Mocked by Tom Sharp

Dreading mockery more than exposure, he’s willing to expose himself for any serious profit, but hides in obsequious robes and toothless smiles his greed and lust, sure that the flesh is weak. He listens to confession with prurient ears. He follows undertones with closed eyes. Unable to resist, risk being part of his pleasure, he imitates the sins he dares to condemn. Strung out by his lies, hung up by his ears, venality and narcissism make him more easy to be deceived than to deceive. He conveniently unmasks himself as he casts off his robe, naked and pale, to be shamed by a small ray of daylight.

Le Châtiment de Tartufe by Arthur Rimbaud

Tisonnant, tisonnant son cœur amoureux sous Sa chaste robe noire, heureux, la main gantée, Un jour qu’il s’en allait, effroyablement doux, Jaune, bavant la foi de sa bouche édentée, Un jour qu’il s’en allait, «Orémus»,—un Méchant Le prit rudement par son oreille benoite Et lui jeta des mots affreux, en arrachant Sa chaste robe noire autour de sa peau moite! Châtiment! . . . Ses habits étaient déboutonnés, Et le long chapelet des péchés pardonnés S’égrenant dans son cœur, Saint Tartufe était pâle! . . . Donc, il se confessait, priait, avec un râle! L’homme se contenta d’emporter ses rabats . . . —Peuh! Tartufe était nu du haut jusques en bas!