GRACIEUX. You're in luck to be with us. To have new clothes, get every day a feast, To speak the Cardinal's verses every night, A happy lot! [_All the actors take their places before Laffemas. Marion and Didier among them. Didier does not look at Marion; his eyes are bent on the ground; his arms are folded underneath his cloak. Marion watches him anxiously._ GRACIEUX (_at head of troupe, aside_). Who would have thought this crow Recruited actors for the Cardinal? LAFFEMAS (_to Gracieux_). First you. What do you play? GRACIEUX (_with a low bow and a pirouette which shows off his hump_). I'm called the Sylph Among the troupe. This piece I know the best. [_He sings._ "On the bald heads of magistrates, Enormous wigs are spread. Out of that fleece, in due time, come Chains, gallows, tortures dread. Whenever one called president Shall shake his bigger head. "Let any barber, strolling fool, Wash, powder, and pomade The hair which bald heads steal from beards, Let them be combed and frayed In shape of a right gorgeous wig-- Your magistrate is made. "The lawyer is a sea of words Hurled wildly at the bench. A killing kind of mixing up Of Latin and bad French--" LAFFEMAS (_interrupting him_). You sing so false, you'd make an eagle sick. Be still! GRACIEUX (_laughing_). I may sing false--the song is true! LAFFEMAS (_to Scaramouche_). It's your turn now. SCARAMOUCHE (_bowing_). I'm Scaramouche, my lord! "The Lady of Honor," sir, I open thus. [_Declaiming._ "'Naught is so fine,' said once a Queen of Spain, 'As bishop at the altar, soldier in The field, unless it is a girl in bed, Or robber on the gallows--'" [_Laffemas interrupts Scaramouche with a gesture and signs to Taillebras to speak. Taillebras makes a profound obeisance, then draws himself up._ TAILLEBRAS (_with emphasis_). As for me, Sir, I am Taillebras. From Thibet, sir, I come; I've punished the great Khan, I've captured The Mogul-- LAFFEMAS. Choose something else-- [_Low to Saverny, who stands beside him._ A beauty, Eh, this Marion! TAILLEBRAS. It is one of our best. If you prefer, I will be Charlemagne, The Emperor of the West. [_Declaiming with emphasis._ "Strange destiny! O Heaven, I appeal to you! Bear witness Unto my woe. I must despoil myself, Surrender my beloved one to another. I must endow my rival, fill his heart With joy, while my poor stomach stings with grief. Thus, birds, you can no more perch in the woods; Thus, flies, you can no more buzz in the fields; Thus, sheep, you can no longer wear your wool; Thus, bulls, you can no longer raze the plains." LAFFEMAS.