In the following extracts, Molière satirizes, under the name of Trissotin, a contemporary writer, one Cotin. The poem which Trissotin reads, for the learned women to criticise and admire, is an actual production of this gentleman. Imagine the domestic coterie assembled, and Trissotin, the poet, their guest. He is present, prepared to regale them with what he calls his sonnet. We need to explain that the original poem is thus inscribed: “To Mademoiselle de Longueville, now Duchess of Namur, on her Quartan Fever.” The conceit of the sonneteer is that the fever is an enemy luxuriously lodged in the lovely person of its victim, and there insidiously plotting against her life:
Trissotin. Sonnet to the Princess Urania on her Fever.
| Your prudence sure is fast asleep, That thus luxuriously you keep And lodge magnificently so Your very hardest-hearted foe. |
Bélise. Ah! what a pretty beginning!
Armande. What a charming turn it has!
Philaminte. He alone possesses the talent of making easy verses.
Arm. We must yield to prudence fast asleep.
Bél. Lodge one’s very hardest-hearted foe is full of charms for me.
Phil. I like luxuriously and magnificently: these two adverbs joined together sound admirably.
Bél. Let us hear the rest.