DANCING MASTER: When a man has committed a mistake in his conduct,
in family affairs, or in affairs of government of a state, or in
the command of an army, do we not always say, "He took a bad step
in such and such an affair?"
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Yes, that's said.
DANCING MASTER: And can taking a bad step result from anything but
not knowing how to dance?
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: It's true, you are both right.
DANCING MASTER: It makes you see the excellence and usefulness of
music and the dance.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: I understand that, now.
MUSIC MASTER: Do you wish to see our pieces?
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Yes.
MUSIC MASTER: I have already told you that this is a little attempt
I have made to show the different passions that music can express.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Very good.
MUSIC MASTER (To musicians) Here, come forward. (To Monsieur
Jourdain) You must imagine that they are dressed as shepherds.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Why always as shepherds? You see nothing but
that everywhere.
MUSIC MASTER: When we have characters that are to speak in music,
it's necessary, for believability, to make them pastoral. Singing
has always been assigned to shepherds; and it is scarcely natural
dialogue for princes or merchants to sing their passions.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Alright, alright.
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