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harming L6andre: a 
 
 omedy in One Act: 
 
 y Theodore de Ban- 
 
 ille: Translated by Bar- 
 
 ett H. Clark 
 
 amuel French : Publisher 
 
 18-30 West Thirty-eighth Street : New York 
 PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS 
 
Digitized by tine Internet Archive 
 
 in 2008 with funding from 
 
 IVIicrosoft Corporation 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/charminglanderOObanvrich 
 
THE WORI.D'S BKST PLAYS 
 
 BY GELEBRATEI> EUROPKAN AUTHORS 
 
 BARRETT H. CLARK 
 GENERAL EDITOR 
 
Charming Leandre: a 
 Comedy in One Act: 
 by Theodore de Ban- 
 ville: Translated by Bar- 
 rett H. Clark 
 
 Samuel French : Publisher 
 
 28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street : New York 
 
CtoPYKIGHT, 1915, 
 
 By SAMUEL FRENCH 
 
CHARMING LEANDRE 
 
 PERSONS REPRESENTED 
 
 Orgon, an old and crabbed tradesman. 
 CoLOMBiNE, his daughter, a pretty and coquettish 
 young woman. 
 
 Leandre, Colombine's lover. 
 
 The Scene: Paris, about 1720. 
 
 306836 
 
THEODORE DE BANVILLE 
 
 Theodore de Banville (1823-1891) was a poet en- 
 dowed with delicacy of feehng and charm. His 
 numerous little plays, nearly all in verse, are de- 
 lightful vignettes of old French life. Nearly always 
 he went to French history, tradition, or literature 
 for his plots. Gringoire, for instance, one of his 
 best known, is a poetic play built round the half- 
 legendary story of the old poet Gringoire ; the pres- 
 ent sketch, on the other hand, is a purely imaginary 
 trifle, laid in early Eighteenth Century Paris. 
 
 As the translation of poetry is practically im- 
 possible, it has been deemed wise to cast Le Beau 
 Leandre in more or less colloquial prose. 
 
 The setting is fully described in the stage-direc- 
 tions. The costumes are of the period. 
 
CHARMING LEANDRE 
 
 A deserted square in the neighborhood of the Lux- 
 embourg Gardens. At the back, through the iron 
 gate, a part of the Palace is seen, half-obscured 
 by heavy foliage. The sides of the stage repre- 
 sent old houses: down-stage on either side are old 
 walls, covered with creeping vines and flowers. 
 Down-stage to the right in Orgon's house, style of 
 Louis XV, in red-brick; it has a balcony extend- 
 ing from the French-windows on the second 
 story. Just above this house the garden wall is 
 seen. Down-stage to the left is a marble bench, 
 part of which is broken. The sky begins to 
 brighten, the roofs of the houses are touched 
 with the reflection of the rising sun. 
 
 Leandre appears at the back, dances about the 
 stage, then stops in front of Orgon's house, looks 
 up at it longingly, then comes down-stage and 
 declaims : ) 
 
 Leandre. Cupid, thou it is who hast wakened 
 me at this hour when Aurora tinges with pink the 
 gates of the East. (Turning toward Orgon's 
 hoitrse) I salute thee, dear abode of the star before 
 which the sun itself seems pale! Dear star of my 
 eyes, sweet and charming Colombine! — Happy 
 Leandre, handsome Leandre, lucky Leandre! — But 
 — marry her? It's a grave question! And she 
 hasn't a sou! Hm! — Let us awaken her! But 
 how? What trick — ? Break a window? Sing 
 a song? That very obnoxious old gentleman, 
 Orgon, might come, and pick a quarrel — the devil! 
 
6 CHAKMING LfiANDRE. 
 
 I have it: I'll cry " Fire! " If he appears, Til run 
 away, but if she appears, I shall stay — intoxicated 
 with happiness! {He goes up-stage and cries 
 ''Fire") Fire! Help! Help! You'll burn to 
 death ! 
 
 (CoLOMBiNE appears on the balcony.) 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. Good Hcavcns, what's all this 
 noise ? 
 
 Leandre. Fire ! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (Catching sight of Leandre) It's 
 you, Leandre? Where, if you please, is the fire? 
 
 Leandre. In my heart ! In your eyes ! It can- 
 not be extinguished. 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. Flatterer — I do not believe you! — 
 And the wedding — when is it to be? 
 
 Leandre. (Pretending to be in great despair) 
 Your fatal charms! Ah, heart of snow! 
 
 Colombine. When is the wedding day? 
 
 Leandre. (Aside) She insists! — (To Colom- 
 bine) Thou charming daughter of the Heavens, 
 may it be soon! My intentions are no less pure 
 than the ethereal blue ! 
 
 Colombine. Then let us get married. 
 
 Leandre. (Standing on the bench in order to 
 speak more easily) My dear Colombine, the Fates 
 unite to pester people who are married. We have 
 both seen married folk come to fell disaster. Think 
 well ! 
 
 Colombine. I care not a whit for the Fates — 
 nor for this nonsense you are talking. No marriage 
 — no love ! 
 
 Leandre. (Coming down from the bench) 
 Cruel — ^let me at least make love to you ! 
 
 Colombine. I can't trust you! 
 
 Leandre. (Drawing his sword) My despair 
 will drive me to — I'm going 
 
 Colombine. Ask my father's permission. I like 
 to be clear in matters of this sort. 
 
CHARMING L6ANDRE. 7 
 
 Leandre. He will refuse! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. Then I wash my hands of every- 
 thing. Tell him one of those pretty stories you tell 
 me — Au revoir. {She retires, closing the window 
 after her. Leandre stands for a moment, plunged 
 in uncertainty, then he comes down-stage) 
 
 Leandre. Ah? Well, what if I did marry her, 
 after all? It is indeed serious. I never thought I 
 should go to Cythera's Isle accompanied by two 
 witnesses and a notary! — And yet, Colombine is 
 careful, a good housekeeper, clever — I never knew 
 anyone so industrious. When I look at her as a 
 lover, all's well, but as a husband — hm? Here 
 comes her good father ! 
 
 (Orgon comes forth from his house, talking to 
 himself, and not seeing Leandre.) 
 
 Orgon. These confounded clothes! Every 
 motion I make, I burst something — bah! Holes 
 big enough to put one's fist through! Now, how 
 can I manage to replace the material, without pay- 
 ing for it myself? Some friend, some scholar — ? 
 (Catching sight of Leandre) Ah, Leandre! I'll 
 pretend not to notice him — he gets on my nerves! 
 
 Leandre. Salutations, Seigneur Orgon! 
 
 Orgon. {Pretending not to recognize him) I 
 have no small change — and I never give to the 
 poor. 
 
 Leandre. Are you making fun of me? 
 
 Orgon. {As before) Never. I never give — on 
 week-days or holidays. 
 
 Leandre. {Insisting) Seigneur Orgon, pray 
 don't be so obstinate. I have come here 
 
 Orgon. Nonsense. 
 
 Leandre. To say good morning to you. 
 
 Orgon. Rubbish. 
 
 Leandre. Only a word 
 
 Orgon. I have nothing to say to you. 
 
8 CHARMING LfiANDRE. 
 
 Leandre. I must- 
 Orgon. No ! 
 
 Leandre. I should have liked 
 
 Orgon. Hush ! 
 
 Leandre. But let me tell you who I am ! I am 
 Leandre ! 
 
 Orgon. {Now pretending to recognize him — 
 good-naturedly) Ah, so ifs you, Leandre? My 
 dear Leandre ! I must confess, I took you at first 
 for some beggar. 
 
 Leandre. Only too happy! 
 
 Orgon. What do you want ? 
 
 Leandre. {Aside) I must be pleasant! 
 {Aloud) You look particularly well this morn- 
 ing! 
 
 Orgon. I look like a man who wants to take a 
 little walk before his own door-step. And you too 
 look remarkably well. Thank you. Good day. 
 
 Leandre. {Catching hold of his arm) I love 
 a rare and exquisite creature : it brightens the whole 
 earth 
 
 Orgon. {Trying to get away) Yes? And what 
 can I do ? 
 
 Leandre. Her forehead is like the pearls of the 
 sea, her hair is seraphs' gold; not the pearls of 
 paradise can compare with her teeth, the Red Sea 
 is nothing compared with her lips ! 
 
 Orgon. Then take her to the jeweler's, my dear 
 fellow. If that is true, he will give you a tremen- 
 dous price. 
 
 Leandre. The woman I adore, the woman I — 
 let us be frank — You have a daughter? 
 
 Orgon. No. I never had one. 
 
 Leandre. Ah, yes you have! 
 
 Orgon. No. 
 
 Leandre. Yes. 
 
 Orgon. No. Now, I must be going! 
 
 Leandre. Please don't! 
 
 Orgon. I must. 
 
CHARMING LfiANDRE, 9 
 
 Leandre. You have Colombine. 
 
 Orgon. Ah, Colombine! The angel — although 
 she does worry and bother me at times. In this old 
 quarter of the city she keeps house for me : cooks to 
 perfection and mends my clothes. The darling — 
 with her bright eyes, her flowing tresses, I — I 
 declare that she is not for you. I refuse you. And 
 now, run off! 
 
 Leandre. (Kneeling) My dear Orgon, see: I 
 am kneeling! 
 
 Orgon. Stop it! Now be off! 
 
 Leandre. Heart of stone, thrice-barbarous 
 father, what have you against me? 
 
 Orgon. You are something of a philanderer. 
 
 Leandre. Pure affectation on my part! 
 
 Orgon. You will be hanged some day. 
 
 Leandre. I ? By the feet, or the neck ? 
 
 Orgon. Your escapades are well known. 
 
 Leandre. Seigneur, grant me, I beg you, the 
 object of my affections ! She will reform me ! 
 
 Orgon. She is not for you ! 
 
 Leandre. (Drazving his sword — tragically) 
 Thou formidable blade, weapon of my ancestors, 
 loathed in the blood of thousands, protector of in- 
 nocence, terror of craven hearts, fly quick to the 
 bosom of thy master. Lay the blame for this dark 
 act at Orgon's door. Or if. Oh loyal friend, thou 
 shrinkest from the deed, let me fly for my pistols ! 
 
 Orgon. But — Colombine — ? 
 
 Leandre. That charm for my eyes, that star 
 which holds my heart in subjugation, that adorable 
 tyrant to whom I say : Command, I obey ! — 
 
 Orgon. Do you know what dowry I am giving 
 her? 
 
 Leandre. No. 
 
 Orgon. Do you prefer lands or cash? 
 
 Leandre. Either one will content me. 
 
 Orgon. Cash is, I think better. 
 
lo CHARMING L6ANDRE. 
 
 Leandre. But of course, land does not vary as 
 a cash income is likely to do. 
 
 Orgon. Now let me tell you : I intend to marry 
 Colombine off without a dowry.— Save your sword 
 and spare your tears for other amours. 
 
 Leandre. (Aside) The devil! (Aloud) I 
 adore her so, I care for nothing but her lovely self ! 
 
 Orgon. Good. 
 
 Leandre. With her, I could not hope to achieve 
 a greater happiness on earth. 
 
 Orgon. You have money perhaps? 
 
 Leandre. None with me, 
 
 Orgon. But — elsewhere? You have? 
 
 Leandre. I ? I have expectations : certain docu- 
 ments in my library lead me to believe that 
 hypothetical 
 
 Orgon. Why not speak of it, then? Shake 
 hands! (Leandre appears very joyful) But 
 Colombine is not for you ! 
 
 Leandre. (Aside) What an obstinate old 
 fellow he is! 
 
 Orgon. Now let us talk reasqn : do you imagine 
 that I have gone to all the trouble and expense of 
 bringing up this girl, and am now willing to allow 
 her to be taken from me without receiving a single 
 sou of what I have paid out? 
 
 Leandre. A good father 
 
 Orgon. I understand ; a good father thinks him- 
 self sufficiently rewarded by the love of his children. 
 I don't begrudge what I have given her, my dear 
 Leandre, but I do intend that my son-in-law shall 
 bring some money into the family. 
 
 Leandre. And how much? 
 
 Orgon. I know you are an indigent young 
 scamp, that your allowance is miserable; and I am 
 willing to make a special offer : one hundred crowns. 
 (Aside) He can never scrape together so much! 
 
 Leandre. (In consternation) A hundred 
 
CHARMING LfiANDRE. il 
 
 crowns! I should have to hold up the Auxerre 
 coach ! 
 
 Orgon. Now, let us make an end to this. Here 
 is my last word : a hundred crowns, or no marriage ! 
 
 Leandre. a hundred crowns! 
 
 Orgon, A hundred crowns. (Orgon turns to 
 go, but returns) 
 
 Leandre. Alas, fatal day! Where can I find 
 such wealth? He might just as well have asked 
 for a million. What can I do? 
 
 Orgon. (Who has come to Leandre) Well, 
 have you weighed well the offer? 
 
 Leandre. (Hesitating) Seigneur 
 
 Orgon. Only a hundred crowns. — A hundred 
 crowns. — A hundred crowns. 
 
 Leandre. (Resolutely) You will have them in 
 no time. 
 
 Orgon. Until we meet again ! (Aside) A good 
 piece of business, this! (He goes into his house) 
 
 Leandre. Under what celestial dome, in what 
 hemisphere, can I unearth this heap of sun-bright 
 crowns ? What dark cave holds such a treasure ? — 
 My family? Hah! My friends? As well knock 
 on a drum, or seek for flowers on a house-top! 
 Friends are like an umbrella, one never has one 
 when he needs it! But Colombine? I might ask 
 her? I never hesitated before, and why should I 
 now? I must show her that I am not ungrateful! 
 
 (Colombine comes gaily in.) 
 
 Colombine. How are you, my knight? 
 
 Leandre. (Aside) Here is my money! 
 (Leandre sits down on the bench and buries his 
 face in his hands. He appears to be in dire despair) 
 
 Colombine. (Wishing to show her dress to 
 Leandre) Do you think I look nice? (Leandre 
 does not move) You might at least smile at me! 
 Truly, I was only joking this morning, when I was 
 
12 CHARMING L6ANDRE. 
 
 so rude to you. Come, make love to me. Do you 
 still love your little Colombine? 
 
 Leandre. (Tragically) Oh, cruel Destiny! 
 
 Colombine. Are you still thinking of this morn- 
 ing? I tell you, it was only in fun. 
 
 Leandre. Oh, what a misfortune! Terrible! 
 
 Colombine. What is the matter? Have you 
 seen my father? 
 
 Leandre. (Mechanically) Your father? 
 
 Colombine. Yes — tell me, I am so anxious to 
 hear everything! 
 
 Leandre. Alas, I have matters vastly more 
 serious to think of than that! 
 
 Colombine. Why do you wring your hands? 
 
 Leandre. (With an air of profound melancholy) 
 The wise man was right who said that life here 
 below was one long martyrdom, and that an abyss 
 was hidden in each of its thorny paths. (Crying 
 out) A frightful abyss! 
 
 Colombine. Heavens, this is terrible ! What is 
 the trouble? 
 
 Leandre. * (With a long face) I have a 
 brother 
 
 Colombine. I didn't know that. 
 
 Leandre. With lovely golden hair, I loved 
 him so 
 
 Colombine. Is he dead? 
 
 Leandre. (Quietly) No. (In exaltation) Oh, 
 dread misfortune! We were as fingers to the 
 hand 
 
 Colombine. Heavens, tell me! 
 
 Leandre. What can I do, but throw myself into 
 some deep pit? 
 
 Colombine. But tell me 
 
 Leandre. I cannot. 
 
 Colombine. Come now. This brother- 
 
 Leandre. a good friend has written me this 
 letter — (He pretends to look for a letter) which is 
 drenched in my tears ! 
 
CHARMING LfiANDRE. 13 
 
 COLOMBINE. Well ? 
 
 Leandre. The poor boy lived in Messina. He 
 was in love. One day, when he was far from his 
 friends, and with the object of his affections, he 
 went out in a boat. Far from shore, they were 
 met by barbarian pirates 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. And taken prisoners? 
 
 Leandre. Exactly. — My poor nephew ! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. What nephew? I thought you said 
 your brother? 
 
 Leandre. No, it was my nephew. 
 
 Colo M BINE. Ah! 
 
 Leandre. And the worst of it is, they took 
 them to Tunis, I think, or one of the neighboring 
 ports. My poor cousin, he lost an eye in the 
 fray 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. You said it was your nephew? 
 
 Leandre. Did I? My grief makes me forget 
 the details. When I am talking about Octave, I 
 cannot be held responsible for such things. 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. I can well imagine ! 
 
 Leandre. And the way they treated him — 
 (Again looking for the letter) I have the letter — 
 where? — Well, they set him to work sawing wood 
 on a barren rock 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. How barbarous ! 
 
 Leandre. And no one would ransom him. 
 Now, if I fail to get a hundred crowns in an hour's 
 time, he will perish at the hands of the Turks 
 
 Colombine. He shall not perish ! You may 
 count on one true friend in your hour of need. 
 When do 3'^ou say you must have the money? 
 
 Leandre. Immediately. 
 
 Colombine. You shall have it, never fear. 
 
 Leandre. {Pretending not to have heard) If 
 necessary, I shall go myself to the coasts of Tunis. 
 If I find the unfortunate couple lost 
 
 Colombine. No, no : saved ! — Come back in an 
 instant ! 
 
14 CHARMING Ll^ANDRE. 
 
 Leandre. You insist, then ? 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (Extending her hand to him) 
 Live! 
 
 Leandre, {Taking her hand and kissing it) For 
 your sake! (He goes out) 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. My father calls me good-for-noth- 
 ing when I accept presents from lovers. Now at 
 least he can't reproach me, for I'm going to give to 
 this lover. Here comes my father! (Orgon comes 
 in and goes toward Colombine) How well you 
 are looking to-day. Father! 
 
 Orgon . Yes. 
 
 Colombine. You'll live at least two hundred 
 years ! 
 
 Orgon. I hope so. 
 
 Colombine. What, now, would you say, if I — 
 you are so obliging ! — were to ask you to loan some 
 money ? 
 
 Orgon. Hm! Loan you money? 
 
 Colombine. (Smoothing Orgon*s hair) Your 
 hair is so untidy! 
 
 Orgon. I'm not going to a ball. I think I look 
 quite respectable. No, I'll never loan you money. 
 
 Colombine. A hundred crowns? 
 
 Orgon. Ha! To enrich some good-for-nothing? 
 Put it out of your mind this instant. I wouldn't 
 give you a half-crown I 
 
 Colombine. (Gaily) Oh, yes, you would ! 
 
 Orgon. Nor five sous. Remember that. 
 
 Colombine. I know where you have buried 
 your treasure — in the garden — I'll go and unearth 
 it. 
 
 Orgon. Spare yourself that trouble; it's under 
 lock and key ! 
 
 Colombine. I understand your feelings, but let 
 me tell you that this is a question of honor. If I 
 told you it was a question of your own daughter's 
 honor — a hundred crowns ? 
 
 Orgon. I am a good father, and your honor is 
 
CHARMING LfiANDRE. 15 
 
 dear to me above all else. Still, I shall keep my 
 hundred crowns. 
 
 CoLOMciNE. You could easily get them ! 
 
 Orgon. Of course — to put them to better use. 
 I can find them, — but I can keep them, too. 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. Listen to me: I always try to talk 
 pleasantly and quietly with you, but you invariably 
 interrupt me and make absurd excuses. (She cries) 
 Then, I must throw myself into the Seine ! I will, 
 I will! 
 
 Orgon. You will be fished out. 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. Your white hairs will be ashamed 
 of what ril do. 
 
 Orgon. My white hairs have never blushed yet! 
 
 COLOMBINE. And I 
 
 Orgon. Shh 1 I hear footsteps ! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. I won't hush ! Tell me, who mends 
 your clothes? Who tends the kitchen — ? 
 
 Orgon. You, my dearest. 
 
 COLOMBINE. Ah! 
 
 Orgon. I realize how much I owe you, but 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. I furnish a table for you like an 
 ambassador's — and you give me next to nothing for 
 doing all this ! I beg and implore you, but you don't 
 even pay for the dresses I wear ! 
 
 Orgon. (Anxiously) Colombine, my dearest! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. You never realized what I was 
 worth ! 
 
 Orgon. Oh, yes! 
 
 Colombine. From now on I shall leave you to 
 your valets ! 
 
 Orgon. Pity me, my dear child! 
 
 Colombine. They'll rob you, give you under- 
 cooked meats, bad wine 
 
 Orgon. Oh, Colombine — my treasure, listen to 
 me : you — you have persuaded me. I shall get you 
 the money. (Colombine starts to speak, but 
 Orgon interrupts her) No! I don't want to know 
 what you are going to do with it! 
 
l6 CHARMING Ll^ANDRE. 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. That would be wisest! 
 
 Orgon. (Aside) The audacity! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (Aside) Especially as I should 
 never have thought of telling him ! 
 
 Orgon. (Aside) Well, Fll give her the hundred 
 crowns Leandre is to bring me! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (Aside) Thanks be to Cupid! 
 Leandre is saved! (Enter Leandre at the back) 
 Here he is ! Ah ! 
 
 Orgon. (Aside, as he catches sight of Leandre) 
 Good! 
 
 Colombine. (To Orgon, as she offers her hand) 
 Father, give me the hundred crowns. 
 
 Orgon. (To Colombine) At once! (He 
 motions to Leandre, who comes close to him, and 
 says, as he stretches forth his hand : ) My hundred 
 crowns ? 
 
 Leandre. Of course — immediately. 
 
 Colombine. (To Orgon) Then give them to 
 me! 
 
 Orgon. (To Colombine) Yes — (To Leandre) 
 Pray don't run away, I want my hundred crowns! 
 
 Leandre. (To Orgon) Of course! I have 
 them! 
 
 Orgon. (To Leandre) Come, then! 
 
 Leandre. (To Orgon) Never fear! (He 
 crosses over and stands by Colombine, iviih out- 
 stretched hand) The money? 
 
 Colombine. (To Orgon) Give it to me. 
 
 Orgon. (Who thinks Leandre is still at his 
 side) Give it to me. 
 
 Leandre. (To Colombine) Well? 
 
 Orgon. (As before) Well? 
 
 Leandre. (As before) Well? 
 
 Colombine. (As before) Well? 
 
 Orgon. (Bursting forth angrily) God save 
 me, where are my hundred crowns? 
 
 Leandre, (To Colombine, aloud) Where are 
 yours? 
 
CHARMING LfiANDRE. 17 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (To Orgon) And where arc 
 yours? 
 
 Orgon. What is the matter with them ? (Aloud 
 to Le ANDRE ) Did you not promise to bring me 
 the money at once? 
 
 Leandre. (Aloud to Orgon) The money I 
 promised you 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (Seeing how matters stand- -tj 
 Orgon) Is the money that you promised to give 
 me. 
 
 Orgon. And I counted on him! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (To Leandre) Then Messina — 
 your brother Octave — the corsairs — ? 
 
 Leandre. Fairy-tales to win you ! 
 
 Orgon. You are a pair of rascally swindlers! 
 You both deserve my malediction. 
 
 Colombine. Father — ! 
 
 Orgon. (Aside) It's high time, though, my 
 daughter was married. She'll wriggle from between 
 my fingers like an eel, sooner or later. (Aloud) 
 Marry then — money is not necessary for happiness. 
 
 Leandre. (Aside) Then this marriage will be 
 an affair of honor! (Aloud to Orgon) Monsieur 
 Orgon, I know what it must cost you to be separated 
 from so charming a daughter. You dislike, too, my 
 easy manners and my shiftless mode of living. 
 You have no good opinion of me. (He pushes 
 Colombine into Orgon's arms) I give her back to 
 you! 
 
 Orgon. (To Leandre) Generous lover, she 
 will be yours. (He throws her into Leandre's 
 arms) 
 
 Leandre. Keep her, I beg you, I have deter- 
 mined not to take her from you. I could not do 
 it! (He in turn sends Colombine back to her 
 father) 
 
 Orgon. (Returning her) Nor I ! 
 
 Colombine. (Disengaging herself) If you 
 please ! You'll surely hurt yourselves. Really, your 
 
i8 CHARMING L]^ANDRE. 
 
 fine sentiments are going a little too far! (Aside to 
 Leandre) Marry me, Leandre, and have done 
 with all this. I know where my father*s treasure 
 is hidden. FU tell you all about it. 
 
 Leandre. I too know about it. My dear love! 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (To Orgon) He accepts. 
 
 Orgon. Good; now I am satisfied. There is 
 nothing so good and respectable as marriage. 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. Every one at last is 
 
 Leandre. Happy ! 
 
 Orgon. (To Leandre, prophetically) You will 
 be! (Pointing to his house) Come, let us celebrate 
 the event. 
 
 CoLOMBiNE. (To the audience) Mesdames and 
 Messieurs, the play is over. If our poet has in- 
 dulged in a trifle too boisterous gaiety, please re- 
 member that laughter is the true sign of our French 
 commonscnse I 
 
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 little farce is very popular in Russia, and satirizes the peasants of 
 that country in an amusing manner. Price 25 Cents. 
 
 THE GREEN GOAT, by Alfred de Musset and Emile Augieb 
 A slight and comic character sketch of the life of Bohemian artists 
 in Paris, written by one of France's greatest poets and one of her 
 best-known dramatists. Price 25 Cents. 
 
 THE WAGER, by Giuseppe Giacosa. This one act ix)etlc 
 comedy, written by the most celebrated dramatist of modern Italy, 
 was the author's first work. It treats of a wager made by a proud 
 young page, who risks his life on the outcome of a game of chess. 
 Price 25 Cents. 
 
THE LITTLE SHEPHERDESS, a poetic comedy in one act. 
 by Andre Rivoire. A charmingr pastoral sketch by a well-known 
 French poet and dramatist. Played with success at the Com^die 
 Prancaise. Price 25 Cents. 
 
 PHORMIO, a Latin comedy by Terence. An up-to-date version 
 of the famous comedy. One of the masterpieces of Latin drama; 
 the story of a father who returns to find that his son has married 
 a slave girl. Phormio, the parasite-villain who causes the numerous 
 comic complications, succeeds in unraveling the difficulties, and 
 all ends happily. Price 35 Cents. 
 
 THE TWINS, a Latin farce by PiiAUTUS, upon which Shake- 
 speare founded his Comedy of Errors. Price 25 Cents. 
 
 THE BOOR, by Anton Tchekopf. A well-known farce by the 
 celebrated Russian master; it is concerned with Russian peasants, 
 and portrays with masterly skill the comic side of country life. 
 Price 25 Cents. 
 
 THE BLACK PEARL, by Victorien Sardou. One of Sardou's 
 most famous comedies of Intrigue. A house has, it is thought, 
 been robbed. But through skilful investigation it is found that the 
 havoc wrought has been done by lightning. Price 25 Cents. 
 
 CHARMING LEANDRE, by Theodore de Banville. The 
 
 author of " Gringoire " is here seen in a poetic vein, yet the French- 
 man's innate sense of humor recalls, in this satirical little play, the 
 genius of Moliere. Price 25 Cents. 
 
 THE POST-SCRIPTUM, by Emile Augibb. Of this one-act 
 comedy Professor Brander Matthews writes: " . . • one 
 of the brightest and most brilliant little one-act comedies in any 
 language, and to be warmly recommended to American readers." 
 Price 25 Cents. 
 
 THE HOUSE OF FOURCHAMBAULT, by Emile Augibb 
 One of the greatest of recent French family dramas. Although the 
 play is serious in tone, it contains touches which entitle it to a 
 position among the best comedies of manners of the times. Priob 
 25 Cbnts. 
 
THE DOCTOR Ilf SPITE OF HIMSELF, by MOLIERK. A 
 famous farce by the greatest of French dramatists. Sganai-elle has 
 to be beaten before he will acknowledge that he is a doctor, which 
 he is not. He then works apparently miraculous cures. The play 
 is a sharp satire on the medical profession in the 17th Century 
 Pbire 25 Cents. 
 
 HRIGNOL AND fflS DAUGHTER, by Capus. The first 
 comedy in English of the most sprightly and satirical of present- 
 day French dramatists. Price 25 Cents. 
 
 I CHOOSING A CAREER, by G. A. DE Caillavbt. Written by 
 one of the authors of "Love Watches." A farce of mistaken 
 identity, full of humorous situations and bright lines. Pbiok 26 
 Cents. 
 
 FRENCH WITHOUT A MASTER, by Tristan Bernard. A 
 ^ clever farce by one of the most successful of French dramatists, 
 It is concerned with the difficulties of a bogus-interpreter who 
 does not know a word of French. Price 25 Cents 
 
 PATER NOSTER, a poetic play in one act, by FRANOOie 
 COPPEE. A pathetic incident of the time of the Paris Commune • 
 in 1871. Price 25 Gents. 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY