_The_ KING _dressing_, MAIGNAN _assisting_.

_Hen._ So, thou disloyal knave, thou did’st betray me?

_Maig._ I said your majesty would need assistance.

_Hen._ Would thou had’st found some other than thy master’s! Thou’st armed him with occasion for a sermon As long’s the war, and much more terrible! What did he out so late? Why came he not To see me ere I slept?

_Maig._ My liege, he said He should have much to talk about, this morning.

_Hen._ Much? I believe him! ’Twas a luckless feat! Where did’st thou find him? madam--?

_Maig._ Chateaupers’--

_Hen._ Who’s madam Chateaupers?

_Maig._ A lady, sire, That is esteemed the fairest in the town--

_Hen._ What! Fairer than the niece of rogue de Fresne?

_Maig._ Her equal, at the least, so please you, sire.

_Hen._ Then thou hast seen what I did never see. [_Exit_ MAIGNAN. ’Sdeath, I’ll rebel, and read old Rosny lectures.

_Enter the_ MARQUIS.

How now, old comrade! What a prank is this, For one of your staid character! To strut Like a shrove cock, a mark for idle cupids! These goings on will ruin us!

_Marq._ Indeed, My liege, they will!

_Hen._ Oh, most assuredly! Where hast thou been, man?

_Marq._ Sire, it matters not-- My duty brings me to a declaration, Touching the object of your last night’s visit--

_Hen._ Has she relented? Did’st thou stay to woo And win her for me?

_Marq._ No, sire, I have woo’d And won her for another person.

_Hen._ How! Thou’st won her for _another_?

_Marq._ Sire, I have.

_Hen._ It is not possible! For whom?

_Marq._ Myself.

_Hen._ Thyself?

_Marq._ Myself.

_Hen._ Thou art delirious!

_Marq._ ’Twould not be wonderful. My liege, this night Has she engaged her promise to become The Marchioness de Rosny.

_Hen._ How! The what?

_Marq._ The Marchioness de Rosny.

_Hen._ She confessed She had a love--but--’sdeath!

_Marq._ I’ve told you truth.

_Hen._ Thou reprobate! And Madam Chateaupers?

_Marq._ [_aside_]. How heard he that?

_Hen._ Now, on my conscience, Rosny, This is too horrible! Two rendezvous In the same night? Thou’lt scold me after this!

_Marq._ Sire, I will do my duty, if you’ll let me.

_Hen._ How can’st thou do thy duty by them both?

_Marq._ Sire, will your majesty--

_Hen._ Be moderate! These rival loves have thrown you in a fever!

_Marq._ Your majesty’s enough to throw all France In a fever! _Now_, upon the verge of ruin!

_Hen._ Oh, ’tis too bad my name should be the worst, When thou hast reaped so much the better fortune!

_Marq._ I will be calm!

_Hen._ Well, well, I give thee joy! Two at a time! Oh fye! Two at a time! Thou’lt never scold me after this! No, never!

_Marq._ Sire, I will scold as long as I have breath! I’ll die to save you from your faults, on purpose That you may hear me scold to my life’s end. Could you be quiet for twelve hours, I’d save All France for you. Continue in this folly, And we have not so long to live! [_Exit._

_Hen._ Ha! ha! Victory, victory! For once I have The best on’t, and have beat the enemy Clean off the field! Where art thou honest varlet! My hat and cloak!

[_Re-enter_ MAIGNAN, _who brings hat and cloak_].

Thy master is gone forth On _my_ affairs, ’tis good I go on _his_. Make his adieus to Madam Chateaupers, And comfort her with railing at his falsehood! My hat, my cloak, I say!

_Maig._ So please you, sire, Might I advise, you’d not go forth to day.

_Hen._ If thou’rt more sage than suits a cavalier I’ll make thee none.

_Maig._ Beseech you, sire, forgive me-- I’d only have you think, whatever chances, That I foretold it. [_Exit._

_Hen._ Chance? What ill can chance That hath not chanc’d already? I am like Some bankrupt that hath come to his last coin, Which he doth ever spend in desperation, And I’ll take counsel when the dead take physic! [_Exit._