Part 314 (1/2)

No, marquis! no! Not even in jest could I Suspect you of so wild a scheme as this; No visionary you! to undertake What you can ne'er accomplish.

MARQUIS.

But that seems To be the very point at issue.

QUEEN.

What I chiefly blame you, marquis, for, and what Could well estrange me from you--is----

MARQUIS.

Perhaps Duplicity!

QUEEN.

At least--a want of candor.

Perhaps the king himself has no desire You should impart what now you mean to tell me.

MARQUIS.

No.

QUEEN.

And can evil means be justified By honest ends? And--pardon me the doubt-- Can your high bearing stoop to such an office?

I scarce can think it.

MARQUIS.

Nor, indeed, could I, Were my sole purpose to deceive the king.

'Tis not my wish--I mean to serve him now More honestly than he himself commands.

QUEEN.

'Tis spoken like yourself. Enough of this-- What would the king?

MARQUIS.

The king? I can, it seems, Retaliate quickly on my rigid judge And what I have deferred so long to tell, Your majesty, perhaps, would willingly Longer defer to hear. But still it must Be heard. The king requests your majesty Will grant no audience to the amba.s.sador Of France to-day. Such were my high commands-- They're executed.

QUEEN.

Marquis, is that all You have to tell me from him?

MARQUIS.

Nearly all That justifies me thus to seek your presence.

QUEEN.

Well, marquis, I'm contented not to hear What should, perhaps, remain a secret from me.

MARQUIS.

True, queen! though were you other than yourself, I should inform you straight of certain things-- Warn you of certain men--but this to you Were a vain office. Danger may arise And disappear around you, unperceived.

You will not know it--of too little weight To chase the slumber from your angel brow.

But 'twas not this, in sooth, that brought me hither, Prince Carlos----

QUEEN.

What of him? How have you left him?

MARQUIS.