Laffemas, Gracieux
GRACIEUX (_to Laffemas_).
My lord,
I do not understand you!
[_Aside._] Humph! A costume
Of Alcaid and a figure of police;
Small eyes, adorned with big eyebrows! I think
He plays the part of Alguazil in this
Locality.
LAFFEMAS (_pulling out his purse_).
My friend!
GRACIEUX (_drawing near, low to Laffemas_).
My lord--I see!
Chimène has interested you. You wish
To know--
LAFFEMAS (_low, smiling_).
Who is her Roderick?
GRACIEUX.
You mean
Her lover?
LAFFEMAS.
Yes!
GRACIEUX.
Who groans beneath her spell?
LAFFEMAS (_impatiently_).
There's one?
GRACIEUX.
Of course!
LAFFEMAS (_approaching him eagerly_).
Then show him to me, quick!
GRACIEUX (_with profound obeisance_).
It's I, my lord. I'm mad about her!
LAFFEMAS.
You!
[_Laffemas, disappointed, turns away with annoyance; then he comes
back and shakes his purse in Gracieux's eyes and ears._
Know you the sound of ducats?
GRACIEUX.
Heavenly tones!
LAFFEMAS (_aside_).
I've got my Didier!
[_To Gracieux._] Do you see this purse?
GRACIEUX.
How much!
LAFFEMAS.
Gold ducats--twenty!
GRACIEUX.
Humph!
LAFFEMAS (_jingling the gold in his face_).
Will you?
GRACIEUX (_grabbing the purse from him_).
Most certainly!
[_With theatrical tone to Laffemas, who listens anxiously._
My lord, if your back bore
Just in the center a great hump, as big
As is your belly, and if those two bags
Were filled with louis, sequins, and doubloons,
In that case--
LAFFEMAS (_eagerly_).
Well, what would you do?
GRACIEUX (_putting the purse into his pocket_).
I'd take
The whole of it, and I would say--
[_With profound obeisance._
I thank you;
You are a gentleman!
LAFFEMAS (_aside, furious_).
Plague on the monkey!
GRACIEUX (_aside, laughing_).
The devil take the cat!
LAFFEMAS (_aside_).
They have agreed
On what to do, if any one suspects.
'Tis a conspiracy. They'll all be dumb;
Accursed gypsy devils!
[_To Gracieux who is going away._
Give me back
My purse!
GRACIEUX (_turning around, with tragic tone_).
What do you take me for, my lord?
What will the world think of us, pray, if you
Propose and I agree to anything
So infamous as sell for gold a life,
My soul? [_Turns to go._
LAFFEMAS.
That's as you please; but give me back
My money!
GRACIEUX.
No, I keep my honor, sir,
And we have no accounts to settle.
[_He salutes him and re-enters barn._