The Duchess de la Vallière A Play In Five Acts |
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| 2. | SCENE II. |
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 | The Duchess de la Vallière |  |
153
SCENE II.
Enter to Lauzun the Marquis de Montespan.MARQUIS DE MONTESPAN.
My wife's not here! that's well! We're not to speak;
But, when we meet, I bow—she smiles politely.
A hundred thousand crowns for being civil
To one another! Well now, that's a thing
That happens but to Marquises. It shews
My value in the state! The King esteems
My comfort of such consequence to France,
He pays me down a hundred thousand crowns
Rather than let my wife disturb my temper!
Lauzun! Aha! he seems as something crossed him.
I will console him. Duke, I'm ravish'd!
LAUZUN.
Damn you!
MONTESPAN.
Damn me! What! damn a Marquis! Heaven would think
Twice of it, Sir, before it damn'd a man
Of my rank! Damn a Marquis! there's religion!
[Exit Montespan.
154
So, she would ruin me! Fore-armed—fore-warned!
I have the King's ear yet, and know some secrets
That could destroy her! Since La Vallière's flight,
Louis grows sad and thoughtful, and looks cold
On her vain rival, who too coarsely shews
The world the stuff court ladies' hearts are made of.
She will undo herself—and I will help her.
Weave on thy web, false Montespan, weave on;
The bigger spider shall devour the smaller.
The war's declared—'tis clear that one must fall:—
I'll be polite—the Lady to the wall!
[Exit Lauzun.
| The Duchess de la Vallière | |