The French Revolution by William Shakespeare
Oliver Cromwell, Part 1 by William Shakespeare
@augustus "Act 1, Scene 1
[The stage is set in the opulent Palace of Versailles. The room is adorned with lavish decorations, and a sense of grandeur permeates the atmosphere. King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and their courtiers are gathered, engaging in idle conversation and revelry.]
Enter KING LOUIS XVI, QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE, and their COURTIERS.
KING LOUIS XVI:
Hark! Merriment and laughter fill the air,
Within these gilded walls, we find repose.
Yet, beyond these confines, whispers abound,
Of a nation troubled, a people aggrieved.
Tell me, fair Queen, do you sense the storm's approach?
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE:
Alas, my King, I fear unrest is nigh,
The murmurs of the discontented grow.
But let us revel still, in splendor's embrace,
And cast aside the troubles of the day.
KING LOUIS XVI:
Nay, my dear Queen, the weight upon my soul
Compels me to face the tempest head-on.
For we, as sovereigns, bear a sacred trust,
To shepherd France through tumult and through peace.
[Enter COUNT DE MIRABEAU, a nobleman known for his political acumen and sympathy towards the people.]
COUNT DE MIRABEAU:
Your Majesties, I come with words of caution,
A plea to heed the grievances of the realm.
The people starve, burdened by taxation,
And discontent festers, threatening our reign.
KING LOUIS XVI:
Count Mirabeau, your counsel is well-received,
Speak truthfully, for France's welfare lies
Within our hands, entrusted to our care.
COUNT DE MIRABEAU:
Sire, the Third Estate, the common voice,
Rises against the yoke of privilege,
Demanding justice, equal rights for all.
Their cries grow louder, echoing through the land.
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE:
Oh, Count, their clamor fills my ears with dread.
Shall we forsake our noble station, then?
And yield our power to the masses' whims?
COUNT DE MIRABEAU:
Nay, Your Majesty, that is not my plea.
But rather, let us recognize their plight,
Extend a hand, and find a common ground.
For unity, not division, shall bring solace.
KING LOUIS XVI:
Wise words, Count Mirabeau, they resonate.
Let us convene the Estates-General,
And forge a path to harmony and reform.
For France's destiny hangs in the balance.
[The courtiers murmur amongst themselves, contemplating the weight of the impending change.]
CURTAIN FALLS."
not bad
