The Lady of Lyons [11]
late.
Pauline. When I loved thee, thy fate became mine. Triumph or danger-- joy or sorrow--I am by thy side.
Damas. Well, well, prince, thou art a lucky man to be so loved. She is a good little girl in spite of her foibles make her as happy as if she were not to be a princess [slapping him on the shoulder]. Come, sir, I wish you joy--young tender--lovely;--zounds, I envy you!
Mel. [who has stood apart in gloomy abstraction]. Do you?*
(* On the stage the following lines are added:--
"Do you? Wise judges are we of each other. 'Woo, wed, and bear her home! So runs the bond To which I sold myself,--and then--what then? Away?--I will not look beyond the hour. Like children in the dark, I dare not face The shades that gather sound me in the distance. You envy me--I thank you--you may read My joy upon my brow--I thank you, sir! If hearts had audible language, you would hear What mine would answer when you talk of ENVY!"
ACT III.--SCENE I.
The exterior of the Golden Leon--time, twilight. The moon rises during the scene.
Enter Landlord and his Daughter from the Inn.
Land. Ha--ha--ha! Well, I never shall get over it. Our Claude is a prince with a vengeance now. His carriage breaks down at my inn--ha--ha!
Janet. And what airs the young lady gives herself! "Is this the best room you have, young woman?" with such a toss of the head.
Land. Well, get in, Janet: get in and see to the supper: the servants must sup before they go back. [Exeunt.
Enter BEAUSEANT and GLAVIS.
Beau. You see our princess is lodged at last--one stage more, and she'll be at her journey's end--the beautiful palace at the foot of the Alps!--ha--ha!
Gla. Faith, I pity the poor Pauline--especially if she's going to sup at the Golden Lion [makes a wry face]. I shall never forget that cursed ragout.
Enter MELNOTTE from the Inn.
Beau. Your servant, my prince; you reigned most worthily, I condole with you on your abdication. I am afraid that your highness's retinue are not very faithful servants. I think they will quit you in the moment of your fall 'tis the fate of greatness. But you are welcome to your fine clothes--also the diamond snuff-box, which Louis XIV. gave to your great-great-grandmother.
Gla. And the ring, with which your grandfather the Dodge of Venice married the Adriatic.
Mel. I have kept my oath, gentlemen--say, have I kept my oath?
Beau. Most religiously.
Mel. Then you have done with me and mine--away with you!
Beau. How, knave?
Mel. Look you, our bond is over. Proud conquerors that we are, we have won the victory over a simple girl compromised her honor-- embittered her life--blasted, in their very blossoms, all the flowers of her youth. This is your triumph,--it is my shame! [Turns to BEAUSEANT.] Enjoy thy triumph, but not in my sight. I was her betrayer--I am her protector! Cross but her path-- one word of scorn, one look of insult--nay, but one quiver of that mocking lip, and I will teach thee that bitter word thou hast graven eternally in this heart--Repentance
Beau. His highness is most grandiloquent.
Mel. Highness me no more! Beware! Remorse has made me a new being. Away with you! There is danger in me. Away!
Gla. [aside]. He's an awkward fellow to deal with: come away, Beauseant.
Beau. I know the respect clue to rank. Adieu, my prince. Any commands at Lyons? Yet hold--I promised you 200 Louis on your wedding-day; here they are.
Mel. [dashing the purse to the ground]. I gave you revenge, I did not sell it. Take up your silver, Judas; take it. Ay, it is fit you should learn to stoop.
Beau. You will beg my pardon for this some clay. [Aside to GLAVIS.] Come to my chateau--I shall return hither to morrow, to learn how Pauline likes her new dignity.
Mel. Are you not gone yet?
Beau. Your highness's most obedient, most faithful
Gla. And most humble servants. Ha! ha! [Exeunt BEAUSEANT and GLAVIS.
Mel. Thank heaven I had no weapon, or I should have slaln them. Wretch! what can I say? Where turn? On all sides mockery--the
Pauline. When I loved thee, thy fate became mine. Triumph or danger-- joy or sorrow--I am by thy side.
Damas. Well, well, prince, thou art a lucky man to be so loved. She is a good little girl in spite of her foibles make her as happy as if she were not to be a princess [slapping him on the shoulder]. Come, sir, I wish you joy--young tender--lovely;--zounds, I envy you!
Mel. [who has stood apart in gloomy abstraction]. Do you?*
(* On the stage the following lines are added:--
"Do you? Wise judges are we of each other. 'Woo, wed, and bear her home! So runs the bond To which I sold myself,--and then--what then? Away?--I will not look beyond the hour. Like children in the dark, I dare not face The shades that gather sound me in the distance. You envy me--I thank you--you may read My joy upon my brow--I thank you, sir! If hearts had audible language, you would hear What mine would answer when you talk of ENVY!"
ACT III.--SCENE I.
The exterior of the Golden Leon--time, twilight. The moon rises during the scene.
Enter Landlord and his Daughter from the Inn.
Land. Ha--ha--ha! Well, I never shall get over it. Our Claude is a prince with a vengeance now. His carriage breaks down at my inn--ha--ha!
Janet. And what airs the young lady gives herself! "Is this the best room you have, young woman?" with such a toss of the head.
Land. Well, get in, Janet: get in and see to the supper: the servants must sup before they go back. [Exeunt.
Enter BEAUSEANT and GLAVIS.
Beau. You see our princess is lodged at last--one stage more, and she'll be at her journey's end--the beautiful palace at the foot of the Alps!--ha--ha!
Gla. Faith, I pity the poor Pauline--especially if she's going to sup at the Golden Lion [makes a wry face]. I shall never forget that cursed ragout.
Enter MELNOTTE from the Inn.
Beau. Your servant, my prince; you reigned most worthily, I condole with you on your abdication. I am afraid that your highness's retinue are not very faithful servants. I think they will quit you in the moment of your fall 'tis the fate of greatness. But you are welcome to your fine clothes--also the diamond snuff-box, which Louis XIV. gave to your great-great-grandmother.
Gla. And the ring, with which your grandfather the Dodge of Venice married the Adriatic.
Mel. I have kept my oath, gentlemen--say, have I kept my oath?
Beau. Most religiously.
Mel. Then you have done with me and mine--away with you!
Beau. How, knave?
Mel. Look you, our bond is over. Proud conquerors that we are, we have won the victory over a simple girl compromised her honor-- embittered her life--blasted, in their very blossoms, all the flowers of her youth. This is your triumph,--it is my shame! [Turns to BEAUSEANT.] Enjoy thy triumph, but not in my sight. I was her betrayer--I am her protector! Cross but her path-- one word of scorn, one look of insult--nay, but one quiver of that mocking lip, and I will teach thee that bitter word thou hast graven eternally in this heart--Repentance
Beau. His highness is most grandiloquent.
Mel. Highness me no more! Beware! Remorse has made me a new being. Away with you! There is danger in me. Away!
Gla. [aside]. He's an awkward fellow to deal with: come away, Beauseant.
Beau. I know the respect clue to rank. Adieu, my prince. Any commands at Lyons? Yet hold--I promised you 200 Louis on your wedding-day; here they are.
Mel. [dashing the purse to the ground]. I gave you revenge, I did not sell it. Take up your silver, Judas; take it. Ay, it is fit you should learn to stoop.
Beau. You will beg my pardon for this some clay. [Aside to GLAVIS.] Come to my chateau--I shall return hither to morrow, to learn how Pauline likes her new dignity.
Mel. Are you not gone yet?
Beau. Your highness's most obedient, most faithful
Gla. And most humble servants. Ha! ha! [Exeunt BEAUSEANT and GLAVIS.
Mel. Thank heaven I had no weapon, or I should have slaln them. Wretch! what can I say? Where turn? On all sides mockery--the