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!" RICHELIEU. I have them, man, I have them! JOSEPH. So they say Of you, my lord; believe me, that their plans Means no less vast to meet them! RICHELIEU. Bah! in policy We foil gigantic danger, not by giants, . But dwarfs. The statues of our stately fortune As old Charles Martel might have wielded when * Richelieu not only employed the lowest, but would often consult men commonly esteemed the dullest. "Il disoit que dans des choses de très grande importance, il avait expérimenté, que les moins sages donnoient souvent les meilleurs expédiens."-Le Clerc. † Both Richelieu and Joseph were originally intended for the profession of arms. Joseph had served before he obeyed the spiritual inspiration to become a Capuchin. The death of his brother opened to Richelieu the bishopric of Luçon; but his military propensities were as strong as his priestly ambition. I need scarcely add that the cardinal, during his brilliant campaign in Italy, marched at the head of his troops in complete armour. It was under his administration that occurs the last example of proclaiming war by the chivalric defiance of herald and cartel. Richelieu valued himself much on his personal activity, for his vanity was as universal as his ambition. A nobleman of the house of Grammont one day found him employed in jumping, and, with all the savoir vivre of a Frenchman and a courtier, offered to jump against him. He suffered the cardinal to jump higher, and soon after found himself rewarded by an appointment. Yet, strangely enough, this vanity did not lead to a patronage injurious to the state; for never before in France was ability made so essential a requisite in promotion. He was lucky in finding the cleverest fellows among his adroitest flatterers. (François brings him one of the long two-handed swords worn in the Middle Ages.) With this I, at Rochelle, did hand to hand engage The stalwart Englisher; no mongrels, boy, Those island mastiffs; mark the notch-a deep one- (Tries to wield, and lets it fall.) You see a child could Slay Richelieu now. FRANCOIS (his hand on his hilt). But now, at your command Are other weapons, my good lord. RICHELIEU (who has seated himself as to write, 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! The loud earth breathless! Take away the sword; (Looking on the clock.) Retire, sir. "Tis the hour; [Exit François (A knock is heard. A door, concealed in the arras, opens cautiously. Enter Marion de Lorme.) JOSEPH (amazed). Marion de Lorme! Keep guard. RICHELIEU. Hist! Joseph, (Joseph retires to the principal entrance.) My faithful Marion! MARION. Good, my lord, They meet to-night in my poor house. The Duke Of Orleans heads them. RICHELIEU. Yes; go on. MARION. His highness Much question'd if I knew some brave, discreet, RICHELIEU. MARION. You? *Made answer, 66 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 RICHELIEU. Aha! Has Bouillon too turn'd traitor! So methought! MARION. The Piedmont frontier, Where Bouillon lies encamp'd. RICHELIEU. Now there is danger! Great danger! If he tamper with the Spaniard, Without sure proof, he will not, France is lost. MARION. Dark hints of some design to seize RICHELIEU. So! Who is the brother You recommended to the duke? MARION. Whoever Your eminence may father! RICHELIEU. Darling Marion !* (Goes to the table, and returns with a large bag of gold.) There-pshaw-a trifle! What an eye you have! And what a smile, child! (kisses her.) Ah! you fair dition, "Tis well I'm old! MARION (aside and seriously). What a great man he is! RICHELIEU. You are sure they meet? the hour? per * Voltaire openly charges Richelieu with being the lover of Marion de Lorme, whom the great poet of France, Victor Hugo, has sacrificed history to adorn with qualities which were certainly not added to her personal charms. She was not 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 minister had the frailties of human nature, he learned 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 intriguer. But these gayer occupations died away in the engagement of higher pursuits or of darker passions. He will be wanted elsewhere. Joseph? zealous, François the man of men! unnoted, young, Enter François. RICHELIEU. Follow this fair lady (Find him the suiting garments, Marion): take FRANCOIS. If I fail RICHELIEU. Fail! fail! In the lexicon of youth, which Fate reserves FRANCOIS. I will not! RICHELIEU (patting his locks). There's my young hero! [Exeunt François-Marion. RICHELIEU. So, they would seize my person in this palace? |