Fly care far away;
In light band advancing,
Let music and dancing
Proclaim holyday.
De Valmont opens the door of an inner chamber, and crosses the stage with a quick petulant step, to ring a bell in the saloon: no answer is immediately given, and he repeats the ring with increased fretfulness.
Enter Gaspard.
De Val. So! am I heard! old man! to what strange dwelling have I been borne while sleeping? and who is your new master?
Gas. Alack! your lordship is in your own fair castle, nor other master than yourself do I, or any of my fellows serve—a kind and noble master.
De Val. You tell me wonders; I thought the master in his house had borne command among his people, but here it seems, each groom is more absolute in his humours than the lord; how is’t? do I clothe and feed a pampered herd, but to increase my torments? when I would muse in privacy, must I be baited still, and stunned with crowds and clamours? knave! drive the rabble from my gate, and rid my ears of discord.
Gas. Well-a-day! who could have foreseen this anger? my good lord ’tis but your tenantry rejoicing: this morning, I distributed your lordship’s bounty among them to celebrate chevalier Florian’s return; and now the honest grateful souls would fain thank their benefactor by the song that tells him they are happy.