Ridicule Page #2

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Our peasants all die young.

Poor people!

They're not only dying, they're boring.

Remember, Monsieur...

peasants not only feed mosquitoes

but aristocrats.

He's smarter than he looks.

That's where we differ, Monsieur.

Her Majesty the Queen!

Blayac!

May I borrow the abbot?

At your service, ma'am.

I'm playing piquet

with such dull people!

I need some witty company.

Thank you. I'll give him back.

Perhaps you were busy?

It's of no importance.

Your patient has regained his wits.

Is it thanks to you?

I venture to hope so.

His tongue is certainly agile.

I miss you at my suppers.

I await the pleasure.

You need an invitation?

Bring your protg.

Double six!

Your first skirmishes

bode well for you.

The abbot is close to the queen.

I crossed him.

Wit opens every door...

and you have plenty of it.

Who cares about the Dombes?

Only you, of course. But be patient.

If the court takes to you...

your Dombes will be cared for.

I've spent a year's money in a week.

If you don't mind discomfort,

stay with me.

I tried to dissuade you,

but now I will help.

What changed your mind?

Honesty and wit

are so rarely united.

Too much powder yellows the teeth.

Feature your youthful complexion.

A little rouge adds color.

Is the countess close to the king?

Serious topics are deplored.

Avoid them.

I'll restrain myself.

Be witty, sharp and malicious...

and you'll succeed.

No puns!

At Versailles, we call puns

''the death of wit.''

Voltaire! My bible.

One last thing:

Never laugh at your own jokes.

Red currants!

I adore red currants!

I could eat as many

as Samson killed Philistines.

We all adore red currants.

If Samson had--

If Samson hadn't--

- Where are your estates?

- The Dombes.

A land of swamps and disease.

That's why I'm here.

What an unsavory topic!

Give some champagne

to Mr. Ponceludon.

Baron, how did you find the English?

Droll. They have a way of speaking

they call ''hew-mah.''

It makes them laugh enormously.

Is it like wit?

Not really, no.

What is it in French?

It's untranslatable.

Don't tease. Tell us!

Any talk that causes laughter

must be a form of wit.

It's not exactly ''wit.''

We've no word for it.

Then give us an example.

I asked Twickenham

how many mistresses he had.

He answered impassively:

''How many constitute several?''

It's the only example

that comes to mind.

Comes to mouth!

How did Samson kill the Philistines?

Samson! The Philistines!

With the jawbone of an ass.

The jawbone of an ass!

''I could eat as many

as Samson slew Philistines.''

''With the same jawbone, Abbot?''

The jawbone of an ass!

I'd have been the talk of the court.

Two hours too late.

Age is the enemy, Ponceludon.

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