Robert Browning (1812–1889). A Blot in the ’Scutcheon.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Act V Scene V
ORGON, MADAME PERNELLE, ELMIRE, CLÉANTE, MARIANE, DAMIS, DORINE
Orgon
Well, mother, am I right or am I not?
This writ may help you now to judge the matter.
Or don’t you see his treason even yet?
Madame Pernelle
I’m all amazed, befuddled, and beflustered!
Dorine(to ORGON )
You are quite wrong, you have no right to blame him;
This action only proves his good intentions.
Love for his neighbour makes his virtue perfect;
And knowing money is a root of evil,
In Christian charity, he’d take away
Whatever things may hinder your salvation.
Orgon
Be still. You always need to have that told you.
Cléante(to ORGON )
Come, let us see what course you are to follow.
Elmire
Go and expose his bold ingratitude.
Such action must invalidate the contract;
His perfidy must now appear too black
To bring him the success that he expects.