Tartuffe; Or, The Hypocrite. Жан-Батист Мольер

so he says himself. Such vanity

        But ill accords with pious living, sir.

        The man who cares for holiness alone

        Should not so loudly boast his name and birth;

        The humble ways of genuine devoutness

        Brook not so much display of earthly pride.

        Why should he be so vain? … But I offend you:

        Let's leave his rank, then, – take the man himself:

      1

      Referring to the rebellion called La Fronde, during the minority of Louis XIV.

      2

      Moliere's note, inserted in the text of all the old editions. It is a curious illustration of the desire for uniformity and dignity of style in dramatic verse of the seventeenth century, that Moliere feels called on to apologize for a touch of realism like this. Indeed, these lines were even omitted when the play was given.