The court, more splendid than ever, exhibited all its magnificence at this ball. Etching after the painting by C. Delort. THE AFFECTED LADIES. BY MOLIÈRE. (Translated by Charles Heron Wall.) [MOLIÈRE (stage name of Jean Baptiste Poquelin), the greatest of French comedy writers, was the son of an upholsterer, and was born in Paris in 1622. He studied law for a time at Orleans, but, preferring the theatrical profession, at twenty-one joined a company styling themselves "Illustre Théâtre," and traveled in the provinces for many seasons. He was playing at Lyons in 1653, where his first piece, "L'Étourdi," a comedy of intrigue, was brought out. In 1658 Molière's company acted at Paris before Louis XIV., who was so highly pleased that he allowed them to establish themselves in the city under the title of the "Troupe de Monsieur" (later denominated "Troupe du Roi"). Molière continued his career as actor and dramatist, and produced in rapid succession "Les Précieuses Ridicules," "L'École des Femmes," "Le Misanthrope," "Le Médecin Malgré Lui," "Tartuffe," "L'Avare," "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme," and "Le Malade Imaginaire." In 1662 he made an ill-sorted marriage with Armande Béjart, a young actress twenty years his junior, a union that embittered the latter part of his life. About 1667 he showed symptoms of lung disease, and on February 17, 1673, after a performance of "Le Malade Imaginaire," died of a hemorrhage. It was only through the intervention of the king that the Church allowed him burial. In the literature of comedy Molière bears the greatest name among the moderns after Shakespeare.] Present: LA GRANGE, DU CROISY. Du Croisy-What do you think of our visit; are you much pleased with it? La Grange Has either of us reason to be so, in your opinion? Du Croisy -No great reason, if the truth be told. La Grange- For my part I am dreadfully put out about it. Did ever anybody meet with a couple of silly country wenches giving themselves such airs as these? Did ever anybody see two men treated with more contempt than we were? It was as much as they could do to bring themselves to order chairs for us. I never saw such whispering, such yawning, such rubbing of eyes, such constant asking what o'clock it was. Why, they answered nothing but yes or no to all we said to them. Don't you think with me, that had we been the meanest persons in the world, they could hardly have behaved more rudely? Du Croisy-You seem to take it very much to heart. La Grange-I should think I do. I feel it so much that I am determined to be revenged on them for their imperti nence.. I have a certain valet, named Mascarille, who in the opinion of many people passes for a kind of wit, — nothing is cheaper nowadays than wit, an absurd fellow, who has taken into his head to ape the man of rank. He prides himself upon love intrigues and poetry, and despises those of his own condition so far as to call them vulgar wretches. Du Croisy And what use do you intend to make of him? La Grange-I will tell you; he must- But let us first get away from here. Enter GORGIBUS. Gorgibus -Well, gentlemen, you have seen my daughter and my niece; did all run smoothly? what is the result of your visit? La Grange-This you may better learn from them than from us; all we can say is that we thank you for the honor you have done us, and remain your most humble servants. Du Croisy-And remain your most humble servants. [Exeunt. Gorgibus Heyday! They seem to go away dissatisfied; what can have displeased them? I must know what's the matter. I say there! Enter MAROTTE. Marotte Did you call, sir? Gorgibus Where are your mistresses? Gorgibus - They are always making salve. Tell them to come down. [Exit MAROTTE. Gorgibus [alone] - I believe these foolish girls have determined to ruin me with their ointments. I see nothing about here but white of eggs, milk of roses, and a thousand fiddlefaddles that I know nothing about. Since we came here they have used the fat of a dozen hogs at least, and four servants might live on the sheep's trotters they daily require. Enter MADELON and CATHOS. Gorgibus There is great need, surely, for you to spend so much money in greasing your nozzles! Tell me, please, what |