there’ s only rarest circumstance allotted the assiduous. Myself, I’ d rather outrival all operations of evil— nimieties of villainy!— than fail at second or third-best heroics which are commonplace and, deemed as such, penurious. [ DISCLOSES HIMSELF.] Now, Clutterbuck is one fine bore, a pillar of inconsequence. He strains his back and pays his tax to those who laud his temperance, exploiting his innoxiousness. A perfect gull for my sharp trap, he’ ll plead and moan tonight in gaol while I avail of his ripe wife who will be wooed with his own coin. And, why? Because I can; a villain is an inborn man. A friar’ s mere habiliments, which can’ t efface true providence. [ COUNTS MONEY.]
SCENE IV— SGANARELLE, MASCARILLE DISGUISED AS SGANARELLE.
MASCARILLE( DISGUISED AS SGANARELLE): Compared to you, dark friar, the Devil is an amateur. He is a novice, an apprentice, a third-rater, a bit player. The Anti-Christ, compared to you, is a recruit, a neophyte. He’ s trifling, tyronic, green and unprofessional in his mien. [ GRABS SGANARELLE’ S CUDGEL AND STRIKES HIM.]
SGANARELLE: What? Help! I am hitting myself?
MASCARILLE( DISGUISED AS SGANARELLE): Compared to me, you pious fake, you’ re all washed up, you’ re obsolete. Satan must be in retreat to send earth dotards and fusspots. [ GRABS MONEY FROM SGANARELLE.]