Racine: Phaedra

3„
MOLIERE
you were reduced to a humbler lot ;
that Heaven, at your
birth, had bestowed nothing upon you ; that you had neither
rank, high birth, nor wealth, so that my heart in offering
itself, might make up for the injustice of such a fate, and
that I might have both the happiness and the glory on that
day of seeing you owe everything to my love.
Celimene. This is wishing me well after a strange sort. May
Heaven spare me from your ever having an opportunity
. . . But here comes Mr. Dubois in strange attire.
Scene IV.
Celimene, Alceste, Dubois
Alceste. What means this costume, and your frightened look?
What is the matter with you?
Dubois. Sir . . .
Alceste. Well?
Dubois. We have seen strange things to-day.
Alceste. What do you mean ?
Dubois. Our affairs, sir, are in a bad way.
Alceste. What?
Dubois. Shall I speak out?
Alceste. Yes ; and quickly.
Dubois. Is there nobody here?
Alceste. Ah! What trifling! Will you speak?
Dubois. Sir, we must march off.
Alceste. What do you say ?
Dubois. We must decamp without beat of drum.
Alceste. But why?
Dubois. I tell you that we must leave this place.
Alceste. The reason ?
Dubois. We must go, sir ; without taking leave.
Alceste. But what is the meaning of all this rubbish ?
Dubois. The meaning is, sir, that we must pack and be off.
Alceste. Ah ! I shall certainly break your head for you, rascal,
if you are not quick in explaining yourself.
Dubois. Sir, a man with black coat and looks came right into
the kitchen to leave with us a paper all scribbled over in
such a fashion, that one need be more cunning than a demon