The Duchess's Triumph
Dramatis Personae:
DUCHESS ELEANOR: The rightful ruler of Aquitaine.
COUNTESS ISABELLA: Her loyal ally.
BARON ROLAND: A treacherous noble.
A HERALD: A royal messenger.
SCENE I. A Hall in the Duchess's castle.
[Enter BARON ROLAND and a GUARD, whispering conspiratorially.]
BARON ROLAND:
The Duchess grows too strong, her rule too firm.
Her taxes weigh upon the common folk,
And whispers of a juster, milder hand
Are heard within the courts of Burgundy.
Her time is done; her reign a setting sun.
GUARD:
My Lord, speak lower! Walls have ears, you know!
If the Duchess heard such treason on your tongue...
BARON ROLAND:
Fear not, my friend. We are the rising tide.
I have secured the northern lords' support,
And promises of aid from foreign kings.
By dawn tomorrow, Eleanor shall be
A captive in her own and rightful hall!
GUARD:
But how, my Lord? The castle's well defended.
BARON ROLAND:
A secret passage from the river gate
Doth lie unguarded. My men shall enter there.
We seize the throne and make a better realm.
[Exit Roland and Guard, with sinister smiles.]
SCENE II. The Duchess's chambers. Later that night.
[Enter DUCHESS ELEANOR and COUNTESS ISABELLA, reading documents.]
DUCHESS ELEANOR:
My Isabella, look upon these scrolls!
A plot is thick as fog on London's bridge!
Baron Roland means to seize my crown,
Conspiring with the lords of Burgundy!
COUNTESS ISABELLA:
Treason most foul! How found you this dark truth?
DUCHESS ELEANOR:
A loyal spy within his very house
Did warn me of his vile, nefarious plan.
He means to use the river gate tonight!
He thinks it unguarded, the fool of fortune!
COUNTESS ISABELLA:
Shall we raise the alarm? Shall we call the guard?
DUCHESS ELEANOR:
Nay, silence is our sword, and wit our shield.
I had the passage sealed just yesterday,
With iron bars and rocks to block their way.
They shall be trapped like fish within a net!
We wait them in the hall; the trap is set!
[Exit Eleanor and Isabella, with determination.]
SCENE III. The main hall of the castle. Dawn.
[Enter DUCHESS ELEANOR, COUNTESS ISABELLA, GUARDS, and COURTIERS. They await the traitors.]
DUCHESS ELEANOR:
The hour is come. The sun doth kiss the towers.
The traitors should be here.
[Enter BARON ROLAND and his MEN, looking confused and dishevelled, having found their path blocked.]
BARON ROLAND:
The passage was... sealed? What trick is this?
DUCHESS ELEANOR:
(Stepping forward, regal and powerful)
No trick, you traitor, but the hand of justice!
I know your plot, your dark and vile intent.
Seize them!
[The Duchess's guards quickly surround and capture Roland and his men.]
BARON ROLAND:
Betrayed! How knew you of my plan?
DUCHESS ELEANOR:
A wise ruler keeps her eyes and ears
In every shadow. Your treason is your fall.
To prison with them, to the deepest dungeon!
[The traitors are led away.]
[Enter a HERALD with a grand flourish of trumpets.]
HERALD:
My Lady Duchess! A glorious message from the King!
He praises your just reign and strong defence,
And offers you a powerful new alliance!
Your rule is safe, your kingdom strong and free!
DUCHESS ELEANOR:
(To Isabella, with joy)
The heavens smile upon our virtuous cause!
The realm is safe, the crown doth fit me well.
This glorious end shall mark a golden age!
Let trumpets sound a noble, joyous tune!
Long live the Duchess!
[A mighty fanfare of trumpets sounds. The court cheers wildly, celebrating the Duchess's cleverness and the glorious triumph of justice.]
[CURTAIN]
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