[MR] Fw: Act 2

[Adrian Alma]

 ----- Forwarded Message -----
 From: Rosalind Jehanne <ros at lionrose.org>
  
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
 
KING HENRY the Eighth
 
KING FRANCOIS the First
 
LOUISE de SAVOIE, mother of King Francois
 
SIR THOMAS BOLEYN, English Ambassador to France
 
KING CUAN mac DAIGE, of Atlantia
 
QUEEN ADELHAIT FUCHS, of Atlantia
 
PRINCE ABRAN de la BARRA, of Atlantia
 
PRINCESS ANYA SHCHULEPNIKOV, of Atlantia
 
                                                                          
 
ACT II
 
SCENE I. France. The French Court, where the English ambassador has been summoned. The Monarchs of Atlantia are presently visiting in the French Court as well.
 
 Enter BOLEYN, comes forward and bows. 
 
                                                                          LOUISE de SAVOIE
 
I summon you here, Monsieur le ambassadeur, because I am most displeased with Your Crown, most displeased indeed.  You were at the meeting of the Glories of our Age, n’est pas? You did hear both these Rois Magnifiques promise to keep their beards until they meet again, as a pledge of Their commitment to the peace we will be celebrating, oui?
 
                                                                          BOLEYN
 
I did indeed, Your Grace, bear witness to that conversation between Our Kings.
 
                                                                          LOUISE de SAVOIE
 
And yet now I hear that Your Roi, Henri, has broken this promise, has betrayed this vow, and is now clean-shaven! Does His Majestie have no care for His own words? I demand an explanation of this unseemly behavior.
 
                                                                          BOLEYN
 
[Thinking most rapidly] With all deepest apologies, Your Grace, I believe my King Henry, had every intention of keeping this promise. But alas, my Queen Katharine, much misliked His beard, and for Her sake, requested that he remove it forthwith. And for the great love that he bears for Her, he is newly trimm’d. I pray that You think not ill of Him for holding His marriage vow more high than His pledge. One may be brave enow to beard the lion in his den, and yet wise enough to un-beard for the partner of your marriage bed. 
 
                                                                          
 
KING CUAN
 
[Steps forward boldly] Your Grace, might you consider allowing the Monarchs of Atlantia to hold this pledge in lieu of His Majesty Henry? For we have a fine tradition of magnificently hirsute Kings in Our country, and my Heir, Prince Abran, and myself, will be able to uphold this pledge right gladly? What say you, my Queen? Will this be pleasing unto You?
 
                                                                          QUEEN ADELHAIT
 
Far be it from me, good my Lord, that I would e’er request You to remove that which now adorns Your face most regally. You have My Royal blessing on Your beard.[She makes a saucy reveraunce to the King]
 
                                                                          PRINCE ABRAN
 
I will gladly assent to uphold this pledge as well and will follow in the most noble example my father the King has set before us. My dearest Lady Princess, will this agree with you well?
 
                                                                          PRINCESS ANYA
 
It will indeed, my Lord and Husband. In fact, I wonder if Our child would recognize You if You appeared new-mown! I would not so affright our small one, so I, too, assent to this pledge of surety for this Tourney of Peace.
 
                                                                          LOUISE de SAVOIE
 
[Sighs dramatically] Well, it appears that true love, l’amour vrai, and le petite dieu Cupid rules o’er everyone, from highest to low. I am mindful to accept these Atlantian pledges, so nobly given, as surety that this Guerre des Ailes, this War of the Wings, will take place honorably. Apres tout, Our Kings love for each other is not in Their beards, but in Their hearts.