Racine: Phaedra

290
MOLIERE
understands a word of what he says; and in all that we
hear, there is nothing but noise.
Eliante [to Philinte]. This is no bad beginning, and the
conversation is in a fair way against our neighbors.
Clitandre. Timante, madam, is another original.*
Celimilne. He is a man all mystery from head to foot. In
passing he casts upon one a bewildered glance, and with
nothing to do is always busy. Grimaces abound in what-
ever he says : and he wearies one to death with his cere-
monies. In the midst of a general conversation he has
always some secret to whisper, and that secret turns out
to be nothing. He makes a wonder of the merest trifle,
and even wishes you " good morning " mysteriously in
your ear.
AcASTE. And Gerald, madam?
Celimene. Oh ! the tedious boaster ! You
never see him
come down from his noble pedestal. He is always mix-
ing in the best society, and never quotes anyone less than
duke, prince, or princess. Rank has turned his head, and
all his talk is of horses, carriages, and dogs. He thou's
people of the highest position, and the word " sir " is with
him quite obsolete.
Clitandre. It is said that he is on the best terms with Belise.
Celimene. Ah! the poor creature; and what dull company
she is! I suffer martyrdom when she comes to see me.
In vain do I tax my powers to the utmost, to find out what
to say to her; the barrenness of her talk destroys every
attempt at conversation. It is useless to have recourse
to the most commonplace topics to overcome her stupid
silence; the fine weather, the rain, the cold, and the heat
are soon exhausted. Yet her visits, in themselves so unwelcome,
drag their weary length along, and you may
consult the clock and yawn twenty times, but she stirs no
more than a log of wood.
Acaste. And what do you think of Adraste ?
Celimene. Ah! what intolerable pride! He is a man puffed
up with self-conceit, always dissatisfied with the Court,
and who makes it his business daily to inveigh against it.
There is neither office, place, nor living given away, with-
• The Comte de Saint-Gilles, according to commentators.