piec^ n'eft que par honnetete, & que, dans Ic 

fond du cceur, vous ctes de Tavis de beaucoup de gens, 

qui la trouvent manvaife. i 

Lysi.das. Hai, hai, bai» 

DoRAN t E. Avouezy ma foi, que c*eft one meckntt 
chofe que cette comedie. 

Lysidas. II eft vrai qu'elle n*e|l pas approovec par 
les connoifliburs^^ 

if 



^e School /(?r W I ^E s Criticised. 301 

Dora ITT ES. With this Permiffion^ Madam, I fhall 
prefume to defend myfelf. 

Urania. But firft, pra}r let us know a little die Sen- 
timents of Mr. Lyfidas, 

LiYsiDAs. Uponwhat, Madam. 
Urania. Upon the Subjedl of ^^ 5f i^W/»r ^/-r^/. 
Lysidas. Ha, ha! 
^ Dor ANTES. What think you of it ^ 

X^siDAs. Pva nothing to iay: apa» that Head; 
and you know that amongft us Authors we ought: to 
fpeak of each others Works with a great deal of Cir- 
camfpedlion. 

DoRANTEs. But pray, between us, what do you. 
think of this Play ? 
Lysidas. I,. Sir?. 

Urania. Tell us your Opinion, honeffly. 
Lysidas. I think it very pretty. 
DoRANTES. Really? 

Lysidas. Really; why not? Is it not indeed a 
very fine one ? 

DoRANTE's. Um, urn, you« are a wicked Sparky., 
Mr. Lyfidas ; you don't fpeak as you think. 

Lysidas. Pardon me. 

DoRANTEs. Lack-a-day, I know you ;. Don't dif- 
femble.. 

Lysidas. I, Sir T 

DoRANTSS. I fee plainly that you fpeak well of 
this Piece only out of Modefty ; and that at the bottom 
of your Heart you are of the opinion of a great many 
People, who think it bad, 

Lysidas. Ha, ha, ha!. 

DoRANTES. Nay, confcfs that this Comedy is a 
villanotts thing. 

Lysidas, 'Tis true, it ia not approvM fay your 
Coimoiifeurs. 

TtiB 



joi La Crififue de VEceU des femmisl . 

Le Mar<^is. Ma kk^ Clievalier, ta en txem, & 
te voila paye de ta raillerie. Ah, aK, ah^ ak, ak 1 
• DoEASTt. Ponflby aiOBoher Marquis, poiifi^« 

Le Marquis. TuTOts que nous avoM les fj^vans 
4e notie cote. 

DoRANTE. Ileftyrai. Leji:^eMient de nanfieor 
Lyfidas eft quetquechofe de confid^bk. Mais mon- ' 
fiedr Ljfidas Tcat bien qne je ne me reftde poi poar ce- 
k ; poilquej'ai biai Faudace de me d^odre cootre la 
f catimcns de aoadame, il ne troayera pas raauvais que 
je combatte les fiens. 

Eli SI. Queit V(m» voyea contre T^uSy u^^aoiey 
xnonfieur le marquis, & monfieur Ly&das, U vous ofez 
reiifler encore? Fi, que cela eft de manvaife grace. 

ClimemB. VoiU qoi me confend, pour moi, que 
des perfomies raifomiaUes fe puiiTeiit mettre e& tite de 
donner protection aux fottifes de cette pieee^ 

Le Marquis. Bieu medamne, Madame, die eft 
miferable depuis le commencement jufqu'a la &i. 

Dor ANTE. Cela eft bien-tot dit, Marqais. IlH'ieft 
rien plus aife que de traacher ainfi, & je ne rois va- 
cune chofe qui puifle etre a convert de la fouverainete 
des tes deciiions. 

Le Marquis. Farbleu, tous les autres com^iens 
qui etoient la pour la voir, en ont dit tous les maex 
du monde. 

Dorahte. Ah! Je ne dis plus mot,, tu as raHbn, 
Marquis. Puifque les autres comediens cft difent da 
mal, il feut ks en eroire afiurement. Ce font toos geas 
eclaires, & qui parlent fans interet. II n^y a plus n^ 
a dire, je me rends. 

Climene. Rendez-vous, ou ne vons rendess pas, je 
f^ais fort bien que vous ne me perfuaderez point de foaf- 
frir les immodefties dc cette piece, non plus que les br 
tires defobligeantes qu^on y voit contze les femmes. 

Uranm 



9h School f^WtvisCfitidj^d. -303 

Th« Marqojis. Faith, Knight, thou haft it, thoa 
Jrt paid for thy Jlaillery. Ha, ha, ha, ha, haf 

DoRANTE». Laugh on, my dear Marquis, laugh 
00. 

The Marquis. Voir fee we have the Learned oa 
;0Qr fide. 

DoRANTEs. *Tis true, Mr. Lyfidas*^ Judgment X5 
femething confideraMe, but Mr. I^Jtdas win excufe 
me if I donU yield for all this ; and fince I have pre« 
fum-d to defend myfdf againft the Lady^s Sentiments^ 
he won't take it illif I oppofe his. 

Eliza. What, when you fee the Lady, my Lord 
Marquis, and Mr. Lyfidas s^ainft you, dare you refift 
ftill ? Fy, that's a^Hng with a bad Grace. 

Climenb. For my Part, what confounds me is,. 
that People of Senfe can take it into their Heads to 
give Prote£Uon to the Stupidity of this Piece. 

The Marquis. Demme, Madam, ^cis miferaUe 
from Beginning to End. 

D0RANTE8. That's foon ikid. Marquis, there's no- 
thing more eafy than to cut the Matter fhort thus, and 
I don't fee any thing can ftand againft the Sov;preignty 
of thy Decifions. ' 

The Marquis. 'Slife, 'all the other Comedians^ 
who were to fee it, faid all the ill things of it poffible* 

Dor ANTES. Ohf I fay not a Word more, you're 
abfolatdy right, Marquis, fince all the other Co- 
medians fpeak ill of it^ we muft certainly believe 'em. 
They are aU difceming People, and fpeak without In- 
tereft ; there^s no more to be faid, I yield. 

Climenb. Yield, or not yield, I know very well 
you (hall never perfuade me to endure the Immodefty 
of this Piece ; no more than you ihall the difobliging 
Sacir in it a^inft the Ladies. 

Urania J 



204 ^ Critique de UEcole ies Femme^, 

Uranie. Pour moi, je me garderai bien de m'eir 
offienfer^ Sc de prendre rien far mon compte de torn ce 
qui ^y dit. Ces fortes de fatires tombent direSement 
fur les moeun, & nefrappent les p erfonnes que par ik* 
flexion. N*aIlons point nous appliquer a nous-memes 
les traits d^une cenfure gen^rale, Sc profitons de la l^ 
(on, & nous pouvons, iansfairefemblantqu^onparlea 
nous. Toutes les peintures ridicules qu'on expofe fur les 
theatres^ doivent etre regardees fans chagrin de tout le 
monde. Ce font miroirs publics ou il ne faut jamais 
temoigner qu*on fe voie i- Sc c*cft fe taxer hautement 
d*un deHiutj que fe fcandalifer qa*on le reprenne. 

Climen E. Pour moi, je nc parle pas dc ces chofes 
par la part que j'y puiffe avoir, & je pcnfe que je vis! 
d'un air dans le monde a ne pas craindre d?e£re cher- 
chce dans les peintures qu'on fait la des fcrnmes qui fc 
gouvement mal. 

Elise. Affurcxnent, Madame, on ne voi|s ycher- 
chera point. Votre conduite eft affez connue, & ce 
font de ces fortes de chofes qui ne font conteftefis dc 
perfonnc. 

Uranie a CUmine.'] Auffi, Madame, n*ai-jerienclit 
qui aille a vous, & mes paroles, commes les fatires dc 
la comedic, demeurent dans la thefe generale. 

C L I M E N E . Je n*en doute pas, Madame. Mais cn- 
fin paffons fur ce chapitre. Je ne fjais pas de quelle 
fa^on vous recevez les injures qu'on dit a notre fexe 
dans un certain endroit de la piece ; & ppur moi, '^ 
V0U5 avoue que je fuis dans une colere epouvantabk, ce 
voir que cet auteur impertinent nous appielle des ani- 
maux, 

Uranie. Nc voyez-vous pas que c'eH un ridicule 
quti fait parler > 

DoRANTE. Et puis, Madame, ne f9avcz-vou8 pas 
quo les injures dies amans n'offenfcnt jamais^ qu'il eft ^^ 

amours 



fie School for Wives Crkids'd. 305 

Urania. For my part, I fhall take care not to be 
oiFended at it, and to take nothing to my own Ac* 
count that's faid in it. This fort of Satire falls diredl- 
ly upon the Manners, and hits the Perfons only by Re* 
bound. Let us not apply to oarfelves the Strokes 
of a general Cenfure ; let us profit by the LeiTon, if 
we can, without making as if they fpoke to us. All 
the ridiculous Paintings that are drawn upon the Stage 
ftiou'd be view'd without Uneafinefs by all the World. 
They are publick Mirrors, where we are never to 
declare that we fee ourfelves ; and *tis downright to tax 
ourfelves with a Crime, to be fcandaliz'd at a Re- 
proof. 

Clime NE. As to myfelf, I don't fpeak of the(e 
things in regard to any Part I can have in 'em ; and 
I think I live in the World after fuch a manner as not 
to fear being look'd for among the Paintings drawn for 
diforderly Women. 

Eliza. Certainly, Madam, one will never look 
for you there; your Condudl is known fujEciently, 
and is one of thofe things that no body calls in que- 
flion. 

Urania /tf Climene.] Therefore, Madam, I laid 
nothing that can reach you, and my Words, like the 
Satire in Comedie, reft in general Pofitions. 

Climene. I don'^t doubt it,. Madam. But however 
let us pafs this Point over. I don't {know how you'll 
receive the Reflexions thrown on our Sex in a certain 
Part of the Piece j and for my part, I own to you, 
I'm in a horrible Pafiion to fee this impertinent Author 
call us Jnimals. 

Urania. Don't you fee 'tis a ridiculous Charadlcr 
he makes fpeak it ? 

Dora NT E 8. And then, Madam, don't you know 
that the Reproaches of Lovers never give Scandal? 

that 



So6 La Critiqui di VEcole des Femmes. 

unours emportes auffi-bien que des doucereu'X, & qu'en 
de pareilles occaiions les paroles les plus etranges, k 
qnelque chofe de pis encore^ fe prennent bien fouvent 
poar des marqaes d'affe^lion, par celles memes qui ks 
je^oivent ? 

El I s E . DItes tout cc que vdus voudrez, je ne f^aarois 
digerer cela, non plus que le fotage & la tarte a la 
€rimey doat madame a parle tantot. 

Le Ma r (i^u i s . Ak ! Ma foi, oui, tarte a la crime ' 
Voila ce que j'avois remarque tantot ; tarte a la crime. 
Qac je VOU9 fuis oblige, Madame, de m*avoir fait fou- 
vcnir de tarte a la crime. Y a-t-il affez de pommes en 
Normandie pour tarte a la crime ? Tarte a la crim^ 
norbleu, tarte i la crime t 

DoRANTB. He bieii> qw veux-ta dire ? forte a 
U crime/ 

Lb Mar<^i9. PaarUeu, tarts a Ik crime I Chevalier. 

Do R A N T E . Mais encore ? 

Le Mar qu i s. farte a la crime ! 

DoRAMTE. Di-Bous WD, pcu tes laifoaft. 

Lb MARqvis. Tarte a la crime! 

Uranib. Maisil faut expliquer fa penfee, c€ me 
ftmble. 

Le Mar<^I8. Tart a la crime ! Madame^ 

Uranie. Que tronvea-voos la a redire ? 

"Ln Marquis. Moi, rlen. Tarte a la crime f 

Uranie. Ah! Je !e quitte. 

Elise. Monfieur le marquis s^y prend biea> &vous 
boarre de la belle maniere. Mais je YOttdroist bien qae 
aumfieur Lyfidat vonbt les aclieirer> & ieui doBser 
quelques petits coups de fa h^on, 

Lysidas. Cen*eft pas ma coutume de rien blamer, 
^yt fuis afies indulgent poor fes ourrage^ des autrcs. 
Mais enfin, lans'ch^uer Tamitie que moiifieitt le cte- 
▼slier temoigne poor PauteiiFy on m^avenera que ces 
fertet dc com^et nc tsM^fnipxmeatin cosne- 

dicsft 



^e School /or W I V E s Criticised. 307 

that 'tis much the fame with furious as with fondling 
Lovers, and that on fuch Occafioni the ftrangeil Words j 
and even fomething ftill worfe, are taken very often 
as Marks of Affection by the very Perfons who receive 
them. ^ 

Eliza. Say what you will I can't cjigefl this, no 
more than the Porridge zsA Cream-Tart the Lady wat 
fpeaking of jufl now. 

The Marqjjis. O! yes, feith, Cream-Tart i 
that!s what I was obferving a while ago ; Cream-Tart / 
How^am I oblig'd to you. Madam, for having r©« 
minded me of Cream-Tart ! Are there Apples enough 
ia Normandy for Cream-Tart? Cream-Tarty i^gad, 
Cream-Tart ! 

DoRANTES. Weli^ what mean ye with your Cr/«»- 
Tar/? 

Th B M A R <^ I s . ' Slife, Cream-Tart^ KnHJ^ht I 

DoRAKTEs. But what? 

Th E M A R QTJ I s . Cr^^ai- T^r/ / 

DoRAMTEs. Tell us ycur Reafoa3 a little. 

Tbjb Ma r qu I s . Cream-Tart I 

Uravia. But you fhou'd exfdain your Meanla^ 
Hietliinks. 

Th e Ma r qu 1 8 . Cream-Tarty Madam f 

Ur AM I A. What find you to objed againU ? 

The Marquis. I? Nothing: Cream-Tart t 

Urania. Oh I I give it up- 

Eliza. My Lord Marquis goes the right way to 
^ork, aad plays ye off finely. But I wifh Mr. Lyjidai 
would ^(h, and give 'em a little Touch pr two in. hi* 
Aiaimer. 

LYsiDAS.'^Tisnotmy Cuflom to find fault with 
^y thing, I am very favourable to other F^oplet 
^orks. But in &ort, no Ofeice to the Friendflup 
the Knight declares for the Author^ yon muft own t» 
Qc thefe fort of Flays are not propedy Flay s» and. that 

there 



3o8 La CrUique de VEcoU des Femmes. 

dies,* is qu'il y a une grande difference de toutes ccs 
bagatelles, a la beaute des pieces ferieufes. Cependant 
tout le monde donne la-dedans aujourd*hui; on ne 
oourt plus qU^a cela, & Ton volt une folitade efFroyable 
aux grands ouvrages, lorfqae des fottifes ont tout Paris. 
, Jc vous avoue que le coeur m*en faigne quelquefols, & 
cela eft honteux pour la France. 

Climenb. II eil vrai que le gout des gens eft e- 
trangement gate la-deiTus, & que le iiecle s^encanaille 
furieufement. 

Elise. Celui-la eft joli encore, s*encaiuillc. Eft- 
ce vous qui Tavez mvente, Madame ? 

Climene. He? 

£ L I s I . Je m^en fuis bien doutee. 

DoRANTB. Vous croycz done, monfieur Lyfidas, 
que tout Tefprit & toute la beaute font dans les poemci 
ferieux, & que les pieces comiques font des niaiferies 
qui ne meritent aucune louange ? 

Uranib. Ce B^eft pas mon fbntimenty pour moi. 
La tragedie, fans doute, eft quelque cKofe de beau 
qnand elle eft bien toudiee ; mais la comedie a fes 
charmes, & je tiens que Tune n*eft pas moins difficile 
que I'autre. 

DoRANTE. Aflurement, Madame; &quand, pour 
la difficult^, vous mettriez un peu plus du cote de la 
comedie, peut-etre que vous ne vous abuferiez pas. 
Car enfin, je trouve qu'il eft bien phis aife de fe guin- 
der fur de grands fentimens, de braver en vera la for- 
tune, accufer les deltins, Sc dire des Injures aux Dieur, 
que d^entrer, . comme il faut, danf le ridicule des 
hommes, & de rendre agreablement fur le (theatre \t^ 
de&uts de tout le monde. . Lorfque vous peignez des 
heros, vous feitcs ce que vous voulez. Ce font des 
portraits a plaiiir, ou Ton ne chcrche point de reffcm^ 
blance i & vous n'avez qu'i fuivre les traits d'une ima- 

ginatioa 



^e School for Wive s Criticised. 309 

there is a great deal of diflFerence between all thefe 
Trifles, compar'd with the Beauty of ferious Pieces. 
Yet all the World gives into it now-a-days ; there's 
no thronging after any thing but this ; and you fee no- 
thing but a frightful Solitude at the grand Works, 
when thefe filly things (hall have all Paris after 'em. 
I own to you my Heart fometimes bleeds at it, and 'tjs 
a Scandal to all France. 

Climene. 'Tis true. Peoples Taftc is ftrangely 
corrupted in this Point, and the Age vulgarizes fu- 
rioufly. 

Eliza. In Ihort that's ^rttty^ 'vulgarizes f was it 
you invented that, Madam ? 

Climene. Ah ? 

Eliza. I'm much in doubt about it. 

Dor ANTES. You think then, Mr. Lyfidas, that all 
the Wit and all the Beauty lie in ferious Poems ? and 
that Comick Pieces are Trifles which merit noPraife? 

Urania. For my Part, that's not my Sentiment. 
Tragedy, without doubt, is fomething fine when 'tis 
well touch'xl; but Comedy has its Charms, and I 
think one is not lefe difficult than the other. 

Do RANTED. Certainly, Madam; and for the Dif- 
ficulty, fliou'd you place it more on the fide of Comedy, 
perhaps you wou'd not be in the wrong : For in ftiort, 
I think it much eafier to foar upon grand Sentiments, 
to brave Fortune in Verfe, to accufe the Deftinies, 
and reproack the Gods, than to enter, as one fliou'd 
do, into the Ridicule of Men, and to make the Faults 
of all Mankind appear agreeable on the Stage. When 
you paint Heroes you do what you have a mind, 
thefe are Portraits drawn at pleafurc, where we feek 
not for Refemblance ; you have only to follow thjS 
Traces of aa Imagination that foars aloft; and often 

forfakes 



_ ^10 La Critique de VEcote des Femmts. 

gination qai fe donne reflbr^ & qui fouvent laifTe le 
Trai pour attraper le mervdlleux. Mais lorfque vous 
peignez les hommes, il faut ^eindre d^apres nature. 
On veut que ces portraits reffemblent ; & vous u''ayez 
rien fait, fi vous n'y faites reconnoitre les gens de vo- 
tre fiecle. En un mot, dans les pieces ferieufes, il fof- 
fit, pour n^etre point blame, de dire des chofes qui 
foient de bon fens, & bien ecrites ; mais ce n^eft pas 
aflez dans les autres, il y faut plaifanter ; & c'eft une 
ctrange entreprife que celle-deiaire rire les honnetes gens. 

Climene. Je crois etre du nombre des honnetes 
gens, Sc cependant je n'ai pas trcJuve le mot pour rirc 
dans tout ce que j'ai vu. 

Le ICIarquis. Ma foi, ni moi non plus. 

DoRANTE. Pour toi. Marquis, je ne m'en etonne 
pas. C'eft que tu n'y as pas trouve de turlupinades. 

Lysidas. Ma foi, Monfieurj ce qu*on y rencontre 
ne vaut gueres mieux, & toutes les plaifenteries y font 
affez froides, a mon avis. 

DoRANTE. La cour n'a pas trouve cela . . . 

Lysidas. Ah I Monfieur, la cour ? 

Do R ANTE. Achevez, monfieur Lyfidas. Je vois 
bien que vous voulez dire que la cour ne fe connoit pas 
a ces chofes ; & c'eft le refuge ordinaire de vous autres 
meflieurs les auteurs dans le mauvais fucces de vos ou- 
vrages, que d'accufer I'injuftice du fiecle, Sc le peu de 
luraiere des courtifans. S9achez, s'il vous plait, mon- 
fieur Lyfidas, que les courtifans ont d'auili bons yeux 
que d'autres, qu'on peut etre habile avec un point de 
Venife & des plumes, auffi-bien qu'avec une perruque 
courte, & un petit rabat uni ; que la grande epreuve 
de toutes vos comedies, c'eft le jugement de la cour; 
que c'eft fon gout qu'il fautj etudier pour trouver I'art 
de reufllr ; qu'il n'y a point de lieu ou les decifions 
ibient i\ juftes, &, fans mcttre en ligne dc compte tous 

]e» 



the School for Wives Critids'd. 311 

forfakes the True to hit the Marvellous. But when 
you paint Men, you mull paint after Nature. People 
expcft Refcmblance in thefe Portraits ; you have done 
nothing if you don't difplay the People of the Age 
fo as to make 'em known. In a Word, in ferious 
Pieces 'tis fufEcient to efcape Cenfure to 'fey things that 
are good Senfe, and well writ. But this is not fuffi- 
cient in the others ; fyou muft be merry, and 'tis a 
ftrange Enterprife to make your better fort o' People 
laagh. 

Clime NE. I think myfclf in the Number of the 
better fort of People, and yet I did not find one Word 
to laugh at in all I faw of it. 

Th e Ma r qjj I s . Faith, nor I neither. 

Dora NT Ks. As for you. Marquis, I am not 
aftonilh'd at it, 'tis bccaufe you found np Puns 
in it. 

Ltsidas. Faith, Sir, what we meet with there is 
not much better, and in my Opinion Jdl the Raillery 
that's in it is vtty infipid. 

Dor AN T E s . The Court thought not fo — — 

Lysidas. Oh! the Court, Sir? 

DoRANTES. Speak out, Mr. Lyfidas, I fee plain- 
ly you mean that the Court is no Judge in thefe Mat- 
ters ; and this is the ufual Refuge of you Gentlemen 
Authors, in the bad Succefs of your Works, to accufe 
only the Injuftice of the Age, and the want of Dif- 
cernment in Courtiers. Pleafe to know, Mr. Lyfidas^ 
that Courtiers have as good Eyes as other People 5 that 
Folks may be ingenious with a Venice Point and a 
Feather, as well as with a Bob-Peruke, and a fhort 
round Cravat; that the grand Teft of all your Plays 
is the Court ; that you muft ftudy its Tafte to find the 
Art of fucceeding ; there is no Place where the Deci- 
fions are fojuft; and without bringing (into the Ac- 
count all the Men of Learning there, one forms a man- 
ner 



312 La Critique de VEcele des Femmes. 

ks gens r9avans qui y font, qae, du iimple bon fens 
naturel & du commerce de tout le beau monde, on s'y 
But une maniere d'efprity qui, fans comparaifon, juge 
plus finement des chofes, que tout le f9ayoir enrou- 
ille des pedans. 

Uranxe. Ileftvrai que pour peu qu'on y demeure, 
il vous paiTe-Ia tous les jours afiez de chofes de- 
yant les yeux, pour acquerir quelque habitude de \^ 
connoitre ; & fur tout, pour ce qui eft de la bonne 
ou mauvaife plaifanterie. 

DoRANTE. La cour a'quelques ridicules, j^en de* 
meure d'acpord, Sc je fuis, comme on voit> le premier 
a les fronder. Mais, ma foi, 11 y en a un grand nom- 
bre parmi les beaux efprits de profeifion ; & fi ronj joue 
quelques marquis, je trouve qu*il y a bien plus de quoi 
jouer les auteurs, & que ce feroit unethofe plaiiante a 
mettre fur le theatre, que leurs grimaces f^avantes, & 
leurs rafinemens ridicdes, leur vicieufe coutume d'af- 
&iliner les gen» de leurs ouvrages, leurs friandifes de 
lonanges, leurs menagemens de penfees, leur trafic.de 
~ reputation, & leurs ligues offeniives & defeniives, auffi- 
bien que leurs guerres d'efprit^ & leurs combats de 
profe & de vers. 

. L Y s I D A s . Molieie ell bien-heurenx, Moniieur, d*a- 
voir un prote£leur auffi chaud que vous. Mais enfin, 
pour venir au fait, ij efl quefUon de f^voir fi la piece 
efl bonne, & jc m^offrc d'y montrer par tout cent de- 
feuts vifibles. 

Uranie. Ceft une etrange chofe de vous autres 
meffieurs leis poetes, que vous condamniez toujours les 
pieces ou toi|t le monde court, Sc ne difiez jamais du 
bien que de celles ou perfonne ne va. Vous mootrez 
pour les unes une haine invincible, $c pour les antics 
une tendrefTe qui n'efl pas concevable« 

DoRANTE. Ceil qu'il eft g^nergux de fe ranger du 
cote des afHiges. 

Uranut 



^be School for Wives Criticised. 315 

ner of Genias there only by plain, natural, jgood Senfe, 
and Converfation with the Beau-Monde^ wSch, with- 
oat comparifon, judges more delicately of things, than 
ail the Common-pl^pe Learning of Pedants. 

Urania, 'lis true that if you ftay but ever ifo lit- 
tle while there, things enough pafs daily before your 
Eyes to acquire a Habit of knowing *em ; and alx)Te 
^, whaterer.belohgs to good or bad Raillery. 

DoRANTEs. The Court, I grant, has fome ridicu- 
lous People about it, and I am the firft, as you may 
fee, to banter *em. But, faith, there are a great Num- 
ber too amongft the Wits by Profeffion ; and if we ri- 
dicule fome Marquifies, I think thct« are a good ma- 
ny more Authors to ridicule $ and what a droll thing 
*twou*d be to bring 'em upon the Stage, with their 
learned Grimaces, and their ridiculoas Refinements ; 
their vicious Cuftom of aflTaffinaliHg People in their 
Works ; their GreedineTs <^ Praife ; their Sparingneft 
of Thought ; their Traffick of Reputation ; and their 
Lines o£^iive and deifbifive ; as alfo their learned Wart 
and Combats -inProfcsyidVerfe. ^ 

Lysidas. M§iieri9 Sir, is very happy in having To 
warm a Patron as you afe. But however, to come 
to Fa^ the Qa^on in Debate; is. Whether his Piece 
be good ; and here I engage myfdf to ihew there are 
in the whole a hundred viable Faults. 

Urania. *Tis a ilnmge thing of you Gentlemen 
Poets, that you ihou'd atways condenm the Pieces all 
the World runs alter, and never fpeak well but of thofe 
that nobody goes to. You ihew an invincible Hatred 
for the one, and an inconceivable Tendemefs for the 
other. 

Dor antes: That's becaufe 'tis generous to be on 
the fide of the afflified. 

Y0&.IIL O Uramia; 



Ui^AHiK. Maie-de grace, mpofiewr. Lyiidasy fiat«- 
aon^ voir oe» defynts^ dont je iv» iiieriiii»ppiiit a9peP9Ue; 

voient d'abdjpd^ ]V6u]ftme» ^oe c^tD CMBfidkr peck 
contre toates les regies de Tart. 

Urao^h. J)k voii»a¥oiie qu9 j# nTai' aucunoi Habi- 
iwk sHTfc en^ m^Sam-iih> U. que j& ae, fi|»is poiitt if» 
il^Q9ickPaft». 

DoRANTq, yoju. e^ depkufitfiles. geiM avoc. via 
regies dont vous embarraiTez les ignorans, & nous e- 
laafdilIeK.t0U^liP joivi* 11 iMU^ i^ vqus^outF pvltr, 
q^Mi-coiiie^. d0 1'mt feieit I9& piua |^wi4s mifiom^ 
difi moiid«» ^ a^p«BdMit,. a^np-^tqim i|ndqueeob- 

piMt dM le.pUi^ q^ IfaHf p«eQdr ^ «» {(»tm. d« po*< 
«ii«^; 4 h minmhomf^PiVA ^ fiiit aniieftis^ces^olh 
Ifrmtf onsi^ lc» &it! fc?i^ mAmea^. (oii» lot j<himi ftoa Ic 
IfWirSf d'tS^WRQOi ^ d*'Af iito|»« }• voudsoift hlea> i^a^ 
iMJft fi kl gnmdt n^e d|^ i0iitaB>l«a,ri%^s n^^fl^paf de 
pWi% ^&ui|«pi4a^d0'th{«&^qtti.a^«t|«pGt lp%i»t; 
Bilk psH! fuivi: Hfi bwt ck»mittl Veiit-«|i qj^fi, t«tf;tui^ 
piMfe. iMb^ to oei< {bftfii^dff:cli0(fl^. ^qnfeobim 
n*y {bit pas juge da plai&r ^i^il j p»oA k 

tt^ c'eftq«0£tMH»qui;pMte«llcipto.dM(r^^ 
Imfpsmai vutrnxtqati Im^mtm^ ^^ dtt aom^^iiktar 
perfonne ne trouve baitei.. 

BtMbAdiT B4 £ti o'oft ctt^tti^jQ(MN|i]i» Mldam^jE QCMnme 
cBftdttt a^ars^cv: peo; a loHsaidli^MbU «iibaanifl4Rtt»i 
®tf . cnfin, fi IbvpiikMi q«i\fimfc&lo|irlci5^ rogfet nr.yUt 
ihat.paa, lbqHB«gll«i«|«.fiaifiBiit ne. ibioit^pMcftkmM 
1^^% ill indimt d^ BQiMffit)K>attIeft);]]i^c8ceHfi«t: 
€te mal ^tes. Moquons-nous done de cette cluaM9«) 
m^'a^vmAmbdOBijgtdr It fottt dft^ pttUicv &^m. wiftl- 
tons dans one comedie ^ue ViSBtiqfil^fSk Ak iun lioosi. 



UtAviii^ Bbt fn^t M*. l^fiiasr lee at fb# i&e» 
of ^de FMdu tiiat S peixei^'d iioi^mg o€. 

Lrs^DrASv Th^ who* aM Mafteis ef Jrifttfh a«^ 
li^^^ fee iiwmrdiatfTiy, iKfafkniy tfaar tiiU C#iiiod/ 
ofibnds againa aB tte Rultfs cf Ait« 

Ui»A5N>i A. I oeafefr' Pve no ^itinac^' voitk theiiP 
GcnrhtiMW^ aad diat £ dcm'^^Imoir tlie Jtulcfr-dF Aif^. 

B»ftArir^Br»; ¥o» ar0 -verir intt¥y Mtow$ with 
j(m Rsfei^ tlafr>ssu pooaile tise %Boiaiit and difi ttt^' 
b tte Hwd mtb dail^. One would tSiitky to he^' 
yoa talk, that thefe Rules of Art were the gv^M^ 
Myftomitt the; Wodd i and yet thtfy a|^ nothing but 
fonr eal^ C^ttfotiaaa^i whick good Senlb has made" 
upon what may take away the Pleafore eiie finds' ii^^ 
thfife fcvcdf Ponnc;. afld tiie ftme good S^ife which 
made titffe Obfini«(fM»lbaiMd)r» eafity m^es *eiA atT 
all timD^. widiaat^tbRhtlpof Hn^a^ ^xAJriJhfle: I 
wou!d;be:glad tift kmoviv S9kati!tm th€^ g«and Rule of df ' 
RidtrisEnoc ta |taifk^i and whc^er a Pi«ce op(Hf the' 
Sts^ that te» guik^d' ks- End) did iMt takea right 
way ? Wou*d you have it that the whole PtfWic it 
miftakflft in. thcftrMfllCfcrs^ ;smi char tft^ry one fhou'd 
not b» a judgeof' tb« fkafttn ketaktt ki *6m ?> 

URAiPirA. i ksbsr 6Mni*d'Oiie tkii^ m' thelb Qttk>^ 
deoRip;; *ci& that' tin*- ^^ito tiU? moft: of Rukr, and 
Inow-'enbtMnrtibvalaMH flydai:Plaf» whM iH>'b^ 
dyfifaaniBsgOBd.^ 

£>c»R^ii>rv«!« And thitfy NMMvis'wltttt Qixsm^hsit* 
KitkKkganl'ottgkttobellSKi'ttftKieSrimzdidgR For 
HI fiiofCy. if Fled» wMiftsneac^soriftig to Rulcf ^ nbf 
pl«ai^ aMd^iiiol^ tilfllt ptafe men^i aetbrding to Rute; 
tke Mbi «i]ft-«f Nfecefli^' kafe bMii oMdb^ wrong; Letr 
«} thmter de%ilb t!»i^ ChlttufMy' td* \(4dch thef 
wou'd fubjedl the pnblick Tafte, and never conftfh arqr 
mtifak m nayrBBr ik^eMf^ it hft-^tu. Bet us 
O z UfOfSkp 



3:1 6 La Critique de UEcole des Femmes. 

JLailTonft-noas allier de bonne foi anx chofes qui nous 
prennent par les entraillesy & ne cherchons point de rai- 
fonnement pour nous empecher d^avoir du plaiiir. 

U HA Nil. Ponrmoi, quand je vois une comedie» je 
regarde feulement ii les chofes me touchent ; &, lorf- 
qae je m*y fois bien divertie, je ne vais point demander 
fi j*ai ea tort, & fi les s^les d? Aridote me defendoient 
derire. 

Dor ANTE. Ceil: joftement comme unhommequl 
aoroit trouve une faufle^xcellentey & qui voadroit ex- 
aminer £ eUe*«ft bonne, fur les preceptes du cuifmier 
fian^ols. 

Uramie. II eSi vrai ; Sc j^admireles rafinemens dc 
certaxnes gens, far dds chofes que nous devons fentir 
nous-m^mes. 

DoRANT^. Vous avezraifon, Madame, de les trou- 
▼er 6tranges toas ces rafinemens mift^rieax« Car en- 
fin, s^ils ont Iieu,s nous voila reduits a ne nous^ plus 
croire^ nos propres fens ieront efdaves en toutes 
chofes ; &, jufqu^au manger & au boxre, nous n'ofe- 
rons plus trouver rien de bon, &ns k conge de mefficurs 
les experts. 

Lysidas. Enfin, Monfienr, toute votre raifon. c'eft 
que Tecole des lemmes a plu ; & vous ne vims foncies 
point qu'elle ne (bit pas dans les regies, pourvu . . . 

DoRAHTB. Tout beau, monfienr Lyfidas, j6 ne vous 
accorde pas oela. Je dis bien que fe grand art eft de 
plaire, $c que cette comedie ayant plu a Ceux pour qui 
. elle eft Eite, je trouve que c*eft afiez pour elle, & qa* 
die doit pea fe foucief du refte. Mais avec cela je 
ibuti^tts qu'elfe ne peche contre aucune des regies dont 
vous parlez. Je les ai lues, Dieu merci, autant qu'ua 
antre^ & je ferois voir aifement,' que peut-£tre n^avons*- 
nous point de piece au theatre plus reguliere que 
ceUc-li. . 

Elisi. Courage, monfieur Lyfidas^ noos UmxMM%\ 
^rdus, fi vous reculez. 



The School forWiVES Critici/d. 317 

heartiljr follow the things that take bar Fancy, and 
never hunt for Reafons to prevent oar having Pleafare. 

Urania. Forxnypart, when I fee a Play, I only 
mind whether thin^ touch me ; and when I am' weH 
diverted by it, I don^t enquire whether I was in 
the wrcmg, and whether the Rules of Arijlotle forbad 
me to laugh. 

DoRANTEs. 'Tis ex^AIy like a Man who fhou^d 
have found an excellent Sauce» and ihouM examint 
whether *tweregood by the Roles ^ a French«Cook. 

Urania. Very true ; and I admire at the Refine- 
ments of certain People in Matters wherein we ought 
to follow our own Senfe. 

Dor ANTE 8. You are right. Madam, to think aQ 
thefe myfterious Refinements impertinent. For in fhort 
if they take place, we are reducM no longer to believe 
our felves; our own Senfes^mufl be Slaves in every 
thing $ and even in eating and drinking we muH not 
dare any longer to think any thing good, without leave 
from thefe Gentlemen Adepts. 

L T s I D A s . In fhort. Sir, your wh6{e Reafon h, that 
fbe School for JFiwes has pleas'd ; and you fhou'd npf 
at all care whether 'twere done by Rule, provided- 
Do rants s. Softly, Mr. Lyfidas^ I don't grant ye 
that. I fay plainly ^<t great Art is topleafe, and that 
this Comedy having pleasM thofe it was made for, I 
think it fufficient for it, and that there is no reafoa to 
siittd the reft. But withal, I maintain it does not of- 
fend ^axnft any of the Rules you {peak of. I have 
lead 'em, thank my Stars, as well as other People, and 
I couM eafily make it appear that we have not, perhaps, 
a Piece on the Stage more regular than this, 

Eliza. Courage, Mr. lyjidas^ we arc undone if 
you giye way. O j Lts ij- 



Jii pmpetie . . « . 

DoRANTE. Ah! Monfiear Lyfidas, vous nous 
^BDmez tvsc w>6 gnMidt nots. Ne paroHlez pok ii 
jf^avanCy degnoe. Hiiauiiiileei«iti«<ii!eoiifs, &pff- 
kz poar etvc emeikbi. Penftnihvoiis ^a^on non grec 
idonor fiins de ^kk £ ^vw i-^SImw I Et «e frcHmria' 
voos pas qu^il fut aaffi beau de dire Pexpoitdoada fijet, 
iqoe k protade ; le xmmkI, qiie1*^*tafe$ & le^^Deu^ 
viMity 4}tiekpexip^ief 

Ly«ioa«v CelKit4enM8^el*«it4oiielId(pef9tt 
de fc fervir. Mais puifque ccs mots bleflent vos ord- 
iiD8, Je m*«E^iqvMffai d*aiie aiitiv ^jiaa, ft^evoospnc 
^ i^pondpe fofifivaRiMt ii tfoi^ -on qoatre chofn q« 
je vais dire. Peut-on ibuffrir use pi<^ (fai pkhccon- 
^^le k noA pd»pi« ^les ^es 4e^&trel CarfBiifll^ 
■ tMMn de poeme ^mnutCktuevMBt ^im i^ot grec ^u$^^' 
%iifie, ngtr, fowr iiion«i«r ^oe k nacore ^«epwn» 
con^fte <1mi8 f«ak>n i ir^ ^ms oette comedie-d, il|)( 
Ife palfe p<^t 4NiAkii8> i;? io«t coBi^k en ^(^ 
'^pt 'v^emieiit kSn^ ^ Agnie, ^m Horace. 

Lb MARquis. Ah, A» O ho»itki ' . 

CttM^ivs. V<^ (i|(i! eft i{»rkiirf|»ieat nsasff^h 
9t cVil pfendft fe & desdi^ifi. * 

Ly««bas. Ift-a «c!! dc fi plBii fpW|*^» <»» f^ 
imettx «re, licn 4c « feas, que «r«^«Ci^*'*^;2!^I 
icmowterft, k far to^tOxi iff etfoHsfllf^^''^ 

CitmiirB. Fait Men, ' 

■ Ei^is*. Aht 

* IjY5idas. La foittC At ¥alct if 
daflfi de k mtShikf if eft^k pas ^une fonga^a: 
•ttfe, & t«ot-i-fek hapef^aente f 

Le Mar^^i«. CdacfEirrn. 

C LI MENS. AfrareiiieiiC« ^ 

Sfif^ac. Hfttalfoft; ^ 



5. 
'unc fonga^at c*' 



i 



LtiiDAQ. How, Sir, ^the i^afh^ 4iie Ifikafit, 

DoRAWTis. Nay, Mr. l^ifids$, fon fcoodc ns^t&iQi^ 
with your hard Words : Pray don't foem lb leansed^ 
CmltteToor&ifeoinfeaiktle, ana fpaik to be uaider- 
ftood. D'ye think that a Gfv^fNamo fives gwrtcr 
farce to your Reafons ? (hould yott not £ink fall out 
e pretty to tiry i^ E3q>ofitkm of the Subfoft, as Iche 
ProtAjisi the Fio^ «8 the Epkafii^ tifid the ttiiraw^llBg 
^t\itPeripetief 

Lysidas. Thefe 4we Tearms dP Art, that w6 iare 
allowed to ixddK lift of: Sat itqce ^efe Words ofend 
your Barsi, I fhall explain my fe^ in another Way ; and 
I de&re yoa wcNi*d ah^er me pofitivdy to thrce or 
fcor things I am going to fay : Can one oidure a Piecd 
wluch ofends agai^ft the proper Name of Theatrical 
Ka» j For after aB, the Name of Dramatic Poem 
comes fim « 6f^i Word, wlndi fignilics to aa^ to 
il>eiir4at«lu^.N^lM«dr thn Poem oonfifts in.Aaioi^s 
s&A in lids OsMiedy di^ ait no A^ons pafi, and all 
confifl in Recitals made by Jgnes or by Horace, 

"The Mar<^vis. HA? hahl Knijht! 

Climenb. Ingeniouily remaikM, diis iscoBung to 
the niceft point of iMi^. 

Lr«iiBAS. Can any thing be lefi witty, ortofpeak 
aiore properly, more low, than fome Words which 
ill the WoM hM^M «t, mi efpedally that of €bik 

dren by the Ear f 
Climene. Very well. 
Eliza. (Mil 

'^Lysidas. Is not the Scene of the Footman and the 
^^.witMn Doora^ of a tedhms length, and abfehtte*^ 
npei uneiit ? 
fHB MAEoyis. Tfiie, 
CuMBNt. Cerbdnly* 
kizA, ift'sift Die light; 



S20 La Critique de iJEcde des Ftrnms. 

LrsiOAS^. Araolphe oe donne-t-il pas trop libre- 
inent foit argent i Horace ? Palfque c*eft le peribnnage 
ridicde de la piece, Moit-il lui bjjt Mtt ration d'aa 
honnete homme ? 

Lb MARqyis.^fion. La rcmarqae eft encore bosne. 

CLiiiiNB. Admirable. 

Elisb. Merveilleafe. 

Lysidas. Le fermon & les maximet ne font-ellea 
pas det chofes ridiculesy $c qui^choquentmeme k ie« 
fpeA que Ton doit a nos miileres ? 

Lb Maik^is. Ceil bien dit. 

Climenb. Voila parler comme il faizt. 

£li 8E. II ne fe peut rien de mieux. 

Ltsid AS. £t ce mon£ear de la Soache enfin, qn'on 
sous fait un homme d'efprit, Sc qui paroit ii f^rieux 
en tant d'endroits, ne defcend-il point dans qndque 
chofe de trop comique, & de trop outre an cinqoieme 
a^e, lorfqu'il explique a Agnis la violence de fon 
amour, avec ce8.rQu!emens d'yeux extrairagans, ees {ool- 
pirs ridicules^ & ces larmes niaifes qui fi»c rire tout b 
monde* 

Lb MARQtjis. Morbleu, merveillet 

Climenb. Miracle! 

Elisb. Vivat, monfieur I^fidas, 

Ltsi D AS. Je laiffe cent mille autres chofes de pear 
d'etre ennuyeux." 

Lb Marqjtis. Parbleu, Chevalier, te voili nud 
ajuile. 

DoRANTB. II ftutvoir. 

Lb Marquis. Tu as tronv^ ton homme. 

DoRANTB. Peut-^tre. 

-Lb Marquis. R^pond, riepond, repond, repond. 
DoRANTB. ^^lontiers. II . . . 
Lb Marquis. RepOad done, je te prie. 
PoRANTB« laiiTe-moi doncibire. Si • • • 



The Sehotfar Wivb s CrUid^d. %^^ 

Ltsidas. Does not Arnolph give his Mony too 
^italy to Horace P And fince 'tis the ridiculous Cha^ 
ra^er.of the Piece, fhouM he have nuu^e him do the 
Adion of a worthy Man ? 

The Marquis. Good. The Remark is good again. 

CliMENE. Admirable I 

£liza« Marvellous. 

LrsiDAs. Are not the Sermon and the Maxima 
ridiculous things, and what ftrike at the Refpe& dueL 
toour K^eligion? 

The M A R (^ 1 8 . Well faid. 

Climene. Spoke as it ought to be. 

Eliza. Nothing can be better. 

Lysidas. And that infhortMr. LaSoucbi, who 
>s made a Man of Wit) and who appears fo ferious ivt 
To many FafTagesy don^t he defcend to fomething too 
comical,, and' too extravagant in the. fifth Ad, w£en he 
lets forth the Violence of his Love to Jgnes^ with that. 
wild rolling of his £yes, with thofe ridiculous Sighs^^ 
and thofe foolifti Tears, which fet all tlie World a; 
laughing.? 

The Marquis. Wonderful^ Pgadt 

Climene. Miraculous! 

Bliza. Vi^vatlAx, Lfipdas. 

Lysidas. I pafs over a hundred thouiahd otheft 
Aings for fear of being tedious. 

The Marquis. Faith, Knight, thou'rt but ia^i 
aa ill.taking. 

DoRANTEs. We ftiall fee* 

The Marquis.. Thou haft met with thy Man^. 

DoRANTBS.' Perhaps fo. 

The Marquis. Anfwer,. anfwer, anfwcr, anfwer^ 

DoRANTBs. Very willingly . 'Tis— 

The Marquis. Anfwer.then, prithee. 

DoRAHTEs. Permit me then. I f ■ 

O J. , • Til4^ 



$tt Ia Crkffti ie Vtcik ies fimmis. 

Lb Mauris. Faifaleoy je te d^e de rep o nditg. 

Dorahtc, cm. 6i tu paries toujoors. 

C 1 1 ici 11 E . De grace, dcoatons fes nufons. 

PoK.ANT]S. Premjerementy 11 n*eft pas vrai de iBie 
fpft CDOte ia pi^ n*eft qa>Ri rfcits.. On 7 Tt>it beau* 
coup d^a^tions qui fe paflent fur la fc6ne ; Sr les r^cits 
Cttx-meoies y font des a6Uons, fuivant la confHtuQon 
dii fujet i d*autant qU*i!5 font tous faits innoceniment, 
^cs r6dliy & la perfonne int^refFfe, qui par li entre a 
tous coups dans une confufion a rejouir les fpc Oa teun, 
& prend, a chaquc nouvelle, toutes les mefures q}i*U 
peut, pour fe parer du malhear qa'il cmn^. 

Urakis. Pour moiy je trouve que la beaut6 du fa- 
jbt de r^ole des femmes confift6 dans cette confidence 
perpituefle; & ce qui me parolt affea plaiiant, c'eft 
qu'un homme qui a de Tefprity St qui eft avert! de toat 
par une innocente qui eft fa maftrefK^ U par un ^tourdi 
qui eft fon rivals ne poiflfe avee cda dviter ce ^ui lui 
^rive. 

Li Marquis. Bagatelle* ^ptelle. 

Climskb. PoiUe r^ponfe. 

Eli SB. Mauvaifes ndfons. 

PoR A VTB. Pour ce qui eft des enfhnffar toreWe^ 
fb ne ibnt plaifans que piar reflexion a Arnolphe, k 
Pautevr n*a pas mis cela pour ^tre de foi un Ibon mots 
iiais feulement pour une chofe qui caraft^rife rhomme, 
& peint d'autant mieux fon extravs^ance, puifqu*if 
xapporte une fottife triylde qu*a dite Agn&» commc 
ia chofe la plus belle du monde, Sc qui lui donne une 
joie inconcevable. 

Lb Marquis. Ceft mal ripondre. 

CtiM^KE. Cela ne fatisfait point. 

Eli SB. Ceft ne rien dire. 

DoRANi*B. Qgant I Targent qu^ donne fitstrntot, 

|qiU« que la lettre de fon meUleur ^xli lui eft une cau- 

- ' tion 



r 



Tm MAk<vvtB» E£fti> t ^0fy dite to atiJWif • 

D^ttAtfirt^. f esy if yv^i tiXk ftr «v«r. 

CttMBNt. Ffliy^ l«Ciii kesd- life RcbJbna. 

BOftANfti. Fkftct^i rtis tM>t tHie» W iky llM 
tkeivkole Piece coaftilt oidy of Nittttttkn : Otet 4cM 
a gooddeftiof A^km in it, ^liieh yaies n]^ theSta^i 
tnd llie Nar^a^ions theiAMv6d fiire <}f A^iotas ftctording 
to t^e C^ftittttioA of 1^ Siibjta i inskfinttcli a^ thdb 
NamniMi atie all mtoc^Mly ft\$JttA to ah ititerdM 
Perfon, who b)^ 6ik mdam h at «>p«ft turft ikMnfh 
into a Confufioii, which diverts the Spe^latorsy and 
mkoBb ifl tke ktefurM lie OHi, Hfdh «ddi lAlbraaft^n, 
to war4 off the Mifchief he fears. 

Urania. F«ri«yput> I thihk tlie iBMaty rf the 
Subjea of The School for Wi^i €0ti£ft6 hi this Oon- 
tmuM Cdnlidem:^; atid what appear§ diirerting 
c&ovi^ fiia me, is that a Mail ^ho haft 8en^> tod who 
ts wara'd of ^very thlog by on ihnbceht Creature 
wk^ JB hife MiftrefSi and a M^-^dt wh6 is his Riv<^, 
«IAltO€ %ii!k all this «icap(s whilt hapjpcns et^ ioAi >. 

Thfe KfAa<yjt8. 'Trifles, THfleSi 

CLiMsnat A weak Ahftver. 

Ei^ifeA. PitM Rerf^n; 

Dol^AMTSs. At to Whftt iregnrds tht Children fy 
iht iuff it kal «» Jeft in it but in regard to 
Arnolph % filid the Author did not infert this ^s a J<ft 
«f it fetf s btit only ^t a thing which charaderizes the 
Man, and paints his Extravagance fo much the better, 
fincc he repeats a trivial, foolHh thing that Agnts had 
faid, as the fineft thing in the World, and what givcte . 
him an inconceivable Joy. 

The Marquis. Wretchedly anfwcr*d, 

Climenc. 'Tis not fatisfeftory. 

Eliza. *Ti8 {ay ing nothing. 

DoRAHTEs. As to the Mony he gives fo libentlly,^ 
bcfides that the Letter of his very good Friend is a faf- 

ficient 



J24 La CriH^i ie VEcoU des Fmms.^ 

tion {u&taxite, il n'eft pas incompatible qa'one pcribime 
fcit ridicule en de certaines chofes, 8c Iioanete horome 
en d*aotre9. Bt, pour la fcene d^Akin & de Georgette 
dans k logis, que quelqu^s-am ont trouvee longue 5r 
froide, il dft certain qu'elle. n*eil pas fans raifon i & de 
m&ne qu' Amolphe fe troave attrapc pendant fon voy- 
age par la pore innocence de (a maitrefie, il demeure 
aa retoar long-tems i fa porte par Tinnocence de £» 
TaletB^ afin qa*il foit par toat puni, par les chofes dont 
il a cm &ire la forttc de Tes precautions. 

Lu MARQuja. Voil^ des raifims qui ne valent rien. 

CLiiftiNB. Tout cela ne &it que Wanchir/ */ 

Eli SB. Cela^tpitie. 

DoRAN TB. Pour le difcours moral que vous appcl- 
lez un fermon, il eft certain que de vrais devots qui 
Tokt oui, n^ont pas trouve qu*il ckoquat ce que vous 
dites ; Be fans doute que ces paroles ^enfer & de chait' 
dilris bouillantei font affez juftifies par Pextravagance 
d*Amo]phe, 8c par Tinnocence de cellc, a qui il parlc. 
Et quant au tranfpor^ amoureux du cinquieme a£le» 
qu*on accufe d'etre trop outre 8c trop comique, jc 
▼ovdrdls bien f9avoir fi ee n'eft pas ^it la &tire des 
amans^ & fi les honnetes gens meme & les plus ferieuXi 
en de pareiUes occafionsy ne font pas des chofes . . . 

Lb Marqj^is. Mafoi^ Chevalier, ta ferois mieox 
detetaire. 

DoRANTB. Fort bien. Mais en£n, fi nous nous re- 
gardions nous-m^mes, quand nous fbmmes bien amou- 
reux . . . 

Lb MXr^uis. Je nc veux pas feulenaent t'ecoueer. 

DoRANTE. Ecoute-moi fi tu veux. Efl-ce que dan* 
la violence de la pajflion ... 

h% Mar<^uis. La, k, k, k, kre, k, k, k, la, la, 
to. f^Jlchante. 

PORAH- 



fbe School fir Wives Critiit^d. 515 

ficlait Security to hiniy *tis by no means inoompatiUe 
tint a Man ihould be ridiculoas in certsun things, and 
a worthy Man in others. And for the Scene di Allen, 
and Georgetta within Doors, which feme People have 
thoaght long and iniipid, *tis certain 'tis not without 
its Reafons; and in the iame way that Arnolpb is 
caught during his Journey, by . the pure Innocence of 
his Miilrefs, he waits a long while at his Door upon 
his return, by the Innocence of his Servants, that he 
might be punifhM throughout, by the very things 
which he thought to fecure his Precautious by. 

The Marquis. Thefe Reafons are good for no- 
thii^. 
Cl I M BN B. This is all ine^dnal. 
Eliza.- *Tis pitiful. 

Dor ANTES. As to the moral Difcourfe, which you 
call a Sermon, 'tis certain your truly religious People 
who heard it, faw nothing that ilruck at what you 
mentioned ; and without doubt thofe Words of Helli 
and boiling Cauldrons are juIUfy'd by the Extravagance 
of Arnolpb^ and by the Innocence of her he fpeaks ten 
And as to the amourous Tranfports of the fifth h€t^ 
which you accule as too extravagant and burlefque, 
I wou'd be glad to know whether this is not a Sati^ 
upon Lovers, and whether even fober People, and tho 
moil ferious upon the like occafions, don't do things— < 
The Marquis. Faith, Knight, thou wouldH dd 
better to hold thy Tongue. 

DoRAVTEs. Very well. Butinihort, if wewera 
to mind our felves when we are very amorous -*-« 

The Mar(^ is . I won^t fo much as hear you. 

DoRANTEs. Hear me if youpleafe. Don't we ia 
the Violence of the Paffion— 

The Marquis* Tol, lol, Jol, lol, de roCtd, lol, 
lol, lol, dcroL ]3ingi^ 

Do ran- 



Lb Maik^is. Ia, 1ft, k, iaie> h, h, % ik, % 

Ihiti^itrn, Jt tut (ftSsfH^. .. 

Lift Mail <^i«. Li, k> h, % laie, lft> b, H hi 

k, h. 

UnAKtt. n me fetfAleque . . . 

L« Mauris. La, la» fa, last^ U, ki 1^, h, h, 
k, k» ky k« k. 

URAtit 1. II fe fafic d«i Ck^fM afltsK pldfafttes i&tt 
notre difpatt. }e trettv« qtt*6fi en j^iimilt bien €»it 
wmt petite comMe, ir ^ue odft tie ftidt ]^ trep tnai 
a k queue de Tecole dei femmes. ' 

DoRANTB. Voiis ftvess rair<m, 

Le Marquis. Parbleu, Chetalier, to jotterois la- 
dedans uA thle qiii tie le ieroit pa avAAtagetuC^ 
\ DoaAMTB. Ileftvmi, Nfarqtiw. 

CLtM^M B. Pour flxri, je fouhaitei^is que cela fe fit, 
pearvu qu^^tt trait&t Pai&ire cotnttie elk s^eft pafiee. 
' £ti8e. Et saoi, je fbuntirois de bon totfur ibon per« 
Ibnnage. 

L V 8 1 D A a. Jfe ne nefttrerois pas le mieny que je penfe. 
■ IJkAnin. Pttiftpic chacutt en feroit cofttentj Cktvfir 
Ker, fidtes uA m^otre de tout, & k dotmet a Maliert 
l|ue rtms ecmMiite, pour le mettre en com^e. * 

CttMinE. II n*anrcni garde, fans d^te, Sc'ttrst 
feroient pas des vers i fa louatige. 

Uranie. Point, ppint, je connok fonhumeur; il 
tee fe foucie pas qu'on fronde fes pieces, pourvu qu'il y 
vieune da inmide. 

DoRANTE. Oui. Mais quel denouement pourroit- 
il trouver i ceci ? Car il ne f9aaroit y avoir ni mariage, 
^i feconnoiflance, & je ne f9ais point par ou Pon pour- 
xoit faire finii- la difpuce. 

t^AAiui, II ftttdroic rctrer i qudqac incident pour 

SCENE 



^'P^SLAiK^ni. lyiM t - - ■■ •■ ■ 

Thb Marquis. Tol, lol, lol, lol, de rol, tol, lol, 
lol, derol. 
JDoRAjiTES. Idon*t know if— 

Tbx Marquis. Td, Id, lol, lol, de rcl^ tol, loT, 
lol, lol, de rol. 

Urania. I think tfaft t ■ » « » 

The Mar<^is. Lat^ la, la, kie, k, k, h, Ift^ B^ 
lii» la» Ja, 2a» hu 

UftANtA. Tliere are a good many sieny tkifigs paft 
in our Di^piite : I £uicy one miglit raj weU nake a 
little Comedy out of *em, aad that tUs #au'd fM d» 
lUat dK end of 7i^ Stiool fir Wivis. 

I>ORAiiTi8. Yo«*re in the right. 

The Marquis. Igad> Knight, thou woold^A plaf 
« part in ic not a$ all to thy AdTsntage. 

DoRANTBs. *Tis tme, Marquis. 

Cl I M E N E . For my part, I coaM wifli *twere ,done» 
provided theyM treat the Affair jaU as it has pafs'd. 

Eliza. .And Td fumiih *em with my Charader^ 
with all my Heart. 

Lysidas. I think I (hou'd not refiiie 'em mine, 

Urania. Since every body wou'd be iatisfy*d. 
Knight, take Notes of it> zxA rgive h to Moliere 
whom you know, to wo^ it up into a Play. 

Cl I MEN B . He wou'd noC cart for k> without doubt 
it wou'd be no Panegyrick upon hii^. 

Urania. No, no, I know his Homonr; jke does 
not care if they laugh at his Pieces provided Peo- 
ple do but flock to 'em. 

Dorantes> Yes, but what unravelling can we 
find for this'' Plot ? For here can be neither Marriage, 
nor Difcovery ; and 1 don't fee how we can end thi$ 
Difpute. 

Urania. Wc mull think of fome Incident for 

that. 

SCENE 



J2S La Critiqui ie VEaie des Femmis. 



SCENE DERNIER E. 

CLIMENE, URANIE, ELISE, DORANTE, 
LE MARQUIS, LYSIDAS, GALOPIN. 

.Ga I.O pi n. 

MAdame, on a fervi fur taUe. 
Do R A N T B . Ah ! Voila juilement ce qu*il feut 
pour le denouement que nous cherchions^ Sc Ton ne 
pent rien trouver de plus naturel. On difputera fort 
& ferme de' part & d*autre, comme nous avons ^ir, 
fans que perfonne fe rende : un petit laquais viendra 
dire qu^on a fervid on felevera, & chacun ira fouper. 

Uranib. La comediene peut pas mieux finir, U 
nous ferom bien d*en demeurer la. 



F T N. 




The School for Wives Criticised. 329 



SCENE THE LAST. 

CLIMENE, URANIA, ELIZA, DORANTES, 
~^THE MARQUIS, LYSIDAS, GALOPIN. 

G A 1.0 PI N. 

MAdam, Supper's upon Table. 
Dora NT £s. Hah! this is exadtly what we 
wanted for the unravelling our Plot, and there's no- 
thing can be thought of more natural. They ihall 
difpute ftrong and firm on one fide and t'other as we 
have done, without any Body*s yielding ; a Boy fiiall 
come and tell *em that the Diihes are ferv'd up, they 
rife and every one goes to fupper. 

Urania. The Play can't end betteri and we fhall 
do well to ftop here. 



THE END. 




L'lmpromptu dc Vcrfailles. 

CO ME D I E. 

T H E 

Impromptu of Verfailles. 

A , 

C O ME D Y. 



ot un aftr err profe, reprefenteie' a Ver- 
failles le 14 odobre 1663, & a Paris fur 
le theatre dn pakis royal k 4, noveniluir 
defcmemeanncc; 




[OLIERE^etg&des kant^du R<m\ 
dont il' venoit d'&jprouver de nouvelles 
marqueS) crut devoir en fa prdfence 
ScsBox. jseux. de toule Ei-gouf, Hm^ 
re un foup^on dont les impreffions 
lui pouvoicnt tere defavantag^ufes ; & 
fit parof tre rimpromptu de Fer/ailles. Bourfault n'y eft 
pas dpaigncy il 7 oft^nommd avec k dernier m^pris; 
maifi ce m^risne mmbe que finrrdprit & fur les'tn- 
lens ; il avoit attaqud Moliere par un endroit plus fen- 
fible. Si les &rits de Moliepe dtoient tout-a-fait anciens 
pour nous, on fe feroit un m^rite de rencontrer 
dans cette pidce la tbtte de ibn marhige avec la 
fiUe de la comedienne Bdjart. Impromptu de Ver- 
iailles, fc^ne L 

une bete. 

• Mademoifelle Moliere. Grand merely monfieur 
mon mari, voila ce que e'ejl ; le mariage change hien 
lis gens^ fcf vous ne m'auriez pas dit cela il y a dix* 
iuit mots. 




of One Act in Profe^ aSled at Verfailles in 
Oftobcr 1663,. and at Paria at the Theatre 
of the Falace-Royai' the ^ib of November 
the fame Tear. 

OLIERJEy deeply affeaed with tha 
King's Kindhefs tor him, of which he 
had juft received new Maries^ tliou^ 
tfanrlteei^iii'htt VveSkmm, anxl^bt^ 
fore the >i4ari« Couiti to- diAfic^ tfaqr 
SutpicionoChk having diawa the Qu^ 
rafters of particular Pcrfona in The School fpr fPlves^ 
which might have provM diladvanta^eous to him ; 
and for thty pwrpoft brought otr The Improtnf^ tf 
Verfailks. In tbbJPieQe Bmmfauk ia &it fhonifMog: 
fpar'd, and is naa»^d wid» the. utmeft^ Contempt;! 
but this Contempt aflfaftcd only his Genius and Ta-. 
lents ; he had attacked Moliere ih a more' fenfible 
Part : If the Writings of MbUerey^tTcvtty ancrenr' 
we fliou'd. have thought it a Curiofity that we find 
in this Piece the Time of his -MiittTfegc with^ the 
Daughter of the Comedian J^y^r/. {Impromptu of 
Ferfailles.Scenel.) 

MoLiERB. Hold your Peace^ Wife^ you^re an 

#v ; 

iJtit, robLiERE. Ttarftt you^ g9o^ HusSandi 
fee bow it is; Matrimony alters People flrange^ 
ly ; you would not have /aid this a Tear and half ago. 



A C T E U R S, 

MoLiERB) marquis ridicule. - ~ 

Brecourt, homme de qualite. 
L A G R A N G E, marquis ridicule. 
Du CaoisTy poete. 

Mademoirelle Du Parc, marquife fa(pnniere. 
MademoifelleBEjARTj prude. - 
Mademoifelle De Brie, fage coquette. 
Mademoifelle Moliere, fatyrique fplrituel!e. 
Mademoifelle Du Cro IS r» pefte doucereufe. 
Mademoifelle He R y By fervante precieufe. 
La Thorillierb, marquis facheux* 
Be J A R r y homme qui &it le neceifaire. 
Quatre Necessajres. 

LaSCE NE eft a VerfmilleSy dans Paniichamhre 
du R$L 



mi»m<suimiramKtQ& 



■jt C T O R S. 

lioLiERE, a ridiculous Marqois, 

Irecourt, a Man of Quality. 

^ Grange, a ridiculous Marqras,^ 

)u Croisy, a Poet. 

^' Du Pa Rc, a ceremonious Nbrchione&' 

k^rs. Bejart^ a Prude. 

»irs. De Brie, a fage Coquette* 

^.MoLiERE, a iatirical Wit. 

•*». Du Cr o 1 8 r y a whining Gipfy^ 

^n. HsRVE ir» a conceited Chamber-maid. 

ToRRiLLix re, an impertinent Marquis.. 

^JART, a Bufy-body. 

^ouR Attendants, 

SCENE VerfailUs^ in tSe Kinfs Antichmtir. 



yoL.JII. 



[338] 




Llmpromptu de Verfailles. 



s c E N E L 

MOLIERE, BRECOURT, LAGRANGE, 
DU CROISY, MefdemoifdlfiB DU PARC, 
BEJART, DE BRIE, MOLIERE, DU 
CROISY, HERVE\ 

M o L I B n B feuU farlant a fes ^amaraiei qui font 
derriire U theatre. 
LLONSdonc» Meffic»r$ A litfOuaes^ 
V0U9 moquie^yous ayec.voti:e lo&giiear^ & 
nc voulez-vous pas tous vcnir ici? la 
pcftc foit dc8 gens f Hoia, ho, moniiettr 
deBcscDiuit. 
Brecourt iirriirt k tbi^tnt^Qs^'^ ^ 

Mo LI ERB. Monficur de hi Grange. 

La Gr angb. Qu'cft-ce ? 

M o L I E R B . Monlieur |iu Croiiy . 

l>u Croisy. Plait-il ? . ^ 

M L I E R B . Mademoifelle du Pare. 

.Mademoifelle Du Parc. He bien? 

M o L I E R E . Mademoifelle Bejart . 

Mademoifelle Bejart. Qu'y a-t-il ? 

Mo L I E R E . Mademoifelle de Brie. 

Mademoifelle Db Br IB. Queveut-on? 

M o L I E R E . Mademoifatle du Croif/. 

Mademoifelle Du Croisy. Qu'eft-ce que c'eft ? 

MoLiBRB. Mademoifelle Herve. 

Made- 




C 339 ] 




THE 

Impromptu of Verfailles. 
s c E N E L 

MOLIERE, BRECOURT. LA GRANGE, 
DU CROISY, Mrs. DUPARC, Mrs. BE- 
JART, Mrs. DU BRIE, Mrs. MOLIERE, 
Mrs. DU CROISY, Mrs. HERVEV. 

M L X E & E alone, 'talking to the Players nuho are 
behind the Scenes, t 
O M E Gentlemen and Ladies, are you in 
jeft, delaying thus, and won't you come 
hither ? Plague take the People ! So ho» 
Mr. Brecourt^ 

Brecourt behind the Scenes,] \yhat? 
MoLiiRE. Mr. La Grange. 
La Grange. What now? 
MoLiERE. Mr. DuCroijS^, 
Du Crois Y. What do you want f 
MoLiERE. Mrs. Du Parci.^ 
Mrs. DuParc. WeU?| 
Mo'LiERE. Mrs. Bejart, 
Mrs. Be J art. Who's there} 
MoiiiERE. Mrs. De Brie. 
Mrs. De Brie. What would you have ? 
MoLiERB. Mrs. Du Croij^. 
Mrs. Du Crois y. What*s the matter? 
Mo LIB RE. Mn, Herofey. 

P.« * Mrs 




340 UImpromptu DE Versailles. 

Madcmoifellc Hbrve. Onyva. 

Mo LI ERE. Je crois que jc devicndrai fou avec tous 
ccsgens-ci. He! IBrecourt, U Grange, du Croifj,\ 
gntrent,'] Tetebleu, Mcfficurs, me voulez-vous fiure cn- 

rager aujourdhuil ^ ^ ^ xt 

Brecourt. Que voulcz-vous qu*on faffe ? Nousnc 
fravons pas nos role^, & c'eft nous feire enragcr vous- 
inime, que dc nous oWiger a jouer de la forte. 
MoLiERE. Ah! Les ctranges animaux a conduirc 

• que des comediens. ,«.,#,. j 

[Mefdemoifelles BSjart, du Pare, de Bra, Mohere, k 

Croify y Her'vk, arrivent.'] 

MademoifelleBijART. He bien, nous voila. Que 
prctcndez-vous fairc ? r' > 

Madcmoifelle Du Parc. Quelle eft votre pepfeef 

Mademoifelle De Brie. De quoi cft-a quefbon ? 

MoLiERE. De grace, mcttons-nous ici, &puiique 
nous voili tous habilles, & que le Roi ne doit vemr de 
deux heures, employons cc tems a repeter notrc affaire, 
& voir la mani^rc dont il faut jouer les chofes. 

La Grange. Le moyen de jouer cc ^uelon ne 

^^a^d^Ioifelle Dv Parc. Pourmoi, je vousdeckc 
que je ne me fouviens pas d'un mot de mon perfonna^; 

Mademoifcllc De Bri e. Je f9ais [bien qu il mc laa 
dra fouffler le mien, d'un bout ^ I'autre. ^ 

Madcmoifelle Bej ART. Et moi, je mc prepare ton 
a tenir mon role a la main. 

Madcmoifelle Mo li e re . Et mw auffi. 

Madcmoifelle Herve. Pourmoi, je n'aipasgnma 

'''tl^::^ Du CROisr. Ni moi non plus; m^s, 

avec cela, je ne repondrois pas de ne po^nt mai^q^^^ 

Du CaoisY. J'en voudrois ctre quittc pP^' "^ 

^' BrIcou rt. Et moi pour vingt bons CQups dc fc«t' 
e vv;us aiTurct 



yfe Imp'romptu (/'Versailles. 3^41 

Mrs. Hbrvey. Here. 

MoLiBRB. I believe I ihall go diilra^ed with all 
tlicfc People here. Heark'e f [Enter Bi^court, La 
Grange, Du Croify.] ^Sdeath, Gentlemen^ will you make 
me mad to day ? 

Brecourt. What would you have us do? We 
don't know our Parts, and you'll make us mad to 
oblige us to play in this manner. 

Mo LI ERE. Oh, what fti-ange Animals to be ga« 
vcm*d are A£iors! 

[Enter Mrs. Bejart, Du PSarc, De Brie, Mollere, D» 
Croify, and Hervey.] 

Mrs. 3e J ART. Weir, we are here; what d'ye in*- 
tend to do ? 

Mrs. Du Parc. What's your Meaning ^ 

Mrs. De Brie. What's to be done ? 

Mo LI ERE. Pray let us flay here, and fince we are 
all drefs'd, and the King does not come thefc two 
Hours, let us employ that time to rehearfe our thing, 
and fee in what manner we muil play our Parts. ' 

La Grange. How fhall.we play what we don*r 
know? 

Mrs. Du Parc. As for me, I declare t'ye I dont 
remember one Word of my Part. 

Mrs. De Brie. I know very well that Imuftbe 
prompted from one end to the other. 

Mrs. Bejart. And I prepare to hold my Part i» 
my Hand. 

Mrs. Mo L I E R E . And I tpo*. 

Mrs. Hervey. For my part I have no great mat* 
ter to fay. 

Mrs. Du Croisy. Nor I neither, but for all that 
I won't anfwer for it that I (han't be out. 

Du Croisy. I wifli I could be quit on*t for ten 
Piftoles. 

Brecourt. And I for twenty good Strdtes of n 
Cudgel^ I aiTure you. P 3 Mo- 



84^ L^MPHOKPTlT D£ VftRSAf Lt£S» 

Mo LI E RB. Voas voila tous bien malades d^avoir im 
mechant role a jouer. £t que {criGZ-yous doac £ voas 
etiez a ma place f 

Mademoi^lle Bij art. Qui ? Vous ? Vous n^etes pas 
a plaindre, car, ayant fait la piece vous n^avez pas pear 
d'y manquer. 

MoLiERE. £t n*^ai-je a craindre que le manqaement 
de memoire ? Ne comptez-vous pour rien Tinquietude 
d*un fucces qui ne regarde que moi feul ? £t penfez- 
vous que ce foit une petite afiaire, que d^expoier quel- 
,que chofe de comique devant une afiemblee comme 
celle-ciy que d'entreprendre de &ire rire des perfonnes 
qui nous impriment le refpe^l; & ne rient qqe quand 
dies veulent ? £ft-il auteur qui ne doive trembler lorf- 
qu'il vient i cette epreuve, & n*efl-ce pas k moi de 
dire que je vondrois en etre quitte pour toutes les chofes 
jdu monde ? 

MademoifcUe Bejart. Si cela vous &ifoit trembler, 
vous .prendriez mieux vos precautions, & n'auiiez pes ^ 
entrepris en huit jours ce que vous avez &it. 

MoLiERB. Le moyen de m'en defendre, quand un 
roi me Pa commande ? 

Mademoi&lle Bejart. Le moyen? Une refpedo- 
eufe exciife fondee fur rimpoffibilitejde la chofe dans le 
peu de terns qu^on vous donne ; $s tout autre, en votre 
place, menageroit mieux ia reputation, &c fe feroic 
bien garde de fe commettre, comme vous faites. On 
en ferez-vous, je vous prie, fi I'affkire reuffit mal, & 
quel avantage penfez-vous qu'en prendront tous vos en- 
nemis ? 

Mademoifelle De Brie. £n efFet. II falloit s^excu- \ 
ftr avec refpeA envers le Roi, ou demander da terns ^ 
davantage. 

Mo LI ERE. Mon Dieu f Mademoifelle, *les rois n'ai- 
ment rien tant qu'une promte obeiifance, Scncfc plai- 
icat poixxt dtt toat a trouver des ohftacles. Ls^ chofej 

ne 



The lAiPiiOMrr V ^f V«ksa i tLE». J43. 

Mo L I E n E . You aie aU mighty fick in kftving a dff- 
£calt Part to pky ; what woi^d y<ki da if you were 
in my Place I 

Mrs. Bbja*t. Who yeu ? you have n© t:aure to 
complain^ for as ytoa wJwte the Piece you need nbt 
fear being out. 

Mo LI Bills. And have I nothing to fear but want of 
Memory ? Do you xeckon the AiudoufAeifi of Succeft 
which regards me alome, nothing f And do you think 
it a 6nall Matter to expoie a cmnxqne Perfearmance 
before ^ch an* Aflembly^ as this is ? To undertake to 
make Perfons laugh who ftrike us with Refpedt^ and 
never laugh but when they pleafe? Ifr there j any Au" 
thor but what ought to tremble when he comes to 
this Trial > And have not I reafen to fay that I would 
give every thing in the World to be quit of it. 

Mrs. Bejart. If that makes you tremble, ycuM 
be more cautious, and would not have undertaken in 
eight Days what you have done. 

Mo LIB RE. How could I xefufe it when commanded 
hy a King to do it I 

Mk.Bejart. How ? By a refpeftful Excufc found- 
ed upon the Jmpoffibility of the thing in the little . 
Time that was given you: Any body elfe in your 
place would have manag'd his Reputation better, and 
taken care not to expofe himfelf as you do. What 
will become of you, pray, if the thing don*t fuc- 
ceed ? and what an Advantage, think you, all your 
Enemies will make on't.. 

Mrs. De Brie. Indeed you/ fliould have excusM 
your felf, with Refped, to the King, or requir'd more 
time. 

MoLiERE. Oh, Madam, Kings love nothing fo 
much as a ready Obedience, and are not at all pleas'd 
by meeting with Obfiacles ; Things are not good buc 

P 4. juft 



344 L^lMPROMi^Tir de Vihsaiiaals. 

Be font bonnes qne dans le terns quells les foahahent • 
& lenr en vouloir reculer le dirertifiement^ eft en oter ' 
pour eux toute la grace. lis yeulent des phdfirs qpi 
ne fe fafient point attendre, & les moins prepares 
lear font tonjoars les plus agreables. Nona ne devons 
jamais nous regarder dans ce quUls defirent de nous, 
nous ne fommes que pour leur plaire; & lorfqulls 
' nous ordonnent quclque choie> cVft a nous a profitcr 
▼ite de Tenvie on ils font. II raut micux s'acquitter 
mal de ce qu*ils nous demandent» que de ne s^en ac- 
quitter pas affez tot; &, fi Ton a la honte de n'avoir 
pas bien rcuffi, on a toujburs la gloire d*avoir obei vitc 
a leurs commandemens. Mais fongeons i repeter, i^ 
vons plait. 

Mademoifdle Be j art. Comment pretendez-vou 
que nous feffions, fi nous ne fjavons pas nos roles ? 

MoLiERE. Vous les fijaurez, vous dis-je, &, quasd 
jnfime vous ne les ffauriez pas tout-^-fait, pouvez-rons 
pas y fupplcer de votre efprit, puifque c*eft de la profc, 
& que yous f9avez votre fujet ? 

Mademoifdle Be j a r t . Je fuis votre fervante. L* 
profe eft pis encore que les vers. 

Mademoifdle MoLiERB. Voulez-vous que je vousl 
dife ? Vous deviez feire une coniedic on voos auricz | 
joue tout feul. 

MoLiERE. Taifez-vous, ma femme, vous ctesune 

Mademoifdle Molie^re. Grand merci, monfieor 
mon mari. Voila ce que c^eft f Le mariage change 
bien les gens, & vous ne m^auriez pas dit cela il y a 
dix-huit mois. ^ ^ | 

Mo L I E RE . Taifez-votts, je vons pnc. 

Mademoifdle Mo LIBRE. Ccft une chofe etrange, 
qu'une petite cercmonie foit capable de nous oter 
toutes nos belles qaalites ; & qu*un mari Sc un galant 
xcgardent la meme pcrfonnc avec des yeux fi dlfferens. 

Mo- 



The Impromptu of VERSArLLES. 345 

jaft when, they defire them ; and endeavouring to defer 
their Diveriion is, with them, taking away all the 
Agreeablenefs of it. They'd have Pleafures that 
may not make them wait, and the lefs prepares 
tHe more agreeable they are always to them. We 
ought never ta regard our felves in what they require 
of us, our only Bufinefs is. to pleafe them, and when 
they command us any thing *tis our Bufmefs to take 
Advantage immediately of their Defire. We had bet- 
ter acquit our felves ill of what they require of us than 
• not to acquit our felves of it foon enough ; and if we 
have the Shame of not fucceeding, we have always the 
Glory of having fpeedily obey'd their Commands : But 
pray let us fet about our Rehearfal. 

Mrs. Be J A R T . How d*yc intend wc Ihall do, if wc 
don^t know our Parts ? 

Mo LIBRE. You (hall know *em, I tell you ; and if 
you even fhould not know 'cm perfectly, could not 
you ftipply *em with your own Wit, fince 'tis Profe, 
and you know the Subjed!. 

" Mrs. Be J ART. Your Servant. Profe is ilill worfe 
than Verfe. 

Mrs. Mo LI ERF. Give me leave to tell you, yon 
ought to have made a Comedy where you might have 
play'd by your felf. 

Mo LI ere. Hold your Peace, Wife, you ^e an 
Afs. 

Mrs. MoT.1 ERE. Thank you good Husband. See how 
it is. Matrimony alters People ftrangely, you would 
not have faid this a Year and half ago. 

Mo L I E R B . Pray hold your Tongue. 

Mrs. Mo HERE. *Tis a ftrange thing that a little 
Ceremony fhoidd be capable of depriving us of all our 
good Qualities ; and that a Husband and a Galant (hould 
look- Upon the fame Perfon with fuch diSerent Eyes: 
P 5 Mo^ 



34^ L^Impromptu db Versailles^ 

Mo LI E R E. Que de difcours ! 
. Mademoifelle MoLiERE. Ma foi, ii je faifois une 
comedie, je la ferois fur ce fujet. Je juftifierois lea 
femxnes de bien des chofes dont on les accufe, & je fe- 
rois cralndre aux maris la difference quMl y a deleart 
xnanieres brufques, aux civilites des galans. 

Mo LI IRE. Hai } Laiflbns cela. II n*efl pas qaefllon 
de caufei' maintenant, nous avons autre chofe a iidre. 

Mademoifelle^ Be j art. Mais, puifqu'on vous a 
commande de travailler fur le fujet de la critique qu'on 
z feite contre vous, que n^avez-vous fait cette comedie 
des comediens, dont vous nous avez parle il y a long- 
terns ? C*etoit une aiEure toute trouvee, & qui venoic 
fort iMen a la chofe, & d^autant mieux, qu'ayant entre- 
pris de vous peindre, ils vous ouvroient Poccafion de 
kf peindre auili, & que cda auroit pu s^appeller leur 
portrait, a bien plus jufte titre, que tout ce qu'ils ont 
felt ne pent ctre appelle le votre. Car vouloir con- 
tre&ire un comedien dans un role comique, ce n*eft 
fas le peindre lui-meme, c^eft peindre d^apres lui les 
perfonnages qu*il reprefente, Sc fe fervir des memes 
traits & des memes couleurs, qu^il cik obL'ge d^employer 
aux different tableaux des caradteres ridicules qu*il imite 
d*apres nature; mais contre&ire «n comedien dans 
des roles ferieux, c^efl le peindre par des de&uts qoi 
font entierement de lui, patfque ces fortes de peribii- 
nages ne veulent, ni les gefles, ni les tons de voix ri- 
dicules, dans lefquels on le reconnoit. 

^ Mo LI ERE. II eft vrai ; mais j'ai mes raifons pour 
jfie le pas faire, & je n^ai pas cru, entre nous, que la 
chofe en valut la peine ; & puis, il &lioit f plus de terns 
pour executer cette idee. Comme leurs jours de come- 
die font les memes que les notres, a peine ai-je ete i« 
voir trois on quatre fbis depuis que nous fommes a 
farisj je n*ai attrap^ de leur maniexc de reciter^ que 



2l6> ImMiomptu (?/* V^ersailles. 347 

MoLiERE. What a prating is here f 
Mrs. Mo LI ERE. rfaith if I were to write a Come- 
dy I would write it on this Subjeft. I would juftify 
the Women in a great maay things they are accus'd 
of, and I^d make the Husbands dread the difference 
4diere is between their rough Manners and the Cirility 
of Gaiants. 

MaLiBRE* Well, I«t that alone, we are not to 
prattle now, we have fonaething elfe to do. 

Mrs. fifijART. Bat iince you were commanded tO 
ji^oi4c on the Subject of the Criticifm that^s made upon 
you, why did not you make that Comedy of Come- 
di^M that yen have talked to vs of a long time ? 'twas 
a thing ready invented, and woi^ have come very 
proper, and fo much the better, as having undertake^ 
to paiat you, they opened an occa£on to you to paint 
them likewiie^ and it might have been calPd their Pic- 
tare much more juiUy than all they have done can 
be caird yours ; for to mimick a Comedian in a Co- 
mick Part U not to defcribe him, but 'tis only de- 
icribing after him the Charaders he reprefents, and 
siting ttfe of the faa^e Strokes, and the iame Colours 
which he*s obliged to ufe in the diiSerent Pidlures of 
the ridk:«k)as Chanters, which he imitates after Na* 
tare. But to mimick a Comedian in ferious Parts is 
defcribing him by Faults which are entirely his own, 
£nce thofe kind of Chara&ers will not bear either the 
Geilures or ridiculous Tone of Voice by which he is 
known again. 

Mo LIB RE. *Tis tirue, but I have my Reafons for 
not doing it ; I did not think, between as, the thing 
worth the trouble, and befides it requirM more time- 
la execute that Idea.* As their Days of playing are 
the &me with ours, I have fcarce been to fee them 
aibove Uiree or four times iince we have been at Paris ; 
I caught nothing of their mmass ^{ aAing but. what 

at 



348 L*Impromptu db Versaillej^ 

. ce qui m*a d*kbord (late aux ycux, & j'anrois cu befoin 
de les etddier davantage poar fsdre des portraits bien 
reflemblans. 

Madcmoifdle Dv Parc. Pour moi, J'en ai rcconnu 
qndques-uns dans votre bouche. 

hhdemoiMLe Db Brie. Je n'ai jamais oui parlerde 
cda. 

' Mo LiERB. Ceft une idee qai m^avoit pafle one fois 
par la tete, & que j*ai laiiTee-la comme une bagatell^v 
une badinerie, qui peut-etre n^auroit pas f^t rire. 

Mademoifdle Db Brib. Dites-la moi un peu, puiA 
que vous Tavez dite aux autres. 
Mo LI ERE. Nous n^avons pas le terns maintenanti 
Mademoifelle De Brie. Settlement deux mots. 
MoLiERE. J*avois fonge une comedie, ou ii y'au*' 
roit eu un poete, que j*aurois reprefente moi-mcincj 
qui feroit venu pour offrir une piece k une troupe dt 
comediens nouvellement arrives de campagne. Avez- 
▼ousy anroit-il dit, des adteurs Sc des a&ices qui Toient 
capables de bien feire valofr un ouvrage^ car ma piece 
eft une pi^ce ... He ! Monfieur, auroicut rcponda 
les comediens, nous avons des honunes Sc des femmes 
qui ont ete trouves raifonnables par tout ou nous avons 
pafle* Et qui fidt les rois permi rous ? Voila un ac- 
teur qui s*en demele par fbii. Qui ? Ce jeune homme 
bien feit ? Vous moquesB-vous ? II £%ut un roi qui Toit 
gros & gras comme quatre. Un roi^ morbleu, qui 
Ibit entripailW comme il iaut. Un roi d*une vafte cir- 
conference» Sc qui puifTe remplir un trone de la belle 
maniere. La belle chofe qu^un roi d*une taille ga* 
knte! Voili deja un grand de&ut, mais- que je Pen- 
tendenn peu reciter une dottzaine de ver». La-de/Tus 
le comedien auroit recite^ par exemple, quelques vers 
du roi de Nicomede» 

7> /€ dirai'jt^ Jra^eP II m*a trtfp bitnfirvh 
Augment eat mgnfwvw . . . , 

If 



5^f Impromptu (?/ Versailles. 349-. 

at firff was obvious to the Eye, and I (hould want to 
ftudy them more to make IJbrtraits very like tliem, 

Mrt Du Farc. For my part, I have difcover'd feme 
Reiemblances of 'em come from your Mouth. . 
Mrs. Db Brie. I never hcar'd this talk'd of. ' 

MoLiE RE. 'Tis a Thought I once had in my Head,. 
ba^ r have left it as a Trifle, an impertinent thing-, 
that perhaps would not have made People laugh. 

Mrs. Db Brib. Tdi it me a little, iince you have 
told it others. 

Mo L I E RE . We han*l time now. 

Mrs. De Brie. Only in two Words. 

Mo LIBRE. I had Thoughts of a Comedy in whicH 
there (hould have been a Poet whom I would have re- 
prefented myfelf, who fhouM come to offer a Piece to 
a €ompatty of Comedians newly come out of the 
Country. Have you A^ors and Adlreffes, he fhould 
have faid^ that are capable of fetting off a Performance 
well, for my Piece is a Piece — Ah ! Sir, the Co-^ 
median (hould have anfwer'd, we have Men and Wo- 
men who have been thought tolerable in all Places we 
have pafs*d thro*. And who plays the King amongft . 
you? There's an A£tor who performs it fometimes* 
Who f that fine-fhap'd young Man ? You jeft fure f 
You (hcmld have a King that's very fet, and fourfquare. 
S'death a King that's ftufF'd as he fhould be.- A King of 
a vaft Circumference, and that can fill a Throne hand- 
fomely. A (me-fliap'd King is a fine thing indeed I 
TJ^s is one grand Fault already ; but let me hear him 
repeat a Dozen Verfes a little ? Upon which the Co- 
median (hould have repeated, for example, fome Verfes 
of the King of Nrcomedm, 

I/ay, Arafpus, he has toowDell fer^^d me^ 
Mx Prw9r mugmentivg — — • 



350 L^MP&OMPTu ]>s Vbrsaijllss. 

le plus naturellement qu'il loi aaroit ete poffible. £t 
le poete: Comment? Voos appdlez cela reciter} 
C*eit fe ralUer ; il faat dire les chofes avec cmphafe. 
Ecoutezmoi. 

\lt contnfaifMantJUuri comedien ie l^boUl dt Bour- 
gogMe. 

Ti le iirai'je^ AraJ^e . . . &c. 

Voyez-vou6 cette poftur« ? Rcmarquez bien cela. La, 
Sippuyez comma il &ut le dernier vers. Voila cc qui at* 
tire Papprobation, & fait ^re le brouhaha. MaiB> 
Mox^^icur, aaroit r^pondu le comedien, il me ^ble 
qu^un roi qui s^entretient tout feul avec fon capitaine 
des gardes, parle un peu plus humainement, h ne 
prend gueres ce ton de demoniaque. Yo/sy^ ae ffavez 
ce que c^e^i AUez-vous-en reciter comma vous &ites^ 
yous verrez il vous ferez fiiire aucun. Ah ! Votoas ui 
pen une fcene d'amant & diamante. L^-defius uae co^ 
snedienne & un comedien auxoient fait uae fc«aeettfim« 
ble, qui efl celle de Camille & de Curiace, 

Jras-tUf ma chcre ame^ isf a funefte Immhcut 

^e flait-il aux depens de taut notre hanheur f 

helas ! Je vais trap bien , . , &c. 
tout de meme que Tautre, k le plus natardUcmeDt q«*ib 
auroient pu. £t le poete aufli-tot : Vous vous Bioqiie% 
vous ne fkites rien qui vaille, & void coaune il &$t re- 
citer cela. 

[II imite mademoifeUe de Eeaucbdteau comddi0inn ik 
P hotel de BeurgQgne. 

Iras-tu^ ma cbere ame . . . &c, 

A(7/r, je te conneis mieux . . . &c. 
Voyez-vous comme cela eft naturel & paflionne \ Ad' 
mirez ce vifage riant qu'eUe conierve dans les p)^ 
grandes aifiidtions. Enfm, voila Tidees & il aurok 
parcouru de meme tous les adleurs» & toi^tes ks aSLrices* 

MademoifeUe De Bai£. J« tj»uv< ce($c idcieaffei ! 



J2>e Impromptu (j^ Vj^&aillbs; 351 

the moSt naturally that he pollibly could, Hien the 
Poet : What, do you call that Repeating ? you rally 
furcf you fhould fpcak things with an Emphafis.. 
Hearken to me. 

[^Imitating Monfleury^ an excellent AB^r of the. 
Hotel de Bourgogne. 

I fayy Arafpus, feff. 
Do you fee this Pofture \ Obferve that welL Thc^e, 
lay a Strefs as you ought on the laft Verfe j that's what 
gains Approbation, and raifes a Clap. But, Sir, the 
Comedian fhould have anfwerM, Methinks >a King 
who is difeourEng alone with the Captain of his 
Guards, fpeaks a little more humanely,* and fcarcc 
makes ufe of this Demoniacal Tone. You don't un- 
derhand it. Go and fpeak as you do, you'll fee if 
you'll get one Clap. Ah, let's fee a little a Scene of 
a Lover and his Miflrefs. Upon which^an Ador and 
Aftrcfs ihould have play'd a Scene together, which is 
that of Camilla and CuriatiuSy, 

DoftgOy dear Soul, ami does this fatal Honour 
Fleafe thee at the Expence of all our Welfare ? 
Alas! Itoo^wellfee, &c. 
like the other, and aa naturally as he was able. Then 
the Poet immediately : You are in jelt, you do nothing 
CO the purpofe, thu$ you ought to repeat this, 

[Imitating Mrs, Beauchateau a Player of the Hotel 
^ de Bourgogne. 

Doft go, dear Soul, &c. 

No, I know thee better, &c. 
Do, you fee how natural and paf&onate this la ? Ad* 
mire this fmiling Countenance which ihe preferves in 
the greateil Afflidiions. In fhort, this is the Defign ; 
ai(d he (hould have run over all the Players in this 
manner. 

Mrs. De Brie. I think theDe£gn very humourous, 

and 



35* L'ImfromVtu de Versai lles. 

plaifante, & j'en ai rcconnu M des Ic premier vers. 
Continuez, je voos prie. 

MoLi^RB mitanf- Siauchateeu comidien de Photel 
de Bourgogne^ dans lei fiances du Cid.y 
Fercijufques au fond du aeur, &c. 
Et cdui-cl, Ic rccoimoitrcz-voua Irienj dans Pompce 
de Sertorius \ 

III contrefait Hauteroche comidien de t hotel de Ban^ 

V'immitie qui regne entre lis deux partis, 
IPj rend pas de Phonneur, &c. 
Mademc^elle De Brie. Je k reconnois on pea, je 
penle. 
Mo LIE RE . Et celal-ci T 
{Imitant de FilUers comidien de thotelde Botirgogne. 

Seigneur f Polih eft mort . . . &c. 

MademmMe De Bri^. Oui, je f^ais qui c'dl; 
mais ii y en a quelques-uns d'cntr'ctlx, jc crois, que 
▼008 auricz peine i contrefiaire. 

MoLiEAE. Mon Dieu! II n'y en pcAftt qu'bn nc 
put attraper par quelque endroit, fi je les avois bica 
etudica ; mais vous me faites perdre tn terns qui nous 
eft cher. Songeons a nous^, de grace,^ & ne nous a- 
mufons pas davantage a difcourir. [a la Grangi-l 
Vous, prenez garde a bien reprefenter avec moi votrc 
sole de marquis.. 

Mademoifelle Mo l i e r e . Toujours des marquis ? 

M o L I B R B . Oui, toujours des. marquis. Que diable 
voulez-vous qu'on prcnne pour un caraftere agreablcdc 
theatre ? Le marquis aujourd'hui eft Ic plaifant de I« 
comedier&, commc dans toutes les comedies ancicn- 
nes,, on voit toujours un valet bouffon qui feit rire les 
auditeurs, dememedans toutes nos pieces de maiflf^ 
nant, il faut toujours un marquis ridicule qui divcrtifie 
la Gompagnie. 

MadcDioiftll« 



The iMPROMPTtJ of Versailles. 353 

taA I knew fome of *em by the very firH Verfes. Go 
on, pray. 

Mo LI E R B imitating Beaachatean, a Comedian ofthi 
Hotel de Bourgogne, in fome Lints of the Cid . ] 

Pierced to the bottom of my Heart, &c. 
And do *yoa know^ this Man in the Pom fey of Serto* 
rius T 

[Imitating Hauteroche a Comedian of the Hotel de 
Bourgogne. 

^e Enmity nuhich reigns between both Parties 

Yields there no Honour, Sec. 

Mrs. De Brie. I know him a little, I think. 

MoLiERE. And this? 

[Imitating De Villiers a Comedian of the Hotel d^ 
Boargogne. 

Lord Polibore // dead, &c. 

Mrs. De Brie. Yes, I know who he is f but there 
are fome amongil 'em, I believe, that youM find ft 
hard to mimick. 

Mo lie RE. Of thefi^s not one of *em bat what 
may be caught in fome Place or other, if I had ftudied' 
*em well : But you make me lofe tihie which is pre* 
cious to us. Let us mind, pray, and not amufe our- 
felves any more with talking, [lo La Grange. J Do- 
you take care to. play your Part of Marquis well witk. 
jne. 

}Ats. Mo li br-e. Always. Marquifles. 

Mo LI ERE. Yes, always Marquiffes : What the 
Duce would you have one take for an agreeable Cha- 
racter for the Stage ? The Marquis now is the Jefl of 
the Comedy ; and as in all the old Comedies there was 
always a Buffoon Servant that made the Audience 
laugh, fo in all our Pieces now there muft be always a 
ridiculous Marquis to divert the Company. 

Mb.. 



MademQireUe,BiiAiLT. Il«ft vali oDiies'enl^ 
roit paffer. 
MoMEiLB. Poorvotts, MadcmoifdJe . . . 
Mademoifelle Du Pas^c. Mon Di«B t Pair lAot, ]& 
sn^acquitteai Ibrt mal de mom perfonnage) & je &e r9aii 
pas paurquoi vous m'avez donne ce role de fa90nnieit. 
Mo LI ERE. Mon Dieu, Mademoifelle ! Voila erm- 
ine vous diiiezy lorfque I'on vous donna Woi dt la 
critique de Tecole des femmes ; cependant voos vous 
en cfc$ acctoitee a merveilley Sc tout le nonde ^ do* 
mcuii d*accord qu^on ne peut pas mieujc fabe que voas 
avez fiut. Croiess-moi^ cdlui-ci fera de m^iney & 
vous le jouerez mieux que vous ne penfez. 

Mademoifelle I>v Parc. Comment cela Us pour- 
7oit-il faire ? Car il n*y « point de perfonne an xnonde 
^ui foit moins fa9onniere que moi. 

MoLiERE. C*eft vrai; Se c^dft en qooi vous frites 
mieux voir que voos etes une excellente comedienne,, 
de bien reprefenter un pqrfomiagey qui' eft ii cosCraire 
i votre humeur. Tachez done de bien prendre, toai^ 
le caradere de vos r:Qles» & de vous fignrer que tous 
Ctes ce que vous reprefentez. [a Ju Croij^.y Vous £utcs 
le poete, vous, & vous devez vous remplir de ce per- 
fonnage, marquer cet air pedant qui ie conferve par* 
mi le commerce du beau monde,. ce ton de voix &n- 
tentieux, & cette ejtaditude de prononciation qui ap- 
puye fur toutes les fyllabes, & ne laifle echaper aucune 
lettre de la plus fevcre ortographe. £« Bricamrt.l Pour 
vous^ vous faites un honnete homme de cour, comme 
vous avez deja fait dans la critique de Pecole des 
femmes, c*eft-a-dire, que voup devez pre^^dre un air 
pofe, un ton de voix naturel, Sc geiticuler le moios 
qu'il vous fera poffible. \i la Grange. \ Pour vous, jc 
n'ai rien a vous dire, [a mademoifelle Sejart,} Voasg 
vous reprefentez une de cea femmes, qui, pottrvu 
qu*elles ne iaffent point Tamour^ croient que tout le 

rcfte 



2^^ Impromptuj?/ Versailles. ^55 

Mrs. B E J ART. 'Tis true, th^t can*t be pmittea. ^ 



Mo LI ERE. For you. Madam - ' ■ 

Mrs. Du Parc Nay, as for me, I fhall acquit my 
felf very ill of my Charafter, and I don*t know why 
you gave me this ceremonious Part. 

Mo LIE RE. Lack-a-day ! Madam, this is what you 
laid when you had that given you in 7^^ School /or 
fVi'ves Criticii^dy yet you acquitted yourfelf of it 
to a wonder, and all the World agreed that it could 
not have been done better than you did it. Belieue 
me, this will be the feme, and you'll play it better 
than you imagine. 

• Mrs. Du Parc. How Can that be? for there's no 
body in the World lefs ceremonious than I am. 

MoLiERB. *Tistrue, and in that you better fhew 
that you are an excellent Comedian, to reprefent a: 
Chara€ler well that is fo contrary to your Humour. 
Endeavour then, all of you, to take the Charadter of 
your Parts right, and to imagine that you are what 
you repref^t. ^o Du Croify.] You play the Poet^ 
ind you ought to fill yourfelf with that Charafter, to 
mark the Pedant Air which he preferves even in the 
Converfation of the Beau Monde \ that fententious 
Tone of Voice, and that Exadnefs of Pronunciation 
which lays a Strefs on all the Syllables, and does not 
let one Letter efcape of the ftriftefl Orthography. [7i 
Brecourt. J As for you, you play a Courtier, as you 
have already done in The School for Wives Critic 
€is*di that is, you muft afTume a fedate Air, a natu- 
ral Tone of Voice, and make the itvfc^ Geftures pof- 
fible. [To La Grange,"] As for ,you, I have nothing 
to fay to you. \To Mrs. Bejart.] You reprefent one 
of thofe Women who, provided they don't make love, 
think that every thing elfe is permitted *em ; thofe 

Women 



25^ L'Imfromptv dx Versaille^.^ 

re&c leor eft permis ; de ces femmes qui fe retrancfient 
toajours iierexnent fur Jeur pruderie, regardent un cha- 
cun de haut en bas, Sc veulent que toutes les plus belles 
qualites que pofledent les antresy ne foient rien en 
oomparaifon d'nh miferable honneur doat perfonne ne 
A ibucie. Ayez toujours ce caraAere devant les yeux 
pour en bien feire les grimaces. [ a mademoifelle de 
Brie.'] Pour vous, vous feites une de ces ijemmes qui 
penfent etre ks plus vertueufes perfonnes du monde, 
ponrru qu*elles fauvent les apparences ; de ces femmes 
qui croient que le peche n^eft que dans le fcandale» 
qui veulent conduire doucement les ai&ires qu^elles ont, 
fiir le pied d*attacheinent homiete, & appellent amis, 
ce que ks autres nomment galans. Entrez bien dans oe 
•arafleie. [a mademoifelle Moliere!\ Vous, vous £dtes 
fe meme perfonnage que dans la critique, & je n*ai 
jrien a vous dire non plus qu^a mademoifelle da Pare. 
\a mademoifelle du Croi£^.1 Poiar vous, vous reprefen- 
tez une de ces perfonnes qui pretent doucement des 
charites I tout le monde, de ces femmes qui donnent 
toujours le petit coup de langue en paAant, & feroient 
bien fachees d^avoir foufiert qu^on eut dit du bten da 
prochain. Je crois que vous ne vous acquiterez pas mal 
de ce role, [a mademoifelle Hervf.] Et pour vous> 
Tous eces la foubrette de la precieufe, qui fe mele de 
tems en terns dans la convedation, Sc attrape, comme 
elle peut, tous les. termcs de fa maitreffe. J« vous dis 
toQs vos earafleres, afin que voas vous les imprimiez 
fortement dans Tefprit. Commen9ons maintenant k tgt 
peter, & voyons comme cela ira. Ah f Voici juflc- 
ment un fachenx. II ne nous fallolt plus que cela. « 

S^C E. N E 



Tb£ Impromftu of Versai lles. 357 

\ Women who are always fiercely intrench'd in their 
Prudery, look upon every body with Cojitempt> and 
think all the gooid Qualities that others pofTefs are no- 
thing in comparifon of a wretched Honour which no 
body regards. Have this Chara^ler always before year 
Byes, that yon may make the Grimaces of it right. 
[To Mrs. Brie.] As for yon, you play one of thofe 
Wonlbn who think they are the moft virtuous Perfons 
in the World, provided they fave Appearances s thofe 
Women who think the Crime lies only in the Scandal ; 
who would carry on the Affiurs they have quietlj on 
the foot of an honourable Attachment, and call thofe 
Friends whom other People call Galants. Enter well 
into this Charadler. \To Mrs, Moliere.] You play die 
feme Charadler as in the Crittcifm^ I have nothing to 
% to you any more than to Mrs. Du Parc^ [fa 
Mrs. Croijy,^ As for you, you reprefent one of thofe 
Perfons who are fwcetly charitable to all die World, 
diofe Women who always give a Lafii with their 
Tongue en faffdnt, and would be very forry if they 
fufier'd thdr Neighbour to be well fpoke of. I be- 
lieve yon^U not acquit yourfelf ill of this Part. [T^ 
Mrs. Hervey.] And for you, you are a conceited Mi* 
gail, wh<^s always thrufting her Oar into Converfa- 
tion, and catching all her Miilreis's Terms as much 
as fhe can. I tell yon all your Charadlers, that yoa 
may imprint diem ihongly in your Minds. Let us 
begin to repeait, wid fee how 'twill do. Oh, herc> 
An Impi^runent, we wanted no more than this. 



SCENE 



358^ LImpromptu de Versaili^es. 



SCENE IL 

LA THORILLIERE, MOLIERE, BRE COURT, 
LA GRANGE, DU CROISY, MefdemoifeUes 
DU PARC, BEJART, DE BRIE, MOUERE, 
DU CROISY, HERVE. 

La Thori lliere. 

BO N jour, moniieur Moliere. 
' Mo LI ERE. Monfieur, votre fervlteur. {apart.'] 
1a ]pe&it foit de rhomme ! 

La Thorillibre. Comment reus en va f 

Moliere. Fort bien pour vous fervir. [aux ac* 
trie$sJ\ MefdemoifeUes, ne . . . 

La Thorilliere*. Je viens d'un lieu ou j^ai Uen 
dit dtt bien de vous. 

Moliere. Jevous fuis oblige. \a part,"] Que le 
ili^e t*emporte f {aux JSeurs."] Ayez un peu foin . . . 

La Thorillierb. Vous jouez une piece nouvelle 
aujourd'hui ? 

Moliere. Oui» Monfieur. [aux aSricesJ] N*ou- 
bliez pas . . . 

La Thori llisre. C*eft le Roi qui vous la £dC 
&re? 

Mo LI e re. Qui, Monfieur. \aux a^eursJ\ De grace, 
fongez ... 

La Th o ri lli e re . Comment Tappellez-vous ? 

Moliere. Qui, Monfieur. 

La Thorilliere. Je vous demande comment 
Tous la nommez. ^ 

Mo Li ere. Ahf Ma foi, je ne f9ais. {aux aSrices^l 
II fiiut, s*il vous plait, que vous ... 

L a Th o r I l l I e re . Comment ferez-vous habilles f 

Moliere. Comme vous voyez. [aux a&eurs,'] Je 
voue jpric . . *. 

LaThoril 



fb^ Ijhepromptu <f Versailles. 359 



SCENE ir. 

TORRILLIERE, MOLIERE, BRECOURT. 
LA GRANGE, DU CROISV", MefiicmoUelles 
DU PARC, BEJART, DE BRIE, MOLIERE. 
DU CROISY, HERVEY. 

ToaHILLIERE. 

GOodojnorcoWy Mr. MoUere^ 
MoLiERB. ^9 y^^^ Servant. [^^^.jPlago^ 
takctlieFdiowl 

TjaRniLLiSfB* How goes it? 

MoLiERE. Very well, at your Service. {To tb$ 
48Ttfft$,'\ Ladies, don't ■ 

ToRRiLLiERB. I come from a Phce where I have 
heen iayiiig a great many fine things of you. 

MoLiBRB. Pm oWigM to you. [^^i?.] The Devil 
take thee ? [fV fbe Jaort.'] Have a little care — 

ToRRiLLiBRB. You play a new Piecc to-day d*ye ? 

Mo LI ERE. Yes, Sir. [T9 the ABrefes.l Don't 
farget 
ToRRiLLiERB. The King makes you do it, hey I 

MoLiEnB. Yes, Sir. [fo /i^f -<*fftfr/.] Pray rcmcai- 

Urto 

ToRRi Lf>iE'RE. What do you call it ? 
Mo LI ERE. Yes, Sir. 
ToRRiLLiBRE. I ask what you Call it. 

MoLiERE. Pfaithl I don't know. {To the J^njes,'} 

If you pleafe you mnfh ' ■■ 
TbRRiLLiERE. How ftiall you be drefs'd ? , 
MoLiERE. As you fee, [T^ the Mors,^ Pray 

now ■ ■' 

TORRIL- 



|6o L'Impromptv de Versailles. 

La Th orilliere. Quand commencez-vous ? 

Mo LIBRE. Quand le Roiferavenu. [^a part. 2 ^^ 
diantre-I. qoeftionneur! 

La Thorillisre. Quand croyez-vous qu^il vi« 
cnnel 

Mocf SRB. La pefte m^^touffe, Monfieor, £ Je le 
fjpdi. 

La Th orilliere. S^avez-voos point . . 7 

Mo LI ERE. Tenez, Monfieur, je fuis le plus igno-^ 
lant homme du monde. Je ne f9ais rien de tout ce 
que Yout pourrez me deinaiider» je voas jure. [0/ar/.} 
Penrage. Ce boureau vient avec un air tnmquille voos 
fiure des queftions^ & oe fe foude paa qu^on ait en tete 
d'antresaiBures. 

La Th ORILLIERE. MefikmoifeUes, votfe lemteor. 

MoLiERE. Ah{ Bon. Le voiU d'un autre cote. 

L A Th ORiLLiERBa modemoifi/U du CreifiJ] Voos 
wHk belle comme un petit ange. Jouez-vous tcmtes 
deux anjounThui ? [En regardant mademoi/elle Her^L 

Madonoifelle Dv Croisy. Oui, monfieur. 

La Thorilliere. Sans vous^ la comedie ne Tan« 
dxoh pas •grand* chofe. 

Mo LI ERE bos aux aSrtces.l Vous ne iroulez paa 
fiure en aller cet liomme-la ? 

Mademoifelle De Brie a la noriUiere.'] Monfieor, 
nous avons ici qudqne cHofe a repeter enfembkJ 

La Thorilliere. Ah! Parbleu^ je ne veoz pas 
T0U9 empecher j vous n'avez qu^a pourfuivre. . 

Mademoifelle De Brie. Mais . « . 

Xa Thorilliere. Non» non, je ferois fache d*in« 
commoder perfonne. Faites librement ce que vous a?ez 
d^dre. . 

Mademoifelle De Brie. Oui ; mais . . • 

La Thorilliere. Je fuis bomme-ians cermo- 
nie, voos dis-je, & vous pouvez repeter ce qui vo^s 
plaira. 

Mo- 



Tie Impromptu of Versailles. 361 

ToRRiLLiERE. When d'yc begin ? 
MoLiERs/Wken the King comes. IJfiJe.'] 'Dcact 
on the Queftion-monger f. 
T0R114 LLi £RE. When do yon think he'll come ? 

MoLiBRB. Plague choke me if I know. Sir. 

ToRRiLLiERB. Don't yoa know ■ 

Mo LI ERE. Look you. Sir, I am the moft igmnant 
Man in the World, I know nothing of whatever you 
may ask me I proteft t'ye. [Jfide."] I'm mad ; this tor- 
menting Coxcomb comes witji an Air of Tranquillity 
asking one Queilions, and never confers that one has 
other things in one's Head. 

ToRRiLLiERE. LaHies, your Servant. 

M o L I E R E • Good. Now he's got on t'other fide. 

ToRRiLLiERE^o Mrs, Crqify.] You are as hand- 
ibme as a little Angel. Do you play, both of you, to- 
daj. [^Looking on Mrs. Hervey. 

Mrs. Croisy. Yes, Sir. 

ToRRi LLiERB. Without you the Comedy would not 
be worth much. 

MoLiERB WhiJ^ertngthe AariJfes.y^otUt you fend 
that Man there going ? 

Mrs. De Brie to Torrilliere.] Sir, we have fomc- 
thing here to repeat together. 

Torrilliere. Oh! S'life, I'll not hinder you. 
You have nothing to do but go on. 

Mrs. De Brie. But 

Torrilliere. No,, no, I fhouM be forry ^o in- 
commode any Body ; do freely wlxat you have to do« 

Mrs. De Brie. .Yes, but— — 
Torrilliere. I am a Man of no Ceremony I tdl 
you, and you may repeat what you pleafe. . 

VoL.IIL Q Mo- 



3^2 VIhi^romptv oe Vxbsaiu.es. 

MoLiERE. Monfienr, ces demoi^lcs ont peme a 
TOu$ d^re qaVUea fouhaxtecoient fort que perfo&ne ne 
fut ici peadant cette repetidcm. 

hA Tbojliu.i£jlb. Poorquoi j U n^y a^nt de 
danger poor moi. 

MoLisai. MaD&tagf c'eft aneooatofiieqti'diesob- 
ferventy & vous aorez plus de plaifir quand les chofes 
votis furpmdMat. 

La THOiL.ii«Lis;EB. Jem^en vak done dire que voai 
lies prets. 

MoLi^aE. Poinit dii tOQt, Monfieur, ACToosliatez 
f^, d^grace. 



SCENE III. 

MOLIEJRE, BRECOURT, LAGRANGE, DU 
CROISY, MefdcmcTifcUcs DUPARC, BEIAJRT, 
P£ BRIE, MOLIERE, DU CROISY, HERVE. 

M O L J 2 R E. 

AH I Qge le moode eft pleki'd'^p^^iieiii^! Or 
fas, commenfons. Figurez-vous. doi^ pr^eK- 
msnt qae la fcene eft dans raytiticbambre 4a R<u» ^ 
c*eft un lieu ou il fe paiTe tous lt» jours d«8 chofes 2&$ 
plaifiukUs. II eft aife de <&ire venir la ^afees {es per- 
fonnes qu^on veut, 8c on peat trouiser des m(bns i^ease 
pour y autocifer h. v^nue des femn^ qu^ j^in^^duis. 
La conjedie s^ouvcc par deux marquis qui fs xencQn- 
trent. [a la Grange. '] Souvenez«voi|s Wen, yoas, dc 
venir, comme je vous ai dit, U, avec cet air qa'on 
Aonune le bd air, 'peignant votre perruque, ^ gron- 
dant une petite chanfon entre vos dents. La, la, la. Is, 
la, la, la. Rangez- vous done, vousautres, c^ ilfiut 
^.tessain a deux marquisi, & ils ne font .pas ^eos i it- 
nir leur pcrlbime dans ua .petit ^e(jpace. {iJaGrai^i-l 
Allons, parlez. 

U 



rke |MPftOMPT9 tf VlRSAlttES. 3^1 

MoLiBRB. Sir, thefisLaditt are loth to tdl you 
K!2«^fcl***°" **^ "^ ^^^ "*'' *"*• *^"^"2 ^ 
ToMiitiBM. Wly? there's no danger aa tome. 

MpLiKRE. Sir, 'tisaCnflom which they obferve. 
and you'U have more Pleafure when things (urprize you. 

ToRRiLLiERB. TB go tcU 'em then <hat you are 
ready. ^ 

MoLiERB. Not af iH, §ir, pny don't make fnch 

iialte. 



S G E H E III. 

MOUERE, BREQOURT, LAGRANGE, 0U 
. CROI$y, MdiaemoifeUcs DU PARC,. BET ART 
I>E BRI?,.MOi.IERE, DU CROISY, HERVEy! 

M O L I E R S, 

AH 1 how fuU cf ImportineiKs 4ie Wprld 19 \ Well, 
come, let us begin. Y^%. then iiBagine that the 
Scene is in the King's Aitfichamber, for that*s a Place 
where humourous things enough pafs esrery Day. *Ti(i 
eafy to bring xhere all the Vttiix^ we h«?e a mind 
to, and we may even find Reafow to warrant th^ 
cowing in of the Wpnaen which I introduce. The 
Comedy opens with two Marquiffcs wi^fieet. £54 Lji 
Grange.] Rem^ber you Co ^qm as I t<Jd you, ijier«^ 
with that Air which is srall'd ike Bel 4ir, combing 
your Peruke/ and humn^iog a Tunie hetiycen your 
Teeth. La, la, la, la, la, la, la. Dp ypu range 
yoarfdves then, for the two Marquifles m.uft have 
room, ^ey are not People to be conitftin'd vx a /?ia ll 
fpace. [To La Grange.] Come fp^. 

Q.< La 



364 L'iMTttoMftu to E Versailles. 

M,r«««. Recommences doic. 
La Granck. B.«>»r, J>4»rj»"- 
MoL.ERE. Ml Marquis. tonfcrn,xlcr, 

de m^yallerfrotur, i^ fame bien meux *nmr ^ 

rhden^entrer point, ^^ ?»' " *"-^'"' ^..J '^ < 
fer, (Sf d-occuftr toutes Us avenues de '"/^^f" - ,. 
La Grange. Crions nos deux nom » rbu,Jfi*r, 

je n* veux pas etre j»ta far Maliere. .< 

' La Grange. J, penfe pmrtant, MarquU, V^' J' , 

^fi eWi/Jeue lUsmt la critime. , . , ■ «/«/*l 

MoLi E R B . Moi f Jefui, m -oaUt, cUft m-m^' I 

in profre perfinne. ^ ^^M 

La Grange. Ab! Ma /«, /» ^^ *^« dc mm' } 

futr ton per/qnnage. , ^\ 

. Mo LIB RE. ParbUu^ je t€ troupe plai/oMt Si | 

Jonntr ce qui t^apfartient. n j "h ^ 

La Grange riant.] Ab^ ab, ab f Cela efi ^roit' ^ 

AfoLiBRE riant-l Ab, ab, ab) Celajft b(mff<nf-^^^ 

La Grange, ^oi ! Tu veuxfiutenir yi^ ^^ " ' 

pas tin qu^oHJtm€ dans ie marquis de U criti^ ^ 

Mqliere. Ilefi^raii c^ejimoi. ^cteftaWe, J^'^ 



The Impromptu of Versailles, 3^5 

La. Grange. Good-morrow, Marquis. 

MoLiERE. Lack-a-day f that^s not the Tone of a 
Marquifs i, yoa mull take it a little higher, the moil 
part of thofe Gentlemen afFedl a particular manner 
of fpeaking to diflioguifh themfelves from the Vulr 
gar. Good-morrow, Marquis. Begin again. 

La Grange. Good-morrow, Marquis, 

Mo LIB re: Hah! Marquis, your Serfuant,. 

La Grange. What art thou, doing there ? 

Mo LIB-RE. ''Sdeath! you fee I wait till all thefe 
Gentiemen have unjlofd the Door to Jhew my Fact 
there. 

La Grange. Plague! what a Crqwd there is ! I 
don't care to thruft my Nofe in amongftUm, and had 
much rather go in the lafi. 

Mo LI ere. ^here are twenty People who are 'very 
Jure of not getting in, and yet voon't forbear crowding 
and taking up all the Avenues of the Gate, 

La Grange. Let us bawl out both our Names fs 
the Porter, that he may call us in. 

Mo Li E R E . Thais well enough for thee^ hut for my 
part r II not be play* d byMolitfk, 

La' Grange. However, Marquis, I think ''twai 
you he plafd in his Criticifm. 

MoLiERE. // Pm your Slave, Uwas yourfelf in- 
propria perfona. 

La Grange. Hah!' Faith you are good enough t^ 
apply your ovjn CharaSer to me^ 

MoLiERB. Pgadryou. are a pleafant Mortal, tO' 
give to me vfhat belongs to yourfelf, ^ 

La Grange laughing.] Ha, ha, ha '•thaPsDrole, 

Mo LI ERE laughing.] Ha, ha, ha! that's comical,. 

La Grange. What ! yoi^ II maintain that ^tis not 
you thafs flayed in the Character of the Marquis in tbe^ 
School for*Wivcs Cridcis'd. 

Mo LIBRE. 'liV truei ^tis L Deteilahle, 'Sdeath,!' 
0.3 de^ 



366 L'lM*JtOM>Tir vi Vi^RSAiLt&s. 

blea, deteftaUe, tarte i h cr&tie. Cefkmoi^ cUft nniy 

iiffurement^ e^eft m9i. 

La Gravtob. Oui^ farhitUy c^eft toi^ tu n*as que 

fmire it railUr } bf, Jf tu veux, nous gagerons^ & 

^verrons pti a rat fin its deux. 

Mo L I E R z . Et que 'veux-iu gager encore ? 

L A G R ARC E . Je gage cent piftoles pie c*eft tot. , 

MoLifiRB. ^/ ^noiy cent pifioles que c'efi tot. 

La Grange. Cent piftohs comptant, \ 

Mo LI ERE. Comptant. ^atre-'vingt-dix ptftolio ! 

fur Amyntas^ fcf dtx pifioles comptant. 
La Grange. Jele'veux. 
MoLiERB. £ela eft fait, 
I^a Grange; Ton argent court grand rifque* 
Mo LIBRE. Le tien eft bien a'Oaitfui'L | 

L a G R AN g B . J qui nous en rofporter f 
Mo LIBRE I, Brecourt.] Foici tm bomtrn qni nous 

jugera, Cht'valier^ 1 

B^BCOI^RT. ^oiP 

Mo LI ERE. Bon. Voifarauhv qiii pre&d le ton de 
marquis. Youb ai-je pegdit que vcm$ bices un role^ oa 
Ton doit parler natureiRnient \ 

BRECotfRT. Ildlvfai. 

Mo LIBRE. AUons done . Chevalier. 

BRBtOuRY. ^iP 

MoLiERB. Juge-mus un pen fur une gageure qui 
nous avonsfaitt, 

Brecourt. Et quelle P 

Mo LIBRE. Nous difputtfns qui eft le marquis de la 
critique de Moliere i ilgage que c'eft moi, GT mot, js 
gage que c*efi lui. 

Brecourt. Etmoi, jtjuge que ce n'^eft ni Pun ni 
t autre, Vous Ptesfoits tons deuxy de couloir n)ous ap- 
pliquer ces fortes de chofes^ ST «voila de quoifouis /*tfj/- 
tre jour fe plaindre Moliere, parlant a des perfonnes 
qui le chargeoient de skime chofe que "veus. II difittque 

rien 



J& ImPKOUPTV of Vfill&A!LLE9» 367 

dcteftttWo, Cream -Tart. 'f/V /, 'tis /, certainly 

'tis I. 

LaTGkanoe. 3^<r/, i*gadj ^tisyou, youha'vtnoniid 
foraify; and if you 'will yweUUay a Wager ^ afid fu 
nuhich of us is in the right. 

MoLiERB. And 'what nvill you lay f 

L A Gr h.^G%» Tillman hundred Fiftoles that Uisyou, 

Mo LI ERE. ^nd I, an hundred Pifioles that 'tis you. 

La Grange. J hundred (i^o/es ^o^vn. 

MoLiERB. Donvn. Ninety Pi/oks upon Amyntae, 
and ten Piftoles dvi»n. 

La Grange. I <wilL 

MoLiBRE. 'lis done. 

La Gr A NGE . Your Money runs a great Rifijue* 

M o L I E R E . Tour's is well toentur'd. 

La Grange. Who/hallwebejudg'dhy? 

Mo LI ERE /tfBrecourt.] HS-e's a Matt tht^ JhaH 
jw^e us, Cl^valier. 

Brecourt. What?" 

Mo LI ERE. 80, there's t'other takes the Tone of a 
Marqois. Did not I teil you that you play'd a Part 
wherein you ihbiikl fpeak naturally. 

Brecourt. True. 

MoLiERE. Come then. Chetialier f 

Brecourt. WhatF 

MoLiERB. Judge bet*ween us a little ^ on a Wager 
moe have laid. • 

Breco u R T. And fwhat is itf% 

Mo LI e R E. We difpate tjoho is the Morris of Mo- 
liere'/ Criticifm ; he lays 'tis mi, and I lay ^tis him. 

Brecourt. And I judge that ^tis neither one nor 
the other ; you are both Fools to apply fuch things to 
your fehes i and this is what I heard Molicre com* 
plain of t'other Day, fpeaking to Ferfons who chared 
bim with the fame thing that you de. Be faid that no^ 
0,4 thing 



368 L'Impromftu dx Versailles. 

riem ne lui donnoit du deplaifiry comme d*etre Mccufe dt 
regarder quelqu*un dans les portraits qiCil fait ; aue fen , 
deffein efi de peindre les meturs fans vouloir tnuoeraux 
perfonnes^ £5* que tons les perfonnages qu^il refrefente 
font des per fonnages en Pair ^ ^ des pbantomes proprc' 
menty qiitl habille a fa fantaifie pour r^ouir lesfpec- 
tateUrs ; qtiil feroit hi en fdcbe^y a^voir jamais mat' 
que qui que ce foit^ l^ que ft quelque cbofe etoit capable 
de le degouter de faire 'des comedies^ c* etoit les reffm- 
blances qu^on y vouloit toujour s trowver^ ^ dontfes en* 
uemis tdchoient malicieufement d'afpuyer la fenfte^ 
pTur lui *rendre de mawvais offices aupres de certaines 
perfonnesy a qui il n^a jamais penfe. En effet^ je troupe 
qui I a raifon : car pourquoi vouloir, je vous -priey ap- 
pliquer tous fes geftes (^ toutes fes parolesy &f cber- 
cber a lui faite des affaires en difant hautement, il 
joueun'tel^ lorfque ce ^nt des cbofes qui pewvent con- 
fuenir a cent perfonnes ? Comme Paffalt^e de la come- 
die eft de reprefenter en general tous les defauts des 
bommesy &f principalement des hommes dt notre fiecle, 
il eft impoffthle a Moliere de faire aucun caraSere qui 
ne rencontre quelqtCun dans le monde ; {«f , /'/7 faut 
qtion Paccufe davoir fonge toutes les perfonnes ou Pon 
peut trouver les defauts qu^il peint, il faut fans doute 
qu^il nefaffe plus de comedies, 

Moliere. Ma foiy Cbe*ualier^ tu *veux juftifer 
Moliere y ^ epargner notre ami que «uoilfi. 

La Grange. %iint dutout, Ceft toi quUlepargnei 
fcf nous trowuerons ePautres juges, 

Moliere. Soit. Mais di-moiy Cbe*ualiery crois' 
tu pas que ton Moliere eft ipuife maintenant, ist qu^il ne 
trowuera plus de matiere pour ... 

Brecourt. Plus de matiere? fllr, mon fauvre 
Marquisy nous lui en fournirons toujours affezy £sf nous 
tie prenons gueres le cbemin de nous rendre fages pour 
tout ce quUlfait, tsl tout ce quUl dit. 

M«- 



TTbe Impromptu of Versailles. gSg) 

thing diffleaii him fo much as being accused of ha'v 
ing an eye /« fime particular Per/on in the PiStures h$-r 
draws: ^hat his Defign is to faint the Manners ^^ 
nuithout touching the Per/on ; ,and that all the Charac^- 
ters he reprefents are airy CharaSers^ and properly \ 
Phantoms which he drejfes , according to his Fancy t9 ■ 
delight, the SpeSators : fhat he Jhould be *very firry 7 
if he had marked any Body in V«r ; ani that if any ' 
thing was capable of difgufting him againfi.fvuriting- 
Comedies t ^twas the Re femb lances •'which People luill' 
^ahuays fnd in Viw, and the Notion ixjhich his Enemies r 
malicioujly endea^vour to keep up^ to do him ill Offices^ 
ifjith fime People whom he never thought of. And in^- 
detd Ifind he's in the. right i for ijjhy pray fi>ou^d Pcq-*- 
pie apply all Ms Gefiures and all his Words ^ andendea^- 
'vour to br-ing him . into parrels by faying openfy. He '■ 
plays.fuch a oney <whett they are things which may ft «• 
hundred Per fins ? As the Bufinefs of Comedy is to re-- 
prefent in general all the ImperfeSions of Men ^ and' 
principally of the Men of our Age, it is impojfihle for- 
Moliere to write any CharaSer ivhich won^t hit fitne'^ 
body in the World \ and if he muft be accused of baiting 
ainCd at all the Perfins in 'whom the faults be defer ibes 
are to be found, he muft certainly make no more Ca^- 
medies, 

Moliere, Faith, Chefvalier, you hwvt a : mind^ tm * 
juftify Moliere, andjpare our Friend there. 

La Grange.. Not ht all', Uis you he fparef, ^afuL^' 
•we" II get other Judges, , 

Moliere. Be it fi. But tell me, Cheimlier, don't :^ 
you think thatyour Moliere is exhaufted.now, jindjhat: 
he* II find no more Matter for ■ ■ 

BaEcgyRT. More Matter? Ah! dear Marquts^., 
ive Jhall always fur nijh him luith enongh, and we don^t^ 
take the. way to grow wifir for all that. he Me s, ar^i 
all that he fays^ 



370 L'iMPltOMPTt; deVirsailles/ 

Mo LIE HE. Attendez. II faat marqaer davatAtage 
tout cet endroit. ficotitez-le moi dire on pen*. . . & 
f «*// ne trowvtrA plus de matiSre pour . . . P^ it md' 
tiiref MSy mofi pawun Marquis,, nous ki infinmi- 
f^ns toujours Affe%^ & nous nt frehonsguhis U chmin 
if nous rtndn fagts four tout a fu^il fait, (jT tout a 
fu^il dii. CroiS'tu fuUl ait Sfuifi dans fes comidiu 
tout U ridicuU des bommes, (^, fans fortir de la tout, 
n^a-f'il pas encore nfingt cataSlires do gens ou il n^a 
point touched N'a'fil pas, par exemple, ceuxpife 
fent les plus grandes amitiSs du tnomde, bt qui-, it At 
tourniy font galantetie di fe dichirer tun t autre f 
J^a't*ilpas ces adulateurs a mtrante, eesfateurs infi- 
pides qui iC ajfaifinnent d^aucun fel les huanges filils 
donnentf {^ dont toutes hsjlateries ont une douceur fade 
qui fait mal an caeur i ceux fui les koutent ? N^a-t'tl 
pas ces laches courtifans de lafaveuTy ces perfdes «6- 
r'ateurs de la fortune y qui n/ous encenfent dans la prof- 
petite, IS *vons accahlent dam la difgraee f I^a-fil 
pas ceux qui font toujoars micontens de la eottr, ces fuU 
nfans inutiles, ces incommodes ajjidus, ces gens, dis-je, 
qui, pour femjices, ne petpoent compter pee des importie- 
nites, &r qui veulent que ton let ricompenfe d'avoir ob- 
fide le prince dix ans durant f IVa-filpas ceux qui 
careffent egalement tout le monde^ qui premenent leuri 
ei^ilites a droit CfiT ^ gauche, & courent a tons ceux 
qu^ih iKtyent, avet les mimes emhraffades, iS les mimes 
f rot eflat ions d^amitief Monfiestr, *Dotre trh-humbU 
ferviteur* Menfieur, jefuis tout a 'votre fer^ice, fe- 
nex-moi des votres, mon cher. Faites itat de moi, 
Monfieur, comme du plus chaud de vos amis. Monfieuri 
Je fuis ra*ui de vous embrajfer. Ah ! Monfieur, je ne 
n/ous nxyois pas. Faifes-Moi la grace de n^empleyer, 
foye% perfuade que fe fuis entierement a *vous, Vous ites 
Phommt du monde que je revere le phs, Iln^y a per* 
fonne quefhonore a tigal de vous* Je mns conjure de 

U 



MoLiBRB. Stay. Tdti moftfnailcdl t&is Pa(!ltg6 
Hear me fpcak k a Ikde. - — » — And that heUt 
find m fii^e MatUr fot — ^ mon Matter ? Ah! dear 
Marptiiy twtjhmll akujays furnijh hiM njoith enough j 
anS^wedgn^t take the wof fo gro^ njoifir for all that 
he doe St and all that he fe^s*^ Do you think he has eve* 
haufied in his Comedies all the Ridicule of Mankind? 
And^ ivithout going from Court, has he not fill t*wen* 
ty Chara^ers of People he has not yet touch' d upon ? 
Hks he not for example thofe who profefs the greatefi 
Fritndjhip in the World, and who, as Jhon as their 
Backs are titrffd, efieetn it a Piece of Galantry to putt 
tne another to pieces f H^ he nof thofe egregious Sy* 
cophdnts, thofe injipid Flotterets, ^ho don't feafoh 
with the leaft Salt the Praifes they hejlonv, ^nd all 
hjohofe Flatteries have A Fulfomnefs HXfhich makes thofe 
that hear Vw Jtck Ut He Art ? Has he not thofe hafe 
occafional Courtiers, thtfe perfidious Adorers of For- 
tune nvho prAife ydu in Projperlty and rkn you donun in 
Ad<verfii) f Hai it ndt thofe ^%o are airways difcon* 
tent noith the Court, thofe ufelefs Attendants, thofe 
trouble fotne Aj/idUdui Creatures, thofe People J fay nuho 
can onlj reckon their Importunities for ^erSices, and 
njuho expeS a Recompence for halving hefiegd the King 
fen Years running t Has he not thofe who equally ca* 
refs all the World, who hand round their Ci*vilitieS 
from right to Up, and run to all ih^ fee with the fame 
tmhraces, and the fame Proteftations of Friend/hip T 
Sir, your ifioft humble Servant ; Sir, Pm entirely at 
your Service, Reckon me amongft yours, my Dear» 
Efeerti me. Sir, As the warmeft of your Friends, Sir^ 
Pm o'verjofd to embrace you. Ah t Sir^ I did not fee 
you. Do me thefwvour to employ me, he perfuaded that 
J am entirely yours. Tou are the Man of all the 
World I efieem the moft \ there's no body I honour 
ejual to you I I (0fjnri you to ielieve it i / befeeeb 

you 



37Z L'Impromptit de Versailles. 

/e crcire, Je ^ous fup^lie de n'enfornt doiaer. Servt" 
Hur, Trh-bumble Valit, Va, va. Marquis, Moliere am- 
ra toujour s plus de' fujets qt^il n^en voudra, ^ tout ce 
qs^il a tout he jufqt^ici sCefi ritn que bagatelle ^ - ass 
prix de ce qui refie, V<^a a pea pres comme cda 
doit £tre joue. 

Brecous^t. Ceftaflez. 

Moliere. Poarfaivez. 

Brecourt. Void C limine i &^ Elife. 

Moliere a mefdemoifelUi du Parc^ (^ Maliere,"] 
La-deiTus, vous arriyerez toutes deux, [a mademoi/elle 
du Pare,'] Prenez bien garde, vous, a voiis dehancher, 
comme il faut, & a faire bien des &9ons. Cela vous 
contraindra un peu ; mais qu^ feire ? II &ut.par fbis 
fe faire violence. 

Mademoifelle Moliere. Certes, Madame, je vous 
at reconnue de loin, ^ fai bien *vu a votre air que ce 
ne poumoit itre une autre que *vous, 

Mademoifelle Dtx Parc. Fous vtyez, ye *oiens 
attendre ici la/ortie d*un bomme a<vec qui fai une af- 
faire a dimeler, 

Mademoifelle Mo l i e r e . Et moi de mem^. 

Mo Lie RE. Me/dames, <voila des coffres qui ifousfer- 
nfironi defauteuils, 

Mademoifelle Du Parc. Allans, Madame, prenex 
place, s'^il'vous platt, 

Mademoifelle Moliere. Jpres vous, Madame. 

Moliere. Bon. Apres ces petites ceremonies ma- 
ettesy chacun pfendra place, & parlera ailis, hors les 
marquis qui tantot fe leveront, & tantot s'afTeoiront 
fuivant leur inquietude naturelle. Parbleu, Chevalier^ 
tu devrois faire prendre medecine a tes canons. 

Brecourt. Comment? 
Moliere. lis fe portent fort mal, 
Brecourt. Serviteur a la turlupinade. 

Mademoifelk 



/f \ 



^e Impromptu ^/Versailles. 375, 

you not to doubt on^t ; your Servant, m^fl humble 
Slave. Go, go. Marquis, Moliere tuill always ba<v^ 
more SubjeSls than he defires, and all that he ha\ 
touched upon hitherto is but a Trifle in comparifon 
of what remains. There's pretty nigh as this fhould be 
play'd. • 

Brecourt. Enough. 
Moliere. Goon. ^ 

Brecourt. -Hfr^/ Oimena tf«^ Eliza., 
Moliere to Mrs. Du P^rc and Mrs. Moliere. J 
Upon which you two are to come. [To Mrs. Du Pare] 
Do you take care to make Grimaces as you ought, and 
to be very ceremonious. This will be a little Conftraint 
upon you, but what can be done ? we mull fometimes 
put a Violence on ourfelves. 

Mrs. Moliere. Certainly, Madam, Ikne^wyoua 
great nvay off, and faiAj plainly by your Air that it could 
be no body but you. 

Mrs. DuParc. lam come to nuait here, d^ye fee, 
till a Man comes out nuith luhom I have fome Bujtnefs. 

Mrs. Moliere. Andfoamh 

Mo LIE R E. Ladies,^ thefe Trunks vjill ferve you for 
Elbovj-Chairs. * 

Mrs. Du Parc. Come, Madam, pray take youn 
Place. 

Mrs. Moliere. After you. Madam, 

Moliere. Good. After thefe little dumb Ceremon 
nies, let evefy one take their Place and fpeak fitting, 
except the MarquifTes^ who muft fometimes get up and 
fometimes fit down, according to their natural Reft- 
lefhefs. *S death. Chevalier, you ought to. give your 
Howlers Fhyfick. 

BREqouRT. Hovj?- 

Moliere. They are very bad. 

Bre c u RT • Tour Funfter's Servant. 

. ' " Mrs. 



374 VlmPKomwTv di YEHsiflui; 

' MadeittoifeOtfMiiLfBiif. MonDieuf Mdiiaihiyfiti 
)e nm% fr^tn^e U tttM Jtme hkenchtkr ^lomjfanU^ H 
Us livrti £un tfdiiHir dt fim jfuffrinoftt ! 

Mttdemmfdie hv ?AiLt, Ml ^jntts-^om-^ 
Madame? Ne urn tugdfti^t fvintt jt fins du dernier 
laid aujourd^hui, • 

Mademoifelle Molibre. ^, Mgdami, levezun 
peu *v9tre coeffe. 

Mademoiiette Dv Parc. Fi. yefuis ^^ttfontahky 
^otts dis'je, btje l^fetuftwr m rnoi-mMe, 

MddenioitidfeMobfBitB. Vtms (tts fi teUe. 

MadenMiftne Dv PAitc. F^Otiy point, 

MadeiBofielleMoLmiB. Motttrex^mus, 

Maxtoioiifelk Dv t^Aite. Jhf Ft d&nc, je ims prii> 

Mademoifelle M o l i E4l e . De grace, 

fcfadetttojfellc Du Parc. MmDreuf Nelff. 

MadehioffdkMoLiBitB. 6i/aif. 

Mademoifelle Du Parc. f^ous me defijpirez, 

Mademoiiblte Mo l i e r e . Un moment. 

Mademoiselle Du Parc. Hat, 

Mademoifelle M o l i £ r e . Rifilument *vous vous mn- 
trerex. On ne pent point fi puffer de *oous voir, 

MademoifeHe Dv Parc. Mon Dieuf ^ tfom 
ites ttne Strange perjonne I Vous *uoulex furieufitAent ct 
'fme 'OOtfS *Uot^e^. 

Mademoifelle Mo lie re. Ml Madame ^ njou: n^a- 
vex aucun defitvantage aparoitre au grand jour ^ je 
tfousjure, Lts tnechantes gens, qui ajfuroient que vous 
mettiex qut/qae chofi J Fraiment, je les demenVird 
bien maintenant, 

Mademoifelle Du Parc. USIas! Je ne fiats fas 
finkrnent ci qi^on apptUe tnettre quelle chofi. t/Lah 
ou 'vont ces Dames P 

Mademoifelle De Brie. Vous *vou!ex bien, Mef- 
dames, que nous vous donnions en pajfant la plus agre* 
uble nouvelle du monde. Voila inonfieur tyfidas qui 

vient 



W^ iupvioupf is of Versailles. 375 

Kins. MOLiELB. Larif Madam^ I think your Com' 
flexion is of a daxling Whitenefs^ and your Lips of a 
fkffrifing Ftame-colouK 

\fw. PtJ ?A«.c. Ab! What do you fay^ Madam t 
Don^t look at me^ Tm extremely ugly, to-day. 

Mrs. MoLiBRB. Pr«jf, Madam, lift up your Hood 
A little, 

Mrs. Du Parc; Fie! I am frightful! tell you, and 
ptite frighten myfelf 

Mrs. Mo L I E R E . Tou arefo handfom f 

Mrs. Du Parc. Ho, no. 

Mfs. MOLIERE. Shewyourfelf 

Viti. Du Parc. Oh! pray don't. 

Mrs. MotiERE. Pray no^. ^ 

Mrs. Du Parc. Lard! no. 

Mrs. Moi>i£R£. Tes, do. 

Mrs. Du Parc. Ton make me mfid. 

Mrs. M o L I E RE . One Moment. 

Mrs. Du Parc. Ah! 

Mrs. MoLiERB. Pojiti'vely you Jhalljhena your Jklf^ 
ive can^t bear not to fee you. 

Mrs. Du Parc, Lard! What a ftrange Perfon 
you are ! you are furioujly fet upon ^what you have a 
mind to. 

Mrs. Mo Li E RE . Ah! Madafn, I^ II f^weaf you have 
no Difadvantage in appearing in full Light. Whaf 
luicked People are thofe nvho ajfirm that you lay on fonu" 
thing ! Tfruly, I Jballitvw be able to difprove *^/». 

Mrs. Du Parc. Alas ! Idon'tfo much as kno«w twhat 
they call laying on fomeihing. But cohere are theft 
Ladies going P 

Mrs. De Brie. Give us leave ^ Ladies, to tell you^ 
en paflant, the mofi agreeable Nevjs in the World, 
fbere^s Mr. Lylidas com tQ tell us that there's a 

Play 



37^ L'Impromptu de Versaillisi, 

nfi€Ut.di nout u^ertir pCan a fait une piece centre, Mf- 
Here, que lis grands cwneiietis niontjouer, 

MoLiERB. n eft n/rai, on me la <oquIu lire, Cejt 
mn nomme Br, , . Brou,. . . Breuffaut quiPafaiie. 

Du Croisy. Monfisur, elle eft afficbee fous le nm 
de.Bour/anty muisy afuout dire U fecret, bien des gens 
9nt mis la main a 'cet owurage, £ff ton en doit cenct- 
*voir une ajje% baute attente, Cemme tms lo auteurs 
l^'tous.les comediens regardent Moliere comme leurplus 
grand ennemiy nous nous fitmmes tons unis pour le defer- 
wr, Cbacun de nous a donne un coup de pinceau a fin 
portrait ; mais nous nous fommes bien gt^rdis d*y mettre 
nos noms, il lui auroit ete trop, glorieu^ic de fuccomhr, 
aux yeux du monde, fttus les efforts de tout le parnajfe ; 
fs*, pour reftire fa defaite plus ignominieufe, nous awns 
Hioulu cboifir tout expres unauteur fans reputation, 

Mademoifelle Du Parc. Pour moi, je *vous avoue 
que fen ai toutes les joies imaginahles, 

Moliere-. Et moi aufft^ Far la fang^hleuy le rail- 
leur /era raille \ il aura fur les doigts^ mafoi, 

Madexnoifdle Du Parc. Cela lui apprendra a vou- 
loir fatififer tout. Comment? Cet impertinent ne njeut 
pas que lesfemmes ayent de Pefprit P II condamne toutes 
nos exprcjpons Memees, £s^ pretend que nous par lions tou- 
jour s terre a terre ?' 

IvLidemoifelle Db|Br.ie. Le langage n^eft rien ; mais 
il ccfifure tous nos attacbemens, quelqufs innocens quails 
pu:[fcnt etrCy fef , de la fagon qu^il en parle, c'eft etre 
cri mine lie que d^anjoir du.nierjte,, 

Madomoifelle Du Croisy. Cela eft infupportahle. 
11 n\y a jus une femme qui puiffe plus rien fair e, ^e 
n'i Ici'jTe-ill en repos nos maris , fans leur owvrir Ifs 
ycux, ij: It ur fair e prendre garde a des cbofes, dont ils 
ne s'auifnt pas^ , 

Made- 



^e Impromptu of Versailles. 377 

P/ay made again fi Moliere, luhich the grand Comedians 
are going to play. 

MoLiERE. "TVi true^ they would bante read it /• 
me^ and '*tis one calPd Br—- Brou— • Broufiaut that 
made it, 

Du Crois Y. Sir J ^tis poftedup under the Name of 
Bouriault ; but to tell you the Secret y a great many Peo- 
ple have fet their Hand to this Work^ and a pretty 
high Expectation ought to be concei*v*d of it. As all 
the Authors and all the Comedians look on Moliere a$ 
their greateft Enemy ^ lue are all united to do him a 
Dijfernjice ; e*very one of us has given a Stroke of the 
Pencil to his Picture y but ive take care not to put our 
Names to it: Jt^would have been too glorious for him 
to fink in the Eyes of the Worldy under the Efforts of 
all FarnafTus ; and to render^ his Defeat more ignomi- 
nious y 'we have chofe an Author voithout Reputation on 
purpofe. \ 

Mrs. Du Parc. For my party I own t'*ye^ that I 
have all the Joy at it imaginable, 

Moliere. And I too, Pgad the Jefter Jhall he 
jefied on, he Jhall be under the Cla^w P faiths ' 

Mrs. Du Parc. That will teach htm to fatirix^ 
every body. What ? would not the impertinent Wretch 
let Women have Wii? does he condemn all our elevat- 
ed Expreffionsy and pretend that wejhould always talk 
in a groveling manner? . 

Mr«. Db Brie. Language is nothing \ but he een- 
fur'es all our Attachments, however innocent they may 
bey and according to his *way of talking *tis being Cri- 
minal to have Merit, 

Mrs. Du Crois y. That*s infupportable ; there* s no 
Woman can do any thing for the future. Why don^t 
be leave our Husbands in quiet y voithout opening their 
Eyesy and making Um take notice of things they never 
thought of? 

Mra 



/ 



378 L7MPR0MFYU DE VarSAILLW- 

MademmfeHe Beja&t. Paffe four tout cela; mats 
il fatirtfa mime ies femmes de iien, (^ ce micbant 
flatfant leur donne le titri d*b6nnetes diabitffes. 

MademdieileMoLiBitB. Ceft nn impertimnt. II 
faut qu^ii in ait tout le faouL 

Du Croist. La reprefentation de cefte comidie^ 
Madame, aura befoin> d* eh^iapf/t^h, & Jes comediens de 
Tb6tel... 

Mademoifdle Du Parc. JMkn dieu 1 ^ils n^afpre^ 
hen dent rien, ye leur garantis lefucch de Uur piece ^ 
torps pour eorps^ 

Mademoifelle Mo lie re. Vous aiue% raifin. Ma* 
dame. Trop de gens font intireffes a la trowoer belle. 
Je vnrj laiffe a penfer fi tons ceux fmfe croyeut fati" 
rifkpeir Moliere, neprendrout pas Poccafion dtfe natt*^ 
ger de lui en applaudiffant i eette eomedie, 

Br E c o V R T ironiquement.] Sans doute ; li pour mH 
je reponds de douKe marquis , de fix precieufesy de nsingt 
eoqueifesi & de trinte coats, qui ne manqueront pas d*j 
tattre des mains, 

Mfljdemoifelle MoLiERB. En effet. Pourqun aller 
offenfer toutes ces perfonnes'la, W particulierement let 
cocus, qui font Ies meilleures gens du monde ? 

MoLiERB. Par la fang'-bleu, on nCa die qu^on va 
le dauber, lui, (^ toutes fes tomidies, de la belle mar 
niere, tf que Ies cemidiens & ks 4tuteurs, depuis le 
cedre jufqu^a Phyjfope, font diabkmient akimis centre 
lui. . 

MademoirelieMoLiERB. Cela hi fUd fort bien^^ 
PourquH faii'il de mUhantes pieces que tout Paris va 
voir, CsT ou il peint fi bien Ies gens, que cbacun s*y 
cennoltt ^e ne faitM des eombdies comme celles de 
monfieur Lyfidasf II n'auroit perfonue contre lui, (f 
tons Ies auteurs en diroient du bien, II eft vrai que 
de fmblables comidiee n^on$ pas ce grated [ceneours de 
monde ', mats, en revanche, ellet font tekfifefe boon 

icritts, 






Sfe IUPK^^PTV4>f Vft^ltS A i LLE5. J 79 

Mr». Bbjart. mi that is ndtivortb mhiding^ but 
he en/en fiityrixts virtuous Women^ and this ivicked 
Buffoon gi^ffi ^em the Title of wrttwis She-Deviis. 

Mrs. Mo LIB RE. *fis an impertinent Mortal, h$ 
ought to ha*ve his Pennyworth of it, 

t>v Groisy. The Refrefentntion of this Comedy , 
Madam^ njoiH hanje need of being /imported, and the 
Comedians of the Hotel 

f>s. Du Rauc. Lard, let ''em he under no Apfre^ 
ienfion j /// venture my Life on the Succefs of their 
Piece, 

Mrs. MoLiERB. ton are in the right, Madam^ too 
many People are concerned to think it good, P II leave 
yoH to imagine if all thofi who thtnJk themfehoes fa-- 
tyriiCd by Mxriicrc wwfV take the Opportunity to he re* 
*veng^d on him by applauding this Comedy, 

Brecourt ironically .} Certainly, and for my part 
1 can anfwer-for twelve Marquijfes, fix romantick 
Ladies, twenty Coquettes, and thirty Cuckolds who 
^on't' fail to clap it, 

Mrs. Mo L I E R E . Indeed, Whyjhould he go to offend 
all thofe Perfons, and particularly Cuckolds who art 
ihi heft People in the World. 

MoLiERE. By the Stars Pm told that thefll 
fay off both him and all his Comedies, in a handjome 
inanner, and that all the Comedians and Authors^ 
from the Cedar to the Hyffop, are de<uili/Bly animal 
ed againft him. 

Mrs. MoLiERE, // will fit him but right. Why 
does ht ^rite odious Pieces which all Fms go to fee, 
and wherein he defer ibes People fo well that en)ery bo- 
dy knows themfehoes in "em ? Why donU he make Come^ 
dies like thofe of Mr, Lyfidas ? he woald ha<ue no ho^ 
againft him, and all the Authors ^would fyeeik well 
ef it. *Tfe true that fuch Plafs have nH that great 
Concourfc of Feofk % iut In rmrn ihtf are always 

Will 



3S0 L'iMPROMrTtr DB VeRSAILLBS; 

icritis^ pirfinm n^icrit contre tlles^ {ff tmu catx qni 
Its njtyint^ Mittrent d*efruie di Us tnuwtr Belles. 

DvCaoiSY. II eji vrai qui fai Pavautage d§ ne 
wu point /aire d*emnemis, &* fue tws mijottvrages Mt 
tafprobation desfianfans, 

Mademoiielle Molib.re. Veus faites hien d'etre 
€§mtent de 'uous. Cela vaut mieux que tous les afflau- 
diffemens dm public , i^ que tout t argent qi^on fgauroit 
gagner aux pieces de Meliere. ^e *vous import e quUl 
^ienue du monde a vos comidies, pourvu qi^elles foient 
approuwees par meffieurs *oos cenfreres f 

Lt^ Grangb. Mais quand joueru't-on le portrait du 
peintre f 

Du Crois Y, Je ne/^ais ; mats je me prepan firt 
a paroUre des premiers fur les rangs pour crier, Voili 
qui eft beau. 

,Mo LI B R E. Et moi de meme^ par bleu* 

La Grange. Et moi aujfi, Dieu me fawve. 

Mad^moifdle Dv Parc. Pour moi, fj payerai de 
ma perfonney comme il faut ; l^ je reponds d*ufu bror 
n/oure d^ approbation^ qui mettra en diroute tons lesjuge^ 
mens ennemis* C*eft bien la moindre chofe que nous de- 
'vionsfaire, que d^epauler de nos huanges le njengeur di 
nos interns, 

Mademoifelle Mo l r s r b . Oeft fart bien dit. 

Mademolfelle Ds Brib. Et ce quHlnout faut fain 
Soutes^ 

Mademoirelle B b ; a r t . Ajfurement. 

Mademoifelle Etu Crotsy. ^a« A i/(Mf/^. 
' Mademoifelle Hbrvb. Foint de quartier a r# contre- 
faifeur de gent. 

Mo LI ERE. Mafoif Chevalier mon ami ^ ilfaudra^ 
qui ton Molierefe cache J 

Brbcourt. ^iUp Lui? Je te pnmets. Marquis, 
qsCil fait deffein trailer fur le theatric rire avec tons 
Us autres^ du portrait qsC^on a fait dr lui. 

Ma- 



ni Impromptu of Versailles. 381 

KV^JI ivrUten, no body writes againft V«, and all tbofi 
that fee V«r are extreamly defirous to think V«r good. 

Du Croisy. 'TifV true I ba^ve the Ad*vantage of 
not making my f elf Enemies^ and of having all wf Works 
-Mfprov^d of by the Learned. 

Mrs. MoLiERB. Tou do tvell to be fatisffd tvitb, 
your f elf That'*s worth more than all the Applaufes of 
the Public ky and than all the Mmy nvbich may be got 
by MoliereV Pieces, What matter is it to you whether 
People come to your PUe^Sy provided they are approved 
etf by the Gentlemen your Brethren » 
• JjA Grange. But when do they play the Painter^s 
Pidare ? 

Du Croisy. Idon^t kttow but Ijhall be in the ut" 
tnofl readinefs to appear in the frft Row, to cfx out, 
O bow fine t 

MoLiERE. Andltooy ^g^- 

La Grange. And llikewife, as I hope to befav^d. 

Mrs, Du Parc. Tor my part, I*ll fhew my felf a 
Woman there as I ought, and anfwer for a Bravery 
ef Approbation, v)hicb fl>all rout .all the adverfe 
Judges ; */« really the leaft thing vje ought to do, to 
fupport with our Praifes the Revenger tf our Inte- 
refts. 

Mrs. MoLiERB. ""Tis wellfaid. 

liiirs. "Dz Brib. And what we all mufi do. 

Mrs. B B J A R T • Certainly, 

Mrs. Du Croisy. Without doubt. 

Mrs. Hbrvey. No quarter to this Mimicker of 
People. 

Mo L I B R B . P faith. Friend Chevalier, your Moliere 
mufi hide himfelf 

Brbcourt. Who, he? 1 ^bm^fe you Marquis hi 
intends to go upon the Stage to laugh with all the others 
Mt the Pi&ure they tav4 drawn of him. 

Mo. 



' 382 L'Impromftu db Versailles. 

MoLiBRE. FarhUu^ ce fera done du hut des d$nfi 
qi^il y rira. 

Brecovrt. Vay vay peut-itre qi^ily trmmeraplus 
di filets de rire qui tu ne penfis. On nia muntre la 
piictf isf camme tout ce qu*il ya d*agreable, /ant effic* 
tivtment Us idles qui ont eti prifis de MolUrey lajoie 
qui cela pourra donner iCaura pas lieu de bti deplaire^ 
fans dontOy car^ pour Pendroit ou on iefforce de le notr* 
cir^ jejuis lephs trompe du mondey fi cela eft afprowvi 
deperfonnet & quant a tons les gens quails ont tachi 
d*animer contre lui^ Jar ce qitil fatty dit-oUy des por-' 
traits trop reffemhlansy outre que cela efi d^fort mau- 
vaife grace y je ne vois rien de plus ridicule CjT de plus 
enhl pru ; l^ je t^ wools pas cm }ufqt^ici que ce fut un 
fujet de hldme pour un eomedieUy que de pelndre trop 
Hen les hommes. 

La Grange. Les tomldiens nfont dit^ils Patten* 
doient fur la rSponfe^ f^ que . . . 

Brecovrt. Sur la riponfef Mafoiy je le troupe- 
rm un grand foUy sUlfe mettoit en peine de repondre a 
ieurs inveffi<oes. Tout le monde f^ait ^ez. de quel 
^notif eUes pevoent partir ; fs^ la sneiJleure repon/e qu*i/ 
leurpuiffe fdire^ c^efi wie comSdie^ qui reiiffife cjomme 
toutes les autres, Voila le ^vrai moyen de fe avenger 
d*euxy comme ilfaut ; £sf , de Phumeur dont je les con^ 
noisy je fuisfort affure qu^une price nowvelle qui leur 
enlevera le monde , les fdchera hien plus que toutes les 
fatires qu^on pourroit faire de Ieurs perfinnet. 

Mo L I E R B . Maisy ChenfuHer . . • 

MademoifeHe Bejart. SoufFrez que pkiterroin^ 
jjour un pcu 1^ Tcpctitibn. \a MoHere.l Voolez-^vous 
que je vous die ? Si j'avois ete en votre place, j'aurois 
poufie les chofes autrement. Tout le monde attend 
de vous une repolife vigou/eufe, &» apr^s la maniere 
dont on m'a dit quje vous e^ tr^te dans cet^e come- 
die, vous ^txeas en djpok de toot dlK cohtrcles com^- 
dien?, k vous deviez n^en epargner aucun. 



TJ^ Impromptu of yE^isAii'LES. jSj 

M o L u R E . Tg^^ *t^MiU h on tbi ^wrQUgfidi of bis 
t^e that he'll laugh then, 

BREcawRT. Come 9 comi» perhaps he'll find mor4 
taufe to laugh than j^ \think of, I 'was Jhe^d the 
Fiece, and as efvery thing thafs agreeable in it are 
aSluaJly the Thoughts that were taken from Moli^e, 
the Joy twhich that may guve nmll douhtlefs hai^e no 
Rea/on to difpleafe him : For as to the Fart iphere thy 
sndea*vour to blacker him, I am the mofi deceUv'd iw 
the World if ''tis apprwPd hy any body, 4nd as to alf 
the People njohom they have fir owe to animate againfi 
him^ hecaufe he makes^ they fay,' Portraits too like^ 
hefides that it has^n ill look, rne<ver faw any t hi fig 
more ridiculous^ or wcrfe taken^ ^nd I nenjer yet , 
thought that a Comedian ought to blamed for defer ibing 
Men too nueU, 

La Grange. The Comediasu told mt they txpeQtd 
4m Anfwr from him^ and tha t - 

Brecourt. An Anfwer^ faith I fi?ould tbini him 
M great Fool if he took the Pains to anfwer their J&r- 
*ve3i<ves. All the World fvjficiently k^vws from what 
Moti^ue they proceed, and the hefi anfiwer he c^ make 
^em is a Comedy that may fucceed lih^/l his others^ 
Thai's the true way of being revenged on ''em as he 
ought ; and of the Humour I know ''em to he, I ^n^ 
mjell eiffur'd that a new Piece, which may take awe^ 
People from theirs, would vex ''em more than all the 
Satyrs that can be made on their Per fins* 

Mo LI ere. But, Chevalie r \ ■ ■ i ■ 

Mrs. Be J ART. Let me interrupt the Re]^ar&l a 
little. \to Moliere.] Give me leave to tell yoa, if I 
jbad been in yoar place I'd have (;arry ^ things qthcr^ 
wiiie. All the World expe^ a vigorpus Anfwer frooji 
yotty and after the manner, they te]^ xn^» that ypa 
a^ tre9te4 in (^is Con^edy, you oiighj; ii^ joftice to %^ 
ei^iy Aipg ^SU&ft Ibe ComsdisM^ 
of 'em. Mo- 



j84 L'Impromptu d£ Vkrsaillks. 

MoLiERB. J'enrage de vous ouir parler de la forte, 
ic voila voire manie i vous autres femmes. ^ Vous vou- 
driez qae je priiTe feu d*abord coiitre eux, & qu'a lear 
exemple j^allafTe eclater promtement en invedives & en 
injures. Le bel honnear qae j'en poorrois titer, & le 
grand depit que je leur ferois ! Ne fe font-ils pas pre- 
pares de bonne volcmte a ces fortes de choies, &, lorf- 
quails ont dehbere s'ils joueroient le portrait du pein- 
tre fur la crainte d^une rifpofte, qudques-uns d^eotre 
eox n^ont ils pas. repondu ? Qu^il nous rende toutes les 
injures qu*il voadra, pourvu que nous gagnions de Tar- 
gent. N^-ce pas Ik la marque d^une ame fort fenii- 
Ue a la honte, Sc ne me vengerois-je pas bien d'eux, 
en leur donnant ce quails veulent bien recevoir ? 

Mademoifelle De Brie. lis fe font fort plaint toute- 
fbis de trois ou quatre mots que vous avez dit d^eux 
dans la critique, & dans vos precieufes. 

Mo LIE RE. 11 eft vrai, ces trois ou quatre mots font 
foTt ofienfans, Se ils ont grande raifon de les citer. Al- 
lez, allez, ce n*eil pas cel^. Le plus grand mal que 
je leor aie fait, c'eft que j'ai eu le bonheur de plaire 
tin peu plus ^^ils n'auroient voulu, & tout leur pro- 
. cede, depuis ^le nous fommes venus a Paris, a trop 
marque ce qui les touche ; mais laiiTons-les faire tant 
qu'ils voudront, toutes leurs entreprifes ne doivent point 
m*inquieter. lis critiquent mes pjeces, tant 'mieux ; 
& Dieu me garde d^en faire jamais qui leur plaife. Ce 
ieroit une mauvaife afl^re pour moi. 

Mademoifelle De Brie. 11 n*y apas grand plaiiir 
Jpourtant a voir dechirer fes ouvrages. 

MoLiiBRE. Et qu'efl ce que celame^t? ^'ai-je 
pas obtenu de ma comedie tout ce que j^en voulois ob- 
tenir, puifqu'elle a eu le bonheur d*agreer aux augufles 
perfonnes, a qui particulierement je m*efibrce de plaire ? 
N'ahrje pas lieu d'etre (atis&it de &, deilinee, & toutes 
kurs cenfores viennent-elles pas trop tard ? £ft-ce jnoi^ 



5Rv Impromptit^ Versailles. 385 

Mo LI ERE. I'm provok'd to hear you talk in this 
manner, and this is ihe Madnefs peculiar to you Wo- 
men ; you would have me take Fire at once againft 'em, 
and after their Example go and break out immediate- 
ly into InvcQives and Abufes. A great deal of Ho- 
nour I fliodd get by it^ and a great deal of Vexation 
I fhottld give *em ! Are not they readily preparM for 
fbch fort of things, mid when they were deliberating 
if they flioald play the Painter* s PiSure for fear of an 
Anfwcr, did not fomc amongft 'em anfwer, let him 
aboie us as much as he will provided we can get Mo- 
ney ? Is not that the Mark of a Soul very fcnfible of 
Shame, and fliall riot I be well revengM of 'em by 
^ving*em what they are willing to receive. 

Mrs. De Bri E. Yet they vMAe great Complaints of 
dire? or four Words which you faid of 'cm in your 
Vriticifftty and Ramanfick Ladies. 

Mo LI ERE. *Tis true, thofe three or four Words are 
Tcry oftnfirc, and they have great reafon to quote 'em. 
Go, go, *tis not that s the greatefl harm I have done 
*em is, t^t I have had the good Fortune to pleafe a 
little more than they could have wlihM, and all their 
Proceeding fince we came to Paris^ has too well 
ihewn wlut touches *em ; but let 'em do what they 
]^ea(e, all their Undertakings ought not to difquiet 
me. Tbey criticift on my Pieces ! fo much the better, 
vid Heaven forbid I fhould ever write one to pleafe 
them, that would be a bad Bofin^s for me. 

Mrs. Ds Brie. There's no great Pleafure however 
\n feeing one's Works pull'd to Pieces. 

MoijBRE. And what fignifies it to me ; have I not 
bbtaihMby my Comedy all I could wifh to obtain by 
it ? Since it has had the Happinefs to pleafe the auguft 
Pcrfons whom I particularly ftrive to pleafe ? have not 
I caafe to be latisfyM with itsDefUny, and don't all 
ihiax Cenfures come too late ? Is it me, pray, that it 

Vol. III. R , . regards 



386 L*ImPROAIPTU D£ VERSAII.f.fiS. 

je voos prie, que cda regarde maintenaBt i & lorfqa^oa 
attaque une piece qui a ea da fucces, n*eft-ce pas atta- 
quer platot le jagement de ceax qui Pont approavee, 
qae Tart de celoi qui I'a faite ? 

Mademoi(elle Db Brib. Ma foi, j*aurois joue ce 
petit moafieor Tauteur; qui & mele d'ecrire contre des 
gens qui ne fongent pas a Ini. 

MoLiERB. Voos etesfoUe. Le bean fujet a diver- 
tir la coor que moofieor Bourlaut ! Je voiidrois Ixea 
f9avoir de quelle &9on on pourroit Tajuiler pour le len- 
dlre plaifant ; & fi« quand on le berneroit fur on thea- 
tre, il feroit afles heureux pour fidre rire le numde. 
Ce lui ieroit trbp" d'honneoTy que d^etre joue devant 
une augufte aflemblee, il ne demanderoit pas mieux, & 
il m'attaque de gayete de cceur, pour ie fidre connoi- 
tre, de quelque £19011 que ce foit. Ceft un homme qui 
n'*a rien i perdre, & les comcdlens ne me Tont de- 
chame, que pour nfengager a one (btte guerre^ & me 
detourner par cet artifice des autres ouvrages qae j*ai a 
fikire, & cependant vous £tes aflez fimples pour donner 
toutes dans ce panneau ? Mab enfin» j*en feral ma de. 
daration publiquement. Je ne pretends Mre aucune 
reponfe a toutes leurs critiques, 8c leurs contre-criti- 
ques. Quells difent tous les maux du monde de mes 
pieces ; j*en Aiis d*accord. Qu*ils s'en faiiifient apres 
nous, quails les retoument comme on habit poor les 
mettre fur leur theatre, & tachent a profiter de qnelqoe 
agrement qu*on y trouve, & d*un peu de Ixmheor que 
j*ai ; j'y confens, ils en ont be^n, & je ferai bien aife 
de contrlbuer a les fiiire fubfifter, pourvu qu'ils fe con- 
tentoit de ce que je puis leur accorder avec bienfeance. 
La courtoifie doit avoir des bomes^ & il y a des chofes 
qui ne font rire, ni les fpefiateurs, ni celui tiont on 
parle. Je leur abandonne de bon coeur mes oavrages, 
ma figure, mes ge^es, mes paroles, mon ton de Toix, 

& 



73&^ Impromptu <?/ Versailles. 387 

regards now ? And when they attack a Piece that has 
had Saccefs, is it not rather attacking the Judgment of 
thofe who approved it, than his Skill that wrote it. 

Mrs. De Brie. Tfaith I fhould havcplay'd ofFthat 
little Monfieur Author, who pretends to write againft 
thofe who don't trouble their Heads with him. 

Mo LIE RE. You're a Fool. What a fine Subjeft to 
divert the Court Mr. Bourfault had been ? I would &in 
know in what manner he might have been fitted out 
to make him entertaining ; and if, were he to be ridi- 
cul'd on the Stage, he would be happy enough to make 
People laugh. It would be too great an Honour to him 
to be play*d before an auguft Aflembly, he would defire 
nothing more, and he attacks me in gaiety of Heart, on 
purpoie to make himfelf known, be it in what manner it 
will. He's a Man that has nothing to lofe, and the Ceme- 
dians would not have fet him upon me, but to engage me 
in a foolifh Quarrel, and to take me off by that Artifice 
from the other Works I have to write, and yet are you 
fimple enough to fall all into this Snare ? But in fhort I']! 
make my Declaration upon this Point publick. I don't 
intend to make any Anfwer to all their Criticifms and 
Counter- Criticifms : Let 'em iay all the bad things in 
the World of my Pieces, I agree to it : Let 'em new 
make *em after us, turn 'em like a Suit of Clothes tQ 
bring 'em on their Stage, and endeavour to proHt by 
what Agreeablenefs they may find in them and by a 
little of my good Fortune ; I confent to it, they have 
need on't, and I fhould be very glad to contribute to 
their Subfifbuice, provided they be contented with 
what I can decently grant them. Courtefy ought to 
have Bounds, and there are things which make neither 
the Spe^tors, nor him of whort they are fpoken, 
laugh. I heartily abandon to 'em my Works, my Fr- 
jjure, my Gefturcs, my Words, my Tone of Voice, 

R 2 an^ 



& ma h^aa de reciter, pour en Eire, & dire tout ce- . 
qa'il lea*- pbira, s*ils en peavent drer qodque saruk^ 
tage. Je ne m^oppoTe point a tontes ces chofes, & je 
ferai ravi que cela pui^e rejouir le monde $ mais en 
leur abandonnant tout cela, ils me doivent faire la 
grace de me laiiTer le refte, & de ne point toucher a des 
matieres de la nature de celles» fur lefquelles on m^a 
di( quails m^attaquoient dans leurs comedies. C*eft de 
qooi je prierai civilement cet honnete monfieor qoi fe 
mele d*ecrire pour eux, & voalk toute la reponfe quells 
auront de moi. 

Mademoifdle Be j art. Maisenfin . . . 

M o LI E a B . Mais enfin, vous me &riez devenir £qu. 
Ne parlons point de cela davantage, nous nous amafoni 
a Eire des difcours, au lieu de repeter notre comedie. 
Ou en etions-nous ? Je ne m^cn fouviens plus. 

Mademoifelle De Brie. Vousenetiez arendrdt... 

Mo LI ERE. MonDieu! J'entends du bruit, c'eft le 
Roi qui arrive afiurement, & je vois bien que nous n'au- 
rcns pas le terns de pafTer outre, yoila ce que c'eit 
dc s'amufer. Oh bien, faites done, pour le refte, da 
mieux qu'il vous fera pofUble. 

Mademoifelle B ej art. Par nia fbi, la A-ayenr me 
prend, Sc je ne f9aurois aller jouer mon role, fi je ne le 
repcte tout entier. 

Mo LI ere. Comment ? Vous ne fpuiriez aller joocr 
votre role ? 

Mademoifelle Be J AR T. Non. 

Mademoifelle Du Parc. Nimoi, lemien». 

Mademoifelle De Brie. Ni moi non plus. 

Mademoifelle M o l i e r e . Ni moi. 

Mademoifelle He RVE. Nimoi. 

Mademoifelle Du Croisy. Ni moi. . 

MoLiERE. Que penfez-yotts done fiire ? VoosmO' 
quez-Yous toutes de moi ? 

SCENE 



SrjJe Impromptu ^Versailles. 389 

and my Manner of Reciting, to do and fay what they 
pleafe of *em» if they can draw any Advantage from 
'em. I don*t oppofe any of thefe tl&ings, and fhall be 
oveijoyM if this can pleafe the World; but when I 
giTe *em ap all this, they ought to do me the favour 
to leave me the reft, and not to touch on things^ of the 
nature of thofe upon which I am told they attack 
me in their Flays. This is what I maft civilly intreac 
of the honeft Gendemni who undertakes to write for 
^cm, and this is aU the Anfwer they fhall have from 
me. ^ 

Mrs. Bbj ART. Burin fhort— — 
MoLiBRB. But in fhort you*d make a Fool ofmeJ 
Let^s talk of this no more; weamufe ourfelves with 
talking, inftead of rehearfing our Play. Whereabouts 
were we? I can*t remember. 

Mrs. Db Bjlib. You were at the Fa&ge — p- 
MoLiERB. *SlifeI IhearaNoife, the King's cer-. 
tainly come, and I fee plainly we fhan't have time ta 
go through it. See what 'tis to fool one's time away. 
Well, you muft do as well as you can then for the 
reft. 

Mrs. Be J ART. By my Faith Tm feia'd with Fear, 
and can't play my part unlefs I rehearfe it alU 

MoLiBRB. How! yoo can't play your Part B 

Mrs. Be J ART. No. 
Mrs. Du pARC. Nor I mine. 
Mrs. Db Brie. Nor I neither. 
Mrs. Mo LI ERE. Nor I. 
Mrs. Hervey. Nor I. 
Mrs. Du Croisy. Nor I. 
MoLiERE. Whatdoyoa think to do then/ D# 
you all make a Jeft of me F 

R y SCEN& 



39P L^lm K0K9TU 0B ¥fiRfAIZ.I«BS» 



5 C E N E IV. 

BEJART, MOLIERB, LA GRANGE, DU 
CROISY, Mddemmfelks DU PARC, BEJART, 
DB BRIE, MGLIERE, DU CROISY, HERVE- 

Bi J A AT. 

MEffieors, je vicna von* avcitir qnt le Ba eft rmur 
& qa*il attend que voos commendez. 
Mo LIBRE. Ahl Moaiiear, voiilineTojes duula 
pltts.gnuxie peine da monde i je fab defefp^ve k Plienre 
que je voos parte. Vcki d^ iemmtt qui s^cffirayent* ^ 
ii qui diient qu^il leur frat rtpeter kun rotes, gf^t 
que dialler conunencer. Nooi deMiidon«» de^ncfl^ 
encore an moment. LeRoiadcte Imb««» U 11 f^t I 
bicn que la chofe a etc prtdpitee. \ 



SCENE V. 

MOLIERE, (f Us mimes aSturs^ i ftxceftion 

Je BejarK ^ 

M a L » a a s, 

HE \ Be grace, tachez de vous remettre, prenez 
courage, je vous prie. 
Mademoifelle Du Parc. Yont dereKTOos altes txr- 
cufcr. 
MoLiERB. Comment m'exqifo ^ 



S C E NI 



22i^ IwPiMffvif if TmiSAiitft ». 3r9^f 



S C E K E IV. 

BEJART, MOLIEHI. LA ORANGE, DU 
CROISY, Mrs.DU PARC, BEJART, DE 
BRIE, MOLIERE, I>U CilQISY. HKRVBY. ^ 

B B J A R T. 

GEnttemeA, I coode to give yon Notice that the 
King's €omo» spd wsiti fer ywi tohegitt. 
MoLiEEB. Oh! Sir, lam inthegreateftPaininthe 
World, I am diftrafted at ^ very timrl*m talking ta 
yoa ; thefe Women are frightenM, and iay they muft rer . 
kearfe their Parts before tl^ey begin. We beg one Mo- 
ment's Favour more ; The King has Goodnefs, and he 
knows very weH that tke thii% has been doieiA hafte. 



SCENE V. 

lid O L I E R E, and the Jam M^rt^ iMifpt 
Bejart. 

M o L I E a B. 



OH r Pray try to recover yourfclvei j take Comge»- 
I beg of you. 
Mrs. Du Parc. You fhould go and excufe your 
fclf. 
Mo iri B RB . How' fhould I excise myfelf } 



8 C K N E. 



39^ . L*lMniOMt»TTr ds Ybrsaillbs* 



SCENE VI. 

M O L I £ k £, ^ lis mfms Aaeurs^ 
UN NECESSAIRB. 

Un Necess ai re. 

MEffieun, commencez done. 
Mo LIBRE. Tout a rheare, Moofieiir. Je 
croiB que jc pcrdrai Pefprit de Ciettc affiic-ci, & . . r 



S C E N E vn. 

MOLIERE, fer /^/ j»/;»«f tfi?^«r/, UN SECOND 
NECESSAIRE. 

Lb S e c a n d N e c b s s a r i^ f^ 

MEflieurSy commencez done. 
. MoLFSHE. Dans an moment, Monfieor. 
\afes camarades,'\ He quoi done! Voulez-vous que 
j*aie raffitmt . . » 



S CEN E vin. 

MOLIERE, 6f Us mimes aBturs, UN TROISIEME 
NECESSAIRE. 

LeTrOISIEME NECBSSArRE. 

MEffieors, commencez done. 
Mo LIBRE. Oai, Monfieur, noiis y allons^ 
He ! Que de gens fe font de fete, & viennent dire,, 
commencez done, a qui le-Roi ne Ta pas commande !- 

SCENE 



TiS^ Impromptu ^ VBMA#^Af. dS$. 



SCENE, VI. 

M O L I £ R E, and the /am J^ars^ 
:^ BUSY-BODY. 

A Bu S Y-BOD Y. 

GEndemen, begin. 
Mo LI ERE. Preiently, %. I believe I IhaD 
lofe my Senfes in this Bufmefs here, and 



SCENE VII. 

MOLIERE, and the fame Jianrs, uf SECOND 
BUSY-BODY. 

A Second Busy-body. 

Gfiotlemen, begin. 
MoLiERE. In a Moment, Sir. ffi his Coino- 
pmmgni.l What, would you have me have ihc Af- 
fumncc ■ 



SCENE VHI. 

id O LI ERE, a^d the fame Jaors, -^ THIRD 
BUSY-BODY. 

A T H I R D B U S Y - B O D Y. 

GEndemen, begin. 
MofciBRB. Yc89^Sir;w«aregoingto*t. How^ 
of&cious thefe People 'are to come and bid us begin^ 
when the Sang did not order them to do it t 



SCENE 



394 L^MPltOMPTU DBVEltSAII-t.ES. 



S C E N E IX. 

MOLIBRB, ^ les memes aSeurSy UN QUA- 
TRIEME NECESSAIRE. 

L B QjJ ATRISMB NsCESSArHE. 

M£ffieun, commencez done. 
MoLiERB. Voilaqui eft ikit, Mpnfieor. 
Quoi done f Recevrai-je la confufion ... 



SCENE DERNIER E. 
BEJART, MOLIERE, i^ les mmes Jaeuru 

M O L I £ R E. 

MOnfieur, vous venez pour nous dire de comment 
cer» mais ... 

B/jART. Nofiy Meflieors, je viens pour, vons dire 
jn*Qn a dit au Roi Tembarras ou vous yous.troaviez» & 
que, par une bont6 toutc particuliere, il remet votre 
aoavdle annedie k une autre fbis^ & fe contente pour . 
aujonrd^hui de la premiere que vous pourrez donner. 

MoLiBRBi Ahf Mcmfieur, vous me redonnez la 
vie. Le Roi nous fait la plus grande grace du monde 
de noQS donner dn tems, pour ce qu*il a fouhaite i & 
noos allons tous le remercier des extremes bontes qu*il 
nous £ut paroitre* 

F I N. ^ 




^e Impromptu if Versai lles. 395 



S C E NE IX. 

MO LI ERE, anJ the fame Aaors. A FOURTH 
BUSY-BODY. 

AFoURTHBuST-BODr. 

GEntlemen, begin. 
MoLiERB. Tisdone, Sir. What thea I ihall* 
I have the Confafion — — 



SCENE THE LAST. 

BE J ART, MOLIERE, and the fame Jam. 

M O L I B R B. 

O I R, yoa are come to bid us begin, but — <— « 

Bbjart. No, Gentlemen, I come to tell you 
that the King has been infbrm*d of the Perplexity you 
are in, and by a very particular Goodnefi defers your 
new Comedy till another time, and contents himielf &r 
the prefen^with the firft you can give him. 

MoLiBRB* Ohf Sir, you give me new life; the 
King does us the greateH Favour in the World by giv- 
ing us Time for what he defir^d; and we'll all go and 
thank him for the extreme Goodneis he ihews as. 



THE END. 




t. 



f % 



\ • 



1 



