ARGANTE, GÉRONTE, LÉANDRE, OCTAVE, HYACINTHA,                    ZERBINETTE, NÉRINE. SILVESTRE, CARLE, SCAPIN.

SCA
(brought in by some men, his head wrapped up, as if he were wounded). Oh, oh! gentlemen, you see me.... Oh! You see me in a sad state. Oh! I would not die without coming to ask forgiveness of all those I may have offended. Oh! Yes, gentlemen, before I give up the ghost, I beseech you to forgive me all I have done amiss, and particularly Mr. Argante and Mr. Géronte. Oh!

ARG
I forgive you; die in peace, Scapin.

SCA
(to GÉRONTE). It is you, Sir, I have offended the most, because of the beating with the cudgel which I....

GER
Leave that alone.

SCA
I feel in dying an inconceivable grief for the beating which I....

GER
Ah me! be silent.

SCA
That unfortunate beating that I gave....

GER
Be silent, I tell you; I forgive you everything.
SCA
Alas! how good you are. But is it really with all your heart that you forgive me the beating which I...?

GER
Yes, yes; don't mention it. I forgive you everything. You are punished.

SCA
Ah! Sir, how much better I feel for your kind words.

GER
Yes, I forgive you; but on one condition, that you die.

SCA
How! Sir?

GER
I retract my words if you recover.

SCA
Oh! oh! all my pains are coming hack.

ARG
Mr. Géronte, let us forgive him without any condition, for we are all so happy.

GER
Well, be it so.
ARG
Let us go to supper, and talk of our happiness.

SCA
And you, take me to the end of the table; it is there I will await death.