profession. Nothing, however, could make him forget his native city, whose gulf and bay haunted the memories of his childhood, and these memories grew stronger as he increased in years. Suddenly it came to his knowledge that his father also had been rescued from the waves; that he was not dead, as had been supposed, but living in Paris under an assumed name. Valère ignored this name; but the mere possibility of finding his father was sufficient to make his life intolerable in a country ruled over by the oppressors of his native land. Like a stoic, he bade good-bye to his dreams of glory, and at once left Madrid for Paris. Nothing interfered with his good resolutions until he reached this place. One fine morning, as he is walking along the banks of the Seine, he reaches a point where a large crowd has gathered, and learns that a young lady has just fallen into the river. Cries of suicide, accident and crime arise at the same time from the midst of this crowd; every one has some advice to give, but not one will do anything to rescue the unfortunate one. Without even stopping to take off his coat, Valère jumps into the river and swims to a place which an old man points out to him; a third time he plunges under water, and when he comes to the surface again he holds in his arms the inanimate body of the young woman and reaches shore in safety. Several hours elapse before Elise- for this was the young lady's name regains perfect consciousness. Her first words are words of despair: "Alas, sir, why did you rescue me?" "Dear me," exclaimed the brave rescuer, "you, so young, so pretty, can it be true that you have already tasted of the bitter cup of life?" Yes, Elise had suffered already; and, for want of a solid education and that faith which upholds failing courage, her sufferings had frightened her into attempting to take her own life. With poignant emotion, Valère listens to her pitiful story: Harpagon, a wealthy upstart, completely under the control of the passion of avarice, is her father. This passion makes him forget everything: honor, friendship, family; he thinks his children are his enemies and his servants his spies. He seeks to get rid of his children by marrying them to rich parties, so that it will not cost him a farthing. What wonder, then, if with such a father, always out of temper, with threat or insult constantly on his lips, Elise and Cléante, her brother, left to themselves and without a mother, whom death has snatched from them, should resort to desperate acts? Cléante borrows, at usurer's terms, all the money he can, his father refusing to give him the necessary funds to keep up a certain style; Elise lives in the constant fear of seeing herself forced to marry some man that will accept her without a dowry. What is to be done? Valère's manly and loyal face suddenly lights up with such an expression of tenderness that Elise begins to understand that there may yet be happy days for her in this world. Valère engages a trustworthy person to go in quest of his father. Harpagon is looking for the services of a steward that will not cost him any pecuniary outlay; and it is agreed upon between Valère and Elise that Valère shall call upon Harpagon the next day and accept the position with its emoluments and honors, such as they are. Their plan is successful, and Valère has entered upon his duties. Here begins Molière's comedy, which is based upon these facts; the work must remain its own commentary. ACTEURS. 1. HARPAGON, père de Cléante et d'Élise, et amoureux de Mariane. 2. CLÉANTE, fils d'Harpagon, amant de Mariane. 3. ÉLISE, fille d'Harpagon, amante de Valère. 4. VALÈRE, fils d'Anselme, et amant d'Élise. 5. MARIANE, amante de Cléante, et aimée d'Harpagon. 6. ANSELME, père de Valère et de Mariane. 7. FROSINE, femme d'intrigue. 8. MAÎTRE SIMON, courtier. 9. MAÎTRE JACQUES, cuisinier et cocher d'Harpagon. 10. LA FLÈCHE, valet de Cléante. II. DAME CLAUDE, servante d'Harpagon. 12. BRINDAVOINE, 13. LA MERLUCHE, laquais d'Harpagon. 14. LE COMMISSAIRE et son clerc. La scène est à Paris. |