Scene XIII Lucile, Célimène, Cathos, Madelon, Mascarille, Jodelet, Marotte, Almanzor, and Musicians
MAD. Lawk! my dears, we beg your pardon. These gentlemen had a fancy to put life into our heels; we sent for you to fill up the void of our assembly.
LUC. We are certainly much obliged to you for doing so.
MASC. This is a kind of extempore ball, ladies, but one of these days we shall give you one in form. Have the musicians come?
ALM. Yes, sir, they are here.
CAT. Come then, my dears, take your places.
MASC. (Dancing by himself and singing). La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
MAD. What a very elegant shape he has.
CAT. He looks as if he were a first-rate dancer.
MASC. (Taking out Madelon to dance). My freedom will dance a Couranto as well as my feet. Play in time, musicians, in time. O what ignorant wretches! There is no dancing with them. The devil take you all, can you not play in time? La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la? Steady, you country-scrapers!1
JOD. (Dancing also). Hold, do not play so fast. I have but just recovered from an illness.
Notes
1 A Couranto was a very grave, Spanish dance, or rather march, but in which the feet did not rise from the ground.