RICHELIEU (ringing a small bell on the table). Look that he hide no weapon. Humph, despair If he show violence (let me see thy carbine ; HUGUET. I never miss my mark. [Exit Huguet; Richelieu seats himself at the table, and slowly arranges the papers before him. Enter De Mauprat, preceded by Huguet, who then retires behind the screen. RICHELIEU. Approach, sir. Can you call to mind the hour, One of my most DE MAUPRAT. It is, my lord, RICHELIEU (dryly). Delightful recollections.* DE MAUPRAT (aside). St. Denis! doth he make a jest of axe * There are many anecdotes of the irony, often so terrible, in which 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 anteroom, while the great cardinal listened and responded to the sallies of the lively wit. And headsman? RICHELIEU (sternly). I did then accord you A mercy ill requited-you still live? Oh! miserable delusion of man's pride! Deeds! Deeds! cities sack'd, fields ravaged, hearths profaned, The deeds you boast of! From rank showers of blood, DE MAUPRAT. Your hand the gauntlet cast. If war be sinful, RICHELIEU. It was so, sír. Note the distinction: I weigh'd well the cause DE MAUPRAT. If you would deign to speak Thus to your armies ere they march to battle, That in brackets omitted in representation. Perchance your eminence might have the pain RICHELIEU (aside). He has wit, This Mauprat. (Aloud) Let it pass; there is against you What you can less excuse. Messire de Mauprat,] Doom'd to sure death, how hast thou since consumed The time allotted thee for serious thought And solemn penitence? DE MAUPRAT (embarrassed). The time, my lord? RICHELIEU. Is not the question plain? I'll answer for thee. 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, Noon claimed the duel, and the night the wassail; DE MAUPRAT. I was not always thus; if changed my nature, As one of old who on the mountain-crags * That in brackets omitted in representation. Were you accursed with that which you inflicted, RICHELIEU. I might, like you, DE MAUPRAT (advancing threateningly). Unsay those words! (Huguet deliberately raises the carbine.) Not quite so quick, friend Huguet ; Messire de Mauprat is a patient man, You have outrun your fortune; I blame you not, that you would be a beggar; That, being beggar'd, you would coin false moneys To live On means not yours; be brave in silks and laces, Friend, Men's art and labour, which to them is wealth, Minus one crown, two liards! DE MAUPRAT (aside). The old conjuror! 'Sdeath, he'll inform me next how many cups I drank at dinner! RICHELIEU. This is scandalous, Shaming your birth and blood. I tell you, sir, DE MAUPRAT. With all my heart, My lord. Where shall I borrow, then, the money? A humorous daredevil! The very man Adrien de Mauprat, men have called me cruel; I have recreated France; and, from the ashes Soars, phoenix-like, to Jove! What was my art? Misname it cruelty; you shall confute them! My champion You! You met me as your foe. you. You shall wipe off all stains; be rich, be honour'd, (De Mauprat falls on his knee; Richelieu raises him. I ask, sir, in return, this hand, To gift it with a bride, whose dower shall match, DE MAUPRAT. I, my lord (hesitating), I have no wish to marry. RICHELIEU. Surely, sir, To die were worse. |