The Countess of Escarbagnas | Page 6

write so to me.

SCENE XVI.--MR. THIBAUDIER, THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNTESS, JULIA, CRIQUET.
COUN. Come here, Mr. Thibaudier; do not be afraid of coming in. Your note was well received, and so were your pears; and there is a lady here who takes your part against your rival.
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! [Footnote: Compare 'Tartuffe,' act ii. scene iii.] Mr. Thibaudier, sit down there, and read your strophes to us.
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.[Footnote: 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.
COUN. Mr. Bobinet, I say, Mr. Bobinet, come forward.
BOB. I give the good evening to all this honourable company. What does Madam the Countess of Escarbagnas want of her humble servant Bobinet?
COUN. At what time, Mr. Bobinet, did you leave Escarbagnas with the Count my son?
BOB. At a quarter to nine, my lady, according to your orders.
COUN. How are my two other sons, the Marquis and the Commander?
BOB. They are, Heaven be thanked, in perfect health.
COUN. Where is the Count?
BOB. In your beautiful room, with a recess in it, Madam.
COUN. What is he doing, Mr. Bobinet?
BOB. Madam, he is composing an essay upon one of the epistles of Cicero, which I have just given him as a subject.
COUN. Call him in, Mr. Bobinet.
BOB. Be it according to your command, Madam. (_Exit_)

SCENE XVIII.--THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR. THIBAUDIER.
THI. (_to the COUNTESS_). That Mr. Bobinet, Madam, looks very wise, and I think that he is a man of esprit.

SCENE XIX.--THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNT, MR. BOBINET, MR. THIBAUDIER.
BOB. Come, my Lord, show what progress you make under the good precepts that are given you. Bow to the honourable company.
COUN. (showing JULIA). Come, Count, salute this lady; bow low to the viscount; salute the councillor.
THI. I am delighted, Madam, that you should grant me the favour of embracing his lordship. One cannot love the trunk without loving the branches.
COUN. Goodness gracious, Mr. Thibaudier, what a comparison to use!
JU. Really, Madam, his lordship the count has perfect manners.
VISC. This is