A Selection from the Comedies of Marivaux

by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux

[254] ALLONS, SAUTE, MARQUIS! from Regnard's le Joueur (1696), IV, vi.

LE LEGS.

[1] LISETTE. An interesting type. See Introduction, p. lxvii.

[2] LÉPINE. One of the three valets of Marivaux which may be considered as new types. See Introduction, p. lviii.

[3] DE CETTE GRANDE JEUNESSE, 'So very young.'

[4] L'ÉVÉNEMENT, 'The result,' 'outcome.'

[5] MOYENNANT, 'Considering.' The modern meaning is 'in consideration of.'

[6] NOUS SOMMES À CETTE CAMPAGNE. A for dans, the modern form.

[7] GASCON FROID. A type striking by reason of its exception to the general class. Gascon is often synonymous with boaster, liar, and blusterer. Composure or sobriety is the least of his virtues, and when found may perhaps give reason for distrust. Compare the character of de Guiche in Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac: "Le Gascon souple et froid" (Act I, Sc. iii). "Rien de plus dangereux qu'un Gascon raisonnable" (Act IV, Sc. iii).

[8] MONSIEUR DE LÉPINE. This title, though often ironically or latteringly given to Lépine throughout the play, goes far to show the type of independent valet one has to deal with here.