_The same._ Marquis de Nangis
LAFFEMAS (_approaching The Marquis_).
Marquis, we've lost much.
He was a rare man; would have comforted
Your old age. I mingle my tears with yours.
Young, handsome, good, naught more could be desired;
Obeying God, respecting women, strong;
Just in his actions, sensible in speech,
A perfect nobleman, whom all revere!
To die so young! Most cruel fate! Alas!
[_The Marquis lets his head fall on his hands._
SAVERNY (_low to Brichanteau_).
The devil take this funeral discourse!
These praises but augment the old man's grief.
Console him, you; Show him the other side.
BRICHANTEAU (_to Laffemas_).
You are mistaken, sir. I was in the
Same grade. A bad comrade, this Saverny--
A shiftless fellow, growing worse each day.
Courageous! Every man is brave at twenty;
His death is nothing much to boast about.
LAFFEMAS.
A duel! Surely, that is no great crime.
[_Banteringly to Brichanteau, pointing to his sword._
You are an officer?
BRICHANTEAU (_in the same tone, pointing to Laffemas's wig_).
A magistrate?
SAVERNY (_low_).
Go on!
BRICHANTEAU.
He was capricious, thankless, and
A liar: not worth any real regret.
He went to church, but just to ogle girls.
He was a gallant, a mere libertine,
A fool!
SAVERNY (_low_).
Good! good!
BRICHANTEAU.
Intractable and stubborn;
Rude to his officers. As to good looks,
He had lost his; he limped, had a large wen
Upon his eye; from blonde had turned to red,
And from round-shouldered had become hump-backed.
SAVERNY (_low_).
Enough!
BRICHANTEAU.
He gambled--every one knows that.
He would have staked his soul on dice. I'll wager
That cards had eaten up his property.
His fortune galloped faster every night.
SAVERNY (_low, pulling his sleeve_).
Enough! Good God! Your consolation is
Too strong.
LAFFEMAS.
To speak so ill of a dead friend!
Unpardonable!
BRICHANTEAU (_indicating Saverny_).
Ask this gentleman!
SAVERNY.
Oh, no; I beg to be excused!
LAFFEMAS (_affectionately, to the old Marquis_).
My lord,
We'll comfort you. We have his murderer,
And we will hang him. We have kept him safe.
His end is sure.
[_To Brichanteau and Saverny._
But can one understand
The Marquis? There are duels, we all know,
That cannot be avoided, but to fight
With any one named Didier--
SAVERNY (_aside_).
What? Didier?
[_The old Marquis, who has remained silent and motionless during all
this scene, rises and goes out slowly on the side opposite where he came
in. His guards follow him._
LAFFEMAS (_wiping away a tear and following him with his eyes_).
In truth, his sorrow deeply touches me.
LACKEY (_running_).
My lord!
BRICHANTEAU.
Why can't you leave your master quiet?
LACKEY.
It is the burial of the young marquis!
What is the hour?
BRICHANTEAU.
You'll know it by-and-by.
LACKEY.
A few comedians have arrived here from
The city; they beg shelter for the night.
BRICHANTEAU.
The time's ill-chosen for comedians, but
The law of hospitality holds good.
Give them this barn.
[_Indicating a barn on the left._
LACKEY (_holding a letter_).
A letter! 'Tis important!
[_Reading._] For a Monsieur de Laffemas.
LAFFEMAS.
'Tis I!
Give it to me!
BRICHANTEAU (_low to Saverny, who has remained thoughtful in a
corner_).
Saverny, let us go!
Come and arrange things for your funeral!
[_Pulling him by the sleeve._
What is it? Are you dreaming?
SAVERNY (_aside_).
Oh, Didier! [_They go out._