Gr.-Re. That is what vexes me, for I was looking forward to a good round bellyfull, and now I have to do without it.2 Yes, yes, I'll go to fetch the doctor, but it is as much for my own sake as for your daughter's. I am dreadfully disappointed. ( Exit Gros-René.)
SCENE IV.——SABINE, GORGIBUS, SGANARELLE ( as doctor ).
Sab. I am glad to meet you, uncle, to tell you of a good piece of news: I bring the cleverest doctor in the world, a man who comes from foreign lands, who knows the most important secrets, and who will no doubt cure my cousin. He was fortunately shown to me, and I bring him to you. He is so clever, that I heartily wish I were ill, so that he might cure me.
Gor. Where is he?
Sab. Close at hand; here he is.
Gor. Doctor, I am your very humble servant. I sent for you, to come and see my daughter who is ill; I put all my hopes in you.
Sgan. Hippocrates says, and Galen too, with strong reasoning argues, that a person does not feel well when he is ill. You are right to put all your hopes in me, for I am the greatest, the cleverest, the wisest doctor in the vegetable, animal, and mineral faculty.
Gor. I am delighted to hear it.
Sgan. Do not imagine that I am an ordinary doctor, a common doctor. All other doctors compared to me are abortions. I possess wonderful talents; I am master of many secrets. Salamalec, salamalec. "Hast thou courage, Rodrigo?"3 Signor, si; signor, non. Per omnia sæcula sæculorum. Still, let us see a little. ( Feels Gorgibus's pulse. )
Sab. Eh! He is not the patient; it is his daughter who is ill.