Thank you, my darling!--Already, I am quite well again!... God, the boy! How handsome he looked! And so brown and so healthy.... You see, I saw him exactly like that last night.... No, that is no illusion! And I told you how the Emperor led him in among all the generals! And the emperor said (_More softly, looking far away with a beatific smile_.) And the Emperor said---- CURTAIN. III THE ETERNAL MASCULINE A PLAY IN ONE ACT PERSONS The Queen. The Marshal. The Painter. The Valet de Chambre. The Marquis in Pink. The Marquis in Pale Blue. The Sleepy Maid of Honour. The Deaf Maid of Honour. A Child as Cupid. Several other Marquises and Maids of Honour. THE ETERNAL MASCULINE _The scene represents a state apartment in a royal castle. On the left, a throne in baroque style. On the right, in the background a screen with a table and chairs beside it. In the centre, an easel._ _FIRST SCENE_. THE QUEEN _in a plaited coronation robe, on the throne_. THE PAINTER _with palette in hand, painting_. A CHILD _as_ CUPID, _suspended by the waist, swings on_ THE QUEEN'S _left, holding a crown over her head. The background and the right of the stage are occupied by ladies and gentlemen of the court, among them_ THE DEAF MAID OF HONOUR, THE SLEEPY MAID OF HONOUR, THE MARQUIS IN PINK, and MARQUIS IN PALE BLUE. SONG OF THE MAIDS OF HONOUR. (Led by The Marquis in Pale Blue.) Zephyr rises at the dawn From the budding pillows of the roses. Lo, he will cool his hot desire In the silvery dew, Since he must console himself That his dream still fans the flame, And that Luna's icy kiss Does but touch his parched mouth. And Aurora's violet passion Looks on him with floods of tears. Ah! What matters Luna's favour?-- She knows not how to kiss. The Queen (_yawning_). The pretty verses which you have just sung to sweeten this long posing for me, grieve me slightly. Yet--aside from that--accept my thanks. The Marquis in Pale Blue. Oh, your Majesty! The Queen. Are you a poet, Marquis? The Marquis in Pale Blue. Oh, your Majesty, up to this time I have not been; but who should not speak in verse where this magic enthrals us, where our hearts are habitually broken, and Cupid himself bears the royal crown? (Cupid _begins to cry_). First Maid of Honour. What is the matter with him? Second Maid of Honour. Ah, the sweet child!