The Friar
[to Roxane].
Oh, it can boot but holy business !
'Tis from a worthy lord . . .
Roxane
[to Christian].
De Guiche !
Christian.
He dares ? . . .
Roxane.
Oh, he will not importune me for ever !
[Unsealing the letter.]
I love you, - therefore -
[She reads in a low voice by the aid of Ragueneau's lantern.]
"Lady,
The drums beat ;
My regiment buckles its harness on
And starts ; but I, - they deem me gone before-
But I stay. I have dared to disobey
Your mandate. I am here in convent walls.
I come to you to-night. By this poor monk -
A simple fool who knows not what he bears -
I send this missive to apprise your ear.
Your lips erewhile have smiled on me, too sweet:
I go not ere I've seen them once again !
I would be private ; send each soul away,
Receive alone him, whose great boldness you
Have deigned, I hope, to pardon, ere he asks,
He who is ever your - et cetera."