University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—AN INNER COURT IN THE CHATEAU-DE-FOIX.
Enter Francis, wrapped in a cloak, and Florise.
FLORISE.
Then be it even as you will, sir stranger,
Since you bring joyful tidings to my lady,
Good heart! who sorely stands in need of such.
At sunset meet me here, when I will bring you
Where you shall see and speak with her, fair sir

FRANCIS.
At sunset I'll not fail: farewell, fair maiden!
[Exit Florise.
They tell me she is sunk in sorrow,
Lets a consuming grief destroy her beauty;
Therefore, in this disguise, leave I the court,
To follow and to claim her; for though o'erthrown,
If shame and woe have follow'd her defeat,
I hold myself no lawful conqueror;
But one whose love, like the fierce eastern wind,
Hath wither'd that it hung upon. But, pshaw!
'Tis idle all; if that her hand be promis'd,
It is not bound; and, were it so, kings' wills
Melt compacts into air. She must be mine—
Mine only—mine for ever! and, for Laval,
Another and a wealthier bride, I trow,
Shall well repay him for the one I've stol'n.

[Exit.
Enter Gonzales.
GONZALES.
'Tis true, by heav'n! 'tis as my hope presag'd,—
Her lips avow'd it. Oh! then there is torture
Far worse than death in store for thee, Laval.

Enter a Page.
PAGE.
Save you. From court a letter, reverend sir.

GONZALES.
Give it, and get thee gone.
[Exit Page.
'Tis from the queen!
Further injunctions to be sudden, doubtless—so:
(Opens the letter, and reads.)

‘That which thou hast in hand, quickly dispatch; else
opportunity will play thee false. Laval is now in
France, and by to-morrow will have reached Chateau-de-Foix;

therefore, if it is not done, do it so soon as
thou shalt have received this letter.—Louisa.’

To-morrow! how! why that should be to-day:
To-day—to-day—ah! say you so, indeed:
He could not come at a more welcome hour.
[Horns without.
Hark! even now the horn proclaimes my triumph!
The gates swing wide, the outer court-yard rings
With neighing steeds and jingling spurs, and steps
Whose haste doth tell of hot, impatient love:
He stands upon the threshold of his home
Reeling with joy. Now, now,—
Enter Laval and attendants.
Hail, noble sir!

LAVAL.
I joy to see thee, yet I cannot now
E'en stay to say as much. Where is my love?

GONZALES.
The Lady Françoise, sir, is in her chamber.
[Laval is going.
I pray you tarry, good my lord, I've much
To say to you.

LAVAL.
Ay, so have I to her:
Another time, another time, good father.

GONZALES.
No time so fitting as the present, sir.

LAVAL.
'Sdeath! would'st thou have me listen, and not hear?
Look on thee, and not see thee? stand aside!
Till ears and eyes have had their fill of her,
I'm blind, and deaf, and well nigh mad.

GONZALES.
My lord,
What I would say will bear no tarrying.

LAVAL.
A plague on thee! come with me, then, and thus—
While I do gaze on her I'll hear thy tale.

GONZALES.
What I've to say you'd rather hear alone.

LAVAL.
I tell thee, no, thou most vexatious priest!
That which I hear shall she hear too; my heart,
And all it owes or wishes, is her own;
Knowledge, hopes, fears, desires—all, all are hers.

GONZALES.
Then be it so—follow unto her chamber!

LAVAL.
Follow! I could not follow the swift wind!
Thou dost not love, sir priest; follow thyself!

GONZALES.
E'en as you will I do: lead on, my lord!

[Exeunt.