University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Tournon, La March.
Tour.
It works, my Dear, it works beyond belief,
The Letter which he lost has sprung a Mine
That shatters all the Court, each Jealous Dutchess
Concludes her Man concern'd, and strait employs
A Confident to find the Mystery out.
But that which takes the Queen, and makes me dye
With Pleasure, is, that Marguerite thinks
Spite of the Imprecations of Nemours,
The Letter sent to him—

La M.
I see 'em move this way.

Tour.

Hast to St. Andre's Palace, watch their Wives, till I appear—
I have promis'd Nemours an Afternoon Assignation with 'em in
Luxemburg Garden, but I will antedate the bus'ness as he is waiting,
and set Marguerite upon him just as he meets 'em, which will
heighten the design; be gone while I attend the bus'ness here—

[Exit La March.
Enter Marguerite, Nemours.
Marg.
Away, you have combin'd to ruine me,
[The Vidam.
You have conspir'd the Death of her you hate;
But tell me, Oh! confess and I'll forgive thee;
Say it was thine, nay, look not on the Vidam,
There is Discourse in Eyes, Consent, Denial,
All understood by looks, say it was thine,
Confess, and lay this Tempest with a word.
Not yet? why then I'll have it in despite
Of thee and him, I'll sell my Soul to Hell,
If Woman can be worth the Devil's purchase,
After she has been blown upon by Man;
That I may tell thee, as I sink for ever,
Thou hast been False.

Nem.
You have heard me more than once
Affirm, the Vidam (if you'll give him leave)
Will own it to your Face.

Marg.
Hear, hear him Heav'n;
By all Extreams thou art False, therefore be gone,
For if I look upon thee in this Rage,
I shall do mischief; speak not, but away—

[Nemours beckens the Vidam, they steal off.
Enter Tournon.
Tour.

Madam, the Duke has taken you at your word, and is gone
with the Vidam; I made bold to over-hear part of your Discourse, because
I have more of his Infidelity to tell you—Betwixt one and two
in Luxemburg Garden he has appointed some Ladies—

Marg.

Furies and Hell!—

Tour.

Have Patience for an hour, I'll bring you to the place, where,
if you please, you may flesh your Fingers in the Blood of those young
Women, whom he meets to enjoy.

Marg.
No, no, I have a better Cast, if I can conquer this rising Spleen—
How long will it be e'er your call me?

Tour.
An hour or thereabouts—

Marg.
And by that time I'll put on a Disguise; fail not—

Tour.
But what do you intend?

Marg.
I know not yet my self; Revenge—

Tour.
You had a Lover once, Francis the Dauphin—

Marg.
Be that then the last Card—I know not what;
The Dauphin shall—I'll do't, and openly affront him—
And as the little Worshippers adore me,
Spy the Duke out, and leaning on the Prince,
Enquire who's that: It shall be so, I will—
Revenge, Revenge, and shew thy self true Woman.
Down then, proud Heart, down Woman, down, I'll try,
I'll do't, I've sworn, to curb my Will or dye.

[Exeunt.