SCENE IV (ELMIRE, DAMIS, TARTUFFE) DAMIS [coming out of the closet in which he was hiding] No, madam, no. All this must be exposed. By hiding here I've heard all he proposed, And God in His goodness has guided me To confound this noisome bastard's treachery, To discover a way to take my vengeance For his hypocrisy and insolence, To wake up my father, and to justly screw This scumbag who wants to make love to you. ELMIRE No, Damis. It's enough if he has striven To reform and merit the pardon I've given. Don't make me retract what I have avowed. I don't choose to discuss scandal out loud: A woman laughs at these masculine foibles, And never plagues her mate with paltry troubles. DAMIS You have your own reasons for acting so, And I have reasons for my quid-pro-quo. The very thought of sparing him is a joke, And the insolent pride of this base bloke Has triumphed too often over my just wrath, And has sown too much trouble along my path. For too long that liar has ruled my old man Blocking both my love and that of Mariane. His perfidy must be brought to light of day, And for that God gives us a ready way. For this occasion I thank the good Lord; It is far too lucky to be ignored. The only way to deserve to lose it Is to have it in hand and not to use it. |
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