Monsieur De Pourceaugnac by Molière, 1622-1673, Wall, Charles Heron

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Scene Iv.-julia, Eraste, Sbrigani, Nerine.

Scene V.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Sbrigani.

Scene Vi.-eraste, Mr. De Pourceaugnac, Sbrigani.

Scene Vii.-eraste, An Apothecary.

Scene Ix.-eraste, 1st Physician, Apothecary. Scene X.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Eraste, 1st Physician, Apothecary.

Scene Xiv.-ballet. Scene Xv.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, An Apothecary. Act Ii. Scene I.-1st Physician, Sbrigani.

Scene Ii.-oronte, 1st Physician.

Scene Iv.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Sbrigani.

Scene V.-oronte, Mr. De Pourceaugnac. Scene Vi.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Julia, Oronte. Scene Vii.-oronte, Mr. De Pourceaugnac.

Scene Viii.-mr. Dr Pourceaugnac, Oronte, Lucette.

Scene Ix.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Nerine, Lucette, Oronte.

Scene Xii:-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Sbrigani. Act Iii. Scene I.-eraste, Sbrigani.

Scene Iii.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Two Swiss. Scene Iv.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Three Police Officers, Two Swiss. Scene V.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Three Police Officers. Scene Vi.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Sbrigani, Three Police Officers.

Scene Vii.-mr. De Pourceaugnac, Sbrigani, A Police Officer. Scene Viii.-oronte, Sbrigani. Scene Ix.-oronte, Eraste, Julia, Sbrigani.

Scene X.-a Ballet

NER. Yes, we have indeed. Is your father crazy to think of entangling you with his lawyer of Limoges; that Mr. de Pourceaugnac, whom he has never seen in his life, and who comes by the coach to take you away before our very eyes? Ought three or four thousand crowns, more or less--and that, too, upon the word of your uncle--to make him refuse a lover you like? Besides, are you made for a Limousin? If he has taken it into his head to marry, why does he not take one of his own countrywomen, and let Christians be at peace? The very name of Pourceaugnac puts me in a frightful rage. I boil over with Mr. de Pourceaugnac. If it were only because of the name, I would do anything to prevent the match. No, you shall not be Mrs. de Pourceaugnac. Pourceaugnac! Was ever such a name heard of! [Footnote: Pourceaugnac equals _pourceau_, "a young pig," plus the local ending _-gnac_.] No, I could never put up with Pourceaugnac; and we will abuse the man to such an extent, and play him so many tricks, that he will have to return to Limoges, Mr. de Pourceaugnac.

ERA. Here is our cunning Neapolitan, who will give us news.

SCENE IV.--JULIA, ERASTE, SBRIGANI, NERINE.

SBRI. Our man has just come, Sir. I saw him at a place three leagues away from here, where the coach stops; and I studied him for more than half an hour in the kitchen, where he went down to breakfast, and I know him now perfectly. As to his appearance, I will say nothing about it; you will see for yourselves what nature has done for him, and if his dress is not the very thing to set that off. But as for his understanding, I can tell you beforehand that it is among the dullest I have met with for a long time. We shall find in him a fit subject to work upon as we like. He is just the man to fall into all the traps laid for him.

ERA. Is all that possible?

SBRI. Perfectly true, and I am skilled in the knowledge of men.

NER. (_pointing to_ SBRIGANI). This is a famous man, Madam; and your affair could not be trusted to better hands. He is the hero of the age, for the wonders he has performed. A man who, twenty times in his life, has generously braved the galleys to serve his friends; who, at the peril of his arms and shoulders, [Footnote: Compare the "royal cautery" in 'The Flying Doctor'] knows how to bring to a successful issue the most difficult enterprises; and who is, in short, banished from his country for I don't know how many honourable actions he has generously engaged in.