But, friend Hugo, why shou'd the king lavish so much favour on a foundling? Old WOMAN. Aye, aye, he was found in a forest--Well, well, when great men go a-hunting, and find children in the woods, it's time for the fair sex to look about 'em. Third CITIZEN. And mark the end of it--In that very spot where Valentine was found, there has suddenly appeared a strange wild man, some say he is fourteen feet high. Second CITIZEN. No, no; thirteen feet and a half. Third CITIZEN. Who, to feed an old weather-beaten she-bear, bears down all before him. First CITIZEN. Nay, but Valentine is well-beloved among us too: the old men admire him, and his courtesy has gained him the hearts of all the young women. Old WOMAN. He never said a civil thing to me in all his life. HUGO. There it is--his honesty has made him enemies. There's Henry and Haufray, the cousins of the king, have determined to destroy him, because one is said to want to be heir to the throne, by marrying the king's daughter, the Princess Eglantine; and the other conceits himself to be the only man in the kingdom, fit for the office of captain general over all our victorious armies. Stand aside!--Here come all our noble peers to meet the king. _GRAND MARCH._ _The Peers of France advance from the Gate to meet the king, who enters with the following_ _ORDER OF PROCESSION._ An Officer. Banner of France. Men at Arms, two and two. Officer. Banner. Soldiers with Spears and Shields. Choristers, two and two. Grand Cross. Lady Abbess. Choristers. Grand Crozier. Nuns and Friars, two and two. Black Musicians. Officer bearing the Oriflamme. Peers of France, two and two. The King. Pages and Armour bearers. Henry and Haufray. Officer. Red Banner. Men at Arms. Officer. Banner. Soldiers. Page with Valentine's Standard. Valentine. Saracen General and Officers in Chains. _The Chorus forms an Accompaniment to the March._ _CHORUS._ With the gladsome notes of victory, Let the merry cymbals ring, Till earth resounds a people's cry, Whose hearts proclaim--_Long live the King!_ _During the Chorus the Characters are so arranged that the King is in the centre, and when the Music stops, he speaks_: KING. This genuine welcome from my people is the most brilliant trophy I have gained:--but thank not _me_, my friends--to this young warrior's arm we owe success. (_pointing to Valentine_) The giant chieftain of yon pagan host measures his length on earth, subdued by valour and by Valentine. VALENTINE. My gracious liege; the child of chance, the creature of your bounty can never atchieve a thousandth part of what he owes to you, his sovereign, and his _father_. KING. Yet, in requital of that sense of honour, take from thy king the Earldom of Auvergne. HENRY. (_Apart to the King._) Auvergne! a royal title!--He'll next obtain the crown--Sure, my liege, a man unknown-- KING.