FullReads

THI

. I am much obliged to her, Madam, and if ever she has a lawsuit in our court, she may be sure that I shall not forget the honour she does me in making herself the advocate of my flame near your beauty.

JU

. You have no need of an advocate, Sir, and your cause has justice on its side.

THI

. This, nevertheless. Madam, the right has need of help, and I have reason to apprehend the being supplanted by such a rival, and the beguiling of the lady by the rank of the viscount.

VISC

. I had hopes before your note came, Sir, but now, I confess fears for my love.

THI

. Here are likewise a few little couplets which I have composed to your honour and glory, Madam.

VISC

. Ah! I had no idea that Mr. Thibaudier was a poet; these few little couplets will be my ruin.

COUN

. He means two strophes. (To CRIQUET) Page, give a seat to Mr. Thibaudier. (Aside to CRIQUET, who brings a chair) A folding-chair, little animal![5] Mr. Thibaudier, sit down there, and read your strophes to us.

FOOTNOTE [5] Compare ‘Tartuffe,’ act ii. scene iii.

THI

. (reads).
“A person of quality
Is my fair dame;
She has got beauty,
Fierce is my flame;
Yet I must blame
Her pride and cruelty.”

VISC

. I am lost after that.

COUN

. The first line is excellent: “A person of quality.”

JU

. I think it is a little too long; but a liberty may be taken to express a noble thought.

COUN

. (to MR. THIBAUDIER). Let us have the other.

THI

. (reads).
“I know not if you doubt that my love be sincere,
Yet this I know, that my heart every moment
Longs to leave its sorry apartment
To visit yours, with fond respect and fear.
After all this, having my love in hand,
And my honour, of superfine brand,
You ought, in turn, I say,
Content to be a countess gay,
To cast that tigress’ skin away,
Which hides your charms both night and day.”

VISC

. I am undone by Mr. Thibaudier.

COUN

. Do not make fun of it; for the verses are good although they are country verses.

VISC

. I, Madam, make fun of it! Though he is my rival, I think his verses admirable. I do not call them, like you, two strophes merely; but two epigrams, as good as any of Martial’s.

COUN

. What! Does Martial make verses? I thought he only made gloves.

THI

. It is not that Martial, Madam, but an author who lived thirty or forty years ago.[6]

FOOTNOTE [6]
The Martial who did not write verses, sold perfumery,
and was valet-de-chambre to the king’s brother. Martial,
the Roman epigrammatist, lived in the first century after
Christ.

VISC

. Mr. Thibaudier has read the authors, as you see. But, Madam, we shall see if my comedy, with its interludes and dances, will counteract in your mind the progress which the two strophes have made.

COUN

. My son the Count must be one of the spectators, for he came this morning from my country-seat, with his tutor, whom I see here.

SCENE XVII

.–THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR. THIBAUDIER, MR. BOBINET, CRIQUET.