THE TOWN CRIER (_arriving with a crowd_): "Ordinance. Louis, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre, unto all men, To whom these presents come, greeting! We will, Ordain, and rule, henceforward, that all men, Nobles or commoners, who break the law By duelling, whether one survive or two, Shall be hanged by the neck till they are dead. Such is our good pleasure." GASSE: Hang us like thieves. [_Two officers of the town fix the edict to the wall, and the_ CRIER _and the crowd depart._ SAVERNY _enters. The street grows dark._ SAVERNY: Fair Marion de Lorme has left her house. I cannot find her. GASSE: What was the man like? SAVERNY: I do not know. On entering the house I recognised sweet Marion, and began To speak to her. Before I could turn round And thank the man to whom I owed my life, He knocked the candle over. I withdrew, Seeing I was not wanted. All I know Is that his name is Didier. ROCHEBARON: It smacks Of vulgar origin. To think a man With such a name should carry Marion off-- Marion, the queen of beauty and of love! SAVERNY: There may be men with greater names, but none With greater hearts. To leap from Marion's arms, And fight with footpads for a stranger's life! The thing's heroic! I owe Didier A debt that I would pay, if need there was, With all my blood. I wish he were my friend! [L'ANGELY, _the King's jester--a mournful-looking creature--comes and sits with the officers. He is followed by a tall, pale, handsome young man. It is_ DIDIER. DIDIER: The Marquis of Saverny! So the fop Called himself. Oh, the easy, impudent air With which he spoke to Marie! And I saved The creature's life. If I meet him again---- GASSE: Saverny! DIDIER: Here's my man. GASSE: Have you observed The edict against duelling, on pain Of hanging? SAVERNY: Hanging? Hang a gentleman? You jest! That is a punishment for serfs. BRICHANTEAU: Well, read the edict underneath the lamp. SAVERNY (_annoyed at_ DIDIER _for staring at him_): Go, read it for me, pale face! DIDIER: I? SAVERNY: Yes, you. DIDIER (_rising_): It is an ordinance that punishes By gibbeting all squabbling noblemen. Having done all you wanted, may I claim A slight reward? Will you now fight with me? SAVERNY: Certainly. Where? DIDIER: Here. Who will lend a sword? L'ANGELY: For this wild folly, take a fool's sword, friend, And in exchange, bequeath to me, for luck, The bit of rope that hangs you. DIDIER (_taking his sword_): Now, marquis! SAVERNY: Sir, at your service. DIDIER: Guard! [_As their swords clash,_ MARION DE LORME _appears._