Fourberies de Scapin

( Les ), by Molière (1671). Scapin is the valet of Lèandre, son of seignior Gèronte (2 syl. ), who falls in love with Zerbinette, supposed to be a gypsy, but in reality the daughter of seignior Argante (2 syl. ), stolen by the gypsies in early childhood. Her brother Octave (2 syl. ) falls in love with Hyacinthe, whom he supposes to be Hyacinthe Pandolphe of Tarentum, but who turns out to be Hyacinthe Gèronte, the sister of Lèandre. Now, the gypsies demand £1500 as the ransom of Zerbinette, and Octave requires £80 for his marriage with Hyacinthe. Scapin obtains both these sums from the fathers under false pretences, and at the end of the comedy is brought in on a litter, with his head bound as if on the point of death. He begs forgivene , which he readily obtains; whereupon the “sick man” jumps from the litter to join the banqueters. (See Scapin .)