RICHELIEU; OR, THE CONSPIRACY. ACT I. First B a p. SCENE I. A room in the house of Marion de Lorme; a table towards the front of the stage (with wine, fruits, &c.), at which are seated Baradas, four courtiers, splendidly dressed in the costume of 1641-2; the Duke of Orleans reclining on a large fauteuil; Marion de Lorme, standing at the back of his chair, offers him a goblet and then retires. At another table, De Beringhen, De Mauprat, playing at dice; other courtiers, of inferior rank to those at the table of the duke, looking on. ORLEANS (drinking). HERE's to our enterprise! BARADAS (glancing at Marion). ORLEANS (aside). Nay, count, You may trust her; she dotes on me; no house Which reigns o'er France; our fatal greatness lives In the sharp glare of one relentless day. But Richelieu's self forgets to fear the sword * Omitted in representation, from "At our statelier homes," line 3, to the end of speech, line 13. The myrtle hides; and Marion's silken robe Than those which haunt the rosy path between So safe as Marion's. BARADAS. Still, we have a secret, And oil and water-woman and a secret Are hostile properties. ORLEANS. Well-Marion, see How the play prospers yonder. (Marion goes to the next table, looks on for a few moments, 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 Form the new council. So much for the core ORLEANS. But Richelieu is an Argus; BARADAS. To gain the prize We must destroy the Argus: ay, my lords, The scroll the core, but blood must fill the veins ORLEANS. So be it; to-morrow, midnight. Come, my lords. [Exeunt Orleans and the courtiers in his train. Those at the other table rise, salute Orleans, and reseat themselves. Double the stakes. * DE BERINGHEN. DE MAUPRAT. Done. DE BERINGHEN. Bravo; faith, it shames me To bleed a purse already in extremis. DE MAUPRAT. Nay, as you've had the patient to yourself (De Mauprat throws and loses.) OMNES. Lost! Ha, ha, poor De Mauprat! DE BERINGHEN. One throw more? DE MAUPRAT. No; I am bankrupt (pushing gold). There goes all except My honour and my sword. (They rise.) DE BERINGHEN. Long cloaks and honour FIRST GAMESTER. Ay, take the sword To Cardinal Richelieu: he gives gold for steel When worn by brave men. DE MAUPRAT. Richelieu ! DE BERINGHEN (to Baradas). At that name He changes colour, bites his nether lip. Ev'n in his brightest moments whisper "Richelieu," And you cloud all his sunshine. BARADAS. I have mark'd it, And I will learn the wherefore. DE MAUPRAT. The Egyptian Dissolved her richest jewel in a draught: Would I could so melt time and all its treasures, DE BERINGHEN. Come, gentlemen, what say ye: A walk on the Parade! OMNES. Ay; come, De Mauprat. DE MAUPRAT. Pardon me; we shall meet again ere nightfall. BARADAS. I'll stay and comfort Mauprat. DE BERINGHEN. Comfort! when We gallant fellows have run out a friend, There's nothing left, except to run him through! DE MAUPRAT. Let me keep That favour in reserve; in all besides Your most obedient servant. [Exeunt De Beringhen, &c. Manent de Mauprat and Baradas. BARADAS. You have lost, Yet are not sad. DE MAUPRAT. Sad! Life and gold have wings, And must fly one day: open, then, their cages, BARADAS. 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 Confide in me! our young days roll'd together That smile i' the heaven of hope; alike we made Me to the rank of courtier, count, and favourite, And bravest knight in France; are you content? DE MAUPRAT. A secret that doth haunt me, as, of old, Men were possess'd of fiends! Ay; Where'er I turn, The grave yawns dark before me! I will trust you; Was captured-sent to the Bastile BARADAS. But shared The general pardon, which the Duke of Orleans Who but obey'd his orders. DE MAUPRAT. 66 Note the phrase, |