 | Richelieu ; Or The Conspiracy |  |
SCENE III.
Enter Huguet and the Conspirators.HUGUET.
De Mauprat's hand is never slow in battle;—
Strange, if it falter now! Ha! gone!
FIRST CONSPIRATOR.
Perchance
The fox had crept to rest; and to his lair
Death, the dark hunter, tracks him.
Enter Mauprat (throwing open the doors of the recess, in which a bed, whereon Richelieu lies extended.)
MAUPRAT.
Live the King!
Richelieu is dead!
HUGUET
(advancing towards the recess; MAUPRAT following, his hand on his dagger).
Are his eyes open?
DE MAUPRAT.
Ay.
As if in life!
66
(turning back).
I will not look on him.
You have been long.
DE MAUPRAT.
I watch'd him till he slept.
Heed me.—No trace of blood reveals the deed;—
Strangled in sleep. His health hath long been broken—
Found breathless in his bed. So runs our tale,
Remember! Back to Paris—Orleans gives
Ten thousand crowns, and Baradas a lordship,
To him who first gluts vengeance with the news
That Richelieu is in heaven! Quick, that all France
May share your joy!
HUGUET.
And you?
DE MAUPRAT.
Will stay, to crush
Eager suspicion—to forbid sharp eyes
To dwell too closely on the clay; prepare
The rites, and place him on his bier—this my task.
I leave to you, sirs, the more grateful lot
Of wealth and honours. Hence!
HUGUET.
I shall be noble!
DE MAUPRAT.
Away!
FIRST CONSPIRATOR.
Five thousand crowns!
OMNES.
To horse!—to horse!
[Exeunt Conspirators.
| Richelieu ; Or The Conspiracy | |