Act 3 — SCENE X.——A BALLET
Charles Heron Wall translation
FOOTNOTES
1. Pourceaugnac equals pourceau, "a young pig," plus the local ending -gnac.
2. Compare the "royal cautery" in 'The Flying Doctor'.
3. Sbrigani and Nérine are merely the conventional rogues of the stage. Compare Mascarille, Scapin.
4. Compare act ii. scene xii.
5. The Neapolitans had no great reputation for sincerity.
6. Mode de la cour pour la campagne.
7. Consul in the south equalled échevin in the north. Both words are obsolete in this sense.
8. Ma croix de par Dieu, "my Christ-cross-row," or "Criss-cross-row," in old and provincial English.
9. Translation:
The Two Physicians.
Good day, good day, good day! Yield not yourself a prey To melancholy sway. We'll make you laugh, I trow, With songs harmonious, gay. Unto us your cure is dear, For that alone we're here. Good day, good day, good day!
1st Physician.
Nought else is madness true Save melancholy blue. Not lost is he, Though sick he be, Who sips of mirth the dew. Nought else is madness true Save melancholy blue.
2nd Physician.
Up then! sing loud, and dance and play, "Better still I'd do!" you say. Delirium's nigh—if you must pine, Take first some wine; And sometimes, too, take your tabàc Right joyfully, Monsu Pourceaugnac.
10. Take it, take it. Sir; it will do you no harm, &c.
11. See act i, scene iii.
12. Somerset dialect is employed here.
13. Lowland Scotch is employed here.
14. Compare act i. scene v.
15. The French forms have been retained for the sake of the rhyme.
16. Bigamists were really put to death.
17. Molière seems to have had a grudge against Limoges. Compare act i. scene i.
18. Noblemen were beheaded.