TARTUFFE
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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TARTUFFE: Our love for the beauty which is eternal,
stifles not in us love for that which is fleeting and temporal;
and we can easily be charmed with the perfect works Heaven has
created. Its reflected attractions shine forth in such as you;
but it is in you alone that its choicest wonders are centred.
It has lavished upon you charms which dazzle the eye, and which
touch the heart; and I have never gazed on you, perfect creature,
without admiring the Creator of the universe, and without feeling
my heart seized with an ardent love for the most beautiful picture
in which He has reproduced Himself. At first I feared that this
secret tenderness might be a skilful assault of the evil one;
I even thought I would avoid your presence, fearing you might
prove a stumbling-block to my salvation. But I have learnt, O
adorable beauty, that my passion need not be a guilty one; that
I can reconcile it with modesty; and I have given up my whole
soul to it. I know that I am very presumptuous in making you
the offer of such a heart as mine; but in my love I hope everything
from you, nothing from the vain efforts of my unworthy self.
In you is my hope, my happiness, my peace; on you depends my
misery or bliss; and by your verdict I shall be for ever happy,
if you wish it; unhappy if it pleases you. I know that such language
from me seems somewhat strange; but after all, I am not an angel;
and, if you condemn the confession I make, you have only your
own attractions to blame for it. As soon as I beheld their more
than human beauty, my whole being was surrendered to you. The
unspeakable sweetness of your divine charms forced the obstinate
resistance of my heart; it overcame everything -- fasting, prayers,
and tears -- and fixed all my hopes in you. A thousand times
my eyes and my sighs have told you this; to-day I explain myself
with words. Ah! if you consider with some kindness the tribulations
and trials of your unworthy slave, if your goodness has compassion
on me, and deigns to stoop so low as my nothingness, I shall
ever have for you, O marvellous beauty, a devotion never to be
equalled. With me your reputation runs no risk, and has no disgrace
to fear. All those court gallants upon whom women dote, are noisy
in their doings, boastful in their talk. Ever vain of their success,
they never receive favours without divulging them; and their
indiscreet tongues dishonour the altar on which their hearts
sacrifice. But men like me burn with a hidden flame, and secrecy
is for ever assured. The care which we take of our own reputation
is a warrant to the woman who accepts our heart, that she will
find love without scandal, and pleasure without fear.
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MONOLOGUES BY MOLIÈRE |
