Episode 5 Versailles

This programme contains some scenes of a sexual nature

Poisons can take many forms.

Powders.

Liquids.

Ideas.

Appearances differ,

but the function is the same.

It takes root in the dark

and in the quiet.

Like fire...

FIRE CRACKLES

..it feeds.

And grows.

Engulfs.

And destroys.

My minister. Murdered.

His wife. Slain.

The killer. Dead by her own hand.

And still the contagion spreads.

It is in my walls.

It is in my blood and in my mind.

Is it any wonder that I've not slept?

If such tragedies befall me while I wake...

..what kind of Hell awaits me should I ever fall asleep?

You have failed me for the last time, Monsieur Marchal.

I do not know that man.

# I am the king of my own land

# Facing tempests of dust

# I'll fight until the end

# Creatures of my dreams

# Raise up and dance with me

# Now and forever

# I'm your king! #

Would you have him tossed in jail, Sire? Or in the nearest ditch?

Sire, when you were born, I was six years old...

-Hold your tongue...!

-Let him speak!

From that day to this, I have prayed

that Almighty God would give me the chance to serve you.

I kneel before you today

to beg for one thing.

Forgiveness.

INAUDIBLE

You have it.

I came to express my regret.

Your sympathy is unnecessary.

No-one has served His Majesty with greater devotion.

But I shall not just miss you as a colleague.

I shall miss you as a friend.

Then let me give you a word of advice.

The truth...

..and nothing but the truth.

I fear the King is deaf to all.

Tell him what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear.

If we are carried all our lives,

we will soon forget how to walk.

I don't understand why the King allowed it.

A sign of weakness, perhaps?

Of magnanimity.

Of strength.

Cruel one moment,

kind the very next.

The winds of power are not constant.

Now, let us talk of the future.

How might I repay you?

With your loyalty.

The court is a ladder.

Have you ever noticed that?

But opportunity does not shine equally for all.

Particularly if you have the misfortune to be a woman.

Thus, when my noble clients require a little help,

I am here.

And there are many.

How may I help you?

I fear my good friend, Madame de Montespan, may soon need allies.

I want you to befriend her.

What use would she have of me? She already has you.

The more powerful your friends,

the longer you remain up the ladder.

As I help you climb...

..you help me expand my clientele.

On every rung that meets your foot.

I will do as you ask.

HE GASPS

SHE CHUCKLES

The world may be poisoned, but you are the antidote.

And until he realises this?

You shall continue.

Prying, interrogating,

hitting people...

It's not what you do, it's who you are.

This poison is like love.

How so?

It has a mystery ingredient.

I do not yet know where it comes from.

But I will not stop looking until I find out.

You see, it's not what I do.

It's who I am.

Where are you going?

To a house of ill repute.

Many of these women are very sick.

Will I find you here on my return?

Do you wish to find me here?

You're the detective.

MARCHING STEPS

The English will have sight of the Dutch coast in days.

Turenne will retain command.

You are to take charge of the assault of Maastricht.

Me?

And Amsterdam?

Will be yours.

You are placing the entire fate of France in my hands. Why?

I hardly have to say it.

Might be nice to hear.

Glory.

-Whose?

-Ours.

It's time for you to carve your name in history.

I was always under the impression only one of us could win.

There can be two winners,

providing they're on the same side.

And we are on the same side, aren't we?

MARCHING STEPS AND HOOFBEATS

How are you sleeping?

Come.

Let us consider the route.

BAROQUE MUSIC PLAYS, LIVELY CHATTER

Mademoiselle de Clermont.

I believe "Duchesse de Cassel" is now the correct mode of address.

Duchesse.

I'm not proud of the title.

And I must apologise.

I haven't offered my condolences for the loss of your mother.

It was quite a blow.

-Your own mother is...?

-Gone.

A few years ago.

She'll be looking down, no doubt, glad to see you happily married.

I fail to see how any marriage can be happy.

If the terms are satisfactory, the union...productive...

for some, heaven.

Others, a prison...

..with no escape.

There is always means of escape.

It is...merely a case of finding it.

I have a friend who specialises in such matters.

Excuse me.

Another four weeks, perhaps five.

-Do you have other children?

-Five.

-Where are they?

-Well, one fell to the pox.

And two are with my cousin in Lyon.

-And Father Etienne takes cares the others.

-Father Etienne?

Takes confession and gives money to those who aren't earning.

And, if we have unwanted children, he takes them off our hands

and places them at a hospital for orphans and strays.

He's a saint, mark my words.

I shall return in a week.

Avoid too much exertion.

I'll just have to spend my days in bed, then, won't I!

Ah. You must be Father Etienne.

You must be the angel who aids these girls in their afflictions.

-I wouldn't call pregnancy an affliction...

-I would!

You take unwanted babies into care?

We have a small home for orphans near St Denis, yes.

They each receive food, a bed and education,

and are kept as far away as possible from...

The sins of their mothers!

I prefer "errors".

-If only there were more like you.

-We all do what we can.

I shall be back later, drunk.

But I shall expect to find you and the bed...

..quite warm.

DOOR CLOSES

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

COINS JINGLE

Bravo, Sire.

History will show you to be the finest player in France.

What you will notice about billiards is that there is no strategy,

only tactics.

You missed deliberately, Thomas.

No, Sire. I merely lack the necessary skill.

I would have thought that a man facing such a journey

would have his mind on other matters.

What journey would that be?

You may speak freely, Madame de Montespan has my trust.

To have an intelligent woman as one's counsel

is perhaps the best tactic of all, Sire.

If I may, madame, I believe women to be the equal to most men

where strategy is concerned.

Explain.

Well, it seems to me, Sire, that living in Versailles

is a constant balance between power and negotiation.

But it is women who must negotiate the hallways of Versailles

with no power at all.

Not all women are without power.

Please do not misunderstand me, madame,

your skills may not be visible to most,

but they are just as effective.

The journey, Sire, is war.

You are preparing to leave for Holland.

No, I'm staying here.

I see.

Then who will lead the army, Sire?

My brother.

Yes, he showed great bravery in the Spanish Netherlands.

I remember hearing such stories about him.

He is a master of the battlefield.

While you are a master of war, are you not, Sire?

Battles require tactics. War requires a strategy.

Are you saying that my brother is also good at billiards?

I am saying nothing at all, Sire.

Not from where I'm standing.

It is rather surprising how many words are emanating from your mouth.

I was rather under the impression that writers were busy writing...

rather than talking.

My only wish, Sire, is to chronicle YOUR exploits.

Why did you not speak before?

Following the death of her child,

I wondered, perhaps, she was not of her right mind.

Madame de Montespan does nothing without forethought.

She is a forceful woman

and God is punishing her with equal potency.

I hope her compulsion was not persuasive.

Your Majesty,

my vows of chastity are sacrosanct.

I am relieved to hear it. The King must be informed, of course.

We shall visit him together.

He would no doubt dismiss my own account,

but he can hardly question the word of a man of God.

GRUNTING AND SCREAMING

SCREAMING

Get off!

HE GRUNTS

SHE GROANS

BAROQUE MUSIC PLAYS, CHATTER

Very attractive, don't you think?

As are its contents.

Fragrances?

Of a sort, yes.

Each is carefully crafted

to induce certain feelings or pleasures.

Whether you seek repose

or stimulation,

we have just the thing for you.

HE INHALES DEEPLY

Mm.

Here,

the perfect stimulus for a dreary day.

Normally six thousand, but, for you?

-WHISPERS:

-Five.

Go.

Yes! Are you looking for something special?

Have you bought anything, Your Highness?

No, and I have no intention of it.

Allow me to convince you otherwise.

Being at Versailles and not throwing one's money around is frowned-upon.

SHE CHUCKLES

Good morning, Your Highness.

May I interest you in some silks?

I find wool to be more insulating.

But then, you are wearing a sheep.

Better than wearing a worm.

These are rather fetching.

Fragrance?

Packing fragrance, Your Highness, to perfume the fabric.

That is all.

Oh.

How bizarre.

Oh, Duchesse!

Your beauty puts every woman in the room to shame.

You once mentioned a friend of yours.

That offers...marriage advice.

I think you'll find her a source of great wisdom.

Where will I find her?

A hand.

On your person.

-To steady herself, perhaps?

-That, of course, was the first thought

that came into my head, Sire. Nonetheless...

Have you ever lost a child?

No, Sire.

Then what qualifies you to speak of her state of mind or her motives?

If I understand the details correctly,

her motives were very clear

and inappropriate towards someone of the cloth.

They were of a sensuous nature.

PEN CLATTERS

My king?

Leave the matter with me.

DOOR CLOSES

HE BREATHES UNEVENLY

STREET BUSTLE, CHATTER

FIRE CRACKLES NEARBY

CRASHING, THUD

SHE GASPS

Is that how you seduce all the women?

Did it work?

You're still here.

I like that.

SHE GASPS

Did you miss me?

If the King sees you...

He already has

and he's given me his blessing.

I kissed his hand.

And now...

..I kiss yours.

We have so much catching up to do.

Father Pascal came to visit me just after the passing of our daughter.

I was feeling weak and faint and I almost collapsed.

As I did, I stretched out a hand

and I clasped him by the cassock.

He helped me to my feet,

but his hands wandered in the most intrusive way.

You have not mentioned this before.

I did not, because, frankly, I feel sorry for him.

Imagine listening to the sordid confessions

of the most beautiful women in court all day.

He's a starving man at a banquet.

Have you not noticed how he looks at her?

Her Majesty.

One has to wonder what else is really going on.

DOOR SLAMS

Are you in love with him?

My king...

I believe he made up this story to make you jealous and to seduce you.

Why do you listen to that woman?

Why do you hate her so?

Is it wrong to hate the woman

who has poisoned and twisted my husband's mind?

At least you admit hatred WAS your motivation.

You're putting me through Hell!

The flames will do wonders for the ice around your heart.

DOOR CLOSES >

STREET BUSTLE

Ariadne sent me.

Your husband is sick.

How do you know?

Because you are here.

Is there a cure?

There is.

A slow treatment

which may cause discomfort

over a period of time.

Or a rapid remedy...

..with instant effect.

The slow treatment, will he be aware of it?

He will.

But have no sense of the cause.

My dear.

The choice is simple.

Death...

or suffering?

Suffering.

Why does the King get to declare war and I don't?

Why can't I do that?

In fact, you know, I think I will.

I will declare war on someone.

Today.

You can't go.

I forbid it.

I don't care.

Very well.

Then I shall come with you.

You can't stop me.

If you want to come to war...

..you can't bring this.

Regrettably, then, I will remain.

Anyway, you know my opinion on mud and tulips!

-I shall stay here, keep the bed warm.

-Spend my money...

Fortunately, you can stop worrying about that,

for I have come into an inheritance.

My uncle Hugues. Miserable bugger.

The only time I ever saw him smile

was when his wife fell off her horse.

You'll miss him terribly, I suppose.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Not as much as I will miss you, darling.

I beg your pardon. The...

The door...

Bontemps?

What's the matter?

He once commanded me to tell him...

..should the situation ever arise,

if a woman ever tilt his mind

in matters of state...

How can you be sure it is she who affects him so?

All I know is...

..ever since he has chosen Madame...

..our needs are plenty

and his time is finite.

We can all be drunk in love, Bontemps.

Drunk or sober...

..he will not listen to me.

-SADLY:

-As his valet,

I have no voice.

FIRE CRACKLES

DOOR OPENS

Come and have a drink with me.

Perhaps you should try to get some sleep, Sire.

HE LAUGHS

Kings do not sleep.

The wise ones do, Majesty.

I've seen you sleep.

I must speak my mind, Sire.

These are not the words of a valet.

No, Sire.

They are the words of a friend.

Well, I do not wish to hear them.

I anticipated that, Sire.

So I have given my words to another.

Highness!

DOOR OPENS

So, both my brother and my valet are plotting against me, is that it?

Not long ago, you looked me in the eye and said...

What is this madness?!

..if any woman would influence me in matters of state...

-That's enough!

-..you will tell me, and by the morning,

-she will be gone.

-I said, "Enough!"

Sire!

-This was your idea, was it? This SPECTACLE!

-It was mine.

You? You don't care enough.

Sire, yes.

Yes, it was my idea.

"Friend".

Leave.

DOOR CLOSES

CHATTER

A bumper of wine.

It is not yet nine o'clock.

I've made an enemy of the Queen

and she is plotting against me.

I need wine.

I can understand her disapproval,

but conspiring against another seems far beyond her character.

Then it's that idiot priest.

He's turned her to it.

Father Pascal? I find that surprising.

He is both devout and inspiring.

Sometimes, Francoise, you're so naive, I wonder if it's not just

an elaborate joke you are playing on us all.

FRANCOISE CHUCKLES

< Do you know, I have a queue of seven traders, four accountants

< and two Portuguese traders waiting outside my office?

< Sometimes I think we're the only two people who work around here.

< The other nobles come here to play, not work.

Has your niece Isabelle arrived?

Imminently, as I understand it.

Though, frankly, I must confess, I pleaded with her not to come.

Why ever not?

Versailles is no place for a young and impressionable girl.

She insisted, naturally, as they all do,

hoping to come to court in the hope

of catching some important noble eye.

But lately...

..I find the palace to be a den of depravity.

Most unsuitable.

Will we win?

I believe so.

Though I confess I was surprised when the King chose to remain.

As glorious as he is,

on the battlefield,

he is NOT his brother.

No doubt he prefers to confront his adversaries closer to home.

But where is the glory in that?

Ho-ho!

Huh?

Yah!

BLOW CONNECTS, MAN GRUNTS

PANTING

Ha...

HE PANTS

HE CHUCKLES

Swords over muskets any day. If you ask me, a fight is not a fight

unless there's a blade involved.

You're not going.

Kings must lead.

They do not follow.

I am called by a higher purpose to command my armies myself.

It is I who must go. You are to remain here.

Is that it?!

No apology?! NO NOTHING?!

I cannot stay here any longer.

What is this "higher purpose"?

Bontemps, he came to me because he was concerned.

Because we're ALL concerned.

Then you will know why I must go.

Take me with you.

Side-by-side on the battlefield.

I need you here while I am gone.

Who knows? Perhaps in war I will find some peace.

The palace needs protection with rules, with an iron hand.

Our survival depends on us both.

I will fight the war in Holland.

Please, Brother,

fight the war here.

I'm sorry, Philippe.

Destiny calls us to a greater mission.

Perhaps His Majesty has forgotten?

DOOR OPENS

Whilst I appreciate my brother's bravery.

I believe he is a winner of battles, not wars.

I shall lead the attack on Holland.

This is wonderful news, Sire.

TERSELY: Your loyalty gives me great comfort.

The question of regent remains.

Madame.

I owe you an apology.

My mother asked you for your help.

You gave it gladly

and received, in return, a betrayal of that goodwill.

Is that why you came here?

To apologise?

In part.

I also came here because

we have a common acquaintance.

A curious woman. Lives in the village.

Sometimes goes by the name of Ariadne.

-You know her?

-Yes.

And now she has asked me to...

..help you.

With what?

You tell me.

Well, I cannot think what she meant.

Do you know the Queen's new confessor? Father Pascal?

I know his face.

And...reputation.

Perhaps we should take a turn in the garden.

I hear the lilies are in bloom.

You're here for confession perhaps?

No...

I came here on a matter of some delicacy.

I will help you in any way I can.

There is a letter that must be written

to a person of great importance.

Surely, you are able to write?

My father taught me to wield a sword, not a quill.

For shame.

The contents, as I said,

really are most sensitive.

I see.

Come with me.

What do you wish to say?

"To my queen.

"My life.

"My love.

"Pity me.

"Forgive me.

"I was tempted...

"..by the sins...

"..of the flesh."

Oh, er...

Could you please press this bloom between the fold?

I believe it is what heaven must smell like.

The chapel should be filled with them.

HE SNIFFS Very pleasant.

What is the meaning of this letter?

Alas, it is a suicide note.

My son, you do not plan to take your own life?

HE SNIFFLES

Not mine, no.

HE GROANS AND CHOKES

HE COUGHS

CLATTERING

GUTTERAL CHOKING

Watch over me while I take my rest and deliver me from danger.

May Thy grace be with me always.

Amen.

Amen.

I admire your devotion.

I know no greater love in this world.

Will you pray for me, madame, when I go to war?

Sire, I pray for you...

..every day.

CLUNKING

CLATTERING I wish I could be of more comfort.

I don't need comfort. I need another brother.

What will you do?

What I always do.

Nothing.

And he knows it.

Do you want me to say what I think or what you want to hear?

I think you're behaving like a child

who always wants the toys other children have.

Instead of sulking because your brother is king,

you should be a king in your own right.

He has an empire.

Why can't YOU build an empire?

He has a dynasty.

Why can't you build a dynasty?

You're my king.

SWORD CLATTERS

SHE GASPS

Knock-knock.

I have found just the thing for you!

Some thick wool from the sheep of England.

Perfect for hats, gloves,

and, if you're that way inclined, underwear.

Oh...!

Shall I come back later?

-PHILIPPE, MUFFLED:

-Good idea.

Oh.

I see...

Hm.

And here I was, looking for someone to declare war on...

..when the answer was right under my nose.

DOOR SLAMS

HE SIGHS

'In accordance with the laws of our kingdom...'

I, Louis XIV, King of France...

..solemnly confirm that in my absence for reasons of war

the regency of France and all her possessions

shall be placed in the hands of Marie-Therese of Austria,

Queen of France,

Queen Consort of Navarre.

My mother performed the same role with distinction.

I know I can rely on you to do the same.

I shall take you to the salon

to effect some key introductions.

CHATTER NEARBY

Please allow me that honour.

Ah!

Chevalier de Lorraine,

may I present my niece, Isabelle.

Isabelle, Chevalier.

One of the court's most...

Charming bachelors.

I can see already you will be a great success.

I assure you, she is in safe hands.

Isabelle, let me introduce you

to one of the most glorious members of the royal family.

Philippe, Duc d'Orleans, Duc d'Anjou and brother to the king.

Welcome to Versailles.

I trust I shall see you later?

Who knows? Isabelle and I have a very busy day ahead of us.

SHE SIGHS

RAUCOUS SHOUTING

CHATTER

Excuse me.

I am looking for some seeds.

What kind of seeds?

Akar Saga?

Why this seed?

I am a student of the healing arts.

No-one can heal from this plant.

I cannot help you.

I have many other seeds with healing properties.

Perhaps you have some ashoka seeds?

I have a patient with an intestinal disorder.

Yes, of course.

Thank you.

COINS JINGLE

Excuse me.

No, no, no!

-SHOUTS:

-Help! Help! Help!

WET SLICING

Get out of my way in the name of God!

Be gone! Do you hear me?

Are you hurt, my dear?

May I suggest that I accompany you out of here?

Come. Quickly.

Step aside!

Out of my way!

ROPE CREAKS

I believe this was intended for you, Majesty.

Is it by his hand?

How could he do such a thing?

How indeed?

SHE HUMS TO HERSELF

I'm sorry for your loss.

He's not a man to take his own life.

The note was by his hand.

You think otherwise.

I don't know what I think, Sire. I am too bound in grief now.

You understand the weight that falls upon your shoulders in my absence?

Trust your advisors.

Keep your own counsel.

Hide your true feelings.

Good day, madame. Make me proud of you.

Your word will be law, Sire, and disobedience will find its reward.

Please take me with you.

I will be safer at war in Holland than at war here.

You fear the Queen as regent?

Right now, Sire, I fear everything I've ever dreamed of.

No harm will come to you.

His Majesty does not see how strong she is.

She knows the place that you have in my heart

and she will do anything she can to come between us.

She will rule on my behalf, not her own.

You decided to be your own First Minister!

You decided to rule alone! You chose me!

You kissed me by the fountain! It was you and it was only you!

Enough!

Enough.

I cannot remember the last time that I truly slept.

Take some herbs, Your Highness.

It will help.

If you say they will help.

I do with all my heart.

What happens now?

We close our eyes.

And we welcome sweet oblivion.

You knew I'd come, didn't you?

Tomorrow I leave for war.

I needed to say goodbye.

HE PANTS

Your Highness! The King...

I was lost.

But now...

I'm found.

I was lost, but...

But now I'm f-found...

But now I'm found...I'm found...

I was lost...

..but now I am found.

I was lost...