MASC. (Taking out Madelon to dance). My freedom will dance a Couranto as well as my feet. Play in time, musicians, in time. O what ignorant wretches! There is no dancing with them. The devil take you all, can you not play in time? La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la? Steady, you country-scrapers!
[Footnote: A Couranto was a very grave, Spanish dance, or rather march, but in which the feet did not rise from the ground.]
JOD. (Dancing also). Hold, do not play so fast. I have but just recovered from an illness.
SCENE XIV.—Du CROISY, LA GRANGE, CATHOS, MADELON, LUCILE, CÉLIMÈNE, JODELET; MASCARILLE, MAROTTE, AND MUSICIANS.
LA GR. (With a stick in his hand). Ah! ah! scoundrels, what are you doing here? We have been looking for you these three hours. (He beats Mascarille).
MASC. Oh! oh! oh! you did not tell me that blows should be dealt about.
JOD. (Who is also beaten). Oh! oh! oh!
LA GR. It becomes you well, you rascal, to pretend to be a man of rank.
DU CR. This will teach you to know yourself.