Alms to the mendicant friars; in that guise DE MAUPRAT. But the king? but Julie? BARADAS. The king, infirm in health, in mind more feeble, Were Richelieu dead, his power were mine; and Louis DE MAUPRAT. I know not; I scarce hear thee; [Exit De Mauprat through the gardens, BARADAS. Start from the chase, my prey, But as thou speed'st the hell-hounds of revenge Pant in thy track and dog thee down. Enter De Beringhen, his mouth full, a napkin in his hand, DE BERINGHEN. Chevalier, Your cook's a miracle; what, my host gone? Faith, count, my office is a post of danger; BARADAS. You Will be released ere long. The king resolves DE BERINGHEN. Poor Mauprat! Yet, since you love the lady, why so careless Of the king's suit? BARADAS. 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, DE BERINGHEN. Is Louis still so chafed against the fox BARADAS. So chafed, that Richelieu totters. Yes, the king I've found the man we wanted; DE BERINGHEN. He must mean me! No, count, I am, I own, 455 5 BARADAS. Whom can I mean But Mauprat? Mark; to-night we meet at Marion's There shall we sign: thence send this scroll (showing it) to Bouillon. You're in that secret (affectionately), one of our new council. DE BERINGHEN. But to admit the Spaniard-France's foe- BARADAS. Oh, sir, too late to falter: when we meet We must arrange the separate, coarser scheme, (Aside) So, when his head is on the block, his tongue Cannot betray our more august designs! DE BERINGHEN. (Aside) No! I'll meet you, if the king can spare me. BARADAS. Pshaw a man fill'd with a sublime ambition DE BERINGHEN. Pshaw! And a man filled with as sublime a pâté (Enter Julie hastily with first courtier.) A summons, sir, To attend the Louvre? On this day, too? COURTIER. Madame, The royal carriage waits below. Messire (to De Berin ghen), You will return with us. JULIE. What can this mean? Where is my husband? BARADAS. He has left the house Perhaps till nightfall; so he bade me tell you. JULIE (impatiently). Till nightfall? Strange; my heart misgives me ! COURTIER. My orders will not brook delay. JULIE (to Baradas). Madame, You'll see him, And you will tell him! BARADAS. From the flowers of Hybla Never more gladly did the bee bear honey, Than I take sweetness from those rosiest lips, Discuss the pâté after all. 'Ecod, I'm puzzled now. I don't know who's the best of it! [Exeunt Julie, De Beringhen, and courtier. BARADAS. Now will this fire his fever into madness! 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 carve out, who knows, perchance a throne! All in despite of my lord cardinal. Enter De Mauprat from the gardens. DE MAUPRAT. Speak! can it be? Methought that from the terrace Was ever lightning swifter or more blasting, DE MAUPRAT. I'll to the Louvre BARADAS. And lose all hope! The Louvre! the sure gate To the Bastile! DE MAUPRAT. The king BARADAS. Is but the wax, Which Richelieu stamps! Break the malignant seal, Her virtue well could brave a sterner trial DE MAUPRAT. Ghastly Vengeance! To thee and thine august and solemn sister, The unrelenting Death! I dedicate The blood of Armand Richelieu! When dishonour Reaches our hearths, law dies, and murder takes The angel shape of justice! BARADAS. Bravely said! At midnight-Marion's! Nay, I cannot leave thee DE MAUPRAT. Speak not to me! I am yours! But speak not! There's a voice within my soul, Whose cry could drown the thunder. Oh! if men' Will play dark sorcery with the heart of man, Let them who raise the spell, beware the fiend! [Exeunt. SCENE II. A room in the Palais Cardinal (as in the First Act). Richelieu. Joseph. François, writing at a table. JOSEPH. Yes; Huguet, taking his accustom'd round, Disguised as some plain burgher, heard these rufflers Quoting your name: he listen'd: "Pshaw," said one, "We are to seize the cardinal in his palace To-morrow!" "How ?" the other ask'd. "You'll hear The whole design to-night; the Duke of Orleans |