Of your most honour'd brother. Sire, so be it! A most sagacious choice! Your secretaries The nature of the glorious task that waits them, LOUIS. You say well, my lord. (To secretaries, as he seats himself.) Approach, sirs. RICHELIEU. I-I-faint! air-air (Joseph and a gentleman assist him to a sofa, placed beneath a window). Manent Richelieu, Mauprat, and Julie, the last kneeling beside the cardinal; the officer of the guard behind Mau prat. Joseph near Richelieu, watching the king. Louis. Baradas at the back of the king's chair, anxious and disturbed. Orleans at a greater distance, careless and triumphant. The secretaries. As each secretary advances in his turn, he takes the portfolios from the sub-secretaries. FIRST SECRETARY. The affairs of Portugal, One short month since the Duke Most urgent, sire. LOUIS. And is still! FIRST SECRETARY. No, sire, he has succeeded! He is now Crown'd King of Portugal; craves instant succour But Spain's your deadliest foe: whatever Can weaken Spain must strengthen France. The cardinal Would send the succours: (solemnly) balance, sire, of Europe! LOUIS. The cardinal! balance! We'll consider. Eh, count? BARADAS. Yes, sire; fall back. FIRST SECRETARY. BARADAS. Oh! fall back, sir. JOSEPH. Humph! SECOND SECRETARY. The affairs of England, sire, most urgent: Charles One half his realm; craves moneys, sire, and succour. LOUIS. He shall have both. Eh, Baradas? BARADAS. Yes, sire. (Oh that despatch! my veins are fire!) RICHELIEU (feebly, but with great distinctness). Forgive me; Charles's cause is lost! LOUIS. My liege, your succour Reflect. Eh, Baradas? BARADAS. Reflect, sire. JOSEPH. Humph! LOUIS (aside). I half repent! No successor to Richelieu ! JOSEPH. Our star not yet eclipsed! you mark the king? RICHELIEU. Would I could help thee! Ah! Joseph! Child, Enter gentleman, whispers Joseph, who exit hastily. BARADAS (to secretary). Sir, fall back. SECOND SECRETARY. BARADAS. But Pshaw, sir! THIRD SECRETARY (mysteriously). The secret correspondence, sire, most urgent: Assassins, poisoners, schemes against yourself! LOUIS. Myself! most urgent! (looking on the documents). * See in "Cinq Mars," vol. v., the striking and brilliant chapter from which the interlude of the secretaries is borrowed. Re-enter Joseph with François, whose pourpoint is streaked with blood. François passes behind the cardinal's attendants, and, sheltered by them from the sight of Baradas, &c., falls at Richelieu's feet. FRANCOIS. Oh! my lord! RICHELIEU. Thou art bleeding! FRANCOIS. A scratch; I have not failed! (gives the packet.) RICHELIEU. Hush! (looking at the contents.) THIRD SECRETARY (to king). Sire, the Spaniards Have re-enforced their army on the frontiers. The Duc de Bouillon RICHELIEU. Hold! In this department, A paper-here, sire, read yourself; then take -Enter De Beringhen hastily, and draws aside Baradas. (Richelieu, to secretary, giving an open parchment.) BARADAS (bursting from De Beringhen). What! and reft it from thee! Ha! hold! JOSEPH. Fall back, son; it is your turn now! BARADAS. Death! the despatch! LOUIS (reading). To Bouillon, and sign'd Orleans! L Orleans, my brother, regent! Saints of Heaven! (Baradas draws, attempts to rush out, is arrested. Orleans, endeavouring to escape more quickly, meets Joseph's eye, and stops short.) (Richelieu falls back.) JOSEPH. See to the cardinal! BARADAS. He's dying! and I yet shall dupe the king! LOUIS (rushing to Richelieu). Richelieu! lord cardinal! 'tis I resign! Reign thou! The army, Orleans, Bouillon-Heavens! the Spaniard! Where will they be next week? RICHELIEU (starting up). There, at my feet! (To First and Second Secretary.) Ere the clock strike! The envoys have their answer! (To Third Secretary, with a ring.) This to De Chavigny; he knows the rest; No need of parchment here; he must not halt |