Mariage Forcé

( Le ). Sganarelle, a rich man of 64, promises marriage to Dorimène (3 syl. ), a girl under 20, but, having scruples about the matter, consults his friend, two philosophers, and the gypsies, from none of whom can he obtain any practical advice. At length, he overhears Dorimène telling a young lover that she only marries the old man for his money, and that he cannot live above a few months; so the old man goes to the father and declines the alliance. On this, the father sends his son to Sganarelle. The young man takes with him two swords, and with the utmost politene and sang-froid requests Mons. to choose one. When the old man declines to do so, the young man gives him a thorough drubbing, and again with the utmost politene requests the old man to make his choice. On his again declining to do so, he is again beaten, and at last consents to ratify the marriage.—Molière, Le Mariage Forcé (1664).