"The Cid" is good!

VILLAC.

I tell you it is bad!

Your "Cid"--why Scudery can crush it with A touch! Look at the style! It deals with things Extraordinary; has a vulgar tone; Describes things plainly by their common names; Besides, it is obscene, against the law!

"The Cid" has not the right to wed Chimene!

Now have you read Pyramus, Bradamante?

When Corneille writes such tragedies, I"ll read!

ROCHEBARON (_to Montpesat_).

"The Great and Last Soliman" of Mairet, You must read that: that is fine tragedy!

But for your "Cid."

VILLAC.

What self-conceit he has!

Does he not think he equals Boisrobert, Mairet, Gombault, Serisay, Chapelain, Bautru, Desmarets, Malleville, Faret, Cherisy, Gomberville, Colletet, Giry, Duryer--indeed, all the Academy?

BRICHANTEAU (_laughing compa.s.sionately and shrugging his shoulders_).

Good!

VILLAC.

Then the gentleman deigns to create!

Create! Faith! after Garnier, Theophile, And Hardy! Oh, the c.o.xcomb! To create!

An easy thing! As if the famous minds Had left behind them any unused thing.

On that point Chapelain rebukes him well!

ROCHEBARON.

Corneille"s a peasant!

BOUCHAVANNES.

Yet, Monsieur G.o.deau, Bishop of Gra.s.se, says he"s a man of wit.

MONTPESAT.

Much wit!

VILLAC.

If he would write some other way-- Would follow Aristotle and good style.

Ga.s.se.

Come, gentlemen, make peace. One thing is sure, Corneille is now the fashion: takes the place Of Garnier, just as in our day felt hats Have replaced velvet _mortiers_.

MONTPESAT.

For Corneille I am, and for felt hats!

Ga.s.se (_to Montpesat_).

You are too rash!

[_To Villac._] Garnier is very fine. I"m neutral; but Corneille has also his good points.

VILLAC.

Agreed!

ROCHEBARON.

Agreed! He is a witty fellow and I like him!

BRICHANTEAU.

He has no n.o.bility!

ROCHEBARON.

A name so commonplace offends the ear.

BOUCHAVANNES.

A family of petty lawyers, who Have gnawed at ducats "til they obtained sous.

[_L"Angely enters, seats himself at a table alone, and in silence. He is dressed in black velvet with gold tr.i.m.m.i.n.g._

VILLAC.

Well, if the public like his rhapsodies The day of tragic-comedy is past.

I swear to you the theater is doomed.

It is because this Richelieu--

Ga.s.se (_looking across at L"Angely_).

Say, _lordship_, Or else speak lower.

BRICHANTEAU.

h.e.l.l take this eminence!

Is"t not enough to manage everything?

To rule our soldiers, finances, and us, Without controlling our poor language too?

BOUCHAVANNES.