François. You are hard to please.

Katherine. My hero must have every virtue for his wreath, every courage for his coronet. Farewell. [Exit Lady Katherine.]

[Enter King Louis.]

King. Good afternoon, Lord Constable. Does power taste well?

François. Nobly, sire! On my knees let me thank your majesty.

King. Nonsense, man; I’m pleasing myself. You sang yourself into splendor. “If François were the king of France,” eh?

François. Sire, I will serve you as never king was served.

King. I will make you Grand Constable for a week.

François. A week, sire? A week—

King. Even so. One wonderful week, seven delirious days. The world was made in seven days. Seven days of power, seven days of splendor, seven days of love.