Racine: Phaedra

«96
MOLIERE
possess some, I have also good natural taste, which en-
ables me to judge and reason upon everything without
study; to play the knowing critic upon the stage, when,
to my delight, any new piece comes out; to give my
opinion as a judge, and to set the whole house going at all
the passages which deserve applause. I have tact, per-
fect manners, good looks, particularly fine teeth, and a
very elegant figure. As to dress, few, I believe, would
dispute the palm with me. I am esteemed as much as one
greatly beloved by the fair sex, and in favor with
can be ;
the king. Now, I do think that with all these advantages,
my dear marquis, I do verily think that a man may well
rest satisfied with himself in whatever country he may be.
Clitandre. Very true. But how is it that, finding conquests
so easy elsewhere, you come here to utter fruitless sighs?
AcASTE. I utter fruitless sighs! Egad! I am neither of the
mould nor disposition to endure the indifference of any
woman. It is good for awkward and ordinary men to
languish at the feet of inexorable beauties, and to bear
with their indifference; to invoke the help of sighs and
tears, and endeavor to obtain by much long-suffering what
is refused to their scanty worth. But men of my stamp,
marquis, are not made to love upon trust and to bear all
the trouble. However great may be the merit of the fair
sex, I fancy, thank Heaven ! that we are worth our price
that to take pride in the possession of a heart like mine,
it should of necessity cost them something; and that it is
but just and proper that all advances should be mutual.
Clitandre. You believe, then, marquis, that your position here
leaves nothing to be desired ?
AcASTE. I have reason, marquis, to believe it to be so.
Clitandre. Trust me, marquis, bid farewell to such delusion.
You flatter yourself, my dear friend, and blindly deceive
yourself.
AcASTE. Quite right; I flatter and deceive myself.
Clitandre. But what can make you believe in such absolute
success ?
Acaste. I flatter myself.
Clitandre. Upon what do you ground your belief?
Acaste. I blindly deceive myself.