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

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

Act II

Scene I


ORGON, MARIANE Orgon Now, Mariane.

Mariane Yes, father?

Orgon Come; I’ll tell you
A secret.

Mariane Yes … What are you looking for?	5

Orgon (looking into a small closet-room) To see there’s no one there to spy upon us;
That little closet’s mighty fit to hide in.
There! We’re all right now. Mariane, in you
I’ve always found a daughter dutiful
And gentle. So I’ve always love you dearly.	10

Mariane I’m grateful for your fatherly affection.

Orgon Well spoken, daughter. Now, prove you deserve it
By doing as I wish in all respects.

Mariane To do so is the height of my ambition.

Orgon Excellent well. What say you of—Tartuffe?	15

Mariane Who? I?

Orgon Yes, you. Look to it how you answer.

Mariane Why! I’ll say of him—anything you please.