Scene VI.—Orgon, Damis, Tartuffe.

Orgon. What have I heard! Oh, Heavens! Is it credible?

Tartuffe. Yes, brother, I am a wicked, guilty, wretched sinner, full of iniquity, the greatest villain that ever existed. Each moment of my life is replete with pollutions; it is but a mass of crime and corruption; and I see that Heaven, to chastise me, intends to mortify me on this occasion. Whatever great crime may be laid to my charge, I have neither the wish nor the pride to deny it. Believe what you are told, arm your anger, and drive me like a criminal from your house. Whatever shame you may heap upon me, I deserve still more.

Orgon (to his Son). What, wretch! dare you, by this falsehood, tarnish the purity of his virtue?

Damis. What, shall the pretended gentleness of this hypocrite make you belie …

Orgon. Peace, cursed plague!

Tartuffe. Ah! let him speak; you accuse him wrongly, and you had much better believe his story. Why will you be so favourable to me after hearing such a fact? Are you, after all, aware of what I am capable? Why trust to my exterior, brother, and why, for all that is seen, believe me to be better than I am? No, no, you allow yourself to be deceived by appearances, and I am, alas! nothing less than what they think me. Everyone takes me to be a godly man, but the real truth is that I am very worthless. (Addressing himself to Damis.) Yes, my dear child, say on; call me perfidious, infamous, lost wretch, a thief, a murderer; load me with still more detestable names: I shall not contradict you, I have deserved them; and I am willing on my knees to suffer ignominy, as a disgrace due to the crimes of my life.

Orgon (to Tartuffe). This is too much, brother. (To his Son). Does not your heart relent, wretch?

Damis. What! shall his words deceive you so far as to …

Orgon. Hold your tongue, you hangdog. (Raising Tartuffe.) Rise, brother, I beseech you. (To his Son.) Infamous wretch!

Damis. He can …

Orgon. Hold your tongue.

Damis. I burst with rage. What! I am looked upon as …

Orgon. Say another word, and I will break your bones.

Tartuffe. In Heaven’s name, brother, do not forget yourself! I would rather suffer the greatest hardship, than that he should receive the slightest hurt for my sake.

Orgon (to his Son). Ungrateful monster!

Tartuffe. Leave him in peace. If I must on both knees, ask you to pardon him …

Orgon (Throwing himself on his knees also, and embracing Tartuffe). Alas! are you in jest? (To his Son.) Behold his goodness, scoundrel!

Damis. Thus …

Orgon. Cease.

Damis. What! I …