University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The Bastile—a corridor—in the back-ground the door of one of the condemned cells.
Enter Joseph and Gaoler.
GAOLER.
Stay, father, I will call the governor.
[Exit Gaoler.

JOSEPH.
He has it, then—this Huguet;—so we learn
From François;—Humph! Now if I can but gain
One moment's access, all is ours! The Cardinal
Trembles 'tween life and death. His life is power:—
Smite one—slay both! No Æsculapian drugs,
By learned quacks baptised with Latin jargon,
E'er bore the healing which that scrap of parchment
Will medicine to Ambition's flagging heart.
France shall be saved—and Joseph be a bishop!

Enter Governor and Joseph.
GOVERNOR.
Father, you wish to see the prisoners Huguet
And the young knight De Mauprat?

JOSEPH.
So my office,
And the Lord Cardinal's order warrant, son!

GOVERNOR.
Father, it cannot be: Count Baradas
Has summon'd to the Louvre Sieur De Mauprat.

JOSEPH.
Well, well! But Huguet—

GOVERNOR.
Dies at noon.

JOSEPH.
At noon!
No moment to delay the pious rites
Which fit the soul for death—quick, quick—admit me!

GOVERNOR.
You cannot enter, monk! Such are my orders!

JOSEPH.
Orders! vain main!—the Cardinal still is minister.
His orders crush all others!

GOVERNOR
(lifting his hat).
Save his king's!
See, monk, the royal sign and seal affix'd
To the count's mandate. None may have access
To either prisoner, Huguet or De Mauprat,
Not even a priest, without the special passport
Of Count de Baradas. I'll hear no more!

JOSEPH.
Just Heaven! and are we baffled thus!—Despair!
Think on the Cardinal's power—beware his anger.

GOVERNOR.
I'll not be menaced, Priest! Besides, the Cardinal
Is dying and disgraced—all Paris knows it.
You hear the prisoner's knell.

[Bell tolls.
JOSEPH.
I do beseech you—
The Cardinal is not dying—But one moment
And—hist!—five thousand pistoles!—

GOVERNOR.
How! a bribe!
And to a soldier, grey with years of honour!
Begone!—

JOSEPH.
Ten thousand—twenty!—

GOVERNOR.
Gaoler—put
This monk without our walls.

JOSEPH.
By those grey hairs,
Yea, by this badge (touching the cross of St. Louis worn by the Governor)
—
the guerdon of your valour—
By all your toils—hard days and sleepless nights—
Borne in your country's service, noble son—
Let me but see the prisoner!—

GOVERNOR.
No!—

JOSEPH.
He hath
Secrets of state—papers in which—

GOVERNOR
(interrupting).
I know—
Such was his message to Count Baradas,
Doubtless the Count will see to it—

JOSEPH.
The Count!
Then not a hope!—You shall—

GOVERNOR.
Betray my trust!
Never—not one word more—you heard me, gaoler!

JOSEPH.
What can be done?—distraction!—Richelieu yet
Must—what?—I know not—thought, nerve, strength, forsake me.
Dare you refuse the Church her holiest rights?

GOVERNOR.
I refuse nothing—I obey my orders—

JOSEPH.
And sell your country to her parricides!
Oh, tremble yet!—Richelieu—

GOVERNOR.
Begone!

JOSEPH.
Undone!
(Exit Joseph.)

GOVERNOR.
A most audacious shaveling—interdicted
Above all others by the Count—

GAOLER.
I hope, Sir,
I shall not lose my perquisites. The Sieur
De Mauprat will not be reprieved?

GOVERNOR.
Oh, fear not:
The Count's commands by him who came for Mauprat
Are to prepare headsmen and axe by noon;
The Count will give you perquisites enough;
Two deaths in one day!

GAOLER.
Sir, may Heaven reward him!
Oh, by the way, that troublesome young fellow,
Who calls himself the prisoner Huguet's son,
Is here again—implores, weeps, raves, to see him.

GOVERNOR.
Poor youth, I pity him!

Enter De Beringhen, followed by François.
DE BERINGHEN
(to François).
Now, prithee, friend,
Let go my cloak; you really discompose me.

FRANCOIS.
No, they will drive me hence: my father! Oh!
Let me but see him once—but once—one moment!

DE BERINGHEN
(to Governor).
Your servant, Messire,—this poor rascal, Huguet,
Has sent to see the Count de Baradas
Upon state secrets, that afflict his conscience.
The Count can't leave his Majesty an instant:
I am his proxy.

GOVERNOR.
The Count's word is law!
Again, young scapegrace! How com'st thou admitted?

DE BERINGHEN.
Oh! a most filial fellow: Huguet's son!
I found him whimpering in the court below.
I pray his leave to say good bye to father,
Before that very long unpleasant journey
Father's about to take. Let him wait here
Till I return.

FRANCOIS.
No; take me with you.

DE BERINGHEN.
Nay;
After me, friend—the Public first!

GOVERNOR.
The Count's
Commands are strict. No one must visit Huguet
Without his passport.

DE BERINGHEN.
Here it is! Pshaw! nonsense!
I'll be your surety. See, my Cerberus,
He is no Hercules!

GOVERNOR.
Well, you're responsible.
Stand there, friend. If, when you come out, my Lord,
The youth slip in, 'tis your fault.

DE BERINGHEN.
So it is!

[Exit through the door of the cell, followed by the Gaoler.
GOVERNOR.
Be calm, my lad. Don't fret so. I had once
A father too! I'll not be hard upon you,
And so stand close. I must not see you enter:
You understand. Between this innocent youth
And that intriguing monk there is, in truth,
A wide distinction.
Re-enter GAOLER.
Come, we'll go our rounds;
I'll give you just one quarter of an hour;
And if my Lord leave first, make my excuse.
Yet stay, the gallery's long and dark; no sentry
Until he reach the grate below. He'd best
Wait till I come. If he should lose the way,
We may not be in call.

FRANCOIS.
I'll tell him, Sir,—
[Exeunt Governor and Gaoler.
He's a wise son that knoweth his own father.
I've forged a precious one! So far, so well!
Alas, what then? this wretch has sent to Baradas—
Will sell the scroll to ransom life. Oh, Heaven!
On what a thread hangs hope!
[Listens at the door.
Loud words—a cry!
[Looks through the key-hole.
They struggle! Ho!—the packet!!!
[Tries to open the door.
Lost! He has it—
The courtier has it—Huguet, spite his chains,
Grapples!—well done! Now—now!
[Draws back.
The gallery's long!
And this is left us!
[Drawing his dagger, and standing behind the door. Re-enter De Beringhen, with the packet.
Victory!
Yield it, robber—
Yield it—or die—

[A short struggle.
DE BERINGHEN.
Off! ho!—there!—

FRANCOIS
(grappling with him).
Death or honour!—

[Exeunt struggling.