QUEEN VICTORIA DAVID CARB AND WALTER PRICHARD EATON Qass Book__ L_ PRESENTED B? Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from • The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/queenvictoriaplaOOcarb QUEEN VICTORIA QUEEN VICTORIA A Play in Seven Episodes BY DAVID CARB AND WALTER PRICHARD EATON NEW YORK E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 68 1 Fifth Avenue c \ H I X -_s f$ 3&0&- Copyright, 1922, By DAVID CARB and WALTER PRICHARD EATON Dramatic Rights in the United States Controlled by Equity Players, Inc. CAUTION All dramatic rights for Queen Victoria, by David Carb and Walter Prichard Eaton, in North America are owned and con- trolled by Equity Players, Inc., 157 West 48th Street, New York, N. Y. Special notice should be taken that possession of this book without a valid contract for production first having been obtained from Equity Players, Inc., confers no right or license to profession- als or amateurs to produce the play publicly or in private for gain or charity. 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Printed in the United States of America FEB 28J924 pu THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY: Alexandrina Victoria Lord Conyngham, The Duchess of Kent, the Lord Ch ™ b " l «™ Her Mother Stockmar Fr'aulein Lehzen _ . _, Prince Albert of Coburg Lady Gay Hawthorn William Ewart Gladstone William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne Benjamin Disraeli The Duke of Wellington Edward> pw q/ ^^ Lord Palmerston Sir James Clark The Archbishop of Canterbury A Footman Representatives of the Colonies and Dominions FIRST EPISODE— Red Salon in Kensington Palace, June 20, 1837. - SECOND EPISODE— Reception Room in Buckingham Palace, October 10, 1839. THIRD EPISODE— The Same, October 11, 1839. FOURTH EPISODE— The Same, January, 1854. FIFTH EPISODE— Bedroom of the Prince Consort, Bucking- ham Palace, December 13, 1861. SIXTH EPISODE— The Same as Fourth Episode, the Early Seventies. SEVENTH EPISODE— Throne Room in Buckingham Palace, June 20, 1897. QUEEN VICTORIA By David Carb and Walter Prichard Eaton Produced at the 48th Street Theatre, New York City, November 15th, 1923, by the Equity Players, Inc. (Harry O. Stubbs, Managing Director). Production staged by Priestly Morrison. CAST Alexandrina Victoria Miss Beryl Mercer The Duchess of Kent Miss Winifred Hartley Baroness Lehzen Miss Anita Rothe Lady Gay Hawthorne Miss Frances Goodrich Prince Albert of Coburg Mr. Ullrich Haupt Edward, Prince of Wales Mr. Arthur Maude William Lamb, Viscount Mel- bourne Mr. Donald Cameron The Duke of Wellington Mr. Joseph Denton The Archbishop of Canterbury. Mr. Albert Tavernier Lord Palmerston Mr. William Ingersoll Lord Conyngham Mr. Herbert Standing, Jr. Baron Stockmar Mr. Hubert Wilke Sir James Clarke Mr. Herbert Farjeon Benjamin Disraeli Mr. Clarence Derzvent William Ewart Gladstone Mr. George Farren A Footman Mr. Borden Harriman Court Officials, Representatives of the Dominions and the Colonies and of the Army and the Navy. A Delegation of Workmen, etc. James H. Bell — Stage Manager Scenery, costumes and stage decorations designed by Mr. Woodman Thompson FIRST EPISODE Red Salon in Kensington Palace June 20, 1837 FIRST EPISODE It is five o'clock in the morning of June loth, 1 837. The rising curtain discloses only dimness and silence, but slowly there emerge the outlines of a salon in Kensington Palace, a room seeming more spacious, perhaps, than it actually is, because of Wren's design. Near the audience, on their left, are tall doors, now closed, and opposite are tall win- dows, hidden now by heavy red draperies which per- mit only flecks of gray light to enter. At the rear, but vaguely seen, is an archway leading to other portions of the sleeping palace. There is no furni- ture in the salon, save a row of chairs standing stiffly along either side wall; their backs are straight and tall, and no doubt they are William and Mary, delicately carved and caned. One appears to be larger than the rest. The slumberous silence is suddenly broken by a faint sound of hurrying horses, and then a great pounding on some outer door. Again silence. Then again the pounding, which ceases abruptly and is pres- ently succeeded by a buzz of voices coming nearer. A sleepy young Footman in extreme disarray — and it is a pity not to have buttoned so superb a jacket as he wears, over an ill-concealed nightshirt — throws open the great doors, and stands aside to admit the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyng- HAM, the Lord Chamberlain. Both these dignitaries 3 Queen Victoria are dishevelled and dusty, as you will see plainer presently, when the Footman draws back the red window hangings and admits the light. They con- tinue the conversation which we heard as they ap- proached. CONYNGHAM It can't wait. The Princess Victoria must be wak- ened. ARCHBISHOP, A half hour or so ... I myself feel the need of a little rest. We could perhaps doze in a chair. CONYNGHAM But, my lord, it is just five o'clock now. In a half hour or so Her Highness — — ARCHBISHOP Her Majesty. CONYNGHAM Ah, yes, yes. Of course. It is hard to accustom oneself to these sudden changes. She will be no less disturbed by being awakened in a half hour or so than now. ARCHBISHOP Well, as you say. {He yawns. The Footman has crossed to the windows and thrown back the draperies. The light is abundant, but gray Queen Victoria and dull. The fellow is trying frantically to button his jacket, smooth his hair, tuck in his nightshirt. And he is yet only partly awake. He is startled when addressed) CONYNGHAM You will inform your mistress that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chamberlain beg an audience. FOOTMAN My lords, I — er — the Princess CONYNGHAM Eh? FOOTMAN I dare not interrupt her slumbers at this hour. ARCHBISHOP, Do as you're bid. ( The poor fellow goes out rear, much dis- tressed) What a pity she is so young. If his majesty had lived a few years more CONYNGHAM (Lowering his voice) His Majesty lived too long. Queen Victoria ARCHBISHOP Eh? CONYNGHAM No State secret, my lord. All the world knows that the King could not command even his own whims. ARCHBISHOP But this child, what does she know? CONYNGHAM She can be taught; the King could not learn. ARCHBISHOP Can she be taught? We know absolutely nothing of her. Here she has stayed with her German mother, and her German governess. CONYNGHAM Her "precious Lehzen," ha, ha! ARCHBISHOP And that subtle German, the Baron Stockmar. What have they taught her? CONYNGHAM She is only eighteen. She has the eagerness and sincerity of youth. His late Majesty had neither Queen Victoria youth nor eagerness nor sincerity nor the desire for them. ARCHBISHOP Has the Princess the desire? Is she proud, opinion- ated, narrow or receptive and CONYNGHAM We, like England and the rest of the world, are entirely in the dark about her. She is the Great Enigma. Let us have faith. The first Queen of England in a century and a third! ARCHBISHOP The first Queen since good Queen Anne. . . . After all, England has been fortunate in her queens. CONYNGHAM {Confidentially) England has been fortunate in her queens' ministers. (The Duchess of Kent comes through the rear doors. She is sleepy and thrown together) DUCHESS My lords. {They bow. The mother of Victoria is flabby. She has assumed an enormous im- portance in her own estimation and her 8 Queen Victoria manner seems to be derived from a Laura Jean Libby conception of an aristocrat. There is an uncomfortable pause) My lords? ARCHBISHOP We crave your pardon, Duchess, for intruding at this unseemly hour. CONYNGHAM Our errand is of such moment that we did not dare delay. DUCHESS Yes, my lords? CONYNGHAM If we might be received by the Princess Victoria— — - DUCHESS I am her mother. CONYNGHAM Yes, Your Grace. But it is necessary that we have audience of the Princess. DUCHESS I am the Princess' guardian. CONYNGHAM But in this instance, Your Grace- Queen Victoria DUCHESS What is your errand, my lords? CONYNGHAM Well, we had hoped ARCHBISHOP, The King is dead! DUCHESS {Flustered) Dead! The King! Then Drina is ARCHBISHOP She is Queen of England. We must apprise her of that fact. DUCHESS At last! Queen! Drina! ARCHBISHOP Will you have the goodness to make known to Her Highness that we are come on an imperative affair of state? DUCHESS Drina! Queen! A mere child. Just past her eighteenth birthday. Last month — The twenty- fourth of May IO Queen Victoria ARCHBISHOP {Sternly) Madam! DUCHESS My lord? ARCHBISHOP, Kindly apprise the Princess DUCHESS She is asleep. She never rises before seven. ARCHBISHOP The occasion is unusual. CONYNGHAM Let me urge Your Grace to delay no longer. DUCHESS It's an awful thing to be waked at five, even with the present of a crown. (Lehzen enters. She is neatly dressed, in plain, rather rigid clothes. Her hair is well ordered, albeit prim. She shows no sleepi- ness, nor haste. For all her appearance indicates, it might be tea time) Queen Victoria 1 1 CONYNGHAM Ah, Fraulein Lehzen. LEHZEN My Lord Chamberlain. ARCHBISHOPi Fraulein. LEHZEN Your Grace. CONYNGHAM You wiU be overjoyed, Fraulein, to learn that the King is dead. I mean — that is to say — your charge is the heir apparent. LEHZEN {Quite calmly. With an accent) Ah, that is gut. ARCHBISHOP At the behest of the Prime Minister we have pre- ceded him here to apprise Her Highness of her ac- cession. If we may be permitted to perform our mission. DUCHESS (Not without asperity) She must not be awakened at this hour. 12 Queen Victoria LEHZEN {Ignoring her. To the Archbishop) She shall be fetched. {She goes. The Duchess draws in her breath angrily and glares after the Gov- erness. The two men look stonily into space, politely appearing not to be aware of her humiliation. But she finds the silence difficult) duchess It is very upsetting. I suppose we shall have to move to Buckingham Palace. I seem to have done nothing all my life but move. Tell me, my lords, is Buck- ingham comfortable? I have seen only the State apartments. The late King was not fond of us. CONYNGHAM You will find it all that could be desired. Modern in every way. The throne room is illuminated by gas from the great chandeliers. DUCHESS {Ecstatically) Gas ! That will be marvellous. My lords, do you think Drina ? {She stops. For Victoria slips in at the rear. She is only slightly awake — a sim- Queen Victoria 13 pie, sweet, unsophisticated girl, who can scarcely keep her eyes open. She holds a plain dressing gown tightly together, a curl paper adorns her forehead, her hair is plaited and hangs down her back. Her feet are in bedroom slippers. Her face at the moment is blank and bewildered) {The two men fall to their knees) DUCHESS {With a little scream) Drina ! To come like that ! CONYNGHAM We are come to apprise Your Majesty that the King is dead. {When addressed as "Majesty" a faint smile of satisfaction comes over her face) VICTORIA He is dead ! Oh, I'm so sorry. CONYNGHAM As the daughter of the late Duke of Kent, the fourth son of King George III VICTORIA I am — the — the — I am — 14 Queen Victoria ARCHBISHOP (Mercifully) We are come, also, to inform Your Majesty- (Again the smile of satisfaction on her face. She murmurs: "Majesty") — that his late Majesty died calmly, like a good Christian, at peace with God and man. ( There is the faintest hint of sarcasm in his voice) CONYNGHAM As the daughter of the late Duke of Kent, Your Majesty is the heir to the throne. VICTORIA (Still dazed) I am Queen of England ! (An expression of wonderment passes over her face. She stands like a bedraggled Jeanne d y Arc. The Footman, now im- maculate, enters from the left and brings Victoria an imposingly sealed envelope. The two officials rise. She is utterly bewil- dered. She stares at the letter on the salver as though it were a sacred relic. The Archbishop and Lord Chamberlain bow themselves out. Her eyes follow them) Queen Victoria 15 I am Queen of England ! {She is frightened, as the realization soaks in) Oh, Mamma, I — I DUCHESS Take it. (Victoria looks at her mother blankly, takes the letter and holds it limply) Read it. (Victoria opens it, reads it — her lips spelling out the words — then looks up dully ) What does it say? VICTORIA "The Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, craves of Her Majesty" — Majesty! Queen of England. . . . Mamma, I am Queen. . . . DUCHESS {Seizing the letter) Tsct! "Craves an audience before the arrival of the Councillors of State." Send an answer. ( The Queen looks scared) Tell him 1 6 Queen Victoria VICTORIA Yes. {To Footman) Tell my lord Melbourne that I — that the Queen — that Her Majesty — Majesty. . . . DUCHESS Go on. VICTORIA Her Majesty will — will (Lehzen enters. Victoria runs to her) Lehzen, Lord Melbourne craves an audience, and then there will be a Council of State. LEHZEN {Holding her hand, addressing the Footman) Her Majesty will receive Lord Melbourne at once. VICTORIA Not — not in this! {She pats her dressing gown) DUCHESS You must dress. LEHZEN {To Victoria) Lord Melbourne must not be kept waiting. Queen Victoria 1 7 DUCHESS Drina, it's absolutely immodest Xo appear before people in a peignoir. (Lehzen pats her pupil reassuringly) I won't permit it. (Stockmar enters LEHZEN You've heard? {He nods) Lord Melbourne wishes to see Drina. DUCHESS Drina mustn't see him like that. STOCKMAR {Mildly) The Prime Minister will not be shocked — he is an elderly man. VICTORIA It's — it's not proper. STOCKMAR Your informality will be an indication of your seri- ousness. (Victoria smiles, completely reassured. The Duchess is peeved) 1 8 Queen Victoria DUCHESS I suppose Baron Stockmar is the final authority on these little niceties. {They don't heed her) LEHZEN It would be better for Drina's manner to be infop mal also. Impulsive, friendly. STOCKMAR Yes, but dignified. VICTORIA What will I say to him ? STOCKMAR "I am very happy" — No — "I have the desire" — That won't do either. "It has long been my in- tention to retain Your Lordship and the rest of the Ministry at the head of affairs." That's it. VICTORIA "It has long been my — my — — " LEHZEN Intention. Queen Victoria 19 VICTORIA "It has long been my intention to retain Your Lord- ship and the rest of the Ministry at the head of affairs." LEHZEN Gut! VICTORIA "It has long been my intention . . ." (She repeats the words silently) (The Footman throws open the doors with a great flourish. Lehzen and Stock- mar go out at the rear. The Duchess follows angrily) Lehzen, stay with me ! FOOTMAN Lord Melbourne ! ( The Prime Minister is in full court dress , in striking contrast to the disarray of the Queen. He raises Victoria's hand and kisses it. She gulps and then repeats Stockmar's words meticulously, like a school-girl repeating a lesson) VICTORIA It has long been my intention to retain Your Lord- ship and the rest of the Ministers at the head of affairs. 20 Queen Victoria ( The stately, elderly man bows again over her hand, kisses it, and is backing out, his eyes regarding her with curiosity. She catches his glance, sees it is kindly and be- nevolent, smiles in a shy, girlish, impulsive way, and takes a step toward him) Will you — will you be my friend? {He straightens, smiles) MELBOURNE May I be your friend? VICTORIA If you only would! I am somewhat afraid. MELBOURNE There is nothing to fear. VICTORIA I haven't had much — much practice in being a queen. MELBOURNE It is Providence, not practice, that makes a queen, Your Majesty. VICTORIA But practice and a nice prime minister will help, I am sure. Queen Victoria 21 MELBOURNE I shall strive to be the nicest prime minister in the world. VICTORIA {Extending her hand) Oh, we will be the greatest friends. {He presses her hand and goes. She stands looking dreamily after him, the smile still on her face. The Duchess, Lehzen and Stockmar return) LEHZEN You had better dress now, Drina. DUCHESS (Snappily) Naturally ! Come, my dear. LEHZEN DUCHESS (Freezing the Governess) Come, Drina. (Victoria starts toward Lehzen, has an instant of doubt, and dutifully, like a little girl, goes with her mother) 22 Queen Victoria VICTORIA Am I really and truly Queen, Mamma ? DUCHESS You see, my dear, that it is so. VICTORIA Then, dear Mamma, I hope you will grant me the first request I make to you as Queen. DUCHESS You can command now, my child. VICTORIA Then I will command that my bed be moved out of your room. {They go, the elder woman not at all pleased. Lehzen watches her charge af- fectionately. She and Stockmar speak with heavy Teutonic accents.) STOCKMAR Her first decision as Queen is sensible. LEHZEN {Indulging in one of her rare smiles) It is evident the Duchess will not rule England. Queen Victoria 23 STOCKMAR No one but the Duchess ever supposed she would. {A pause) LEHZEN And so, Baron, it has come at last. Our pupil takes her place. STOCKMAR She sits upon the mightiest throne in the world. LEHZEN So young, so inexperienced! STOCKMAR But positive. An indiscreet person might call her stubborn. That will help her to gain experience. LEHZEN Quite the contrary. But it will help her not to be discouraged by her inexperience. Or indeed to realize it. STOCKMAR {Bowing) I marvel constantly at your wisdom, my dear Frau- lein. 24 Queen Victoria LEHZEN We have given her an uberwaltigend sense of the dignity of her position. It is that will aid her most. STOCKMAR That — and us. LEHZEN She will still need us. STOCKMAR More than ever. My dear Fraulein, we must be cautious. LEHZEN Ah yes, cautious. STOCKMAR Lest our affection harm her. She will lean heavily upon us. LEHZEN Poor Duchess! STOCKMAR I fear her sun has set. LEHZEN Yes . . . STOCKMAR During these early years of her reign we two, whom she trusts and respects, must guide her. We shall Queen Victoria 25 have to be very wise and most austere with ourselves. We must set aside our fondness for her and con- sider only our responsibility. LEHZEN It is great — our responsibility — to her, to England, to Germany. STOCKMAR Exactly. Only with our guidance can she rule Eng- land. LEHZEN And make a German marriage. STOCKMAR That is the first thing we must settle. ( The Footman throws open the doors at the left with a grand flourish) LEHZEN Here are the councillors. STOCKMAR We had better advise her how to address tKem. (To the Footman) Arrange the room for Her Majesty. (They go out rear) 26 Queen Victoria FOOTMAN {Announcing) His Grace, the Duke of Wellington. {The Duke, in full court costume, as are all the others, enters -pompously and bows with respect, but discovering that Victoria is not present, straightens and crosses to the windows) Viscount Melbourne; His Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury; Lord Conyngham; Lord Palmerston. (Lord Palmerston is slightly over fifty, debonair, dashing, supremely confident, flamboyantly dressed, his whiskers obvi- ously dyed. No one speaks until they have all been announced and have entered. The Footman then places the largest chair in the centre and leaves the others against the walls. He exits rear) WELLINGTON I've heard she's wilful. MELBOURNE I don't know about that, but she's charmingly spon- taneous. ARCHBISHOP A child— a mere child. Queen Victoria 27 CONYNGHAM When we addressed her she seemed frightened, like a little school-girl. PALMERSTON She would indeed be callous, were she not frightened when a Lord Chamberlain and an Archbishop invade her privacy at five in the morning. Really! Palmerston ! ARCHBISHOP, MELBOURNE PALMERSTON Your pardon, my lords. I am forever forgetting how anything bare shocks Church and State. Even the bare truth. WELLINGTON Have you ever had a decent thought, Palmerston? PALMERSTON Occasionally, but it is not necessary. Indecency is the normal state of man. In youth it is condoned; in age it is called worldly wisdom. CONYNGHAM {Ignoring him elaborately) I was saying that the Queen seemed frightened, like a little girl, this morning. 28 Queen Victoria PALMERSTON Maybe just sleepy, Conyngham. One's eyes are singularly infantile when one is aroused at five o'clock in the morning. I myself do not appear altogether adult at that hour. {Crossing to Wellington) And you, my lord, — you also resemble a bewildered urchin when you first awake, I have no doubt. {The Duke turns with cold deliberation, stares at the younger man, his face impas- sive. He then re-turns to the window. Melbourne chuckles. Conyngham and the Archbishop are amused at Palmers- ton's effrontery. He is not in the least taken down by the great man 1 s snub. Con- tinuing} Yet there is a fine symbol in the Queen being aroused by Church and State to be informed of her glory and her duty just as the sun rises in the East. For the great glory of Queen Alexandrina Victoria will lie in the East. WELLINGTON {Sharply) Her glory and honor and duty will lie right on this island. PALMERSTON In the matter of prophecy the indomitable Duke of Wellington and the poorest cockney are equals. Queen Victoria 29 MELBOURNE {To change the subject) Too bad Lord John Russell can't come to greet the new Queen. WELLINGTON Why can't he? PALMERSTON He danced till late with Lady Gay Hawthorn, and 'tis said he must complete his dream of her. {Once more the Duke turns to stare at. the fellow , and re-turns to the window) MELBOURNE What dream has Peel that keeps him from the Council? PALMERSTON 'Tis June, my lord, and Sir Robert must a-hunting go. All in green, they say, like Robin Hood — or a grasshopper. ARCHBISHOP, It's a scant gathering to welcome the new Queen ! PALMERSTON Scant in numbers. But in quality! {The Duke sneezes) 30 Queen Victoria Ah, the great Duke of Wellington agrees with me at last! WELLINGTON Shut up ! PALMERSTON If His Grace would but deign to glance at me, he would discover that I am not a mere Napoleon to be banished by a frown. WELLINGTON I wish to God a word of mine might banish you to St. Helena or to Hell. CONYNGHAM Palmerston is impertinent. MELBOURNE He dares to be. God pity him if he were of a lesser family. ARCHBISHOP Ah yes. He knows full well that the Duke is the child and champion of aristocracy. MELBOURNE It takes courage even for an aristocrat to chaff the great victor of Waterloo. ARCHBISHOP I catch sarcasm in your tone, Lord Melbourne. Queen Victoria 31 MELBOURNE Your Grace has a keen ear. WELLINGTON What is the hour, Melbourne? MELBOURNE I am sorry not to be able to inform Your Grace. I never carry a timepiece; I always ask the servant what o'clock it is, and then he tells me what he likes. CONYNGHAM It lacks twenty minutes of six o'clock, sir. (Wellington gazes out the window again) PALMERSTON I do hope Her Majesty outlasts my time. These early hours! {Yawns) CONYNGHAM It would have been considerate of His late Majesty to live a few hours longer. {Yawns) MELBOURNE Or several less. {Yawns) 32 Queen Victoria Uh— h— h. ARCHBISHOP, (Yawning) MELBOURNE It is a difficult moment for a young girl to ascend the throne. The Irish question PALMERSTON The Irish question will always be with us. Only three people have ever really understood it — Castel- reagh who is dead, a German professor who has gone mad, and I who have forgotten. CONYNGHAM Her Majesty will be greatly aided in her difficulties by her youth and girlhood. The people will be enthusiastic about her. WELLINGTON Haven't you learned yet that you can trust nothing to the enthusiasm of the people? CONYNGHAM But her popularity will assist WELLINGTON Popularity is low and vulgar. Queen Victoria 33 PALMERSTON Who should know better than the Duke of Welling- ton, the idol of two generations ! WELLINGTON What's she like, Melbourne? MELBOURNE A charming girl. WELLINGTON Damme, that's not what I want to know. What sort of a queen of England will she be? PALMERSTON His Grace mistakes you for a soothsayer. MELBOURNE She is clay, my lord, and events and her councillors will be the potter. She can be made anything or everything. PALMERSTON Or nothing? MELBOURNE She will be something. I have had but a brief inter- view with Her Majesty, but in those few moments I realized that she has character — will and perti- nacity. 34 Queen Victoria PALMERSTON The regulation German virtues. (Yawns) When shall we be annexed by Coburg? archbishop Has she imagination? MELBOURNE I hope not. All of her line have been lost whenever they have not stood solidly on the ground. PALMERSTON Then she is but the four Georges in petticoats. MELBOURNE I did not say that. ARCHBISHOP, We shall see. ( The Footman, gorgeous now, flings open the doors at the rear) FOOTMAN Her most excellent Majesty, Queen Alexandrina Victoria. (They all assume deeply respectful atti- tudes. The Queen enters, pale, nervous Queen Victoria 35 — a girlish figure in deep mourning. She hesitates an instant, then moves to the chair at center and stands before it uncer- tainly. She sits bolt upright. A long si' lence. The Queen wishes she knew what to do. She makes as though to rise, but thinks better of it. She glances over her shoulder, hoping to see Stockmar or Lehzen. But the great doors are closed. As though guilty, she returns her gaze to the front. Another long silence, during which the men glance sidewise at each other) My lords. VICTORIA {In a weak, timid voice) {She swallows hard. They bow deeply. Again an uncomfortable silence. She speaks in a most stilted manner, as if the words had been learned by heart, as indeed they have been) Since it has pleased Providence to place me in this station, I shall do my utmost to fulfil my duty to- wards my country; I am very young, and perhaps in many things inexperienced, but few have more real good will and more real desire to do what is fit and right than I have. {A pause) 36 Queen Victoria MELBOURNE {Advancing a step) All England welcomes your Majesty's accession to the throne with faith and confidence and rejoicing. Your Majesty's ministers have the inestimable privi- lege of being the servants and the instruments of the Queen. They bend their knees in reverence be- fore her greatness. She is the Symbol of England. What she is all loyal citizens will strive to become; to all the world she will stand as a model and an example VICTORIA {Murmuring to herself) Example! . . . MELBOURNE We pray Her most gracious Majesty to receive this document {He offers an impressive paper heavily sealed) VICTORIA {Frightened, awed, amazed) Example to all the world. . . {Automatically her hand reaches for the paper. Suddenly a band outside plays the national air. Startled, her hand drops. As the music proceeds Victoria is more and Queen Victoria 37 more moved. She clutches the arms of her chair. Absolute silence until the music stops. She has risen) VICTORIA {With the simplicity and the fervor of a little girl praying) I will be good ! I will be good ! (Slowly she reaches her hand toward Mel- bourne for the paper, smiling mistily into his face) The Curtain Falls SECOND EPISODE Reception Room in Buckingham Palace October io, 1839 SECOND EPISODE It is two years later, and almost twilight of the afternoon of October ioth, 1839. The room is an antechamber of Victoria's apart- ments in Buckingham Palace. On one side is a fine Georgian chimney piece, but with no fire in the grate. Conspicuous on this Georgian mantel are an ugly Empire clock, two Dresden china groups, and a quite terrible vase. Opposite are double doors, now closed. The furniture of the room is, in the main, Empire, and includes a clawfoot sofa of great beauty. But two or three rosewood chairs with seats upholstered in red have somehow insinuated themselves, and are standing about in haphazard fashion, and there is a rosewood table with what appear to be albums piled on a shelf across the stretchers, and a small rosewood square piano of the latest make. At an Empire tea table — at least, it is being used for tea — are seated the Duchess, Lehzen, and Victoria. It is pleasant to fancy that they are using a Bristol tea set. Lehzen is sprinkling caraway seeds, which she takes from a small package, meticulously over her muffin. The Queen is, alas, sitting bolt upright and gobbling like a hungry girl of humble and uncertain parentage. 41 42 Queen Victoria VICTORIA Lehzen, ring for more muffins, please. {Her voice is muffled by the food through which it must pass) LEHZEN Pardon? VICTORIA More muffins, please. LEHZEN Muffins? VICTORIA Yes, dear. {With a smile) You are growing deaf. LEHZEN Not yet, Drina. VICTORIA You don't hear well. LEHZEN I fear the fault is not mine. If you would eat slower and not try to talk with food in your mouth Queen Victoria 43 DUCHESS {Interrupting her) You are constantly forgetting, Fraulein, that Drina is no longer your pupil. She is the Queen of Eng- land. LEHZEN All the more need to call attention to her little — shortcomings. DUCHESS The Queen can have no shortcomings. What she does sets the fashion. VICTORIA {Like a little girl to her school mistress) Do I eat badly, Lehzen ? LEHZEN You gobble, my dear. DUCHESS Drina, this is insufferable. If you gobble, then gob- bling is the correct way to eat. Besides, for a Queen of England to be dictated to by a woman with a posi- tive passion for caraway seeds {Addressing Lehzen r direct) 44 Queen Victoria — in your soup, on your bread, your roast beef, and even dessert- — caraway seeds ! As if you were a canary. Your resemblance to a canary is really rather remote. (She smiles at her own wit. Lehzen merely purses her lips; and Victoria has not heard; she has been thinking over Lehzen's reproof) VICTORIA I must be more deliberate in taking food. (The Footman enters) LEHZEN Muffins. (He hows and is going) DUCHESS It is cold in here. Lay a fire. FOOTMAN Pardon, Your Grace, but that cannot be done. VICTORIA (Comfortably) Is the chimney faulty? FOOTMAN No, Your Majesty. Queen Victoria 45 VICTORIA Then we will have a fire. FOOTMAN There is no one to lay it. DUCHESS Why can't you? FOOTMAN I am under the Lord Chamberlain, Your Grace. We light the. fires, but the Lord Steward lays them. There is a slight misunderstanding at present, the first since her Majesty's accession, between the Lord Chamberlain and the Lord Steward, so nothing in the way of fire can be done. DUCHESS This is intolerable. VICTORIA I think we ought to inquire into this. LEHZEN {To Footman) Does that explain why the windows are so coated with dust that we can scarcely see through them? 46 Queen Victoria FOOTMAN Not exactly, Fraulein Lehzen. We, the Lord Cham- berlain, we clean the insides of the windows, but the outside is under the Office of Woods and Forests. I think Your Ladyship will find that you cannot see through the windows because of what's on the outside of the panes. {He shakes his head) Will that be all? LEHZEN Yes. VICTORIA I think I will not have more muffins. (Footman bows and goes out) LEHZEN But you have not had enough. DUCHESS The child is afraid to eat. VICTORIA I'm not afraid, Mamma. Thank you, Lehzen, for calling my attention to how I eat. I will watch my manners. Queen Victoria 47 DUCHESS Why should you? The Fraulein is always on hand to watch them for you. VICTORIA It is really chillier in here than I thought. DUCHESS This state of affairs cannot be tolerated. You must speak to Lord Melbourne. LEHZEN The Prime Minister has no control over the organ- ization of the Household. VICTORIA A Queen ought to have a fire to keep warm. DUCHESS I shall speak to the Duke of Wellington ! (It is a trump) LEHZEN Even the mighty Duke is powerless to light a fire in the Royal apartments. 48 Queen Victoria VICTORIA It's October now, and soon winter will come. LEHZEN Only an Act of Parliament can rearrange the House- hold affairs. VICTORIA I shall command the Prime Minister to take up the matter of a fire in my apartments in the House of Commons. (No one of the three sees anything ridic- ulous in this situation) DUCHESS That will require time. And meanwhile the atmos- phere will be cold when our Prince arrives. (Victoria frowns) Drina dear, I am going to remove that vase from the mantelpiece. VICTORIA Why? DUCHESS It is ugly. VICTORIA I like it. Queen Victoria 49 DUCHESS It is French and does not go well with the German ornaments beside it. LEHZEN The clock is French, too. VICTORIA I am very partial to that vase, Mamma. DUCHESS Albert has a most delicate sense of fitness. The vase will be offensive to him. (She compromises — shoves the vase back) VICTORIA (Slowly) I do so wish Cousin Albert were not coming to visit me. LEHZEN (With unusual animation) That is because you have not seen him since you were a child. Never has there been a more admirable Prince. He is handsome as a god — tall and slender and refined. And in character absolutely upright. He has none of the young men's vices'. And so gemiithlich. 50 Queen Victoria VICTORIA So you have told me often. LEHZEN Don't you remember how delighted you were, Drina, when your two cousins visited you several years ago? How happy you were, sitting between them on the sofa and looking through your album! You said it Was the greatest fun. VICTORIA {Smiling a little) It was. Albert is a very fine cousin. DUCHESS He will make a very fine husband. VICTORIA {Annoyed) I don't want a husband. DUCHESS You must marry someone, my dear. / VICTORIA I don't want to marry anybody. Queen Victoria 51 LEHZEN You wrote me after that visit of his, " Albert pos- sesses every quality that could be desired to render me perfectly happy." VICTORIA That was long ago. I was only a child. LEHZEN He will soon arrive and you will see VICTORIA I don't want to marry Albert — or anybody. FOOTMAN {Announcing) The Prime Minister, Viscount Melbourne. (Victoria^ face lights up) victoria {Delighted) Oh, Lord Melbourne ! {Her manner changes. She becomes the Queen ; she has been a girl being married off. With the hint of a flourish) Pray, leave me. {The two women go) 52 Queen Victoria We will receive the Prime Minister. ( The Footman opens the door and Mel- bourne enters) Oh, my friend. (He kisses her hand) How have you been? It is two days since I have seen you. MELBOURNE I have been occupied with Your Majesty's affairs. VICTORIA But you could have found a moment to call. I am so disturbed, my lord. MELBOURNE Disturbed, Your Majesty? VICTORIA Everybody involves me in things I would be free of. MELBOURNE Your Majesty is a Queen. VICTORIA I am also a woman. Queen Victoria 53 MELBOURNE That is why I craved this audience. Prince Albert has arrived in London and will soon wait upon Your Majesty, so I hastened here to discuss certain details of the betrothal. VICTORIA Oh, how can you be so blunt! My lord, I like and admire my Cousin Albert very much, but I do not care to marry him. MELBOURNE {Blandly) Your Majesty has not seen the Prince in many years. He has grown into a man of unusual distinction, both physically and mentally. Indeed, Baron Stockmar says that his intellect is extraordinarily keen and well- ordered. He is handsome. VICTORIA His letters are most interesting. MELBOURNE One cannot imagine anyone more ideal for a husband. VICTORIA I am quite happy as I am. 54 Queen Victoria MELBOURNE Pardon, Your Majesty. But you must see why it is impossible for you to remain as you are. VICTORIA I have a great repugnance, my lord, to changing my present condition. MELBOURNE {With some firmness) You will have to overcome your repugnance. VICTORIA I think we need not pursue the subject further. At present my feeling is quite against marrying anyone. MELBOURNE In that case, should anything happen to Your Majesty, your uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, now King of Hanover, would succeed to the throne. VICTORIA Oh that would be a calamity ! He is dreadful ! Hor- rible! MELBOURNE Yet he would be the next King of England unless your Majesty has an — unless there is an — er — heir. Queen Victoria 55 VICTORIA {Shocked) My lord! {Averting her head. Mumbling) An heir — Cousin Albert. . . . {She shudders — a pause) MELBOURNE Your Majesty asked me to be her friend. VICTORIA I need you for a friend — now more than ever. MELBOURNE May I say that I comprehend the distaste such con- siderations must arouse in a young lady? Having to mention them, let me assure you, has required not a little effort. It is so delicate a subject to touch on. I understand your maidenly modesty. {A pause) But you are the Queen of England, and your duty is two-fold: You must rule and you must provide the — er — the next ruler. VICTORIA But, my lord, I feel I cannot. 56 Queen Victoria MELBOURNE Then the Duke of Cumberland, in case of any mis- fortune to you VICTORIA Oh, no, no . . . My lord, if I should like my Cousin Albert I can make no final promise this year, for, at the very earliest any such event could not take place till two or three years hence. Lord Melbourne, must Albert come to-day? Couldn't his visit be postponed till some later time? MELBOURNE How could it be? He has probably already arrived at the Palace. What excuse could we make ? VICTORIA If I were ill? MELBOURNE The Queen of England will not stoop to subterfuge. {A long pause) VICTORIA It must be understood that there is no engagement between us. MELBOURNE Most certainly. Queen Victoria 57 VICTORIA That must be quite clear. For I am very anxious that whatever eventuates I could not be considered guilty of any breach of promise, for I never gave any. MELBOURNE That is clearly understood. Between ourselves — friends — why has Your Majesty this disaffection for marriage? VICTORIA How can I look at him, knowing that I am expected to — that he is expected to — that we MELBOURNE Young people do look at each other knowing — er — er VICTORIA Not for love or marriage, but simply to provide — er — er (She blushes furiously. To relieve her em- barrassment, Melbourne coughs and averts his face. Victoria is thus able to get control of her maidenly modesty. In a small voice) I am still very young. MELBOURNE Not too young to rule a great empire. 58 Queen Victoria VICTORIA Even a Queen may dream of love, my lord. MELBOURNE Oh, you have been reading that persuasive romancer, Walter Scott. VICTORIA This is no romantic idea, my lord. I am fully con- scious of my responsibilities. And that is why I want to learn to be a Queen before I learn to be a mo — er — a wife. MELBOURNE The first lesson will be easy for so apt a pupil. {A low bow) VICTORIA {Pleased) You flatter, my lord. MELBOURNE And as for the second — learning to be Albert's wife — I fancy when you see him VICTORIA '(Drawing herself up haughtily. Already she has learned much about being a Queen) The whole subject, my lord, is an odious one. (Stockmar enters) Queen Victoria 59 STOCKMAR Pardon, Your Majesty, for thus intruding. But Prince Albert attends. {She becomes the flustered girl again. Melbourne recedes into the background, watching her anxiously. He starts to put in a word now and then, but thinks better of it) VICTORIA Not yet, Stockmar. I am — I am not — ready. STOCKMAR The Prince is in the anteroom. VICTORIA But I can y t see him now. (Lehzen enters) STOCKMAR The Prince would be somewhat hurt to be kept wait- ing. VICTORIA Show him over the Palace. I shall meet him at dinner to-night. lehzen Drina, it is your duty. 6o Queen Victoria VICTORIA I can't look at him. STOCKMAR Your Majesty is the head of the State. VICTORIA I shall abhor him. LEHZEN Only imagination, my dear. VICTORIA How could it be otherwise ? STOCKMAR This is an affair of State. The Queen must consider only her duty. ( This is spoken impressively, and it has its effect) VICTORIA Stay with me, Lehzen. LEHZEN (Relieved that the victory is won) Now, my dear, you are not going to falter in your duty. Queen Victoria 61 VICTORIA What can I say to him ? LEHZEN He is your cousin. Receive him in true cousinly fashion. VICTORIA I shall be so embarrassed knowing that he knows that I — that he — that we LEHZEN You will be brave. {She and Stockmar exeunt. Melbourne is following) VICTORIA You will remain, Lord Melbourne. MELBOURNE Your Majesty! VICTORIA Stockmar said this is an affair of State. MELBOURNE It is a great affair of State and must therefore be transacted in private behind guarded doors. 62 Queen Victoria VICTORIA How awful ! A transaction ! MELBOURNE My word was unfortunate. VICTORIA You could remain over there — in the shadows. MELBOURNE That would scarcely be fair to the Prince. VICTORIA Think oi me! MELBOURNE Your Majesty will have to be alone with him sooner or later. VICTORIA {Shuddering) Oh, I do wish I did not have to see him ever. (Melbourne goes. She is unpleasantly agitated. Her face is contorted in an ex- pression of repugnance and maidenly ter- ror. She watches the door through which the guest is to come with fascinated fear. It opens, Albert enters, it closes. He is twenty; in full uniform. Looking beyond Queen Victoria 63 him she draws herself up primly, with dignity. He hows with stiff, elaborate punctiliousness. She extends her hand — he kisses it. A long pause) We are pleased to welcome you. ALBERT {With a heavy accent) Your Majesty is gracious. VICTORIA I trust you had a pleasant journey. ALBERT Most pleasant. The landscapes were beautiful in their autumn colorings. VICTORIA I trust your parents, our aunt and uncle, are enjoying good health. ALBERT I am happy to state that they are in excellent health. VICTORIA And our Uncle Leopold of Belgium? 64 Queen Victoria ALBERT He is also very well and contented. ( The conversation lags. The Queen main- tains her prim dignity. The Prince re- gards her calmly, penetratingly, but she has not really looked at him. The silence be- comes uncomfortable) Ah, Your Majesty is fond of the china ornaments from Dresden. VICTORIA They are most pretty. {He goes to the mantel where the orna- ments are not strictly aligned. He aligns them) ALBERT They are subtly made, Dresden china ornaments. It is miraculous how so many can be manufactured and yet the beauty of each one be conserved. (She steals glances at his back, and un- bends perceptibly) In the year 1837, — 5,461 pieces were fabricated in Dresden. VICTORIA Wonderful! (She really thinks so) Queen Victoria 65 ALBERT Last year, 1838, they manufactured 6,003 P^ces. VICTORIA How can they? ALBERT German workmen perform miracles. VICTORIA So I have been told many times. ALBERT Ah, this is nice. {The vase) VICTORIA Do you like it? ALBERT Very much. Very much, indeed. {She claps her hands and bounces on her chair — a little girl proved right. All stiff- ness disappears. Albert has justified her and her taste. She goes upstage to him) VICTORIA We seem to have the same taste. I love the clock, too. {It is incredibly ornate) 66 Queen Victoria ALBERT One learns to love things that are near. (The conversation dies again. He places the tongs on the opposite side of the fire- place from the shovel, comes down from the mantel, and during the next few speeches places the chairs in a stiff line) VICTORIA We go to Windsor to-morrow for the day. ALBERT That will be most pleasant. (Once more the deadly silence. But she has been watching him ordering the chairs with interest — in him, not in the chairs) VICTORIA (Suddenly the young girl) This is not at all what I expected. ALBERT No? VICTORIA I thought you would be — different. Queen Victoria 67 ALBERT {After all, he is only twenty) I was afraid to form a picture of you. VICTORIA Why? ALBERT Because you were sure to be unlike the picture and then I — would have to adjust myself to the reality. VICTORIA Are you disappointed? ALBERT {Smiling) That is a question / should ask. VICTORIA It would not be proper for a young girl to say what she thinks. ALBERT So terrible as that! VICTORIA {Confused) Oh, I didn't mean it that way at all. I meant to say — I meant that a young girl must never betray her feelings. 68 Queen Victoria ALBERT But between cousins. VICTORIA We are cousins, but we don't really know each other yet. ALBERT How could we? We have met only once before this. VICTORIA Oh, that was a fine visit you and your brother, Ernest, made to us. How is Cousin Ernest? ALBERT He has developed rapidly. VICTORIA We were all mere children when you were here be- fore. You and Cousin Ernest wore knickerbockers, and I was still in pinafores. ALBERT Kensington Palace was so orderly. {He has finished with the chairs) VICTORIA Do you remember what fun we had sitting on the sofa, I in the middle, between you and Cousin Ernest, looking through my album ? Queen Victoria 69 ALBERT Oh, I shall never forget that album. Ernest and I have often spoken of it. VICTORIA It's grown, like you and Ernest and me. It is no longer an album — it is albums. Would you like to see the last one? ALBERT Oh, yes. (She takes it from the under shelf of the table. He pushes a chair toward her) VICTORIA Oh, no — on the sofa as before. (He puts the chair back on the same spot from which he had moved it) Sit here beside me. ALBERT Who is that? VICTORIA Madame de Spaech. She was one of my governesses. She had this miniature made just for me. 70 Queen Victoria ALBERT Oh, here you are in your coronation robes. We have a picture like it at home in Coburg. VICTORIA In oils, but this is only watercolors. ALBERT (As playful as he can be) You conferred it upon us. VICTORIA Where do you keep it? ALBERT In mother's drawing-room. VICTORIA (Disappointed) Oh. . . . This is the way I really looked at the time of my coronation. ALBERT (Regarding the picture and then the real- ity) You have changed. VICTORIA How? Queen Victoria 71 ALBERT For the better — a thousand times better. VICTORIA {Squeezing his hand impulsively) I'm so glad you think so. Look — look at this. You and me — at Kensington, when you were here before. Lord Ashley drew it. Oh, I'm so funny. ALBERT And I. So stern and upright. VICTORIA You are still — severe. ALBERT {He is a very young man) Do I really impress you as severe? VICTORIA O-o-oh, terribly. {They laugh heartily. Stockmar dis- covers them so. Delighted, he is slipping out when Albert espies him) 72 Queen Victoria ALBERT My Stockmar! {Runs to him arid they embrace) When am I going to see you? I must talk to you. To-night, Stockmar? STOCKMAR The Queen has commanded a concert in your honor to-night. ALBERT Then when can I talk to you alone ? STOCKMAR We will find a time. ALBERT But there are so many things you must advise me about; so many questions to ask you, such vital affairs to discuss with you. STOCKMAR {Pleasantly) Will there ever be time enough? ALBERT Never. Queen Victoria 73 STOCKMAR If Her Majesty would consent to dismiss you now, there are a few minutes before dinner. {He looks at Victoria.) victoria Until to-night, Cousin Albert. {He bows and goes out, his arm in Stock- mar's. The Queen calls) Lehzen ! Lehzen ! (Lehzen enters instantly) I will wear white to-night, Lehzen. {The governess bows and is about to de- part) He has a beautiful nose and eyes, Lehzen (Lehzen is delighted) LEHZEN {In going to Victoria she moves a chair out of the way) My darling. . . . VICTORIA A mouth beautifully formed. 74 Queen Victoria LEHZEN I knew when you saw him (She breaks off, not wishing to force the Queen's mood) White, you said? VICTORIA White — all white — shoes and everything. LEHZEN Like a bride. VICTORIA (A bashful girl, blushing furiously) Oh, Lehzen! (But Lehzen has gone. Victoria goes to the mantel, puts the vase in the exact center, in front of the clock. She replaces the chair the Frdulein has moved, on the exact spot Albert chose for it. Then she goes upstage and squints down the line. She moves the chair a trifle; squints down her finger to make sure it is as Albert left it) The Curtain Falls THIRD EPISODE Reception Room in Buckingham Palace October ii, 1839 THIRD EPISODE The scene is the same as that of the Second Epi- sode. It is the evening of October 1 1, 183Q. The double doors on the left, which remained closed during the preceding episode except to admit the FOOTMAN, are thrown open as the curtain rises. Through them may be seen a dinner table. Sitting around it are Victoria, Albert, The Duke of Wellington, The Duchess of Kent, Lord Pal- merston, Lady Gay Hawthorn, William Ewart Gladstone, Fraulein Lehzen and Viscount Melbourne. The Queen rises; so do the others. The men stand back to permit the ladies to pass in front of them into the room which is the stage. The doors are closed behind the ladies, who enter in a dignified procession. The Queen sits bolt upright. The others do likewise. A dreadful ceremonial silence. duchess The Prince and Mr. Gladstone were quite interested in each other. LADY GAY {A flapper of her time) They are not unlike. 77 78 Queen Victoria (It is evident that the type bores her. But her companions do not catch the slur in her words) Both good. LEHZEN Both God-fearing, orderly and conscientious. VICTORIA I adore order. (She sighs. The others sigh in sympathy) LEHZEN You have known Mr. Gladstone for some time, have you not, Lady Gay? LADY GAY Oh, always. The Gladstones and the Hawthorns have always been neighbors. I admire Mr. Glad- stone, but I prefer men with dash. If Lord Pal- merston were younger! LEHZEN Mr. Gladstone is much older than you. LADY GAY Oh yes — much. He is thirty! In our part of the country we think him quite remarkable! Under- Secretary for the Colonies at twenty-six! Queen Victoria 79 LEHZEN Remarkable. Quite remarkable. VICTORIA {Automatically . Her mind is with Albert) Quite remarkable. LADY GAY He took his seat in the House at twenty-four. DUCHESS Wonderful! VICTORIA Wonderful. {Her inattention becomes apparent. A dull silence. The ladies look at her y and she is looking into a dream. They fear to interrupt her meditation) DUCHESS {At length) I think I will have the whist table made ready. VICTORIA {Aroused. Horrified) The whist table ! Mamma ! 8o Queen Victoria DUCHESS Well, why not? VICTORIA It isn't proper to make the whist table ready before the gentlemen come. DUCHESS They will be forever over their wine. VICTORIA There must always be the reception before whist. DUCHESS I do not care to wait. VICTORIA But you must wait, mamma. It is etiquette. DUCHESS (She is a radical) Then etiquette should be changed. VICTORIA (She should he shocked, but she isn't) I have been considering that. Queen Victoria 81 LEHZEN My dear Drina! {Another silence) DUCHESS {Ungraciously) Would you care to see the Queen's album? LADY GAY Oh, I should be overwhelmed by the honor. {She is faintly ironic, and joins the Duch- ess at the table. Victoria beckons the Fkaulein to her) VICTORIA ( Taking the Fraulein's hand. In an un- dertone) Were ever such delicate mustachios, Lehzen? LEHZEN He is beautiful. VICTORIA How enchanting his slight, but very slight, whiskers ! LEHZEN Ah, my dear, I knew, once you had set eyes upon him 82 Queen Victoria VICTORIA {Continuing her own thought) Was there ever a finer figure ! Broad and powerful in the shoulders, so slender and lithe in the waist ! LEHZEN Did you notice how he interested the table with his account of the method employed in filing State papers in Coburg? VICTORIA The most princely bearing in the whole world. . . . {Arousing herself) They are overlong, Lehzen. LEHZEN It is but a moment since we left them. VICTORIA Even a moment is overlong — tonight. LEHZEN Ah, my dear Drina, impatient. {She is as waggish as she can he) VICTORIA Lady Gay Hawthorn is genteel. Queen Victoria 83 LEHZEN Oh very. And sprightly too. VICTORIA I think she will make a suitable Lady of the Bed- chamber. LEHZEN She has good humor. VICTORIA I shall mention her name to Lord Melbourne. Pray ask him to step here. LEHZEN The nomination can wait, Drina. VICTORIA I do not wish to see him for that. I desire the gentlemen to join us. LEHZEN It is customary for the gentlemen to linger over their wine. VICTORIA My precious Lehzen, will you have the goodness to sound the bell? (Fraulein Lehzen obeys and returns to her) 84 Queen Victoria So vivacious at dinner. Did you remark his anima- tion when he was telling Lord Melbourne the num- ber of acres under cultivation in Coburg? {The Footman enters) Ask Lord Melbourne to step here. {He goes out) And so amazingly well informed! How he aston- ished Lord Palmerston by his knowledge of the annual output of the Manchester mills ! (Viscount Melbourne enters) MELBOURNE Your Majesty sent for me? {She waves Lehzen away. The FraU- LEIN joins the other two ladies at the table. They cease to look at the album and listen intently ) VICTORIA We desire the gentlemen to attend us. MELBOURNE Your Majesty! {He is astonished) VICTORIA Pray, why not? Queen Victoria 85 MELBOURNE We have scarcely had time to accustom ourselves to the rare flavor of the port wine. VICTORIA {Descending from the lofty manner in which she has thus far addressed Mel- bourne) I daresay you have all had sufficient. MELBOURNE The decanters are at least half full yet. VICTORIA {Impatiently) I consider heavy drinking after dinner a horrid custom. MELBOURNE Nevertheless, Your Majesty, it is a custom. VICTORIA It is a custom which were better ended. MELBOURNE Everywhere in the civilized world gentlemen linger over their wine after dinner. 86 Queen Victoria VICTORIA I daresay. MELBOURNE It is a convention as fixed as the order in which the several courses are served. VICTORIA I am well aware of that. MELBOURNE Then, Your Majesty VICTORIA I won't permit it, Lord Melbourne. Especially not tonight. MELBOURNE Pardon my presumption. But it is necessary to re- mind Your Majesty that it is especially important tonight that all the conventions of social custom be observed. The Prince VICTORIA The Prince without doubt is impatient to join us here. MELBOURNE He is discussing with Mr. Gladstone Queen Victoria 87 VICTORIA My lord, we desire the gentlemen to come to us. (Melbourne hesitates a moment, bows, and goes back to dining room) LADY GAY (Horrified. Addressing no one) She will make drunkennesss unfashionable ! (Albert enters, followed by Mel- bourne, Wellington, Palmerston, and Gladstone. The latter is a young man, mature and staid and measured. The Footman closes the doors behind them. The men form in line to go through the reception ritual; the three ladies come downstage) VICTORIA Have you been riding today, Lord Melbourne? MELBOURNE I took a turn in the Park. VICTORIA It was a fine day. MELBOURNE Oh, a very fine day. 88 Queen Victoria VICTORIA A bit fresh as twilight approached. MELBOURNE It was somewhat sharp. {A pause) Has Your Majesty been riding today? VICTORIA {With animation) Oh, yes, a very long ride with Prince Albert. MELBOURNE I hope the Prince was provided with a good mount. VICTORIA Oh, a very good mount. (Melbourne stands a moment uncom- fortably. The Queen smiles, inclines her head, and he passes on. Wellington comes next) Has Your Grace been riding today? WELLINGTON No, ma'am, I have not. Queen Victoria 89 VICTORIA It was a fine day for riding. WELLINGTON Yes, ma'am, a very fine day. VICTORIA It was somewhat damp, though. WELLINGTON It was rather damp, ma'am. VICTORIA The Duchess is travelling on the Continent, I be- lieve? WELLINGTON She's in Vienna, now. VICTORIA The Duchess rides, does she not? WELLINGTON She does ride sometimes, ma'am. VICTORIA Has she a nice horse? go Queen Victoria WELLINGTON A thoroughbred. By Waterdale out of Hester. My lord VICTORIA {Shocked) WELLINGTON Her mare is carrying a colt now, by Spitfire. VICTORIA My lord, you forget yourself. {She is drawn up to her full indignant height. The Duke grows surly. He growls) WELLINGTON Well, ma'am, you asked. {She turns from him pointedly to Glad- stone. Wellington angrily stamps over to the Duchess) Damme, what's the harm in saying a horse was born and had a sire and a dam and is going to have a colt? They don't come from heaven like angels. VICTORIA Do you ride, Mr. Gladstone? Queen Victoria 91 GLADSTONE Very seldom, Your Majesty. VICTORIA Have you been riding today? GLADSTONE Not today, Your Majesty. VICTORIA It was a fine day for riding. GLADSTONE A very fine day. VICTORIA Does Mrs. Gladstone ride? GLADSTONE About as often as I do, Your Majesty. VICTORIA Did Mrs. Gladstone ride today? GLADSTONE I believe not. {A pause) Has Your Majesty been riding today? 92 Queen Victoria VICTORIA Oh yes. A very long ride with Prince Albert. GLADSTONE Has Your Majesty got a nice horse? VICTORIA Oh, a very nice horse. (She smiles, inclines her head, and he is free to retreat. It is now Palmerston's turn) Have you been riding today, Lord Palmerston? PALMERSTON I have been occupied in the Committee on Indian Affairs today. VICTORIA You are interested in Eastern questions, my lord? PALMERSTON Every man in public life must be. England's future lies in the East. ALBERT (Who throughout this scene has been con- versing with Fraulein Lehzen nearby) England's future will lie in England. Queen Victoria 93 PALMERSTON Her glory, perhaps. But her commercial future- ALBERT Even her commercial future lies at home. In that respect she is unlike Germany. My country, being the passage to the East, will control the routes and therefore the commerce of the East. PALMERSTON There may be other routes. ALBERT Long and perilous. PALMERSTON Not for us. Englishmen have ever found the seas safe and sure. We have made them so. ALBERT But all the way around Africa PALMERSTON Oh, we shall not always have to sail around Africa to reach the Orient by water. ALBERT How else will you arrive? 94 Queen Victoria VICTORIA You were saying you did not ride today, Lord Palmerston ? PALMERSTON (To Albert) Narrow necks of land may be cut. And will be. VICTORIA You should have taken a canter on such a fine day. (Albert gives up) You do ride, don't you? ALBERT (Sotto voce to Fraulein Lehzen) I do not trust that noble lord. (Victoria has followed his every move- ment with her eyes. But a ritual is a ritual f and she goes through with it pluckily — and solemnly) PALMERSTON I seldom ride anything except the perilous political waves of Your Majesty's government. VICTORIA How you twist things ! I was referring to horseback riding. Queen Victoria 95 PALMERSTON I surmised as much. VICTORIA Then pray, sir, why did you not answer my question? PALMERSTON {With a sweeping bow, the irony of which entirely escapes his sovereign) Because the Queen does not require my poor re- sponses in order to be informed. VICTORIA Law, sir, your courtliness is more French than English. PALMERSTON And yet no one in Your Majesty's realm is more English than I. VICTORIA There are those who will not agree with you. PALMERSTON I am the very type of Englishman. VICTORIA I should like to believe it so — for the sake of my people. 96 Queen Victoria PALMERSTON Your Majesty is too gracious. VICTORIA But you are above the average — far, far above. Few have risen so high as you. PALMERSTON In that respect I am, perhaps, exceptional. But I assure Your Majesty that in all else I am a thorough Englishman, VICTORIA {Playfully) What is a thorough Englishman, my lord? PALMERSTON One who spends his 'twenties resisting temptation and the rest of his life regretting it. VICTORIA {Shocked) My lord ! {She is more than shocked. But the rest of the company is pleased with the epi- gram. They laugh, Lady Gay somewhat too merrily. Even Gladstone smiles, and Albert does likewise, until he sees the Queen Victoria 97 Queen's expression — then the smile van- ishes) DUCHESS You have wit, my lord. LADY GAY Lord Palmerston is the greatest epigrammatist in England. PALMERSTON You flatter me, Lady Gay. But I happen to know one who is unrivalled. DUCHESS Who? WELLINGTON What's his name? PALMERSTON It's a woman. LADY GAY A woman ! MELBOURNE Who is she? LEHZEN An Englishwoman ? (Palmerston nods) DUCHESS Tell us her name? Queen Victoria LADY GAY Oh do, Lord Palmerston. WELLINGTON Out with it. GLADSTONE I had thought English wit had gone into a decline since the great Eighteenth Century. PALMERSTON Then you have never heard of Lady Flora Hastings. {General laughter) VICTORIA Oh, you have revealed her name. MELBOURNE Trapped. WELLINGTON You're not so adroit as you're reputed to be. LADY GAY Is she so clever? GLADSTONE Lady Flora Hastings is quite bright. Queen Victoria 99 DUCHESS I have never found her witty. PALMERSTON Oh, then Your Grace has not heard what she said to the old Duke of Leicester last week. VICTORIA What did she say? LADY GAY Yes, what, Lord Palmerston? PALMERSTON The Duke asked Lady Flora whether she would prefer Lord Burton or Sir Oliver Randall as a hus- band, and she responded, "I would prefer to be married to Lord Burton, but in the first year to elope with Sir Oliver." ( The company laughs heartily. The Queen's lips make a thin line, and her voice cuts through the merriment like an electric chisel) VICTORIA We are not amused. {A dull, dead silence. The transforma- tion is so sharp that the laughter remains on the faces of some of the company) ioo Queen Victoria DUCHESS {Finally) It is sultry tonight. {Her effort at bringing life back into the party fails. The silence continues for another oppressive moment) I think I will have the whist tables made ready. {A general sigh of relief, followed by chatter) MELBOURNE I am a poor player. LADY GAY It is a fascinating game — whist. So dashing. LEHZEN We play it differently in Germany. GLADSTONE One can pass a pleasant hour over whist. WELLINGTON Who will be my partner? PALMERSTON In all the world there is none worthy of such an honor. To be the partner at whist of the great Queen Victoria 101 Duke of Wellington, the victor of Waterloo, is renown beyond dreams of renown; it ensures im- mortality. WELLINGTON Look here, Palmerston, tone your pleasantries- VICTORIA The man who has saved Europe cannot be touched by ridicule. {Again the oppressive silence) DUCHESS {She has rung; the Footman opens the rear doors) The tables are ready. {They go out. FraULEIN Lehzen pre- cedes Albert and closes the doors behind her as he, uncertain what to do, has taken a step towards them. He comes slowly downstage to where Victoria sits, watch- ing him out of the corners of her eyes as she arranges her flounces. She sits ex- pectantly. As he reaches her, he hesitates, goes to the windows and opens one, slightly) ALBERT It is sehr schon tonight. VICTORIA As gentle as spring. 102 Queen Victoria ALBERT It would be most pleasant in the garden. VICTORIA Oh, it would be heavenly! ALBERT If we should take a promenade? VICTORIA I would love to. ALBERT (With a gesture exaggerated, as playful as it is possible for him to be) Then come. VICTORIA Do you think it would be quite proper? ALBERT Oh, no. I beg your pardon. (A pause) VICTORIA Before you came I wondered what you were like, Cousin Albert. Queen Victoria 103 ALBERT Am I — have I — disappointed you ? VICTORIA Not at all. {Feeling this insufficient) Not at all {A pause) It looks as though Mamma had plotted to leave us alone together. {A nervous laugh) ALBERT Shall I call them back ? VICTORIA {Amused at his obtuseness and not pleased that he doesn } t seize the opportunity she offers ) I am very glad we are alone together, for I think we ought to try to become well acquainted with each other. ALBERT Ah, that would be most agreeable. {Again a pause) VICTORIA {Coyly) Perhaps I, too, connived at getting rid of our guests. 104 Queen Victoria ALBERT You wanted to be alone with me ! VICTORIA (She thinks that now he is going to do ih A bit too eagerly) Yes — oh yes. (He says nothing) Yes. ALBERT (Bowing from the hips) Gracious Cousin. VICTORIA (Irritated) That was the — er — the object of your visit. (She is taken aback by her own boldness) ALBERT I concurred heartily in the plan, for I think members of the same family — especially a ruling family — should learn to know each other. VICTORIA (A click of impatience) Tsct! Queen Victoria 105 ALBERT Pardon? VICTORIA Nothing. {She reaches up to pat her hair, and her handkerchief falls from her lap to the floor. He picks it up, and impetuously kisses the hand that receives it. Her other hand springs to touch his bowed head, but she restrains it. Weakly) Thank you. {A moment he looks into her eyes. She flutters breathlessly. He turns sharply to the mantel, and aligns the ornaments. She follows him) I am so glad you came to England. ALBERT Even when you recall why I was invited to England? VICTORIA {Feebly) Even then. ALBERT {Bracing himself and speaking with stiff formality) It would confer the greatest honor upon me if you would consent to what Stockmar — I mean, our ministers, desire. 106 Queen Victoria {Her head droops, her hands fold in front of her) VICTORIA It would make me too happy. {He is uncomfortable, wants to embrace her, is not sure it is the proper thing to do. Her head still drooping, she peeks up at him, but he does not see. She is in a com- pletely receptive position) Victoria, I — I- Yes, Albert? I— I ALBERT VICTORIA ALBERT {He gives up, and seeks refuge at the piano, striking a tentative and tinkly chord or two, and then, looking bravely at her as he is ironically reenforced by that foe of German monarchs who wrote the song, he sings — "Du Bist wie eine Blume!' In the midst of the song Victoria, who has come to his side and has been listening enrap- tured and trying to hum with him, puts her hand upon his shoulder. He springs up and embraces her, murmuring) My little English mayflower ! Queen Victoria 107 VICTORIA {Her arms go round him) Oh, Albert, I am quite unworthy of you. ALBERT I will be very happy das Leben mit dir zu zubringen. VICTORIA Oh, Albert, before I saw you, the very idea of mar- rying was odious to me, and now I am too happy. {They kiss. Fraulein Lehzen enters. They separate, but she has seen and is overjoyed) LEHZEN Lord Palmerston is chaffing the Duke again. You had better make peace. Drina. VICTORIA Yes — yes. Oh, no — I could not reprimand anybody now. Albert, my love, will you reprimand Lord Palmerston? I want to see Lord Melbourne. ( They embrace again, and he follows Fraulein Lehzen out. Victoria blows kisses at the closed door. Melbourne enters. She goes toward him impulsively, almost runs) Oh, Lord Melbourne, the most enchanting thing has happened! 108 Queen Victoria MELBOURNE Your Majesty? VICTORIA He — Albert — I — we MELBOURNE (Tenderly) Yes? VICTORIA We — we — Albert is the most — we lo- (She cannot pour forth her ecstasy. She stops. A pause) MELBOURNE You and the Prince? VICTORIA We — I — he — The weather is quite damp for this season of the year. MELBOURNE Quite. VICTORIA I have recently had a letter from Uncle Leopold of Belgium. MELBOURNE I trust he is well. Queen Victoria 109 VICTORIA Quite. {Another pause. Victoria is extremely elated, nervous, excited. Finally she blurts out) I have got well through this with Albert. MELBOURNE {Who has known all along what she wanted to tell htm) Oh! You have! INTERMISSION FOURTH EPISODE Reception Room in Buckingham Palace January, 1854 FOURTH EPISODE // is January, 1854. The room is the same as in the preceding episode — at least, the walls and woodwork are the same; but even the Georgian chimney piece and the Empire sofa cannot hold their own against the full weight of Vic- torian adornment. Used now as the royal office, the chamber is dominated by two large and ugly walnut writing tables, piled with documents in prim order. There are heavy upholstered chairs, mathematically arranged. The mantel is covered with a dark lambre- quin, and huge red tassels on twisted rope cords loop back the ponderous draperies. Strangest of all, a vast wardrobe of rosewood or walnut stands with closed doors against the wall, quite overbalancing a delicate little relic of the Brothers Adam on the oppo- site side. But a pre burns brightly on the hearth, and mitigates the ponderous stolidity of the scene. The stage is empty as the curtain rises, but the Footman, grown a trifle portly and pompous, almost immediately ushers in Lord Palmerston, now nearly seventy, but still straight, fiery and direct, though conspicuously dyed. footman I will inform Her Majesty that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs craves an audience. 113 114 Queen Victoria PALMERSTON Inform His Highness also. {The Footman bows and departs, rear. PALMERSTON gazes about the room, shrugs. He goes to the desks, is offended by the orderliness there, touches the documents contemptuously, musses them up, chuckles and rearranges them. Lady Gay Haw- thorn — become Victorian also — enters) LADY GAY Good morning, my lord. PALMERSTON Ah, Lady Gay. How do you find life in the royal enclosure today? LADY GAY It never varies, my lord. PALMERSTON Tied hand and foot to the flaming chariot, eh? LADY GAY Flaming is scarcely the word to describe this court. {They laugh. Lady Gay becomes grave to deliver her message) Queen Victoria 115 Their Majesties, my lord, are occupied with the royal children, as is their wont. At ten o'clock, as is their custom, their Majesties will enter their bureau. All audiences must be after that hour. It now lacks five minutes of ten o'clock. Furthermore, Her Majesty demands to know on whose responsibility Lord Pal- merston presumes to arrive at the Palace without having been summoned. PALMERSTON {Hotly) On my responsibility. LADY GAY There ! My message is delivered. {She laughs, he laughs) PALMERSTON Occupied with the royal children, eh? LADY GAY She calls them her little love pledges. PALMERSTON Shades of St. Valentine! What does he call them? Whatever she tells him to, I suppose. LADY GAY No. The Prince Consort is a very strong character. / Il6 Queen Victoria PALMERSTON Doubtless. LADY GAY Thought he r does resemble a foreign tenor. PALMERSTON (Shrugs) The Prince is a foreigner who suffers from having no vices. LADY GAY He suffers from something else, besides. PALMERSTON Stockmar? (She nods) LADY GAY What can you expect? His heart is in Germany. He dreams always of Germany — a Germany unified under Prussian leadership. PALMERSTON Prussia is the adolescent among the nations. Gauche and raucous and pimpled. A clumsy Machiavelli. LADY GAY Stockmar is always near him. Queen Victoria 117 PALMERSTON {Heatedly) Yes, and it is Stockmar who has given him the idea that as Prince Consort he, through the Queen, should dominate the Government. Well, we'll see about that. The British Government controlled by a foreigner whose sole interest is in Germany and the future greatness of Prussia ! We'll see about that. We'll see about that. {He strides about, much agitated. He. is showing his age) LADY GAY There's no danger, because the Queen PALMERSTON They are trying to get rid of me — she, as well as her German consort and god, and his mentor. But the choice lies with me, not with them. It has been made already. LADY GAY I'm sure the Queen has no desire PALMERSTON Oh, yes, she has. A very strong desire to get rid of me. Because I dare to disagree with her beloved. But I can do as I wish, because the British people are fond of me. Ii8 Queen Victoria LADY GAY They are fond of the Prince, too. PALMERSTON In a way. LADY GAY Since the magnificent success of the Great Exhibition, his popularity surpasses even that of Her Majesty. PALMERSTON But he isn't one of them. He is a foreigner to them. LADY GAY However that may be, to the Queen he is everything. ( The Royal Pair enter. They are about thirty-jive ] years old. They come in holding hands and smiling at each other, but as soon as they espy Palmerston their faces freeze. Albert nods curtly and, seating himself at his table, becomes immersed in his documents. Victoria is unable to con- ceal her hostility so well. Lady Gay ^departs ) VICTORIA {Acknowledging his bow) My lord. {Bristling) Queen Victoria ng We do not grant audiences before ten o'clock in the morning PALMERSTON {With great respect) Lady Gay Hawthorn has reminded me of my error. VICTORIA A member of our — my — Government should know such things. PALMERSTON I did, but an important affair of State VICTORIA The will of the sovereign transcends all other affairs of State. PALMERSTON That is a view which the English people would scarcely concur in. {Pointedly) It is cherished, I believe, in Prussia. (Albert glances at him, frowns and re- sumes his work) VICTORIA Buckingham Palace is not a public house that anyone may enter as the whim directs. 120 Queen Victoria PALMERSTON Her Majesty will perhaps grant that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has privileges not granted to the majority of her subjects. VICTORIA To the Sovereign there are no privileged persons among her subjects. PALMERSTON {Giving up) I am come to inform Your Majesty that our relations with Russia are strained. VICTORIA With Russia! (Palmerston bows) Oh, it mustn't be. PALMERSTON I fear, ma'am, that it is. VICTORIA It can't be. ALBERT Why not, my love ? Queen Victoria 121 VICTORIA I was christened Alexandrina Victoria Alexandrina after the Czar Alexander of Russia ! PALMERSTON Nevertheless, our relations with Russia are critical. VICTORIA Why, sir, have I not been informed of the state of affairs before our relations with Russia became critical? PALMERSTON I am come to beg your Majesty to indite an amicable letter to His Majesty of France. We shall require his aid. VICTORIA {Tartly) Such a request should come from Lord Aberdeen, my Prime Minister. Why have he and you not made me completely cognizant of all the details of the negotiations as they occurred ? PALMERSTON They have been extremely delicate. 122 Que en Victoria VICTORIA No matter how delicate, each step should have been submitted to us — to me before it was taken. PALMERSTON {With great deference, but firmly) The affairs of Government, Your Majesty, are the affair of the Government. {That is not Stockmar's view, not Al- bert's) VICTORIA As a result of your management of our affairs, Eng- land faces disaster. PALMERSTON England is strong enough to brave consequences. VICTORIA You have deliberately kept me uninformed of the negotiations with Russia. PALMERSTON The necessities of diplomacy VICTORIA The Queen of England wil not submit to such trickery. [{The, word bites) Queen Victoria 123 PALMERSTON Am I to understand that I no longer enjoy Your Majesty's confidence? {She draws herself up and nods) Then — I am perforce compelled to resign as a mem- ber of Your Majesty's Government. {He waits, but she says nothing. He bows and goes out. Albert has long since stopped trying to conceal his attention to the conversation. As soon as the door closes behind Palmerston, he shows agita- tion) ALBERT My beloved VICTORIA A good riddance. ALBERT You should never have done such a thing. VICTORIA I am most pleased with the outcome. ALBERT But it is indiscreet. VICTORIA The Sovereign is above indiscretion. 124 Q*** rori