Saving the Queen

by Théophile Gautier

  Griselda

  Still like us.

  Doña Beatrix

  In that case, one of the two messengers cannot fail to bring him to safe port—here.

  Count de San Lucas

  He’ll be at my place—ah, yet—

  Queen

  What’s wrong with you?

  Count de San Lucas

  Despite my intense desire to please Your Majesty, I’m afraid of compromising myself by hiding him in my apartments.

  Queen

  I understand—and I pardon your delicacy, Señor Count! Well—you have only to give orders for Don Melchior to be immediately led here—the susceptibility of Griselda is not alarmed.

  Griselda

  Let him come—and by the word of a Spanish girl, I am ready to grant him an Arabian hospitality.

  Queen

  Then remain here, Beatrix. No question you won’t be kept waiting long to see your chivalrous fiancée appear—myself, I will leave the ball for a moment to give thanks to him—come, Count. Trust me, Beatrix—I am going to put immense pressure on the King—I will have mercy for Don Melchior this evening, or I shall tomorrow solicit the ruin of Alberoni.

  (She leaves with the Count.)

  Griselda

  Still, it’s quite singular to be the fiancée of someone one doesn’t know.

  Doña Beatrix

  Oh! I know him. My heart has foreseen him—I’ve already seen him my dreams—noble young man.

  Griselda

  But if he were ugly?

  Doña Beatrix

  I am sure on the contrary—beautiful souls make beautiful faces—bold with men, timid with women, sparkling eye, and sweet smile. That’s the way I picture him to myself.

  Griselda

  As for me, what worries me is to know if he’s blond or brunet.

  Doña Beatrix

  What’s it matter?

  Griselda

  Brunets are passionate.

  Doña Beatrix

  How do you know that?

  Griselda

  I’ve noticed it—in my travels.

  Doña Beatrix

  Be quiet, I thought I heard—

  Griselda (listening)

  No—no one—blonds are tender—chestnut would be even better—he would be tender and passionate—Great God!—a sudden fear has come over me—suppose he is a redhead—we haven’t foreseen that.

  Doña Beatrix

  There’s knocking at the door to the secret staircase—my heart is beating horribly.

  (Quickly Griselda goes to open. Don Gaspar enters, accompanied by a page.)

  Griselda

  Enter—Señor, cavalier.

  Doña Beatrix (to page)

  Take this, page, and be discreet.

  (The page leaves.)

  Don Melchior (aside)

  Where am I—? Who do I see—? Doña Beatrix.

  Doña Beatrix (aside)

  I’m trembling.

  Griselda (aside)

  This cavalier has a nice face—come on—chance has done things very nicely.

  Don Melchior (bowing)

  Señora—

  Doña Beatrix (bowing)

  Señor!

  Don Melchior

  Who’s promised me this unhoped for joy of seeing you?— Happiness must be accepted without questions I don’t dare to imagine—

  Doña Beatrix

  The Queen has directed us to tell you that she will not forget the one who was so courageously devoted to her. Elizabeth of Parma will not be an ingrate.

  Don Melchior

  Am I not already greatly rewarded?

  Doña Beatrix (aside)

  What’s he saying? Could it be me he loves? I was afraid of not pleasing him!

  Don Melchior

  But for this fortunate event which brings us together— would the dearest wish of my soul ever be realized?— To see you, speak to you: that was my whole ambition—

  Doña Beatrix

  Oh, sir—

  Don Melchior

  Ah! If I obtained a look from you, by saving a queen, I would save all the queens in the worlds, and if I had a hundred lives I would risk them one after the other.

  Griselda

  Ta, ta, ta! Did you recite that all pure from Diane de Montemayor?

  These lovers have the mania of speaking only in the phrases of a novel—you don’t need—Señor Tall-Dark-and-Handsome—to pretend to the heart of the Señora—to run through giants and cut off the heads of enchanters—she has promised her hand and her fortune to the valiant chevalier who flew to the rescue of the Queen!

  Don Melchior

  What do I hear—? Am I lucky enough to—?

  Doña Beatrix

  Griselda has told you the truth—

  Don Melchior

  It’s a dream—! A beautiful dream—mine, your hand, mine, your love.

  Griselda

  We are not girls to let our word be protested.

  Doña Beatrix

  Aren’t you the savior of the Queen?

  Don Melchior

  Yes, Señora!—yes! Oh, my good angel who made me take this path, thanks! Just now, Doña Beatrix, I was wandering, unfortunately, proscribed. The wheel of my fortune, pushed by you, has turned, and I pass from shadow to light, from tears, to joy—from despair to happiness—a word from you—to a passing stranger who has made him the most enviable man in all Spain.— Almost a god. It’s actually true? I am here—in front of you! No magic illusion is playing with me. I see—through your beauty, your charming soul smiles, encouraged by this celestial indulgence.

  I can hope, I can believe— Oh, no—it’s not possible! There’s going to be some fatal awakening here. That I am loved by you, that you will be my wife, and it’s not fever or folly that prattles on my lips—!

  I fall at your knees—you are not repulsing me— This hand that my delirium dares to press—you are not wrathfully withdrawing it? My kisses glide over it—and what have I done, Great God—to deserve such happiness?— You still let me—!

  Doña Beatrix

  I promised it to the savior of the Queen, Don Melchior.

  Don Melchior (rising, aside)

  Don Melchior—what’s it mean? She takes me for another!

  Doña Beatrix

  What’s wrong with you?

  Griselda

  You’ve gone pale!

  Don Melchior

  Oh—! That’s nothing.

  (aside)

  Don Melchior—! What mystery!

  Doña Beatrix

  Are you uneasy—troubled?—Are you thinking of the danger that threatens you?

  Don Melchior

  No, Señora, no—!

  Doña Beatrix

  Relax! The Queen takes great interest in your fate—I’m rushing to inform her you’ve arrived without mishap.

  Griselda

  Go, Señora, and meanwhile count on me to fulfill the duties of hospitality.

  Doña Beatrix

  Well—I am leaving you, Don Melchior—and you aren’t saying anything to me?

  Don Melchior

  I love you—

  Griselda

  Marvelous! Now leave—a woman cannot ask for more.

  (Beatrix leaves)

  Don Melchior (aside)

  I really knew it couldn’t all be true—I can only be happy under the name of another.

  Griselda

  Well—Señor Melchior—spoiled child of Fortune?

  Don Melchior

  Yes, you said it, Griselda, spoiled child of Fortune.

  (aside)

  O bloody irony of destiny!

  Griselda

  Confess that you’ve had insolent, good luck! Instead of being hanged, as is your right, you are going to marry a charming woman—instead of coursing through hill and dale with the Alguazils on your heels, you are hidden in the very castle of Aranjuez, in the room of Señora Griselda, a very sought-after fate—instead of gnawing a piece of black bread in an isolated hole—you have in prospe
ct a fine repast.

  Don Melchior

  I’m not hungry.

  Griselda

  Come off it! Your infanta is no longer here—don’t make so much ceremony. Only young girls of eighteen imagine that a lover lives on the tune of a guitar.

  Don Melchior

  I thank you—

  Griselda

  Eat like an ogre— That won’t prevent me from thinking you are the most passionate cavalier in two worlds—Shall I serve you a La Mancha ham, cured with sugar?

  Don Melchior

  You are thousand times too kind—! I don’t want a thing—

  Griselda

  If you aren’t hungry, at least you must be thirsty—here’s some sherry wine.

  (Don Melchior enters through the window.)

  Griselda

  Great God!

  Don Melchior

  A man!

  Don Melchior (aside)

  Alguazil curs! No other way to escape them!

  (aloud)

  A thousands pardons. I am disturbing a private conversation.

  Griselda

  Two cavaliers in my bedroom at night! What a scandal—! And there I was husbanding my reputation to get married at Easter.

  (going to Melchior)

  Who are you?

  Don Melchior (aside)

  Watch it! It would be dangerous to make myself known.

  Griselda (to Don Melchior)

  Protect me!

  Don Melchior

  Don’t worry.

  (to Don Melchior )

  Exactly who are you?

  Don Melchior

  Once more, a thousand pardons. Perhaps—I am indiscreet—I arrive here like an intruder— But don’t worry—I am not a thief— Look at me—I don’t think I seem like one—

  Don Melchior (taking him aside)

  By chance would you be the gallant of this young girl?

  Don Melchior

  I rather was thinking it was you.

  Don Melchior

  You enter her place through the window.

  Don Melchior

  You are staying at the place after midnight.

  Griselda (aside)

  What are they saying?

  Don Melchior (to Griselda)

  I know how to behave, my beautiful child!

  Griselda

  Well—

  Don Melchior

  Trust yourself to my discretion.

  Griselda

  Huh? What’s that mean?

  Don Melchior

  Count on my silence.

  Don Melchior

  This cavalier is undoubtedly your fiancée.

  Griselda

  What an idea!

  Don Melchior

  This gentleman is, no doubt, your lover.

  Griselda

  What horror!

  Don Melchior

  I don’t wish to pry. I’m going to write to her.

  (aside)

  It’s necessary—“To Doña Beatrix”

  (He sits and writes at a table to the side.)

  Griselda (aside)

  What’s he doing, good God?

  Don Melchior (to Griselda)

  What do I see? I, who wanted so much to eat— Be as nice as you are pretty—and allow me to sup.

  (He goes to sit at the other side.)

  Griselda

  Well! Well! What are you doing?—Unheard of—!

  Don Melchior

  Don’t get enraged—I am only taking a small slice of pâté.

  (He fills his plate.)

  Griselda

  A little slice! He serves himself like a Monk!

  Don Melchior (aside)

  I cannot hesitate: I must reveal my name to Doña Beatrix—

  Ah! This letter is too cold.

  (He tears it up.)

  Don Melchior (drinking)

  This wine is delicious!

  Griselda

  Well— Don’t be shy!

  Don Melchior

  Excuse me!— Just a small drop.

  (He fills his glass.)

  Griselda

  A small drop! He drinks like a Templar!

  Don Melchior

  (Aside, tearing up another letter.)

  That one’s too hot!

  Griselda (to Melchior)

  I suppose that you are not going to remain around here all night?

  Don Melchior

  I wouldn’t complain about it.

  Griselda

  You’ll ruin me—I have only my virtue and—300 piastres. Get out! I have duties to complete—I am a girl of the bed-chamber to Her Majesty, and I aspire to become a Lady of Honor.

  Don Melchior

  Ah! So much the better—I am going to confide a delicate and mysterious mission to you— Will you do it—?

  Griselda

  If it convinces you to leave.

  Don Melchior

  You are very nice.

  (Rising)

  You know Doña Beatrix?

  Don Melchior (aside)

  What’s he say?

  Griselda

  Yes! Well?

  Don Melchior

  Go tell her that I’m waiting for her here.

  Don Melchior

  (Rising aside)

  What do I hear?

  Griselda

  Why you—?

  Don Melchior

  The one she loves!

  Don Melchior (aside)

  Head and blood!

  Griselda (aside)

  I’m no longer following him!

  Don Melchior

  Go, Griselda, leave us—I must speak to this cavalier.

  Don Melchior

  What’s he want with me?

  (To Griselda)

  Go, mercy—here’s some money.

  Don Melchior (to Griselda)

  Here’s some money— Don’t let her come—

  Griselda

  I’m on my way—I’m rushing—my gracious gentlemen.

  (Aside, shaking a purse in each hand)

  Right—for an honest girl here’s a night of good things.

  (She leaves)

  Don Melchior

  You are loved by Doña Beatrix?

  Don Melchior

  I’m not exactly hated— But let’s break this off—don’t lead me into fatuity.

  Don Melchior

  And, no doubt, you have very powerful titles to that love.

  Don Melchior

  I don’t wish to boast—that’s not my custom—but beyond the physical and moral accomplishments that people are pleased to observe in me—I have indeed some rights over the heart of this charming Señora—

  Don Melchior

  Rights?

  Don Melchior

  Yes—something like a vow—like a promise—in the end—sufficient— The adventure is romantic enough.

  Don Melchior

  And may one know it?

  Don Melchior

  Oh! No—it’s too much to my advantage.

  Don Melchior

  Try to do violence to your modesty.

  Don Melchior

  I let others recount things like that—a gallant man never speaks of his powers—I have a horror of boasting—

  Don Melchior

  I am like you—but one can simply recount what one has done that’s good.

  Don Melchior

  Sing one’s own panegyric— That’s in poor taste—but it’s not my fault if I only do acts of valor, with marks of sublime devotion and intrepidity.

  Don Melchior

  That condemns you to complete silence?

  Don Melchior

  You are Castilian?

  Don Melchior

  Yes—

  Don Melchior

  Honest?

  Don Melchior

  No one has ever doubted it—

  Don Melchior

  Discreet?

  Don Melchior

  Like a tomb!

  Don Melchior

  That’s good. I confide m
yself to this—lugubrious comparison. I actually intend, vis-à-vis you, to depart from my ordinary modest reserve.

  (louder)

  This very day at 4:15—as you see me—I committed a heroic action.

  Don Melchior

  Of what type?

  Don Melchior

  The type of ancient paladins—but perfected.

  Don Melchior

  I didn’t think there was still an Amadis under Philippe V!

  Don Melchior-

  There are some! You’ve heard of the event that happened to the Queen?

  Don Melchior

  Like everybody.

  (aside)

  Where’s he coming from?

  Don Melchior

  An event that did not have funereal consequences, thanks to the devotion of a savior—

  Don Melchior

  Who remains unknown. I know —

  Don Melchior

  And this savior whose name no one knows—

  Don Melchior

  You know him?

  Don Melchior

  By Jove!

  Don Melchior

  What do you mean?

  Don Melchior

  ’Twas I!

  Don Melchior

  (Stupefied)

  You!

  Don Melchior

  Yes!

  Don Melchior

  Now that is strange!

  Don Melchior

  Nothing is more simple. I was passing by there—I stopped the horse.

  Don Melchior

  Are you quite sure of that?

  Don Melchior

  Bizarre question!

  Don Melchior

  Not so bizarre!

  Don Melchior

  I have no doubt about my identity.

  Don Melchior

  I have mine.

  Don Melchior

  Do I have an untruthful appearance?

  Don Melchior

  Fabulous!

  Don Melchior

  Thus they call the period which precedes historic times. Is it your intention to apply this epithet to me in a disagreeable sense?

  Don Melchior

  For the sense that will displease you. You are not the man who saved the Queen.

  Don Melchior

  Why?

  Don Melchior

  Because—I will tell you—sword in hand.

  Don Melchior

  But, still—

  Don Melchior

  Come on, let’s go—

  Don Melchior

  Listen—

  Don Melchior

  I’m not going to listen to a thing. To the fountain of Cybele.

  Don Melchior

  What! At night?

  Don Melchior

  There’s enough moonlight to chastise a scoundrel!

  Don Melchior

  Scoundrel!

  Don Melchior

  Let’s march!

  Don Melchior

  Instantly— But so as not to awaken suspicious, let’s each arrive separately at the meeting place.