 | The Duchess de la Vallière |  |
SCENE V.
Madame de Montespan, Courtiers, and Lauzun.MADAME DE MONTESPAN
(aside.)
Now for the crowning cup of sparkling fortune!
A rarer pearl than Egypt's queen dissolved
I have immersed in that delicious draught,
A woman's triumph o'er a fairer rival!
(As she turns to enter the convent, she perceives Lauzun.)
What! you here, Duke?
LAUZUN.
Ay, Madam; I've not ye
To thank you for—my banishment!
165
The Ides
Of March are come—not over!
LAUZUN.
Are they not?
For some they may be! You are here to witness—
MADAME DE MONTESPAN.
My triumph!
LAUZUN.
And to take a friend's condolence.
I bear this letter from the King!
MADAME DE MONTESPAN.
The King!
(Reads the letter.)
“We do not blame you; blame belongs to love,
And love had nought with you.”—What! what! I tremble!
“The Duke de Lauzun, of these lines the bearer,
Confirms their support: from our royal court
We do excuse your presence.” Banished, Duke?
Is that the word?—What, banished!
166
Hush!—you mar
The holy silence of the place. 'Tis true;
You read aright. Our gracious King permits you
To quit Versailles. Versailles is not the world.
MADAME DE MONTESPAN.
Perdition!—banished!
LAUZUN.
You can take the veil.
Meanwhile, enjoy your triumph!
MADAME DE MONTESPAN.
Triumph!—Ah!
She triumphs o'er me to the last. My soul
Finds hell on earth—and hers makes earth a heaven!
LAUZUN.
Hist!—will you walk within?
MADAME DE MONTESPAN.
O, hateful world!
What!—hath it come to this?
167
You spoil your triumph!
MADAME DE MONTESPAN.
Lauzun, I thank thee!—thank thee—thank—and curse thee!
[Exit Madame de Montespan.
LAUZUN
(looking after her with a subdued laugh.)
Ha, ha!—the broken heart can know no pang
Like that which racks the bad heart when its sting
Poisons itself. Now, then, away to Louis.
The bell still tolls: there's time. This soft La Vallière!
The only thing that ever baffled Lauzun,
And felt not his revenge!—revenge, poor soul!
Revenge upon a dove!—she shall be saved
From the pale mummies of yon Memphian vault,
Or the great Louis will be less than man,—
Or that fond sinner will be more than woman.
[Exit Lauzun.
| The Duchess de la Vallière | |