Still, the sincere are easy to distinguish ;

And many splendid patterns may be found.
In our own time, before our very eyes.
Look at Ariston, Périandre, Oronte,

Alcidamas, Clitandre, and Polydore ;

No one denies their claim to true religion ;

Yet they 're no braggadocios of virtue.
They do not make insufferable display,

And their religion's human, tractable ;

They are not always judging all our actions.
They 'd think such judgment savoured of presump-
tion;

And, leaving pride of words to other men,

T is by their deeds alone they censure ours.
Evil appearances find little credit

With them ; they even incline to think the best

Of others. No caballers, no intriguers,

They mind the business of their own right living.
They don't attack a sinner tooth and nail.
For sin 's the only object of their hatred ;

Nor are they over-zealous to attempt

Far more in heaven's behalf than heaven would have
'em.
That is my kind of man, that is true living,

That is the pattern we should set ourselves.
Your fellow was not fashioned on this model ;

You 're quite sincere in boasting of his zeal ;

But you *re deceived, I think, by false pretences.
ORGON

My dear good brother-in-law, have you quite doixel



30 Molière

CLEANTE
Yes.
ORGON

l 'm your humble servant.
{Starts to go.)

CLEANTE

Just a word.
We 11 drop that other subject. But you know
Valère has had the promise of your daughter.
ORGON
Yes.
CLEANTE

You had named the happy day.
ORGON

T is true.
CLEANTE

Then why put off the celebration of it ?

ORGON
I can't say.
CLEANTE
Can you have some other plan
In mind ?

ORGON
Perhaps.
