THE SHOPKEEPER TURNED GENTLEMAN. (LE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME.)
Charles Heron Wall translation
BY
MOLIERE,
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH PROSE.
WITH SHORT INTRODUCTIONS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.
BY
CHARLES HERON WALL.
'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme' was acted before the King for the first time at Chambord, on October 14, 1670, and on November 28 at the Palais Royal. After the second representation, Louis XIV. said to Moliere, "You have never written anything which amused me more, and your play is excellent." But it obtained a still greater success in Paris, where the bourgeois willingly and good-humouredly laughed at what they deemed their neighbours' weaknesses. The three first acts are the best; Louis XIV. hurried Moliere so with the last that they degenerated into burlesque.
Moliere acted the part of the Bourgeois.
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
MR. JOURDAIN.
CLEONTE, in love with LUCILE.
DORANTE, a count, in love with DORIMENE.
COVIELLE, servant to CLEONTE.
A MUSIC MASTER, ETC.
A DANCING MASTER, ETC.
A FENCING MASTER.
A PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY.
A MASTER TAILOR.
ASSISTANT TAILORS.
TWO LACKEYS.
MRS. JOURDAIN.
LUCILE, daughter to MR. JOURDAIN.
DORIMENE, a marchioness.
NICOLE, maid-servant to MR. JOURDAIN.
The scene is in PARIS, in MR. JOURDAIN'S house.