aass£KMia Book ^A \a4- MKW TBBlPBRAitfC£k|P]L.ATS.~13 Cents Eacb. M F I / »• T I » » •fcaUteliUIaa Bar Room, 11 5 Bottle, .... 11 6 I Tenip«rnnco Dortor, . • aQ * Oranlikrd, Dnimn, GAets, ' 12 6 I Drnakird'iDoom, • - 16 C I FrulUof the WlneCnp. • f » I&Xwusof.-Orankord'sIiire.lO & I Aunt Dinah's FlMl«a> * A C I BrunluKl c Wamlas, M 9 9 Y^X No. iV, ' y FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA. RICHELIEU: OB. THE CONSPIRACY. IN FIVE Apra BY SIE EDWAED LYTTON BULWER. WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CAST OP CHAHAO- TERS, COSTUMES, RELATIVE POSITIONS, ETO. XEW YORK.' SAMUEL FRENCH & SON, PUBLISHERS, laa JS'assau Street. L0J7D0N.- SAMIJEL FRENCH, PUBUSHEE, 8& STRAIsri). BOOKS EVERV AmAXE-ra SHOtTDI* HAVE. itSLiTEUB'S {IIUIDE; or. Howto Get uo Home Theatricals and to Aotinthem,wiaiEa?»SuB». Laws, Selected Soenes, Plajs and oilier H^efalinformatloQ for Amaieur Societies. Price Ski 2ia «UIDE TO TKE STAGE. 15 cents. 4 AUT OP ACTIXG. 16 ceuta. A nything ojt thir cover sent fr?/ -mail an receipt of price FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA. Price 15 Cents each.— Bound "Volumes $L 26. 1 Ion iFuto I The I.»4y of Lyoni i Blah«,li«u 6 The Wife i The Hunejinoon T The Soiiool for Scupiml S Money VOL. n. t The atmager 10 Grandfather WhH>bo»d 11 Elohard III 13 Love'3 Sacrifice 15 The Gftmester U A Core fwr the Hevtaahe 16 The Hmnohhaok IS OOP Gteaar de Baian vol. in. tT Tho Poor G«ntten»an 18 HanUet 19 ChMles II ao Venice Prwertei M Vizarro 22 The Lore Chaie iS Othello ii Lead me Fl^e ShUlinpi VOL. IV. <|5 Vlritlnlus 20 Kinc; .>f the Oommonn 2'i London Assoranca as The Kent Day S9TwoGeiifVe»on« 50 The Je»iou» Wlt« 51 The RItbI* >2 JPeriectloa VOi., V. (Debts 13 i New W»y «t> Pay Old H Look Before Ton Leap 85 King .Yohn M HerrooB Man »7 Damon and l^(B>«»i 48 Clandestine MitiTiage »i- WilUam Tt II it »av after the 'Wedding VOL. VI. M Speed the Plough 4i Koroao »n(> Juliet <3 Feudal Titans U Charles «b» Twelfth 46 The Brid*' *6 Tb» FolUea of a NUgbt *T Iron Obeat t Fair t-ady «« F»iot H«an Www Won yo«- vn. <# VmA to BW« M> UMbntb n Tamper «2 Byadna n Bertram M The Due»nA t^ Ma:>h A.ati A>*at Nothing « The Cntlo VOli,, VIII. *7 The Apoitate K Twelfth «,lght O Bmtoi 40 Siufuoa & Co <1 UeTobast of VanJoe »itOiaHo«iasScYoao«aea«-te tS Moanti»;noer» lri-i?> M Tbree Week> after Mux VOL. II. «5 I.OTB 68 A» Von Like It 6T Toe Ttldor Brother 68 Weruor «9 Qisippni TO Town and Pauntrjr 11 King Lear 72 Blco Derila VOL. X. TS Henry VITI U Married and Stagla 15 Henry IV 78 Panl Pry 77 Gay Mannerlng 78 Sweetheart* a >.' WiTei 10 ^Tioaa JT^roily (0 She S*oop» to Oonqner VOL. XI. 81 Jnltna Cffisar 83 Vicar of Wakeflold 8S Leap Year 84 The Catspaw 85 The Passing Cloud 86 Drunkard 87 Rob Roy 83 George Barnwell VOL. XII. 89 Ini;omar yo Sketches in India 91 Two ifrienua 92 Jane Shore 93 Coriican Brotberi 94 Mind your own Business 95 Writing on aie WaU 98 Heir at Law VOL. XIII. 97 Soldier's Daughter 98 Douglas 99 Marco Spada 100 Nature's Nobleman 101 Sardanapalus 102 CivlUiation 103 The Robbers 101 Katharine and Petruchlu VOL, XIV. 105 Game of Love 106 Midsummer Night's 107 Ernestine [Dn 108 Rag Picker of Paris 109 Flying Dutchman 110 Hypocrite VOL. XV. 113 Ireland As It I» 114 Sea of Ice 115 Seven Clerks 116 Game of Life 117 Forty Thieves 118 Bryan Boroihmb 119 Romance and Reality 120 Ugollno VOL. XVI. 121 The Tempest 122 The Pilot 123 Carpenter of Rouen 124 King's Rival 125 Little Treasure 126 Dombey and Son 127 Parents and Guardians 128 Jewess vol.. XVII 129 Camille 130 Married Life 131 Wenlock of TVenlook 132 Rose of Bttrlckvale 133 David Copperfield 134 Aline, or the Rose of 135 Pauline [Killarney 136 Jane Eyre VOL. xvin. 137 Night and Morning 138 JBthiop 139 Three Guardsmen 140 Tom Cringle 141 Henriettc, the Forsaken 142 Eustache Baudin 143 Ernest Maltravers 144 Bold Dragoons VOL. XIX. .U5Dred, or the Dismal 14f Esmerald 148 Peter -(Vilkins 149 Ben the Boatswain 150 Jonadian Bradford 151 Retribution 153 Mineral! VOL. XX. 153 Frennh Spv 154 Wept of Wish-ton Wish 155 Evil Genius 156 Ben Bolt 157 Sailor of Franc* 158 Red Mask 159 Life of an Actress 160 Wedding Day VOL. XXI. 161 All's Fairin Lor* 162 Hofer 163 Self 164 CindereRa 165 Phantom 166 Franklin [Hasoow 167 The Gnnmaker of 168 The Love of a Prino* VOL. XXII. 169 Son of the Night 170 Rory O'More 171 Golden Eagle 172 Rlenti 173 Broken Sword 174 Rip Van Winkle 175 Isabelle 176 Heart of Mid Lothian VOL. XXIII. Actress of Padua 178 Floating Beacon 179 Bride of Lamermoor 180 Cataract of the Ganges 181 Robber of the Rhine 182 School of Reform 183 Wanderlm Boys 184 Maieppa VOL. XXIV. 185 Young New York ' 186 The Victims 187 Romance after Marrlags 188 Brigand i«9 Poor of New York 190 Ambrose Gwinett 191 Raymond and Agnes 192 Gambler' s Fate VOL. XXV. 193 Father and Son 194 Massaniello 195 Sixteen String Jack 196 Youthful Queen 197 Skeleton Witness 198 Innkeeper of AbbevUle 199 Miller and his Men 200 Aladdin VOL. XXVI. 201 Adrienne tho Actres* 202 Undine 203 Jessie Brown •204 Asmodeus '205 Iformons 206 Blanche of Brandywine 207 Viola 208 Deseret Deserted VOL. XXVIl. 209 Americans in Paris Victorine 311 Wizard of the Wav* 212 Castle Spectre 213 Horse-shoe Robinson 214 Armandj.Mrs Mowatt 215 Fashion, Mrs Mowait 216 Gla'_3e at New York VOL. XXVIII. 317 InconsitaHt 218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 219 Guide to the Stage 220 Veteran 231 Miller of New Jersey 223 Dark Hour before Dawn 223 Mldsum'r Night's Dream Edition ■224 Art and ArtiSoe VOL. XXIX 225 Poor Young Man 236 Ossawattomie Brown 227 Pope of Roma 228 Oliver Twist 229 Pauvrette 230 Man In the Iron Msak 231 Knight of Arva m Moll Pitcher VOL. XXX. 233 Black Eyed Susan 234 Satan in Paris 235 Rosina Meadows (ess 336 West End, or Irish Heir- 237 Six Degrees of Crime 238 The Lady and the Devil 239 Avenger.orMoorof feici- 40 Masks and Faces jly (Catalogue continued on th ird page of cover.) VOL. XXXI. . Merry Wfves of Windsor ! Mary's Birthday I Shandy Maguire I Wild Oats \ Michael Erie I Idiot H'itness ' WUlow Cop.sfl I People's Lawyer VOL. XXXII. I The Boy Martyrs t Lucretia Borgia Surgeon of Paris 1 Patriciau's Daughter 1 Shoemaker of Toulouse ', Momentous Question • Love and Loyalty ; Bobber's Wife VOL. XXXIII. Dtimb Girl of Genua 1 Wreck Ashore I Clari 1 Rufal Felicity Wallace I Madelaine I The Fireman ; Grist to the Mill VOL. XXXIV. « Two Loves and a I.lfs ; Annie Blake ' SUwaid . I Captain Kj 1 I Nick of the Woods I Marble Heart , Second Love 272 Dream at Sea VOL, XXXV. I Breach of Promiso I Review > Lady of the Lake I Still Water Runa Deep ■ The Scholar I Helping Hands I Faust and Marguerite I Last Man VOL. XXXVI. . Belle's Stratagem I Old and Young I Raeraella . Ruth Oakley < British Slave i A Life's Ransom ' Giralda I Time Tries All VOL. XXXVII. » Ella Rosenburg I Warlock of the Glen Zelina I Beatrice I Neighbor Jaokwoad , Wouder 1 Robert Eniui-. ; I Green Barb ; VO ,. X r Flowers o: 5 A Bachelo > The Midoi ) Husband e 1 Love's Lai ! Naiad Que ) Caprice 1 CrsMlIe of VOL. .\ > The Lost H 5 Country S. r Fraud and i Putnam » King and T > La Piamm . . A Hard Struggle ! Gwinnette Vaughan VOL. XL. t The Love Knot IJndg* I Lavater, or Not a Bad i The Noble Heart i Coriolanus f The Winter's Tale i Eveleeu Wilson I Ivanhoe I Jonathan In England No. IT. FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA. RICHELIEU: OR, THE COISPIRACY. IN FIVE ACTS. BY SIR EDWARD LYTTON BULWER. FROM THE author's' LATEST EDITION. WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CAST OF CHARr ACTERS, COSTUMES, RELATIYE TOSITIONS NEW YOB It! S^UUEL FRENCH, PUBLISHER 12 2 N A S S A J; .S T It E E 'f . a . ^1 •2 6 8| |2^ 44 4 g SB ° -' X . ^ nils 8=58 11 ii§il|| a o 43 !C 0) ^ . . . ; ^. -=1 .s-s; > y c a 13 eg til SiS.'SlliS^-o S3 ^1 Jl l>3 •5^ il^ « ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ -S t» ^f.'i E i= = ,-« AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO RICHELIEF. Tlie administration of Cardinal Richelieu, whom (despite all liis darker qualities,) Voltaire and History justly consi- der the true architect of the French monarchy, and tha great parent of French civilization, is characterized by fea- tures alike tragic and comic. A weak king — an ambitioua favourite ; a despicable conspu'acy against the minister, nearly always associated with a dangerous treason against the State — these, with little variety of names and dates, constitute the eventful cycle through which, with a dazzling ease, and an arrogant confidence, the great luminary fulfilled its destinies. Blent together, in startling contrast, we see the grandest achievements and the pettiest agents ; — the spy — the mistress — the capuchin ; — the destruction of feu- dalism ; the humiliation of Austria ; — the dismemberment of Spain. Richelieu himself is still what he was in his own day — a man of two characters. If, on the one hand, he is justly represented as inflexible and vindictive, crafty and unscrupu- lous ; so, on the other, it cannot be denied that he was placed in times in which the long impunity of every license required stern examples: — that he was beset by perils and in- trigues, which gave a certain excuse to the subtlest inven- tions of self-defence — that his ambition was inseparably coii' nected with a passionate love for the glory of his country — and that, if he was her dictator, he was not less her bene- factor. It has been fairly remarked by the most impartial historians, that he was no less generous to merit than sever© to crime — that, in the various departments of the State, the Army, and the Church, he selected and distinguished the ablest aspirants — that the wars which he conducted were, for the most part, essential to the preservation of Franco, and Europe itself, from the formidable encroachments of tin Austrian Ilouse — tlial, m spite of tliose wars, the people were not oppressed with exhorbitant imposts — and that be left the kingdom he had governed in a more flourishing and vigorous state than at any former period of the French his- tory, or at the decease of Louis XIY, The cabels formed against the great statesman were not carried on by the patriotism of public virtue, nor the emula- tion of equal talent ; they were but court struggles, in which the most worthless agents had recourse to the most desperate means. — In each, as I have before observed, we see combined the twofold attempt to murder the minister, and to betray the country. Such, then, are the agents, and such the designs, with which truth, in the Drama, as in His- tory, requires us to contrast the celebrated Cardinal ; not disguising his foibles or his vices, but not unjust to the grander qualities (especially the love of country,) by which they were often dignified, and, at times, redeemed. The historical drama is the concentration of historical events. In the attempt to place upon the stage the picture of an era, that license with dates and details, which Poetry permits, and which the highest authorities in the Drama of France herself, have sanctioned, has been, though not un- sparingly, indulged. The conspiracy of the Due de Bouillon is, for instance, amalgamated with the denouncement of the Day of Dupes ; and circumstances connected with the trea- son of Cinq-Mars (whose DrilUant youth and gloomy catas- trophe tend to subvert poetic and historic justice, by seduc- ing us to forget his base ingratitude and his perfidious apos- tacy,) are identified with the fate of the earlier favourite Baradas, whose sudden rise and as sudden fall passed into a proverb. I ought to add, that the noble romance of Cinq- Mars suggested one of the scenes in the fifth act ; and that for the conception of some portion of the intrigue connected with De Mauprat and Julie, I am with great alterations of incident, and considerable if not entire reconstruction cf character, indebted to an early and admirable novel bv the author of Picdola. Lyndon, March, 1839 EDITORIAL INTKODUCTIOX. 1\ i play of Richelieu is far the most elaborate of Mr Bulv, ir's draraatic productions. It was originally per^ formed, March Tth, 1839, at the Co vent Garden Theatre, to an overflowing house — Macready appearing as the Cardi- nal aid Miss Helen Fancit as Julie. It was put on the stage with every possible advantage of scenery and costume, and efficiently sustained throughout, in all its characters, by an excelle'-t company. Its success was remarkably brilhant ; and, for a series of nights, it drew crouded and delighted audiences. Ths autho" seems to have been partially indebtet for h\» mateiials, to the historical novels of Alfred de Vigny, from whose admirable picture of the character of Richelieu, id " Cinq-Mars," he has borrowed some leading traits. He acknov/ledges his obligations to these and other sources in his preface. The original merits of the play, however, are obvious and great ; and it may be regarded as one of the most unexceptionable modern contributions to the English Standard Drama, It abounds in passages of great beauty, md of a high order of poetry. Simultaneously with its appearance in England, the play was received in this country by Mr. Forrest, to whom it nad been consigned by Mr. Bulwer, to be introduced upon the American Stage. It is unnecessary for us to say, with what ability the task was performed by our great tragedian. tlis personation of the old, high-spirited Cardinal, is alone BRfficient to vindicate his claims to a lasting histrionic repu- vfttion. It has never been surpassed — and to our mind, Qcver bpcn equalled — by the most eminent of his cotemp* raries. PERSOKS OF THE DRAMA. f/Oi 6 TUB Thirteenth, Gas on, Duke of Orleans, (brotlitr to Louis XIII.) Bak,. DAS, (Favourite of the King, first gentleman of the Chamber, Pre mier, Ecuyer, &c.) - Cardinal Richelieu, The Chevalier de Mauprat. The Sieur de Beringhen, (ia attendance on the King,* one of tho coh spirators,) Joseph, (a Capuchin, Richelieu's confidant,) Uuguet, (an officer of Richelieu's household guard — a Spy,) Francois, (first Page to Richelieu,) First Courtier, Captain of fhe Archers, First, ) Second, } Secretaries of State. Third, ) Governor of ihe Bastile, Gaoler, Cou -tiers. Pages, Conspirators, OflBcers, Soldiers, Ac- Julie DE Moktemar, (an Oi-phan Ward to Richelieu.) Marion de LoiiiiE, (Mistress to Orleans, but in Richelieu's pay.) ! Cliambre, a post of great .mpor The length of Ibe Play necessarily requires curtailments on the Stage— the passages thus cojitted are those inserted with inverted commas. Many of the passages thus left out, however immaterial to the. audience, must obviously be such as the reader would be least inclined to dispense with — viz : those which, without being absolutely essential to the business of the Stage, contain either the subtler strokes of character, or the more poetica- embellishments of description. A more important consequence of these suppressions is, that Richelieu himself is left too often, and too imre- lievedly, to positions which place him in an amiable light, without that shadowing forth of his more sinister motives and his fiercer qualities which is attempted in the written play. Thus, the character takes a degree of credit due only to the situation. To judge the Author's conception of Richelieu fairly, and to estimate how far it is consistent with historical poi^ traituie, the Plaj^ust be read. THEATRICAL MEMORANDA. R. means Right ; L. Left ; C. Centre ; R. C. Right of Centre ; L. C. l.eft of Centre ; !>, F. Door in Flat ; R. D. Ifight Door ; L. D. Left Door J p. E. Second Entrance ; U. E. Upper Entrance ; C D. Centre Door. */ The Reader ia buj- posed to be oo the Stage facing the Audienc*. RICHELIEU OB, THE CONSPIRACY. ACT I. FIRST DAY. Scene 1 - -^ roam in the house of Marion de Lobme ; a tahh towards the front of the stage {with wine, fruits, SfC.,) at which are seated Baradas, Four Courtiers splendidly dressed in the costume of 1641-2 ; the Duke of Orleans reclining on a large fauteuU ; Marion de Lorme, standing at the lack of his chair, offers him a goblet and then retires. At another tahU, De Beringhen, De Mauprat, playing at dice ; other Cout' tiers of inferior rank to those at the table of the Duke looking on. Orleans {drinking) Here's to our enterprize!— Baradas {glancing at Marion), Hush, Sir! Orleans {aside). Nay, Count. You may trust her; she doats on me; no house So safe as Marion's. ** At our statelier homes *' The Tery walls do play the eaves-dropper. *' There s not a sunbeam creeping o'er our floors " But seems a glance from that malignant eye " Which reigns o'er France ; our fatal greatness livei " In the sharp glare of one relentless day. " But Kichelieu's self forgets to fear the sword " The myrtle hides ; and Marion's silken robe ■'* casts its kind charity o'er fiercer sins " Than those which haunt the rosy path between *• The lip and eye of beauty. Oh. no house " So safe as Marion's." 10 RICHELIEU. ]_ACT 1, JBamdas. Still, we have a secret, Aud oil and water — woman and a secret — Are hostile properties. Orleans. Well — Marion, see now the play prospers yonder. [Marion goes to ine »iat table, l.ooruS 011 for a few Tiiomenis, then exit. Baradas {producing a parchment.) I have now All the conditions drawn ; it only needs Our signatures ; upon receipt of this, (Whereto is joined the schedule of our treaty With the Count-Duke, (1) the Richelieu of tbeEscarial» BouilUion will join his army with the Spaniard, March on to Paris, — there, dethrone the King : You will be Regent ; I, and ye, my Lords From the new Council. So much for the core Of our great scheme. Orleans. But Richelieu is an Argus : One of his hundred eyes will light upon us, And then — good bye to life. Baradas. To gain the prize We must destroy the Argus : — Ay, my Lord, The scroll the core, but blood must fill the veins Of our design ; while this despatched to Bouillon,, Richelieu despatched to Heaven ! The last my charge Meet here to-morrow night. You, Sir, as first In honour and in hope, meanwhile select Some trusty knave to bear the scroll to Bouillon ; 'Midst Richelieu's foes, 111 find some desperate hand To strike for vengeance, while we stride to power. Orlean-J. So be it ; — to-morrow, midnight. — Como, m^ Lords. Exeunt Orleans, and Ike Courtiers in his train. Tho-te at the other talk rise, salute Orleans, awl re-seat themsdvts^ De Beringhen. Double the stakes. De Maup. Done. De'Ber. Bravo ; faith, it shames me i.0 bleed a purse already in extremis. De Maup. Nay, as you've had the patient to yourself — — So long, no other doctor should despatch it. (De Mauprat throws and loses.) Omncs. Lost I Ha, ha — poor De Mauprat I Scene I.] mcHELiEtr. \ i Be Ber. Omi throw more ? De Maup. Xo ; lam bankrupt {pushing gold ) ^'ticra goes all except My honour and my sword. De Ber. Long cloaks and honour Went out of vogue together, wheff. we found We got on much more rapidly without them ; The sword, indeed, is never out of fashion, — The devil has care of tha.t First Gamester. Ay, take the sword To Cardinal Richelieu : — ^he gives gold for steel, When worn by brave men. De Maup. Richelieu 1 De Ber. {to Baeadas.) At that name He changes colour, bites his nether lip. Ev'n in his brightest moments whisper " Richelieu," And you cloud all his sunshine. Bar. I have mark'd it. And I will learn the wherefore. De Maup. The Egyptian Dissolved her richest jewel in a di'aught : Would I could so melt tune and all its treasures, And drain it thus, \^Drin'iiv.g De Ber. Come, gentlemen, what say ye : 4. walk on the Parade ? Ovines. Ay, come, De Mauprat. De Maup. Pardon me ; we shall meet again, ere uigbt fall. Bar. I'll stay and comfort Mauprat. De Ber. Comfort ! — ^when We gallant fellows have run out a friend. There's nothing left — except to run hun through I There's the last act of friendship. De Maup. Let me keep That favor in reserve ; in all beside Your most obedient servant. Exeunt De Beringhen, Sj-c. Manent De MAUPBtT una - Baradas. Bar. You have lost — Vet are not sad, De Mauf. Sad I— Life and gold have wings. t% mcHEijEo -Act I And mast fly one day ; — open then, their cages And wish them merry. J3ar. You're a strange enigma : — Fiery in war and yet to glory lukewarm ; All mirth in action — ^in repose all gloom — These are extremes in which the unconscious heart Betrays the fever of deep-fix'd disease. Confide in me 1 our young days roU'd together In the same river, glassing the same stars That smile i' the heaven of hope ; — alika we made Bright-winged steeds of our unform'd chimeras. Spurring the fancies upward to the air. Wherein we shaped fair castles from the clouds : Fortune of late has sever'd us — and led » Me to the rank of Courtier, Count, and Favourite,— You to the titles of the wildest gallant And bravest knight in France — are you content ? No ; — trust in me — some gloomy secret De Maup. Ay : — - A secret that doth haunt me, as of old. Men were possess'd of fiends I — Where'er I turn, The grave yawns dark before me — I will trust you 5 Hating the Cardinal, and beguiled by Orleans, You know I join'd the Languedoc revolt- - Was captured — sent to the Bastile Bai: But shared The general pardon, which the Duke of Orleans Won for himself and all in the revolt, Who but obey'd his orders. De Maup. Note the phrase ; — *' Obeyed his Orders," Well, when on my way To join the Duke in Languedoc, I (then The down upon my lip — -less man than boy) Leading young valours — ^reckless as myself, Seized on the town of Faviaux, and displaced The Koyal banners for the Rebel. Orleans, (Never too daring,) when I reach'd the camp, Blamed me for acting — ^mark — without his orders Upon this quibble Richilieu razed my name Out of the general pardon. Bar Yet released you From the Bastile- Scene I.J richelieit. II « Ve Maup. To call me to his presence, A.nd thus address me : — " You have seized a town Of France without the orders of your leader, And for this treason, but one sentence — Death." Bar. Death ! De Maup. ** I have pity on your youth and birth, Nor wish to glut the headsman ; join your troop, Now on the march against the Spaniards ; — change The traitor's scaffold for the soldier's grave ; — Your memory stainless — they who shared your crime Exiled or dead — your king shall never learn it." Bar. tender pity — most charming prospect ! Blown into atoms by a bomb, or drill'd Into a cuUendar by gunshot ! — Well ? — Be Maup. You have heard if I fought bravely. — Death became Desired as Daphne by the eager Daygod. Like him I chased the Nymph — to grasp the laurel ! I could not die ! Bar. Poor fellow ! Be Maup. When the Cardinal Reviewed the troops — his eyes met mine ; — he frown'd, Summon'd me forth — " How's this ?" quoth he ; you h^vi shunn'd The sword — ^beware the axe ! — 'twill fall one day I" He left me thus — ^we were recalled to Paris. And — ^you know all I Bar. And, knowing this, why halt you, Spell'd by the rattlesnake, — while in the breasts Of your firm friends beat hearts, that vow the death Of your grim tyrant ? — wake ! — Be one of us ; The time invites — the King detests the Cardinal, Dares not disgrace — ^but groans to be deliver'd Of that too gi-eat a subject — join your friends. Free France, and save yourself. Be Maup. Hush I Richelieu bears A charm'd life : — to all who have braved his powef Oae common end — the block I Bar. Nay, if he live, The block your doom. De Ma%p. Better the victim; Count- H RICHELIEU, ! Act Thfin the assassin— France requires a RiLlielieu, But does not need a Mauprat. Trace to this ; — All time one midnight, where my thoughts are spectres, What to ujc fame ? — what love ? — Bar. Yet dost thou love iwt ? De Blanp. Love ? — I am young Ba7: And Julie fair 1 (Aside) It is so. Upon the margin of the grave — his hand Would pluck the rose that I would win and wear 1 (Aloud.) Thou lovest — De Maitp. " Who lonely in the midnight tent, ** Gazed on the watch-fires in the sleepless air, " JSTor chose one star amidst the clustering hosts " To bless it in the name of some fair face " Set in his spirit as the star in Heaven ? " For our divine Affections, like the S})heres, " Move ever, ever musical. Bar. " You speak " As one who fed on poetry De Maup. " Why, man, " The thoughts of lovers stir with poetry " As leaves with summer wind. The heart that loves ':* Dwells in an Eden, hearing angel-lutes, " As Eve in the First Garden. Hast thou seen " My Julie and not felt it henceforth dull *' To live in the common world— and talk in words " That clothe the feelings of the frigid herd ? — " Upon the perfumed pillow of her lips — •' As on his native bed of of roses flush'd " With Paphian skies — Love smiling sleeps : — Her \roic» " The blessed interpreter of thoughts as pure " As virgin wells where Dian takes delight, " Or Fau'ies dip then* changelings 1 — In the maze " Of her harmonious beauties — Modesty " (Like some severer Grace that leads the choir " Of her sweet sisters) every airy motion " Attunes to such chaste charm, that Passion holds " His burning breath, and will not with a sigh " Dissolve the spell that bmds hun 1 Oh, those eyes " That voo the earth — shadowing more soul that liirka •* Undci the lids of Psyche; !- Go '—thy lip Scene I.] richeliect. I^■ " Curb at the pui-pled phrases of a loYer— " Love thou, and if thy love be deep as mine, " Thou wilt not laugh at poets. Bar. {aside) " With each word " Thou wak'st a jealous demon in my heart, " And my hand clutches at my hilt — De Maup. (gaily) No more ! — I love I — ^Your breast holds both my secrets ;— IS'ever Unbury either I — Come, whUe yet we may, We'll bask us in the noon of rosy life : — Lounge through the gardens, flaunt it in the taverns, — Laugh, — game, — drink, — feast : — If so confined my days, Faith, I'll enclose the nights. Pshaw, not so grave ; I'm a true Frenchman ! — Vive la bagatelle ! As they are going out enter Huguet and four Arquehiskrs. Hugmt. Messire De Mauprat, — I arrest you I — Follow To the Lord Cardinal. De Maujp. You see, my friend, I'm out of my suspense ; the tiger's play'd Long enough with his prey. — Farewell I Hereafter Say, when men name me, " Adrien de Mauprat Lived without hope, and perished without fear !" \_Exeunt De Mauprat, Huguet, &«, Bar. Farewell ! I trust forever ! I design'd thee For Richelieu's murderer — but, as well as his martyr I In childhood you the stronger, and I cursed you ; In youth the fairer, and I cursed you still ; And now my rival ! — ^While the name of tTulie Hung on thy lips, I smiled — for then I saw In my mind's eye, the cold and grinning Death Hang o'er thy head the pall ! Ambition, Love, Ye twin-born stars of daring destinies. Sit in my house of Life ! By the King's aid I will be Julie's husband, in despite Of my Lord Cardinal. By the King's aid I will be minister of France, in spite Of my Lord Cardinal ; and then ; what then ? The King loves Julie ; feeble prince ! false master 1 \_Produdng and gazing on tJie farchineni ThcQ, by the aid of Buillion, and the Spaniard, 16 BicHELiEu. [Act 1 I will dethrone the King ; and all— ha 1 — ha I AH, in despite of my Lord Cardinal Scene II. — A room in the. Palais Cardinal, the walls hwng with arras. A large screen in one corner. A table covered with books, papers, ^c. A rude dock in a recess. Busts, statues, hcok-cases, weapons of different periods, and banners suspended ever RicHELEUs's chair. RICHELIEU utid Joseph, Rich. And so you think this new conspiracy The craftiest trap yet laid for the old fox ? — Fox !— Well, I like the nickname ? What did Plutarch Say of the Greek Lysander ? Joseph. I forget. Rich. That where the lion's skin fell short, he ek( d it Out with the fox's 1 A great statesman, Joseph. That same Lysander ? Joseph. Orleans heads the traitor's. Rich. A very wooden head then I Well ? Joseph. The favourite, Count Baradas — Rich. A weed of hasty growth First gentleman of the chamber, — titles, lands, And the King's ear I It cost me six long winters To mount as high, as in six little moons This painted lizard — ^But I hold the ladder, And when I shake he falls ! What more ? Joseph. A scheme To make your orphan-ward an instrument To aid your foes you placed her with the Queen, One of the royal chamber, as a watch I' th' enemy's quarters — Rich. And the silly child Visits me daily, calls me " Father,"- -prays Kind heaven to bless me. And for all the rest, As well have placed a doll about the Queen I She does not heed who frowns, who smiles ; with whom The King confers in whispers ; notes not when Men who last week were foes, are found in comers Mysteriously affectionate ; wordfe spoken Scene II.] richeliec 11 Withiu closed doors she never hears ; by chance Taking the air at keyholes— Senseless puppet ! No ears nor eyes I And yet she says : " She loves tnfa t* Go on — Joseph. Your ward has charmed the King. Rich. Out on you ! Have I not, one by one, from such fair shoots Pluck'd the insidious ivy of his love ? And shall it creep around my blossoming tree Where innocent thoughts, like happy birds, make music That spirits in heaven might hear ? They're sinful, too, Those passionate surfeits of the rampant flesh, — The Church condemns them ; and to us, my Joseph, The props and pillars of the Church, most hurtful. The King is weak — whoever the King loves Must rule the King ; the lady loves another. The other rules the lady, thus we're balked Of our own proper sway. The King must have No goddess but the State : — the State ! That's Richelieu I Joseph. This is not the worst ; Louis, in all decorous, And deeming you her least comphant guardian, Would veil his suit by marriage with his minion, Yovr prosperous foe, Count Baradas ! Rich. Ha 1 ha ! I have another bride for Baradas 1 Joseph. You my lord ? llich. Ay — more faithful than the love Of fickle woman : when the head lies lowliest Clasping him fondest ; — Sorrow never knew So sure a soother, — and her bed is stainless 1 Joseph {aside) If of the grave he speaks, I do not wondei That priests are bachelors. Enter Fkancois. Francois. Mademoiselle De Mortemar ! Rich. Most opportune — admit her. \_Exit FBANcoift In my closet You'll find a rosary, Joseph ; ere you tell Three hundred beads, I'll summon you. — Stay, Joseph j [ did omit an Ave in my matins^ — A. grievous fault • atone it for me, Joseph ; 18 RICHELIEU, ' [AO I There is a scourge within ; I am weak, you stmng ; It were but charity to take my sin On such broad shoulders. Exercise is healthful. Joseph. I ! guilty of such criminal presumption As to mistake myself for you — No, never 1 Think it not ! {Aside.) Troth, a pleasant invitation 1 [Exit Joseph Ente Julie de Mortemar, Bichdieu. That's my sweet Julie ! why, upon this face Blushes such daybreak, one might swear the morning Were come to visit Tithon. Julie {placing herself at his feel). Are you gracious ? May I say " Eather ?" Rich. Now and ever I Julie. Father 1 A sweet word to an orphan. Rich. No ; not orphan While Richelieu lives ; thy father loved me well ; My friend, ere 1 had flatterers (now I'm great, In other phrase, I'm friendless) — ^he died young In years, not service, and bequeathed thee to me ; And thou shalt have a dowry, girl, to buy Thy mate amid the mightiest. Drooping ? — sighs ? — Art thou not happy at the court ? Julie: Not often. Rich, {aside.) Can she love Baradas ? Ah! at thy heart There's what can smile and sigh, blush and grow pale, All in a breath 1 Thou art admired — art young ; Does not his Majesty commend thy beauty — Ask thee to sing to him ? — and swear such sounds Had smooth'd the brows of Saul ? Julie. He's very tiresome, Our worthy King. Ridi. Fie! Kings are never tiresome Save to their ministers. What courtly gallants Charm ladies most ? — De Sourdiac, Longueville, or The favourite Baradas ? Julie. A smileless man — Fear and shun him. Rich Yet he courts thee I SGE>iE 11.] RICHELIEU. L9 Julie. Then He is more tiresome tlian his Majesty. Rich. Right, girl, shun Baradas. 1 et of these flowers Of France, not one, in whose more honeyed breath Thy heart hears summer whisper ? Enter Huguet. Hngnd. The Chevalier De Mauprat waits below. Julie {starting up). De Mauprat ! Rich. Hem 1 He has been tiresome too !■ — Anon. [ Exit Huguet. Julie. What doth he ? I mean — I — Does your Emininence — that is — Know you Messire de Mauprat ? Rich. Well ! — and you — Has he addressed you often ? Julie. Often ! No — Nine times : nay, ten ; — the last time by the latti* ^ Of the great staircase. {In a Tndancholy tone.) \ ue Court sees him rarely. Rich. A bold and forward royster 1 Julie. He ? nay, modest, Gentle and sad, methinks. Rich. Wears gold and azure if Julie. No ; sable. Rich. So you note his colours, Julie ? Shame on you, child, look loftier. By the mass, I have business with this modest gentleman. Julie. You're angry with poor Julie. There's no r~'-'«e. Rich. No cause — you hate my foes ? ' Julie. I do 1 Rich. Hate Mauprat ? Julie. Not Mauprat. No, not Adrien, father. Rich. Adrien 1 Familiar ! — Go, child ; no, — not that way ; wait tn the tapestry chamber ; I will join you, — go. Julie. His brows are kait ; I dare not call him t^thQ \ But 1 must speak. Your Eminence — Rich {sternly.] Well, girl 1 Julie. Nay, *<50 BicHEUEO. [Act L Smile on me — one smile more ; there, now Vm happy Do not rank Mauprat with your foes ; he is not, I know he is not ; he loves France too well. Rich. Not rank De Mauprat with my foes ? So he it. I'll blot him from that list. Julie. That's my own father, [Exit Julie. Rich. {Ringing a small bell on the table.). Huguet 1 Enter Huguet. De Mauprat struggled not not murmur'd ? Hiigiiet. No: proud and passive. Ridi. Bid him enter. — ^Hold : Look that he hide no weapon. Hump, despair Makes victuns sometimes victors. When he has enter'd, GUde round unseen ; place thyself younder {^pointing to the screen ;) watch him ; K he show violence — (let me see thy carbine ; So, a good weapon ;) if he play the lion, Why — the dog's death. Exit Huguet ; Richelieu seats himself at the table, cmd slowly arranges the papers before him. Enter De MAUiBAt preceded by Huguet, who then retires behind the screen. Rich. Approach, Sir. Can you call to mind the hour, Kow three years since, when in this room, methinks, Your presence honoured me ? De Mauprat. It is, my lord, One of my most — Rich, (drily.) Delightful recollections. (2) Di Maup. (aside.) St. Denis I doth he make a jest oi" ax« and headsman ? Ruk. (sternly.) I'didjthen accord you A mercy ill requited — you still live ? De Maup. " To meet death face to face at last." Rich " Your words " Are bold. ' De Maup. My deeds have not belied them." Rich. " Deeds I " D^iserable delusion of man's pride I " Deods I cities sack'd, field's ravaged, hearth's profaned, ** Mo b-itcher'd ! In your hour of doom behold \ ' :» ' ^ '. ' ' '- -J * Scene II. J RicneuEU 21 " The deeds you boast of ! From rank showers of blood, " Aad the red light of blazing roofs, you build " The rainbow Glory, and to shuddering Conscience " Cry : Lo 1 the bridge to ITeaven ?" Be Maup. " If war be sinful " Your hand the gauntlet cast Rick. " It was so, Sir, " Note the distinction : I weigh'd well the cause " Which made the standard holy ; raised the war " But to secure the peace. France bled — I groan'd ; " But look'd beyond ; and, in the vista, saw " France saved, and I exulted. You — but you " Were but the tool of slaughter — knowing naught, " Foreseeing naught, naught hoping, naught lamenting, " And for naught lit, — save cutting throats for hire. " Deeds 1 marry, deeds !" JDe Maup. " If you would deign to speak " Thus to your armies ere they march to battle, " Perchance your Eminence might nave the pain " Of the throat-cutting to yourself. Rich. {Aside.) " He has wit, " This Mauitvat— (Aloud) — Let it pass; there is against you " What you can less excuse." Messire de Mauprat, Doom'd to sure death, how hast since consumed The time allotted thee for serious thought And solemn penance ? De Maup. (embarrassed.) The time, my Lord? RicMic2i,. Is not the question plain ? I'll answer for thee. Thou hast sought nor priest nor shrine ; no sackcloth chafed Thy delicate flesh. The rosary and the death's-head Have not, with pious meditation, purged Earth from the carnal gaze. What thou hast not done Brief told ; what done, a volume I Wild debauch, Turbulent riot : — for the morn the dice-box — Noon claim'd the duel — and t e night the wassail : These, your most holy pure preparatives For death and judgment 1 Do I wrong you. Sir ? Ve Maup. I was not always thus : — if changed mj nature. 22? RICHELIEU, [Act, \ Blame that whicli changed my fate. — Alas, aiy Lord, " There is a brother which calm-eyed Reason, " Can wot not of betwixt Despair and Mirth. " My birth-place mid the vines of sunny Provence, " Perchance the stream that sparkles in my veins " Came from that wine of passionate life, which erit *' Glow'd in the wild heart of the Troubador : " And danger, which makes steadier courage wary, " But fevers me with an insane delight ; " As one of old who on the mountain-crags " Caught madness from a Maenad's haunting eyes. " Were you, my Lord, whose path imperial power, *• And the grave cares of reverent wisdom guard " Prom all that tempts to folly meaner men, — Were you accursed with that which you inflicted — By bed and board, dogg'd by one ghastly spectre The while within youth beat high, and life Grew lovelier from the neighbormg frown of death — The heart no bud, nor fruit — save in those seeds Most worthless, which spring up, bloom, bear, and wither In the same hour. — Were this your fate, perchance, You would have err'd like me ! Richelieu. I might, like you, Have been a brawler and a reveller ; — not, Like you, a trickster and a thief, — ■ D; Maup. {advancing threateningly) . Lord Cardinal 1 Unsay those words ! — [HuGUET deliberately raises his carhne.] Rich, (^waving his hand.) Not quite so quick, fiieud Huguet ; Messire de Mauprat is a patient man, A.nd he can wait ! — You have outrun your fortune ; I blame you not that you would be a beggar — Each to his taste ! — but I do charge you. Sir, That being beggar'd, you would coin false moneys Out of that crucible, called debt. — To live On means not yours — be brave in silks and laces, G allant in steeds, splendid in banquets ; — all Not yours — ungiven, unherited — unpaid for ; This is to be a trickster : and to filch ScfcNK II."] P.lCHELIKt!, 28 Men's art ano iabou.', which to them Is wealth, Life, daily bread, — quitting all scores with — "Friend, You're troublesome ?" — Why this, forgive me, [s what— when done with a less dainty grace — Plain folks call " TheftP^ — You owe eight thousand pistoles, Minus one crown, tv\^o liards 1 De Blaup. (aside.) The old conjurer 1 Sdeath, he'll inform me next how many cups I drank at dmner ! Rich. This is scandalous. Shaming your birth and blood. 1 tell you, Sir That you must pay your debts — De Alaup. With all my heart. My Lord. Where shall I borrow, then, the money ? Rich, {aside and lav,ghing.) A humurous dare-devil — The very man To suit my purpose — readv. frank, and bold ! {^RisiTig and earnestly, Adrien de Mauprat, men have called me cruel ; I am not ; I am just ! — I found France rent asunder,— The rich men despots, and the poor banditti ; — Sloth in the mart, and schism within the temple ; Brawls festering to Rebellion ; and weak Laws Rotting away with rust in antique sheaths — I have re-created France ; and from the ashes Of the old feudal and decrepid carcase. Civilization on her luminous wings Soars, — phcenix-like, to Jove ! — what was my art ? Genius, some say,— some Fortune,- — ^Witchcraft, some Not so ; my art was Justice 1 — Force and fraud Misname it cruelty — you shall confute them 1 My champion you ! — You met me as your foe. Depart my friend — you shall not die — France needs yon. You shall wipe off all stains, —be rich, be honor'd. Be great [De Maupeat falls on kis knee — Richeligb raises him.'] I ask. Sir, in return, this hand, To gift it with a bride, whose dowry shall match, Yet not exceed her beauty. De Maup. I, my Lord — \_Besitatvng. I have no wish to ma-rj Rich. Surely, Sir, To d'e were worse 24 KicHELiEcr. f Act 1 De Mauji". Scarcely ; the poorest c jwarJ Must die, — but knowingly to marcli to marriage— My Lord, it afiks the courage of a lion ! RicJi. Traitor, thou triflest with me ! — I know a»» . Thou hast dared to love my ward-— my charge. De Manp. As rivers May love the sunlight — basking in the beams, And hurrying on ! — Rich. Thou has told her of thy love ; De Maup. My Lord, if I had dared to love a maid. Lowliest in France, I would not so have wrong'd her, As bid her link rich life and virgin hope With one, the deathman's gripe might, from her side, Pluck at the nuptial altar Rich. I believe thee ; Yet since she knows not of thy love renounce her ; Take life and fortune with another ! — Silent ? De Maup. Yoitr faith has been one triumph You Eno* not How bless'd a thing it was in my dark hour To nurse the one sweet thought you bid me banish Love hath no need of words ; — nor less within That holiest temple^ — the heaven-builded soul — Breathes the recorded tow. — Base night, — false lover Were he, who barter'd all that brighten'd grief, Or sanctified despair, for life and gold. Revoke your mercy ; I prefer the fate £ look'd for ! Rich. Huguet to the tapestry chamber Conduct your prisoner. ( 2'o Mauprat.) You will there behold The executioner : — ^your doom be private— And Heaven have mercy on you ! De Maup. When I'm dead. Tell her, I loved her. Rich. Keep such follies, Sir^ fitter ears ; — go — De Maup. Does he mock me ? l^xemit De Mauprat ana Hi-ar** SCEKK Il.J RICHELIKr. 86 Rich. Joseph, Come forth. Enter Joseph. Methinks your cheek has lost its rubies ; I fear you have been too lavish of the flesh ; The scourge is heavy. Joseph. Pray you, change the subject. Rich, You good men are so modest 1 — Well, to bueinesa (jo instantly — deeds — notaries 1 — bid my stewards Arrange my house by the Luxembourg — my house No more ! — a bridal present to my ward. Who weds to-morrow. Joseph. Weds, with whom ? Kich. De Mauprat. Joseph. Penniless husband ? Rich. Bah 1 the mate for beauty Should be a man and not a money-chest ! When her brave sire lay on his bed of death, I vowed to be a father to his Julie ; — And when he died — the smile upon his lips ! — And when I spared the life of her young lover, Methought I saw that smile again I — ^Who else. Look you, in all the court — ^who else so well, Brave, or supplant the favourite ; — ^balk the King — Baffle their schemes ? — I have tried him : — he has honour And courage ; qualities that eagle-plume Men's soul's, — and fit them for the fiercest sun Which ever melted the weak waxen minds That flutter in the beams of gaudy Power ! Besides, he has taste, this Mauprat : — ^When my play waa acted to dull tiers of lifeless gapers, (3) Who had no soul for poetry, I saw him Applaud in the proper places ; trust me, Joseph, He is a man of an uncommon promise 1 Joseph. And yet your foe. Rich. Have I not foes enow ? — Great men gain doubly when they make foes frienda Remember my grand maxims ! — First employ L\\ methods to conciliate. (4) Joseph. Failing these ? Rich, ( fiercely.) All means to crush ; as with the opening, and 26 RiciijcuKe. [Act X The clencbing of this little hand, I will Crush the small veuom of these stiaging courtiei-8. So, so, we've baffled Baradas. Joseph. And when Check the conspiracy ? Fdch. Check, check ! Full way to it. Let it bud, ripen, flaunt i' the day, and burst To fruit — the Dead Sea's fruit of ashes ; ashes Which I will scatter to the winds. Go Joseph ; When you return I have a feast for yo/^j — The last great act of my great play ; the verses, Methinks are fine, — ah, very fine. — You write Verses I (5) — {aside) such verses 1 You have wit, discernment. Josejph. {aside.) Worse thati the scourge 1 Strange tha' so great a statesman Should be so bad a poet. Rich. What dost say ? Joseph. That it is strange so great a statesman should. Be so sublime a poet. Rich. Ah, you rogue ; Laws die ; books never. Of my ministr)f I am not vain ; but of my muse, I own it. Come you shall hear the verses now. ( Takes up a MS Joseph. My lord, The deeds, the notaries ! Rich. True, I pity you ; B'lt business first, then pleasure. IJSxit Jossps, Kich. {seating himself, and reading. Ah, sublime I Enter De Mauprat and Julie. De Maup. Oh, speak, my lord ! I dare not think you mock me. \ndyet Rich. Hush, hush — thia line must be eoD^dered Julie. Are we not both your ehildren ? Rich. What a couplet ! llow now 1 Oh, Sir — ^you live I De Maup. Why, no, mothinks, Elysium is not life. SCE,>JE II.J KICHKI.IKU. i1 Julie. Ho ^ -liles I yon smile, M}' father !~""irrom my hear for ever, now, I'll blot tlie name of orphan ! liic/i. Rise, my chiklrsn. For ye arc mine — mine both ; and in your sweet And young delight, your love — life's iirst-born glory,) jMv own lost youth breathes musical ! 'De Maup. I'll seek Temple and priest henceforward : — were it but To learn Heaven's choicest blessings. Rich. Thou shalt s^ck Temple and priest right soon ; the morrow's sun Shall see across these barren thresholds pass The fairest bride in Paris. Go, my children ; p]ven / loved once ! Be lovers while ye may. How is it with you. Sir ? You bear it bravely : You know it asks the courage of a lion. [Exemit De Mauprat and Jclib. Oh, godlike Power ! Wo, Rapture, Penury, Wealth — Marriage and Death, for one uiiirm old man Through a great empire to dispense — withhold — As the will whispers ! And shall things, like motes That live in my daylight ; lackeys of court wages, Dwarf d starvelings ; manikins upon who.<5e shoulderg The burthen of a province were a load More heavy than the globe on Atlas — cast fjots for my robes and sceptre ? France, I love t'.iee ! All earth shall never pluck thee from my heart ! My mistress, France ; my wedded wife, sweet France ; Who shall proclaim djvorce for thee and me 1 Exit. BICHSLIEO USD or AOf L 88 BICHEUEU. I'ACT II ACT II. SECOND DAY. ScCNE I. — A sjXmdid Apartinent in Mauprat's new Ilotui. Casements opening to the Gardens, beyond which, the doines of the Luxembourg Palace. Enter Baeadas, Bar. Mauprat's new liome : — too splendid for a soldier I But o'er his floors — the while I stalk — methinks My shadow spreads gigantic to the gloom The old rude towers of the Bastile cast far Along the smoothness of the jocund day. Well, thou hast 'scaped the fierce caprice of Richelieu I But art thou farther from the headsman, fool ? Thy secret I have whisper'd to the King : Thy marriage makes the King thy foe. Thou stand'st On the abyss — and in the pool below I see a ghastly, headless phantom mirror'd : Thy likeness, ere the marriage moon had waned. Meanwhile — meanwhile — ha, ha 1 if thou art wedded, Thou art not wived 1 Enter Mauprat {splendidly dressed.) De Maup. "Was ever fate like mine ? — So blessed, and yet so wretched I Bar. Joy, de Mauprat I Why, what a brow, man, for your wedding-day 1 De Maup. Jest not. — Distraction ! Bar. What 1 your wife a shrew A-lready ? Courage, man — the common ht 1 De Maup. Oh, that she were less lovely, or Icsv itf^ i Bar. Riddles again 1 J)i Maup. You know what chanced between The Ca^rdinal and myself. Bar. This morning brought SCE>£ I.] RICDEI.IEU. SB You letter — faith, a strange acdount I I lauffh'd Aud wept at once for gladness. De Maup. We were wed At noon, the rite performed, came hither — scarce A.rrived, when Bar. Well ! De Maicp. Wide flew the doors, and lo ! Messire de Beringhen. and this epistle ! Bar. 'Tis the King's hand 1 — the royal seal ! De Maup. Read — read I Bar. (reading.) " Whereas Adrien de Mauprat, Colonel and Chevalier in our armies, being already guilty of high treason, by the seizure of our town of Faviaux. has pre- sumed without our knowledge, consent, or sanction, to con- nect himself by marriage with Julie de Mortemar, a wealthy orphan attached to the person of Her Majesty, without our knowledge or consent. — We do hereby proclaim and de- clare the said marriage contrary to law. On penalty of death, Adrien de Mauprat will not communicate with the said Julie de Mortemar by word or letter, save in the pre- sence of our faithful servant, the Sieur de Bericghen, and then with such respect aud decorum as are due to a De- moiselle attached to the Court of France, until such time as it may suit our royal pleasure to confer with the Holy Church on the formal annulment of the marriage, and with our Council on the punishment to be awarded to Messire de Mauprat, who is cautioned for his own sake, to preserve silence as to our injunction, more especially to Made- moiselle de Mortemar. Given under our hand and seal at the Louvre. LOUIS.' Bar. {returning the letter.) Amazement! — Did net 'Richelieu say, the King Knew not your crime ? DeMaup. He said so. }^ar. Poor de Mauprat ! See you the snare, the vengeance worse than death Of which you are the victim ? De Maup. Ha ! Bar. {aside.) It works ; (Julie and De Berixghex in the gardens.) Ton Iwc not sought the Cardinal yet, to ^ iO RICHELIEU. ActJI Dt Maup. Ko 1 Scarce yet my sense awaken'd from the shock I Now I will see him. Bar. Hold — beware ! Stir not Till we confer again, De Maup. Speak out, man 1 Bar. Hush I Your wife 1 — De Beringhen ! — Be on your guard — Obey the royal orders to the letter. I'll look around your palace. By my troth, A princely mansion 1 he Maujp. Stay Bar. So new a bridegroom Can want no visitors. — Your servant. Madam, Oh, happy pair — oh, charming picture I [Exit through a side deot Julie, Adrien, You left us suddenly — are you not well ? De Maup. Oh, very well — that is — extremely ill. Julie. Ill, Adrien? {taking his hand.) De Maup. Not when I see thee. (-He is about to lift lier hand to his lips, when De Beringhen coughs, and pulls his munUe. De Malteat drops the hand and walks away. ) - Julie. Alas ! Should he not love me ? De Ber. (aside.) Have a care : I must Report each word, each jesture to his Majesty. De Maup. Sir, if you were not in his Majesty's servi-.€, You'd be the mosl; officious, impudent, Damn'd busy-body ever interfering In a man's family affairs. De Ber. But as I do belong, sir, to his Majesty De Maup. You're lucky ! — Still, were we a story higher Twere prudent not to go too near the window. Julie. Adrien, what have I done ? Say am 1 changed Since yesterday ? — or was it but for wealth. Ambition, life — that — that--you swore you loved me ? Ve Mahp T shall go mad ! I do, indeed I do Scene I.j richelieu 8 1 De Bei . (aside ) Not love her ! ihat were highly disre- spectful. Julie. You do — what, Adrien ? De Maibp. Oh 1 I do, indeed I do think that this weather is delightful I A charming day 1 the sky is so serene 1 Ind what a prospect I — ( To De Beringhen.) Oh 1 you Po^ injay I Julie. He jests at me 1 — he mocks me ! — yet I love him, And every look becomes the lips we love ! Perhaps I am too grave ? — You laugh at Julie ; If laughter please you, welcome be the music 1 Only say, Adrien, that you love me. De Maup {kissing her hand.) Ay ; — With my whole heart I love you ! Now, Sir, go. And tell that to his Majesty 1 — Who ever Heard of its being a state offence to kiss To kiss the hand of one's own wife I Julie. He says he loves me, And starts away, as if to say " I love you*' Meant something very dreadful. — Come sit by me — I place your chair — fie on your gallantry. They sit down; as he pushes her chair back, she draws hfs nearer. ) Julie. Why must this strange Messire De Beringhen be always here ? He never takes a hint. Do you not wish him gone ? De Maup. Upon my soul I do, my Julie 1 — Send him for your hovquet, Your glove, your — anything — Julie. Messire De Bermghen, I dropped my glove in the garden by the fountaui, Or the alcove, or — stay — no, by the statue Of Cupid ; may I ask you to De Bering/ten. To send for it ? Certainly, {ringing a bell on the table.) Andre, Pierre (jca rascals — how Do ye call them ?) Enter Servants. Ah — Madame has dropp'd her glove 32 KICHELIKU. ^ACT 11 In the gardens, by the fountain, or the alcove ; Or — stay — no, by the statue — eh ? — of Cupid Bring it. Ik Maup. Did ever now one pair of shoulders Carry such wagon-loads of impudence Into a gentleman's drawing-room ? Dear Julie, I'm busy — letters — visitors — the devil ! I do beseech you leave me — I say — leave me Julie, {weeping.) You are unkind. ExU. {As she goes out, Mav/prat drops 0% otic kim. arul kisses the hem of her mantle, unseen hy her.) De Bering. Ten millions of apologies- De Maup. I'll not take one of them. I have as yet Withstood all things — my heart — my love — my rights, But Julie's tears ! When is this farce to end ? De Bering. Oh I when you please. His Majesty re quests me. As soon as you infringe his gracious orders. To introduce you to the Governor Of the Bastile. I should have had that honour Before, but, 'gad, my foible is good nature : One can't be be hard upon a friend's infirmities. De Maup. I know the king can send me to the scafifold. Dark prospect 1 — but I'm used to it ; and if The Church and Council by this hour to-morrow, One way or the other settle not the matter, I will De Bering. What, my dear Sir ? De Maup. Show you the door, My dear, dear Sir ; talk as I please, with whom I please, in my own house, dear Sir I until His Majesty shall condescend to find A stouter gentleman than you, dear Sir, To take me out ; and now you understand me, My dear, most dear — Oh, damnably dear Sir 1 De Bering. What, almost in a passion ! you will cool Upon reflection. Well, since Madam£s absent, I'll take a small refreshment. Now, don't stir ; Ps careful ; — how's your Burgundy ? — I'll taste i^- ScEjNE I. RlCHELIEn. 88 Fiiiisli it all before I leave you. Nay, No form ; — you see I make myself at home. Exit De liEEINGHEN. De Maup. {going to the door through ickicA BiRADAa Jiad jpassed) Baradas ! Count I Enter Baradas. You spoke of snares — of vengeance Sharper than death — be plainer. Bar. What so clear ? Richelieu has but two passions. De Maup. Kichelieu ! Bar. Yes. Ambition and revenge — m you both blended. First for ambition— Julie is his ward. Innocent — docile — ^pliant to his will — He placed her at the court — foresaw the rest — The King loves Julie ! De Maup. Merciful Heaven ! The King ! Bar. Such Cupids lend new plumes to Richelieu'i wings : But the court etiquette must give such Cupids The veil of Hymen — (Hymen but in name.) He looked abroad — ^found you his foe — thus served Ambition — ^by the grandeur of his ward, And vengeance — ^by dishonour to his foe ? De Maup. Prove this. Bar. You have the proof — the royal Letter : — Your strange exemption from the general pardon, Known but to me and Richelieu ; can you doubt You friend, to acquit your foe ? The truth is glaring — Richelieu alone could tell the princely lover The tale which sells your life, — or buys your honour 1 De Maup. I see it all ! — Mock pardon — hurried nuptials I False bounty ! — all ! — the serpent of that smile ; Oh ! it stings home 1 Bar. You shall crush his malice : Our plans are sure — Orleans is at our head ; We meet to night ; join us and with us triumph. De Maup Tonight! — Oh Heaven 1 — ^my marriage night ! — ^Revenge I Bar. " What classs of men whose white lips do not cursa 54 RICHELIEU. [Act 11 " The griiii, insatiate, universal tyrant ? " We, noble-born— where are our atique rights. " Our feudal seignories — our castled strength, " That did divide us from the base Plebeians, " And made our swords our law — where are they ?— Irod " To dust — and o'er the graves of our dead power " Scaffolds are monuments — the Kingly house *' Shorn of its beams — the Royal Sun of France " 'Clipsed by this blood-red comet. Where we turn, " Nothing but Richelieu ! — Armies — Church — State — Law* " But mirrors that do multiply his beams, " He sees all — acts all — Argus and Briarseus — " Spy at our boards — and deathsman at our hearths, " Under the venom of one laidley nightshade, " Wither the lihes of all France. De Maup. (impatiently.) "But Julie — Baradas, {unheeding him.) " As yet the Fiend that serv^i hath saved his power " From every snare ; and in the epitaphs " Of many victims dwells a warning moral " That preaches caution. Were I not assured " That what before was hope is ripen'd now " Into most certain safety, trust me, Mauprat, " I still could hush my hate and mark thy wrongs, " And say " Be patient I" Now, the King himself " Smiles kindly when I tell him that his peers " Will rid him his Priest. You knit your brows, " ]SJ"oble impatience ! Pass we to our scheme ! 'Tis Richelieu's wont, each morn within his chapel, (Hypocrite worship ended,) to dispense Alms to the mendicant friars, — in that guise A band (yourself the leader) shall surround And seize the despot Z>e Maup. But the King ? but Julie ? Bar. The King ? infirm in health, in imnd more feeb^ Is but the playing of a Minister's will. Were Richelieu dead, his powers were mine ; and Louia Soon should forget his passsion and your crime. But whither now ? De Maup. I know not ; I scarce hear thee ; A little while for thought : anon I'll join thee ; SCRNE I.j RICHELIEU. 85 But now, all air seeru^ tainted, and I loathe The face of man I [Exit De Maupkat through tliz gardtm Bar. Start from the chase, my prey I But as thou speed'st, the hell-hounds of Revenge Pant in thy track and dog thee down. ETiter De Beringhen, his mouth full a napkin in his lunui De Ber Chevalier, Your cook's a miracle, — what my Host gone ? Faith, Count, my office is a post of danger ; A fiery fellow, Mauprat I touch and go, — Match and saltpetre, — pr-r-r-r 1 Bar. You Will be released ere long The kiug resolves To call the bride to court this day. De Ber. Poor Mauprat I Yet, smce you love the lady, why se careless Of the King's suit ! Bar. Because the lady's virtuous. And the king timid. Ere he win the suit He'll lose the crown, — the bride will be. a widow — And I — the Richelieu of the Regent Orleans. De Ber. Is Louis still so chafed again-st the Fox, From snatching yon fau' dainty from the Lion I Bar. So chafed that Richelieu totters. Yes, the King, Is half conspiring against the Cardinal. Enough of this. I've found the man we wanted, — The man to head the hands that murder'd Richelieu, — The man, whose name the synoneme for daring. De Ber. He must mean me I No' Count, I am, I own, A vaUant dog — but still — Bar. Whom can I mean But Maupret ? — Mark, to-night we meet at Marion's, There shall we sign : thence send this scroll {showiiig it) to Bouillon. You're in that secret {affectionately) one of our new Cou» cil. De Ber. But to admit the Spaniard — France's foe Into the heart of France, — dethrone the King ! It looks like treason, and I smell the headsman. Ba>: Oh, Sir too late to falter 5 when we meet 36 RICHELIEU. [Act. II We must arraijge the separate, coarser scheme, For Richelieu's death. Of this despatch De Mauprat Must nothing learn. He only bites at vengeance, And he would start from treason. We must post him Without the door at Marion's — as a sentry (Aside) — So, when his head is on the block — his tongue Oannot betray our more august designs I De Ber. I'll meet you, if the King can spare me. {Aside.) —No 1 I am too old a goose to play with foxes, I'll roost at home. Meanwhile, in the next room There's a delicious pate, let's discuss it. Bar. Pshaw I a man filled with a sublime ambition Has no time to discuss your pates. Be Ber. Pshaw. And a man filled with a sublime as pate. Has no time to discuss ambition. — Gad, I have the best of it 1 Enter Julie hastily loith first Couktieb, Julie {to Courtier). A summons, Sir, To attend the Louvre ? — On this day, too ? Courtier. Madame. The royal carriage waits below. — ( To De Beringhen.') You will return with us. Julie. What can this mean ? — Where is my husband ? Bar. He has left the house Perhaps till nightfall — so he bade me tell you. Alas, were I the lord of such fan* treasure — Julie {impatiently. Till nightfall ?-— Strange— my be&rl missgives me ! Cojbr Madame, My orders will not brook delay. Julia {to Baradas.) You'll see him — And you will tell him ! Bar. From the flowers of Hybla , "Never more gladly did the bee bear honey, I Than I take a sweetness from those rosiest Ups,/ Though to the hive of others 1 OfiM: {to De Berinc-hen, Come, Messire iltlA'E L] RICHELIEC. 31 De Ber. {hesitaling.) One moment, just to — CouT. Come, Sir. De £o\ I shall not. Discuss the the pate after all. 'Ecod, I'm puz/led now. I don't know who's the best jf it I Exeunt Julie, De Beringhen, and Courtier. Bar. Kow this will fire his fever into madness I All is made clear ; Mauprat must murder Richelieu — Die for that crime : — I shall console his Julie — This will reach Bouillon ! — from the wrecks of France I shall crave out — who knows — perchance a throne I All in despite of my Lord Cardinal. Enter De MAUPREx/rom the gardens. Be Mauprat. Speak ! can it be ? — Methought that from the terrace I saw the carriage of the King — and Julie 1 N'o ! — no ! — my frenzy peoples the void air / With its own phantoms I Bar ISTay, too true. — Alas ! iVas ever lightning swifter, or more blasting, fhan Richelieu's forked guide ? De Maup. I'll to the Louvre Bar. And lose all hope ! The Louvre ! — the sure gate .Co the Castile ! De Maup. The King. Bar. Is but the wax, Which Richelieu stamps ? Break the malignant seal, A.nd I will raze the print. Come, man, take heart I Her vktue well could brave a sterner trial Than a few hours of cold imperious courtship. Where Richelieu dust — no danger I De Maup. Ghastly Yengeance 1 To thee and thine angust solemn sister, The unrelenting Death ! I dedicate The blood of ^.rmand Richelieu 1 When Dishonour Reaches our hearths Law dies and Murder takes The angel shape of Justice 1 Bar. Bravely said ! At DLdnight, Mirion's 1— Nay, I cannot leave thee 38 RICHELIEG. I A.CT l\ To thougf^ts that De Maup. Speak not to me ! — I ara yours I But speak not 1 There's a voice within my soul, Whose cry could drown the thunder. Oh 1 if men Will play dark sorcery with the heart of man, JLet tliem, who raise the spell, beware the fiend ! \^Eze!tnt. Scene II. — A room in the Palais Cardinal {as the fira Act). Richelieu and Joseph. Francois, writing at a table. Joseph. Yes ; — Huguet, taking his accustom'd round,— Disguised as some plain burgher, — heard these rufiflers Quoting your name : — he listen'd — " Pshaw 1" said one, " W« are to seize the Cardinal in his palace To-morrow !" — " Howr^ the other ask'd ; — " You'll befrf The whole design to-night : the Duke of Orleans And Baradas have got the map of action At their fingers' end" — " So be it," quoth the other, "I will be there, — Marion de Lorme's — at midnight I" ^ch. I have them, man, I have them I Jos. So they say Of jou, my Lord ; — ^believe me, that their plans Are mightier than you deem. You must employ Means no less vast to meet them 1 Rich. Bah 1 in policy We foil gigantic danger, not by giants. But dwarfs. The statues of our stately fortune Are sculptured by the chisel — ^not the axe 1 (1) Ah I were I younger — by the knightly heart That beats between these priestly robes, (2) I would Have pastime with these cut-throats 1 Yea, as when, Lured to tlie ambush of the expecting foe, 1 clove my pathway through the plumed sea ! Reach me you falchion, Francois — ^not that bauble For carpet-warriors — yonder — such a blade As old Charles Martel might have wielded, He drove the Saracen from France ScEI:E II.j RICHELIEU. 3& (Francois brings him on^ of the long two-hu'nded sicordi in the middle ages.) With this. I, at Kocher.e, did hand to hand engage The stalwart Enghsher — no mongrels, boy, Those island mastiffs 1 — mark the notch, a deep one His casque made here, — I shore him to the waist ! A toy — a feather, then ! ( Tries to toield and lets itftJi ) You see, a child could Slay Richelieu now. Francois (his hand on his hilt). But now, at your command Are other weapons good my lord. RicJi. {who has seated himself as to tvrite, lifts the pen^ True THIS ! Beneath the rule of men entirely great The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold The arch enchanter's wand — itself a nothing 1 By taking sorcery from the master hand To paralyze the Caesars, and to strike The loifd earth breathless 1 Take away the sword — States can be saved without it ! {Looking on the clock). 'Tis the hour- Retire, sir. [Exit Francois. A knock — a door, concealed in the zrras, opens cautiou!t(% Enter Marion de Lorme. Joseph {amazed). Marion de Lorme I Rich. Hist ! Joseph Keep guard. (Joseph retires to the principal enfrorux ) My faithful Marion I Marion. Good my lord, They meet to-night in my poor house. The Duke. Of Orleans heads them. Rich. Yes ; go on. Marion. His Highness Much question'd if I knew some brave, discreet, And vigilant man, whose tongue could keep a secret, And who had those twin qualities for service, The love of gold, the hate of Richelieu. 10 RICHELIEU. Rich. You Marion. Made me answer, " Yes, my brother , — bold and trusty : Whose faith, my faith could pledge ;" — ^The Duke then bade me Have him equipp'd and arm'd — well mounted — ready This night to part for Italy. Rich. Aha 1 — Has Bouillon too turn'd traitor ? — So methought I What part of Italy ? Marion. The Piedmont frontier, Where Bouillon Ues encamp'd. Rich. Now there is danger I Great danger I If he tamper with the Spaniard, And Louis list not to my council, as. Without sure proof he will not, France is lost 1 What more ! Marion. Dark hints of some design to seize Your person in your palace. Nothing clear — His Highness trembled while he spoke ; — the words Did choke each other. Rich. So ! Who is the brother. You recommended to the Duke ? _ Marion. Whoever Your eminence may father ! Rich. Darling Marion I (3) [Goc5 to the table, and returns with a large hag oj gold, j There — ^pshaw — trifle I What an eye you have 1 And what a smile, child ! — {kisses her.) — Ah you fair perdition — Tis well I'm old ? Marion {aside and seriously). What a great man he is ' Rich. You are sure they meet ? — the hour ? Marion. At midnight. Rich. And You wiM engage to give the Duke's despatch. To whom I send ? Marion. Ay, marry I Rich, {aside.) Huguet? No; He will be wanted elsewhere. Joseph ? — zealous. Bet too well known — too much the elder brother Scene II.] hichelieu. 41 Mauprat ? — alas 1 his wedding day ! Francois? — the Man of Men 1 — unnoted — youD^ — Ambitious — {goes to the door) — Francois 1 Enter Francois. Rich. Follow this fair lady : (Find hun the suiting garments, Marion ;) take My fleetest steed : arm thyself to the teeth ; A packet will be given you, with orders. No matter what 1 The instant that your hand closes upon it — clutch it, like your honour. Which death alone can steal, or ravish ; set Spurs to your steed — ^be breathless, till you stand Again before me. Stay, Sir ! You will find me Two short leagues hence — at Ruelle, in my castle. Young man, be blithe I for — note me — from' the hour I grasp that packet, think your guardian star Rains fortune on you 1 Fran. If I fail— Rich. Fail — [n the lexicon of youth, which Fate reserves For a bright manhood, there is no such word As— fail ! — ^You will instruct him further, Marion. Follow her — ^but at distance ; — speak not to her^ Till you are housed ; — Farewell, boy 1 Never say " FaiV^ again. Fran. I will not I Rich, {patting his locks.) There is my young hero I Exeunt Francois and Marion. Rich. So, they would seize my person in this place ? I cannot guess their scheme : — but my retinue Is here too large I — a single traitor could Strike impotent the fate of thousands ; — Joseph Art sure of Huguet ? — ^Think — we hang'd his father ! Joseph. But you have bought his son ; — ^heap'd favors ob him ! Rich. Trash ! — ^favours past — that's nothing 1 In his hoars Of confidence with you, has he named the favours To cOTwehe counts on ? Joseph. Yes — a Colonel's rank, And Letters of Nobility. Rich WhatHaguetl 43 RICHELIEU. " [Act 11 {Here Hug let enters, as to address the Cardinal^ who does not perceive him. ) Ilnguet. My own name soft ! — [glides behind l/ie screen Mich. Colonel and Nobleman 1 My bashful Huguet — that can never be ! — We have him not the less — we'll promise it ! And see the King withholds 1 — Ah, kings are oft A great convenience to a minister 1 No wrong to Huguet either I — Moralists Say, Hope is sweeter than possession ! — ^Yes — We'll count on Puguet 1 Favours prst do gorge Our dogs ; leave service drowsy— dull to the scent. Slacken the speed ; — favours to ccme, my Joseph, Produce a lusty, hungry gratitude, A ravenous zeal, that of the commonest cur Would make a Cerberus. You are right, this treason Assumes a fearful aspect: — but once crush'd. Its very ashes shall manure the soil Of power ; and ripen such full sheaves of greatness, That all the summer of my fate shall seem Fruitless beside the autumn I [Huguet holds up his hand menacingly, and creeps oiU Joseph. The saints grant it 1 Rich, {solemnly.) Yes — for sweet France, Heaven g a-;.' it I — my country, For thee — thee — only — though men deem it not — Are toU and terror my famihars I — I Have made thee great and fair — upon thy brows Wreath'd the old Koman laurel : — at thy feet Bow'd nations down. — 'No puse in my ambition Whose beatings were not measured from thy heari ! " In the old times before us, patriots lived " And died for liberty — Joseph. *' As you would live And die for despotry — Rich. " False monk, not so 1 " Not for the purple and the power wherein " State clothes herself, — I love my native land — " Not as Yenetian Englisher, or Swiss, " But as a Noble and a Priest of France ; All thlng-8 for France' — ^lo, my eternal maxim 1 Scene II.] bichelieu. 4|i " The vital axle of tlie restless wheels " That bear me on ! With her I hare entwined " My i^assions and my fate — my crimes, my virtues — " Hated and loved, (4) and schemed, . and shed men's bIoo(i " As the calm crafts of Tuscan sages teach " Those who would make their country great. Beyond ' The map of France, my heart can travel not, But fills that limit to the farthest verge ; " And while I live — Richelieu and France are one." We priests, to whom the Church forbids in youth The plighted one — to manhood's toil denies The, soother helpmate — from our wither'd age Shuts the sweet blossoms of the second spring That smiles in the name Father — we are yet Not holier than humanity, and must Fulfil humanity's condition — Love ! Debarr'd the Actual, we but breathe a life To chill the marble of the Ideal — Thus, In the unseen and abstract Majesty, My France — my Country, I have bodied forth A thing to love. What are these robes of stale This pomp, this palace ? perishable baubles 1 In this world two things only are immortal — ■ Fame and a People ! Enter Huguet Iluguei. My Lord Cardinal, Your eminence bade me seek you at this hour. Rich. Did I ? — True, Huguet. — So — you overheard Strange talk amongst these gallants Snares and trap? For Richelieu 1 — Well — ^we'll balk them ; let me think— The men at arms you head — how many ? Huguet. Twenty, (5) My Lord. Rich. All trusty ! Huguet. Yes, for ordinary Occasions — ^if for great ones, I would change Three-fourths at least ? Rich. Ay, what are great occasions ? Huguet. Great bribes 1 Rich, {to Joseph). Good lack, he knows some paragons Superior to great bribes 1 44 KICHEUEC. ActD lluguet. Tj:ue gentlemen, Who have transgress'd the laws — and value life And lack not gold ; your eminence alone Can grant them pardon. Ergo you can trust them I Rich. Logic ! — So be it — let this honest twenty Bearm'd and mounted. — {Aside.) So they meet at midnight The attempt on me to-morrow — Ho 1 we'll strike 'Twixt wind and water. — (Aloud.) Does it need much tunv To find these ornaments to Human Nature ? Huguet. My Lord the trustiest are not birds That love the daylight. — I do know a haunt Where they meet nightly. Rich. Ere the dawn be grey, All could be arm'd, assembled, and at Ruelle In my old hall ? Hugiiet. By one hour after midnight. Rich. The castle's strong. You know its outlets, Ha guet ? Would twenty men, well posted, keep such guard That not one step — (and Murder's step is stealthy) — Could glide within unseen ? Hugiiet. A triple wall — A drawbridge and portcullis — twenty men — Unde^ my lead, a month might hold that castle Against a host. Rich. They do not strike till morning, Yet X wUl shift the quarter — bid the grooms Prepare the litter — I will hence to Ruelle While day-light last — and one hour after midnight You and your twenty saints shall seek me thither I You're made to rise 1 You are, Sir ; — eyes of lynx Ears of the stag, a footfall like the snow ; You are a valiant fellow ; — ^yea, a trusty, Rehgious, exemplajry, incorrupt, And precious jewel of a fellow, Huguet I If I live long enough, — ay, mark my words If I live long enough, you'll be a Colonel Noble, perhaps ! — One hour, Sir, after midnight. Hug. You leave me dumb with gratitude, my lord ; I'll pick the trustiest {"side) Marion's house can furnish '. l^Exit Huguet. BcENt II.] Rlv^hELIElT. 4C Rich. How like a spider shall I sit in .ny hole, And watch the meshes tremble. Jos. But, my lord, Were it not wiser still to man the palace, And seize the traitors in the act ? RkJi. 1^0 ; Louis, Long chafed against me — Julie stolen from him. Will rouse him more. He'll say I hatched the treasoE, Or scout my charge ; — He half desires my death : But the despatch to Bouillon, some dark scheme Against his crown — there is our weapon Joseph I With that aU safe — without it all is peril 1 Meanwhile to my old castle ; you to court Diving with careless eyes into men's hearts. As ghostly churchmen should do 1 See the King, Bid him peruse that sage and holy treatise, Whereui 'tis set forth how a Premier should Be chosen from the Priesthood — ^how the King, Should never listen to a single chargs Against his servant, nor conceal ouo whisper That rank envies of a court distil Into his ear — to fester the fair name Of my— rl mean his Minister ! — 1 Joseph, A most convincing treatise. (6) Good — all favours. If Francois be but bold, and Huguet honest. — Huguet — I half suspect — he bow'd too low — 'Tis not his way. Jos. This is the curse, my lord Of your high state ; suspicion of all men. Rich, {sadly). TVue ; true ; my leeches bribed to poisoB pages To strangle me in sleep — my very King (This brain the imresting loom, from which was woren The purple of his greatness) leagued against me — Old — childless — friendless — broken — all forsake- All— all— but— Jos. What? Rich. The indomitable heart Of Armand Richelieu I Jos. l^ought beside ? ^6 V EicHELiEu. [Act. II Rich. Why Julie, Mj own dear foster-child, forgive me 1 Yes ; This morning, shining through their happy tears, Thy soft eyes bless'd me ! — and thy Lord, — ^in danger He would forsake me not. Jos. And Joseph Rich, {after a pause). You — ^ Yes, I believe you — ^yes ; for all men fear you — And the world' loves you not. And I friend Joseph, I am the only man, who could, my Joseph, Make you a Bishop. (1) Come we'll go to dinner, And talk the while of methods to advance Our Mother Church. (8) Ah, Joseph — Bishop Joseph .' [Exmni END OF ACT II. ACT III SECOND DAY. MIDNIGHT Scene I. — Richelieu's Castle at Ruelle — Agothic ciamier-' Moonlight at the window nccaiionally obscured. Ric/i. (reading) [1.] " In silence, and at night the con- science feels That life should soar to nobler ends than Power." So sayest thou, sage and sober moralist I But wert thou tried ? Sublime Philosophy, Thou art the Patriach's ladder, reaching heaven, And bright with beck'ning angels, but alas 1 We see thee like the Patriarch, but in dreams, By the first step — dull-slumbering on the eartk i am not happy ! with the Titan's lust I woc'd a goddess, and I clasp a cloud When I am dust, my name shall, like a stai In this soliloQuy the liaes trom 28 to 49 are spoken on the stage. SOBNE I.l RICHELIEP 4t Shine through wan space, a glory — and a prophet Whereby pule seers shall from their aery towers Con all the ominous signs, benign or evil, That make the potent astrologue of kings. But shall the Future judge me by the ends That I hare wrought, or by the dubious means Through which the stream of my renown hath rn Into the many-voiced unfathomed Time ? Foul in its bed lie weeds — and heaps of slime, And with its waves — when sparkhug in the sun, Oft times the secret rivulets that swell Its might of waters — blend the hues of blood. Yet are my sms not those of circumstance, That all-pervading atmosphere, wherein Our spirits, like the unsteady lizzard, take The tints that colour, and the food that nurtures ? 1 ye, whose hour-glass shifts its tranquil sand* In the unvex'd silence of a student's cell ; Ye, whose un tempted hearts have never toss'd Upon the dark and stormy tides where life Gives battle to the elements, — and man Wrestles with man for some slight plank, whose weight Will bear but one— while round the desperate wretch The hungry billows roar^and the fierce Fate Like some huge monster, dim-seen through the surf, Waits him who drops ; — ye safe and formal men, Who write the deeds and with unfeverish hand Weigh in nice scales the motives of the great. Ye cannot know what ye have never tried ! .' History preserves only the fleshless bones Of what we are — and by the mocking skull The would-be wise pretend to g-uess the featurei t Without the roundness and the glow of life How hideous is the skeleton ! Without The colourings and humanities that clothe Our errors, the anatomists of schools Can make our memory hideous ! ' I have wrought Great uses out of evil tools — and they In the time to come may bask beneath the light Wliicli I have stolen from the angry gods, 4S RICHELIEU. [Act 1X1 Aud warn tlieir sous against the glorious tliefc, Forgetful of the darkness which it broke, I have shed blood — but I have had no foes Save those the State had (2) — if my wrath was deadly. 'Tis that I felt my country in my veins, And smote her sons as Brutus smote his own. (3) And yet I am not happy — blanch'd and sear'd Before my time — breathing an air of hate, And seeing daggers in the eyes of men, And wasting powers that shake the thrones of earth In contest with the insects — bearding kings And braved by lackies (4) — murder at my bed ; And lone amidst the multitudinous web. With the dread Three — that are the fates who hold The woof and shears — the Monk, the Spy, the Headsman And this is Power ! Alas ! I am not happy, {After a pause,) And yet the Nile is fretted by the weeds Its rising roots not up : but never yet Did one last barrier by a ripple vex My onward tide, unswept in sport away. Am I so ruthless then that I do hate Them who hate me ? Tush, tush ! I do not hate ; Nay, I forgive. The Statesman writes the doom, But the Priest sends the blessing. I forgive thorn, But I destroy ; forgiveness is mine own. Destruction is the State's 1 For private life. Scripture the guide — for public, Machiavel. Would Fortune serve me if the Heoven were worth ? For chance makes half my greatness. I was born Beneath the aspect of a bright-eyed star, And my triumphant adamant of soul Is but the fix'd persuasion of success. Ah ! — ^here 1 — that spasm — again 1 How Life and Deatb Do wrestle for me momently 1 And yet The King looks pale. I shall outlive the King ! And then, thou insolent Austrian — who didst gibe At the ungainly, gaunt, and daring lover, (5) Sleeking thy looks to silken Buckingham, — Thou shalt — ^no matter 1 I have outlived love O I beautiful — all golden — gentle youth 1 Making thy palpce in the careless front Scene I [ uichkliett. And hopeful eye of man — ere yet the soul Hath lost the memories which (so Plato dream'd) Breath'd glory from the earUer star it dwelt in — I for one gale from thine exulting morning, Stirring amidst the roses, where of old Love shook the dew-drops from his glancing hair 1 Could I recall the past — or had not set The prodigal treasures of the bankrupt soul In one slight bark upon the shoreless sea ; The yoked steer, after his day of toil. Forgets the goad and rests — to me alike Or day or night. Ambition has no rest I Shall I resign ? — Who can resign himself ? For custom is ourself I As drink and food Become our bone and flesh — the aliments Nurturing our nobler part, the mind — thoughts, dieanu| Passions and aims, in the revolving cycle •Of the great alchemy — at length are made Our mind itself 1 and yet the sweets of leisure — ■ An honour'd home — far from these base intrigues — An eyrie on the heaven-kiss'd heights of wisdom — {Taking up tlie hook. Speak to me, moralist ! I'll heed thy coiinsel. Were it not best Enter Fkaxcois hastily, and in part disguised. Richdieu {flinging away the book.) Philosophy, thou liest ! Quick — the despatch ! — Power — Empire I Boy — the packet 1 Fraticois. Kill me, my lord 1 Rich. They knew thee— they suspeo ted — They gave it not Francois. He gave it — he — the Count De Baradas — with his own hand he gave it Rich. Baradas ! Joy ! out with it 1 Francois. Listen. And then d/smiss me to the headsmen. Rich. Ha 1 Go on. Fraitcrii. Thev led me to a chamber TLero 50 nicHELiEU, [Act III Orleans and Baradat, -aud some half-score, Whom I knew not — w ere met Rich. Not more ! Francoii. But from Th' adjoining chamber broke the din of voices, The clattering tread of armed men ; — at times A shriller cry, that yelled out, " Death to Richelieu I" Kick. Speak not of me; thy country is in danger I Th' adjoining room — So, so — a separate treason I The one thy ruin, France ! — the meaner crime, Left to their tools — my murder ! Francois. Baradas Questioned me close — demurr'd — until, at last, O'erruled by Orleans — gave the packet — told me That life and death were in the scroll : — This gold — Rich. Gold is no proof Francois. And Orleans promised thousands. When Bouillon's trumpets in the streets of Paris Rang out the shrill answer : hastening from the hous* My footstep in the styrrup, Marion stole Across the threshold, whispering, " liose no moment Ere Richelieu have the packet : tell him, too — Murder is in the winds of Night, and Orleans Swears, ere the dawn the Cardinal shall be clay." She said, and trembling fled within : when lo 1 All and of iron griped me I Thro' the dark, Glcam'd the dim shadow of an armed man : Ere I could draw, the prize was wrested from me, And a hoarse voice gasp'd — " Spy, I spare thee, for This steel is virgin to thy lord I" — with that He vanish'd. — Scared and trembling for thy safety, I mounted, fled, and, kneeling at thy feet. Implore thee to acquit my faith —but not, Like him, to spare my life. Rich. Who spake of life ? [ bade thee grasp that treasure as thine honour — A jewel worth whole hecatombs of lives I Begone ! redeem thine honour ! Back to Marioi>— Or Baradas — or Orleans — track the rolber — Regain the packet — or crawl on to Age — A.ge and gray hairs like mine — and know, thou hast losi 3CENSI.J RICIIEUEC- 51 Tbpt which hath made the great and saved tny couutry. Secj me not till thoa'st bought the rig\it to seek me. .V^vay ? Nay cheer thee I thou hast not fail'd yet — There's no such word as "fail .'" Fraticois. Bless you, my Lord. For that one smile ! I'll wear it on my heart To light me back to triumph. (6) {Exit.) Rich. The poor youth ! An elder had ask'd life I I love the young ! For as great men Uve not in their own time But the next race, — so in the young my soul Makes many Richelieus. He will win it yet. Francois ? He's gone. My murder ! Marion's warning. This bravo's I'-h^'eat 1 O for the morrow's dawn 1 I'll set my spies to work — I'll make all space (As does the sun) an Universal Eye — Huguet shall track — Joseph confess — ha ! ha ! Strange, while I laugh'd I shudder'd, and ev'n now Thro' the chill air the beating of my heart Sounds hke a death-watch by a sick man's pillow ; If Huguet could deceive me — hoofs without — The gates unclose — steps, near and nearer 1 Enter Julie. Julie. Cardinal I My father 1 {falls at his feet. Rich. Julie at this hour ! and tears. tVhat ails the ? Julie. I am I am safe with thee ! Rich. Safe 1 why in all the srorms of this wild world What wind would mar the violet ? Julie. That man — Why did I love him ? — clinging to a breast that knows no shelter ? Listen — late at noon — The marr:age-day — ev'n then no more a lover, He left me coldly 1 Well I sought my chamber To weep and wonder ; but to hope and dream Sudden a mandate from the king, — to attend, Forthwith his pleasure at the Louvre. Rich. Ha I Vou did obey the summons j and the khig 89 RICHELIEU. fAoi in Reproa<;h'd your hasty nuptials, Julie. Were that all 1 He frown'd and chid ; proclaim'd the bond zinlawful ; Bade me not quit my chamber in the palace, A nd there at night — alone this night I all still He sought my presence — dared 1 — thou read'st the heart Read mine — I cannot speak it 1 Rich. He, a king ! You — woman ; well, you yielded ! Julie. Cardinal 1 Dare you say " yielded V' Humbled and abash'd, He from the chamber crept— this mighty Louis ; Crept like a baflled felon ! — yielded I Ah ! More royalty in woman's heart Than dwells within the crowned majesty And sceptered anger of a hundred kings ! Yielded I Heavens 1 — ^yielded I Rich. To my breast, — close — close ! The world would never need a Richelieu, if Men — ^bearded, mailed men — the Lords of Earth- - Resisted flattery, falsehood, averice, pride, As this poor child with the dove's innocent scorj» Her sex's tempers. Vanity and Power I He left you — well I Julie. Then came a sharper trial 1 At the kmg's suit, the Count De Baradas Sought me, to soothe, to fawn, to flatter, while On his smooth lip insult appear'd more hateful For the false mask of pity : letting fall Dark hints of treachery, with a world of sighs That heaven had granted to so base a lord The heart whose coldest friendship were to him •i^hat Mexico to misers ! Stung at last By distain, the dim and glimmering sense Of his cloak'd words broke into bolder lighi, Aiid THEN— ah 1 then, my haughty spirit faii'd me I Then I was weak — wept — oh 1 such bitter tear I For (turn thy face aside, and let me whisper The horror to thine ear) then I did learn That he — that Adrien — that my husband — knew The king's poUnting suit, and deemed it honm.r. SCB.*E II.] RICHEMETJ. 58 Thm all the terrible and loathsome truth Glared on me ; coldness — waywardness — reserve — Mystery of looks — ^vs^ords — all unravell'd I — and I saw the imposter where I had lov'd the God I Rich. I think thou wrong'st thy husband — but prtviicd. Julie. Did you say " wrong'd" him ? Cardinal, my fathei Did you say " wrong'd ?" Prove it ! and Ufe shall glow One prayer for thy reward and his forgiveness I Rich. Let me know all. Jidic, To despair he caused The courtier left me ; but amid the chaos Darted one guiding ray — to 'scape — to fly — Reach Adrien, learn the worst— 'twas then near midnight ; Trembling I left my chamber — sought the queen — Fell at her feet^ — reveal'd the unholy peril — Implored her aid to flee our joint disgrace. Moved, she embraced and soothed me ; nay, preserved . Her word sufificed to unlock the palace-gates ; I hasten'd home — but home was desolate — No Adrien there I Fearmg the worst, I fled To thee, directed hither. As my wheels Panted at the gates — the clang of arms behind The ring of hoofs — Rich. 'Twas but my guards, fair trembler. (So Huguet keeps his word, my omens wrong'd him.) Julie. Oh, in one hoqr what years of anguish crowd I Rich. Nay, there's no danger now. Thou need'st re^t Come, thou shalt lodge beside me. Tush 1 be chcer'd, My rosiest Amazon — thou wrong'st thy Theseus. All will be well — yet, yet all well. \_Exeiinl through a side door Scene II. — The moctilishl obscured at the. casement. Eniir Huguet — De Mauprat in complete armour, his vizzm down. Hug. Not here 1 De Manp. Oh, I will find him, fear not. Hence aud guard The galleries where the menials sleep — ^plant sentries A.t every ov^Utt Chance should throw no shadow E* 1.4 BicHELiEU. [Act III Between the veageaace and thp victim I Go I Ere yon brief vapor that obscures the moon, As doth our deed pale conscience, pass away, Ihe mighty shall be ashes. Hug. Will you not A second arm ? De Maujp. To slay one weak old man ? Away I No lesser wiwngs than mine can inake This murder lawful. Hence ! Hug. A short farewell I EzU He-enter Richelieu, not perceiving De Mauprat, Rieh. How heavy is the air I the vestal lamp Of the sad moon, weary with vigil, dies In the still temple of the solmen heaven 1 The very darkness lends itself to fear — To treason — De Maup. And to death I Rich. My omens lied not ! What art thou, wretch ? He Maup. Thy doomsman 1 Rich. Ho, my guards ! Huguet 1 Mrnthbrassial I Vermont I i)e Maup. Ay, thy spirits Forsake thee, wizzard ; thy bold men of mail Are my eorifederates. Stir not I but one step, And kjiow the next — thy grave I Rich. Thou liest, knave 1 I am old, infirm — most feeble — ^but thou liest 1 Armand de Richelieu dies not by the hand Of man — the stars have said it (1) — and the voice Of my own prophet and oracular soul Confirms the shining Sybils 1 Call them all — Thy brother butchers I Earth has no such fiend- No I as one paracide of his father-land. Who dares in Richelieu murder France I N De Maiip. Thy stars Deceive thee, Oardmal ; thy soul of wiles May against kings and armaments avail, And mock the embattled world ; but powerless now Against the sword of one resolved man, Upon whose forehead thou hast written shame i Scene II richelibu. 55 Ekh. I breathe ',-Aiq is not a hireling. Have I wvonged thee? Beware surmise — suspicion — lies I I am Too great for men to speak the truth of me !. De Mmip. Thy acts are the accusers, Cardinal. In his hot youth, a soldier urged to crime A^gainst the State, placed in your hands his life ; — • You did not strike the blow — but o'er his head, Upon the gossamer thread of your caprice. Hovered the axe. — His the brave spirit's hell, The twilight terror of suspense ; — ^your death Had set hkn free ; — he purposed not nor prayed it. One day you summoned — mocked him with smooth pwdoa Sho^vered wealth upon him — bade an angel's face Turn earth to paradise Rich. Well I Be Maup. Was this mercy ? A Caesar's generous vengeance ? — Cardinal, no 1 Judas not Caesar, was the model I You Saved hun from death for shame ; reserved to grow The scorn of living men — to his dead sires Leprous reproach — scoff of the age to come — A kind convenience — a Sir Pandarus To his own bride, and the august adulterer 1 Then did the first great law of human hearts, Which with the patriot's, not the rebel's name Crowned the first Brutus, when the Tarqum fell, Make misery royal — raise this desperate wretch Into thy destiny I Expect no mercy 1 Behold Be Mauprat I [Lifts his visor Rich. To thy knees, and crawl For pardon ; or, I tell thee, thou shalt live For such remorse, that, did I hate thee, I Would bid the strike that I might be avenged I It was to save my Julie from the king, That in my valour I forgave thy crime ; — It was, when thou — the rash and ready tool — Yea, of that shame thou loath'st — did'st leave thy hearth To the polluter — in tliese arms thy bride Found the pT-otecting shelter thine withheld. {Goes to the side door.) hi KicHEUEU- [Act III Julie de Mauprat — Julie ! Enter Juua Lo ! my witness ! De Mmtp. What xnarrel's this ? - ^ <»".am 1 My ?ulie — ikou ! This, thy beloved hand ? Julie. Henceforth all bond Between us twain is broken. Were it not For this old man, I might, in truth, hpve lost The right — now mine — to scorn thee I Hick. So, you hear her ! De Maup. Thou with some slander hast her sense in- fected ! Julie. No, Sir ; he did excuse thee in despite Of all that wears the face of truth. Thj friend — Thy confident — familier — Baradas — ■ Himself revealed thy baseness, De Maup. Baseness I Rich. Ay ; That t/iou didst court dishonoui I De Maup. Baradas I Where is thy thunder, Heaven ? Duped 1 snared 1 undone \ Thou — thou couldst not believe iiiml Thou dost love me 1 Love cannot feed on falsehood ! Julie (aside). Love him ! Ah ! Be still, mj heart 1 Love you I did : — how fondly, Woman — if women were my listeners now — Alone could tell ! For ever fled my dream : Farewell — all's over I Rich. Nay, my daughter, these Are but the blinding mists of day-break love Sprung from its very light, and heralding A noon of happy summer. Take her hand And speak the truth with which your heart runs over— That this Count Judas— this incarnate falsehood — Never lied more than when he told thy Julie That Adrien loved her not— except, indeed. When he told Adrien, Julie could betray him. Julie {embracing De Maup.) You love me, then I you love me 1 and they wrong'd you I De Maup. Ah, could'st thou doubt ? Scene U. | bicheliku. 5t Rich. Why the very mole Less bHnd than thou I Baradas loves thy wife : — Had hoped her hand — aspired to be that cloak To the kingp's will, which to thy bluntness seems The Centaur's poisonous robe — hopes even now To make thy corpse his footstool to thy bed 1 Where was thy wit, man? Ho! these schemes are glusa! The very sun shines through them. De Maup. 0, my Lord, Can you forgive me ? Rich. Ay, and save you ! De Maup. Save ! — Terrible word 1 0, save thyself : these halls Swarm with thy foes : already for thy blood Pants thirsty murder ! Julie. Murder 1 Rich. Hush ! put by The woman. Hush ! a shriek — a cry — a breath Too loud, would startle from its horrent pause The swooping Death 1 Go to the door, and listen ! ^ow for escape 1 De Matcp. None — none I Their blades shall pass This heart to thine. Rich {dryly.) An honourable outwork. But much too near the citadel. I think That you can trust now {slowly and gazing on him :) yes; I can trust you. How many of my troop league with you ? De Maup. All !— We are your troop ! Rich. And Huguet ? — De Maup. Is our captain. Rich. A retributive Power 1 This comes of spiea All ? then the hon's skin too short to-night, — Now for the fox's ? Jiclie. A hoarse gathering murmur 1 Hurryiug and heavy footsteps ! Rich. Ha 1 the posterns 1 De Maxip No egress where no sentry I Rich. Follow me — 68 RICHELIEU. [AoT 111 I have it 1 to my chamber^quick 1 Come, JUie I tlush ! Mauprat come ! Murmur at a distance — " Death to the Cardinal I" Rich. Bloodhounds, I laugh at ve I ha 1 ha ! we will Baffle them yet. Ha I ha ! Exeunt Julie, Mauprat, Richelieu llugud {without). This way — this way 1 Scene III. — Enter Huguet and the Consjdrators. Hug. De Mauprat's hand is never slow in battle ; Strange, if it falter now ! Ha ! gone ! First Conspirator. Perchance The fox had crept to rest ; and to his lah' Death, the dark hunter tracks him. Enter Mauprat throwing open the doors of the recess in — • which a led, whereon Richelieu lies extended. Maup. Live the King 1 Hichelieu is dead 1 Huguet {advancing towards tJie recess; Mauprat /r&iict?,^, his hand on his dagger.) Are his eyes open ? De Maup. Ay ; As if in life ! Huguet {turning hack.) I will not look on him. You have been long. De Maup. I watched him till he slept Heed me. JSTo trace of blood reveals the deed ; — Strangled in sleep. His health had long been broken- • Found breathless in his bed. So runs our tale, Kemember 1 Back to Paris — Orleans gives Ten thousand crowns, and Baradas a lordship, To him who first gluts vengeance with the nev/s That Richelieu is in heaven ! Quick, that all Fraiic» May share your joy ! Huguet. And you ? De Maup. Will stay to crush Eager suspicion — to forbid sharp eyes To dwell too closely on the clay ; prepare The rites, and place him on his' bier — this my task, I leave you, sirs, the more grateful lot Of wealth and h3nours. Hence 1 Scene II.] kichelieu. 51 Huguet. I shall be uoble I De Maup. Away. First Conspirator. Five thousand crowns ! Omens. To horse I to horse 1 [Exeunt C<:>iispi'rtJ&rs. Scene IV. — Still night. — A room in the house of Count D^ Baradas, lighted, ^x. Orleans xnd De Beringhen . De Ber. I understand. Mauprat kept guard without : Knows nought of the despatch — but heads the troop Whom the poor Cardinal fancies his protectors. Save us from such protection 1 Orleans. Yet if Huguet, By whose adTice and proJEfers we renounced Our earlier scheme, should still be Richelieu's minion, And play us false — De Ber. The fox must then devour The geese he gripes. I'm out of it, thank Heaven I And you must swear you smelt the trick, but seem'd To approve the deed to render up the doers. Enter Baradas. Bar. Julie is fled : — ^The King, whom now I left To a most thorny pillow, vows revenge On her — on Mauprat— and on Richelieu 1 Well ; We loyal men anticipate his wish Upon the last — and as for Mauprat,— {Showing a wrU.) De Ber. Hum I They say the devil invented printing ! Faith, He has some hand in writmg parchment — eh, Count ? What mischief now ? Bar. The King at Julie's flight Enraged will brook no rival in a subject — Be on this old offence — ^the affair of Faviaux — Ere Mauprat can tell tales of us, we build His bridge between the dungeon and the grave. Orleans. Wet ; if our courier can but reach the army, The cards are ours ! and yet, I own I tremble. Our names are in the scroll — discovery, death I Bar. Success ! a crown 1 BO RICHELIEU. Act III. De Ber (apart lo Baradas.) Our future regent is No horo. Bar {to De Beringhen.) But his rank makes others valiant ; And on his cowardice I mount to power. Were Orleans Regent— what were Baradas ? Oh 1 by the way — I had forgot your highness, Friend Iluguet whisper'd me, " Beware of Marion : ['tc seen her lurking near the Cardinal's palace." Upon that hint — I've found her lodgings elsewhere. ( h-leans. You wrong her, Count : — Poor Marion 1 she adores me. Ihr. {apologetically.) Forgive me, but- E^iter Page. Page. My Lord, a rude, strange soldier, Brea thless with haste, demands an audience. Bar. So ! The archers ? Pag'.. In the ante-room, my Lord, As you desired. Bar. 'Tis well, admit the soldier. 'jExU Page Huguet I I bade him seek here ! Enter Huguet. Iluguet. My Lords, The deed is done. Now, Count, fulfil your word, And make me noble 1 Bar. Richeheu dead ? — art sure ? How died he ? Iluguet. Strangled in his sleep : — no blood, No tell-tale violence. Bar. Strangled ? monstrous villian ! Reward for murder I Ho, there I IStamjnug Enter Captain with Jive Archers. Huguet. No, thou durst not 1 Bar. Seize on the ruffian — bind him — gag him 1 Off To the Bastile 1 Huguet. Your word — ^your plighted faith I Bar. Insolent liar : — he, away ! rfCENE IV.] RICHELIEU. 61 Hugtoet. "Nay, Count ; I have that about me, which Bar. Away with hun I [Exeunt IIuguet aiid Archer $ Now, then all's safe ; Huguet must die in prison, So Mauprat : — coax or force the meaner crew To fly the country. Ha, ha 1 thus, your highness, Great men make use of little men De Ber. My Lords, Since our suspense is ended — you'll excuse me ; "Tis late — and, entre tious, I have not supp'd yet I I'm one of the new Council now, remember ; I feel the public stirring here already ; A very craving raouster. Au revoir ! [Exit De Beringhku Orleans. No fear, now Richelieu's dead. Bar. And could he come To life again, he could not keep life's life^ — His power, — nor save De Mauprat from the scaffold, — Nor Julie from these arms — nor Paris from The Spaniard — nor your highness from the throne I All ours 1 all ours ! in spite of my Lord Cardinal I Enter Page. Page. A gentleman, my Lord, of better mein Than he who last — Bar. Well, he may enter. Exit PAfl* Orleans. Who Can this be ? Bar. One of the conspirators: Mauprat himself, perhaps. Enter Fkancois, Fran. My Lord Bar. Ha, traitor ! in Paris still 1 Fran. The packet — the despatch — Some nave play'd spy wihout, and reft it from me, Ere I could draw my sword. Bar. Vla^fdispj without ! Did h-} wear armour ? 63; RICHELIEC. [Aci TI) Fran. Aje, from liead to heel. Orleans. One of our band. Oh, heavens 1 Bar. Could it be Mauprat ? Kept guard at the door — knew naught, of tht desjpatch — How HE ? — and yet, who other ? Fran. Ha, De Mauprat 1 The night was dark his valour closed. Bar. 'Twas he ! How could he guess? — 'sdeath ! if he should betray as. His hate to Richelieu dies with Richelieu — and He was not great enough for treason. Hence 1 Find Mauprat — beg, steal, filch, or force it back, Or, as I live, the halter Fran. By the morrow I will regain it, (aside.) and redeem my honour I \_Exit Francois. Orleans. Oh ! we are lost — Bo^r. Not so ! But cause on cause For Mauprat's seizure — silence — death ! Take courage. Orleans^ Should it once reach the King, the Cardinal'i arm Could smite us from the grave. Bar. Sir, think it not ! I hold De Mauprat in my grasp. To-morrow, And France is ours 1 Thou dark and fallen Angel, Whose name on earth's Ambition — thou that mak'st Thy throne on treasons, stratagems, and murder — And with thy fierce and blood-red smile canst quench The guiding stars of solemn empire — hear us-— (For we are thine) — and light us to the gca! 1 BND OF tCt m. SCBMR I.] RICUELIEtT. 68 ACT IV. THIRD DAY. Scene I. — Tlie Gardens of the, Louvre. Orleans, Baradas, De Beringhen, Courtiers, SfC, Orleans. How does my brother bear tlie Cardinal'^ death? Bar. With grief when thinking of the toils of State ; With joy, when thinking on the eyes of Julie : — At times he sighs, " Who now shall govern France ?" Anon exclaims — " Who now shall baffle Louis V Enter Louis and other Courtiers. They uncovet. Orleans. Now, my liege, now, I can embrace a brother Louis. Dear Gaston, yes. I do believe you love me ; — Richelieu denied it — sever'd us too long. A great man, Gaston 1 Who shall govern Trance ? Bar. Yourself, my liege. That swart and potent ataj Eclipsed your royal orb. He served the country. But did he serve, or seek to sway the King ? Louis. You're right — he was an able politician (I) That's all : — ^between ourselves, Count, I suspect The largeness of his learning — specially In falcons (2) — ^poor huntsman, too 1 Bar. Ha — ha 1 Your Majesty remembers — Louis. Ay, the blunder Between the greffier and the souillard, when — [ Checks and crosses himstlf A.las 1 poor sinners that we are 1 we laugh While this great man — a priest, a cardinal, A faithful servant — out upon us ! Bar. Sire, If my brow wear no cloud, 'tis that the Cardinal No longer shades the King. C4 nicHELiEU. [Act. IV Zouis ^ Lookivg up at the skies). Oh Baradas I Am I not to be pitied ? — ^what a day For — Bar Sorrow ? — No, sire ! Louis. Bah 1 for hunting, man, And Richelieu's dead ; 'twould be an indecorum Till he is buried — (yawns) — life is very tedious. I made a madrigal on life last week ; You do not sing, (3) Count ? Pity ; you should learn. Poor Richelieu had no ear — ^yet a great man. Ah 1 what a weary weight devolves upon me I These endless wars — these thankless Parliaments — The snares in which he tangled States and Kings, Like the old fisher of the fable, Proteus, Netting great Neptune's wariest tribes and changing Into all shapes when Craft pursued himself ; Oh, a great man 1 JBar. Your royal mother said so. And died in exile, Louis, (sadly). True : I loved my mother 1 (4) Bar. The Cardinal dies. Yet day revives the earth The rivers run not back. In truth, my liege. Did your high orb on others shine as on him, Why, things as dull in their own selves as I am Would glow as brightly with the borrowed beam, (5) Louis. Ahem 1 He was too stern, Orleans. A very Nero. Bar. His power was like the Capitol of old — Built on a human skull, Louis. And, had he lived, I know another head, my Baradas, That would have propp'd the pile : I've seen him eye thesf With a most hungry fancy. Bar. (anxiously). Sire, I knew You would protect me. Louis. Did you so ? of course 1 A.nd yet he had a way with him — a something That always But no matter, he is dead. And, after all, men called his King " The Just," (6) And so I am. Dear Count, this silliest Julie, I know not why, sho takes my fancy. Many Scene I.j richeuec. 65 As fair, and certainly more kind ; liut yet It is so. Count, I am no lustful Tarquin, And do abhor the bold and frontless vices Which the Church justly censures ; yet, 'tis sad On rainy days to drag out weary hours — (T) Deaf to the music of a woman's voice — Blmd to the sunshine of a woman's eyes. It is no sin in Kings to seek amusement ; And that ^ all I seek. I miss her much : She has a silver laugh — a rare perfection. Ba^. Richelieu was most disloyal in that marriage. Louis (querulously). He knew that Julie pleased me :•— a clear proof He never loved me ! Bar. Oh, most clear ! But now No bar between the lady and your will I This writ makes all secure : a week or two In the Bastile will sober Mauprat's love. And leave him eager to dissolve a hymen That brings him such a home. Louis. See to it, Count ; \_Exit Baradas. I'll summon Julie back. A word with you. ( Takes aside First Courtier and De BERiNGHEi>f, and passei, conversing with them, through the gardens.) Enter Francois. Fran. All search, as yet, in vain for Mauprat 1 Not At home since yesternoon — a soldier told me He saw him pass this way with hasty strides ; Should he meet Baradas they'd rend it from him — And then benignant Fortune smUes upon me — I am thy son. If thou desert'st me now, Come Death and snatch me from disgrace. But no 1 There's a great Spirit ever in the air That from prolific and far-spreading wings Scatters the seeds of houour — ^yea, the walls And moats of castled forts, the barren seas, The cell wherein the pale-eyed student holds Talk with melodious science — all arc sown 66 RTCHELIEr. TAcT TS With everlasting honour's if our souls Will toil for fame fis boors for bread Enkr De Mauprat. Maup. Oh, let me — Let me but meet him foot to foot — I'll dig The Judas from his heart ; — albeit the King Should o'er him cast the purple I Fran. Mauprat I hold : — "Where is the Maup. Well I What would'st thou ? Fran. The despatch I The packet. Look on me — I serve the Caxdinal — You know me. Did you not keep guard last m^i, By Marion's House ? Maup. I did : — no matter now 1 They told me /le was here ! Fran. joy I quick — quick — The packet thou didst wrest from me ? Maup. The packet ? What, art thou he I deemed the Cardinal's spy (Dupe that I was) — and overhearing Marion — Fran. The same — restore it 1 haste I Maup. I have it not : Methought it but revealed our scheme to Richelieu, Enter Baeadas. Stand back ! Now, villian 1 now, I have thee 1 ( To Francois.) — Hence, Sir 1 Draw ! Fran. Art mad ? the King's at hand 1 leave him tc Richelieu 1 Speak — the despatch to whom — Maup. (Dashing him aside and rushing to BARADAg.^ Thou triple slanderer I I'll set my heel upon thy crest 1 (A few pasta.) Fran. Fly—fly I The King I Enter at one side, Louis, Orleans, De Beringhen, Courtiers, ^c, at the otJm, the, guards hastily. SCENI I.] RICHKLIEU , 67 Louis. Swords drawn, before our very palace ! Have our laws died with Richelieu ? Bar. Pardon, Sire, — iH^ crime but self-defence. (8) (Aside ^o King J It is De Mauprat 1 Louis. Dare he thus brave us ? [Bakadas goes to the guard and gives the writ Maiip. Sire, in the Cardinal's name — Bar. Seize him — disarm — to the Bastile 1 CDe Mauprat seized, struggles with the guard — Fkancois restlessly endeavouring to pacify aiid speak to him — whem the gates open.) Enter Richelieu and Joseph, followed by arquehusieis Bar. The dead Return'd to life I Louis. What I A mock death ! this tops The infinite of insult. Maup (breaking from guards.) Priest and Hero 1 For you are both — ^protect the truth 1 Rich. What's this ? (Taking the writ from guard. ) De Ber. Fact in philosophy. Foxes have got Nine lives as well as cats 1 Bar. Be firm, my liege. Louis. I have assumed the sceptre — I will wield it ! Joseph. The tide runs counter — there'll be shipwreck somewhere. 'Bakadas and Orleans keep dose to the King — whispering and prompting him, when Richelieu speaks.) Rich High treason — Faviaux 1 still that stale prete'^cb My leige, bad men (ay. Count, most knavish men 1) Abuse your royal goodness. For this soldier, France hath none braver — and his youth's hot folly, Misled — (by whom your Highness may conjecture I) — Is long smce cancell'd by a loyal manh3od. I, sirC; have pardoned him. Louis. And we do give Your pardon to the winds. Sir, do your duty 1 Rich. What, Sire ? you do not know — Oh, pardon itj* - You know not yet, that this brave, honest hecrC, 68 ^ wcHEUEu. ActJV Stood between miue and murder 1 Sire I for my sake — For your old servant's sake — undo this wrong. See, let me rend tlie sentence. Louis. At your peril I This is too much. — Again, Sir, do your duty 1 Uich. Speak not, but go : — I would not see young Valour 8o humbled as grey Service 1 De McCtip. Tare you well I Save Julie, and console her. Fran, (aside to Mauprat.) The Despatch I Your fate, foes, life, hang on a word 1 to whom ? DeMaup. To Huguet. Fran. Hush — ^keep council ! silence — ^hope I [Exeimt Mauprat and Guard Bar. (aside to Francois). Has he the packet ? Fran. He will not reveal — (Aside.) Work, brain I beat heart ! " T/ter^s no such word as fail." [Exit. Francois. Rich, (fiercely). Room, my Lords, room 1 The minister of France Can need no intercession with the king. (They faU hack.) Louis. What means this false report of death, I«ord Cardinal ? Rich. Are you then anger'd. Sire, that I live still ? Louis. No ; but such artifice — Rich. Not mine : — look elsewhere I Louis — ^my castle swarm'd with the assassins. Bar. (advancing). We have punish'd them already. Huguet now In the Bastile. Oh 1 my Lord, we were prompt To avenge you — we were — Rich. We ? Ha ! ha 1 you hear, My leige I what page, man, in the last court grammar Made you a plural ? Count, you have seized the hireling : - Sire, shall I name the master ? Loziis. Tush I my Lord, The old contrivance : — ever does your wit Invent assassins, — that am])ition may Slay rivals — Scene I.J richeueu. St-:' Rick. Rivals, sire I in what ? Service to France I I have none! Lives the mafi Whom Europe, paled before your glory, deems Rival to Armand Richelieu ? Louis. What, so haughty ? Remember, he who made, can unmake. Rich. Never 1 Never 1 Your anger can recall your trust; Annul my office, spoil me of my lands, Rifle my coffers, — but my name — my deeds Are royal in a land beyond your sceptre 1 Pass sentence on me, if you will ; from Kings, Lo, I appeal to Tune 1 " Be just, my liege — *' I found your kingdom rent with heresies " And bristling with rebelUon ; lawless nobles '* And breadless serfs ; England fomenting discord ; " Austria — her clutch on your dominion ; Spain " Forging the prodigal gold of either Ind " To arm'd thunderbolts. The Arts lay dead, " Trade rotted in your marts, your Armies mutinous, ** Your Treasury bankrupt. Would you now revoka " Your trust, so be it ! and I leave you, sole, " Supremest Monarch of the mightiest realm, " From Ganges to the Iceberghs. Look without — " No foe not humbled 1 Look within ! the Arts " Quit for our schools, their old Hesperides, " The golden Italy 1 while throughout the veins " Of your vast empire flows in strengthening tides " Trade the calm health of nations 1 " Sire, I know *' Your smoother courtiers please you best — nor measure *' Myself with them, — yet sometimes I would doubt " If Statesmen rock'd and dandled into power ' Could leave such legacies to kings I" (Louis appears irresolute. Bar. (passing him, tohispers.) But JuHe, Shall I not summon her to court ? louts (motions to Baradas and t'lrns haughtily to the Oar dinal). Enough I \'our Eminence must excuse a longer audience. to EicHELiEr lAar lY To your own palace : — For our conference, this Nor place — nor season. Rick. Good my leige, for Justice, All place a temple, and all season, summer ! Do you deny me justice ? Saints of Heaven I He turns from me ! Do you deny me justice ? For fifteen years while in these hands dwelt Empii'e, The humblest craftsman — the obscurest vassal — The very leper shrinking from the sun, Tho' loathed by Charity, might ask for justice I Not with the fawning tone and crawling mien Of some I see around you — Counts and Princes — Kneeling {ox favours ; — ^but, erect and loud, As men who ask man's rights 1 my liege, my Louis, Do you refuse me justice — audience even — In the pale presence of the baffled Murther ? (9) Louis. Lord Cardinal — one by one you have sever'd fn^ra me The bonds of human love — all near and dear Mark'd out for vengeance — exile or the scaffold. You find me now amidst my trustiest friends. My closest kindred ; — you would tear them from me ; They murder you forsooth, since me they love. Enough of plots and treasons for one reign I Home ! home ! and sleep away these phantoms 1 Rich. Sire I I ^patience, Heaven ! sweet Heaven ! Sire, from the ioox Of that Great Throne, these hands have raised aloft On an Olympus, looking down on mortals And worshipp'd by their awe — before the foot Of that high throne, — spurn you the gray-hair'd man, Who gave you empire — and now sues for safety ? Louis. No : — when we see your eminence in truth At i\iQfoot of the throne — we'll listen to you. Exit Louu Orleans. Saved ! Bar. For this, deep thanks to Julie and to Mauprat f Rich. My Lord De Baradas — I pray your pardcn — You are to be my successor 1 your hand, sir 1 Bar. (aside) What can this mean ? Rich. It trembles, see 1 it trembles 1 The hand that holds the destinies of nations BCENE II. J RICHEUEU. 11 Oaglit to shake les? ! Poor Baradas 1 poor Frauce I Bar. Insolent— fEzcara Scene II. Rich. Joseph 1 Tid you hear +Ve king ? Joseph. 1 did — there's danger I Had you been less hangh* ty-(lO)- Rich. And suffered slaves to chuckle — " See the Ca^ dinal, How meek his eminence is to-day !" — I tell thee, This is a strife in which the loftiest look Is the most subtle armour. Joseph. But — Rich. No time For ifs and buts — I will accuse these traitors I Frangois shall witness that De Baradas Gave him the secret mission for De Bouillon, And told him life and death were in the scroll. I will— I will I Joseph. Tush ! Frangois is your creature : So they will say, and laugh at you ! Your witness Must be that same despatch ! Rich. Away to Marion ! Joseph. I have been there — she is seized — removed- imprisoned— By the Count's orders. Rich. Goddess of bright dreams. My Country, shalt thou lose me now, when most Thou need'st thy worshippers 1 My native land 1 Let me but ward this dagger from thy heart, And die but on thy bosom I J^nter Julie, l. Julie. Heaven, I thank thee ! ft cannot be, or this all-powerful Would not stand idly thus. Rich. What dost thou here ? Home ! Julie. Home ? Is Adrien there ? you're dumb, yet etri78 For words ; I see them trembling on your lip, But choked by pity. It was truth — all truth 1 12 KicHELiEU [Acr ITf Seized — the Bastile — and in your presence too I Cardinal, wliere is Adrian ? Think I he saved Your life : your name is infamy, if wrong- Should come to his 1 Rich. Be sooth'd, child. Julk, Child no more ; 1 love, and I am woman I Hope and suffer ; Love, suffering, hope, — what else doth make the strength And majesty of woman ? Where is Adrien ? Rich, (to Joseph) Your youth was never young— y?a never loved : Speak to her. Joseph. Nay, take heed — the king's command, 'Tis true — I mean — the — Julie, (to Richelieu) Let thine eyes meet mine Answer me but one word — I am a wife — I ask thee for my home, my fate, my all ! Where is my husland 1 Rich. You are Richelieu's ward, A soldier's bride : they who insist on truth Must outface fear ; you ask me for your husband ? There where the clouds of heaven look darkest, o'er The domes of the Bastile I Julie. I thank you father ; You see I do not shudder. Heaven forgive you The sin of this desertion 1 Rich (detaining her.) Whither would'st thou ? Julie. Stay me not. Fie I I should be there already I am thy ward, and haply he may think Thou'st taught me also to forsake the wretched I Rich. I've fill'd those cells — with many — traitors all Had they vrives too ? Thy memories. Power, are solemn I Poor sufferer 1 think'st thou that yon gates of woe Unbar to love ? Alas I if love once enter, 'Tis for the last farewell ; between those walls And the mute grave (11) — the blessed household scnndi Only heard once — while hungering at the door. The headsman whets the axe. Julie. 0, mercy 1 mercy ! Save him restore him, father ! Art thou not The Cardinal-King ? the Lord of life and death— BCENK II] RiCHEMKU. tS Beneath wliose ligbt, as deeps beneath the mooD, She solemn tides of Empire ebb and flow ? — Art thou not Richelieu ? Eich. Yesterday I was ! — To-day a very weak old man 1 To-morrow, J know not what I Julie. Do you conceive his meaning ? Alas I I cannot. But, methinks my seusea Are duller than they were ! Joseph. The King is chafed Against his servant. Lady, while we speak, The lacky of the ante-room is not More powerless than the Minister of France. Rick. " And yet the air is still ; Heaven wears no cloud ; " From Nature's silent orbit, starts no portent " To warn the unconscious world ; albeit, this night " May with a morrow teem which in my fall, ■' Would carry earthquake to remotest lands, " And change the Christian globe. What would'st thoa woman ? " Thy fate and his, with mine, for good or ill, " Are woven threads. In my vast sum of life, " Millions such units merge. Enter First Courtier. F. Cour. Madame de Mauprat 1 Vardon, your eminence — even now I seek This lady's home — commanded by the King To pray her presence. Julie, (dinging to Richelieu.) Think of my dead fa the? I Think, how, an infant, clinging to your knees, And looking to your eyes the wrinkled care Fled from your brow before the smile of childhood, Fresh from the dews Of Heaven ! Think of this, And take me to your breast. Rick. To those who sent you ! And say you found the virtue they would slay, Here — couch'd upon this heart, as an at altar. And sheP/Cred by the wings of sacred Rome ! Begone I F. Cou' My Lord, I ara your friend and servant ' 1< RicuELiEiT. f Act IV ali&judge me not ; but aevor yet was Louis So roused against you ; — shall I take this answer ? — It were to be your foe. Rich. All time my foe. If I, a Priest, could east this holy Sorrow Forth from her last asylum ! F. Cour. He is lost. Rick. God help thee, child ! she hears not I Look upon her 1 The storm that rends the oak, uproots the flower. Her father loved me so 1 and in that age When friends are brothers ! She has been to me Soother, nurse, plaything, daughter. Are these tears ? Oh ! shame ! shame I dotage 1 Joseph. Tears are not for eyes That rather need the lightning, which can pierce Through barred gates and triple walls, to smite Crime, when it cowers in secret ! The Despatch 1 Set every spy to work ; the morrow's sun Must see that written treason in your hands, Or rise upon your ruin. Rick. Ay — and close Upon my corpse 1 I am not made to Uve — Friends, glory, France, all reft from me ; my star Like some vain holiday mimicry of fire. Piercing imperial heaven, and falling down Rayless and blacken'd to the dust — a thing For all men's feet to trample I Yes I to-morrow Triumph or death 1 Look up, child 1 Lead us, Joseph. As they are goivg out. Enter Baradas aiid De Beringhen. Bar. My Lord, the King cannot believe yom Emioei^a So far forgets your duty, and his greatness. As to resist his mandate ! Pray you, Madam, Obey the King — ^no cause for fear ! Julie. My father 1 Rich. She shall not stir ? Bar. Yoa are not of her kindred — In orphan — Rick And her country is her mother I > Scene II.] rkhei.iku. 15 Bar. The country is the King ! Rich. Ay, is it so ; n Then wakes the power, which in the c^ge of iron Burst forth to curb the great, and raise the low. Mark where she stands, around her form I draw The awful circle of our solemn church 1 Set but a foot within that holy ground. And on thy head — yea, though, it wore a crown- I launch the curse of Rome I Bar. I dare not brave you ! I do but speak the orders of my King. The church, you rank, power, very word, my Lord, Suffice you for resistance ; — blame yourself, If it should cost you power ! Rich. That my stake, Ah ! Dark gamester I what is thine ? Look at it well 1 — Lose not a trick. By this same hour to-morrow Thou shalt have France, or I thy head 1 Bar. (aside to De.Beringhen.) He cannot Have the Despatch ? De Ber. "No : were it so, your stake were lost already. Joseph, (aside.) Patience is your game : Reflect you have not the Despatch 1 Rich. O I monk ! Le<\Ye patience to the saints — for /am human 1 Divi noli thy. father die for France, poor orphan I And now they say thou hast no father. Fie 1 Art thou not pure and good ? if so, thou art A part of that — the Beautiful, the Sacred — Which in all clunes, men that have hearts adore By the great title of their mother country ! Bar. (aside.) He wanders ! Rich. So cling close unto my breast, Here where thou droop'st — lies France I I am Tery feeble- Of little use it seems to either now Well, well — ^we will go home. Bar. In sooth, my Lord, You do need rest — burthsem of' \\fi' ^Me O'ertask your health \ RicJi. (to Jqsjiph. ) 1%; mtiM^ ^^ I . u RICHLLIEU. fAcT V Bar. (aside.) His mind And lifo are breaking fast ? Rich (overhmring him.) In'everent ribbald I If so, beware the falling ruins I Hark I I tell thee, scorner of these whitening hairs, When this snow meJlher door, — ana whispers Bakadas. RICHELIEU. I Act V, lE:-u; with Offim Capt. The Chevalier De Majiprat waits below. Bar. (aside.) Now the despatch I Enter Julie. Julie. My liege, you sent for me. I come where Grief Should come when guiltless, while the name of King Is holy on the earth ! — Here, at the feet Of Power, I kneel for mercy. Louis. Mercy, Julie, Is an affair of state. The Cardinal should In this be your interpreter. Mie. Alas ! I know not if that mighty spirit now Stoops to the things of earth. Nay, while I speak, Perchance he hears the orphan by the throne Where Kings themselves need pardon ; 0, my liege, Be father to the fatherless ; in you Dwells my last hope ! Enter Bakadas. Bar. (aside.) He has not the despatch ; Smiled while we search'd, and braves mc. — Oh ! Louis, (gently.) What would'st thou ? Julie. A single life. — You reign o'er millions.— y* hat Is one man's life to you ? — and yet to me. 'Tis France — 'tis earth — 'tis everything ! — a life A human life — my husband's. Louis, (aside.) Speak to her, I am not marble, — give her hope— or — Bar. Madam, Yex not your king, whose heart, too soft for justice, Jjeaves to his ministers that solemn charge. [Louis walks, up the stagt Julie. You were his friend. Bar. I wai before I loved thee. Julie. Loved me ! Bar. Hush, Julie : could'st thou misuiterpret My acts, thoughts, motives, nay, my very words, Elere — in this palace ? Scene ll.j RicnELiEn. 89 JvMe. Kow I know I'm mad, Even that memory fail'd me. Bar. I am young, Well-boru and brave as Mauprat : — for thy sake I peril what he has not — fortune — power ; All to great souls most dazzling. I alone Can save thee from thy tyrant, now my puppet 1 Be mine : annul the mockery of this marriage. And, on the day I clasp thee to my breast. Do Mauprat shall be free. Julie. Thou durst not speak Thus in his ear (pointing to Louis ) Thou double traitor 1 • tremble. I will unmask thee. Bar. I will say thou ravest. A nd see this scroll I its letters shall be blood 1 Go to the King, count with me word for word : And while you pray the life — I write the sentence 1 Julie. Stay, stay, (rushing to the king.) You have a k^^d and princely heart, Tho' sometimes it is silent : you were born To power — it has not flushed you into madness, As it doth meaner men. Banish my husband- Dissolve our marriage — cast me to that grave Of human ties, where hearts congeal to ice, In the dark convent's everlasting winter — (Surely eno' for justice — hate — revenge — ) But spare this life, thus lonely, scathed, and bloomless ; And when thou stand'st for judgment on thine own, Tlie deed shall shine beside thee as an angel. Louis, (much affected.) Go, go, to Baradas : and annul thy marriage. And- Julie, (anxiously, and watching his countenance.) Be hia bride 1 Louis. A form, a mere decorum ; Thou know'st I love thee. Julie. thou sea of shame, A. ad not one star. (The King goes up the stage, and passet. through the suite of rooms at the side in evident emotion.) d4 rjcHELi£T7. Act V Bar. Well, thy election, Julie : This hand — his grave I Julie. His gra^ e 1 and I — Bar. Can save him. Swear to be mine. Julie. That were a bitterer death ! Avaunt, thon tempter 1 I did ask his life A boon, and not the barter of dishonour. The heart can break, and scorn you ; wreak your malico ; Adrien and I will leave you this sad earth, And pass together hand in hand to Heaven ! . B(ir. You have decided, (withdraws to the side seem for a moment, and returns.) Listen to me. Lady ; 1 am no base intriguer. I adored thee From the first glance of those inspiring eyes ; With thee entwined ambition, hope, the future. 2 will not lose thee ! I can place thee nearest — Ay, to the throne— nay, on the throne, perchance My star is at its zenith. Look upon me ; Hast thou decided ? Julie. No, no ; you can see How weak I am ; be human. Sir — -one moment. Baradas, (stamping his foot, De Mauprat appenrs at tht side of the stage, guarded,) Behold thy husband ! — Shall he pass to death, And know thou could'st have saved him ? Julie. Adrien, speak ! But say you wish to live! — if not your wife. Your slave, — do with me as you will ? De Maup. Once more ! — Why this is mercy, Count I Oh, think, my Julie, Life, at the best, is short but love immortal I Baradas, (talcing Julie's hand.) Ah, loveliest — . Julie. Go, that touch has made me iron. We have decided — death ! Bar. (to De Mauprat.J J!^ow, say to whom Thon gavest the packet, and thou yet shalt live De Maup. I'll tell thee nothing Bar. Hark, — the rack 1 De Maup. Thy penance SCENK II. J RICHELIEU. Ht For ever, wi'etoh 1 — What rack is like the conscience ? Julie. I shall be with thee soon. Bar. (giving the writ to the Officer.) Hence to the headsm&n. [The doors are thrown open. The Huissier announcea " His Eminence the Cardinal Duke de Richelieu." Enter Richelieu, attended ly Gentlemen, Pages, SfC., pale,, feeble, leaning on Joseph, followed by three Secretaries of State, attended by Sub-secretaries with papers, SfC. Jnlie, (rxhshing to Richelieu.) You live — ^you live — and Adrien shall not die ! Rich Not if an old man's prayers, himself near death, Can aught avail thee, daughter ! Count, you now Hold what I held on earth : — one boon, my Lord, This soldier's life. Bar. The stake — my head ! — you said it I cannot lose one trick. Julie. No ! — No ! — Enter Loui s fro7)i the rooms beyond. Rjich. (to officer.) Stay, Sir, one moment. My good liege, Your worn-out servant, willing, Sire, to spare you Some pain of conscience, would forestall your wishes. I do resign my office. De Maup. You 1 Julie. All's over. Rich. My end draw.; near. These sad ones, Sire, t love them, I do not ask his life ; but suffer justice To halt, until I can dismiss his soul. Charged with an old man's blessing. Jjouis. Surely 1 Bar. Sir*-- Ijouis. Silence — small favour to a dying scivant. Rich. You would consign your armies to the baton Of your most honour'd brother. Sire, so be it I Your minister, the Count de Baradas ; A most sagacious choice ! — Your Secretaries Of State attend me. Sire, to tender up The ledgers of of a realm.— I do beseech you, Suffer these noble gentlemen to learn 86 bichl j.t •. [Aa V, The nature of lie glorious task that awaits them, Here, in my presence. Louis. You say well, my Lord. (To secretaries as he seats himself.) Approach, Sirs. Kich. I — I — faint ! — air — air — [Joseph and a gentleman assist him to a sofa, placed beneath a window. I thank you — Draw near, my children. Bar. He's too weak to question, Nay, scarce to speak ; all's safe. SCENE III.' — Manent Richelieu, Maupeat and Julie, the last kneding beside the Cardinal ; the officer of the guard behind Mauprat. Joseph ')iear Richelieu, watching the KrNG. Louis. Baradas at the hack of the King's chair, anxious and disturbed. Orleans at a greater distance., careless and triumphant. T/ie Secretaries. As each Secre- tary advances in his turn he takes the portfolios from the Sub-secretaries. First Secretary. The affairs of Portugal, Most urgent, Sire ; — One short month since the Duke Braganza was a rebel. Louis. And is still I First Secretary. No, Sire ; he has succeeded ! He is now Crown'd King of Portugal — craves instant succour Against the arms of Spain. Louis. We will not grant it Against his lawful king. Eh, Count ? Bar. No, Sire. First Secretary. But Spain's your deadliest foe ; whatever Can weaken Spam must strengthen France. The Cardinal Would send the succours ; — (solemnly,) — balance, Sire, of Europe 1 Louis. The Cardinal ! — balance ! — ^We'll consider. — Eh, Count ? Bar. Yes, Sire ; fall back. First Secretary. But Bar. Oh 1 fall back, Sir. Jjseph. Humph 1 Second Secretary. The affairs of England, Sire, most UT gent ; Charles Scene II.J kicuelieu. 81 The First has lost a battle that decides One-hal{ his realm — craves monevs, Sire, and succour, Louis. He shall have both. — Eh, Baradas ? B%r. Yes, Sire. (Oh that Despatch ! — my veins are fire I) Rich, (fedik, but with gnat distinctness.) My liege^ Forgive me, Charles's cause is lost I A man. Named Cromwell, risen — a great man ! your succour Would fail — your loans be squander'd 1 Pause—reflect (1 Louis. Reflect. Eh, Baradas? Bar. Reflect, Sire. Jose])h. Humph I Louis, (aside.) I half repent 1 No successor to Richelieu Round me thrones totter I dynasties dissolve 1 The soil he guards alone escapes the earthquake ! Joseph. Our star not yet eclipsed I — you mark the King Oh ! had we the Despatch ! Rich. Ah ! Joseph ! Child- Would I could help thee. Enter Gentleman, whispers Joseph, they exeunt hastily. Bar. (to Secretary.^ Sir, fall back. Second Secretary. But — Bar. Pshaw, Sir I ^ Third Secretary, (mysteriously.) The secret correspa i device, Sire, most urgent — Accounts of spies — deserters — heretics — Assassins — ^poisoners — schemes against yourself ! Louis. Myself! most urgent ! [^Looking on the documenSk, Re-enter Joseph with Francois, whose pourpoint is streaJiXf with Mood. Francois passes behind t/ie Cardinal's attendants^ cmd sheltered by them from the sight of Baradas, SfC, faUi It Richelieu's feet. Francois. 1 my Lord I Rich. Thou art bleeding I Francois. A scratch — I have not fail'd 1 [gives the packa Rich. Hush 1 \looJdng at the contcrUt Third Secretary, (to King.J Sire, the Spaniards Have reinforced their army on the frontiers. The Due de Bouillon 88 RICHELIEU. [AOT T Rich. Hold 1 In tliis departmeni — A paper — here, Sire, — read yourself — then take The Count's advice m't. Enter De Bekinghen hastily, mid draws aside Baradas. fRiCHELiEU, to Secretary, giving an open parchment.) Bar. (bursting from De BeringhenJ What 1 and reft it ! from thee ! Ha!— hold 1 Joseph. Fall back, son it is your turn now ! Bar. Death 1 — the Despatch 1 Louis, (reading.) To Bouillon — and sign'd Orleans I — Baradas too — league with our foes of Spain ! — Lead our Italian armies — what I to Paris ! — Capture the King — my health requires repose ! Make me subscribe my proper abdication 1 Orleans, my brother, Regent I Saints of Heaven 1 These are the men I loved 1 Baradas draws, — at'empU to rush out, — is arrested. Orleans, endeavoring to es- cape more quickly, m^ets Joseph's eye, and stops short Richelieu /aZZs hack. Joseph. See to the Cardmal I Bar. He's dying ! — and I yet shall dupe the King I lauis, (rushing to RicheijeuJ Richelieu I — Lord Ca^ dinal I — 'tis I resign ! — Reign thou ! Joseph. Alas I too late ! — he faints I Louis. Reign, Richelieu I Eichdieu (feebly.) With absolute power ? — Louis. Most absolute ! — Oh, live 1 If not for me — for France I Rich. France ! Louis. Oh 1 this treason 1 The army — Orleans — ^Bouillon — Heavens ! the Spaniard I Where will they be next week ? Rich, (starting up.) There, — at my feet ! (To First and Second Secretary.) Ere the clock strike I— The Envoys have their answer ! (T) Third Secretary, with a ring.) This to De Chavjguy-* he knows the rest— No need of pare} ineht here—be must not halt Scene IIIJ rkhkliett, 89 For sleep — for food — lu my name, — MiNi; — lie will Arrest the Due de Bouillon at the iiead Of his army 1 — Ho ! there, Count de Baradas Thou hast lost the stake ! — Away with him ! (2) [As the Guards opens the folding-doo'>-s, a view of the ante- room beyond, lined with Courtiers Baradas passes ihr^f the lifie. Ha 1 — ha 1 — [Snatching De Mauprat's death warrant from the Officer See here, De Mauprat's death-writ, Julie ! — Parchment for battledores I — Embrace your L-isband I At last the old man blesses you I Julie. joy ! You are saved, you live— I hold you in these arai. De Maup. Never to part— Julie. No — never. Adrien — ^never 1 Louis, (peevishly). One moment makes a startling cure, Lord Cardinal. (3) Rich. Ay, Sire, for in one moment there did pass Into this wither'd frame the might of France I — My own dear France — I have thee yet — I have saved thee I I clasp thee still 1 — it was thy voice that call'd me Back from the tomb I What mistress like our country ? Louis. For Mauprat's pardon I — well ! But Julie,— Richelieu 1 Leave me one thing to love ! Rich. A subject's luxury I Yet, if you must love something. Sire, — love me ? Louis- (smiling in spite of hiTnself.) Fair proxy for a young fresh Demoiselle ! Ridi. Youi heart speaks for my clients : — kneel, my child ren, Aud thank your King — Jidie. Ah, tears like these, my liege, Are dews that mount to Heaven. Louzs, Rise — rise — ^be happy. [RiCHELiKU heekons to De Beringhen. J)e Ber. (faltej»ngly). My lora — you are most happily recover'd. Rich. But you are pale, dear Beringhen : — this air 3uits not your delicate frame — I long have thought so 90 ' RICHELIEU. 1 A or V Sleep not another uight iu Paris : — Go, — Or else your precious life may be in danger. Leave France, dear Beringhen 1 De Ber. I shall have time, More than I ask'd for, to discuss the patd. {^Ezit. Rich, (to Orleans, j For you, repentance — aleence, anfll confession I (To Francois.) Never s&j fail again. Brave Boy I (7h Joseph; He'll be— A Bishop first. Joseph. Ah, Cardinal — Rich. Ah, Joseph, (To Louis, as De Mauprat and Julie converse ajfcri ) See, my liege — see thro' plots and counterplots — Thro' gain and loss — thro' glory and disgrace — Along the plains, where passionate Discord rears Eternal Babel — still the holy stream Of human happiness glides on 1 Louis. And must we Thank for that also — our prime minister ? Rich. No — ^let us own it : — there is One abov« Sways the harmonious mystery of the world Ev'n better than prime ministers. Alasl Our glories float between the earth and heaven Like clouds that seem pavilions of the sun, And are the playthings of the casual wind ; Still, like the cloud which drops on unseen crags The dews the wild flower feeds on, our ambition May from its airy height drop gladness down On unsuspected virtue ; and the flower May bless the clould when it hath pass' i am&j, (-i) EHS. NOTi:S TO RICHKI.:Hir. NOTES TO ACT {. (1) Olivares, Minister of Spain. (2) There are many anecdotes of the irony, often so teriible, in wblcll Richelieu indulged. But he had a love for humour in its more hearty and genial shape. He would send for Boisrobert " to make him laugh,"— and grave ministers and magnates waited in the ante-room, while the great Cardinal listened and responded to the sallies of the lively wit. (3) The Abta6 Arnaud tells us that the queen was a little avenged on the Cardinal by the ill-success of the tragic comedy of Mirame — more than suspected to be his own— though presented to the world under the foster name of Desmarets. Its representation (says Pelisson) cost him 300,000 crowns. He was so transported out of himself by the performance, that at one time, he thrust his person half out of his box to show himself to the assembly ; at another time he imposed silence on the audience that they might not lose " des endroits encore plus beaux." He said afterwards to Desmarets ; " Eh bien, les Francais n'auront done jamais de goiit. Ha n'ont pas 6td charm^s de Mirame !" Arnaud says pithily, " On ne pouvoit alo^s avoir d'antre satisfaction des offenses d'un nomme qui ^toit maiti-e de tout, et rcdoutable a tout le monde. " Nevertheless his style in prose, though not devoid of the pedantic affectations of the time, often rises into very noble eloquence. (4) " Vialart remarque nnc chose qui pent expliquer la conduite de Ei- chelieu en d'autres circonstances ;— c'est que les seigneurs k qui leur nais* sance ou leur mtSrite pouvoit pei'mettre des pr(5tensieus, il avoit pour sys- tfeme, de leur accorder au-dela meme de leurs di-oits et de leurs esperancea, mais, aussi, une fois combles — si, au lieu de reconnoitre ses services ils se levoient contre lui, il les traitoit sans mis^ricorde." — Anquctil. See also the Political Testament, and the Memoires de Cardinal Kichelieu, in Peti- tot's collection. (5) " Tantot fonatique— tontot fourbe— fonder les religienses de Calvairo —faire des vers." Thus spsaks Voltaire of Eatlier Joseph. His talents and influence with Richelieu, grossly exaggerated in his own day, are now rightfully estimated. C'etoit en effet un homme indefatigable — portant dans les entreprisea I'activite, la souplesse, I'opiniatrete propres k les faire reussir." — Anquctil He wi'ote a Latin poem called " La Turciade," in which he sought to ex- cite the kingdoms of Christendom against the Turks. But the iuspiratic'il 3f Tyi'taeus was denied to Father Joseph. NOTES TO ACT H. (1) Ricl-slieu not only employed the lowest, but would often consult men commonly esteemed the dullest. " II disoit que dans des choses de trei grande importance, il avait experiments, que les moins sages doraoient eourent les meillieurs exnSdieus." — Ae CUrc. 92 RICHSLIED (2) Both Eict elivju and Joseph were originahy inte aded for tie profea rion of arms. Joseph had served before he obeyed the spiritual iaspir* tion to become a Capuchin. The death of his brother opened to Richoliea the Bishopric of Lucon ; but his military propensities were as strong aa bis priestly ambition. I need scarcely add that the Cardina', dming his brilliant campaign in Italy, marched at the head of his troops in complete amiour. It was under his administration that occurs the last example of pro- claiming war by the chivaMc defiance of herald and cartel. Eichelieu valued himself much on his personal activity, — for his vanity was as uni- versal as his ambition. A nobleman at the house of Grammont one day found him jmployed in jumping, and, with all the savoir vivre of a French- ~ man aftd a courtier, ofiered to jump against him. He suffered the Cardinal to jump higher, and soon after found himself rewarded by an appoint- ment. Yet, strangely enough, this vanity did not lead to a patronage in- jurious to the state ; for never before in France was ability made so es- sential a requisite in promotion. He was lucky in finding the cleverest fellows among his adroitest flatterers. (3) Voltaire openly charges Richelieu with being the lover of Marion de Lorme, whom the great poet of France, Victor Hugo, has sacrificed His- tory to adorn with qualities which were certainly not added to her personal channs. — She was rfot less perfidious than beautiful. — Le Clerc, properly, refutes the accusation of Voltaire, against the discretion of Richelieu ; and says, very justly, that if the great mhuster had the frailties of human nature, he learnt how to veil them,— at least when he obtained the scarlet. In earlier life he had been prone to gallantries which a little prepossessed the King (who was formal and decorous, and threw a singular coldness into the few attachments he permitted to himself) against the aspiring in- triguer. But these gayer occupations died away in the engagement of higher pursuits or of darker passions. (4) Richelieu did in fact so thoroughly associate himself with the State, that, in cases where the extreme penalty of the law had been incurred, Le Clerc justly observes that he was more inexorable to thosie he had favoured —even to his own connections— than to other and more indifferent oflfend- ers. It must be remembered as some excuse for his unrelenting sternness, that, before his time, the great had been accustomed to commit any dis- order with impunity — even the crime of treason, " auparavant on ne fais- oit poser les armes aux rebelles qu'en leur accordant quelque recompense." On entering into the administration, he therefore laid it down as a maxim neoessary to the existence of the State, that " n» crime should be com- mitted with impunity." To carry out this maxim, the long established li- cense to crime made even justice seem cruel. But the victims most com- miserated from their birth or accomplishments, as Montmorenci, or Cinq Mars were traitors in actual conspiracy against their country, and would have forfeited life in any land where the punishment of death existed, and the lawgiver was strong enough to vindicate the law. Richelieu was in fact a patriot nnsoftened by philantrophy. As in Venice (where the favom-ite aphorism was, Venice first, Christianity next,) so, with Richelieu the primary consideration was, " what will be the best for the Country ?" He had no abstract principle, whether as a politician or a priest, when applied to the world that lay beyond the boundaries of France. Thus he, whose object was to found in France a splendid and imperious despotism— assisted the Parliamentary party in England, and signed a treaty of al- liance and subsides with the Catalan rebels for the establishment of a Bepublic in Barcelona ; — ^to convulse other Moaarchies was to consolidata (he growing Monarchy of France. So he, who completely cmshed th^ Protestant party at home, braved all the wrath of the Vatican, and even RICHELIKU. WO the resentment of the Kit g, in giving tlie most essEn'viAl aid to the Pro. teatants abroad. There was, indeed, a largeness of view in his hostility to the French Huguenots, which must be carefully distinguished from the intolerance of the mere priest. He opposed them, not as a Catholic, hut as u Statesman. The Huguenots were strong republicans, and had formed plans for dividing France into provincial commonwealths ; and the exist- ence of Rochelle was absolutely incompatible with the integrity of the French Monarchy. It was a second capital held by the Huguenots, claim- ing independent authority, and the right to treat with Foreign Po\Yer3i Eichelieu's final conquest was marked by a humanity, that had nothing cf the bigot. The Huguenots obtained a complete amnesty, and had only ts regret the loss of privileges and fortifications which could not have existoi with any security to the rest of France. (5) The guard attached to Eichelieu's person was, in the first instance, fifty arquebussiers, afterwards increased to two companies of cavalry and two hundred musqueteers. Huguet is, therefore, to be considered merely as the lieutenant of a small detachment of this little aimy. In jjoint of fact the subdivisions of the guard took it in turns to serve. (6) This tract, on the " Unity of the Minister," contains all the doc- trines, and many more to the same effect, referred to in the text, and had a prodigious influence on the conscience of the poor king. At the onset of nis career, Eichelieu, as deputy of the clergy of Poitou, complained in hia harangue to the king that ecclesiastics were too rarely summoned to the royal councils, and invoked the example of the Druids ! (7) Joseph's ambition was not, however, so moderate ; he refused a bishopric, and desired the Cardinal's Hat, for which favour Eicheliea openly supplicated the Holy See, but contrived, somehow or other, never to efliect it, although two ambassadors applied for it at Rome. (8) The peculiar religion of Fere Joseph may be illustrated by the fol- lowing anecdote : — An oflicer, whom he had dismissed upon an expedition into Gennany, moved by conscience at the orders he' had received, returned for farther explanations, and found the Capuchin disant sa masse. He ap- proached and whispered " But, my father, if these people defend theoft- pelves — " " Kill all," (Qu'oq tue tout,) answered the good father, conU ing his devotion. NOTES TO ACT III. (1) 1 need not say that the great length of this soliloqi y adapts it onW for the closet, and that but few of the lines are preserved on the stage. 1^ the reader however, the passages omitted in represe tation will not, cer- haps, be the most uninteresting in the play, and may be deemed necessary to the completion of the Cardinal's portrait, — action on the stage supplfinf? go subtly the place of words in the closet. The self-assured sophisrhf^ irhich, m the text, mingle with Eichelieu's better-fou ded arguments in apologv for the darker traits (,f his character, are to be found scattered urunguout the writings ascribed te him. The reader wiU observe that is 84 RlCnELISTT. this self-confession lies the jatent poetical justice,— which sepiiratts • ti^ piness from success. [2] It is well linown that Tvhen, on Ms death-bed, Richelieu was a-iked f he forgave his enemies, he replied, " I never had any, but those or the itate." And this was true enough, for Eichelieu and the state ^er« me. [3] Eichelieu's vindication of himself from cruelty will be found ia various parts of Petitot's Collection, vols. xxi. xsx. [4] Voltaire has a striking passage on the singular fate of Richelieu, recalled every hour from his gigantic schemes to frustrate some miserable cabal of the ante-room. Richelieu would often excl:±a, that " Six pieda de terre [as he called the king's cabinet] lui donnaient plus de peine qTia tout le reste de I'Europe." The death of Wallenstein, sacrificed by the Emperor Ferdinand, produced a most lively impression upon Richelieu. He found many traits of comparison between Ferdinand and Louis — Wal- lenstein and himself. In the Memoirs— now regarded by the best authori- ties as written by his sanction, and in great part by himself — the great Frenchman bursts [when alluding to Wallenstein's mui-der j into a touch- ing and pathetic anathema on the misere de cette vie of deper.dence on jea- .ous and timid royalty, which he himself, while he wrote, sustained. It ia .vorthy of remark, that it was precisely at the period of Wallenstein'a death that Richelieu obtained from the king an augmentation of bis guard. [51 Richelieu was commonly supposed, though I cannot say I find much evidence for it, to have been too presuming in an interview with Anne of Austria [the Queen,] and to have bitterly resented the contempt she ex- pressed for him. The Duke of Buckingham's frantic and Quixotic passion tor the Queen is well known. [6] The fear and the hatred which Richelieu generally inspired were not shared by his dependants and those about his person, who are said " to Dave adored him." — Ses domestiques le regardaient comme le meilleur dea mailres.— Le Clerc. In fact although iletaic orgucilleux ct cokre, — he was en nmne lemps, affable et 2'lein de douceur dans Vabord ; and he was no less giHierous to those who served than severe to those who opposed him. [7] lu comT^jon with his contemporaries, Richelieu was crediuivs "n v fcrology's less lawful arts. He was too fortunate a man not to bo I'^^'sS^- fcioua.' NOTES TO ACT 1?. [IJ Omitted in representation from line 13 to 6G. [2] Louis XIII. is said to have possessed some natural talents, and ia eai'Iier youth to have exhibited the germs of nobler qualities ; but a lilight seems to have passed over his maturer life. Personally brave, 'lut ran ally timid, — always governed, whether by his mother or his minis- ler, arxi always repining at the yoke. The only affection amounting to a [lassica that he betrayed was for the sports of the field ; yet it was his i;ra\iug wealvjiess, and this throws a kind of false interest over his char- actey, to wish to be loved. He himself loved no one. He suffered the only worn in who seems to have been attached to him to wither in a convent-- he g ,iv€ up favo-irite after favourite to exile or the block. When Richeliea iiu\ b said, coldlv, " Voilk an grand politique mort !" and wheo the iU- 1-Bre3(; RICHKUEU. 9C fel. 4 but uupviacipleil Cinq Mars, whom he called le cher ami, was lh> hew ftd. lie drew out his watch at the fatal hour, and said with a smile, '• i thi: k at this mument that le cher ami fait une vilainc mine." Ntverthe- less his conscience at times [for he was devout and superstitious] made Mm gentle ; and hi'; pride and his honour would often, when least expect- ed, rouse him into haughty but brief resistance to the despotism under which he hved. [;.•• 1 Louis had some musical taste and accomplishment, wherewith ho often communicated to his favourites some of that wearisome ennui under trhich he himself almost unceasingly languished. [4] One of Louis's most bitter complaints against Richelieu was thp continued banishment of the Queen Mother. It is impossible, however, noi to be convinced that the return of that worthless intriguante was whollv Incompatible with the tranquility of the kingdom. Yet, on the other hand, the poverty and privation which she endured in exile are discreditable to the generosity and the gratitude of Eichelieu — she was his first patron, -though afterwards his most powerful persecutor. [5] In his Memoirs Richelieu gives an amusing account of the insolence and arts of Baradas, and observes with indignant astonishment, that the 'avourite was never weai-y of repeating to the King that he [Baradas] would have made just as great a minister as Richelieu. It is on the at- tachment of Baradas to La Cressias, a maid of honour to the Queen Mothci of whom, according to Baradas, the King was enamoured also, that hia love for the Julie de Mortemar of the play has been founded. The secret of Baradas's sudden and extraordinary influence with the King seems to rest in the personal adoration which he professed for Louis, with whom ha affected all the jealousy of a lover, but whom he flattered with the ardeat chivalry of a knight. Even after his disgrace he placed upcn his banne*', " Fiat voluntas tua." [6] Louis was called The Just, but for no other reason than that he was born under the Libra. [7] Louis XIII, did not resemble either his father or his son in the ar lour of his attachments ; if not wholly platonic, they were whoEy unim passioned ; yet no man was more jealous, or more unscrupulously tyranni- cal when the jealousy was aroused. [8] One of Richelieu's severest and least politic laws was that whieb made duelling a capital crime. Never was the punishment against the offence more relentlessly enforced ; and never were duels so desperate and so numerous. The punishment of death must be evidently ineffectual so long as to refuse a duel is to be dishonoured, and so long as men hold the doctrine, however wrong, that it is better to part with the life that Heaven gave than the honour man makes. In fact, the greater the danger lie in- cm-red, the greater was the punctilio of the cavalier of the time in brar- Ingit. [9] For the haughty and rebuking tone which Richelieu assumed in his postulations with the King, see his Memoirs [passim] in [Petitot's coUee- tion, vols. 22 — 30 [6w.] Montesquieu, in one of bis brilliant antitheses says well of Richelieu, II avila leroi, mais il illustrata le r^giae." [10] However " orgueiUeux and colere" in his disputes with Louis, the Cardinal did not always disdain recourse to the arts of the courtier ; — onc« after an angry discussion with the king, in which, as usual, Richelieu gel ihe better, Louis, as they quilted the palace together, said rudely, " Soi'te?, le premier ; vous etes bien le roi da France." " Si je passe le premier/' replied the minister, after a moment's hesitation, and with great adroitaesa " ce ne peut etre que comme le plus huotble de^ vos serviteurs ;" and b« took a flambeau from one rf fee pages, to light the king as he walbad b» "ore him — " en reculant et Han!j~toapn«»l« do«." 96 SIOHKIIB*: [11] SeloD Pusage ae Lovls XIII., faire aireter quelqann jiour ctttm i'etat, et le faire mourir, l'<5iait, a peu pres le meme chose Ln Clerc. [12] Like Cromwell and Rienzi, Richelieu appears to have been easilj moved to tears. The Queen Mother, who put the hardest intei-pretation on that humane weakness, which is natural with very excitable temperamenta eaid that " II pleurait quand il voulait." I may add to those who may be inclined to imagine that Richelieu appears in parts of this scene too de- jected for consistency wi h so imperious a character, that it is recorded of Dim that " quand ses affaires ne eruississoient pas, il se trouvoit abattu el pouvant6, ct quand il obtenoit ce qu'il souhaitoit, 11 etoit fier et insultant.' NOTES TO ACT V. JI] See in " Cinq Mars," vol. v. the striking and brilliant chapter fi-mt. which the interlude of the Secretaries is bon-owed. [2] The passion of the drama requires this catastrophe for Baradas. He however, survived his disgrace, though stripped of all his rapidly-acquired fortunes — and the daring that belonged to his character won him distinc- tion in foreign service. He returned to France after Richelieu's death, but never regained the same court influence. He had taken the vows of a knight of Malta, and Louis made him a Prior. [3] The sudden resuscitation of RicheUeu [not to strain too much on the real passion which supports him in this scene] is in conformance with the more dissimulating part of his character. The extraordinary mobility of his countenance [latterly so deathlike, save when the mind spoke in the features] always lent itself to stage eflect of this nature. The queen mother said of him, that she had seen him one moment so feeble, cast down, and " semi-mort," that he seemed on the point of giving up the ghost— and the next moment he would start up full of animKtioa, energjf and life. (4J The image and the sentiment in the concluding lines are bonrowaf from a sassfij^e ia one of the writings attributed to the CardioaU SKND FOU A IVKIV DESCRIPTIA^K CATAt.<»GU {Catalogue continued from second page of cover.) VOL. XLII. 329 Ticket or Leave Man 330 Fool's Revenge 331 O'Neil the Groat 332 Handy Andy 333 Pirate of the Isle 334 Fancbon 335 Little Barefoot SS6 WUd Irish Girl VOL. XLI. The Pirates Legacy The Cbarcoal Burner Igitba urV alien te Forest Rose Dnke s Daughter Camilla's Husband Pnra Gold a«. •E GREAT SECB.ET OF SHADOW^ AN XOMIMES ; or, Harlequin in the Shades, get them up and how to act them. With 1 concise instructior's, and numerous IlluB- itlona. By ToNV Denier. Price 2u HLOB TABLEAUX : or, Animated PIo- «C8, fi^r the use of Families, Schools, and Public thibitloQS. By ToNV Denier. Price 35 CATEUR'S aXJIDE TO HOME THE- .TBICAIjS. How to get them up. and how to tin them; to which is added, "How to get np leatrioals in a Country House," wiih By-Laws, ;ected Scenes, Plays, and everything useful for information of amateur sooieties. Price 25 E GUIDE TO THE STAGE, by Leman 10MA3RKDE. Containing clear and full direc- ms t bert Make-Alrg >x and Cox Bzcjipa sited States Mall le C oopers Id Dad 8 Cabin ie Rival Lovers " le Sham Doctor «y Millers ns and his Dinah le Quack Doctor Mystic Spell le Black Statue icle Jeff M ischievoGS Nigger Black Shoemaker 8 Tom tnd Jerry, and 'Who's betn Here 9 NoTator, or Man Pish 10 Who Stole the Chickens NO. 13 Ten Days in the Tombs 14 Two Pompeys 15 Running the Blotikade 16 Jeemes the Poet 17 Intelligence Office IS Echo Band NO. 19 Deserters 20 Deaf as a Post 21 Dead Alive 22 Cousin Joe's Visit 23 Boarding School 24 Academy of Stars NO. 17 The Magic Penny 13 The Wreck | ny Cnpids 19 OhHushI or The Virgin- 20 The Portrait Painter 21 The Hop of Fashion 22 Bone Squash 23 The Virginia Mummy 2i Thieves at the Mill 2f Comedy of Errors 21 LesMiserables 2r New Year's Calls 2£ Troublesome Servant 2? Great Arrival 30 Rooms to Let 31 Black Crook Burlesque 32 Ticket Taker 33 Hypochondriac 34 William Tell 35 Rose Dale 36 Feast 87 Fenian Spy 38 Jack's the Lad 89 Othello 40 Camille 41 Nobody's Son 42 Sports on a Lark 43 Actor aid Singer 44 Shylock 45 Quarrel8,>me Servants 46 Haunted Konse 47 No Cure, No Pay Tony Denier's Parlor Pantomimes.— In Ten Parts, 25 Ct«. each. S.~A Memoir ot the AHjthor. By Sylvester ieker, Esq. How to Express the Various hsioxs. ACTIONS, etc. The Four LovEHS; or, Rivales' Kendezvous. The FliiSKY COBBLER; Ibe Rival Artisans. II.— The Rise and Prooruss or Pant3Mime. E'ScHooiMASTEn ; or the School in an Uproar. tu: OF Madrid; or, a Muleteer's Bride. La aTUE Blanche ; rr. The Lovers' Stratagem. HI.— M. Dechalumeao ; or, The Birthday X. The Demon Lover ; or. The Frightened nlly. Robert Macairk ; or, LesDeuxFugitifs. ly.— Jocko the Brazilian Ape; or, The lehieroua Monkey. The Conscript ; or. How to m the Draft. Thk Magic Flute ; or. The Ma- in's Spell. No. v.— The Vivandiehe ; or. The Daughter of tho Regiment. Dame Trot and her Comical Cat; or. The Misfortunes of .loh-my Oreenft. No. 'VT.— OODENSKI ; or, The Skaters of Wilnau. The Enchantkd Horn ; or, rhe vvuc'nes' Gift. No. VII.— The Soldier for Love ; or, A Hero In Spite of Himself. Simeon's Mishaps; or, The Hungarian Rendezvous. No. VIII.— The Village Ghost; or, Love and Murder both Found Out The Fairies' Frolic; or. The Good Wife a Three Wishes. No. IX.— The Rose of Sharon ; or, The Unlncky Fisherman. PoNGO, THE Intelligent Ape, and the Unfortunate Overseer. No. X.— Mens. TOUPET the Dancing Barber ; or, Love aad Lather. Vol au Vent and thb 1III.LSRS ; or, A Night's Adventures Samuel French, PubUsher, above sent toy Mail or Express, on receipt of price. 122 Nassan Street (UP STAia8> «^ above s« New and ExpticiT Descbiptive Catalogue Mailed Fret on Reoumt. HOME PLAYS FOR LADIES (Female Characters only) , compSete In three parts — each, 40 AN EVENING'S ENTERTAINMENT, an original Comedy, a Burlesque and Faroe.... ..40 48 Fighting for the Union 49 Hamlet the Dainty 50 Corsiean Twins 51 Deaf -in a Horn 52 Challenge Dance 53 De Trouble begins atMne 54 Scenes at Gurney'a 55 16,000 Years Ago 56 Stageatrnek Darkey .57 Black Mail | Clothes .W Highest Price for 0!d 59 How la from the Owl Train 60 Old Hunks 61 The Three Black Smiths 62 Turkeys in Season ■jSew Plays. —Playing with Fire— Flies in th« Web— Qlln Gath— Uoea He iMfe Me ! <^%? X, FRENCH'S MINOR DRAMA Price 16 Cents each.— Botmd "Volumes $1. 26. VOL. I. 1 TTie Irish Attorney ? H ots at the Sswan 5 Bow to pay the Eent 4 The* Loan of a Lorer 6 Tht Dead Shot € H*l9 Last Legs 7 The InTfsible Prince 8 The Goldea Farmer vol,. IT. 9 Pride of the Market 10 Fsed Up 11 The Irish Tutor li The Barrack Room 13 Luke the Laborer 1* Beauty aod the Bea»t 15 St. Patricks Eve 1« Otptaic of the Watch VOL. m, ^ ITTheSeoret (pors 18 White Horse of the Pep- 19 The Jacobite iiO The Bottle 21 Box an I Cox "3 Bamboozlin; JS Widow's Viotlta 2i Uobert M&caire VOL, IV. 25 Secret .Serrica it Omnibui 27 Irish Lion 28 Maid of Crolfw/ 29 The Old Guard SO Ealslng the Wind It slasher and Crasher S2 Naral Bngagemeat* V0'~,. V. 83 Oooknlea lu Califoml* 34 Who Speaks First S.J Bomyaates Pnrioso 36 Macbeth Trareatie 37 Irish Ambassador 38 Delicate Ground 89 The Weathercock [Gold 40101 that Glitters U Not VOL. vr 41 Orimshaw, Bagahaw and Bradshitw 42 Bough Dianiftnd 4S Bloomer Costume 44 Two BuBDyoastlen 45 Bom to Good Luck 46 Kiss In thd Dark (Jurer 47 'Twould Puzzl'' >i Oon- tS Kin or Care vo:,. vn. 49 Box and Cox Married and 50 St. Cupid ISettled 61 (3o-to-bed Tom 52 Tlie Lawyers 63 Jack Sheppard 54 The Toodles 65 The Mobcap 66 Ladi&s Beware VOL. VIII. 57 Moruit.g Call 55 Pop plug the Qut;«tJ< 59 Dear as a Pott eOINew Foulman 61 Pleauaot ?,'e:ghbor «2 Paddy the Piper 63 Brian O' Linu 64 Irish , VOL. X. I VOL. IIX. 71 Ireland and Amerlcit |145 Columbus 74 Pretty Piecs of BusineBs!? 46 Harlequin Bluebeard 75 Irish Broom-tr.aker 147 Ladies at Home 76 To Paris ani Back for Five Pounds 77 That Blessed Baby 78 Our Gal 79 Swiss Cottage SO Young Widow VOL. II. 81 O'Flannigaa and the Pa- 82 Irish Post [ ' 83 My Neighbor's Wife 84 Irish Tiger 85P.P.,orM 86 To Oblige Be^ 87 Stat* Secrets 88 Irish Yankee VOL. XII. 89 A Good Fellow 90 Cherry and Fair Star 91 Gale Breezely VOL. IX. 65 Temptation 66 Paddy Carey 67 Tw» Gregories 68 King Charming 69 Po-ca-hon-taa 70Clockmaker'aHat TI Married Rake T2 Love and Murder VOL. XXXVIl. MS Alllbe World .. Singe »<) Quaab, or Nlgcer Prtictloa 191 TuroBim Out aSl PreltJ Oirliof Stimurf t93 AD|elor tbs Allic t94 Circiiiii»Hn«!» miter Com ns K>liy O'Sbeil as A Supper In Dixie 94 Awkward Arrival 9j Crossing the Line 96 0ouiugaI Lesson VOL. XITI. 97 My Wife's Mirror S3 Life in New York 99 Middy Ashore 100 Crown Prince 101 Two Queens lO'i.Thumping Legacy lOS'Unflnishsd Gentlemma so Dug VOL. IIV. 105 The Dsmoa Lover 10b Matrimony 107 In and Out of Place lOR I Dina with My Mother ' wa-tha 110 Andy Blake "11 Love in •7S [tiei 112 Bomauce under DUScul VOL. XV. lis One Coat for 2 Suits 114 ADecuIedCase llSDaugfer [nority 116 No; or, theClorlPus.-' 117 Coroner's !nqui:.'i iv'U US Lovolr. Humble Life US faniiiy Jars 120 Personation VOL. XVI. 121 Childreu in the Wood 122 Winning a Husband 123 Day afler the Fait 124 Make Your V ilia 125 Keude/v-oua 126 My Wife 8 Husband 127 inonsieur Tonsoc 128 Illustrioua Stranger VOL. XVII 129 MIsohief-Making [Mines i30 A. Live Woman In tbe 131 The Corsair 132 Shylock 133 Spoiled Child 134 Evil Eye 135 Nothing to Nurse 136 Wanted a Widow VOL. XVIIL 137 LotteiT Ticket 1S8 Fortune' s FroUo ISO Is he Jealous t 140 Marrie<5 jiachelor 141 Husi^aud at Sight 141 irishman in London 143 Animal Magnetism 144 Highways and By-'W»j1 VOL. 3XXV1II. 148 Phenomenon in a Smock Frock 149 Comedy and Tragedy 150 Opposite Neighbors 151 Dutchman's Ghost 152 Persecuted Dutchman VOL. XX. 153 Mnsard Bs.ll 154 Great Tragic Revival 155 High Low Jack ^ Game 156 A Gentleman from Ire- 1 57 Tom and Jerry ( land 158 Village Lawyer 159 Captain's not A- miss 160 Amateurs and Actors VOL. XXI. 161 Promotion ['"»• 162 A FascinaOng Indivia- 163 Mrs. Caudle 161 Shekspeare's Dream 165 Kcp June's Defeat 166 Lady i.f Bedchamber 167 Take Care of Littlj 168 1 rish Widow ( C harlej • VOL. XXII. 169 Yankee Peddlar 170 Hiram Hireont 171 Double- Bedded Room 172 The Drama Defended VOL. XXVIIl 217 Crinoline 218 A Family Faillr 2l9Adopte.) rvn.- 220 Turned ;!- 221 .1 Mate b 222 Advice t 223 Siamest 2'24Sent to i VO^ 225Somebol 226 Ladieu' i 2z7 Art of .'...., . '228 The Lady 0' ill. 2'.!9The Richts of M; 30 My Husband a G 31 Two Can Play 232 Fighting by Proi VOL. .\'.XX. 233 irnprotected Fcit 234PetoftheP'!tticc •iSa Fjrty and Fiftj 286 Who Stole the'] 23r My Son Diana 238 Unwarrantable i "Mr. and Mrs. Wl 240 A Quiet Family VOL. XXXI. 241 Cool as Cncimb'i 242 Sudden Thoughts 243 Jumbo Jum 244 A Blighted Seiu J 249 Dr. Dilwovth 260 Out to Nurse 251 A Lucky Hit 252 Tbe Dowager 173 Vermont Wool Dealer 245 Little Toddlekii 174 Ebeneier Venture 1 ter 246 A Lover by Proii 175 Principles from Charac- '247 Mold with the 1 176 Lady of the Laka (Trav) |248 Perplering Prod' XXIII _ VOL. XXXII. 177 Mad Dofs 178 Barney the Baroa 179 Swiss Swains ISO Bachelor's Bedroom Roland for an Oliver 182 ilore Blunder* than One 183 Dumb Belle 184 Llnierlck Boy VOL. XXIV. 18.^ ;-'.'.lure and Philosophy 186 Teddy the Tiler 187 Spectre Brldgroom 188 Macteo Faloona ' Jeniiy Llnd 190 Two Buzzard* 191 Happy Man 1S,>. Bousy Baker VOL. XXV. 93!io. 1 Roand the Comer 94 Teddy Roe 195 Obj( ot of Interest 196 My Fellow Clerk 197 Bengal Tiger 198 Laughing Hvena 199 The Victor Vanquished 290 Our Wife VOL. XXVI. 201 My Hupband's Mirror '202 Yankee .[/and. 203 Norah Creina ?04 Good for Nothing ."■OoThe F.fstNi^ht ';,'6The Ki.n Boy 207 "U'andering Minstrel .„ „. „ 208 Wanted, iOOO MiUiuers 2 19 That N VOL.X.XVII. 2«>^°»„ 209 Poor Pilcoddy ^ _7'--^ 210 The Mummy i Glasses; 281 fcuf 211 Don't Korgetjour Opera inL- 21S Anthony i 214 Trying It >m. j"^ 215 Stage Struck Yankee MB r^- 216 Young Wife& Old Cm- U87 Qr.e '0°;;^ < brell* )288 Two B' hoys 253 Metamora I Burle 254 Dreams of Delusi 255 Tbe Shaker Love 256 Ticklish Times VOL. xxxin 25T 20 Minutes withs, 258 Miralda: or, the of Taoon 259 A Soldier's Cour 262 Alarming SacrlE 263 Valet do Shim 2e4iN'icholB3Nicklel< VOL. XX'XIV ■^65 The Last or the I 266 King Uene'd Dal 367 The OroltoNyni 268 Jt.Dcvilis'lGood 269 A T« ice 'icld Ts 270 Pas de Fa-iclnatl ■271 Bevolutionary S 272 A Man Without B VOL. XXXV 273 The Olio, Pa.' i 274 The Olio : •275 The on ' 276TheTru 277 Seeini; V, V OL. XXX 311 An Irishman's 314 Cousin Fannit 31.') 'Tisthe Darkest <|ii 51 ■.•nucrodi fl'> 317('row,;i:iL'theS. send yout^^aiembleTink. SAMUEL FRENCH i SON, IJI Nassau SiauKX, Nsw Yoes.