 | The Duchess de la Vallière |  |
144
SCENE V.
Duchess de la Vallière—Louis.LOUIS.
Well, Madam,
We've tarried long your coming, and meanwhile
Have found your proxy in a madman monk,
Whom, for the future, we would pray you spare us.
(Re-enter Gentleman with wine.)
So, so! the draught restores us. Fair La Vallière,
Make not yon holy man your confessor;
You'll find small comfort in his lectures.
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
Sire,
His meaning is more kindly than his manner.
I pray you, pardon him.
LOUIS.
Ay, ay! No more;
Let's think of him no more. You had, this morn,
A courtlier visitant, methinks—De Lauzun?
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
Yes, Sire.
LOUIS.
A smooth and gallant gentleman.
You're silent. Silence is assent;—'tis well!
145
(aside.)
Down, my full heart! the Duke declares your wish
Is that—that I should bind this broken heart
And—no! I cannot speak—
(With great and sudden energy.)
You wish me wed, Sire?
LOUIS.
'Twere best that you should wed; and yet, De Lauzun
Is scarce the happiest choice.—But as thou wilt.
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
‘'Twere best that I should wed!’—thou saidst it, Louis;
Say it once more!
LOUIS.
In honesty, I think so.
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
My choice is made, then—I obey the fiat,
And will become a bride!
LOUIS.
The Duke has sped!
I trust he loves thyself, and not thy dower.
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The Duke! what, hast thou read so ill this soul
That thou couldst deem thus meanly of that book
Whose every page was bared to thee? A bitter
Lot has been mine—and this sums up the measure.
Go, Louis! go!—All glorious as thou art—
Earth's Agamemnon—the great king of men—
Thou wert not worthy of this woman's heart!
LOUIS.
Her passion moves me!—Then your choice has fallen
Upon a nobler bridegroom?
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
Sire, it hath!
LOUIS.
May I demand that choice?
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
Too soon thou'lt learn it.
Not yet! Ah me!
LOUIS.
Nay, sigh not, my sweet Duchess.
Speak not so sadly. What, though love hath past,
Friendship remains; and still my fondest hope
Is to behold thee happy. Come!—thy hand;
Let us be friends! We are so!
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Friends!—No more!
So, it hath come to this! I am contented!
Yes—we are friends!
LOUIS.
And when your choice is made,
You will permit your friend to hail your bridals?
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
Ay, when my choice is made!
LOUIS.
This poor De Lauzun
Hath then no chance? I'm glad of it, and thus
Seal our new bond of friendship on your hand.
Adieu!—and Heaven protect you!
[Exit Louis.
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE
(gazing after him.)
Heaven hath heard thee,
And in this last most cruel, but most gracious,
Proof of thy coldness, breaks the lingering chain
That bound my soul to earth.
(Enter Bragelone.)
O holy father!
Brother to him whose grave my guilt prepared,
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And guide me back to Virtue through Repentance!
BRAGELONE.
Pause, ere thou dost decide.
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
I've paused too long,
And now, impatient of this weary load,
Sigh for repose.
BRAGELONE.
Oh, Heaven, receive her back!
Through the wide earth, the sorrowing dove hath flown,
And found no haven; weary though her wing
And sullied with the dust of lengthened travail,
Now let her flee away and be at rest!
The peace that man has broken—THOU restore
Whose holiest name is Father!
DUCHESS DE LA VALLIÈRE.
Hear us, Heaven!
| The Duchess de la Vallière | |