But why to prison? Police Office. I need not explain to you my reason. (To Orgon.) Calm yourself, sir, after passions of such heat. We're ruled by a Prince who's a foe to deceit, A Prince whose eyes can read what the soul has writ, And who can't be fooled by a hypocrite. Blessed with a fine discernment, his great heart Always sees the whole picture, not just each part. Nothing can drive him to exaggeration; His firm reason clings to moderation. He confers on men of worth immortal glory; But that zeal is not blind or peremptory, And his love for what's true does not turn his eye From the power of falseness to horrify. This man here was unable to entrap him; His defenses are sound when such snares enwrap him. From the start, he pierced with his perceptive sight Through the veils that hid this evil from light. Tartuffe betrayed himself by accusing you, And, in divine justice, revealed his true Colors to the Prince as an infamous cad Whose deeds under another name were so bad That the record they made was wholly black And Satan might use them as his almanac. In short, this king was revolted to see His ingratitude to you and disloyalty; To his other crimes, he has joined this one And has only allowed it so everyone Could see his audacity's evil ends And then see him required to make amends. All your papers, which the wretch has pawed through, Are here taken away and returned to you. With his sovereign power he will abrogate The contract by which you gave away your estate, And finally he pardons that secret offense Which you once committed through benevolence. This is the reward for the courage you showed In support of his rights in the late episode, And to demonstrate that, when least expected, One's past deeds may be recollected, That he will never forget a good deed, And that good outweighs evil in time of need.

Tartuffe Monologue

About this piece

Rehearse Tartuffe's monologue

More from Tartuffe