BRICHANTEAU: Well, read the edict
underneath
the lamp.
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
I wish he were my friend!
[L'ANGELY, _the King's jester--a mournful-looking
creature--comes and sits with the officers. He is
followed by a tall, pale, handsome young man. It
is_ DIDIER.
DIDIER: The Marquis of Saverny! So the fop
Called himself. Oh, the easy, impudent air
With which he spoke to Marie! And I saved
The creature's life. If I meet him again----
GASSE: Saverny!
DIDIER: Here's my man.
GASSE: Have you observed
The edict against duelling, on pain
Of hanging?
SAVERNY: Hanging? Hang a gentleman?
You jest! That is a punishment for serfs.
BRICHANTEAU: Well, read the edict underneath the lamp.
SAVERNY (_annoyed at_ DIDIER _for staring at him_):
Go, read it for me, pale face!
DIDIER: I?
SAVERNY: Yes, you.
DIDIER (_rising_): It is an ordinance that punishes
By gibbeting all squabbling noblemen.
Having done all you wanted, may I claim
A slight reward? Will you now fight with me?
SAVERNY: Certainly. Where?
DIDIER: Here. Who will lend a sword?
L'ANGELY: For this wild folly, take a fool's sword, friend,
And in exchange, bequeath to me, for luck,
The bit of rope that hangs you.
DIDIER (_taking his sword_): Now, marquis!
SAVERNY: Sir, at your service.
DIDIER: Guard!
[_As their swords clash,_ MARION DE LORME _appears.
[L'ANGELY, _the King's jester--a mournful-looking
creature--comes and sits with the officers. He is
followed by a tall, pale, handsome young man. It
is_ DIDIER.
DIDIER: The Marquis of Saverny! So the fop
Called himself. Oh, the easy, impudent air
With which he spoke to Marie! And I saved
The creature's life. If I meet him again----
GASSE: Saverny!
DIDIER: Here's my man.
GASSE: Have you observed
The edict against duelling, on pain
Of hanging?
SAVERNY: Hanging? Hang a gentleman?
You jest! That is a punishment for serfs.
BRICHANTEAU: Well, read the edict underneath the lamp.
SAVERNY (_annoyed at_ DIDIER _for staring at him_):
Go, read it for me, pale face!
DIDIER: I?
SAVERNY: Yes, you.
DIDIER (_rising_): It is an ordinance that punishes
By gibbeting all squabbling noblemen.
Having done all you wanted, may I claim
A slight reward? Will you now fight with me?
SAVERNY: Certainly. Where?
DIDIER: Here. Who will lend a sword?
L'ANGELY: For this wild folly, take a fool's sword, friend,
And in exchange, bequeath to me, for luck,
The bit of rope that hangs you.
DIDIER (_taking his sword_): Now, marquis!
SAVERNY: Sir, at your service.
DIDIER: Guard!
[_As their swords clash,_ MARION DE LORME _appears.
