THE BALLAD À-LA-MODE. "Tout vient à point à qui peut attendre." SCENE. A Boudoir Louis-Quinze, painted with Cupids shooting at Butterflies. THE COUNTESS. THE BARON (her cousin and suitor). THE COUNTESS (looking up from her work). BARON, ARON, you doze. THE BARON (closing his book). I, Madame? No. I wait your order-Stay or Go. THE COUNTESS. Which means, I think, that Go or Stay THE BARON. Excuse me,-By your favour graced, My inclinations are effaced. THE COUNTESS. Or much the same. How keen you grow! You must be reading MARIVAUX. THE BARON. Nay, 'twas a song of SAINTE-Aulaire. THE COUNTESS. Then read me one. We've time to spare: If I can catch the clock-face there, 'Tis barely eight. THE BARON. What shall it be, A tale of woe, or perfidy? THE COUNTESS. Not woes, I beg. I doubt your woes: 666 THE BARON (reads). 'Ah, Phillis! cruel Phillis! (I heard a Shepherd say,) You hold me with your Eyes, and yet "But when her Eyes she opened, (Although the Sun it shone,) She found the Shepherd had not stirred'Because the Light was gone!' "Ah, Cupid! wanton Cupid! 'Twas ever thus your Way: When Maids would bid you ply your Wings, You find Excuse to stay!" THE COUNTESS. Famous! He earned whate'er he got :- THE BARON (turning the page). I think not.-No. Unless 'tis this: THE COUNTESS. Now, that's a breach! Your bond is--not to make a speech. THE BARON. If, in return, Countess, I could your hand but earn! THE COUNTESS. I thought as much. This comes, you see, Where vows are hung on every tree. . . THE BARON (offering his arm, with a low bow). And no one dreams-of PERFIDY. THE METAMORPHOSIS. "On s'enrichit quand on dort." SCENE.-A high stone Seat in an Alley of clipped Lime-trees. THE ABBÉ TIRILI. MONSIEUR L'ÉTOILE. THE ABBÉ (writing). HIS shepherdess Dorine adored-” "TH What rhyme is next? Implored?—ignored? Poured?-soared?-afford? That facile Dunce, L'ÉTOILE, would cap the line at once. "Twill come in time. Meanwhile, suppose We take a meditative doze. (Sleeps. By-and-by his paper falls.) M. L'ÉTOILE (approaching from the back). Monsieur the Scholar? Sleeping too! 66 (Picks up the fluttering paper.) More Tales," of course. One can't refuse To chase so fugitive a Muse! |