Act V. Scene II. Molière, Jean Baptiste Poquelin. 1909-14. Tartuffe. The Harvard Classics

Jean Baptiste Poquelin Molière (1622–1673). Tartuffe.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Act V

Scene II


DAMIS, ORGON, CLÉANTE Damis What! father, can the scoundrel threaten you,
Forget the many benefits received,
And in his base abominable pride
Make of your very favours arms against you?

Orgon Too true, my son. It tortures me to think on’t.	5

Damis Let me alone, I’ll chop his ears off for him.
We must deal roundly with his insolence;
’Tis I must free you from him at a blow;
’Tis I, to set things right, must strike him down.

Cléante Spoke like a true young man. Now just calm down,	10
And moderate your towering tantrums, will you?
We live in such an age, with such a king,
That violence can not advance our cause.