THE DYNASTS ACT i
DUCHESS OF RUTLAND
It was understood that Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias, was to marry a French princess, and so -unite the countries peacefully ?
MATEROSA
It was. And our credulous prince was tempted to meet Napoleon at Bayonne. Also the poor simple King, and the infatuated Queen, and Manuel Godoy.
DUCHESS OF RUTLAND Then Godoy escaped from Aranjuez ?
MATEROSA
Yes, by hiding in the garret. Then they all threw themselves upon Napoleon's protection. In his presence the Queen swore that the King was not Fernando's father! Altogether they form a queer little menagerie. What will happen to them nobody knows.
PRINCE OF WALES
And do you wish us to send an army at once ?
MATEROSA
What we most want, sir, are arms and ammunition. But we leave the English Ministry to co-operate in its own wise way, anyhow, so as to sustain us in resenting these insults from the Tyrant of the Earth.
DUCHESS OF RUTLAND (to the Prince of Wales) What sort of aid shall we send, sir ?
PRINCE OF WALES
We are going to vote fifty millions, I hear. We'll whack him, and preserve your noble country for 'ee, Senor Viscount. The debate thereon is to come off
244