Part 280 (1/2)

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE III.

The Queen's Residence in Aranjuez. The Pleasure Grounds, intersected by an avenue, terminated by the Queen's Palace.

The QUEEN, d.u.c.h.eSS OF OLIVAREZ, PRINCESS OF EBOLI, and MARCHIONESS OF MONDECAR, all advancing from the avenue.

QUEEN (to the MARCHIONESS).

I will have you beside me, Mondecar.

The princess, with these merry eyes of hers, Has plagued me all the morning. See, she scarce Can hide the joy she feels to leave the country.

EBOLI.

'Twere idle to conceal, my queen, that I Shall be most glad to see Madrid once more.

MONDECAR.

And will your majesty not be so, too?

Are you so grieved to quit Aranjuez?

QUEEN.

To quit--this lovely spot at least I am.

This is my world. Its sweetness oft and oft Has twined itself around my inmost heart.

Here, nature, simple, rustic nature greets me, The sweet companion of my early years-- Here I indulge once more my childhood's sports, And my dear France's gales come blowing here.

Blame not this partial fondness--all hearts yearn For their own native land.

EBOLI.

But then how lone, How dull and lifeless it is here! We might As well be in La Trappe.

QUEEN.

I cannot see it.

To me Madrid alone is lifeless. But What saith our d.u.c.h.ess to it?

OLIVAREZ.

Why, methinks, Your majesty, since kings have ruled in Spain, It hath been still the custom for the court To pa.s.s the summer months alternately Here and at Pardo,--in Madrid, the winter.

QUEEN.

Well, I suppose it has! d.u.c.h.ess, you know I've long resigned all argument with you.

MONDECAR.

Next month Madrid will be all life and bustle.

They're fitting up the Plaza Mayor now, And we shall have rare bull-fights; and, besides, A grand auto da fe is promised us.

QUEEN.

Promised? This from my gentle Mondecar!

MONDECAR.

Why not? 'Tis only heretics they burn!

QUEEN.

I hope my Eboli thinks otherwise!

EBOLI.