MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
I kept you waiting a little, but it's because I'm
having myself dressed today like the people of quality, and my tailor sent
me some silk stockings that I thought I would never get on.
MUSIC MASTER
We are here only to wait upon your leisure.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
I want you both to stay until they have brought me
my suit, so that you may see me.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN (Half opening his gown, showing a pair of
tight red velvet breeches, and a green velvet vest, that he is wearing)
Here again is a sort of lounging dress to perform my morning exercises
in.
DANCING MASTER
Very well. No one could look better.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Now let's have a look at your little show.
MUSIC MASTER
I would like very much for you to listen to a melody he
(indicating his student) has just composed for the serenade that
you ordered from me. He's one of my pupils who has an admirable talent
for these kinds of things.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Yes, but you should not have had that done by a pupil;
you yourself were none too good for that piece of work.
MUSIC MASTER
You must not let the name of pupil fool you, sir. Pupils
of this sort know as much as the greatest masters, and the melody is as
fine as could be made. Just listen.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN (To Lackeys) Give me my robe so I can listen
better . . . Wait, I believe I would be better without a robe. . . No,
give it back, that will be better.
MUSICIAN (Singing)
I languish night and day, my suffering is extreme
Since to your control your lovely eyes subjected me;
If you thus treat, fair Iris, those you love,
Alas, how would you treat an enemy?
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
This song seems to me a little mournful, it lulls
to sleep, and I would like it if you could liven it up a little, here and
there.
MUSIC MASTER
It is necessary, Sir, that the tune be suited to the words.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Someone taught me a perfectly pretty one some time
ago. Listen . . . Now . . . how does it go?
I thought my Jeanneton
As beautiful as sweet;
I thought my Janneton
Far sweeter than a sheep.
Alas! Alas! She is a hundred times,
A thousand times, more cruel
Than tigers in the woods!
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
I'll learn it then. But I don't know when I can find
time; for besides the Fencing Master who's teaching me, I have also engaged
a master of philosophy who is to begin this morning.
MUSIC MASTER
Philosophy is something; but music, sir, music . . .
DANCING MASTER
Music and dancing, music and dancing, that's all that's
necessary.
MUSIC MASTER
There's nothing so useful in a State as music.
DANCING MASTER
There's nothing so necessary to men as dancing.
MUSIC MASTER
Without music, a State cannot subsist.
DANCING MASTER
Without the dance, a man can do nothing.
MUSIC MASTER
All the disorders, all the wars one sees in the world
happen only from not learning music.
DANCING MASTER
All the misfortunes of mankind, all the dreadful disasters
that fill the history books, the blunders of politicians and the faults
of omission of great commanders, all this comes from not knowing how to
dance.
DANCING MASTER
When a man has committed a mistake in his conduct, in
family affairs, or in affairs of government of a state, or in the command
of an army, do we not always say, "He took a bad step in such and such
an affair?"
MUSIC MASTER (To musicians) Here, come forward. (To Monsieur
Jourdain) You must imagine that they are dressed as shepherds.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Why always as shepherds? You see nothing but that
everywhere.
MUSIC MASTER
When we have characters that are to speak in music, it's
necessary, for believability, to make them pastoral. Singing has always
been assigned to shepherds; and it is scarcely natural dialogue for princes
or merchants to sing their passions.
ALL THREE A heart, under the domination of love,
Is always with a thousand cares oppressed.
It is said that we gladly languish, gladly sigh;
But, despite what can be said,
There is nothing so sweet as our liberty!
FIRST MAN There is nothing so sweet as the loving fires
That make two hearts beat as one.
One cannot live without amorous desires;
Take love from life, you take away the pleasures.
SECOND MAN It would be sweet to submit to love's rule,
If one could find faithful love,
But, alas! oh cruel rule!
No faithful shepherdess is to be seen,
And that inconstant sex, much too unworthy,
Must renounce love eternally.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
I find it well-done, and there are some pretty enough
sayings in it.
DANCING MASTER
Here, for my presentation, is a little display of the
loveliest movements and the most beautiful attitudes with which a dance
can possibly be varied.
DANCING MASTER
They're whatever you please. Let's go!
(Four dancers execute all the different movements and all the kinds
of steps that the Dancing Master commands; and this dance makes
the First Interlude.)
