THE FORCED MARRIAGE
A monologue from the
play by Molière
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from The Dramatic Works of Molière, Vol. II. Ed.
Charles Heron Wall. London: George Bell & Sons, 1898. |
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GERONIMO: If we take fifty-two from sixty-four, we
get twelve; five years you spent in Holland, seventeen; seven
years spent in England, twenty-four; eight years in Rome, thirty-two;
and if to thirty-two we add your age when we first became acquainted,
we have exactly fifty-two. So that, Mr. Sganarelle, according
to your own confession, you are between fifty-two and fifty-three
years of age. The calculation is exact enough. Now, I will tell
you frankly, as a friend--according to the promise you made me
give you--that marriage would suit you but little. Marriage is
a thing about which young people ought to think long and seriously
before they risk themselves, but of which people of your age
ought not to think at all; and if, as some say, the greatest
folly a man can commit is to marry, I know nothing more preposterous
than to commit such a folly at a time of life when we should
be most prudent. In short, to speak to you plainly, I advise
you not to marry; and I should think you very ridiculous if,
after having remained free up to your time of life, you were
now to burden yourself with the heaviest of all chains. [Pause.]
What's that? You're in love with her? Ah! That's quite
another thing. You didn't tell me that. By all means marry, then;
I haven't another word to say.
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MONOLOGUES BY MOLIÈRE |
