Part 1 (2/2)

XAINT. Describe her: is she young?

ALEN. Of that sweet age When girlish smiles a.s.sume the dignity Which conscious womanhood doth first confer: The rose just blus.h.i.+ng to the full.

XAINT. Rustic, No doubt, and ignorant.

ALEN. Her soul hath stamped her manner Simple, yet dignified--lofty, yet meek.

XAINT. Ta'en captive--grown poetic.

ALEN. Age like mine Has little thought of love or poesy; But yet there is a charm where loveliness Meets virtue, which it were a shame to slight.

The snow which crowns the old man's head should make His reason cool, yet need not chill his heart.

But come--the council must be now a.s.sembled.

XAINT. One question more--is Richemont here?

ALEN. Not he, Nor e'en desired. The hate the Dauphin bears him Continues undiminished.

XAINT. Yet the world Believes them cordial friends; that with the rank He craved, the constable of France has lost All that disgust the Earl of Richemont felt.

ALEN. Charles never will forgive the insult shown To them he valued most. Du Chatel first, Then Louvel he required should be dismissed His service and the council--price of friends.h.i.+p.

The first his interest in his master's sank, But Louvel's firm adherence to his post, Bringing Camouse's death.

XAINT. Camouse's death!

ALEN. Ay, 'twas a b.l.o.o.d.y deed: but more anon, This maid absorbs all thought.

XAINT. Let's hasten then: My curiosity is all awake-- And more, I bear an answer from the regent, Which to the prince and council I must show.

SCENE II.--_Council._

CHARLES, LOUVEL, VALANCOUR, &c.

CHA. We'll hear no more. Whilst one poor hope remained We would have hazarded our chance; but now Tis madness to resist.

_Enter XAINTRAILLES and ALENcON._

Returned! How met The haughty occupant of our own place The offer tendered him?

XAINT. As one who holds The game already in his hands may hear His adversary's scheme to share the stake.

”I am not one,” he said, ”to beat the bush That others may secure the birds. Ere Orleans Can be sequestered, we must see good t.i.tle To execute the deed; Bedford, not Burgundy, Must hold that city for his liege and lord.”

CHA. Fool that we were to court such insolence!

But yet perhaps 'tis only what ourselves Had, in like circ.u.mstances, said more rudely.

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