After all last night's study. Polyxena. The faint heart! Why, as we rode and you rehearsed just now Its substance... (that's the folded speech I mean, -What would you have?-I fancied while you spoke, Charles. Flattery! Polyxena. I fancied so :—and here lurks, sure enough My note upon the Spanish Claims! You've mastered The fief-speech thoroughly: this other, mind, Is an opinion you deliver,-stay, Best read it slowly over once to me; Read-there's bare time; you read it firmly-loud —Rather loud, looking in his face,—don't sink Your eye once-ay, thus! Just as you look at me! "If Spain claims . . ." begin - At you! Oh truly, Or worse, the clipped grey hair and dead white face And dwindling eye as if it ached with guile, [As he kisses her, enter from the KING's apartment D'ORMEA. I said he would divert My kisses from your brow! D'Ormea [aside]. Here! So, King Victor Spoke truth for once: and who 's ordained, but I To make that memorable? Both in call, As he declared. Were 't better gnash the teeth, Charles [to POLYXENA]. What 's his visit for? me. Polyxena [to CHARLES]. Face the man! He'll sup pose you fear him, else. [Aloud.] The Marquis bears the King's command, no doubt ? D'Ormea [aside]. Precisely!—If I threatened him, perhaps? Well, this at least is punishment enough! Men used to promise punishment would come. Ah So anxious for his fate? [Aloud.] A word, my Prince, Before you see your father—just one word Of counsel ! Charles. Oh, your counsel certainly! Polyxena, the Marquis counsels us! Well, sir? Be brief, however ! D'Ormea. What? You know As much as I ?-preceded me, most like, In knowledge! So! (T is in his eye, beside- Del Borgo, Spava, fifty nobles more, Are summoned thus ? Charles. Is the Prince used to know, At any time, the pleasure of the King, Before his minister ?-Polyxena, Stay here till I conclude my task: I feel Your presence (smile not) through the walls, and take Fresh heart. The King's within that chamber? D'Ormea [passing the table whereon a paper lies, exclaims, as he glances at it]. "Spain !" Polyxena [aside to CHARLES]. Tarry awhile: what ails the minister? D'Ormea. Madam, I do not often trouble you. The Prince loathes, and you scorn me-let that pass! But since it touches him and you, not me, Bid the Prince listen! Polyxena [to CHARLES]. Surely you will listen! -Deceit ?—those fingers crumpling up his vest ? Charles. Deceitful to the very fingers' ends! D'Ormea [who has approached them, overlooks the other paper CHARLES continues to hold]. My project for the Fiefs! As I supposed! Charles. Release me! Do you gloze on me What post can I bestow, what grant concede? D'Ormea. Not I! Not yet for King,—not for, as yet, thank God, And the world's bye-word! What? The Prince aggrieved That I excluded him our counsels? Here From Savoy's nobles, who must wring its worth Whose hinds again have to contribute brass And wrath, which one man has to meet-the King: Which, guessed, makes Austria offer that same King Then comes Spain, breathless lest she be forestalled, Charles. Promises, sir, when he has just agreed To Austria's offer? D'Ormea. That's a counsel, Prince! But past our foresight, Spain and Austria (choosing To make their quarrel up between themselves Without the intervention of a friend) Produce both treaties, and both promises . . . Charles. How? D'Ormea. Prince, a counsel! And the fruit of that ? Both parties covenant afresh, to fall Together on their friend, blot out his name, Abolish him from Europe. So, take note, Here's Austria and here's Spain to fight against: |