Racine: Phaedra

a8o
MOLIERE
ing, is assuredly not to be despised. [During this discourse
of Oronte, Alceste is thoughtful, and does not seem
aware that he is spoken to, until Oronte says to him:
With your leave, it is to you that I am speaking.
Alceste. To me, sir?
Oronte. To you. Does it in any way wound your feelings?
Alceste. Not in the least; but my surprise is great. I did
not expect this homage to be paid to me.
Oronte. The esteem I feel for you ought not to surprise you,
and you can claim it from the whole world . , .
Alceste. Sir . . .
Oronte. The whole kingdom contains no merit more dazzling
than that which is to be found in you.
Alceste. Sir . . .
Oronte. Yes, I consider you superior to the highest amongst
us.
Alceste. Sir . . .
Oronte. May Heaven strike me dead if I lie! And in order
to convince you of my feelings, allow me, in this place,
to embrace you with all my heart, and to solicit a place
in your affections. Come, your hand, if you please. Will
you promise me your friendship?
Alceste. Sir . . .
Oronte. What! you refuse me?
Alceste. Sir, it is too great an honor you wish to pay me;
but friendship requires a little more caution, and we surely
profane its name when we lightly make use of it. Such
a compact ought to spring from judgment and choice,
and before we bind ourselves we ought to be better ac-
quainted. Our dispositions might differ so greatly as to
make us both heartily repent of the bargain.
Oronte. Upon my word, you speak like a sensible man, and
I esteem you all the more for it. Let us then leave the
forming of such pleasant ties to time ; but meanwhile
believe that I am entirely at your service. If some over-
ture is to be made for you at Court, everyone knows ^hat
I am in favor with the king, that I have his private ear,
and that really he behaves in all things most kindly to
me. In short, believe that I am in everything and at all
times at your disposal. As you are a man of great judg-