University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

—AN ANTEROOM IN THE PALACE.
Enter, at opposite sides, the King and Clement.
FRANCIS.
The very man I seek!—well met, Clément;
I have a boon to ask of thee.

CLEMENT.
My liege,
Speak but your will, it is my law.

FRANCIS.
I thank thee.
But first answer me this—didst thou not mark,
This morning at the tournament, a lady
Who sat beside my sister?

CLEMENT.
That did all
Who were there—'twas the young Countess de Foix,
Lautrec's fair sister.

FRANCIS.
Ay, the very same.
Dost know her, good Clément?

CLEMENT.
My liege, I do;
And e'en will say, that her surpassing beauty
Surpasseth not her wit, which is, indeed,
So perfect, and withal so gentle, too,
That her fair form is but a priceless casket,
Wherein lie precious treasures.

FRANCIS.
By my fay,
The lady's praise falls freely from thy tongue,
Indeed, Clément! Methinks she must be perfect,
Else art thou very mad!

CLEMENT.
My gracious liege!

FRANCIS.
Come, come, Sieur Clément, thou dost love the lady!

CLEMENT.
All saints defend me from it! as I see
Your grace would hold such love insanity.

FRANCIS.
Hast known her long?

CLEMENT.
Ay, long enough, my lord,
To have o'ercome that sudden love which springs
To life from the first glance of beauteous eyes.

FRANCIS.
Do thou mine errand then, and bear to her
This letter and this ring; but see thou name not
Whence they are sent; be silent, and be swift,
And to my chamber bring me her reply.—
How, now! I thought thee gone; why dost thou stop,
And turn your letter o'er and o'er, and look
So sad and doubting?

CLEMENT.
May it please your grace,
I had a sister once—my thoughts were of
This lady's brother.

FRANCIS.
Well, sir! what of him?

CLEMENT.
I pray you, pardon me, my noble lord,
But if—

FRANCIS.
I will arrest the treason hanging
Upon thy lip; for, by my knightly word,
You scroll is such as any gentleman
Might bear to any lady.

CLEMENT.
For that word
I thank your majesty with all my heart;—
I'll bear your message trustily.

FRANCIS.
And quickly;
And meet me in my chamber with thine answer.
Good speed—farewell!—be swift! I wait for thee.

[Exeunt severally.