Scene + 

IV + 

Orgon, Madame Pernelle, Elmire, Mariane, Cléante, Damis, Dorine, Mr. Loyal. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

To Dorine, at the back of the stage. + 

Good day, good sister. Pray you, let me see + 

The master of the house. + 

Dorine + 

He’s occupied; + 

I think he can see nobody at present. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

I’m not by way of being unwelcome here. + 

My coming can, I think, nowise displease him; + 

My errand will be found to his advantage. + 

Dorine + 

Your name, then? + 

Mr. Loyal + 

Tell him simply that his friend + 

Mr. Tartuffe has sent me, for his goods⁠ ⁠… + 

Dorine + 

To Orgon. It is a man who comes, with civil manners, + 

Sent by Tartuffe, he says, upon an errand + 

That you’ll be pleased with. + 

Cléante + 

To Orgon. Surely you must see him, + 

And find out who he is, and what he wants. + 

Orgon + 

To Cléante. Perhaps he’s come to make it up between us: + 

How shall I treat him? + 

Cléante + 

You must not get angry; + 

And if he talks of reconciliation + 

Accept it. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

To Orgon. Sir, good day. And Heaven send + 

Harm to your enemies, favour to you. + 

Orgon + 

Aside to Cléante. This mild beginning suits with my conjectures + 

And promises some compromise already. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

All of your house has long been dear to me; + 

I had the honour, sir, to serve your father. + 

Orgon + 

Sir, I am much ashamed, and ask your pardon + 

For not recalling now your face or name. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

My name is Loyal. I’m from Normandy. + 

My office is court-bailiff, in despite + 

Of envy; and for forty years, thank Heaven, + 

It’s been my fortune to perform that office + 

With honour. So I’ve come, sir, by your leave + 

To render service of a certain writ⁠ ⁠… + 

Orgon + 

What, you are here to⁠ ⁠… + 

Mr. Loyal + 

Pray, sir, don’t be angry. + 

’Tis nothing, sir, but just a little summons:⁠— + 

Order to vacate, you and yours, this house, + 

Move out your furniture, make room for others, + 

And that without delay or putting off, + 

As needs must be⁠ ⁠… + 

Orgon + 

I? Leave this house? + 

Mr. Loyal + 

Yes, please, sir + 

The house is now, as you well know, of course, + 

Mr. Tartuffe’s. And he, beyond dispute, + 

Of all your goods is henceforth lord and master + 

By virtue of a contract here attached, + 

Drawn in due form, and unassailable. + 

Damis + 

To Mr. Loyal. Your insolence is monstrous, and astounding! + 

Mr. Loyal + 

To Damis. I have no business, sir, that touches you; + 

Pointing to Orgon. + 

This is the gentleman. He’s fair and courteous, + 

And knows too well a gentleman’s behaviour + 

To wish in any wise to question justice. + 

Orgon + 

But⁠ ⁠… + 

Mr. Loyal + 

Sir, I know you would not for a million + 

Wish to rebel; like a good citizen + 

You’ll let me put in force the court’s decree. + 

Damis + 

Your long black gown may well, before you know it, + 

Mister Court-bailiff, get a thorough beating. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

To Orgon. Sir, make your son be silent or withdraw. + 

I should be loath to have to set things down, + 

And see your names inscribed in my report. + 

Dorine + 

Aside. This Mr. Loyal’s looks are most disloyal. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

I have much feeling for respectable + 

And honest folk like you, sir, and consented + 

To serve these papers, only to oblige you, + 

And thus prevent the choice of any other + 

Who, less possessed of zeal for you than I am + 

Might order matters in less gentle fashion. + 

Orgon + 

And how could one do worse than order people + 

Out of their house? + 

Mr. Loyal + 

Why, we allow you time; + 

And even will suspend until tomorrow + 

The execution of the order, sir. + 

I’ll merely, without scandal, quietly, + 

Come here and spend the night, with half a score + 

Of officers; and just for form’s sake, please, + 

You’ll bring your keys to me, before retiring. + 

I will take care not to disturb your rest, + 

And see there’s no unseemly conduct here. + 

But by tomorrow, and at early morning, + 

You must make haste to move your least belongings; + 

My men will help you⁠—I have chosen strong ones + 

To serve you, sir, in clearing out the house. + 

No one could act more generously, I fancy, + 

And, since I’m treating you with great indulgence, + 

I beg you’ll do as well by me, and see + 

I’m not disturbed in my discharge of duty. + 

Orgon + 

I’d give this very minute, and not grudge it, + 

The hundred best gold louis I have left, + 

If I could just indulge myself, and land + 

My fist, for one good square one, on his snout. + 

Cléante + 

Aside to Orgon. Careful!⁠—don’t make things worse. + 

Damis + 

Such insolence! + 

I hardly can restrain myself. My hands + 

Are itching to be at him. + 

Dorine + 

By my faith, + 

With such a fine broad back, good Mr. Loyal, + 

A little beating would become you well. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

My girl, such infamous words are actionable. + 

And warrants can be issued against women. + 

Cléante + 

To Mr. Loyal. Enough of this discussion, sir; have done. + 

Give us the paper, and then leave us, pray. + 

Mr. Loyal + 

Then au revoir. Heaven keep you from disaster! + 

Orgon + 

May Heaven confound you both, you and your master! + 