(Cléonte, Covielle)
       COVIELLE
       You've made a fine business, with your pretty sentiments.
       CLÉONTE
       What do you want? I have a scruple about that which precedent cannot conquer.
       COVIELLE
       Don't you make a fool of yourself by taking it seriously with a man like that? Don't you see that he is a fool? And would it cost you anything to accommodate yourself to his fantasies?
       CLÉONTE
       You're right. But I didn't believe it necessary to prove nobility in order to be Monsieur Jourdain's son-in-law.
       COVIELLE
       Ha, ha, ha!
       CLÉONTE
       What are you laughing at?
       COVIELLE
       At a thought that just occurred to me of how to play our man a trick and help you obtain what you desire.
       CLÉONTE
       How?
       COVIELLE
       The idea is really funny.
       CLÉONTE
       What is it?
       COVIELLE
       A short time ago there was a certain masquerade which fits here better than anything, and that I intend to make part of a prank I want to play on our fool. It all seems a little phony; but, with him, one can try anything, there is hardly any reason to be subtle, and he is the man to play his role marvelously and to swallow easily any fabrication we want to tell him. I have the actors, I have the costumes ready, just leave it to me.
       CLÉONTE
       But tell me . . .
       COVIELLE
       I am going to instruct you in everything. Let's go, there he is, returning.

The Cast
act one
   Scene I
   Scene II
act two
   Scene I
   Scene II
   Scene III
   Scene IV
   Scene V
act three
   Scene I
   Scene II
   Scene III
   Scene IV
   Scene V
   Scene VI
   Scene VII
   Scene VIII
   Scene IX
   Scene X
   Scene XI
   Scene XII
   Scene XIII
   Scene XIV
   Scene XV
   Scene XVI
act four
   Scene I
   Scene II
   Scene III
   Scene IV
   Scene V
act five
   Scene I
   Scene II
   Scene III
   Scene IV
   Scene V
   Scene VI