Racine: Phaedra

THE MISANTHROPE 303
makes me feel for you the greatest interest. I wish that the
Court would render justice to your worth. You have a
right to complain, and I am carried beyond myself when I
see, as each day passes, that nothing is done for you.
Alceste. For me, madam? and on what grounds could I lay
claim to anything? What services have I rendered to the
State ? Tell me what I have done, so worthy of praise, for
me to complain that the Court does nothing for me?
Arsinoe. It is not everyone on whom it bestows its favor, who
has rendered these signal services; opportunity as well as
power is necessary, and in short the talents everyone sees
in you should . . .
Alceste. No more about my talents, I beg of you! What
would you have the Court encumber itself with? Its task
would be no easy one, and its troubles would become
strangely great, if it were to try and bring to light the merit
of everyone.
ARSiNoit. Transcendent merit will bring itself to light ; yours is
greatly valued in certain circles, and you ought to know
that twice yesterday in my hearing you were much praised
by people of high standing.
Alceste. Ha ! madam, everybody is praised nowadays, and our
age treats all alike. Ever} man has great merit thrust
upon him. No, really, it is no longer an honor to be ad-
mired. We are crushed with praises ; people throw them in
our very face, and even my servant is put in the gazette.
Arsinoe. For my part, I wish that I could persuade you to look
after some place at Court which would set off your worth
before all men. Were you to give me the least sign, a
great many influences could be set in motion to serve you,
and I would soon find people ready to make the road easy
for you.
Alceste. And what would you have me do at Court, madam?
I am by disposition forced to avoid it. Heaven, in sending
me into this world, did not give me a soul that could breathe
in the atmosphere of such a spot. I do not feel in me the
necessary qualities to make my fortune there. To tell the
truth and be sincere are my chief talents. When speaking
I cannot humor people in order to deceive them, and whoever
has not the gift of hiding his thoughts ought to make
Classics. Vol. 3G—