ANG. Ah! what a delightful surprise! Father, since heaven has given
you back to our love, let me here throw myself at your feet to implore
one favour of you. If you do not approve of what my heart feels, if
you refuse to give me Cléante for a husband, I conjure you, at least,
not to force me to marry another. It is all I have to ask of you.
CLE. (_throwing himself at_ ARGAN’S _feet_). Ah! Sir, allow
your heart to be touched by her entreaties and by mine, and do not
oppose our mutual love.
BER. Brother, how can you resist all this?
TOI. Will you remain insensible before such affection?
ARG. Well, let him become a doctor, and I will consent to the
marriage. (_To_ CLÉANTE) Yes, turn doctor, Sir, and I will give
you my daughter.
CLE. Very willingly, Sir, if it is all that is required to become your
son-in-law. I will turn doctor; apothecary also, if you like. It is
not such a difficult thing after all, and I would do much more to
obtain from you the fair Angélique.
BER. But, brother, it just strikes me; why don’t you turn doctor
yourself? It would be much more convenient to have all you want within
yourself.
TOI. Quite true. That is the very way to cure yourself. There is no
disease bold enough to dare to attack the person of a doctor.
ARG. I imagine, brother, that you are laughing at me. Can I study at
my age?
BER. Study! What need is there? You are clever enough for that; there
are a great many who are not a bit more clever than you are.
ARG. But one must be able to speak Latin well, and know the different
diseases and the remedies they require.
BER. When you put on the cap and gown of a doctor, all that will come
of itself, and you will afterwards be much more clever than you care
to be.
ARG. What! We understand how to discourse upon diseases when we have
that dress?
BER. Yes; you have only to hold forth; when you have a cap and gown,
any stuff becomes learned, and all rubbish good sense.
TOI. Look you, Sir; a beard is something in itself; a beard is half
the doctor.
CLE. Anyhow, I am ready for everything.
BER. (_to_ ARGAN). Shall we have the thing done immediately?
ARG. How, immediately?
BER. Yes, in your house.
ARG. In my house?
BER. Yes, I know a body of physicians, friends of mine, who will come
presently, and will perform the ceremony in your hall. It will cost
you nothing.
ARG. But what can I say, what can I answer?
BER. You will be instructed in a few words, and they will give you in
writing all you have to say. Go and dress yourself directly, and I
will send for them.
ARG. Very well; let it be done.