Ner. These are trifles not worth mentioning, and your praises make me blush.
Sbri. Then I will spare your modesty. Let us leave that aside, and speak of our business. To begin with, I will quickly rejoin our countryman, while you, on your side, will see that all the other actors in the comedy are kept in readiness.
Era. And you, Madam, pray remember your part, that in order to conceal our aim the better, you are to affect to be quite perfectly delighted with your father's resolutions.
Jul. If it only depends on that, things will be sure to succeed.
Era. But, dear Julia, if everything were to fail?
Jul. I will declare my real inclinations to my father.
Era. And if he persists in his designs in spite of your inclinations?
Jul. I will threaten to shut myself up in a convent.
Era. But if, notwithstanding all that, he wished to force you to this marriage?
Jul. Why, what would you have me say?
Era. What do I want you to say?
Jul. Yes.
Era. What is said when one loves truly?
Jul. But what?
Era. That nothing shall force you; that in spite of all your father can do, you promise to be mine.
Jul. Ah me! Éraste, be satisfied with what I do now, and leave the future alone. Do not perplex me in my duty, by speaking of sad expedients to which we may not be obliged to have recourse. Allow me to be led by the course of events.
Era. Will
Sbri. Sir, here is our man. Be careful.
Ner. Ah! what a guy!3
SCENE V. MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC, SBRIGANI
Mr. Pour. (turning to the side he came from, and speaking to the people who are following him). Well, what is it? What is the matter? What do you want? Deuce take this stupid town, and the people who live in it! Nobody can walk a step without meeting a lot of asses staring and laughing like fools at one. You boobies, mind your business; and let folk pass without grinning in their faces. Deuce take me if I don't knock down the first man I see laughing.
Sbri. (speaking to the same people). What are you about? What is the meaning of such conduct? What is it you want? Is it right to make fun like that of strangers who come here?
Mr. Pour. Here is a man of sense at last.
Sbri. What manners! And what is there to laugh at?
Mr. Pour. Quite right.
Sbri. Is there anything ridiculous in this gentleman?
Mr. Pour. I ask you?
Sbri. Is he not like other people?
Mr. Pour. Am I crooked or hunchbacked?
Sbri. Learn to distinguish people.
Mr. Pour. Well said.
Sbri. This gentleman's qualities call for your respect.
Mr. Pour. Perfectly true.
Sbri. He is a person of quality.
Mr. Pour. Yes, a gentleman from Limoges.
Sbri. A man of intelligence.
Mr. Pour. Who has studied the law.4
Sbri. He does you too much honour in coming to this town.
Mr. Pour. Ay, indeed.
Sbri. This gentleman has nothing in him that can make you laugh.
Mr. Pour. Certainly not.
Sbri. And the first who laughs at him, I will call to account.
Mr. Pour. (to Sbrigani). Sir, I am extremely, obliged to you.
Sbri. I am sorry, Sir, to see a person like you received after such a fashion.
Mr. Pour. Your servant, Sir.
Sbri. I saw you breakfasting this morning, Sir, with the other passengers; and the grace with which you ate created in me at once a great friendship for you; and as I know that you have never been here before, and that you are a perfect stranger, I am glad I met you, to offer you my services at your arrival, and to assist you among these people, who do not always behave to strangers of quality as they should.
Mr. Pour. You are really very kind.
Sbri. I have told you already; the moment I saw you, I felt an inclination for you.
Mr. Pour. I am greatly obliged to you.
Sbri. Your countenance pleased me.
Mr. Pour. You do me much honour.
Sbri. I read honesty in it.
Mr. Pour. I am your servant.
Sbri. Something amiable.
Mr. Pour. Ah! ah!
Sbri. Graceful.
Mr. Pour. Ah! ah!
Sbri. Sweet.
Mr. Pour. Ah! ah!
Sbri. Majestic.
Mr. Pour. Ah! ah!
Sbri. Frank.
Mr. Pour. Ah! ah!
Sbri. And cordial.
Mr. Pour. Ah! ah!
Sbri. Believe that I am entirely yours.
Mr. Pour. I am greatly obliged to you.
Sbri. I speak from the bottom of my heart.
Mr. Pour. I believe you.
Sbri. If I had the honour of being known to you, you would find that I am altogether sincere.
Mr. Pour. I do not doubt it.
Sbri. An enemy to deceit.
Mr. Pour. I feel sure of it.
Sbri. And that I am incapable of disguising my thoughts.
Mr. Pour. It is exactly what I think.
Sbri. You look at my dress, which is not like that of other people; but I came originally from Naples, at your service; and I always like to keep up the way of dressing as well as the sincerity of my country.5
Mr. Pour. You are quite right. For my part, I was desirous of appearing in the court dress for the country.6
Sbri. Truly, it becomes you better than it does all our courtiers.
Mr. Pour. Exactly what my tailor told me. The coat is suitable and rich; it will tell here among these people.
Sbri. You will go to the Louvre, no doubt?
Mr. Pour. Yes; I must go and pay my court.
Sbri. The king will be charmed to see you.
Mr. Pour. I believe so.
Sbri. Have you fixed upon rooms?
Mr. Pour. No; I was going to look for some.
Sbri. I shall be very glad to go with you; I know all this city well.
SCENE VI. ÉRASTE, MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC, SBRIGANI
Era. Ah, who is this? What do I see? What a happy meeting! Mr. de Pourceaugnac! How delighted I am to see you! What! anyone would think that you find it difficult to remember me!
Mr. Pour. Sir, I am your servant.
Era. Is it possible that five or six years can have made you forget me? Do you not remember the best friend of the de Pourceaugnacs?
Mr. Pour. Yes, yes. (Aside to Sbrigani) Deuce take me if I know who he is.
Era. There is not one of the de Pourceaugnacs of Limoges that I do not know, from the greatest to the smallest; I visited only them during my stay there, and I had the honour of seeing you every day.
Mr. Pour. The honour was mine, Sir.
Era. You do not remember my face?
Mr. Pour. Yes, yes. (To Sbrigani) I don't know him a bit.
Era. You do not remember that I had the pleasure of drinking with you I don't know how many times?
Mr. Pour. Excuse me. (To Sbrigani) I don't know anything about it.
Era. What is the name of that pastrycook who cooks such capital dinners?
Mr. Pour. Petit-Jean.
Era. Just so. We used often to go there together to enjoy ourselves. How do you call that place where people go for a walk?
Mr. Pour. The cemetery of the Arènes.
Era. Exactly. It is there I enjoyed so many happy hours of your pleasant talk. Don't you remember it all now?
Mr. Pour. Pardon me; yes, I remember. (To Sbrigani) Deuce take me if I do.
Sbri. (aside to Mr. de Pourceaugnac). There are a hundred things like that which one is apt to forget altogether.
Era. Let us embrace, I pray, and renew our former friendship.
Sbri. (to Mr. de Pourceaugnac). This man seems to have a great affection for you.
Era. Tell me some news of all the family. How is that gentleman your he who is such an honest man?