The Blunderer. Жан-Батист Мольер

      MASC. Yes, indeed; I ought to have eyes in my back. By Jove, be quiet, and let us hear no more of your nonsensical excuses. Another, after all this, would perhaps abandon everything; but I have planned just now a master-stroke, which I will immediately put into execution, on condition that if…

      [Footnote: The play is supposed to be in Sicily; hence Pagan oaths are not out of place. Even at the present time Italians say, per Jove! per Bacco!]

      LEL. No, I promise you henceforth not to interfere either in word or deed.

      MASC. Go away, then, the very sight of you kindles my wrath.

      LEL. Above all, don't delay, for fear that in this business…

      MASC. Once more, I tell you, begone! I will set about it. (Exit Lelio). Let us manage this well; it will be a most exquisite piece of roguery; if it succeeds, as I think it must. We'll try…But here comes the very man I want.

      SCENE IX. – PANDOLPHUS, MASCARILLE

      PAND. Mascarille!

      MASC. Sir?

      PAND. To tell you the truth, I am very dissatisfied with my son.

      MASC. With my master? You are not the only one who complains of him. His bad conduct which has grown unbearable in everything, puts me each moment out of patience.

      PAND. I thought, however, you and he understood one another pretty well.

      MASC. I? Believe it not, sir. I am always trying to put him in mind of his duty: we are perpetually at daggers drawn. Just now we had a quarrel again about his engagement with Hippolyta, which, I find he is very averse to. By a most disgraceful refusal he violates all the respect due to a father.

      PAND. A quarrel?

      MASC. Yes, a quarrel, and a desperate one too.

      PAND. I was very much deceived then, for I thought you supported him in all he did.

      MASC. I? See what this world is come to! How is innocence always oppressed! If you knew but my integrity, you would give me the additional salary of a tutor, whereas I am only paid as his servant. Yes, you yourself could not say more to him than I do in order to make him behave better. "For goodness' sake, sir," I say to him very often, "cease to be driven hither and thither with every wind that blows, – reform; look what a worthy father Heaven has given you, what a reputation he has. Forbear to stab him thus to the heart, and live, as he does, as a man of honour."

      PAND. That was well said; and what answer could he make to this?