Polyxena [aside].

With us

Charles [to VICTOR].

No

The minister-with him the mistress!

Tell me you have not taken her-that woman

To live with, past recall!

Victor.

And where's the crime . . .

Polyxena [to CHARLES]. True, sir, this is a matter past

recall

And past your cognizance. A day before,

And

you

had been compelled to note this: now,

Why note it? The King saved his House from shame :
What the Count did, is no concern of yours.

Charles [after a pause]. The Spanish claim, D'Ormea!
Victor.
Why, my son,

I took some ill-advised . . . one's age, in fact,

Spoils everything: though I was overreached,
A younger brain, we 'll trust, may extricate
Sardinia readily. To-morrow, D'Ormea,
Inform the King!

D'Ormea [without regarding VICTOR, and leisurely].

Thus stands the case with Spain:

When first the Infant Carlos claimed his proper

Succession to the throne of Tuscany.

Victor. I tell you, that stands over! Let that rest!

There is the policy!

Charles [to D'ORMEA]. Thus much I know,

And more-too much: the remedy?

D'Ormea.

Of course!

No glimpse of one.

Victor.

No remedy at all!

It makes the remedy itself-time makes it.

D'Ormea [to CHARLES]. But if . . .

Victor [still more hastily]. In fine, I shall take care of

that:

And, with another project that I have

D'Ormea [turning on him]. Oh, since Count Tende means to take again

King Victor's crown !—

Polyxena [throwing herself at VICTOR's feet]. E'en now retake it, sir!

Oh speak!
We are your subjects both, once more!
Say it a word effects it! You meant not,
Nor do mean now, to take it: but you must!
'T is in you-in your nature-and the shame 's
Not half the shame 't would grow to afterwards!
Charles. Polyxena!

Polyxena.

A word recalls the knights

Say it! What's promising and what 's the past?

Say you are still King Victor!

SECOND YEAR, 1731.—KING CHARLES.
PART I.

Enter Queen POLYXENA and D'ORMEA.—A pause.

Polyxena. And now, sir, what have you to say?

D'Ormea.

Count Tende . .

Polyxena. Affirm not I betrayed you; you resolve
On uttering this strange intelligence

-Nay, post yourself to find me ere I reach
The capital, because you know King Charles
Tarries a day or two at Evian baths

Behind me:-but take warning,-here and thus

[Seating herself in the royal seat.

I listen, if I listen-not your friend.
Explicitly the statement, if you still
Persist to urge it on me, must proceed:

I am not made for aught else.

D'Ormea.

Good! Count Tende . .

Polyxena. I, who mistrust you, shall acquaint King

Charles

Who even more mistrusts you.

D'Ormea.

Does he so?

Polyxena. Why should he not?

D'Ormea.

Ay, why not? Motives, seek

You virtuous people, motives! Say, I serve
God at the devil's bidding-will that do?
I'm proud: our people have been pacified,
Really I know not how-

Polyxena.

By truthfulness.

D'Ormea. Exactly; that shows I had nought to do With pacifying them. Our foreign perils

Also exceed my means to stay: but here

"T is otherwise, and my pride 's piqued. Count Tende Completes a full year's absence: would you, madam,

Have the old monarch back, his mistress back,

His measures back? I pray you, act upon
My counsel, or they will be.

Polyxena.

D'Ormea.

When?

Let's think.

Home-matters settled-Victor 's coming now;

Let foreign matters settle-Victor 's here

Unless I stop him; as I will, this way.

Polyxena [reading the papers he presents]. should prove a plot 'twixt you and Victor?

You seek annoyances to give the pretext

For what you say you fear.

D'Ormea.

If this

Oh, possibly!

I go for nothing. Only show King Charles
That thus Count Tende purposes return,

And style me his inviter, if you please!

Polyxena. Half of your tale is true; most like, the Count

Seeks to return: but why stay you with us?

To aid in such emergencies.

D'Ormea.

Keep safe

Those papers: or, to serve me, leave no proof

I thus have counselled! When the Count returns,

And the King abdicates, 't will stead me little

To have thus counselled.

Polyxena.

The King abdicate!

D'Ormea. He's good, we knew long since-wise, we

discover

Firm, let us hope :-but I 'd have gone to work

That's not this year's care-burthened voice and step: 'T is last year's step, the Prince's voice!

D'Ormea.

I know.

[Enter CHARLES :-D'ORMEA retiring a little. Charles. Now wish me joy, Polyxena! Wish it me