Part 23 (1/2)

The nurses yawn'd, the cradle gaped, they led Processions, chanted litanies, clash'd their bells, Shot off their lying cannon, and her priests Have preach'd, the fools, of this fair prince to come; Till, by St. James, I find myself the fool.

Why do you lift your eyebrow at me thus?

RENARD. I never saw your Highness moved till now.

PHILIP. So weary am I of this wet land of theirs, And every soul of man that breathes therein.

RENARD. My liege, we must not drop the mask before The masquerade is over--

PHILIP. --Have I dropt it?

I have but shown a loathing face to you, Who knew it from the first.

_Enter_ MARY.

MARY (_aside_). With Renard. Still Parleying with Renard, all the day with Renard, And scarce a greeting all the day for me-- And goes to-morrow.

[_Exit_ MARY.

PHILIP (_to_ RENARD, _who advances to him_).

Well, sir, is there more?

RENARD (_who has perceived the QUEEN_).

May Simon Renard speak a single word?

PHILIP. Ay.

RENARD. And be forgiven for it?

PHILIP. Simon Renard Knows me too well to speak a single word That could not be forgiven.

RENARD. Well, my liege, Your Grace hath a most chaste and loving wife.

PHILIP. Why not? The Queen of Philip should be chaste.

RENARD. Ay, but, my Lord, you know what Virgil sings, Woman is various and most mutable.

PHILIP. She play the harlot! never.

RENARD. No, sire, no, Not dream'd of by the rabidest gospeller.

There was a paper thrown into the palace, 'The King hath wearied of his barren bride.'

She came upon it, read it, and then rent it, With all the rage of one who hates a truth He cannot but allow. Sire, I would have you-- What should I say, I cannot pick my words-- Be somewhat less--majestic to your Queen.

PHILIP. Am I to change my manners, Simon Renard, Because these islanders are brutal beasts?

Or would you have me turn a sonneteer, And warble those brief-sighted eyes of hers?

RENARD. Brief-sighted tho' they be, I have seen them, sire, When you perchance were trifling royally With some fair dame of court, suddenly fill With such fierce fire--had it been fire indeed It would have burnt both speakers.

PHILIP. Ay, and then?

RENARD. Sire, might it not be policy in some matter Of small importance now and then to cede A point to her demand?