THEOLOGIAN.
What a fool! Yes, truly, I shall trouble myself to serve men, if I get nothing in return! Every trouble merits payment. I pretend to do no good action, except to insure myself paradise.
Quis enim virtutem amplectitur, ipsam
Prœmia si tolias?—JUVENAL, sat. x.
For, if the gain you take away,
To virtue who will homage pay!
HONEST MAN.
Ah, good sir, that is to say, that if you did not hope for paradise, or fear hell, you would never do a good action. You quote me lines from Juvenal, to prove to me that you have only your interest in view. Racine could at least show you, that even in this world we might find our recompense, while waiting for a better:
Quel plaisir de penser, et de dire en vous-même,
Partout en ce moment on me bénit, on m'aime!
On ne voit point le peuple à mon nom s'alarmer;
Le ciel dans tous leurs pleurs ne m'entend point nommer,
Leur sombre inimitie ne fuit point mon visage;
Je vois voter partout les cœurs a mon passage.
Tels étaient vos plaisirs.
—RACINE, Britannicus, act iv, sc. ii.
How great his pleasure who can justly say,
All at this moment either bless or love me;
The people at my name betray no fear,
Nor in their plaints does heaven e'er hear of me!
Their enmity ne'er makes them fly my presence,
But every heart springs out at my approach!
Such were your pleasures!
Believe me, doctor, there are two things which deserve to be loved for themselves—God and Virtue.
THEOLOGIAN.
Ah, sir! you are a Fénelonist.
HONEST MAN.