I consent, as he has saved your life.
ER. My heart is so overwhelmed by this great miracle, that amidst this
ecstasy, I doubt if I am awake.
DAM. Let us celebrate the happy lot that awaits you; and let our violins
put us in a joyful mood. (_As the violins strike up, there is a knock
at the door_).
ER. Who knocks so loud?
SCENE VII.--DAMIS, ORPHISE, ERASTE, L'EPINE.
L'EP. Sir, here are masks, with kits and tabors.
(_The masks enter, filling the stage_).
ER. What! Bores for ever? Hulloa, guards, here. Turn out these rascals
for me.
BALLET TO ACT III.
_First Entry_.
Swiss guards, with halberds, drive out all the troublesome masks, and
then retire to make room for a dance of
[Footnote: The origin of the introduction of the Swiss Guards
(mercenaries) in the service of the French and other foreign powers may
be ascribed to the fact that Switzerland itself, being too poor to
maintain soldiers in time of peace, allowed them to serve other nations
on condition of coming back immediately to their own cantons in time of
war or invasion.
It is particularly with France that Switzerland contracted treaties to
furnish certain contingents in case of need.
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