TranslatedbyCurtHiddenPage
　　INTRODUCTORYNOTE
　　JeanBapttePoquelin，betterknownbyhstagenameofMoliere，standswithoutarivalattheheadofFrenchcomedy。BornatParinJanuary，1622，wherehfatherheldapositionintheroyalhousehold，hewaseducatedattheJesuitCollegedeClermont，andforsometimestudiedlaw，whichhesoonabandonedforthestage。HlifewasspentinParandintheprovinces，acting，directingperformances，managingtheaters，andwritingplays。Hehadhshareofapplausefromthekingandfromthepublic;butthesatireinhcomediesmadehimmanyenemies，andhewastheobjectofthemostvenomousattacksandthemostimpossibleslanders。Nordidhefindmuchsolaceathome;forhemarriedunfortunately，andtheunhappinessthatfollowedincreasedthebitternessthatpublichostilityhadbroughtintohlife。OnFebruary17，1673，whileactingin"LaMaladeImaginaire，"thelastofhmasterpieces，hewasseizedwithillnessanddiedafewhourslater。
　　ThefirstofthegreaterworksofMolierewas"LesPrecieusesRidicules，"producedin1659。InthbrilliantpieceMoliereliftedFrenchcomedytoanewlevelandgaveitanewpurpose——thesatirizingofcontemporarymannersandaffectationsbyfrankportrayalandcriticm。Inthegreatplaysthatfollowed，"TheSchoolforHusbands"
　　and"TheSchoolforWives，""TheManthrope"and"TheHypocrite"
　　（Tartuffe），"TheMer"and"TheHypochondriac，""TheLearnedLadies，"
　　"TheDoctorinSpiteofHimself，""TheCitizenTurnedGentleman，"andmanyothers，heexposedmercilesslyoneafteranotherthevicesandfoiblesoftheday。
　　Hcharacterticqualitiesarenowherebetterexhibitedthanin"Tartuffe。"ComparedwithsuchcharacterizationasShakespeare’s，Moliere’smethodofportrayinglifemayseemtobelackingincomplexity;butitprecelythesimplicitywithwhichcreationslikeTartuffeembodytheweaknessorvicetheyrepresentthathasgiventhemtheirplaceasuniversallyrecognizedtypesofhumannature。
　　TARTUFFE
　　ACOMEDY
　　CHARACTERS
　　MADAMEPERNELLE，motherofOrgonORGON，husbandofElmireELMIRE，wifeofOrgonDAM，sonofOrgonMARIANE，daughterofOrgon，inlovewithValereCLEANTE，brother—in—lawofOrgonTARTUFFE，ahypocriteDORINE，Mariane’smaidM。LOYAL，abailiffAPoliceOfficerFLIPOTTE，MadamePernelle’sservantTheSceneatParACTI
　　SCENEI
　　MADAMEPERNELLEandFLIPOTTE，herservant;ELMIRE，MARIANE，CLEANTE，DAM，DORINE
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Come，come，Flipotte，andletmegetaway。
　　ELMIRE
　　Youhurryso，Ihardlycanattendyou。
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Thendon’t，mydaughter—inlaw。Staywhereyouare。
　　Icandpensewithyourpoliteattentions。
　　ELMIRE
　　We’reonlypayingwhatdueyou，mother。
　　Whymustyougoawayinsuchahurry？
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　BecauseIcan’tendureyourcarryings—on，Andnoonetakestheslightestpainstopleaseme。
　　Ileaveyourhouse，Itellyou，quitedgusted;
　　Youdotheoppositeofmyinstructions;
　　You’venorespectforanything;eachoneMusthavehsay;it’sperfectpandemonium。
　　DORINE
　　If
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　You’reaservantwench，mygirl，andmuchToofullofgab，andtooimpertinentAndfreewithyouradviceonalloccasions。
　　DAM
　　But
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　You’reafool，myboy——f，o，o，lJustspellsyourname。LetgrandmatellyouthatI’vesaidahundredtimestomypoorson，Yourfather，thatyou’dnevercometogoodOrgivehimanythingbutplagueandtorment。
　　MARIANE
　　Ithink
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Odearieme，hlittlester！
　　You’realldemureness，butterwouldn’tmeltInyourmouth，onewouldthinktolookatyou。
　　Stillwaters，though，theysayyouknowtheproverb;
　　AndIdon’tlikeyourdoingsonthesly。
　　ELMIRE
　　But，mother
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Daughter，byyourleave，yourconductIneverythingaltogetherwrong;
　　Yououghttosetagoodexamplefor’em;
　　Theirdeardepartedmotherdidmuchbetter。
　　Youareextravagant;anditoffendsme，Toseeyoualwaysdeckedoutlikeaprincess。
　　Awomanwhowouldpleaseherhusband’seyesAlone，wantsnosuchwealthoffineries。
　　CLEANTE
　　But，madam，afterall
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Sir，asforyou，Thelady’sbrother，Iesteemyouhighly，Loveandrespectyou。But，sir，allthesame，IfIwereinmyson’s，herhusband’s，place，I’durgentlyentreatyounottocomeWithinourdoors。YoupreachawayoflivingThatdecentpeoplecannottolerate。
　　I’mratherfrankwithyou;butthat’smyway——
　　Idon’tmincematters，whenImeanathing。
　　DAM
　　Mr。Tartuffe，yourfriend，mightylucky
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Heaholyman，andmustbeheeded;
　　Ican’tendure，withanyshowofpatience，Tohearascatterbrainslikeyouattackhim。
　　DAM
　　What！ShallIletabigotcriticasterComeandusurpatyrant’spowerhere？
　　AndshallweneverdareamuseourselvesTillthfinegentlemandeignstoconsent？
　　DORINE
　　Ifwemustharktohim，andheedhmaxims，There’snotathingwedobutwhat’sacrime;
　　Hecensureseverything，thzealouscarper。
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Andallhecensureswellcensured，too。
　　Hewantstoguideyouonthewaytoheaven;
　　Mysonshouldtrainyoualltolovehimwell。
　　DAM
　　No，madam，lookyou，nothing——notmyfatherNoranything——canmakemetoleratehim。
　　Ishouldbeliemyfeelingsnottosayso。
　　Hactionsrousemywrathateveryturn;
　　AndIforeseethattheremustcomeofitAnopenrupturewiththsneakingscoundrel。
　　DORINE
　　Besides，’tdownrightscandaloustoseeThunknownupstartmasterofthehouse——
　　Thvagabond，whohadn’t，whenhecame，Shoestohfeet，orclothingworthsixfarthings，Andwhosofarforgetshplace，asnowTocensureeverything，andruletheroost！
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Eh！Mercysakesalive！ThingswouldgobetterIfallweregovernedbyhpiousorders。
　　DORINE
　　Hepassesforasaintinyouropinion。
　　Infact，he’snothingbutahypocrite。
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Justltentohertongue！
　　DORINE
　　Iwouldn’ttrusthim，NoryethLawrence，withoutbondsandsurety。
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Idon’tknowwhattheservant’scharacterMaybe;butIcanguaranteethemasterAholyman。YouhatehimandrejecthimBecausehetellshometruthstoallofyou。
　　’Tsinalonethatmoveshhearttoanger，Andheaven’sinteresthonlymotive。
　　DORINE
　　Ofcourse。Butwhy，especiallyoflate，Canheletnobodycomenearthehouse？
　　heavenoffendedatacivilcallThatheshouldmakesogreatafussaboutit？
　　I’lltellyou，ifyoulike，justwhatIthink;
　　（PointingtoElmire）
　　Uponmyword，he’sjealousofourmtress。
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Youholdyourtongue，andthinkwhatyouaresaying。
　　He’snotaloneincensuringthesevits;
　　Theturmoilthatattendsyoursortofpeople，Theircarriagesforeveratthedoor，Andalltheirnoyfootmen，flockedtogether，Annoytheneighbourhood，andraeascandal。
　　I’dgladlythinkthere’snothingreallywrong;
　　Butitmakestalk;andthat’snotasitshouldbe。
　　CLEANTE
　　Eh！madam，canyouhopetokeepfolk’stonguesFromwagging？ItwouldbeagrievousthingIf，forthefearofidletalkaboutus，Wehadtosacrificeourfriends。No，no;
　　Evenifwecouldbringourselvestodoit，Thinkyouthateveryonewouldthenbesilenced？
　　AgainstbackbitingtherenodefenceSoletustrytoliveininnocence，Tosillytattlepaynoheedatall，Andleavethegossipsfreetoventtheirgall。
　　DORINE
　　OurneighbourDaphne，andherlittlehusband，Mustbetheoneswhoslanderus，I’mthinking。
　　Thosewhoseownconduct’smostridiculous，Arealwaysquickesttospeakillofothers;
　　TheyneverfailtoseizeatonceuponTheslightesthintofanyloveaffair，Andspreadthenewsofitwithglee，andgiveitThecharacterthey’dhavetheworldbelievein。
　　Byothers’actions，paintedintheircolours，Theyhopetojustifytheirown;theythink，Inthefalsehopeofsomeresemblance，eitherTomaketheirownintriguesseeminnocent，OrelsetomaketheirneighbourssharetheblameWhichtheyareloadedwithbyeverybody。
　　MADAMEPERNELLE
　　Theseargumentsarenothingtothepurpose。
　　Orante，weallknow，livesaperfectlife;
　　Herthoughtsareallofheaven;andIhaveheardThatshecondemnsthecompanyyoukeep。
　　DORINE
　　Oadmirablepattern！Virtuousdame！
　　Shelivesthemodelofausterity;
　　Butagehasbroughtthpietyuponher，Andshe’saprude，nowshecan’thelpherself。
　　Aslongasshecouldcapturemen’sattentionsShemadethemostofheradvantages;
　　But，nowsheseesherbeautyvanhing，Shewantstoleavetheworld，that’sleavingher，AndinthespeciousveilofhaughtyvirtueShe’dhidetheweaknessofherworn—outcharms。
　　Thatthewaywithallyouroldcoquettes;
　　Theyfindithardtoseetheirloversleave’em;
　　Andthusabandoned，theirforlornestateCanfindnooccupationbutaprude’s。
　　Thesepiousdames，intheirausterity，Mustcarpateverything，andpardonnothing。
　　Theyloudlyblametheirneighbours’wayofliving，Notforreligion’ssake，butoutofenvy，Becausetheycan’tenduretoseeanotherEnjoythepleasuresagehasweanedthemfrom。
　　MADAMEPERNELLE（toElmire）
　　There！That’sthekindofrigmaroletopleaseyou，Daughter—in—law。OneneverhasachanceTogetawordinedgewe，atyourhouse，Becausethladyholdsthefloorallday;
　　Butnonetheless，Imeantohavemysay，too。
　　ItellyouthatmysondidnothingwerInallhlife，thantakethgodlymanIntohhousehold;heavensenthimhere，Inyourgreatneed，tomakeyouallrepent;
　　Foryoursalvation，youmusthearkentohim;
　　Hecensuresnothingbutdeserveshcensure。
　　Thesevits，theseassemblies，andtheseballs，Areallinventionsoftheevilspirit。
　　YouneverhearawordofgodlinessAtthem——butidlecackle，nonsense，flimflam。
　　Ourneighbouroftencomesinforashare，Thetalkfliesfast，andscandalfillstheair;
　　Itmakesasoberperson’sheadgoround，Attheseassemblies，justtohearthesoundOfsomuchgab，withnotawordtosay;
　　AndasalearnedmanremarkedonedayMostaptly，’ttheTowerofBabylon，Whereall，beyondalllimit，babbleon。
　　Andjusttotellyouhowthpointcamein
　　（ToCleante）
　　So！Nowthegentlemenmustsnicker，musthe？
　　GofindfoolslikeyourselftomakeyoulaughAnddon’t
　　（ToElmire）
　　Daughter，good—bye;notonewordmore。
　　Asforthhouse，Ileavethehalfunsaid;
　　ButIshan’tsoonsetfootinitagain，（CuffingFlipotte）
　　Come，you！Whatmakesyoudreamandstandagape，Hussy！I’llwarmyourearsinpropershape！
　　March，trollop，march！
　　SCENEII
　　CLEANTE，DORINE
　　CLEANTE
　　Iwon’tescortherdown，Forfearshemightfallfoulofmeagain;
　　Thegoodoldlady
　　DORINE
　　Blessus！WhatapitySheshouldn’thearthewayyouspeakofher！
　　She’dsurelytellyouyou’retoo"good"byhalf，Andthatshe’snotso"old"asallthat，neither！
　　CLEANTE
　　Howshegotangrywithusallfornothing！
　　AndhowsheseemspossessedwithherTartuffe！
　　DORINE
　　Hercasenothing，though，besideherson’s！
　　Toseehim，youwouldsayhe’stentimesworse！
　　Hconductinourlateunpleasantness[1]
　　Hadwonhimmuchesteem，andprovedhcourageInserviceofhking;butnowhe’slikeAmanbesotted，sincehe’sbeensotakenWiththTartuffe。Hecallshimbrother，loveshimAhundredtimesasmuchasmother，son，Daughter，andwife。HetellshimallhsecretsAndletshimguidehacts，andrulehconscience。
　　Hefondlesandembraceshim;asweetheartCouldnot，Ithink，belovedmoretenderly;
　　Attablehemusthavetheseatofhonour，WhilewithdelightourmasterseeshimeatAsmuchassixmencould;wemustgiveupThechoicesttidbitstohim;ifhebelches，（’taservantspeaking）[2]
　　Masterexclaims:"Godblessyou！"——Oh，hedotesUponhim！he’shuniverse，hhero;
　　He’slostinconstantadmiration，quoteshimOnalloccasions，takeshtriflingactsForwonders，andhwordsfororacles。
　　Thefellowknowshdupe，andmakesthemoston’t，Hefoolshimwithahundredmasksofvirtue，Getsmoneyfromhimallthetimebycanting，Andtakesuponhimselftocarpatus。
　　EvenhsillycoxcombofalackeyMakesithbusinesstoinstructustoo;
　　Hecomeswithrollingeyestopreachatus，Andthrowsawayourribbons，rouge，andpatches。
　　Thewretch，theotherday，toreupakerchiefThathehadfound，pressedinthe/GoldenLegend/，CallingitahorridcrimeforustomingleThedevil’sfinerywithholythings。
　　[Footnote1:ReferringtotherebellioncalledLaFronde，duringtheminorityofLouXIV。]
　　[Footnote2:Moliere’snote，insertedinthetextofalltheoldeditions。Itacuriousillustrationofthedesireforuniformityanddignityofstyleindramaticverseoftheseventeenthcentury，thatMolierefeelscalledontoapologizeforatouchofrealmliketh。Indeed，theselineswereevenomittedwhentheplaywasgiven。]
　　SCENEIII
　　ELMIRE，MARIANE，DAM，CLEANTE，DORINE
　　ELMIRE（toCleante）
　　You’reveryluckytohavemsedthespeechShegaveusatthedoor。Iseemyhusbandhomeagain。Hehasn’tseenmeyet，SoI’llgoupandwaittillhecomesin。
　　CLEANTE
　　AndI，tosavetime，willawaithimhere;
　　I’llmerelysaygood—morning，andbegone。
　　SCENEIV
　　CLEANTE，DAM，DORINE
　　DAM
　　Iwhyou’dsayawordtohimaboutMyster’smarriage;IsuspectTartuffeOpposesit，andputsmyfatherupToallthesewretchedshifts。Youknow，besides，HownearlyI’mconcernedinitmyself;
　　IfloveunitesmysterandValere，Ilovehstertoo;andifthmarriageWereto
　　DORINE
　　He’scoming。
　　SCENEV
　　ORGON，CLEANTE，DORINE
　　ORGON
　　Ah！Goodmorning，brother。
　　CLEANTE
　　Iwasjustgoing，butamgladtogreetyou。
　　Thingsarenotfaradvancedyet，inthecountry？
　　ORGON
　　Dorine
　　（ToCleante）
　　Justwaitabit，please，brother—in—law。
　　LetmeallaymyfirstanxietyByaskingnewsaboutthefamily。
　　（ToDorine）
　　Haseverythinggonewelltheselasttwodays？
　　What’shappening？Andhoweverybody？
　　DORINE
　　Madamhadfever，andasplittingheadacheDaybeforeyesterday，alldayandevening。
　　ORGON
　　AndhowaboutTartuffe？
　　DORINE
　　Tartuffe？He’swell;
　　He’smightywell;stout，fat，fair，rosy—lipped。
　　ORGON
　　Poorman！
　　DORINE
　　AteveningshehadnauseaAndcould’ttouchasinglethingforsupper，Herheadachestillwassosevere。
　　ORGON
　　AndhowAboutTartuffe？
　　DORINE
　　Hesuppedalone，beforeher，Andunctuouslyateuptwopartridges，Aswellashalfalego’mutton，deviled。
　　ORGON
　　Poorman！
　　DORINE
　　Allnightshecouldn’tgetawinkOfsleep，thefeverrackedherso;andweHadtositupwithhertilldaylight。
　　ORGON
　　HowAboutTartuffe？
　　DORINE
　　Gentlyinclinedtoslumber，Heleftthetable，wentintohroom，Gothimselfstraightintoagoodwarmbed，Andsleptquiteundturbeduntilnextmorning。
　　ORGON
　　Poorman！
　　DORINE
　　Atlastsheletusallpersuadeher，Andgotupcouragetobebled;andthenShewasrelievedatonce。
　　ORGON
　　AndhowaboutTartuffe？
　　DORINE
　　Hepluckedupcourageproperly，Bravelyentrenchedhsoulagainstallevils，Andtoreplacethebloodthatshehadlost，Hedrankatbreakfastfourhugedraughtsofwine。
　　ORGON
　　Poorman！
　　DORINE
　　Sonowtheybotharedoingwell;
　　AndI’llgostraightwayandinformmymtressHowpleasedyouareatherrecovery。
　　SCENEVI
　　ORGON，CLEANTE
　　CLEANTE
　　Brother，sheridiculesyoutoyourface;
　　AndI，thoughIdon’twanttomakeyouangry，Musttellyoucandidlythatshe’squiteright。
　　Wassuchinfatuationeverheardof？
　　Andcanamanto—dayhavecharmstomakeyouForgetallelse，relievehpoverty，Givehimahome，andthen？
　　ORGON
　　Stopthere，goodbrother，Youdonotknowthemanyou’respeakingof。
　　CLEANTE
　　Sinceyouwillhaveitso，Idonotknowhim;
　　Butafterall，totellwhatsortofmanHe
　　ORGON
　　Dearbrother，you’dbecharmedtoknowhim;
　　Yourrapturesoverhimwouldhavenoend。
　　Heamanwhoah！infactamanWhoeverdoeshwill，knowsperfectpeace，Andcountsthewholeworldelse，assomuchdung。
　　Hconversehastransformedmequite;heweansMyheartfromeveryfriendship，teachesmeTohavenoloveforanythingonearth;
　　AndIcouldseemybrother，children，mother，Andwife，alldie，andnevercare——asnap。
　　CLEANTE
　　Yourfeelingsarehumane，Imustsay，brother！
　　ORGON
　　Ah！Ifyou’dseenhim，asIsawhimfirst，YouwouldhavelovedhimjustasmuchasI。
　　Hecametochurcheachday，withcontritemien，Kneeled，onbothknees，rightoppositemyplace，Anddrewtheeyesofallthecongregation，Towatchthefervourofhprayerstoheaven;
　　Withdeep—drawnsighsandgreatejaculations，Hehumblyksedtheearthateverymoment;
　　AndwhenIleftthechurch，heranbeforemeTogivemeholywateratthedoor。
　　Ilearnedhpoverty，andwhohewas，Byquestioninghservant，wholikehim，Andgavehimgifts;butinhmodestyHealwayswantedtoreturnapart。
　　"Ittoomuch，"he’dsay，"toomuchbyhalf;
　　Iamnotworthyofyourpity。"Then，WhenIrefusedtotakeitback，he’dgo，Beforemyeyes，andgiveittothepoor。
　　Atlengthheavenbademetakehimtomyhome，Andsincethatday，allseemstoprosperhere。
　　Hecensureseverything，andformysakeHeeventakesgreatinterestinmywife;
　　Heletsmeknowwhooglesher，andseemsSixtimesasjealousasIammyself。
　　You’dnotbelievehowfarhzealcango:
　　Hecallshimselfasinnerjustfortrifles;
　　Themerestnothingenoughtoshockhim;
　　Somuchso，thattheotherdayIheardhimAccusehimselfforhaving，whileatprayer，Intoomuchangercaughtandkilledaflea。
　　CLEANTE
　　Zounds，brother，youaremad，Ithink！OrelseYou’remakingsportofme，withsuchaspeech。
　　Whatareyoudrivingatwithallthnonsense？
　　ORGON
　　Brother，yourlanguagesmacksofathem;
　　AndIsuspectyoursoul’salittletaintedTherewith。I’vepreachedtoyouascoreoftimesThatyou’lldrawdownsomejudgmentonyourhead。
　　CLEANTE
　　Thattheusualstrainofallyourkind;
　　Theymusthaveeveryoneasblindasthey。
　　Theycallyouathetifyouhavegoodeyes;
　　Andifyoudon’tadoretheirvaingrimaces，You’veneitherfaithnorcareforsacredthings。
　　No，no;suchtalkcan’tfrightenme;IknowWhatIamsaying;heavenseesmyheart。
　　We’renotthedupesofallyourcantingmummers;
　　Therearefalseheroes——andfalsedevotees;
　　AndastrueheroesneveraretheonesWhomakemuchnoeabouttheirdeedsofhonour，Justsotruedevotees，whomweshouldfollow，Arenottheoneswhomakesomuchvainshow。
　　What！WillyoufindnodifferencebetweenHypocryandgenuinedevoutness？
　　Andwillyoutreatthembothalike，andpayTheself—samehonourbothtomasksandfacesSetartificebesidesincerity，Confusethesemblancewithreality，Esteemaphantomlikealivingperson，Andcounterfeitasgoodashonestcoin？
　　Men，forthemostpart，arestrangecreatures，truly！
　　Youneverfindthemkeepthegoldenmean;
　　Thelimitsofgoodsense，toonarrowforthem，Mustalwaysbepassedby，ineachdirection;
　　Theyoftenspoilthenoblestthings，becauseTheygotoofar，andpushthemtoextremes。
　　Imerelysaythbytheway，goodbrother。