University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The exterior of the Gothic Convent of the Carmelites— The windows illumined—Music heard from within— A crowd without—Enter Courtiers, Ladies, Priests, &c., and pass through the door of the Chapel, in the centre of the building.
Enter Lauzun from a door in the side wing of the Convent—To him, Grammont.
LAUZUN.
Where hast thou left the king?

GRAMMONT.
Not one league hence

LAUZUN.
Ere the clock strikes, La Vallière takes the veil.

GRAMMONT.
Great Heaven! so soon!—and Louis sent me on,
To learn how thou hadst prospered with the Duchess.
He is so sanguine—this imperious King,
Who never heard a “No” from living lips!
How did she take his letter?

LAUZUN.
In sad silence;
Then mused a little while, and some few tears
Stole down her cheeks, as, with a trembling hand,
She gave me back the scroll.

GRAMMONT.
You mean her answer.

LAUZUN.
No; the King's letter. “Tell him that I thank him;”
(Such were her words;) “but that my choice is made;
And ev'n this last assurance of his love
I dare not keep: 'tis only when I pray,
That I may think of him. This is my answer.”

GRAMMONT.
No more?—no written word?

LAUZUN.
None, Grammont. Then
She rose and left me; and I heard the bell
Calling the world to see a woman scorn it.

GRAMMONT.
The King will never brook it. He will grasp her
Back from this yawning tomb of living souls.
The news came on him with such sudden shock;
The long noviciate thus abridged; and she—
Ever so waxen to his wayward will!—
She cannot yet be marble.

LAUZUN.
Wronged affection
Makes many a Niobe from tears. Haste, Grammont,
Back to the King, and bid him fly to save,
Or nerve his heart to lose, her. I will follow,—
My second charge fulfilled.

GRAMMONT.
And what is that?

LAUZUN.
Revenge and justice!—Go!

[Exit Grammont.
LAUZUN
(looking down the stage)
I hear her laugh—
I catch the glitter of her festive robe!
Athenè comes to triumph—and to tremble!