ACTE II
18. pénètre sur le théâtre: ‘reaches the stage.’
24. Baron: Michel Boyron, called Baron, a celebrated French actor and dramatic author (1653-1729). He belonged to the troupe of Molière.
24. la Champmeslé: Marie Desmares, a well-known French actress (1642-1698), wife of Charles Champmeslé, also an actor and dramatist. She attained her highest eminence in the tragedies of Racine, in which Racine himself entrusted her with the leading rôles.
27. Folies amoureuses: a three-act comedy in verse, by Jean-François Regnard (1655-1709). Regnard excelled in amusing intrigues.
[40], 4. Acomat: grand vizir in Bajazet.
5. Crispin: name of the valet of Éraste in Regnard’s Les Folies amoureuses.
Scène I
[41], 12. me suis mis sur le pied: ‘have imposed upon myself the task.’