QUEEN MARGOT
Drama in 5 Acts
by Alexandre Dumas père, 1831
Translated and adapted by Frank J. Morlock
Translation is Copyright © 2000 by Frank J. Morlock. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without explicit consent of Frank J. Morlock. Please contact frankmorlock@msn.com for licensing information.
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Table of Contents
Characters
ACT I
Scene i
A square in Paris. To the right, the hostel of LaHurriere with rooms opening on the street level, and on the first floor. To the left, the hotel of Admiral Coligny with a balcony. In the center, the dwelling of Moncey. On each side of this dwelling a street facing the audience and losing itself in the distance.
LA HURRIERE
(at his door, seeing Maureval who enters from the left)
Ah! Come here, Lord Maureval, come here.
MAUREVAL
I am here!
LA HURRIERE
Do you know who is there opposite us?
MAUREVAL
At the Admiral's home?
LA HURRIERE
Yes, at the Admiral's -- King Charles IX.
MAUREVAL
What of it?
LA HURRIERE
What's he doing at the home of this anti-Christ?
MAUREVAL
By God! To give him the kiss of Judas. It is important that he suspect nothing. He is the God of those damned Huguenots and today he controls 10,000 swords, perhaps.
LA HURRIERE
Then nothing is changed, despite this visit?
MAUREVAL
Nothing.
LA HURRIERE
And is it still for tonight?
MAUREVAL
Without fail!
LA HURRIERE
At what time?
MAUREVAL
No one knows yet; but a signal will be given us.
LA HURRIERE
What will it be?
MAUREVAL
The tocsin will sound from Saint Germain.
LA HURRIERE
The rallying sign?
MAUREVAL
The cross of Lorraine.
LA HURRIERE
And the password?
MAUREVAL
Suise and Calais.
LA HURRIERE
That's good; we'll prepare for the feast.
MAUREVAL
Quiet! Here's a tourist who's just come.
LA HURRIERE
Pass this way.
MAUREVAL
Goodbye.
(La Hurriere shows him through the house. Maureval can be seen leaving by a door which gives on another street. Coconnas enters on horseback, his eyes are fixed on a sign which represents a roast chicken and which bears the legend -- To the Beautiful Tower.)
COCONNAS
By God! There's an inn which knows how to advertise itself, and the host must be, on my word, an ingenious chap. Besides, it's situated near the Louvre and that's where I'm going.
LA MOLE
(arriving on horseback by another street)
On my soul, that's a pretty sign -- then the hostel is near the Louvre; this will be my accommodation.
COCONNAS
(to La Mole)
By God! sir. I believe you and I both have the same feelings for this inn -- I congratulate myself for its flattering to my signory. Are you decided?
LA MOLE
As you see, sir -- not yet, I am considering.
COCONNAS
Not yet? The house is still gratifying.
LA MOLE
Yes, doubtless -- this is a dainty painting, but that is exactly what makes me doubt the reality. Paris is full of cheats, I am told, and they can cheat with a sign just as well as with anything else.
COCONNAS
Oh! That doesn't worry me. I mock cheats. If our host furnishes me with a bird less well roasted than that on his sign, I will skewer him -- and I won't stop until he's well done -- that ought to reassure you, sir.
(he dismounts)
Let's go in.
LA MOLE
(dismounting in his turn)
You've finished by deciding me, sir. Sir -- show the way, I beg you.
COCONNAS
Ah! On my soul, I can't, for I am your humble servant, the Count Hannibal Coconnas.
LA MOLE
And I, sir, am your devoted Count Joseph de Levac de la Mole -- completely at your service.
COCONNAS
In that case, sir, let's lock arms and enter together. Say there, Mr. Host of the Beautiful Tower, Mr. Bumpkin, Mr. Clown.
LA HURRIERE
Ah, excuse me, sir, I didn't see you.
COCONNAS
You must see us -- it's your business.
LA HURRIERE
Well, what do you want, gentlemen?
COCONNAS
(to La Mole)
He's better already, isn't he? Well, attracted here by your sign, we expected to find a supper and a bed in your hostel.
LA HURRIERE
Gentlemen, I am in despair. There's only one free room in the hostel. And I fear you wouldn't like it.
LA MOLE
Ah! My word, so much the better. We will go elsewhere.
COCONNAS
Not at all. Do as you please, Mr. La Mole, but I am staying. My horse is worn out -- and I take the room -- since you don't want it -- besides, they positively told me about this hostel.
LA HURRIERE
Ah! That's another matter. If you are alone -- I cannot lodge you at all.
COCONNAS
By God, on my soul, a pleasant creature! Just now we were two too many. Now we are not enough for one. Look here, you don't want us to stay, comedian?
LA HURRIERE
My word, since you take this tone, I will tell you frankly, I would much prefer not to experience the honor.
LA MOLE
And why?
LA HURRIERE
I have my reasons.
COCONNAS
Doesn't it seem to you we are going to massacre this character?
LA MOLE
It's likely.
LA HURRIERE
(sneering)
One can see these gentlemen have come from the provinces.
COCONNAS
And why's that?
LA HURRIERE
Because in Paris, it's no longer in fashion to massacre innkeepers who refuse to rent their rooms. It's the great Lords who are massacred and not the bourgeois. Witness the Admiral, who yesterday received such a famous volley. And if you yell too loud, I am going to call the neighbors, and you will be beaten -- treatment unworthy of two gentlemen.
COCONNAS
But this wise guy is mocking us, it seems to me.
LA HURRIERE
Gregory -- my arquebus.
COCONNAS
(drawing his sword)
Damn! Aren't you boiling, Mr. La Mole?
LA MOLE
Not at all! For while we are boiling, our supper is freezing --
(to La Hurriere)
My friend, for how much do you ordinarily rent your room?
LA HURRIERE
A half crown a day.
LA MOLE
Here are eight crowns for eight days. Have you anything else to say?
LA HURRIERE
My word, no -- and with such manners. Come in, gentlemen, come in.
(La Mole passes first, followed by Coconnas.)
COCONNAS
Even so! I have real trouble in putting my sword back in its scabbard before assuring myself that is has pricked the fat of this clown!
LA MOLE
Patience, my dear companion! All the inns are full of gentlemen drawn to Paris by the marriage festivities and by the next war with Flanders. We probably couldn't find another room.
COCONNAS
By God! You've got cool blood, Mr. de La Mole. But let that rascal take care of himself! If his cuisine is bad -- if his bed is hard -- if his wine isn't three years old -- if his valet is not supple like a reed -- it will be my affair.
LA HURRIERE
(putting away a large knife)
There, there, sir, you are in the land of Cocaine. Calm down.
(aside)
He's some Huguenot. These traitors are so insolent since the marriage of their Bernese with Princess Margot.
(smiling)
It would be funny if two Huguenots came to me today -- St. Bartholemew's day --
COCONNAS
So, Count, tell me, while they are preparing our room for us, do you find Paris a gay city?
LA MOLE
My word, no. It seems to me to have only frightening and surly faces -- perhaps the Parisians are also afraid of the storm. See how black the heavens are -- and how heavy the air.
COCONNAS
You will be going to the Louvre, right? After doing me the honor of conversing with me.
LA MOLE
Yes.
COCONNAS
Well, if you like, while waiting for supper, we can find it together.
LA MOLE
We could dine first?
COCONNAS
Not me! My orders are precise, to be in Paris on Sunday the 24th of August and go directly to the Louvre.
LA MOLE
Let's go -- so be it. It is well, says Plutach, to accustom one's soul to sadness and one's stomach to hunger --
COCONNAS
You know Greek?
LA MOLE
My word, yes. My preceptor taught me.
COCONNAS
By God, Count, your fortune is assured. You will compose verses with King Charles IX and you will speak Greek with Queen Marguerite.
LA MOLE
Not to mention that I can still speak Gascon with the King of Navarre -- are you coming?
COCONNAS
I'm with you.
(to La Hurriere)
Finish up, here, master -- what's your name?
LA HURRIERE
La Hurriere.
COCONNAS
Well, Master La Hurriere, tell us the quickest way to get to the Louvre.
LA HURRIERE
Oh! My God -- it's very easy -- you follow the street to the church of Saint Germain -- l'Axerrois -- at the church you take a right and you are facing the Louvre.
LA MOLE
Thanks.
(Coconnas and La Mole exit.)
LA HURRIERE
(alone)
Hum! Now there are two gentlemen who seem to me to have the air of frightful freethinkers, I will recommend them to M. de Maureval -- or rather since they are here -- I will do my business myself.
(The Admiral's door opens.)
DE NANCY
(calling)
The King's litter!
LA HURRIERE
Ah -- King Charles, the Ninth. He's leaving the Admiral's. O Great King, go. May God give you the prudence of the Basilisk and the strength of a lion.
THE KING
(leaning on the Admiral's shoulder)
Be easy, father, what the devil, when I give my only sister, Margot, to my cousin, Henry, I give her to all the Huguenots in the Kingdom. The Huguenots are all my brother's now.
ADMIRAL
(his arm in a sling)
Ah, sire, I don't doubt your intentions, but Queen Catherine --
THE KING
Coligny, I don't say this to anyone but you, but I can tell you, my mother is a mischief maker. With her, no peace is possible. These Italian Catholics only know how to exterminate each other. As for me, on the contrary, not only do I wish for peace, but I even wish to give power to those of the religion. The others are very dissolute, father. In truth, they scandalize me with their loves and misbehavior. Come, do you want me to speak frankly? I scorn all those who surround me -- except for you and my brother-in-law from Navarre, this good little Henry, your student. I don't say your son for I am your son and I don't want you to have any other son but me.
(Enter the litter in which Catherine is hidden.)
ADMIRAL
Yet, sir, you have around you some brave captains and prudent counsellors.
THE KING
No, God pardon me, you see, there's only you, father, only you who are brave like Julius Caesar, and wise like Plato. So, at the moment having war in Flanders, I truly don't know what to do -- to keep you here as a counsellor -- or to send you there as a general. So, advise me -- and who shall command? If you command -- who shall advise me?
ADMIRAL
Sire, you must conquer first. Advice will come after the victory.
THE KING
Is that your opinion, father? Well, it will be according to your opinion. Tomorrow, you will part for Flanders and I will part for Amboise.
ADMIRAL
Your Majesty is leaving Paris?
THE KING
Yes, I am fatigued by all this noise and all these feasts. I am not a man of action -- I am a dreamer -- I wasn't born to be King, I was born to be a poet. The title of poet is the only one for which I am ambitious. So, I have already written to Ronsard to come join me in Amboise -- and there, the two of us -- far from noise, far from the world, far from bad men, under our great trees beside the river, to the murmur of brooks, we will speak of things of God -- the only compensation there is in this world, for the things of man.
ADMIRAL
Sire, I can only applaud such a resolution, but Your Majesty will permit me, before your departure, to solicit an act of justice which is at the same time politic?
THE KING
Speak father, speak.
ADMIRAL
An act which will give a new security to the reformed religion.
THE KING
Speak -- or rather you wish my full powers to accomplish this act?
ADMIRAL
No, sire, the example will be greater coming from you.
THE KING
Then tell me what is to be done?
ADMIRAL
(making a sign to a young man who steps forward from the crowd)
Allow me, sire, to present to you Monsieur de Mouy de Saint Phale.
DE MOUY
(a knee on the ground)
Sire, justice.
THE KING
Ah -- you are the son of Captain de Mouy?
DE MOUY
Yes, sire.
THE KING
Who was traitorously killed by Francois Louviers de Maureval?
DE MOUY
Yes, sire.
THE KING
Rise then, sir. Justice will be done.
(The King gives him his hand to kiss.)
DE MOUY
Oh, sire.
ASSISTANTS
Long live the King!
ADMIRAL
Hear them, Sire!
THE KING
Thanks, brave people, thanks. But don't cry 'Long live the King' rather shout, Long live the Admiral'.
SEVERAL VOICES
Long live the Admiral!
THE KING
Goodbye, father -- parting as we do, we belong to each other -- body and soul.
(he embraces him)
Goodbye!
ADMIRAL
(wishing to conduct the King to his litter)
Sire, allow me --
THE KING
Not at all.
ADMIRAL
Sire.
THE KING
I wish it.
(The King gets into his litter. As the litter turns toward the audience, Catherine can be seen within, watching, listening attentively.)
THE KING
(low to his mother)
Are you pleased with me, mother? Have I played my role well?
CATHERINE
Yes, my son!
(The pages, the guards and the people leave with great acclamations.)
(The litter goes out.)
ADMIRAL
(discharging his gentlemen)
Well, de Mouy -- you are satisfied, I hope?
DE MOUY
Yes -- he seems to me in good faith.
ADMIRAL
Oh, I will answer for him as for myself.
DE MOUY
In any case, father, now that we can live in Paris in peace, if he doesn't do justice on the assassin for me, I will do it myself. Now, a brief word on another subject which touches me very closely and for me is no less important.
ADMIRAL
Speak.
DE MOUY
You persist in sponsoring Henry to us as the King of Navarre.
ADMIRAL
The throne belongs to him by right.
DE MOUY
Doubtless. But is he worthy of it?
ADMIRAL
Henry is worthy of all thrones, de Mouy.
DE MOUY
I can still attach myself to him.
ADMIRAL
As the ivy to an oak.
DE MOUY
But, you know, my attachment means absolute devotion.
ADMIRAL
Devote yourself frankly and completely then, for in devoting yourself to Henry, you are devoting yourself not only to a man, but to a cause -- and this cause is the cause of the Lord.
DE MOUY
Then, in your opinion, he's the leader who can make the Huguenots strong and free, and the reformed religion great and strong?
ADMIRAL
He's the King who can do it, in the realm he governs, the first realm in the world.
DE MOUY
Then it's agreed, father. From today, he will dispose of me, as you would dispose of yourself. Goodbye.
ADMIRAL
Good and excellent young man.
(He follows him with his eyes and then reenters his hotel.)
(La Hurriere arrives from the street. Coconnas is behind him.)
LA HURRIERE
How they conspire. These Huguenots, for I am positive they conspire. Happily they won't be allowed to get away with it, for they would go very far indeed, but it is time to stop them. You are right, Mr. de Maureval, it is time.
COCONNAS
(tapping him on the shoulder)
Well, friend -- supper?
LA HURRIERE
By God -- I had forgotten you, sir!
COCONNAS
What, you had forgotten me? And You admit it, clown?
LA HURRIERE
My word, when you know why -- and for whom --
COCONNAS
Why and for whom?
LA HURRIERE
It was for His Majesty, Charles the IX, who just left --
COCONNAS
The King? By God! I am annoyed not to have seen him. The King went by -- in the street?
LA HURRIERE
Yes, coming from the Admiral's house.
COCONNAS
What! The King went to visit that pagan?
LA HURRIERE
(low)
Good! He's one of ours.
(aloud)
Gregory -- quickly serve this gentleman. Serve! Serve!
COCONNAS
Well, it appears that he's humanizing -- What's all this?
LA HURRIERE
An omelette with bacon, so you won't have to wait, Your Lordship.
COCONNAS
Bravo!
(He sits down to eat.)
LA MOLE
(entering by the other door)
Count, not only does Plutach say in an aside, that one must harden one's soul to the sorrows of the stomach, but he also says further in another place, that he who has, must share with he who has not. For the love of Plutach, will you share your omelette with me?
COCONNAS
Didn't you get to dine with the King of Navarre as you expected?
(offering him a seat)
LA HURRIERE
Ah! It appears this one is a Huguenot.
LA MOLE
No -- the King of Navarre was not at the Louvre. But in exchange --
COCONNAS
Well -- in exchange?
LA MOLE
Oh -- count -- the adorable vision I have seen.
COCONNAS
A vision?
LA MOLE
Try to imagine that through the offices of a young captain of the Reformed Religion, I was ushered into a large gallery, where, to my profound astonishment, there was no one about. There, my companion left me alone to discover for himself what was going on when suddenly a door opened and I found myself face to face with a woman so noble, so gracious, so resplendent, that at first I thought she was the ghost of the beautiful Diane de Poitiers who returns, they say -- to the Louvre.
COCONNAS
And she was -- ?
LA MOLE
She was quite simply the living Madame Marguerite, Queen of Navarre.
COCONNAS
My word, you are not unlucky -- I prefer the living to ghosts.
LA MOLE
You are right.
COCONNAS
And what did you say to this beautiful Queen?
LA MOLE
Not a word. I was in ecstasy. I drew forth the letter I was carrying and gave it to her -- and with the prettiest hand in the world, with the most slender fingers I have ever seen, and she slid the letter, still hot from my breast -- into her satin corset.
COCONNAS
Oh -- Oh -- my companion how vividly you describe things.
LA MOLE
I speak as I feel -- and you, did you achieve your ends?
COCONNAS
By God -- not everyone is favored like you by Gods and Goddesses. I luckily met a German -- very agreeable for a German -- we had nothing to say! But recognizing in me a good Catholic, he escorted me to Mr. de Guise -- with whom I have some business.
(to Hurriere who is entranced)
Well, what are you up to there? Are you listening to us?
LA HURRIERE
(hat in hand)
Yes, gentlemen, I am listening -- but to serve you. What can I do for you, sirs?
COCONNAS
Ah! Ah! The name of Guise is magic -- as it appears, for from being insolent, you have become servile -- Do you think my hand is less heavy than Mr. Guise, which has the privilege of making you so polite?
LA HURRIERE
No, Count, but it is less long -- besides -- you must be told that the Great Henry is our idol -- of Parisians like me.
LA MOLE
Which Henry, if you please?
LA HURRIERE
I only know of one.
LA MOLE
Ah -- but I, I know several. And there is one I invite you to your particular attention, my friend -- not to speak ill of.
LA HURRIERE
Which one?
LA MOLE
His Majesty, King Henry of Navarre.
LA HURRIERE
I don't know him.
(He makes a sign to Coconnas.)
LA MOLE
Clown!
(He rises.)
COCONNAS
Now -- what are you doing?
LA MOLE
I am leaving the table, no longer being hungry.
COCONNAS
I am truly annoyed by that. I counted on waiting in your honorable company until the moment for returning to the Louvre.
LA MOLE
You are returning to the Louvre?
COCONNAS
Yes, sir.
LA MOLE
And I, too.
COCONNAS
At what time?
LA MOLE
I have a rendezvous just about now.
COCONNAS
I, too.
LA MOLE
Is that so! But do you know there is a strange link between our destinies? Where you come, I come; where you go, I go.
COCONNAS
In that case, listen -- one cannot eat when one is no longer hungry but one can still drink when you're no longer thirsty. Let's drink until the time! And we will go to the Louvre together.
LA MOLE
I ask your pardon -- in agreeing to your invitation, I fear I might bring to the Louvre ideas not as clear as those expected of me. But who is our host talking with?
(La Hurriere is seen on the street, very hot to speak with Maureval.)
COCONNAS
He's talking -- the devil take me -- he's talking with the same individual --
LA MOLE
Huh? The same individual.
COCONNAS
Yes -- with the same person he was already talking with when we arrived -- the man in the German cloak. Oh, oh, what fire he puts into it. Hey, say, Master La Hurriere are you playing politics by chance?
LA HURRIERE
(with a terrible gesture)
Ah -- rogue!
COCONNAS
(rising and going to him)
What's wrong with you, my friend? Are you possessed?
LA HURRIERE
(seizing the hand of Coconnas)
Silence! Wretch! Silence on your life!
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
LA HURRIERE
Get rid of your friend, without losing a minute; we have to speak to you, this gentleman and I.
MAUREVAL
It must be done, do you understand?
COCONNAS
By God! It seems this is serious.
MAUREVAL
It cannot be more serious.
LA MOLE
(from the house)
Well -- what are you deciding?
COCONNAS
I think you are right, and it would be better for each of us to guard his own head.
(he reenters)
So -- a last cup of wine. To your fortune.
LA MOLE
To yours, sir.
COCONNAS
Are you retiring?
LA MOLE
Yes, I am fatigued. It is only eleven o'clock -- I have a rendezvous at the Louvre at midnight -- and I wouldn't be sorry to throw myself on my bed for an hour. Master La Hurriere.
LA HURRIERE
Count?
LA MOLE
Escort me to my room, I beg you. Awake me at midnight. I will be completely dressed and ready quickly.
COCONNAS
Fine! Same as me. I am going to make all my preparations. Master La Hurriere, give me some blank paper and scissors so I can cut off my seal.
LA HURRIERE
But, wretch, you have still sworn?
(aloud)
Gregory, this gentleman asks for some blank paper and some scissors to trim the envelope! Come, Mons. de la Mole, come.
(He goes up the staircase, lighting La Mole.)
COCONNAS
(aside)
Decidedly, something extraordinary is happening here.
LA MOLE
(going up)
Good evening, Monsieur de Coconnas. And good luck at the Louvre!
(La Mole and La Hurriere go out. Maureval is at the far door.)
COCONNAS
Ah, -- what have I just done?
MAUREVAL
What have you done, sir? You failed to reveal, just now, a secret on which depends the fate of the realm. That's what you've done. From good fortune, God has willed that your mouth be closed in time by our worthy host. A word more and you would be dead. Now -- we are lone, hear me.
COCONNAS
Just a moment, sir. Who are you, if you please, to speak to me with such a tone of command?
MAUREVAL
By chance, have you heard the name of the Sire Louviers de Maureval?
COCONNAS
The murderer of Captain de Mouy? Yes, doubtless.
MAUREVAL
Well, I am he.
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
MAUREVAL
Hear me carefully.
COCONNAS
By god, I believe I do! I am listening attentively.
MAUREVAL
Hush! Wait!
(He indicates a noise above his head. At the same moment, the room on the first floor lights up. La Mole enters with La Hurriere.)
COCONNAS
It's nothing; it's my companion who's setting in.
LA HURRIERE
(above)
Here's your room.
LA MOLE
(above)
Marvelous! Don't forget to waken me at midnight.
LA HURRIERE
Be easy!
MAUREVAL
Listen, the hour is striking -- listen.
(The clock strikes, they count.)
COCONNAS
Eleven o'clock.
MAUREVAL
Fine! La Hurriere is shutting the door. He's coming down. Come, master, come!
LA HURRIERE
(returning)
We are alone. Let's have a seat.
MAUREVAL
Everything is carefully shut up?
LA HURRIERE
Yes -- and Gregory is standing guard outside. Are you there, Gregory?
GREGORY
(in the street)
Yes, master.
LA HURRIERE
(to Coconnas)
Sir, are you a good Catholic?
COCONNAS
By God, since the day of my baptism, I have boasted so.
MAUREVAL
Sir, are you devoted to the King?
COCONNAS
Body and soul.
MAUREVAL
Then you are going to follow us.
COCONNAS
So be it! But, I warn you that at midnight, I have business at the Louvre.
MAUREVAL
That's exactly where we are going.
COCONNAS
I have a meeting with the Duke de Guise.
MAUREVAL
We do, too.
COCONNAS
I have a password.
MAUREVAL
We do, too.
COCONNAS
A personal sign of recognition.
MAUREVAL
We do, too. And wait, this will spare you the trouble of making a cross on paper.
(He pulls from his pocket 3 white crosses, giving one to La Hurriere, the other to Coconnas and keeping the 3rd for himself.)
COCONNAS
Oh, oh -- this rendezvous, this word of the day -- this rallying sign -- is it for everybody?
MAUREVAL
Yes, sir -- that is to say -- for all good Catholics.
COCONNAS
There's a feast at the Louvre then.
LA HURRIERE
Yes, and that's why I polish my helmet, I sharpen my sword and my knives -- Gregory -- come help me.
COCONNAS
(eyes starting)
Wait a moment! This feast it -- is -- ?
MAUREVAL
You've been quite a while to figure it out, sir, and it's to be seen that you are not as tired as we are of the insolence of these heretics.
COCONNAS
But doubtless you have large numbers and powerful allies?
MAUREVAL
(escorting him to the window)
Do you see that troop passing silently in the shadow?
COCONNAS
Yes.
MAUREVAL
Well, the men who form that troop have you can see, like La Hurriere, you and I, a cross on their hats.
COCONNAS
Well?
MAUREVAL
Well -- those men are Swiss from the smaller countries -- loyal friends of the King. You see that other troop.
COCONNAS
The horsemen?
MAUREVAL
Do you recognize their leader?
COCONNAS
How can you expect me to do that? I've only been in town since five o'clock this afternoon.
MAUREVAL
Well, he's the one you have a meeting with at midnight at the Louvre. See, he's going there to wait for you.
COCONNAS
Duke de Guise.
MAUREVAL
Himself.
COCONNAS
But what are those other men doing who are going silently from door to door?
MAUREVAL
They are placing a red cross on the homes of the Huguenots and a white cross on those of the Catholics. In other times, we leave it to God to recognize his own, today we are more farsighted and we will spare him the trouble.
COCONNAS
But they are going to kill them all then?
MAUREVAL
All.
COCONNAS
By order of the King.
MAUREVAL
By order of the King and the Duke de Guise.
COCONNAS
When?
MAUREVAL
When you hear the first clock, striking from Saint Germain l'Auxerrois.
COCONNAS
(explosively)
Ah! That will be very funny.
MAUREVAL
Silence! Now, it is useless to tell you, if you have some particular enemy -- if he's not already a convert to the Huguenots -- he will pass in the number.
(La Hurriere during this conversation has armed himself from head to foot.)
MAUREVAL
Let's get going now.
LA HURRIERE
Wait! Before putting ourselves on campaign status, let's assure ourselves of our own lodgers -- as they say in wartime. I don't want my wife and children strangled while I am out. There's a Huguenot here.
COCONNAS
De la Mole?
LA HURRIERE
Yes, that's the freethinker. He's already in the wolf's mouth.
COCONNAS
What! You are going to attack your guest?
LA HURRIERE
It was with him in mind that I sharpened my rapier.
COCONNAS
While he's sleeping?
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
LA HURRIERE
You are saying!
COCONNAS
I say it's hard. de La Mole supped with me, and I don't know if I ought.
MAUREVAL
Yes, but de La Mole is a heretic, he is condemned and if we don't kill him, others will kill him.
COCONNAS
That's true, but it doesn't seem to me to be a satisfactory reason.
MAUREVAL
Come, come, hurry up, gentleman, hurry up. A shot, a hammer blow, rapier thrust, a hit with a fire iron, however you wish -- but let's finish it.
LA HURRIERE
I'll go to his room and in a twinkle.
COCONNAS
Wait! I'll go with you.
LA HURRIERE
What for?
COCONNAS
By God, I'm curious to see it done.
(He goes upstairs behind La Hurriere.)
MAUREVAL
And I will wait for you. I also have something to do in the meanwhile.
(he goes to the Admiral's door and marks it with a 2nd cross)
For this one here, better to put two crosses than one.
LA MOLE
(rising)
What's that noise.
(He takes a pistol from the table.)
LA HURRIERE
(listening at the door)
Eh! I think he woke up.
COCONNAS
It seems that way to me.
LA HURRIERE
He's going to defend himself then.
COCONNAS
He's capable of it. Say, Master La Hurriere, if he were to kill you -- it would be funny.
LA HURRIERE
Him! Him!
COCONNAS
I think you are drawing back.
LA HURRIERE
Me? Get out! Drawing back? Never!
(He kicks on the door. He finds himself face to face with La Mole entrenched behind his bed with a pistol in each hand.)
COCONNAS
Now this is getting interesting.
LA MOLE
Ah -- he intends to murder me, so it appears! And is it you, wretch?
LA HURRIERE
Monsieur de Coconnas you are witness that he has insulted me.
(La Hurriere aims his arquebus and fires. The ball brushes by his head. La Mole aims.)
LA MOLE
Help, Monsieur de Coconnas, help me!
COCONNAS
My word, de La Mole, the best I can do in this affair is not to put myself against you. Get out of it as best you can.
LA MOLE
Ah -- double traitors -- since that's the way it is.
(He fires both pistols. Coconnas is struck in the left shoulder.)
COCONNAS
By God! I'm hit. Well then against us both since that's what you wish. Ah, I came with good intentions and you reward me with a ball in my shoulder -- wait! wait!
(drawing his sword)
LA MOLE
(reaching an open window)
Murderer! Murderer!
(jumping out the window)
LA HURRIERE
By God! He's getting away.
COCONNAS
Him! Wait.
LA MOLE
(fleeing, pistol in hand)
Get the assassin!
COCONNAS
(pursuing him)
Get the Huguenot.
SEVERAL VOICES
Get the Huguenots! Kill! Kill!
(Several shots ring out.)
MAUREVAL
(to La Hurriere)
Quickly -- this will give the alarm to the Louvre -- to the Louvre.
(Armed men run by. The tocsin sounds. Shots, shouting. Several wounded fall in the street.)
(curtain)
Scene ii
Marguerite's room. Doors in the rear to the right and left. A window with shut curtains giving on a balcony -- in the stage area a door to an office.
MARGUERITE
Well, who told you Madame de Nevers?
GILONNE
Doubtless, the Duchess didn't wish to confide her secrets to me for she sent this little note to Your Majesty.
MARGUERITE
Let me have it!
(opening the letter and reading)
"My dear Queen, I had said, as you know, that this Kinglet of Navarre would be the happiest prince on Earth in becoming possessor of the most beautiful pearl in the crown of France. It appears I was wrong -- Master Henry, as your brother King Charles calls him, has promised Madame de Sauve, that, if she would forgive his forced infidelity to sacrifice to her his first wedding night. Goodbye, dear Marguerite. Your mad but ever affectionate Henriette." -- This is delightful.
(During the reading of the letter, the Duke D'Alencon has quietly come behind Marguerite. Gilonne wants to warn her mistress but the Prince forestalls her with a gesture and dismisses her.)
MARGUERITE
Impossible!
DUKE
And why's that? Henry's love for Madame De Sauve is not a secret, I think.
MARGUERITE
Ah, it is you, my brother?
DUKE
Yes.
MARGUERITE
You were eavesdropping on me?
DUKE
Yes.
MARGUERITE
(mysteriously)
On your own behalf or on that of our mother?
DUKE
On mine.
MARGUERITE
What did you want to know?
DUKE
If Henry was or was not my brother-in-law.
MARGUERITE
And where does that lead you?
DUKE
Who knows? Perhaps to learn if he will be King of Navarre -- or not?
MARGUERITE
And what does it matter to you who are destined to become King of France?
DUKE
Yes, after the death of my brother, Charles. While waiting what do you expect? I am interested in the fate of this little Kingdom.
MARGUERITE
Well -- are you satisfied? You see that the King won't come.
DUKE
I know it.
MARGUERITE
Then, since you've learned what you wanted to know -- get out!
GILONNE
(reentering)
Madame -- the King of Navarre is leaving his apartment and coming here.
MARGUERITE
The King of Navarre, you say?
DUKE
It appears we were mistaken.
MARGUERITE
Are you sure?
GILONNE
I saw him in the corridor preceded by two pages carrying torches.
DUKE
I congratulate you, sister.
(He goes toward the office door on the right.)
MARGUERITE
Now what are you up to?
DUKE
I am going to continue to inform myself.
MARGUERITE
You are going to listen to what will be said in this room?
DUKE
Yes.
MARGUERITE
Francois, I forbid you to do it.
DUKE
(threatening)
Take care, Marguerite! This time I am not just listening for myself.
MARGUERITE
And on whose behalf are you listening?
DUKE
On behalf of Queen Catherine.
MARGUERITE
(in consternation)
Ah.
DUKE
I knew quite well you were too submissive a daughter to oppose the will of our good mother.
(He goes into the office.)
MARGUERITE
(alone)
What is being plotted then, and what is going to happen? All day men with sinister faces have circulated in the Louvre. Could it be true, as rumor has said, there's to be a general proscription?
GILONNE
His Majesty, the King of Navarre.
(Henry enters with two pages carrying gold candelabra with red wax candles.)
HENRY
Well, Madame, my presence seems to surprise you. Weren't you expecting me?
MARGUERITE
Say rather, I no longer expected you!
HENRY
You were no longer expecting me?
MARGUERITE
Doubtless -- didn't you yourself tell me that our union was a political pact, an alliance and not a marriage.
HENRY
All the more reason for me to come, if not to speak of love at least to speak of politics.
Gilonne, close the door and leave us.
MARGUERITE
Gilonne.
HENRY
You wish to keep Gilonne, Madame? So be it, and if she is not enough to reassure you, I can call your other women who are, without doubt behind that door.
(He takes a step toward the office.)
MARGUERITE
(hurrying forward)
No, it's not necessary and I am ready to listen to you, sir.
(low)
Gilonne leave us, but stay in the next room so I can call you if I need you.
HENRY
(aside, looking at the office)
There's someone there.
(aloud to Marguerite)
The door is indeed locked, right?
MARGUERITE
Yes, sir.
HENRY
We are quite alone?
MARGUERITE
Yes.
HENRY
Then let's have a talk.
(He points her to an armchair.)
MARGUERITE
As it pleases, Your Majesty.
HENRY
Madame, whatever people say of our marriage, I think it a good marriage. I am entirely yours and you belong to me.
MARGUERITE
I do not understand you, sir.
HENRY
Listen and you are going to understand me. Our marriage is a good marriage, we must consequently behave to each other as good allies, since we have sworn allegiance before God. Isn't that your opinion?
MARGUERITE
Doubtless, sir.
HENRY
I know, Madame, that you have a great penetration. I know how the terrain of the court is strewn with abysses. But, I am young, and although I have never done harm to anyone, I have a good number of enemies. In what camp should I place the woman who bears my name and who has sworn affection to me at the altar?
MARGUERITE
Oh, sir, could you think -- ?
HENRY
I think nothing, Madame, I hope, and I wish to be sure my hope is well founded. It is certain, for you as for me, isn't it, that our marriage was only a pretext? Some are even more distant and they say that it was only a trick.
(Marguerite shivers)
Which of the two? The King hates me, the Duke of Alencon hates me, and Queen Catherine loathes my mother too much not to hate me a little.
MARGUERITE
Ah, sir, what are you saying?
HENRY
My most profound thoughts which I would hide if we were not alone. Didn't you tell me we were alone?
MARGUERITE
Yes, sir, I told you so.
HENRY
And that's exactly why I let down my guard, Madame, what makes me dare to tell you, I am not fooled --
(looking searchingly in her eyes)
Neither the caresses of King Charles, nor those of the queen mother, nor the Duke D'Alencon.
MARGUERITE
(excitedly)
Oh, sire!
HENRY
(aside)
It's the Duke D'Alencon. Very well.
MARGUERITE
Sir!
HENRY
Well? What's the matter?
MARGUERITE
It's that such talk is very dangerous.
HENRY
Not when a husband addresses his wife. Not when they are alone, and even if they were not alone, if he was speaking low enough so they could not be heard. I tell you indeed that I was threatened on all sides; threatened by the King, threatened by the Queen Mother, by the Duke D'Alencon, by the whole world. You know -- one feels instinctively -- danger shivers in the air, grazing you as it passes, and makes you shudder. It's what is called a presentment. Well, against all the threats which may become outright attacks, I can defend myself with your help -- for you are beloved precisely by all those persons who detest me.
MARGUERITE
Sir.
HENRY
Well, what's surprising about everybody loving you? Those I've just mentioned are your brothers and relatives. To love ones relatives and brothers is acting in accordance with God's heart.
MARGUERITE
But, still, what are you getting at? I am listening.
HENRY
At what I just told you. That if you are not my lover but my ally, I can brave everything, however, on the contrary if you are my enemy, Madame, then I admit to you in all humility, I am lost.
MARGUERITE
Me, your enemy? Never sir!
HENRY
But not my friend either, right?
MARGUERITE
Perhaps.
HENRY
And my ally?
MARGUERITE
Ah -- your ally? Certainly!
HENRY
Your hand!
MARGUERITE
Here it is -- and with an open heart.
HENRY
(kissing it and holding it in his)
Well, I believe, you Madame, and accept you as an ally. Then -- let's understand each other fully -- we were married without knowing each other -- without loving each other -- they married us without consulting us -- we must become like husband and wife -- you see, Madame, that I am going beyond your vows. But if, after this forced alliance we were to go freely, without anyone constraining us if we were to go like two loyal hearts who owe each other confidence and mutual protection -- do you see it this way, Madame?
MARGUERITE
Yes, sir.
HENRY
And it's a free alliance you promise me.
MARGUERITE
Yes, I swear to you!
HENRY
(casing a glance at the office)
Well, as the first proof of a loyal alliance and an absolute confidence -- I am going to tell you the plan I have formed to combat, first off, the enmity of the Queen Mother, then that of King Charles, then that of the Duke D'Alencon.
MARGUERITE
Sir, I conjure you.
HENRY
What's wrong with you?
MARGUERITE
Nothing.
HENRY
I am going then --
MARGUERITE
Sir, let me breathe. It's so hot this evening -- and this window -- which is shut.
HENRY
Oh -- you only meant that, Madame?
(aside)
I made no mistake. It's the Duke.
(going to the windows and opening it)
MARGUERITE
(following him)
Silence, sire -- for pity on yourself.
HENRY
Didn't you assure me we were alone?
MARGUERITE
Eh, sir, who can answer for that when there are two doors to an apartment -- or even when there's only one.
HENRY
Fine, Madame -- you don't love me, it's true, but you keep your word.
MARGUERITE
What did you mean, sir?
HENRY
(low)
I mean if you were capable of betraying me, you would have let me continue since I was betraying myself alone.
(aloud)
Well, Madame, are you breathing more easily now?
MARGUERITE
Oh, yes, sire, much better.
HENRY
In that case, I won't bother you any longer. I owe you my respects, and some advances of good friendship. Please accept them as I offer them -- with all my heart, go to sleep then -- and good night.
MARGUERITE
So, it's agreed?
HENRY
(in the doorway)
Yes -- a political alliance -- frank and loyal.
MARGUERITE
Frank and loyal.
HENRY
(going, escorting Marguerite back)
Thanks, Marguerite, thanks -- you are a true daughter of France. I part at ease, in place of your love, your friendship remains to me -- I am counting on you as by your side, you may count on me -- goodbye, Madame.
(Henry exits. As Marguerite returns, the Duke leaves the office.)
DUKE
Marguerite is neutral today. In eight hours, Marguerite will be hostile.
MARGUERITE
Did you understand?
DUKE
Me? Absolutely nothing. But who told you I needed to understand?
MARGUERITE
Brother, put off for a minute, I beg you, this cold and somber mask, which prevents looks from penetrating your thoughts, and tell me, tell me what's going on tonight?
DUKE
Tonight? Ask that of Rene?
MARGUERITE
What do you mean of Rene?
DUKE
Doubtless. He's a sorcerer, he will tell you. Good night, Marguerite.
(He heads toward the door.)
MARGUERITE
Good night.
DUKE
(returning)
Ah -- a bit of advice.
MARGUERITE
What?
DUKE
Before you go to bed, bolt each of your doors, and if you hear some noise -- put two bolts on.
(He leaves by the secret corridor.)
MARGUERITE
(alone)
What a wedding night!
MARGUERITE
Did Henry speak truly and our marriage is only a trick? If I hear some noise, as Duke D'Alencon's somber face said, put in a second bolt -- I hear no noise. All is tranquill -- no light on the horizon. The step of some late scholar -- that's all.
THE VOICE OF A STUDENT
(singing in the street)
Why --
When I want to rustle your pretty hair
Or kiss your lovely mouth
Or touch your beautiful breast --
Do you hide away as if you were shut in a nunnery?
Why do you hide your eyes --
Your beautiful breast
Your face, your lips?
Do you want to save them for Pluto
Down in Hell, after Charon
Has taken his fare.
(The voice fades out.)
MARGUERITE
Everyone loves someone or something. I'm the only one who loves no one, and am loved by no one. He is right that I am queen.
(shutting the window)
Come Gilonne and get me ready to go to bed.
GILONNE
Madame.
MARGUERITE
What?
GILONNE
I can hear steps in the secret passage.
MARGUERITE
These steps cannot be those of my brother, Charles, or of the Duke D'Alencon or of my mother, Madame Catherine or of one of her women. Open and see.
GILONNE
Madame de Sauve!
MARGUERITE
Madame de Sauve.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Alas, yes, myself.
MARGUERITE
Have you come to find your lover even here, Madame? You know very well he's no longer here.
MADAME DE SAUVE
(on her knees)
Forgive me, Madame -- oh, my God, I know to what degree I am guilty towards you -- but injurious necessity -- fear, terror, made me profit by this passage which was open to me as a lady of honor to the Queen Mother.
MARGUERITE
Get up, Madame, and as I don't think you came in the hope of justifying yourself to me, tell me why you have come.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Madame, hear me, in the name of heaven -- and you may forgive me or scorn me later. Madame it's a question of life and death.
MARGUERITE
Of life and death?
MADAME DE SAUVE
Eh! Look at me, if it was a question of ordinary danger would I be so pale, so trembling, so lost? Would I even come to you?
MARGUERITE
What's going on then?
MADAME DE SAUVE
They are slaughtering the Huguenots -- and the King of Navarre is the leader of the Huguenots.
MARGUERITE
Oh, my God. So that's the explanation of all these vague warnings -- the realization of all these somber presentments -- but he -- he is a king.
MADAME DE SAUVE
He runs more dangers than the others, Madame, for Queen Catherine has sworn his death.
MARGUERITE
His death? Why?
MADAME DE SAUVE
The predictions, they say, assure him the French Throne.
MARGUERITE
Oh --
MADAME DE SAUVE
All this has been done against the King of Navarre, everything was done to bring him to Paris -- your marriage was only a snare.
MARGUERITE
And your love?
MADAME DE SAUVE
In a way. My love was ordered by the Queen mother. Alas, she hoped that her orders were in agreement with my heart.
MARGUERITE
But to what end did she order you to love him?
MADAME DE SAUVE
So that he won't be your spouse, so that he will remain stranger to the King, and that the King, not having to struggle with your tears, can kill him. And that -- on the night of your wedding he'd not be in your apartment for, in your arms, before your eyes, they wouldn't dare.
MARGUERITE
Ah, I understand, I understand what D'Alencon wanted to know. Where is he -- where is he? The King of Navarre.
MADAME DE SAUVE
I don't know. I came to ask you. Where is he?
MARGUERITE
He left here just now. Oh, if I had known.
MADAME DE SAUVE
My God, what are we going to do? Pardon me, Madame. What are you going to do?
MARGUERITE
I am going to find Queen Catherine. The King of Navarre is under my protection. I promised him an alliance. I will be faithful to my promise.
MADAME DE SAUVE
But if you cannot reach the Queen Mother?
MARGUERITE
I will turn to my brother, Charles.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Go, Madame, go.
MARGUERITE
I am going.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Wait.
MARGUERITE
What?
MADAME DE SAUVE
The tocsin -- the tocsin.
MARGUERITE
What does it mean?
MADAME DE SAUVE
It's the signal. Shouting.
MARGUERITE
Will they cut throats in the Louvre?
MADAME DE SAUVE
Eh! My God yes.
VOICE OF LA MOLE
(in the corridor)
Navarre! Navarre! Help!
MARGUERITE
Open, open, Gilonne!
MADAME DE SAUVE
It's not his voice.
(She leaves. La Mole enters without his cloak, or hat, his doublet is torn.)
LA MOLE
Madame -- they are killing -- they are butchering my brothers - they want to cut my throat, too. You are the Queen -- save me!
(Falling on his knees before the Queen.)
MARGUERITE
My God! Who are you? What are you asking? Help? Help?
LA MOLE
Madame, don't call. If they hear you, I am lost. The assassins are climbing the stairs behind me. I hear them -- they are here!
(Coconnas, La Hurriere, and a group of armed men.)
COCONNAS
Ah, by God -- we have got him now.
LA MOLE
(rising)
A weapon, a sword -- a dagger let me defend myself.
COCONNAS
Here!
(He stitches him another blow.)
LA MOLE
(pulling away)
Ah!
MARGUERITE
Wretches! Are you also going to murder a daughter of France.
LA HURRIERE
Madame Marguerite!
COCONNAS
The Queen of Navarre! Madame, excuse us, but we are involved in the pursuit of a heretic.
MARGUERITE
Churches and royal castles are places of asylum. The Louvre is a royal palace. I order you to leave.
LA HURRIERE
(to Coconnas)
Come! Come! We won't lack a good supply of others.
COCONNAS
Madame, it is the woman not the queen that I obey. Ah, cursed Provincial -- if I ever get you again.
(He backs out slowly -- still threatening.)
MARGUERITE
(after having heard the noise of steps going off)
They are gone! Where is this unfortunate?
GILONNE
Here.
MARGUERITE
Dead.
GILONNE
No -- only fainted.
MARGUERITE
My God.
MARGUERITE
This is the young man who came to me earlier with a letter for the King. It's Mr. de La Mole.
LA MOLE
(opening his eyes)
And you, you are the Queen. Ah, how beautiful you are, Madame!
MARGUERITE
Where to put him? In your room -- Gilonne, in your room.
GILONNE
Wherever you wish, Madame.
MARGUERITE
Wait, -- someone's calling --
MADAME DE NEVERS
(outside)
Your Majesty, Madame Marguerite!
MARGUERITE
It's Madame de Nevers -- it's Henriette. a last effort, sir -- go in this office.
(running to the door)
This way, this way Henriette.
(turning)
Is he there? Yes -- good.
(Gilonne lead la Mole into the office. Madame de Nevers followed by Halabardiers.)
MARGUERITE
Ah! You are not alone.
MADAME DE NEVERS
No -- my brother-in-law the Duke de Guise has given me a dozen guards to escort me back to my hotel. I am leaving you six. For tonight, you may have need of guards from the Duke of Guise --
(to guards)
Install yourselves in this antechamber and obey Madame Marguerite as you would me.
MARGUERITE
Oh! What a terrible night.
MADAME DE NEVERS
I don't find it so. I am a good Catholic.
MARGUERITE
Ah -- if you knew, if you knew.
MADAME DE NEVERS
(reaching the other door)
Oh well -- you can tell me all about it later.
(to her six guards)
Come.
(to Marguerite)
Goodbye.
(She leaves.)
MARGUERITE
How is he?
GILONNE
A little better.
MADAME DE NEVERS
(once again opening the door)
Madame.
MARGUERITE
What is it now?
MADAME DE SAUVE
They've just arrested him. They are taking him to the King.
MARGUERITE
I'm on my way.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Ah! You will never get to him. The orders are given.
MARGUERITE
Rest easy. I will find some way. Gilonne, I recommend this unfortunate to you -- come, Madame, come.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Ah! May God protect Your Majesty.
(curtain)
Scene iii
The arms room of the King. To the left, a large window with a balcony which can be used; from this window one can see the other bank of the Seine, the Tower de Nesle. Two doors to the right and left.
THE KING
(entering)
Where is Henry?
NURSE
(coming from her room)
Charles, my Charles, is it true what they say?
THE KING
And what do they say, nurse?
NURSE
They say they are massacring the Huguenots.
THE KING
Well -- what difference does it make to you?
NURSE
But I am of the religion --
THE KING
Then hide yourself in some corner and pray to the God of the Huguenots that my mother doesn't find you.
NURSE
Charles!
THE KING
Enough. Call Mr. de Nancy.
(calling his dog)
Acteon! Come Acteon.
NURSE
Oh! My God! My God!
THE KING
Well -- what did I say?
NURSE
(obeying)
Come, de Nancy, the King wishes to speak to you.
THE KING
Where is Henry?
DE NANCY
Arrested, sire, according to Your Majesty's orders.
THE KING
Where has he been taken?
DE NANCY
In the next room.
THE KING
Bring him in. Ah -- now the hour has come -- God will tell me one day if it has struck for my damnation or my salvation.
(Henry is brought in by de Nancy)
DE NANCY
Come in, My Lord.
(He brings Henry in and then retires.)
HENRY
(looking around him)
He is alone!
THE KING
Ah, it's you?
HENRY
Yes, sir.
THE KING
(drying his face)
By God -- you are pleased to find yourself near me, aren't you, Little Henry?
HENRY
Doubtless, sire, for I always am pleased to find myself near Your Majesty.
THE KING
More pleased than to be down there, huh?
HENRY
Where's that, sire?
THE KING
On the street.
HENRY
Sire, I don't understand.
THE KING
Look and you will understand.
(He opens the window and shows him the quays lit by torches and gunfire.)
HENRY
But, in the name of heaven, what's going on tonight?
THE KING
Tonight, sir, they are relieving me of all the Huguenots. You see that smoke and flame down there, above the Hotel de Bourbon? That's the smoke and flame of the Admiral's house -- which is on fire. Do you see the body that good Catholics are dragging on a torn mattress? It's the body of the Admiral's son-in-law -- of your friend, Teligny.
HENRY
(seeing his sword)
And disarmed! Disarmed!
THE KING
Looking for your sword? And what would you do with your sword?
HENRY
I don't know, sire, but I'd like to have it.
THE KING
Senseless! Haven't you understood what I said?
HENRY
No.
THE KING
I said I no longer wish Huguenots around me. Do you understand, Henry? I said -- I no longer want them. Am I the King? Am I the master?
HENRY
But Your Majesty.
THE KING
My Majesty kills and massacres at this moment all who are not Catholic. It's my pleasure. Are you Catholic or Huguenot?
HENRY
Sire, recall your own words, "What does it matter the religion of those who serve me well?"
THE KING
Ah! Ah! Ah! Let me recall my words! Verba volent, as my sister Margot says. Yes, yes, they serve me well, the Huguenots, very well even. They slip and slide everywhere in all ranks, in all employments in finances, in shipping -- in war -- just as one, more bold than the others slides into my throne. But tomorrow, there won't be any more Huguenots. You hear, Henry? Tomorrow there won't be a single one left.
HENRY
Yes, sire, I hear.
THE KING
But do you understand?
HENRY
Marvelously.
THE KING
And you don't respond.
HENRY
In fact, Sire, I am responding.
THE KING
Well, and what do you respond?
HENRY
In that case, I don't see why the King of Navarre would do what those unlucky gentlemen who, to remain free of perjury, did not do ---- for they are unlucky --- having to die because, having had proposed to them what is being proposed to me, they refused as I refuse.
THE KING
(grasping his arm)
Ah -- yes indeed, you think I have taken the trouble to offer the mass to those whose throats are being cut down there?
HENRY
Sire, won't you die in the religion of your fathers?
THE KING
Yes, by God! And you?
HENRY
(tranquilly)
And I too, sire.
THE KING
Ah! So it's like that?
(grabbing his arquebus)
Do you want the mass, Little Henry?
(Henry keeps silent.)
THE KING
Death, mass or Bastille. Choose! Death -- mass or Bastille. Are you Catholic or Huguenot?
HENRY
I am your brother, sire!
THE KING
Damnation. This cannot pass -- I have to kill someone.
(He runs to the window, aims at a man fleeing on the quay and fires. The man falls.)
HENRY
Oh -- my God! My God.
CATHERINE
(raising the tapestry)
Well, is it accomplished?
THE KING
No -- a thousands devils -- no! The blockhead refuses.
(Catherine, looking around her, sees Henry leaning against the tapestry.)
CATHERINE
Then -- why is he alive?
THE KING
He's alive -- he's alive -- because he is my brother.
HENRY
Madame -- all this proceeds from you and not from King Charles. I see that now. It's you who determined this fatal union! It's you who had the idea of bringing me into a trap -- me and my companions! It's you who conceived of making your daughter the bait in the trap to destroy us all. It's you who just now, separated me from my wife so that she wouldn't have the burden of seeing me perish before her eyes.
(Marguerite enters through the nurse's door.)
MARGUERITE
Yes -- but it won't happen. They won't kill the husband before his wife's eyes, I hope.
HENRY
Marguerite.
THE KING
Margot.
CATHERINE
My daughter.
MARGUERITE
Sir, your last words accuse me and you are at once both right and wrong. Right, for I am, in effect, the instrument which has served to destroy you all -- wrong for I was unaware that you marched to your perdition. But, since I have learned of your danger, I remember my duty and I hurried here and thanks to the good nurse of my brother, I got in -- so here I am -- and the duty of a wife is to partake in the fortune of her husband -- if you are exiled, sir, I follow you in exile -- if you are imprisoned, I am a captive, if you are killed -- I die.
THE KING
Ah -- my poor Margot, you would do better to tell him to become a Catholic.
MARGUERITE
Sire, believe me, for your own sake - don't ask such a cowardly thing from a prince of your house. Think of it -- you have made him my spouse.
THE KING
In fact, Madame, Margot's right and Little Henry is my brother-in-law.
MARGUERITE
Yes, brother-in-law! Yes. You spoke rightly. Charles. Give the husband to the wife. You won't make me a widow on the day of my marriage? Give me his life! I demand the life of Henry -- on my knees.
THE KING
Well -- take him away.
MARGUERITE
Thanks, brother. Thanks.
(to Henry)
Come quickly, come.
HENRY
But I too must thank.
THE KING
(low)
You can thank me later. Go! Don't you feel the boards trembling under your feet? Go!
(Shouts can be heard and fleeing Protestants can be seen. The King closes the window and falls into a chair. Henry and Margot leave.)
THE KING
Mother -- there's a lot of blood being shed. Do you think God will forgive me?
CATHERINE
No -- for this blood will have been shed uselessly if Henry keeps the blood he has in his veins.
THE KING
So -- it was really against him alone that all this butchery was directed.
CATHERINE
Sire, you think yourself a great politician and you are only a child.
(She leaves.)
NURSE
Don't listen to her, Charles! You have done the right thing.
(She kneels on one side. The dog, Acteon comes to lick his hand on the other.)
THE KING
These are perhaps the only two creatures on earth who won't curse me tomorrow.
(curtain)
ACT II
Scene iv
Henry's apartment, simply furnished hangings in skins. Two doors in the rear.
HENRY
(alone)
Come on, come on, everything's calm. Three days have passed and I am still among the living. Again one must believe in miracles. It was indeed very lucky that they had the nice idea of killing me with iron or lead, instead of simply poisoning me -- as they did my poor mother with perfumed gloves -- and as they intended to do to de Conde with a sweetened apple. Decidedly, my brother, Charles, is not so bad a devil as Master Rene, and it's better to do business with the King of France then the Queen mother's perfumer. It's also necessary to say that Marguerite has faithfully kept her word to me and she came in time.
Without her, I don't know how it would have ended. If indeed it is finished. I look at myself, I pinch myself. I feel a little more sure I am alive. But tomorrow -- but tonight -- in one hour, could I say as much? Now, who is this man disguised as a Swiss Guard -- for he's not a soldier, who presented arms when I went by just now and said, "health to the King of Navarre." I turned. I didn't have time to see him -- only I heard him. Ah! Ah! It seems someone is in the corridor. I hear footsteps; they are coming from this side -- it's someone searching, hesitating -- they're knocking -- who is it?
A VOICE
(outside)
Milord it's a worker from the harness room who is bringing you the saddle you asked for.
HENRY
Me? I never asked for a saddle, my friend. You are mistaken.
VOICE
No, sire, I am not mistaken, I assure you.
HENRY
It seems to me I recognize that voice -- let's open up.
(opening the door)
What do you want, and who are you?
DE MOUY
A friend, sire.
HENRY
A friend in this outfit?
DE MOUY
Otherwise, I would not have been able to get near Your Majesty.
HENRY
But still --
DE MOUY
Do you recognize me?
HENRY
De Mouy.
(nervously)
Do you absolutely wish to speak to me?
DE MOUY
I must, sire.
HENRY
Come in then.
(closing the door)
DE MOUY
Oh -- fear nothing, sire, no one has recognized me and we are alone.
HENRY
No one has recognized you! Are you sure? We are alone! Can you answer for that?
DE MOUY
I answer for everything, sire.
HENRY
So you're still living my poor friend.
DE MOUY
Yes, and it's not the fault of this infamous Maureval.
HENRY
My friend, don't speak ill of friends of the Queen Mother.
DE MOUY
You don't want me to curse my father's assassin?
HENRY
(low)
Do I curse Rene, the poisoner of my mother?
DE MOUY
Sire, you are King and doubtless God makes you stronger and wiser than other men. But, look, sire, let's be brief for the time is short and let's be frank because circumstances press us.
HENRY
Well, since you absolutely wish to, speak my brave de Mouy.
DE MOUY
It is true that Your Majesty has abjured the Protestant Religion?
HENRY
It's true.
DE MOUY
With your lips or your heart?
HENRY
One is always thankful to God when he gives us life -- and God has visibly spared me in a cruel danger.
DE MOUY
Sir, let's confess one thing.
HENRY
What?
DE MOUY
It's that your abjuration is an affair of calculation, not of conviction. You abjured so the King would let you live -- and not just because God saved your life.
HENRY
Whatever may be the cause of my conversion, de Mouy, I am no less Catholic.
DE MOUY
Yes, but will you always remain so? At the first opportunity of regaining your liberty, won't your conscience return, too? Well, the occasion presents itself, La Rochelle is in revolt; La Roussillon and Bearn only wait a word to act, In Guyenne everyone is for war; Navarre awaits you. It's only a question of you getting to Navarre. Just tell me that your conversion was forced, sire, and I will answer for the future.
HENRY
No one can force a gentleman of my birth de Mouy -- what I've done, I've done freely.
DE MOUY
But, sire, think that in acting thus, you are abandoning us, betraying us.
(Henry remains impassive.)
DE MOUY
Yes, you betray us -- for more than 500 Huguenots instead of fleeing have remained in Paris with the object of freeing you and providing you an escort until we reach some safe place belonging to our brothers, and everything is ready, understand clearly, sire, to give you not only liberty, not only power, but a throne once more.
HENRY
(making an effort over himself)
De Mouy, I am safe, de Mouy, I am Catholic, de Mouy, I am the spouse of Marguerite, the brother of King Charles, the Duke of Anjou, and the Duke of D'Alencon -- I am the son-in-law of my mother-in-law Catherine. De Mouy in taking these diverse positions, I have calculated the chance and also the obligations.
DE MOUY
In whom can we believe then, sire? They told me your marriage with Madame Marguerite has not yet been consummated, they told me that you renounced through pressure, they told me the hate of Madame Catherine, already demonstrated against your mother, will never be satisfied until demonstrated on her son. They told me --
HENRY
Lies, lies, de Mouy! They have impudently deceived you. This dear Marguerite is indeed my wife, this Good Catherine is indeed my mother and my brother, King Charles, is indeed the master of my life and my heart.
DE MOUY
So this, sire, is the response I shall take to my friends? I will tell them that while they repress us, King Henry holds the hand and gives his heart to those who butcher us! I will tell them that the King of Navarre has become the flatterer of the Queen Mother and the friend of Maureval and Rene. For the first time in my life, I fear, truly, of not being believed.
HENRY
(to Gilonne who enters)
Ah -- Well, what's the matter, my good Gilonne?
GILONNE
A letter from Her Majesty, the Queen of Navarre.
HENRY
Oh, let me have it, let me have it, Gilonne. Thanks! Is there a reply?
GILONNE
I don't know.
HENRY
If there is a reply, I will bring it myself.
(Gilonne leaves.)
HENRY
You see de Mouy, on what terms we are with this dear Marguerite, when we cannot see each other, we write each other.
DE MOUY
Sire, at least make this sacrifice to your former popularity -- of not risking any public act which will prove to our brothers that you have abjured. Sire, this ought to be easy for you.
HENRY
(reading)
"Don't fail to come on a pilgrimage to the pine tree. It must be done." You've come at the wrong time, my poor de Mouy.
DE MOUY
How's that?
HENRY
Yes, you came to ask me for a proof of skepticism, at the very moment when God has just manifested himself by a miracle.
DE MOUY
What?
HENRY
In truth, don't you know yet? A pine tree in the cemetery of the Innocents which was bare since spring time, has bloomed since Saint Bartholemew's day. Such a thing has not been seen in the memory of man, and it's proof, at least they say so at the Louvre, that the Lord viewed with pleasure what happened on that day. A pilgrimage is to be made to the place of the pine tree. My brother, Charles, has asked me if I would go -- I haven't answered yet. You understand, I am too new a Catholic to fail in such an invitation. I recall just now that I did ask for this saddle from the harness shop. You were right to remove the emblem of the house of Bourbon, and to leave only the Fleur de lys of France. When one is not King, when one does not especially wish to be, it's better not to wear royal arms!
Goodbye, De Mouy -- you will tell this to the harness shop, right? As for me, I am going to Madame Marguerite -- adieu.
(Henry leaves.)
DE MOUY
(alone)
(watching stupefied as Henry leaves, wrenching his hat in his hands, then throwing it at his feet)
Oh, by death, I didn't come here to listen to such words. This is the man that Coligny answered to me for as for himself whom I gave my life and my honor! By my word as a gentleman, it's a wretch of a prince; and I really want to kill myself here to besmirch him forever with my blood.
(Duke of D'Alencon enters from the door at the rear.)
DUKE
Hush -- Mr. de Mouy; for someone besides myself might hear you.
DE MOUY
Monsieur D'Alencon! I am lost!
DUKE
On the contrary! Perhaps you've even found what you were looking for. Believe me, a blood as generous as yours can be better employed than reddening the sill of the King of Navarre.
DE MOUY
(astonished)
Milord, if I have understood correctly, Your Highness wishes to speak to me?
DUKE
Yes, de Mouy, but not in this room. They might hear us.
DE MOUY
Where do you want me to go, Milord?
DUKE
To my apartment. Leave by the other door and I will rejoin you in the corridor.
(curtain)
Scene v
The apartment of Madame de Nevers in the Hotel de Guise. Rich hangings, doors to the left, right and rear.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Your Majesty can enter in complete safety, here we are free.
MARGUERITE
First of all, and above everything else, My Majesty begs you to forget Her Majesty. You say then you are free, dear Henriette.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Oh! My God, yes: Neither brother-in-law nor husband, nobody! Free like the air, like a bird, like a cloud. I go, I come, I command. Ah! Poor queen! You are not free -- and you are sighing.
MARGUERITE
My dear friend, permit me to tell you, you are very gay for just being free.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Your Majesty forgets that she has promised me to broach some confidences.
MARGUERITE
Again, My Majesty! We are annoyed, Henriette. Have you forgotten what's agreed between us?
MADAME DE NEVERS
No: Your respectful servant before the world, your mad confidante when we are alone; right, Madam? Right Marguerite?
MARGUERITE
Yes, yes -- that's more like it.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Neither our family rivalries nor perfidies of love -- all open and frank, an alliance, offensive and defensive with the sole end of seizing in its flight, if we can catch it, this ephemeral thing called joy.
MARGUERITE
Right, my duchess, that's it.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Then what's new?
MARGUERITE
Isn't everything new for the last three days?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Oh, I am speaking of love, not politics. When we get to Lady Catherine, your mother's age -- then we will play politics. But we are twenty, my beautiful queen, let's talk of something else. Let's see, would you be married for all the world?
MARGUERITE
To whom?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Ah -- truly you reassure me. It hasn't happened yet.
MARGUERITE
Entirely to the contrary, my poor Henriette, I am less married than ever.
MADAME DE NEVERS
By God! As one of my friend's says, you are really happy.
MARGUERITE
You know someone who says 'My God'.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Yes.
MARGUERITE
And who is this person?
MADAME DE NEVERS
You always question me when you are the one who should speak -- finish and I will begin.
MARGUERITE
Well -- so be it, Henriette. I have a scruple.
MADAME DE NEVERS
A scruple about what?
MARGUERITE
Religious. Do you see a difference between the Huguenots and the Catholics.
MADAME DE NEVERS
In politics?
MARGUERITE
Yes.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Without a doubt.
MARGUERITE
But in love?
MADAME DE NEVERS
My dear friend, we women are such pagans that instead of joining sects, we admit all; instead of making gods -- we thank several.
MARGUERITE
There's only one, right?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Yes -- who has a quiver, a blindfold and wings. By God -- long live devotion.
MARGUERITE
You push it a little further than that.
MADAME DE NEVERS
How's that?
MARGUERITE
You throw stones at the heads of Huguenots.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Let's do well and leave talking. Is that the end of your confidences, Madam?
MARGUERITE
One moment. It's that, if the stone my brother Charles spoke of was historical.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Well?
MARGUERITE
Well, I would abstain --
MADAME DE NEVERS
Good! Now I understand your scruple. He's a Huguenot?
MARGUERITE
Who?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Who? Our gentleman.
MARGUERITE
You've understood it's a question of a gentleman?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Truly, how difficult it is.
MARGUERITE
Henriette, be persuaded of one thing -- it's that this gentleman is nothing to me and never will be anything.
MADAME DE NEVERS
No matter, he exists, right?
MARGUERITE
Yes, but he nearly failed to exist.
MADAME DE NEVERS
And how did you meet him?
MARGUERITE
In the midst of the massacre, having no other protector in Paris than the King of Navarre, he sought refuge in my apartment.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Where the King of Navarre didn't happen to be, of course.
MARGUERITE
You know it better than anyone.
MADAME DE NEVERS
And where he remains.
MARGUERITE
He was so grievously wounded, that I didn't dare to --
MADAME DE NEVERS
I understand that, but you know it's very worrisome, a wounded Huguenot in the times which we find ourselves? And what will you do with your wounded Huguenot, who is nothing to you and never will be anything?
MARGUERITE
I've made him a convalescent who lives in my office, and whom I intend to save, that's all.
MADAME DE NEVERS
He's handsome, he's young, he wounded, you are hiding him in your office, you wish to save him. This Huguenot would be a real ingrate if he's not very thankful to you.
MARGUERITE
He is already -- and I'm afraid more than I wish.
MADAME DE NEVERS
And he interests you, this poor young man?
MARGUERITE
Oh -- only for the sake of humanity.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Ah! Humanity, my poor Queen. It's always that virtue that destroys us women.
MARGUERITE
Yes, and you understand, as from one moment to the next, the King, D'Alencon, the Queen mother, my husband even, can come into my apartment.
MADAME DE NEVERS
You want to beg me to keep your little Huguenot so long as he's sick, on the condition that I return him when he gets better?
MARGUERITE
Comedian! No, I swear to that I am not preparing things so far in advance -- only if you could find a way to hide this poor boy, if you could protect the life I saved him. I confess to you that I would be very thankful to you. You are free in the Hotel de Guise, you said yourself, you have neither brother nor husband, to constrain you and what's more, I remember well, behind this room, you possess a large office like mine. Will you lend this office to me until my Huguenot is cured? -- which is an affair of five or six days at most. Then you will open the cage and the bird will fly off.
MADAME DE NEVERS
There's only one difficulty dear queen -- it's that the cage is occupied.
MARGUERITE
What! You've saved someone too?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Exactly and that's what I replied to your brother when I spoke so low that you couldn't hear.
MARGUERITE
Ah, yes, truly --
MADAME DE NEVERS
Listen, Marguerite, it's a wonderful story, no less beautiful, no less admirable than yours. After having left the Louvre, the evening of St. Bartholemew, I was returning to the Hotel de Guise, and I watched a house being burned and pillaged when suddenly, I heard women shouting and men swearing. I came out on the balcony and at first I saw a sword whose fire seemed to light the scene all by itself. I admired this furious blade. I love beautiful things, so naturally I looked for the arm that made it flash, then the body to which the arm was attached. Then in the midst of screams, in the midst of blows, I distinguished a man and I saw a hero, an Ajax! I became enthusiastic. I encouraged him by voice and gesture. I shook at every blow that threatened him. I breathed at each lunge that he made. It was, you see, my queen, the emotion of a quarter of an hour, that I'd never experienced, that I never believed to exist -- so I was there, breathless, suspended, mute, when suddenly my hero disappeared.
MARGUERITE
How's that?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Under a stone that an old woman had thrown at him. Then, like the son of Croesus, I got back my voice, I shouted for help. My guards came, took him, carried him off and then carried him to the office you are asking for your protege.
MARGUERITE
Alas, I understand the story so well, for it is almost mine.
MADAME DE NEVERS
With this difference, that serving my King and my religion I don't need to send away Mr. Hannibal Coconnas.
MARGUERITE
His name is Hannibal Coconnas.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Yes -- it's a terrible name, isn't it? Well -- he is worthy of his name.
MARGUERITE
Then my protege is refused at the Hotel de Guise? I am annoyed because it's the last place where anyone would look for a Huguenot.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Not at all. Bring him here -- he will sleep in this room. Each will have his own.
MARGUERITE
I confess to you, I had counted on you so much my dear Henriette, that I brought him in advance.
MADAME DE NEVERS
He's here?
MARGUERITE
Below, in my litter.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Let him come up! Let him come up. Master Ambrose Pare will treat them both at the same time.
MARGUERITE
Oh, no, not Master Ambrose Pare, my brother's surgeon! Are you thinking of such a thing? No, I found another doctor who has miraculously saved de Bussy from the last sword blow he received.
MADAME DE NEVERS
You have confidence in him?
MARGUERITE
A great deal; for I've observed him. In less than three days he's brought my poor injured person back from death to life.
MADAME DE NEVERS
What do you call him?
MARGUERITE
You don't need to know that, dear friend.
MADAME DE NEVERS
No matter! I may have need of him in my turn and not just for Mr. Hannibal Coconnas.
MARGUERITE
He's called Master Caboche, besides you can see him if you like, he knows his patient is being brought here. This evening he ought to come. See to it, I beg you that he's brought to la Mole.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Ah, our Huguenot is called la Mole?
MARGUERITE
Yes -- Lerac de la Mole from a great family in Provence.
MADAME DE NEVERS
You will see that in looking carefully, we will find some place that his ancestors reigned -- which will be a great joy.
MARGUERITE
Why's that?
MADAME DE NEVERS
So it won't be a misalliance.
MARGUERITE
Mad woman!
MADAME DE NEVERS
Then you accept, right?
MARGUERITE
Doubtless.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Well, bring the patient up.
MARGUERITE
Gilonne.
(Gilonne appears.)
MARGUERITE
My dear Gilonne, have la Mole step up.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Will you allow me to check on the health of my Catholic?
MARGUERITE
Of course, that's a good hostess.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Mica.
(Mica appears.)
MICA
Madame?
MADAME DE NEVERS
How is it with the Count?
MICA
Better and better, Madam.
MADAME DE NEVERS
What's he been doing in my absence?
MICA
He's been eating a wing of pheasant.
MARGUERITE
Ah, it appears his appetite is reviving -- that's a good sign.
MADAME DE NEVERS
And then?
MICA
He stretched out on his cushions and I think he's sleeping.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Marvelous!
GILONNE
(opening the door)
Madame!
MARGUERITE
Ah, fine, let him come in.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Wait, I will retire.
MARGUERITE
Why's that?
MADAME DE NEVERS
Oh, my God, at the moment of leaving you this poor young man -- perhaps he may have something to tell you -- Mica, a young man is going to stay in this room, wounded like the Count de Coconnas! I want you to take the same care of him as you do of the Count. Your Majesty will find me in my room. Come, Mica.
(She goes out.)
MARGUERITE
Crazy Henriette! But how she reads into the depths of one's heart with her madness! Let's see -- come in, sir!
LA MOLE
(enters, very pale)
Here I am, Madam.
MARGUERITE
The trip didn't tire you too much?
LA MOLE
No, Madame, and the good care you've taken of me has unfortunately born its fruit.
MARGUERITE
Unfortunately! Explain yourself, sir. I don't understand you.
LA MOLE
Oh, without doubt, if I hadn't miraculously gotten back my strength, you would not have, in seeing me so near to death, had the courage to exile me from your apartment.
MARGUERITE
My apartment was not a safe enough place to keep you --
LA MOLE
(ardently)
Oh -- who told you Madame, that I wouldn't prefer to die there than live elsewhere?
MARGUERITE
Clearly you're not so nearly over your convalescence as you think since this delirium takes you.
LA MOLE
You take me, you mean to say, Madame, for since I saw you at the Louvre, alas, I have had no other thought except to be received as one of your followers, able to see you always and to belong to you forever.
MARGUERITE
Sir, servants of your age are too dangerous, at least in the eyes of the world, for a Queen of my age. I will find some other position for you.
LA MOLE
So, Madame, I can hope that I will see you again? I have no need to fear that in leaving you, I will never see you again?
MARGUERITE
Hope, Monsieur de la Mole, I will take care not to deprive a poor injured man of hope. Hope is the best medicine that I know.
(after a moment of silence)
By the way -- you are at the home of my friend Mme. de Nevers. In the next room there is a gentleman wounded during the night of St. Bartholemew. If, by chance, this poor man was of a different father than yours -- which is possible -- for the entire time you live here, forget that you are a Huguenot.
LA MOLE
Madame, I promise that the memory of all your bounties will efface every other memory.
MARGUERITE
Good, thanks! But it's getting late and I still have a few words to say to Henriette! Goodbye, la Mole.
LA MOLE
Madame, Madame.
(falls to one knee)
Your hand.
MARGUERITE
There are two sorts of people one mustn't refuse anything -- children and patients. Here, sir!
(She gives him her hand to kiss and leaves.)
(During the last scene and this monologue night comes on, little by little.)
LA MOLE
(alone)
Oh, my beautiful queen! Ask for my blood, my life, my soul -- ask anything of me, except not to love you anymore. For if you ask that, devoted as I am, I would rebel.
(putting his sword on an armchair and stretching out on the cushions)
But no, she's thought of everything. So, in advance, she was occupied with me -- so while I did not dare to tell her that my life was attached to hers, she prepares for me this favor of seeing her always! Oh! Thanks, Madame, thanks! But I hear some noise, a door is opening -- someone is coming.
COCONNAS
(leaning on his scabbard)
My word, I'm very pleased to have a neighbor. He can keep me company in my hours of solitude; Madame de Nevers says he's a charming boy. Ugh, ugh. I think my shoulder is hurting me more than my head, if it's not my chest, which is hurting me more than my shoulder.
LA MOLE
This must be the gentleman the Queen spoke to me about.
COCONNAS
Sir.
LA MOLE
He's probably talking to me.
COCONNAS
Sir, are you in this room, if you please?
LA MOLE
Here I am!
COCONNAS
Ah! Ah! Did they warn you that you had me for a neighbor?
LA MOLE
Sir, I know I have the honor.
COCONNAS
Ah! So much the better. Enchanted to meet you.
LA MOLE
Sir, I am your servant.
COCONNAS
You are wounded, sir?
LA MOLE
Very grievously, but they told me of an accident which befell you.
COCONNAS
Meaning I escaped being murdered.
(looking around him)
Where the devil will I find an armchair. The earth is shaking.
LA MOLE
Sir, I am on an excellent cushion, if you care to share it with me.
COCONNAS
With the greatest of pleasure.
(sitting and throwing his sword behind the cushions)
There -- fine! I am not yet very firm on my feet and when I stand up a long time, everything about me spins, it seems to me the earth is shaking. Cursed old woman! Do you understand it? She threw a 20 pound pot of flowers on me from the third floor. Right on my head -- fortunately, I've got a thick skull. I already had a scratch on my shoulder and a stab in the breast, but that was nothing in comparison. And you, sir, when were you wounded?
LA MOLE
I, sir, I received a word cut in the breast and dagger's blow across my arm.
COCONNAS
And, being so badly accommodated you are already up. In truth, it as a miracle.
LA MOLE
My word, yes, sir, and it's a homage to my doctor. I think I fell into Asclepias' bed, although the clown has more the bearing of a bohemian than a God. With several drops of a very agreeable tasting elixir, my word -- with some massaging of my wounds -- all is rather as you see, or rather as you don't see -- but as you will see when someone brings us in a light.
COCONNAS
He's a clever rogue, your bohemian -- or so it seems to me. And what's his name, if you please? It's good to know such a man in the times we live in.
LA MOLE
He's called Master Caboche.
COCONNAS
And he lives --
LA MOLE
Near the Innocents, I think. But he tells me that if I had need of him, he's very well known in Les Halls and I have only to pronounce his name and they will show me his dwelling.
COCONNAS
Master Caboche near the pillory -- very fine. As for me, I have been treated by a stupid donkey.
LA MOLE
What's his name?
COCONNAS
Master Ambrose Pare.
LA MOLE
But he's the King's doctor.
COCONNAS
I pity the King -- can you imagine as I told you just now, that I cannot get up because it always seems to me I am wearing this devilish pot of flowers on my head, so that at each instant I faint.
LA MOLE
Well, sir, I, on the contrary am doing wonderfully, and I already feel strong enough to take on the fellow who assassinated me.
COCONNAS
And that would be just. Ah, sir, when you meet him, when you hold him under your hand disembowel him for me in the best fashion -- you see I promised the fellow who injured me, I'd send him a little ball.
(touching his shoulder)
But how did this happen to you?
LA MOLE
My word, sir, I had back luck. I was abominably betrayed by a man who, from his appearance, I judged to be a good companion.
COCONNAS
You see the rogue! Ah, you interest me, sir! For your story is like mine. And this traitor wounded you.
LA MOLE
You will see. I arrived in Paris on St. Bartholemew's day.
COCONNAS
Right! Just like me.
LA MOLE
I had, that evening, business at the Louvre.
COCONNAS
Again like me.
LA MOLE
I tried to get lodgings nearby.
COCONNAS
Always like me -- ah, sir, what sympathy!
LA MOLE
I stopped in a nearby street before a sign of the most appetizing appearance, a sign as deceptive as the greeting of the host.
COCONNAS
I see this. He shunned you?
LA MOLE
My word, little less. You will judge. At the same time another gentleman arrived.
COCONNAS
At the same time as you?
LA MOLE
Yes.
COCONNAS
At this inn?
LA MOLE
Yes -- a big clown - striding figure, real hair; red mustaches who flashed agreeable white teeth and with whom I supped because of his appearance.
COCONNAS
(recoiling)
Indeed!
LA MOLE
Who, forcing friendship upon me, invited me to retire to my room. He had his plans, the wretch!
COCONNAS
You think so? And what were the wretch's plans?
LA MOLE
By God -- that's easy to figure out. He was the host's accomplice.
COCONNAS
What was your host's name?
LA MOLE
His name is La Hurriere. I will never forget his name, I promise you. This devil of a host shot at me, happily I had my pistols.
COCONNAS
Then, you fired on this devil of a host and instead of shooting him, like the clumsy fool you are, you shot his companion, right?
LA MOLE
(rising)
Eh! Eh! What do you mean about this?
COCONNAS
It means, my dear little heretic, that you are the Count Lerac de la Mole, right?
LA MOLE
And that you are the Count Hannibal de Coconnas, I believe.
COCONNAS
Who wanted to save your life and who you wanted to disembowel. Wait! Wait!
LA MOLE
My sword -- my sword! Ah, since I've met you once more.
(He runs to his sword.)
COCONNAS
Ah, since I've found you again.
(He runs for his.)
LA MOLE
(his sword in his hand)
You haven't got your good Arquebus carrying La Hurriere nor your dagger carrying Maureval.
COCONNAS
(his sword in his hand)
And you, we are going to see if you always have such fine legs as you had the other night, running to the Louvre. Where are you, if you please, Monsieur Comte de la Mole?
LA MOLE
Over here, Monsieur Comte de Coconnas. Well, I am waiting for you.
COCONNAS
Ah! Ah!
(They fence.)
(Mica enters with Caboche, carrying a torch.)
MICA
This way, master, this way. Oh my God -- Madame la Duchesse, Madame la Duchesse.
(She runs out calling.)
COCONNAS
Here, parry this.
LA MOLE
This is for you, Monsieur le Comte.
CABOCHE
Good! It seems I arrived in time.
(Marguerite and Madame de Nevers run in.)
MARGUERITE
Gentlemen.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Gentlemen.
COCONNAS
Good -- the Duchess.
(lowering his sword)
LA MOLE
Madame Marguerite.
(lowering his sword)
COCONNAS
It's delightful -- we will meet again.
MADAME DE NEVERS
(to Coconnas)
Not at all, if you please, Count.
MARGUERITE
(to la Mole)
De la Mole, what is this violence?
LA MOLE
Don't you recognize him yet, Madame? It's the same one who at the head of a gang of assassins followed me right into the Louvre.
MARGUERITE
(to Coconnas)
Count, this is not the first time we have seen each other.
COCONNAS
It's true, Madame, I've had the honor.
MARGUERITE
Count, perhaps you owe me some apologies for the manner in which you presented yourself three days ago at the apartment of a queen.
COCONNAS
The fact is, Madame, if I had known I was entering your apartment --
MARGUERITE
Yes, you will have put your sword in its scabbard as la Mole has already done and as you are going to do.
COCONNAS
Madame.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Obey, Hannibal.
COCONNAS
I obey.
MARGUERITE
Now, sirs, listen carefully -- you, Count Coconnas, you owe your life to Madame de Nevers.
COCONNAS
That's true.
MARGUERITE
You, la Mole.
LA MOLE
Oh, without Your Majesty, I would be dead!
MARGUERITE
Then you have no right to refuse the first demand we make on you.
COCONNAS
Doubtless.
LA MOLE
Oh, Madame, order! You know quite well I await your orders on my knees.
MARGUERITE
Your hand, Count Coconnas.
COCONNAS
Hum! Hum!
MARGUERITE
Your hand, Monsieur de la Mole.
LA MOLE
(touching Marguerite's hand)
Oh with joy, Madame.
MARGUERITE
(to Coconnas)
Do you refuse me, Count?
COCONNAS
No, no -- but -- the flower pot -- I eh -- by God I feel ill, that's all.
(bending and falling on his knees)
MADAME DE NEVERS
Yes, indeed. Help! Help! Weak as he still is, he's not able to stand up so long.
LA MOLE
(excitedly)
Master Caboche, don't you still have that excellent elixir which you had me drink and which had such a good effect.
CABOCHE
I always have some on me.
LA MOLE
Then let me have it.
CABOCHE
Here.
LA MOLE
(to Mme. de Nevers)
Permit me, Madame --
(taking Coconnas in his arm he puts the flask to his mouth)
Count Coconnas -- come to yourself.
COCONNAS
(sighing)
Ah.
MADAME DE NEVERS
He's reopening his eyes.
MARGUERITE
Good la Mole!
COCONNAS
What have you given me! It's as if someone made me drink life.
(recognizing la Mole)
And it's you who have done me this service. Again.
(he takes 2 or 3 drops)
By God! la Mole, if I get better, on my oath, you will be my friend.
LA MOLE
With all my heart.
MARGUERITE
(breathing)
Ah!
MADAME DE NEVERS
Well, Master, what do you think of our two wounded?
CABOCHE
That in a week, they'll be better than they ever were.
MADAME DE NEVERS
You see then, dear queen, everything's going to be fine!
(curtain)
Scene vi
The Cemetery of the Innocents to the right, in the foreground, a large pine tree in flower. To the left, the door of a gothic edifice. Under the arch, several doors to dwellings.
(La Hurriere, Master Caboche, Friguet and a crowd shouting "Noel".)
CABOCHE
(approaching and breaking a branch)
Yes, Master La Hurriere, it's the truth of God -- a pine in flower at the end of August -- it's a miracle!
LA HURRIERE
It was for this doubtless that this very morning King Charles and all the court came in procession to the Cemetery of the Innocents. Also, I left the Inn of the Beautiful Star to see once again this good King Charles who relieved us forever of the Huguenots.
CABOCHE
And you greatly aided in this rude work -- Master La Hurriere. I saw you, arms in hand.
LA HURRIERE
Well, do you begrudge me that? I spared you the trouble, that's all.
FRIGUET
Tell us, Master Caboche, is it true what they say?
CABOCHE
What are they saying, my child?
FRIGUET
That you have ointments to cure all sorts of wounds, and that, for example, if you wanted to you could have reattached the head of Admiral Coligny, which he would bear like you and me, instead of being hung from the gibbet of Mont Faucon.
CABOCHE
Do you want to try it on yourself?
FRIGUET
Not at all, Master Caboche, not at all.
CABOCHE
(pulling his ear)
Not even the ear?
FRIGUET
No, no -- I believe in confidence -- let me go, Master Caboche, let me go.
(He goes toward the one rear followed by the group of the people. La Hurriere laughs and applauds following them with his eyes.)
(Coconnas and La Mole enter from the rear.)
COCONNAS
The Quarter of the Halls -- the Cemetery of the Innocents -- this has the appearance of being what we see -- it is every attractive.
LA MOLE
My word -- on my side, I think I see one that is not less extraordinary.
COCONNAS
Who?
LA MOLE
(pointing to La Hurriere)
See!
COCONNAS
First of all, it's not a thing -- it's a man.
LA MOLE
Yes, but what man?
COCONNAS
Master La Hurriere.
(La Mole and Coconnas each place a hand on his shoulder)
Good day master!
LA HURRIERE
(looking to the right)
Ah, Count Coconnas.
(looking to his left)
Ah, Count la Mole.
COCONNAS
You are not dead?
LA HURRIERE
You are still alive?
COCONNAS
I saw you fall there, I heard the noise of the shot which smashed some bone of yours, I don't know what. I left you fallen in the river, bleeding from the nose and mouth.
LA HURRIERE
All that is true, like the Evangelist, Monsieur de Coconnas but the noise you heard was that of the shot striking my helmet on which happily it flattened. But the blow was none the less violent.
(raising his hat)
Look! It took off all my hair.
COCONNAS
Ah -- a fine head.
LA HURRIERE
Ah! Ah! You are laughing. Then you don't have any bad designs on me?
LA MOLE
No.
LA HURRIERE
You pardon me?
COCONNAS
Yes -- only we put one condition on this pardon.
LA HURRIERE
Which is?
COCONNAS
Just that you direct us to the dwelling of a doctor called Master Caboche who lives somewhere in this area.
LA HURRIERE
This area? Indeed you could say on the spot.
COCONNAS
How's that?
LA HURRIERE
Look -- there he is in his doorway.
LA MOLE
Indeed -- it's him in person.
LA HURRIERE
So then?
LA MOLE
So then, as in leaving here we were, we are planning a visit to Master Rene, the Necromancer, and since your inn is on the way -- prepare your omelet.
COCONNAS
And don't spare the butter as you did the first time.
LA HURRIERE
Rest assured, gentlemen, on my oath! I didn't expect to get off so cheaply.
(He escapes.)
COCONNAS
(coming forward)
Well, I'm damned.
LA MOLE
Do you recognize him?
COCONNAS
Marvelously.
(going to Caboche)
My dear friend, permit me to tell you that you are the cleverest surgeon that I know.
(presenting his hand. Caboche draws back)
Well?
(Caboche greets him)
Take it!
CABOCHE
Thanks for the honor you wish to do me, sir, but it's probable that if you knew me, you wouldn't do it to me.
COCONNAS
My word, for my part, I declare that if you were the devil, I consider myself obliged to you for without you -- at this hour -- I would be dead.
CABOCHE
(lifting his hat)
I am not quite the devil, sir, but often people would prefer to meet the devil than to see me.
COCONNAS
Who are you then?
CABOCHE
Sir, I am Master Caboche executioner to the Provost of Paris.
COCONNAS
(withdrawing his hand)
Ah! Ah!
CABOCHE
You see!
COCONNAS
Not at all. I will take your hand or may the devil carry me off.
CABOCHE
Truly?
COCONNAS
Completely.
CABOCHE
There.
COCONNAS
More completely still.
(He gives him a hand full of gold.)
CABOCHE
(shaking his head)
I had much preferred your naked hand for I do not lack gold. But of hands which touch mine, quite the contrary. I put them very much out of work. Never mind. May God bless you gentlemen.
LA MOLE
(approaching and giving him a purse)
Here, my friend.
CABOCHE
Thanks, sir.
COCONNAS
So, then, my friend, allow me to look at you.
CABOCHE
Oh -- go ahead, sir.
COCONNAS
So, it's you who work the rack, the wheel and draw and quarter? Who break bones and chop heads? Ah! Ah! I am indeed easy to have made your acquaintance.
CABOCHE
Sir, what you say is not quite right for I don't do it all myself -- just as you gentlemen have lackeys to do what you don't care to do, I have my assistants who do the dirty work and who dispatch the peasants. Only when, by chance, I have an affair with some gentlemen like you and your companion for example -- well, then it's another matter, and I make it a point to attend to all the details myself -- from first to last, so to speak, to put the matter delicately.
COCONNAS
(looking at his companion)
Eh! Eh! What do you say to that, La Mole?
(turning and laughing)
Well, Master, I will hold you to your promise and if my turn comes to mount the scaffold -- only you shall touch me.
CABOCHE
I promise you that.
COCONNAS
And this time, this time, here's my hand in witness that I accept your promise.
CABOCHE
You hand without gold, your hand all alone.
COCONNAS
Yes, and I repeat, enchanted to have made you acquaintance.
(The Duke D'Alencon enters, wrapped in a cloak -- follows Coconnas and La Mole with his eyes. A man accompanies him.)
JOYLETTE
(to Caboche)
They're asking for you inside, papa.
CABOCHE
I am coming.
COCONNAS
By God! What a beautiful child.
CABOCHE
She's my daughter.
COCONNAS
What do you call her, Caboche?
CABOCHE
Joylette.
COCONNAS
Will you let me give you a hug, my pretty child?
JOYLETTE
Ask my father, sir.
CABOCHE
Hug, sir, hug -- perhaps it will bring her luck.
LA MOLE
You are going to hug the daughter of an executioner?
COCONNAS
I would hug the devil's daughter, if she was pretty.
(embraces her)
After all, I shook hands with her father.
LA MOLE
You've got more courage than I do.
COCONNAS
Thanks, my pretty child. Till we meet again, Master Caboche.
CABOCHE
Don't say "Till we meet again -- say goodbye."
JOYLETTE
Who is this handsome lord, papa?
CABOCHE
A brave gentleman, my child, and one for whom you should pray.
(They go into the house.)
LA MOLE
Well -- there you are with a friend at the Paris marketplace.
COCONNAS
On my word, there's an old Piedmontese saying, "It's nice to have friends everywhere."
(They leave. The Duke D'Alencon points out La Mole to the man who accompanies him.)
DUKE
You see, cloak and cap, cherry colored -- the doublet, black and gold. Cherry, white and gold trousers. Can one get an outfit like that for this evening?
MAN
Yes, sir.
DUKE
That's fine. At eight o'clock someone will be at your place and take it to de Mouy.
MAN
Should I accompany Milord to the Louvre?
DUKE
No -- I have other orders to give you.
(They leave by different directions.)
(After a moment, the King, Queen Catherine, Marguerite, Madame de Sauve, Friguet and La Hurriere enter with guards.)
FRIGUET
The King -- the King!
LA HURRIERE
Long live the King!
(to those who are around him)
Do you see -- do you see the first one -- the one who has a gold doublet braided in gold -- it's King Charles, the King of the Catholics.
PEOPLE
Long live the King!
LA HURRIERE
That one is Queen Catherine -- she who did it -- see de Maureval told me -- he must know, the King's killer.
PEOPLE
Long live King Charles. Long live Queen Catherine. Long live the Mass.
LA HURRIERE
Here's Queen Marguerite.
THE KING
Well -- where is this flowering hawthorn which the people are taking so much about?
CATHERINE
There it is, my son, come to this side.
THE KING
Ah -- yes indeed --
CATHERINE
Fall on your knees, my son, and even if you don't believe it's a miracle, look as if you do.
THE KING
I believe it, by God! And the proof is that I will erect on this very spot, a chapel to the St. Bartholemew that our predecessor Louis raised to the Innocents.
MADAME DE SAUVE
(to Marguerite)
Madame -- hasn't he come yet?
MARGUERITE
I warned him -- now, perhaps he has scorned my advice, you had better warn him yourself.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Oh -- it's impossible. I am prevented his sight.
MARGUERITE
Then separate yourself from me.
MADAME DE SAUVE
Oh -- yes -- you are right, Madame -- but you will excuse me -- if new dangers --
MARGUERITE
You know that I am allied to the King of Navarre.
CATHERINE
(on her knees by the King)
My son, what did I tell you?
THE KING
You told me something, mama?
CATHERINE
I told you he wouldn't come.
THE KING
What's that?
CATHERINE
Henry.
THE KING
Ah, yes, it's true -- where is Little Henry?
CATHERINE
At a sermon, doubtless.
THE KING
Margot!
MARGUERITE
My King calls me.
THE KING
Yes.
MARGUERITE
(aside, looking around her)
He isn't coming.
THE KING
Why isn't Little Henry here?
MARGUERITE
Sir, I left him ready to come. Some thing must have delayed him.
THE KING
He's wrong, he's wrong. The streets of Paris are not yet cold enough for a half a Catholic to venture alone -- he had been in greater security in our company than where he doubtless finds himself at the moment.
MADAME DE SAUVE
(aside)
Oh, my God! My God!
CATHERINE
Well, my son, do you still say that Henry -- ?
MARGUERITE
Sire, listen, I seem to hear.
THE KING
What?
SEVERAL VOICES
To the Mass, Henry -- to the Mass.
CATHERINE
There he is.
LA HURRIERE
He came, the heretic.
THE SAME VOICES
To Mass -- to Mass.
HENRY
(entering on horseback)
Gentlemen, I went yesterday -- I am coming from one today -- I will go again tomorrow. Damn, that seems quite enough.
THE KING
Where are you coming from, Henry? And why are you so late?
HENRY
Sire, you heard -- from Mass. Passing before Saint Germain, I went in -- I heard a very beautiful sermon. I expected to find Your Majesty.
THE KING
You will find, mother, that it's we who are at fault and that Little Henry is going to be a better Catholic than we are.
HENRY
Sire, that will not astonish me -- for I've heard it said from the pulpit that the Lord prefers a sinner who repents to the wise man who never sins.
THE KING
And you repent?
HENRY
Sire, I am very certain that nothing is missing from my wardrobe but a rosary like to that which our good mother wears -- so that all may see in me one of the most fervent Catholics in the realm.
THE KING
Mother, give your rosary to Little Henry -- I would be very curious to see the King of the Huguenots say his rosary.
CATHERINE
Indeed, let's see if he will engage in dissimulation.
(looking for her absent rosary)
My son, I've lost it or someone stole it from me.
HENRY
Good thief!
(aloud)
Madame, I am content to recite my prayers alone as the Italians say -- and as the Italians are the first among Catholics, God cannot fail to make me have taste seeing I am trying to resemble them.
PEOPLE
Long live the king -- long live the Mass. Charity! Charity!
THE KING
Hear, good people, hear!
(he searches for his purse)
Ah, ah, mother -- it appears my purse has gone to join your rosary. Damn, he's a bold fellow who steals the King's purse to see how good the King's police are.
HENRY
Sire, I would offer you mine -- but some good Catholic thinking that new saints make the best miracles has appropriated it as a relic.
THE KING
(laughing)
Gascon.
HENRY
No, Damn! It's that I have the honor to tell Your Majesty they took me for a true King and stole it!
PEOPLE
Long live the King! Noel! Noel!
(The procession marches off.)
(curtain)
ACT III
Scene vii
The apartment of the Queen of Navarre.
GILONNE
(looking to the depths of the corridor)
A cherry cloak, a white and gold doublet. A hat crowned by a white feather. On my oath, that's indeed him. This way -- Monsieur de la Mole -- over here!
DE MOUY
(a handkerchief on his face)
Over here, you say?
GILONNE
Yes, yes -- you are expected.
DE MOUY
By whom?
GILONNE
Eh! You know very well -- by a woman.
(The voice of Coconnas can be heard.)
VOICE
Eh! La Mole! La Mole! Where the devil are you then?
DE MOUY
(to Gilonne)
You see, I am pursued.
GILONNE
Come in, quickly then.
DE MOUY
Where?
GILONNE
In this office.
DE MOUY
My word! By the grace of God.
(goes in)
GILONNE
(shutting the door)
It was in time!
(Coconnas enters.)
COCONNAS
La Mole! By God -- what's wrong with you. You ran as if all the devils in hell were at your heels.
GILONNE
Ah! It's you, Count Coconnas?
COCONNAS
My word yes -- and very out of breath! Have you seen La Mole?
GILONNE
(a finger to her mouth)
Hush!
COCONNAS
What?
GILONNE
He is there!
COCONNAS
We are then in the Queen of Navarre's apartment?
GILONNE
Yes.
COCONNAS
And I, who did not understand anything. It's fine -- it's fine! Your very humble servant. I am going.
LA MOLE
(at the door)
Coconnas.
COCONNAS
(stupefied)
La Mole! How did you get out?
LA MOLE
How did I get out? What do you mean?
COCONNAS
I understand. There are two doors and you took a tour.
LA MOLE
There are two doors -- where?
COCONNAS
To this office?
LA MOLE
What are you telling me?
COCONNAS
You don't, by chance, dare to try to convince me that you didn't go in here?
LA MOLE
When?
COCONNAS
Five minutes ago.
LA MOLE
You are mad.
COCONNAS
I am mad! Be our judge, Madame.
LA MOLE
Speak!
COCONNAS
Didn't La Mole just now go in this office?
GILONNE
I thought so, at least.
COCONNAS
Damn! You told me so.
GILONNE
And I repeat it. For myself, I thought so. But perhaps I deceived myself, perhaps it was a gentleman dressed in the same way. I was ordered to admit a lord in a cherry cloak and a white doublet.
LA MOLE
Well.
GILONNE
Do you know any one who has an interest to get in here in your clothes, Count La Mole?
LA MOLE
No one -- unless -- Oh, my God!
COCONNAS
What?
LA MOLE
Unless someone is taking my place. Would that be treason?
COCONNAS
Whatever you please, but I say I saw you enter here -- or if it wasn't you, it was someone who bore a devilish resemblance to you.
LA MOLE
On your honor, Coconnas?
COCONNAS
On my honor?
LA MOLE
Then I am going to find out.
(He takes a step towards the door -- Gilonne puts herself in front of him.)
GILONNE
Count de la Mole!
LA MOLE
Let me pass, Madame, let me pass.
COCONNAS
Eh, by God! You are forgetting that you are in a Queen's apartment!
LA MOLE
Oh! It little matters to me where I am! A man has taken my name -- a man has taken my clothes. I must know who this man is!
MARGUERITE
(entering)
Ah, it's you, Monsieur de la Mole! But what's wrong with you and why are you so pale and shaking?
GILONNE
Madame, in spite of me, Count de la Mole was going to go in Your Majesty's apartment.
LA MOLE
Madame, it's because I wish to warn Your Majesty that a stranger, an unknown, a thief perhaps -- has introduced himself into your apartment with my cloak and hat.
MARGUERITE
You are mad, sir, for I see your cloak on your shoulders, and I believe, God pardon me! that I see your hat on your head.
LA MOLE
(hat in hand)
Oh, pardon, Madame, pardon! It's not that, God is my witness, I lack respect.
MARGUERITE
No -- it's faith.
LA MOLE
What do you expect, where a man is in Your Majesty's apartment, when he introduced himself by taking my costume and perhaps my name --
MARGUERITE
But this man is not here to speak to My Majesty.
LA MOLE
And for who then has he come?
MARGUERITE
For the King of Navarre, my husband -- I charge you de la Mole to find him and bring him here -- are you reassured?
LA MOLE
Ah, Madame!
COCONNAS
(looking at them)
The devil take me if I would be content with such an explanation!
LA MOLE
(to Coconnas)
Come, come! I am already enough at fault, Coconnas.
COCONNAS
(bowing)
Madame.
MARGUERITE
(stopping him)
When the King of Navarre is gone, come to me La Mole -- I have to speak to you.
LA MOLE
Oh! I will return.
(The two gentlemen leave.)
MARGUERITE
(to Gilonne)
Now, let Mr. de Mouy enter.
GILONNE
Mr. De Mouy?
MARGUERITE
Yes -- he is in my room. He's dressed as de la Mole.
GILONNE
De Mouy in Your Majesty's room.
(she opens and watches de Mouy enter)
In Mr. La Mole's costume. I don't understand a thing! Come in, sir.
MARGUERITE
Watch outside. Don't let anyone in except the King of Navarre.
(De Mouy enters. Gilonne goes out.)
MARGUERITE
So, Monsieur de Mouy, you refuse to acquaint me with your motive for visiting the Louvre this evening?
DE MOUY
Deign to excuse me, Madame, and do not insist on a response from me.
MARGUERITE
Listen, Monsieur de Mouy, I took you to be one of the strongest leaders of the Huguenot party -- for one of the most faithful partisans of my husband, am I wrong?
DE MOUY
No, Madame, for up to a week ago, I was all you say.
MARGUERITE
And for what reason have you changed in a week?
DE MOUY
Madame, I must keep silent; and the duty I am under must be very real for me not to have already answered Your Majesty.
GILONNE
(rushing in)
His Majesty, the King of Navarre, Madame.
DE MOUY
Ah, the King of Navarre! Let me leave --
MARGUERITE
At this moment, it is impossible.
DE MOUY
Dare I observe to Your Majesty that if the King of Navarre sees me at this time, in this costume, in the Louvre, I am lost!
MARGUERITE
(showing him the curtain by the window)
Sir, behind this curtain, and you are well hidden there -- better perhaps than in your house for you can be sure of my word.
(De Mouy hides.)
MARGUERITE
The King of Navarre is to renounce the throne! I had thought him more ambitious than that. Have I deceived myself? Let's see.
HENRY
Here I am, Madame, I rush at your call.
MARGUERITE
My calling you did not astonish you, sir?
HENRY
I admit that I did not expect so great a favor.
MARGUERITE
So great a favor? What's so surprising in a woman begging her husband to spend some time in her apartment?
HENRY
Between wife and husband, no -- I find nothing surprising in that.
MARGUERITE
And between allies?
HENRY
It's true, between allies, that can also happen. You are right, Madame, and I, ingrate that I am, I am wrong to be surprised.
MARGUERITE
Fine, sire, and now that you're over this surprise let's sit down and talk.
HENRY
Let's talk -- yes -- but first --
(looking to the office)
Are we alone?
MARGUERITE
Absolutely alone.
HENRY
(aside)
Then there's someone hidden.
MARGUERITE
Sire, you recall the day of our marriage?
HENRY
(gallantly)
Do I recall it! Oh, surely, yes -- the day I owed you my life -- you see I would be very ungrateful if I didn't recall it.
MARGUERITE
There was nothing surprising about that, sire -- it was the result of a pact we made together. You haven't forgotten the pact?
HENRY
No, Madame.
MARGUERITE
Well, it's in the name of that pact, loyally entered into between two loyal hearts -- that I want a frank and loyal reply to my question.
HENRY
I am very ready -- ask --
(Marguerite casts a glance toward the window)
He's behind the curtain.
MARGUERITE
Is it true, sir, that Your Majesty consents to abjure -- as is the public rumor today?
HENRY
What do you want, Madame! When one is 25 years old and so near King there are some things indeed worth a mass.
MARGUERITE
And life is one of the things, right?
HENRY
Eh! Eh! I don't say no.
MARGUERITE
And are you sure of achieving this end, sire -- of saving your life?
HENRY
Almost, Madame. Although, you know, in this world no one can be sure of anything.
MARGUERITE
It's true that Your Majesty announces so much moderation, and professes such disinterest, that after having renounced his crown, and his religion, he'll probably renounce his alliance with a daughter of France.
HENRY
(after a moment of silence and quick glance at Marguerite)
Deign to remember, Madame, that at this moment I don't have complete free will. I will do as I am ordered by the King of France -- as for me, if they consult me in this matter which goes no less to my well being, my throne and my life -- rather than depend for my future on these marriage rights -- I would prefer to bury myself as a huntsman in some chateau or penitent in some cloister.
MARGUERITE
Your Majesty has no great confidence, it seems to me, in the star which shines on the face of Kings.
HENRY
It's that I've vainly sought mine, Madame, I cannot see it -- hidden as it is by the storm which rages against me at this hour.
MARGUERITE
And if the breath of a woman could ward off this storm and make this star more bright?
HENRY
It's very difficult.
MARGUERITE
Do you deny the existence of this woman?
HENRY
No, I deny her power.
MARGUERITE
You mean to say her will?
HENRY
I said her power, and I repeat the word. A woman is not really powerful except when love and interest are united in her to an equal degree. If one of these emotions preoccupies her, then she is vulnerable. Yes, the woman who could ward off this storm knows that I cannot count on her love.
(Marguerite is quiet)
Listen. At the last stroke of the clock of St. Germain, you must have thought of regaining your liberty -- as it was put in pawn -- as it was put in pawn to destroy those of my party. I ought to have thought of it. It was most necessary. We are losing Navarre, I can see that clearly -- but Navarre is a small thing in comparison to the life we keep.
MARGUERITE
Ah, it's too much!
HENRY
What is?
MARGUERITE
Ah, sire, it's wrong what you are doing.
HENRY
What do you mean?
MARGUERITE
I mean that to reward my frankness with all these evasions is not keeping the word you gave me.
HENRY
Madame, I swear to you.
MARGUERITE
Don't swear -- or, if you swear take an oath not to wear a mask and that all you've just said is the truth and not a trick or a lie!
HENRY
(low to Marguerite)
Eh, by God! Madame -- then swear to me no one is behind this curtain.
MARGUERITE
(low)
Ah! Ah! Well played! Yes, sir, there is someone who is entirely of my opinion and like me, I am sure, only waits for an opportunity to cast his life on your fortune.
HENRY
And I know this person?
MARGUERITE
Judge for yourself.
(She makes de Mouy come out.)
HENRY
De Mouy.
(low and excitedly)
Madame, do you think there's some way someone could hear us?
MARGUERITE
Sir, this room is cushioned and a double panel assures us of its deafness.
HENRY
I am in agreement with you. But, believe me, let's speak low. De Mouy, my brave de Mouy! Oh, how glad I am to see you!
DE MOUY
Sire, it's nothing you said in our last meeting -- but my presence then, allow me to tell you, appeared less agreeable then than today.
HENRY
(shrugging his shoulders)
Child! You didn't understand --
DE MOUY
Sire, my wits are not very subtle and I humbly ask Your Majesty's pardon for it, but from what you told me, I only understand what you said and not what you wished to tell me.
HENRY
(to Marguerite)
Madame, who suggested that you bring me face to face with de Mouy?
MARGUERITE
Sir, I guessed that you and Monsieur de Mouy should meet.
HENRY
Ah! You guessed that.
MARGUERITE
Yes.
HENRY
Do you understand, De Mouy? She guesses --
MARGUERITE
And now, when followed by this young man who took you for his friend, you entered this room, I hesitated -- for a week ago, in the corridor of the Louvre in the very doorway of the King of Navarre -- you gave your hand to Monsieur D'Alencon.
HENRY
You see indeed, de Mouy, she knows everything, Monsieur D'Alencon has gotten to you? Speak frankly, my friend.
DE MOUY
It's your fault, sire -- why did you so obstinately refuse the throne of Navarre, which I came to offer you?
MARGUERITE
You refused the throne of Navarre? This refusal of which you just spoke to me has actually taken place?
HENRY
Oh, truly, Madame, and you my brave de Mouy, both of you make me laugh with your exclamations. What! A man named de Mouy, meaning a man that all the world is watching -- this man enters my apartment, disguised as a worker in a harness shop -- enters my room which is watched constantly, and shut up each night like a prison -- he talks to me of reversals, of revolt, to me, Henry, a Prince by sufferance, provided that I bear a humble face, Huguenot-spared on the condition that I play Catholic -- and he expects me to accept his proposals -- made to me in a room I don't know, in a room not padded, in a room adjoining Monsieur D'Alencon! By God -- you are children -- or you are mad!
DE MOUY
But, sire, Your Majesty can't you give me some hope, if not by words, at least by a gesture, a sign.
HENRY
Wasn't the Duke D'Alencon waiting for you at my door?
DE MOUY
Yes, sire.
HENRY
What did I tell you?
DE MOUY
That, since you refused the realm of Navarre, he accepted it --
HENRY
Since he knew I refused it, he must have heard you offer it to me?
DE MOUY
Doubtless, he was listening.
HENRY
And he understood, you admit it yourself, poor conspirator that you are! If I had said a word, you would have been lost, for if I didn't know, I suspected at least that he was there and if not he, someone else, Charles, the Queen Mother. Oh, you don't know the walls of the Louvre, de Mouy, it's in their honor they coined the saying, "The walls have ears" and knowing these walls, should I have spoken? Come, come de Mouy, you do little honor to the good sense of the King of Navarre, and I am astonished that you didn't come to offer me a crown.
DE MOUY
But, I repeat, sire, can't you, while refusing this crown, give me a sign? I wouldn't feel so desperate -- so lost.
HENRY
Eh! By God! If he heard, couldn't he also see? And isn't one lost by a sign as much as by a word?
(looking around him)
Look, De Mouy, at this time, between you and her, so close together as you are, and speaking so low that my words do not pass the circle of our three chairs, yet I still fear to be overheard when I say to you -- De Mouy repeat to me this evening those propositions you made to me that morning.
DE MOUY
But, sire, now I am engaged to the Duke D'Alencon.
MARGUERITE
(striking her hands together)
Then it is too late.
HENRY
But, on the contrary, agree that it is exactly the protection of God is apparent. Remain engaged, De Mouy -- for the Duke, France is our refuge. Do you think that the King of Navarre can guarantee our heads? You decree yourselves unfortunates. I will get you all killed. But a son of France, that's another matter. Ask, for proofs, De Mouy, ask for guarantees, but innocent, that you are, you have already engaged your heart and a word would have been enough for you; I see that indeed.
DE MOUY
Oh, Sire, it was the despair of your abandonment that threw me into the arms of the duke. Also, it was the fear of being betrayed for he knows our secret.
HENRY
Fine! Hold his in your turn then, it depends on you. What does he want? To be King of Navarre? Promise him the crown. What does he intend? To leave the court? Furnish him the means to flee. Work for him, de Mouy, as if you were working for me. Direct the shield so it parries all blows that would fall on us. If he must flee, flee with him -- if he must fight and reign, I will fight and reign alone.
MARGUERITE
Be careful of the Duke, Henry, he is a somber and penetrating spirit, without hate, without friendship -- always ready to treat his friends as enemies, his enemies as his friends.
HENRY
And he's waiting for you this evening, you said, De Mouy?
DE MOUY
Well, sire, prepare to flee, prepare to fight, for the moment has come.
HENRY
How's that?
DE MOUY
That's exactly what I'm going to learn this evening from the Duke D'Alencon.
MARGUERITE
Speak, de Mouy, speak.
DE MOUY
You know that, tomorrow, he's hunting the length of the Seine, from Saint Germain just to Maisons -- that is to say the entire length of the forest. It is from this circumstance that we have decided to profit, for it favors the flight if his Royal Highness.
HENRY
And His Royal Highness has decided to flee with you?
DE MOUY
Yes, for the principals of our religion who will be reunited tomorrow in the forest in the name of Monsieur D'Alencon, have warned me that they will no longer believe in anyone except in those who will come publicly to act and fight with them.
HENRY
Well, de Mouy, I will be there.
MARGUERITE
You, ah, then!
DE MOUY
Then, sire, be ready for tomorrow.
MARGUERITE
Am I not you ally, sire? Must I not share your good and your bad fortune?
DE MOUY
Then it's unnecessary for me to go to the Duke D'Alencon?
HENRY
Go there, on the contrary -- de Mouy -- it would awaken his suspicions if you were not to go. Let nothing change your plans until tomorrow. And until tomorrow let the name of the Duke D'Alencon alone be accredited among you as the future chief of your party.
(giving him his hand)
Thanks! You understand de Mouy: You have all night to make your preparations.
DE MOUY
Then, sire, you do not renounce the realm of Navarre?
HENRY
I renounce the realm -- de Mouy, I reserve to choose the best.
DE MOUY
So be it, but listen, sire -- Monsieur D'Alencon so that I can act without inconveniencing him, this evening sent me the costume of a gentleman named de la Mole, and it is this excess of precaution which, after having almost lost all, has saved us, for pursued by one of the friends of this gentleman who took me for him, I was obliged to take refuge in this apartment. Well -- it's necessary that this young man who is moreover a Huguenot be one of us.
(At the name of La Mole, Marguerite leaves her seat, blushing and goes to sit a few paces away at her toilette.)
HENRY
Tell me, Madame, this La Mole, of whom de Mouy is speaking -- isn't he the same one whose life you saved during the night of St. Bartholemew?
MARGUERITE
Yes, sir.
HENRY
You heard what de Mouy said, Madame, we must have this young man.
MARGUERITE
Since such is your wish, sir, I will do my best to second it.
HENRY
Then hasten, de Mouy.
(de Mouy starts to leave)
Not that way. By this door. I will escort you -- three raps on my door in passing will indicate nothing has changed, but in the name of heaven, don't try to see me.
(De Mouy exits.)
HENRY
As for you, Madame, I leave la Mole to you. Spare neither gold nor promises to seduce him. I put all my treasury at his disposition.
(Henry exits.)
MARGUERITE
(watching him aside)
Gold or promises! Poor La Mole. He will give me his life for less than that.
(calling)
Gilonne.
GILONNE
(appearing)
Madame?
MARGUERITE
Tell La Mole that he can enter.
(Gilonne goes out and returns with La Mole.)
MARGUERITE
Now that we are alone, let's have a serious discussion, my good friend.
LA MOLE
Seriously, Madame?
MARGUERITE
Or intimately. Let's see, do you prefer that? There can be serious things in intimacy and especially the intimacy of a Queen.
LA MOLE
Let's talk then -- of serious things, but one the condition that Your Majesty, not be angry at the mad things I am going to say to her.
MARGUERITE
I desire, first of all, one of those mad things -- and I am going to get there first. You are jealous of my handsome gentleman?
LA MOLE
Oh -- enough to lose my mind!
MARGUERITE
And jealous of whom? Let's see!
LA MOLE
Of everybody! For, again, you are so beautiful that the whole world must love you.
MARGUERITE
And, in the first rank of those who love me, you place de Mouy.
LA MOLE
Why else does he come here?
MARGUERITE
For Monsieur D'Alencon with whom he conspires.
LA MOLE
But this white doublet -- this cherry cloak -- this so perfect disguise -- that my best friend himself was deceived?
MARGUERITE
A ruse of my brother's, La Mole so de Mouy can penetrate the Louvre without being recognized and consequently without compromising him -- and me -- I've known all this since -- deceived like your friend I took him to be you at first. He has our secret, La Mole -- he must be managed.
LA MOLE
Oh -- I prefer to kill him -- that's the quickest and severest way.
MARGUERITE
And I, my brave gentleman, I much prefer that he live and that you know everything -- for his life is not only useful to us, but necessary. Listen and carefully weigh your words before answering me. Do you love me enough, La Mole, to rejoice if I become truly Queen -- that is to say mistress of a true kingdom?
LA MOLE
Alas, Madame, I love you enough to desire what you desire, even if this wish ruined my entire life.
MARGUERITE
Noble heart! Yes, I accept your devotion and I know how to reward it.
(giving him her hands)
Well?
LA MOLE
Oh -- now Marguerite, I begin to understand. Yes, this real royalty of Navarre which must replace a fictitious royalty you lust after: King Henry pushes you that way -- De Mouy conspires with you, isn't that right? But the Duke D'Alencon, what's his role in this affair?
MARGUERITE
The Duke, friend, conspires on his own account. Let's let him ruin himself, his life answers to ours. Well, La Mole, I await your response
LA MOLE
Here it is, Madame, they pretend -- and I have heard it said to the ends of France, where your name is so illustrious, your beauty so universally recognized and adored -- came like a vague desire of unknown things to touch my heart -- I have heard it said that you had loved -- once -- that you had loved often -- and that your love always brought misfortune to the objects of your love -- so much so that death, jealous, doubtless, had almost always taken your lovers from you. You sigh, my queen, your eyes are becoming veiled. So it's true. Well, let only one of your glances promise to make me happier and better loved then your favorites, and dispose of my life, my soul, my well being. Only, you must swear to me that, if I die for you as a somber presentment warns me -- that if the executioner separates this head from the body you envelop in your arms, sweet necklace of love under which my entire body shivers. You swear to me right? That before it is thrown in a cold grave that before they entomb me in solitary tomb you will come -- you, my queen, to place a last kiss on my face, and bring to me, in this strange world what lives already in my soul -- the price of my devotion, the reward of my martyrdom.
MARGUERITE
O Lugubrious madness -- O fatal thought.
LA MOLE
Swear.
MARGUERITE
Must I swear?
LA MOLE
Yes.
MARGUERITE
Well, yes, if it please God that your somber presentments are realized my handsome gentleman, I swear it to you -- dead, your memory will always be near me -- as living your love had been -- and if I cannot save you from peril -- or you lose yourself for me alone, I will give at least to your poor soul the consolation that you ask, and that you will so well have deserved. La Mole, by the living God, I swear it!
LA MOLE
Well, madame, as I leave at this moment, you dispose not of your servant, nor your friend, but your slave. I am nothing more to myself -- I am yours.
MARGUERITE
La Mole, I accept, and you will find in me a devotion like to the one you give me. La Mole, come before the hunt and you will learn what you must do. Goodbye my handsome gentleman, goodbye.
LA MOLE
Goodbye, Madame.
(Marguerite tenders her hand toward him. He raises it to kiss it, she leans towards his face and touches his lips with kisses, then she flees to her room.)
LA MOLE
Marguerite!
(rising)
She loves me! Oh, thanks, Marguerite; for now I am no more a vulgar favorite, and I can carry this head high -- for living or dead, it is reserved a sweet future.
(He leaves.)
(curtain)
Scene viii
Catherine de Medici's apartment. In the rear, a chimney. Doors right and left. To the left a secret armoire and a window masked by tapestries.
CATHERINE
Six o'clock and Rene hasn't come!
(a knock at the rear)
Here he is.
(going to the door and opening it)
Why so late Rene who kept you?
RENE
Lovers, Madame, who were made happy by oath that they were loved in return.
CATHERINE
Master Rene no secrets from me. It was my daughter, Marguerite, it was La Mole -- what were they doing at your place?
RENE
You see this statuette, Madame.
(Pulling a wax doll from beneath his cloak.)
CATHERINE
Pressed to the heart, with a crown on its head -- an 'M' on the shoulderbelt, de La Mole is so amorous of the Queen of Navarre that he has to have recourse to magic.
RENE
Like a madman!
CATHERINE
Then this doll is worth keeping Rene.
(she puts it in the secret armoire)
We shall find it again the day we need it. Fine -- have you completed the experiments I indicated to you?
RENE
Yes, Madame, and I begin to think like you that it is not in the liver as the Greeks and Romans believed, but in convolutions of the brain that the all powerful hand of fate writes its omens.
CATHERINE
You have completed the experiments?
RENE
Yes, both of them.
CATHERINE
Tell me all the details.
RENE
I obtained two chickens, as you recommended -- without a single white blemish.
CATHERINE
That's it --
RENE
I lay the first on the little altar and I opened its breast with a single blow of the knife.
CATHERINE
A single one, right? Well?
RENE
It let out three shrieks and it expired.
CATHERINE
Three shrieks -- three deaths -- and then?
RENE
The liver twisted to the left, contrary to the usual way.
CATHERINE
Dethronement! Dethronement! Three deaths followed by a dethronement! Do you know this is frightful, Rene?
RENE
Yes, Madame, frightening.
CATHERINE
And the second sacrifice -- the one who's brain you must consult?
RENE
Frightened by the three cries of the first, when I went to go take it, it flew away -- and it extinguished the magic candle which provided light for me.
CATHERINE
You see, Rene, you see. It's thus our race will be extinguished. Death will touch it with its wing and it will disappear from the earth. Three sons, now -- three sons! What did you do next?
RENE
I relit the candle and I caught it, cut off its head with a single blow.
CATHERINE
It didn't shriek this time, I hope?
RENE
No, but it uttered three sighs.
CATHERINE
You see, Rene, instead of three shrieks, three sighs, three always, three! They will all three die. All these souls before expiring count and call three times. And then, then what did you do?
RENE
In accordance with your instructions, I observed the windings in the brain and in the blood fibers, I observed a letter.
CATHERINE
A letter. A single one?
RENE
Yes, but visible -- and not to be mistaken.
CATHERINE
And what was this letter?
RENE
An 'H'. This 'H' was followed by four perpendicular lines which seemed like the number one repeated four times.
CATHERINE
That's it, that's it. Charles IX reigns -- after Charles the IX comes Henry the 3rd, after Henry III, Henry IV -- it's him -- always him.
RENE
But the Duke Francis?
CATHERINE
Doubtless he will be killed in the interval. Oh, Henry IV, Henry IV will reign, Rene, I am cursed in my posterity.
RENE
So -- you think he will reign?
CATHERINE
Yes, unless we forces the omens to lie.
RENE
Your Majesty wishes me to undertake further experiments?
CATHERINE
Tell me, Rene, isn't there a curious story of a doctor from Perugia, who, condemned to death by the tyrant of Siena for having refused to give him a book dealing with magic, poisoned the book before dying?
RENE
Yes, Madame, so well that the tyrant, having seized the book and having read the book without suspecting the venom that it contained died three days after the victim.
CATHERINE
Tell me, how dies the poison act?
RENE
It's very simple, Madame, the leaves of the book, impregnated with a mixture of arsenic stick together. The tyrant in his ignorance pushed them with his finger -- and naturally wet his finger to push them with greater ease -- several times he put his finger in his mouth and poisoned himself.
CATHERINE
Oh -- that's right. I remembered the event but I had forgotten the details. Rene, I saw at your apartment and asked for a book on hunting -- very interesting and very old -- did you bring it for me?
RENE
Yes, Madame, here it is. It's a book by Pietramonte on the art of raising falcons, male falcons, gyrfalcons.
CATHERINE
Give me this book.
RENE
Here it is, Madame.
CATHERINE
Thanks.
RENE
Your Majesty has other orders to give me?
CATHERINE
Relative to what?
RENE
Relative to this book.
CATHERINE
No, none.
RENE
(aside)
She distrusts me.
RENE
Goodbye, Rene.
RENE
(leaving)
Oh, I begin to believe I was wrong to make myself an enemy of the King of Navarre.
(Exit Rene.)
(Catherine goes to the secret armoire, takes a glass mask, gloves, dips the pages of the book in an antique earthenware vase, reshuts the armoire and dries the leaves of the book by a chimney fire.)
CATHERINE
I distrust everyone! Even Rene. So this time, no accomplices -- and if he escapes, well, it will truly be a miracle --
(knocking on the door)
Who wants me? I said I wouldn't see anyone except the Duke D'Alencon.
VOICE
(outside the door)
It's he madam.
CATHERINE
Fine, fine, I will open for him myself.
(She puts the book in the armoire, puts out the brazier with water, and puts the mask and gloves on a table and opens the door.)
CATHERINE
(opening the door)
Ah, it's you, my son.
DUKE
Excuse me, Madame, I disturb you.
CATHERINE
No -- I was just burning some old parchments and the odor you smell is that of juniper which I am burning to get rid of the other.
DUKE
You had something to ask me, mother?
CATHERINE
Yes, my son -- you know that Henry is a greater friend than ever of King Charles?
DUKE
No, I didn't know it, but I suspected it must be so. Now, mother, as my brother-in-law, Little Henry, is a prudent man, he's not reassured.
CATHERINE
So that?
DUKE
So that I think he's preparing everything to flee.
CATHERINE
You believe it, and I am sure of it.
DUKE
Well, mother, what do you think should happen?
CATHERINE
I think he must be allowed to leave.
DUKE
But then, he will escape us, mother.
CATHERINE
He's leaving -- but he won't escape us.
DUKE
I don't understand you, mother.
CATHERINE
Listen carefully, Francis -- a very able doctor predicted to me yesterday that the King of Navarre was on the point of being killed by one of those diseases which never forgive and for which science knows no remedy -- so, you understand, my son, if he must effectively die from such a cruel illness -- better that he die far from us, rather than at court under our eyes.
DUKE
Yes, that would cause us too much trouble. But are you sure, Madame, that he is threatened by this illness -- and who is the doctor?
CATHERINE
It's the same that predicted the death of his mother -- why, not being mistaken about the mother would he be mistaken about the son?
DUKE
Yes, you are right. But if he leaves feeling well -- do you think that this illness will take him off while he's on his way?
CATHERINE
No -- assuredly, he will leave ill -- in all probability. But enough on this subject, my son - -and let's talk of other things. Didn't Henry ask you yesterday for a book on hunting? You told me this at least to prove to me to what extent he intends to make his court to King Charles who appreciates in this world God's great hunters.
DUKE
Yes, Madame, I told you that.
CATHERINE
And have you given him the book?
DUKE
Not yet.
CATHERINE
Good! I found at Rene's, the perfumers, one of the most curious books on the hunt which exist. There are only two or three copies in the world. I've had this book since this morning. Do you understand, Francis?
DUKE
Yes, I understand.
CATHERINE
(taking the book)
It's a work on the act of raising and dressing falcons, male falcons and gyrfalcons -- written by a very wise man for the Lord Castruccio Castracani, the tyrant of Luca -- here it is.
DUKE
(looking at the book with a certain terror)
And what am I to do with it, Madame?
CATHERINE
Why take it to your brother, Little Henry, who asked you for it to instruct him in the science of falconry; as he is hunting with falcons today with the King, he won't fail to read a few pages. All you have to do is to be sure to give it to him.
DUKE
Oh -- I wouldn't dare go that far, Madame!
CATHERINE
Why's that? It's a book like any other except that it's been shut up for so long that the pages are stuck together. Don't try to read it yourself, Francis, for one cannot begin to read it without wetting one's finger and pushing the pages leaf by leaf -- which takes a lot of time and gives much trouble.
DUKE
So much so that only a man who has a great desire to learn would lose the time or take the trouble.
CATHERINE
Exactly, my son and you understand wonderfully.
(The fanfare for the hunt can be heard.)
DUKE
(looking out the window)
Eh! Madame -- there exactly is Little Henry in the court -- I am going to profit by his absence to take this book to his apartment. On his return he will find it.
CATHERINE
I would prefer that you give it to him, personally, Francis. That would be more sure.
DUKE
I told you that I wouldn't dare go that far.
CATHERINE
Go there, but at least place it in a corner that's very noticeable.
DUKE
Open? Would it be inconvenient if it were open?
CATHERINE
No.
DUKE
Give it to me then, Madame.
CATHERINE
Oh -- take it boldly -- there's no danger, since I am touching it -- besides, you have gloves.
DUKE
Fine, Madame.
CATHERINE
Hurry -- Henry is no longer in the court and he might return from one moment to the next.
DUKE
I am going there, Madame.
A PAGE
(entering)
Milord, the King of Navarre, asks, before going on the hunt. the favor of presenting his homage to Your Majesty.
CATHERINE
(to the Duke)
Well, you see, it's God who sends him to you.
(to page)
Tell my son, Henry, that I am not here -- but let him enter and wait; his brother-in-law, the Duke of Alencon will keep him company.
DUKE
(hesitating)
Madame --
CATHERINE
Compare the gain with the risk and take courage -- Come on.
DUKE
But why not give it to him yourself, Madame?
CATHERINE
Stupid! Do you think he's forgotten his mother's perfumed gloves?
DUKE
That's true.
(Catherine leaves.)
DUKE
Come on, Francis -- courage! Yes, she said it, she who knows what it is, the risk -- it's only a little audacity -- and the gain is a crown.
HENRY
(entering)
Ah, it's you my dear brother -- I am always happy to meet you, you know.
DUKE
I came to greet the Queen before my departure for the hunt.
HENRY
By God! That's sympathy -- and I too, you see.
DUKE
Brother, in your desire to pay your court to the King, who, before all other types of hunting, prefers falconing, you asked me for a book dealing with this subject.
HENRY
Yes, and you were good enough to tell me that in your library --
DUKE
-- was shut up a precious work. That work -- here it is.
HENRY
By God! This falls out wonderfully -- I will still have time to educate myself before leaving for the hunt. A thousand thanks my very dear brother -- and if in my turn, I can be agreeable to you --
DUKE
Rest easy, I will address myself to you. But our good mother is very tardy and I must go to the stables to see about a new horse that I will ride today. Goodbye Henry.
HENRY
We will meet again at the hunt.
DUKE
Certainly.
HENRY
Well -- till we meet again.
DUKE
Till we meet again.
(He leaves.)
HENRY
(alone)
Ah, on my word, I am playing lucky. I was waiting for this book with great impatience. Poor Bernese peasant accustomed to hunt bears in our great forests, I am ignorant of the art of falconry -- very practical for gentleman of the court. In ten minutes, I will learn how they launch their falcons, I will pursue mine, I will immerse myself in the rules. I will reach the pavilion of Francis the 1st and from there the route of D'Estampes -- and may God live, once at Estampes, once in open country, once at the head of fifty cavaliers -- I will brave all the Maurevals in the world -- and all this I will owe to -- The Art of Raising Falcons, Male Falcons and Gyrfalcons. They have forgotten eagles. Well, I will show them how the eagles are raised. But no one is coming -- is it that the Queen Mother takes little pleasure in seeing me? I have made my presence known. Should I leave? My word, I am going.
(King Charles enters dressed for the hunt followed by his dog, Acteon.)
THE KING
Ah, it's you, Little Henry? Not yet ready.
HENRY
Sire, I ask a thousand pardons of Your Majesty, but I didn't wish to leave without presenting my respects to our good mother.
THE KING
You are right, Henry -- she loves you so much!
HENRY
But you don't need to wait for that, sire; I ask for 10 minutes with Your Majesty and in 10 minutes --
THE KING
Go!
(seeing the book)
But what have you got there? Is it that having married a savante you are becoming a savante, by chance? A book -- a book under Little Henry's arm -- Miracle! Noel! Hosanna! Little Henry displays his library. By Gog and Magog -- this is curious.
HENRY
My word, yes -- it's curious. But when Your Majesty learns that it's from devotion to him that I am becoming a philosopher, I hope he won't doubt any more the feelings I've always had for him.
THE KING
How's that? You are becoming a philosopher for me?
HENRY
For you alone, sire.
THE KING
Explain yourself. You know I love your explanations. They are usually honest and frank.
HENRY
Sire, Your Majesty recalls that he reproached my ignorance in the art of falconry.
THE KING
Yes, I said that ignorance was unworthy of a gentleman.
HENRY
Well, sire, I've obtained, through my research, a very curious book in which I am going to study the art, so as to be worthy to accompany the King whenever he does me the honor to invite me to the hunt with him.
THE KING
And I will do you this honor often, Henry -- for, by God -- your company is among those that please me most. And what is this book?
HENRY
Sire, it's a tract on the art of raising falcons dedicated to Lord Castruccio Castracani, Tyrant of Lucca.
THE KING
By God! By Pietramonte?
HENRY
My word, yes, Your Majesty knows this book?
THE KING
I've been searching for it for 10 years and I searched in vain. There exist only three copies in the world. Give me this book, Henry.
HENRY
Oh! Sire, with great pleasure.
THE KING
And where the devil did you find it?
HENRY
By God -- in your very family. And it's true, as they say one sometimes searches for what is very near. Your brother, D'Alencon just gave it to me.
THE KING
My brother D'Alencon? You see the snake! Go dress, Henry, go dress. For today, again I overlook your ignorance.
HENRY
Where does Your Majesty order me to rejoin him?
THE KING
In the court of the Louvre, where I will be after I've had a word with my mother.
HENRY
Sire, at Your Majesty's orders.
(Henry exits.)
THE KING
D'Alencon had this book and never mentioned it to me. I no longer wonder he's such a clever falconer and that he knows everything concerning the nourishment and education of birds.
(sitting and opening the book)
It doesn't seem to have been much used. The leaves are stuck together.
(trying to open them)
Well --
(wetting a finger and forcing the page to turn)
That's it.
(reading)
They must be nourished, as soon as they begin to get their feathers with the heart of brave and valiant animals.
DUKE
(having entered the room)
He's still here -- he's reading.
THE KING
(wetting his finger)
"Brave and valiant -- like bulls, bears and wolves."
DUKE
(aside)
Mercy! It's not him -- it's my brother.
(making a motion to stop the King)
Well, what am I going to do? It's still the same risk -- only instead of the crown of Navarre, it's the crown of France -- read on, dear brother, read on!
THE KING
(reading)
"Then when they begin to fly -- when they begin to fly, it's a question of introducing living birds into their cages, and to make sure they don't eat the brains of which they are very fond. It is necessary, amongst the smaller birds to choose the most courageous such as goldfinches, chaffinches and french sparrows and not turtledoves, nightingales and warblers" cursed leaves, turn. Ah, it's you D'Alencon?
DUKE
Yes, Milord.
THE KING
What, have you such treasures in your library and you never told me.
DUKE
But I myself ask Your Majesty how this book found its way into your hands?
THE KING
It's the simplest thing, I met Henry here; Henry brought this book with him. I had been ashamed to leave such a pearl with a bore like him. I took it from his hands -- and I was reading it when you arrived. But you came for something?
DUKE
Yes, sire, only I am in a position to tell you what brought me.
THE KING
Fine, some new rumor, some daily accusation against poor Little Henry.
DUKE
Exactly.
THE KING
It's the tenth one this month -- but never mind -- come with me and you will tell me about it -- Ah -- !
DUKE
What's wrong, sire?
THE KING
I don't know -- a cold sweat. My knees shake. Some air, I am suffocating.
DUKE
The weather is bad and doubtless.
THE KING
What are you saying, D'Alencon? The heaven is like an azure. Oh -- what is it, what can it be?
(He lets the book fall, the dog picks it up.)
DUKE
Your Majesty.
THE KING
I'm better. It's nothing -- come D'Alencon, come!
DUKE
(aside, following him)
He's tasted ten times the poison -- he's dead.
(curtain)
Scene ix
The forest of Saint Germain. On one side a clearing shaded by a great oak tree. On the other, the pavilion of Francis I.
LA MOLE
It seemed to me that the hunt was singularly near us just now. I heard cries of huntsmen encouraging the falcons.
COCONNAS
And now, nothing more can be heard. Therefore, they must be further off. I told you it was a bad place for observation -- true we can't be seen -- but, we can't see much either.
LA MOLE
What the devil, my dear Hannibal, it's better to put our horses some place rather than lead them like two mules carrying baggage so that I don't know how they will be able to follow us -- well, I only know these old beech trees and oaks which can take on this work. I dare say that far from blaming de Mouy, I recognize in all the preparation of this enterprise the mind of a true conspirator.
COCONNAS
Good -- the word escaped you now. We are conspiring then. Ah, I've got you now.
LA MOLE
The word did not escape me, Coconnas -- I said by design -- yes, we are conspiring -- if to help a king and queen to flee is to conspire.
COCONNAS
Who are conspiring! It's known, in every country in the world as being accomplices to a conspiracy and to be accomplices to a conspiracy is to conspire. You cannot get out of that dilemma, my poor La Mole, logician though you are.
LA MOLE
Coconnas, I told you, I repeat to you, I am not forcing you in anyway to aid me in this adventure -- to which I am led by a particular sentiment you do not share and cannot share.
COCONNAS
Eh! By God! Who pretends that you are forcing me? First of all, I know of no man who can force Coconnas to do what he does not wish to do. But do you think I will let you without following you, especially when I see you are going to the devil?
LA MOLE
Hannibal, Hannibal. I think that I see down there her white saddle mare. Oh -- it's strange that only thinking of her coming, my heart beats.
COCONNAS
Well, mine doesn't beat at all -- it's funny.
LA MOLE
It's not she -- I was deceived. What's happening then? It seems to me it was for four o'clock.
COCONNAS
What's happened is that it's not yet four o'clock -- and we still have time to take a nap it appears. Let's take a nap.
LA MOLE
Hannibal, I repeat -- Hannibal, I beg you -- don't stay here an instant longer -- you are the servant of Madame de Nevers, as I am of the Queen -- well Madame de Nevers is not coming with us.
COCONNAS
Ah, exactly -- there's the difference between the two of us, La Mole and what makes me better or worse than you -- let the moralists decide -- I prefer my friend to my mistress while you prefer your mistress to your friend.
LA MOLE
Oh, Coconnas, it's not love I have for Madame Marguerite, it's delirium, madness, religion -- I prefer to die for her than to live without her. I think of her incessantly, I think of her during the day, during the night, while I wake, when I sleep.
COCONNAS
Well -- when I sleep, I think of nothing -- so to think of nothing I am going to sleep. Good day La Mole -- when the hour comes to act, awaken me.
(He lies down, but the moment he puts his head on the ground he stops.)
COCONNAS
Oh -- oh!
LA MOLE
What's wrong?
COCONNAS
This time I am not mistaken -- I hear something.
LA MOLE
That's strange, I have good hearing -- I hear nothing.
COCONNAS
You don't hear anything?
LA MOLE
No.
COCONNAS
Well -- look at this deer.
LA MOLE
Where?
COCONNAS
Down there.
LA MOLE
He's eating.
COCONNAS
He's listening.
LA MOLE
I think you are right, for now he's running away.
COCONNAS
Then since he's fleeing, it's because he hears what you do not.
LA MOLE
In fact, the galloping of a horse. Attention. Attention.
(Marguerite on a white horse passes in the depth of the stage at a gallop, making a sign.)
LA MOLE
The Queen! The Queen!
COCONNAS
What's it mean? She passed by and made a sign that's all.
LA MOLE
The sign means, 'I will be with you right away'.
COCONNAS
The sign meant "Leave, it is time."
LA MOLE
The gesture signified -- "Wait for me."
COCONNAS
The gesture signifies "Escape."
LA MOLE
Well, let's each act according to his conviction. You go -- I'll stay.
COCONNAS
Simpleton!
(He sits back down.)
LA MOLE
De Mouy -- De Mouy fleeing!
COCONNAS
You see we must escape since de Mouy is in flight.
DE MOUY
(passing at a gallop)
Eh! Hurry! Hurry! All is lost! En route! En route! Those who came here for Monsieur D'Alencon, en route!
LA MOLE
And the Queen! The Queen!
(De Mouy disappears without responding.)
COCONNAS
(running to his horse)
My friend, I repeat what de Mouy said, for de Mouy is a man who speaks well. By God, as King Charles says -- when one conspires badly, you must escape well -- my horse.
(a squire leads in the horse)
In saddle, La Mole, in saddle.
LA MOLE
Well, look, to horse since you wish it, but to search for her at least?
COCONNAS
(on his horse)
This is very fortunate.
A LIEUTENANT
Halt there, gentleman.
(From the trees appears a company of light cavalry.)
COCONNAS
What did I tell you?
LA MOLE
Ah!
COCONNAS
Nothing is yet lost -- listen and imitate me.
(to the light cavalry)
One moment, one moment, gentleman. What's wrong?
LIEUTENANT
You must surrender.
COCONNAS
(dismounting)
Gentleman -- we surrender.
(they are surrounded)
But first of all -- why must we surrender?
LIEUTENANT
You may ask the King of Navarre.
COCONNAS
What crime have we committed?
LIEUTENANT
Monsieur D'Alencon will tell you. Gentleman, the King.
THE KING
(with the Duke and their suite)
Come on, come on, I am in haste to return to the Louvre. You say our heretics are in this pavilion.
DUKE
Yes, sire.
THE KING
Come on, come on! Let us drag them from the earth. Let us pitch them to the hounds. Today's Saint Blaise day -- cousin to St. Bartholemew.
DUKE
Open the gates.
(A door opens and a group of Huguenots come out.)
THE KING
Very fine -- I see some Huguenots. I don't say the contrary but I don't see either Henry or Marguerite. You promised them to me, D'Alencon.
DUKE
Then, sire, it's because they've fled.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Fled? Not at all, sire, for here they come.
THE KING
And come like two lovers -- here, Little Henry -- here.
(Henry and Marguerite enter.)
HENRY
Your Majesty calls me?
THE KING
Yes.
HENRY
Here I am, at your orders, sire!
THE KING
(to Marguerite)
And you?
MARGUERITE
Me, too, brother.
THE KING
Where are you coming from, sir?
HENRY
From the hunt, sire!
THE KING
The hunt was on the banks of the river -- and not in the forest and Monsieur D'Alencon saw you both spur for the forest.
HENRY
My falcon was after a pheasant and as I am a bad huntsman with falcons -- seeing I couldn't call him back -- I followed him.
(aside)
Ah! You saw us -- ! Wait!
THE KING
And where is this pheasant.
THE KING
Here it is, sire -- a magnificent cock.
THE KING
Why didn't you rejoin us after this pheasant was taken?
HENRY
Because at the moment, for rejoining you, sire, we saw Your Majesty coming this way -- then we took to galloping in your traces being on the hunt with Your Majesty. We didn't wish to lose you.
THE KING
(pointing to the Huguenots)
And all these gentlemen were part of my hunt?
HENRY
What gentlemen?
THE KING
Eh! Your Huguenots, by God! In any event, if someone invited them, It wasn't me.
HENRY
No, sire, but perhaps it was Monsieur D'Alencon.
DUKE
Me?
HENRY
Doubtless -- wasn't there something between de Mouy and you -- like a promise on your part to accept the throne of Navarre -- which I had renounced?
THE KING
To accept the throne of Navarre? You were accepting the throne of Navarre, D'Alencon?
DUKE
Sire!
HENRY
Ask of all these gentlemen? Why were you here, gentlemen? I ask you on your honor. Was it for the Duke D'Alencon?
A HUGUENOT
It wasn't for you, since you had refused the throne de Mouy proposed you.
HENRY
You hear, sire?
THE KING
Is this the truth, gentlemen?
ALL
Yes, sire, it's the truth.
THE KING
You were here for the Duke D'Alencon?
HUGUENOT
Yes, sire. Monsieur D'Alencon had to flee and we were to provide him an escort.
DUKE
They are lying! They are lying!
THE KING
Ah -- I wish now, once in my life to know what to believe.
HENRY
De Mouy -- is he among the prisoners? Sire, call de Mouy -- he will tell you that this flight was arranged with Monsieur D'Alencon -- that yesterday he came to offer me to partake in it.
THE KING
Where is de Mouy -- is de Mouy among the prisoners?
DE NANCY
No, sire, he escaped, or so it appears.
THE KING
(noticing La Mole and Coconnas)
But here are two other prisoners -- let's question them. Come here, gentlemen.
(Coconnas and La Mole approach. La Mole bows, Coconnas salutes in the grand manner)
To whom do you belong, gentlemen?
COCONNAS
We belong to ourselves, sire.
THE KING
You don't belong to anyone?
COCONNAS
No, sire.
THE KING
What were you doing when they arrested you?
COCONNAS
We were devising feats of arms and love.
THE KING
On horseback, armed to the teeth, ready to flee?
COCONNAS
Pardon, sire, Your Majesty is ill informed -- we were sleeping under the shade of an oak -- sub tegmini fugi, as my friend de la Mole says.
THE KING
What did you see?
COCONNAS
We saw some people fleeing.
THE KING
What did you hear?
COCONNAS
We heard de Mouy who shouted "All is lost -- en route, those who belong to Monsieur D'Alencon, en route."
THE KING
He shouted that?
COCONNAS
Sire, Your Majesty does not suppose that a gentleman can lie?
THE KING
And despite this warning, you didn't flee?
COCONNAS
We had no reason to flee, sire. We are not with Monsieur D'Alencon.
DUKE
They did not flee because their horses were far way.
COCONNAS
I beg Your Majesty' pardon, Milord. We were holding our horses by the bridal -- and in fact, I was already on horseback when these gentlemen appeared, and then I dismounted. Isn't it true, gentlemen, that we could flee, and that we did not wish to?
LIEUTENANT
It's true.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Dear Hannibal -- go on! How I love you!
DUKE
But these pack horses, these mules, and these loaded trunks?
COCONNAS
That is not our concern at all, Milord. Are we stable valets? Search the groom who was guarding them and he will answer.
DUKE
(furious)
The groom has disappeared.
COCONNAS
Then it's because he got frightened. What do you expect, Milord, you cannot expect a serf to have the calm of a gentleman.
THE KING
Well, well -- we shall look into all this. Henry, your word not to flee.
HENRY
I give it, sire.
THE KING
Return to Paris -- and take the prisoners to your room. Your swords, gentleman.
(Coconnas and La Mole surrender their swords)
THE KING
Now, let's leave.
(He staggers.)
MARGUERITE
What's wrong with you, brother? What pain do you feel? This is the second time since the beginning of the hunt.
THE KING
Oh, I feel -- I feel what Portia must have felt when she swallowed burning coals. My horse! My horse!
HENRY
(to Marguerite)
What's wrong with him again?
MARGUERITE
I don't know -- but nothing good, surely.
THE KING
My legs shake -- I cannot see. mercy! I am burning -- I am burning! Help me, gentlemen, help me!
HENRY
The King feels unwell, gentlemen -- a stretcher, a litter to take the King back to Paris.
MARGUERITE
Well, brother?
THE KING
It's getting a little better. To Paris, gentlemen, to Paris.
(The suite of the King goes off crossing the forest.)
MARGUERITE
(to La Mole as she leaves)
Me deide!
COCONNAS
What did she say to you?
LA MOLE
Two words in Greek -- meaning "fear nothing."
COCONNAS
So much the worse, La Mole, so much the worse. That bodes us no good. Every time that word has been said to me in the way of encouragement, I have received, almost at the same moment -- either a gunshot wound, or a sword cut to the body or a pot of flowers on my head -- fear nothing -- be it in Greek, Latin or French has always meant to me -- "Watch out below".
LIEUTENANT
En route, gentlemen.
COCONNAS
And where are we being taken, if you please?
LIEUTENANT
To Vincennes, I think.
COCONNAS
I would much prefer to go elsewhere but one cannot always go where one wishes. Let's go, La Mole.
(curtain)
ACT IV
Scene x
The King's Arms Room -- the Louvre.
(The King, supported by a captain of the Guard, sits on some cushions accompanied by de Nancey.)
THE KING
Let someone inform Master Ambrose Pare that I have become indisposed during the hunt, and that I order him instantly to the Louvre. Then tell Henry that I wish to speak to him.
(They leave. He collapses on the cushions. Henry enters.)
HENRY
Sire, you asked for me.
THE KING
(giving him his hand and gesturing with his head)
Yes.
HENRY
(refusing his hand)
Sire, you are forgetting that I am not your brother, but your prisoner.
THE KING
That's true. But I recall that while the litter was being brought up, when we were alone, you promised me to answer frankly my questions.
HENRY
I am ready to keep that promise. Question me, sire.
THE KING
(pouring cold water on his hand and putting his hand over his face)
Was there any truth in the accusations of the Duke D'Alencon -- speak.
HENRY
Entirely, if he accuses me of only wishing to flee.
THE KING
You admit that you wish to flee?
HENRY
As far away as I could possibly get.
THE KING
And why flee? Are you unhappy with me, Henry?
HENRY
No, sire, and God, who can read in my heart, sees, on the contrary what a profound affection I bear to my brother and King - -anyway, it is neither my brother nor my King that I would flee.
THE KING
And who would you flee then?
HENRY
I would flee those who detest me -- Your Majesty permits me to speak to him here with an open heart?
THE KING
Speak -- who detests you here?
HENRY
Those who detest me here -- Monsieur D'Alencon and the Queen Mother.
THE KING
And you think this hate -- ?
HENRY
Is a mortal hate; yes, I believe it.
THE KING
The proof!
HENRY
Let Your Majesty recall St. Bartholemew -- which I only escaped by a miracle.
THE KING
Yes, yes, Little Henry -- you speak true. And you think those who wish you ill are not stopped by seeing that I do not wish you any harm.
HENRY
Sire, I am astonished every evening to find myself among the living!
THE KING
(with melancholy)
It's because, at bottom, they know I love you Henry -- that they wish to kill you -- but be easy, they will be punished for this ill will -- I am watching over you Henry, and misfortune to those who renew such attempts! Henry, you are free!
HENRY
Free to leave Paris, sire?
THE KING
Not at all. You know indeed that it is impossible for me to let you go. Look, Henry, I repeat, I have affection for you -- whatever they can say and do, whatever I have said and done, I want you to stay, for I want to have someone who loves me -- and God pardon me, I think in this world there is only you and Acteon.
(looking)
Where the devil is Acteon! Give me a glass of water, Henry -- I am burning.
HENRY
Well, sire, if Your Majesty protects me from her, I will pray him to grant me a grace.
(He gives a glass to the King.)
THE KING
(taking the glass)
Which? Go on! I am listening.
(drinking)
HENRY
It's to keep me near him not with the title of friend, but as a prisoner.
THE KING
(after having emptied his glass)
What do you mean a prisoner?
HENRY
(taking back the glass)
Doubtless! Doesn't Your Majesty see that it is your friendship which is destroying me?
THE KING
And you prefer my hate?
HENRY
An open hate -- yes, sire, for this hate will save me. So long as I am believed in disgrace with Your Majesty, there will be less rush to see me dead.
THE KING
I don't know what you want -- Little Henry. I don't know what your end is, but if your wishes are not accomplished, if you fail in your goal, I will be much surprised.
HENRY
I can then count on the severity of the King?
THE KING
Yes.
HENRY
Well, in that case, sire, recommend me to the Captain of your guards as a man that your rage gives only a week to live. That way I will love you a long while.
THE KING
Monsieur de Nancey.
(The Captain of the guards enters.)
THE KING
Monsieur de Nancy, I place the most guilty man in the realm in your hands. You will answer to me on your head.
(low)
Is that it, Little Henry?
HENRY
(low)
Thanks, sire.
(He bows humbly and leaves with de Nancey.)
THE KING
(alone)
He's right, a hundred times right -- but what the devil has become of my dog. Hola Acteon -- hola! Come here, come -- ah, what's wrong with him then
(finds the dog)
Dead -- rigid, cold and sleeping on a cloak of mine. Poor beast! He would have wanted to die on this object which recalls a friend to him. Dead! But dead of what? This morning he was marvelously healthy. He followed me to my mother's, he came back here carrying my book. Let's see then.
(kneeling before the dog)
His eye is watery, tongue red -- oh! This is a strange illness. What's he still got in his mouth? Some paper. Near this paper the most violent swelling -- the flesh is corroded as if by vitroil.
(unfolding some of the paper)
What is this? A fragment of my book on hunting, by chance, was the book poisoned? A thousand demons! And I touched each page with my finger and at each page put my finger in my mouth to wet it. This dizziness, this aching, this vomiting -- I am dead! Monsieur de Nancey! Monsieur de Nancey!
(Monsieur de Nancey.)
THE KING
Let someone rush instantly to the Pont Saint Michel. Let them bring Master Rene the Florentine, you hear! Willingly or by force, let him be brought. He must be here in ten minutes.
DE NANCY
Sire, this falls out wonderfully, he just went into the Queen Mother's apartments.
THE KING
Have him take his leave and bring him here.
(Monsieur de Nancey leaves)
Oh, if I have to torture the whole world, I will know where this book came from.
DE NANCY
(returning)
Here's Master Rene, Sire, I met him in the corridor.
THE KING
Bring him in.
(Rene enters.)
THE KING
Enter! Enter! Shut the door on us, Monsieur de Nancey.
(Monsieur de Nancey exits.)
RENE
(trembling)
Your Majesty has something to ask of me?
THE KING
Yes, you are an adept chemist, right?
RENE
Sire!
THE KING
And you know more about certain subjects than the cleverest doctors?
RENE
Your Majesty exaggerates.
THE KING
No, my mother told me. Besides, I have confidence in you -- and I always preferred to consult you than any other. Here, look at the body of this dog and tell me what killed him.
RENE
(examining the jaws of the dog)
These are very sad symptoms, sire.
THE KING
Yes, the dog died poisoned, right?
RENE
I fear so.
THE KING
And can you say with certainty that he was poisoned?
RENE
There's no doubt about it, I am sure of it. See this redness, sire, these pustules. I can almost tell what poison was given to him.
THE KING
What poison?
RENE
A mineral poison, according to all probability.
THE KING
Oh! And what would happen to a man who had, inadvertently, swallowed some of this same poison?
RENE
A great dizziness of the head, burning insides, aches in the bowels, vomiting.
THE KING
That's indeed it -- and would he be thirsty?
RENE
An inextinguishable thirst.
THE KING
That's indeed it! That's indeed it --
(He pours a glass of water and drinks.)
RENE
What is the purpose of all these questions, sire?
THE KING
Little matter to me! Reply to me, that's all. And what is the antidote?
RENE
You must first all be sure --
THE KING
You said it was a mineral poison?
RENE
Yes, but there are several mineral poisons -- does Your Majesty have some idea of the way this dog was poisoned?
THE KING
He ate a page of a book.
RENE
Of a book?
THE KING
Yes.
RENE
And Your Majesty has this book?
THE KING
Here it is!
(Showing the book to Rene.)
RENE
(recoiling)
My God.
THE KING
Ah -- wait -- here it is!
(points to a half torn page)
RENE
Let me tear out another, sire.
THE KING
The same -- the same -- it will be better.
(tearing out what is left of the page and giving it to Rene)
RENE
(puts the page to a candle and burns it)
It has been poisoned with a mixture of arsenic.
THE KING
How can you tell that?
RENE
From the odor of this page.
THE KING
Are you sure of it?
RENE
As I had myself prepared the mixture.
THE KING
And the antidote?
(Rene shakes his head.)
THE KING
What? You don't know one.
RENE
Sire, it's a terrible poison.
THE KING
It doesn't kill right away?
RENE
No, but it kills surely -- little matter the time one takes to die.
THE KING
Since one is surely dying, right? It's almost a calculation, I know. Now, you know this book?
RENE
Me?
THE KING
You know it. Just now, seeing it, you started back in horror.
RENE
Sire, I swear to you --
THE KING
Rene, listen carefully -- you poisoned the Queen of Navarre with gloves; you poisoned the Prince of Porcian with fumes from a lamp -- you attempted to poison de Conde with a scented apple. Rene, I will tear your flesh off piece by piece with a burning pincers if you don't tell me to whom this book belonged.
RENE
And if I tell the truth, who will guarantee me that I won't be punished more cruelly than if I keep silent?
THE KING
I.
RENE
You will give me your royal word?
THE KING
Word of a gentleman -- you will escape with your life.
RENE
Sire, this book belonged to me.
THE KING
To you?
RENE
Yes, to me.
THE KING
And how did it leave your hands?
RENE
The Queen Mother obtained it from me.
THE KING
And when she obtained it, was it poisoned?
RENE
No.
THE KING
But for what purpose did she obtain it? You must know.
RENE
For the purpose of giving it to the King of Navarre who had asked the Duke D'Alencon for a book of this type to study falconry.
THE KING
Oh -- that's it. I understand everything. I have it all, now -- this book was put in the hands of Henry -- there was fate in it -- and I submit to it.
(uttering several screams of pain, he falls on his cushions)
RENE
What's wrong with you, Sire?
THE KING
Nothing! Only give me something to drink, Rene. I am burning!
RENE
Oh! My God! My God! What's happened then?
THE KING
Now take this pen -- and write on this book.
RENE
What must I write?
THE KING
What I am going to dictate to you. "This hunting manual was given by me to the Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici -- " signed Rene.
RENE
You promised to save my life.
THE KING
And I will maintain my word, but --
(putting his finger to his lips)
RENE
Oh, sire, there is nothing more sacred.
THE KING
Now, there is no antidote, you said -- but still you won't let your father or your brother die, if they had been poisoned like this dog -- without giving them something -- what would you give them?
(Rene bows without responding.)
RENE
(with despair)
Nothing!
DE NANCY
Sire, the Queen Mother.
THE KING
She mustn't see you here -- through this corridor -- go!
(pointing the way to an exit that he urges Rene to use)
Ah, the Queen Mother -- I am curious to know what she's come to tell me. Let's hide this book.
(He hides the book.)
CATHERINE
(entering)
I learned, my son, that you were indisposed on your return from the hunt.
THE KING
They misinformed you, Madame -- I've been sick since this morning.
CATHERINE
And I think I bring to Your Majesty the remedy which ought to cure your body and soul.
THE KING
(low)
A thousand devils! Does she find I am not dying fast enough?
(aloud)
What is this remedy, Madame? I admit that at this moment, I am in great need.
CATHERINE
It's in the illness itself.
THE KING
And where in the illness?
CATHERINE
Listen, my son. Have you heard sometimes that it is secret enemies whose hate or ambition kills from a distance?
THE KING
By steel or -- by poison, Madame?
CATHERINE
No, by ways much more certain; much more terrible.
THE KING
Explain yourself.
CATHERINE
Have you had time to practice the Cabala and magic?
THE KING
(laughing)
Much!
CATHERINE
Well, that's where your sufferings come from -- an enemy of Your Majesty who wouldn't dare to attack you openly -- has conspired in the shadows. Do you understand of whom I speak?
THE KING
My word, no, Madame.
CATHERINE
Search carefully, and recall certain plans for escape which would assure the murderer's impunity.
THE KING
The murderer, you say? Someone has tried to kill me, mother?
CATHERINE
Yes, my son -- you suspect, perhaps, but I -- I have become certain.
THE KING
I never doubt what you tell me, Madame. And how did he try to kill me, Madame? Let's see!
CATHERINE
(pulling a small wax figure from under her cape)
Here!
THE KING
What is this little statuette, Madame?
CATHERINE
You see what it has on it head?
THE KING
A royal crown.
CATHERINE
On the shoulders?
THE KING
A royal cape.
CATHERINE
And in the heart?
THE KING
A needle!
CATHERINE
Well, sire, do you recognize yourself?
THE KING
Me?
CATHERINE
Yes, you have your cape and your crown.
THE KING
Well?
CATHERINE
Well, sire, this figurine was found during the hunt -- at the lodge --
THE KING
Of the King of Navarre?
CATHERINE
No, but of de La Mole, his instrument.
THE KING
Ah, this doll was found in the lodge of de La Mole?
CATHERINE
You see what letter is written on the label which bears this needle?
THE KING
An 'M'?
CATHERINE
That means death, sire, it's the magic formula -- the maker writes his vow on the wound he inflicts.
THE KING
So, in your opinion, it's de La Mole who wants to end my days?
CATHERINE
Yes, as the knife that plunges in the heart but behind the dagger -- is the arm that directs it.
THE KING
Well, yes, that's the cause -- I recognize it, mother -- but now, what to do? Speak -- I am very ignorant of magic.
CATHERINE
The death of the maker breaks the charm. Let the guilty one die and the charm will cease to work.
THE KING
You are sure of what you are proposing, Madame?
CATHERINE
I am very certain.
THE KING
Well, now I know who to punish, all will go well.
CATHERINE
Yes, provided you punish.
THE KING
See how things fall out, mother, La Mole has already been arrested.
CATHERINE
I said that La Mole was the instrument -- only the instrument -- you understand?
THE KING
Well, we will begin with de La Mole, mother. All these crises of which I am struck can give birth to dangerous suspicions around us. Perhaps bad people will say I am poisoned.
CATHERINE
Oh!
THE KING
They indeed said that of my brother, Francis II -- it is then urgent, as you say, that light be shed on it -- and that the brightness of this light reveal the truth.
CATHERINE
So, La Mole --
THE KING
Seems an admirable suspect to me, Madame. Let's start with him at first, and if as you say, the King of Navarre is his accomplice - he will speak.
CATHERINE
(low)
Yes, and if he doesn't speak, they will make him speak.
(aloud)
Sire, you permit the investigation to begin?
THE KING
Certainly -- I wish it, Madame, and the sooner the better.
CATHERINE
My son, you will remember that it was I who --
THE KING
I never forget anything, Madame, rest assured --
MARGUERITE
(raising the door curtain, in a low voice)
Charles! Charles!
CATHERINE
Till we meet again, my son. Then you give me full power to pursue this affair?
THE KING
I give it to you, Madame -- and with a full heart.
(Catherine leaves. Marguerite enters.)
MARGUERITE
(rushing towards the King)
Ah, sire, you know very well she's lying, right?
THE KING
Who -- mother?
MARGUERITE
Listen, Charles, it's terrible to accuse one's mother, but I suspected that she just came to you to pursue them further and I followed her -- oh! on my life, on yours, on our twin soul, I tell you she is lying.
THE KING
Pursuing them? Who is she pursuing?
MARGUERITE
Henry -- your Little Henry first of all, who loves you and who is devoted to you more than anyone else in the world.
THE KING
You think so, Marguerite?
MARGUERITE
Oh! Sire, I am sure of it.
THE KING
Well, me, too.
MARGUERITE
Well, if you are sure of it, brother, why have you had him arrested and taken to Vincennes?
THE KING
Because he asked me to, himself.
MARGUERITE
He asked you to do it?
THE KING
Yes, he has singular ideas, Henry and one of these ideas is that he is in greater safety in disgrace than in my favor.
MARGUERITE
Oh, I just understand -- and he is in security then?
THE KING
Yes.
MARGUERITE
Thanks, brother; so much for Henry -- but --
THE KING
But what?
MARGUERITE
There is another person in whom I am perhaps wrong to interest myself, perhaps, but I am interested in him.
THE KING
And who is this person?
MARGUERITE
Sire, spare me. I hardly dare name him to my brother -- and I don't dare to name him to my king.
THE KING
La Mole, right?
MARGUERITE
Sire, he is not guilty, I swear to you.
THE KING
Didn't you understand what our good mother said, poor Margot?
MARGUERITE
Oh! I already begged you not to believe it, brother. I already swore that she is lying.
THE KING
But perhaps you don't know that a wax figure was found by de La Mole.
MARGUERITE
In fact, brother, I know it.
THE KING
That this figure is pierced through the heart by a needle, and that the needle which wounds it has a little barrier and an "M" on it.
MARGUERITE
I know that, too.
THE KING
That this doll has a royal cape on its shoulders and a royal crown on its head.
MARGUERITE
I know all this.
THE KING
Well, what do you say to that?
MARGUERITE
I say that his little doll represents a woman, not a man.
THE KING
And the needle which pierces the heart?
MARGUERITE
It was charm to make the woman fall in love and not a spell to harm a man.
THE KING
And this letter 'M'?
MARGUERITE
It doesn't mean 'mort' or death as the Queen Mother said -- it means -- oh, brother pardon me.
(she falls to her knees)
It means Marguerite.
THE KING
Silence, sister! For even if you have understood -- you could be understood in your turn.
MARGUERITE
(raising her head)
Oh -- what do I care! And is the whole world here to hear me? Before the entire world, I will declare that it is infamous to abuse the love of a gentleman -- to soil his reputation with a suspicion of murder.
THE KING
Margot -- suppose I told you that I know as well as you who is and who is not guilty?
MARGUERITE
Brother!
THE KING
Suppose I told you de La Mole is innocent?
MARGUERITE
You know it?
THE KING
Suppose I told you that I know who is really guilty?
MARGUERITE
Great God! Who really is guilty? But has a crime really been committed?
THE KING
Voluntarily or involuntarily -- yes. There has been a crime committed.
MARGUERITE
Against you?
THE KING
Against me.
MARGUERITE
Oh -- no -- it can't be.
THE KING
Look at me, Marguerite.
MARGUERITE
Why so pale, brother?
THE KING
Because I don't have a week to live.
MARGUERITE
You, brother? You, my Charles.
(pulling him in her arms)
THE KING
Marguerite, I've been poisoned.
MARGUERITE
Oh -- and you know who's guilty?
THE KING
I know.
MARGUERITE
It's not Henry, nor de La Mole, you said that. Could it be? Oh! My God, my voice chokes in my throat -- my tongue refuses to say his name -- could it be Monsieur D'Alencon?
THE KING
Perhaps.
MARGUERITE
Or indeed -- or indeed -- could it be?
(lowering her head)
Could it be our mother? Oh my God! My God! This is impossible.
THE KING
Impossible! It's too bad Rene isn't here -- he would tell you my story.
MARGUERITE
Him, Rene?
THE KING
Yes -- he could tell you, for example, that a woman he dared not refuse asked him for a book secreted in his library. That a subtle poison was poured on each page of this book -- that this poison destined for someone, I don't know who, fell by a caprice of fate or by a punishment from heaven on a person other than the one for whom it was destined. But in the absence of Rene, sister, here is this book. You can see written in the hand of the Florentine on the first page of the book -- which contained in its pages the death of twenty people, you can see that this book was given by him to our mother.
MARGUERITE
Oh -- in your turn, silence Charles. Silence!
THE KING
You see clearly then how important it is that people believe I am dying from sorcery.
MARGUERITE
But this is sinful! It's frightful! Grace! Mercy, brother -- you know very well he is innocent.
THE KING
Yes, I know it -- but it's necessary that I believe him guilty. Let your lover die to save the honor of the House of France. I am dying for the same cause -- and without complaint, you see.
MARGUERITE
Ah, my brother! But still -- if you are mistaken -- if you are not going to die.
THE KING
I think I told you that the poison was prepared by our mother. Come, give me your arm, Marguerite, I want to get back to my room.
NURSE
(entering excitedly)
What's the matter with you, my Charles? You are pale -- hardly able to stand up. Oh! My God! My God! Madame, what has happened?
THE KING
I'm hot and then cold. You understand that makes me ill. You will watch my door and see no one enters, you understand, nurse -- no one!
NURSE
But, if Master Ambrose Pare comes? You sent for him, they told me.
THE KING
You will tell him I am recovering -- and that I have no need of a doctor. By the way, this poor Acteon is dead. He must be buried in some corner of the Louvre. He was one of my best friends. I will build a tomb for him -- if I have time.
THE KING
Goodbye sister.
(He leaves with the nurse.)
MARGUERITE
Now, La Mole -- for you -- everything for you.
(She leaves.)
(curtain)
Scene xi
A cell in the dungeon of Vincennes. In the rear a large door with a peek-a-boo doors to the right and left.
COCONNAS
(alone and striking the wall)
Say, jailor, my friend, you're frying pan is very warm and I'm suffocating in here. What the devil, if Monsieur D'Alencon has insisted that we be roasted put us on the skewer and be done with it. But if he doesn't exact that, open by God -- or I will break the door down.
JAILOR
(entering)
Silence!
COCONNAS
What! You don't want me to yell when I burn? Come on. Am I supposed to be Saint Laurene?
JAILOR
The governor follows me.
COCONNAS
The governor? And what's he here to do?
JAILOR
To visit you.
COCONNAS
He's doing me too much honor. Welcome governor.
(The governor enters with guards from the rear.)
GOVERNOR
(entering, low to the jailor)
Bring the other prisoner here.
(to Coconnas)
Have you any money, sir?
COCONNAS
Me?
GOVERNOR
Yes, you.
COCONNAS
I have three crowns.
GOVERNOR
Some jewels?
COCONNAS
I have a bag.
GOVERNOR
Will you permit me to search you?
COCONNAS
Let you search me?
GOVERNOR
Yes.
COCONNAS
What kind of proposition is that to make a gentleman? By God, sir, it's indeed lucky for you that we are both in prison.
GOVERNOR
Sir, I am in the King's service.
COCONNAS
Tell me, Mr. Governor, the honest people who plunder on the Saint Michael bridge. They too are in the service of the King? I didn't know that, and I make them my excuses, up till now I had taken them for thieves.
GOVERNOR
(after having searched Coconnas)
Sir, I salute you.
(La Mole enters by the side door.)
GOVERNOR
It's your turn La Mole.
LA MOLE
Sir, it's useless for you to search me -- I am going to give you all I have on me.
GOVERNOR
What have you?
LA MOLE
Eighty crowns in this purse.
GOVERNOR
Let me have it. Is that all?
LA MOLE
Then these jewels -- this ring.
GOVERNOR
Fine. Have you anything more?
LA MOLE
No, sir, on my word.
GOVERNOR
And this chain you wear around your neck.
LA MOLE
It supports a medallion, sir.
GOVERNOR
Give it to me.
LA MOLE
A medallion, without any value, I swear.
GOVERNOR
No matter.
LA MOLE
What? You insist?
GOVERNOR
I have orders not to leave you anything except your clothes and a medallion is not clothes.
LA MOLE
Very well, sir, you shall have what you ask for.
(He detaches the medallion, carries to his lips, lets it fall and breaks it with the heel of his boot. He then gives the gold chain to the Governor.
GOVERNOR
Sir!
COCONNAS
Bravo, La Mole.
GOVERNOR
Sir, I shall complain to the King.
(to turnkey)
Escort the prisoner back to his cell.
(to guards)
And you -- follow me.
(He leaves by the door at the rear.)
COCONNAS
(going to the side door so as to be in the way of the jailor)
A moment, friend! You know our agreements?
LA MOLE
(to jailor)
You recall what you promised me?
COCONNAS
A meeting with my friend, La Mole.
LA MOLE
And interview with the count.
JAILOR
It's true.
COCONNAS
Well, since we are reunited, let us alone to talk together.
JAILOR
Go ahead, sir -- only for your sake as much as mine, don't talk politics.
COCONNAS
By God! Rest easy -- we have much better things to tell each other.
JAILOR
In the mean time, I am going to keep watch so that you won't be surprised any more than I.
COCONNAS
Go, brave man!
(searching his pockets)
The first time you meet the governor, ask him for my three crowns.
LA MOLE
When I arrived, he was searching you it seemed to me.
COCONNAS
Oh, My God, yes.
LA MOLE
And he took everything from you?
COCONNAS
Everything! My all wasn't very much!
LA MOLE
Now, do you understand what's happening to us?
COCONNAS
Perfectly.
LA MOLE
We've been betrayed.
COCONNAS
By this frightful Duke D'Alencon.
LA MOLE
And you think our affair is very grave?
COCONNAS
I am afraid so.
LA MOLE
Have they questioned you?
COCONNAS
Yes and you?
LA MOLE
I, too -- but a strange thing -- they've hardly asked me anything about the King of Navarre or Queen Marguerite.
COCONNAS
Exactly -- and that's what very much astonishes me -- all the questions revolved around this nasty wax doll -- they insist it must be a portrait of the king.
LA MOLE
You haven't told them it was of Madame Marguerite?
COCONNAS
No.
LA MOLE
What did you say?
COCONNAS
Nothing -- I laughed in their faces.
LA MOLE
Dear Hannibal?
COCONNAS
Listen, it appears that we have, even in our prison, an invisible protector.
LA MOLE
I was going to tell you.
COCONNAS
You've noticed it?
LA MOLE
Yes, but you --
COCONNAS
Listen, this morning I heard scratching at my door and I saw a letter passed underneath.
LA MOLE
This morning a stone fell in my cell -- and I found a letter attached to this stone.
COCONNAS
The letter was from Madame de Nevers and contained only one line -- "be at ease, dear Hannibal -- I love you."
LA MOLE
This letter was from Madame Marguerite and it contained these words, "Good courage, I am watching."
COCONNAS
And do you know who was able to bring us these letters?
LA MOLE
No.
COCONNAS
By God! I still really would like to know.
JAILOR
(entering)
Want me to tell you?
LA MOLE and COCONNAS
(separating)
Ah --
JAILOR
It was me.
LA MOLE
What -- it was you?
JAILOR
Yes.
COCONNAS
Who brought to each a letter?
JAILOR
Yes.
COCONNAS
To me -- on behalf of --
JAILOR
Of Madame the Duchess of de Nevers.
LA MOLE
And to me?
JAILOR
On behalf of Madame Marguerite.
COCONNAS
And that means --
JAILOR
It means one cannot refuse anything to two great princesses.
LA MOLE
You've seen them?
JAILOR
Doubtless.
COCONNAS
When was that?
JAILOR
Yesterday.
LA MOLE
How?
JAILOR
We all get off once a week.
COCONNAS
God! I wish I could say as much.
JAILOR
Yesterday was my day of leave.
LA MOLE
Hurry up! Hurry up!
JAILOR
A veiled woman was waiting for me at the door. She gave me a sign to follow her. I hesitated -- she showed me a purse.
COCONNAS
That's precisely it. Iron follows the lover, and man follows gold. Go on --
JAILOR
I followed her. She brought me to the Hotel de Guise.
LA MOLE
To the Hotel de Guise?
COCONNAS
Without a doubt, to the Hotel de Guise. There our two princesses were waiting -- right?
JAILOR
Yes -- and in fact, even in tears.
LA MOLE
Dear Queen.
COCONNAS
And as you are very sensitive, you did not resist their tears, right, brave fellow?
JAILOR
Ah, sir, how you know me.
LA MOLE
Well -- what has been decided?
JAILOR
It was decided that tonight you will prepare to flee.
COCONNAS
Good.
JAILOR
Thanks to me, the two princesses have been introduced into your prison.
LA MOLE
Here? They consented?
COCONNAS
And I know their feelings, by God! There are situations where you cannot be proud and then? For it's not important they get in here -- the important thing is we are going to get out of here.
JAILOR
And then -- since I have the keys I will escort you to the chapel through some empty corridors. This chapel has a door which gives on a park -- at this door three horses will be waiting.
LA MOLE
Why three? One of the two will follow us?
JAILOR
No -- but I follow you.
COCONNAS
Marvelous, my brave man! Come -- come I ask nothing better than to see you at fifty leagues from Vincennes -- and me too. And the horses will be good, I hope.
JAILOR
The best from Madame de Nevers' stables.
COCONNAS
I know them -- bravo!
JAILOR
Other relays are echelonned on the route. In 12 hours, you will reach Lorraine.
COCONNAS
Ah! We are going to Lorraine?
JAILOR
Have you something against Lorraine?
COCONNAS
Not at all! It's a charming county so I've heard at least -- not counting its frontier is the closest to the frontier of France -- which is not to be despised.
LA MOLE
Oh! It's a magnificent plan.
COCONNAS
An escape which will do us the greatest honor. This brave Henriette, I am sure she's the one who planned this.
LA MOLE
Dear Queen.
JAILOR
And now gentlemen, forget nothing of what I have told you.
(The jailor exits.)
COCONNAS
(striking his forehead)
Be easy, that's it.
(to La Mole)
This thing must have cost them dear -- but, my word, they are not and will never have a better use for their money.
LA MOLE
Oh, my friend, my friend, we are going to see them again.
COCONNAS
Yes -- then, with them, the fields, the countryside, the woods. I have never felt so much taste for the rustic things. Oh -- the best thing is fear -- but fear in the open spaces, when you have a sword at your side, when you shout hurrah at your horse and you spur him on, and at each hurrah! he leaps and runs.
JAILOR
(rushing in)
Eh quick -- eh! Quick? de La Mole -- they are making their way to your cell. Go back. Go back!
COCONNAS
Some new deviltry of Queen Catherine or Monsieur D'Alencon. In any case, until this evening.
LA MOLE
Till this evening, friend!
(La Mole and the jailor exit.)
COCONNAS
(alone)
By God! What a plaguey existence. Always extremes, never firm earth. You wade in a hundred feet of water or soar above the waves. Let's see -- where are we? What's coming here? No - -it appears it is not with me they have an affair. But as we have committed the same crime meaning we are both innocent, it is probable that whatever happens to one will happen to the other. Oh, what is that? It seems to me that I heard something like a --
(he hears a low moan)
Doubtless the cry of the wind which weeps in the corridors of this old chateau -- without a doubt -- no, no -- it's indeed a human voice --
(another shriek)
And that voice -- my God -- that voice --
(rushing against the door)
It seemed to me it was that of La Mole.
(a moment of silence during which a new shout can be heard)
But are they butchering someone here -- ? Oh! Passage of arms -- passage of arms.
(the door at the rear opens)
At least, I am going to know what is going on.
(A judge enters, a Clerk of Court, then Caboche followed by his assistants.)
JUDGE
The accused Mark Hannibal de Coconnas, you are to hear the charges be read against you.
COCONNAS
Ah -- I breathe.
CLERK OF COURT
Accused. On your knees.
COCONNAS
On my knees?
(Two assistants pass behind him and force him to his knees.)
ASSISTANTS
Yes, on your knees.
CLERK OF COURT
"Arrest ordered by the Court sitting at Vincennes, seized and convicted for poisoning, witchcraft, and magic against the person of the King -- and conspiracy against the security of the state. In consequence whereof, the said Mark Hannibal Coconnas is to be conducted from his prison to the place Saint Jean de Greve to be decapitated; his estates confiscated; his woods of high forests cut to the height of six feet; his chateau destroyed and in the high places a post will be erected with a plaque which will memorialize the crime and the punishment."
COCONNAS
As to my head, I think that they will sever it, for it is in France, and that's very risky, as for my forests of high trees and my chateau, I defy all the pick axes and scythes of this very Christian kingdom to bite them down.
JUDGE
Silence! Continue, Clerk.
CLERK OF COURT
Moreover, the said Coconnas will be --
COCONNAS
What! More is to be done to me after my head's chopped off at the place de Greve? On, oh, now that seems to me to be very severe.
JUDGE
No, sir, but the proceeding that --
CLERK OF COURT
"And moreover, the said Coconnas will be -- before the execution of the judgment subjected to the Extraordinary Question."
COCONNAS
Torture! And for doing what?
CLERK OF COURT
"In order to force him to reveal his accomplices, his conspiracies and machinations in detail."
COCONNAS
By God! That's what I call infamous! Indeed, it's more than infamous -- it's what I call cowardice.
JUDGE
(to Caboche's assistants)
Proceed!
COCONNAS
Proceed with what?
JUDGE
In accordance with the terms of the warrant.
(They strip Coconnas, stretch him on a chair employed in the question and garrotte him.)
COCONNAS
Wretches! Torture me, break me, tear me to shreds. Ah! You think with little pieces of wood and iron you can make a gentleman of my name speak? Go on, go on, I defy you.
JUDGE
Prepare to write, Clerk.
JUDGE
Will you make these revelations?
COCONNAS
Go to the devil!
JUDGE
Very well, master, adjust the gentleman's boots.
(Caboche approaches slowly and impassively. Coconnas watches him as if he saw a ghost.)
COCONNAS
Oh! It's you?
JUDGE
(to Caboche)
Begin!
(Caboche attaches boards to Coconnas' limbs and prepares some wedges. To Coconnas)
JUDGE
Will you speak?
COCONNAS
No.
JUDGE
First wedge in the usual way.
(Caboche lifts his hammer, strikes the wedge which slides between the planks. Coconnas' face expresses only surprise and not the least pain.)
JUDGE
Is the wedge driven in as far as it will go, Master?
CABOCHE
As far as it will go, sir.
JUDGE
Here's a tough Christian.
CABOCHE
(bending down to look)
But cry out, you unhappy man.
COCONNAS
(aside)
Ah -- I understand - worthy Caboche, go! -- Yes, yes, be easy, I will cry since you order me -- and if you are not content, you're very hard to please.
JUDGE
What was your intention in hiding yourself in the forest?
COCONNAS
(joking)
To sit down in the shade.
JUDGE
Second wedge.
(Caboche forces the wedge in.)
COCONNAS
Ah! Ah! Oh! Oh! Take care! You are breaking my bones.
(to Caboche)
Is that better?
CABOCHE
Yes, not bad!
JUDGE
Ah, this one is having its effect. What were you doing in the forest?
COCONNAS
Eh! By God! I just told you. I was taking the air.
CABOCHE
(low)
Confess!
COCONNAS
(low)
What?
CABOCHE
(low)
Whatever you like; but confess something.
(He raises his hammer.)
COCONNAS
No, no, it's not necessary -- what do you wish to know, Your Honor?
JUDGE
What had you come to do in the forest?
COCONNAS
I came to assist the flight of the Duke D'Alencon. Ah, you denounce us, pale face. Wait! Wait!
JUDGE
Let us leave the Duke D'Alencon and return to the King of Navarre. What do you know of the flight of the King of Navarre?
COCONNAS
All I know is that Duke D'Alencon had a rendezvous with Monsieur de Mouy, that Monsieur D'Alencon had rounded up some Huguenots to flee with them, that Monsieur D'Alencon.
JUDGE
Enough. We are not investigating the Duke D'Alencon -- we are investigating the King of Navarre -- what do you know about the King of Navarre?
COCONNAS
Ah, the King of Navarre is another matter. I know nothing of him.
JUDGE
What do you know of the wax figure found by Monsieur de la Mole?
COCONNAS
I know nothing about it.
JUDGE
What do you know about Queen Marguerite?
COCONNAS
I know nothing about her.
(At each reply, Caboche hammers in another wedge.)
JUDGE
Well, master.
CABOCHE
My work is done, sir and I think the accused cannot take anymore.
JUDGE
(dictating)
And, the accused, despite the Ordinary Question and the Extraordinary Question administered to him in our presence, refused to reply, we have closed the present interrogation" and now, master the accused belongs to you -- it's your business and God's.
(The judge retires with his suite.)
CABOCHE
(after watching them all leave)
Well, sir, how do you feel?
COCONNAS
Ah, my friend, my brave Caboche, I will never forget what you just did for me.
CABOCHE
And you would be right sir, for if they knew what I just did for you, I would be taking your place -- and they wouldn't manage things for me the way I did for you.
COCONNAS
So your wedges -- ?
CABOCHE
Are iron in appearance, and in reality, wax.
COCONNAS
That's rather ingenious! But where did you get the idea?
CABOCHE
(loosening the apparatus)
There! I knew you had been arrested, I knew they'd investigate you -- I knew that Queen Catherine wished your death -- I knew you'd be put to the Question, and I took precautions as a consequence.
COCONNAS
At the risk of what might happen to you?
CABOCHE
Sir, you are the only gentleman who ever shook my hand, and one has a memory and a heart, executioner though I am, and perhaps because I am executioner. You will see tomorrow how I do my work.
COCONNAS
Tomorrow?
CABOCHE
Tomorrow -- without a doubt.
COCONNAS
What work?
CABOCHE
What! Have you forgotten?
COCONNAS
Ah! That's true! It's tomorrow -- oh -- hell!
CABOCHE
(to Coconnas who is ready to rise)
What are you doing? Take care -- my helpers are about; they must believe you have broken limbs -- at each move you make let out a scream.
COCONNAS
(to the assistants)
Eh! Take care! Touch me as if I was made of glass. Yi! By God! Yi! Take care, will you -- oh -- oh --
(to Caboche)
Caboche, my friend --
(He grips Caboche's hand.)
TURNKEY
(a lantern in hand)
Put the prisoner against this wall.
COCONNAS
Good! It's our turnkey -- won't I have the consolation of being reunited with my companion?
TURNKEY
They're bringing him.
COCONNAS
Fine, put him there -- facing me.
(They bring in La Mole and place him facing Coconnas.)
CABOCHE
Be of good courage, sir! Till tomorrow.
COCONNAS
(low)
Tomorrow! I hope indeed to be out of your claws tomorrow.
CABOCHE
Till we meet again.
COCONNAS
Goodbye! Goodbye! Plague -- he is charming. Till we meet again. There, that's fine. Get out, shut the door -- two locks rather than one.
(to Turnkey)
No, friend -- have you heard of our princesses?
TURNKEY
They are there, in a nearby cell.
COCONNAS
(rising)
And you made them wait, wretch! Quick, quick! Think that the sooner they are here, the sooner we will be out of here -- open, open, friend.
(The turnkey opens the door.)
MADAME DE NEVERS
(entering)
Dear Hannibal.
MARGUERITE
(entering)
La Mole, my friend!
LA MOLE
(with a cry)
Ah! My God!
MARGUERITE
What's the matter then?
COCONNAS
Come, come, not a moment to lose. La Mole -- the horses are -- there!
MARGUERITE
(terrified)
Oh! Blood!
COCONNAS
Blood! What did they do to you?
LA MOLE
Wasn't it in the warrant that we be tortured?
COCONNAS
Didn't they do for you what they did to me?
LA MOLE
I don't know what was done to you, but I know I have broken legs.
MARGUERITE
Mercy of God!
JAILOR
Let's go, let's go, gentleman. Don't lose any time, the rain is falling. The wind whistling and the horses are impatient. They could be seen by a night patrol.
MARGUERITE
What's to be done? My God? My God? Inspire us.
COCONNAS
Come, friend, courage! I am strong, I will carry you. I will place you on your horse, I will hold you in front of me, if you cannot sit in the saddle, but let's go -- let's go. You clearly understood what this brave man said -- it's a question of life.
LA MOLE
It's true, it's a question of life. Let us try.
(after an effort and a cry)
Ah, impossible! Impossible!
MARGUERITE
Henriette! Henriette! What's to be done -- what will happen? Oh! My God! To be rich, to be Queen, to be powerful and to suffer -- to suffer like this.
LA MOLE
Courage, my Queen. You Hannibal, since you've been spared suffering, you are young, you are loved, you can live -- flee -- flee -- my friend, flee and leave me the supreme consolation of knowing you are at liberty.
JAILOR
The time passes -- time passes -- hurry!
LA MOLE
Flee Hannibal -- flee! Don't give our enemies the joyous spectacle of two innocents' death. Flee, I beg you.
MADAME DE NEVERS
Come, Hannibal, come.
COCONNAS
First, Madame, give this man what you promised him.
(pointing to the jailor)
MADAME DE NEVERS
(drawing a purse)
There!
COCONNAS
And now, good La Mole, you do me injury in thinking for a moment that I can abandon you. Didn't I swear to live and die with you? But you suffer so much that I pardon you.
MADAME DE NEVERS
What are you saying, Hannibal?
COCONNAS
I say, Madame, they have broken his legs and that he cannot mount the scaffold without a friend to carry him -- and that I will carry him.
MADAME DE NEVERS
My Hannibal! Another woman would pray, would beg, but I, I understand you and I am proud of you -- Hannibal before God, I will always love you above all else -- and more than all else -- I promise you, I swear to you.
COCONNAS
That was bravely spoken, Madame -- thanks!
JAILOR
They are coming, they are coming.
LA MOLE
Before leaving us, my Queen, a last grace. Give me some remembrance of you that I can kiss on mounting the scaffold.
MARGUERITE
Oh, yes -- here!
(detaching a reliquary from her neck and giving it to him)
Here -- here's a holy relic that I've worn since childhood -- I have never parted from it -- take it -- take it.
JAILOR
They are opening the door. Flee, Madame, flee!
COCONNAS
(taking Marguerite's hand and placing it in La Mole's)
Goodbye here, till you meet above.
MARGUERITE, MME DE NEVERS
(in tears)
Goodbye! Goodbye!
(The two women flee by a side door. The two men follow them with their eyes, arms extended towards them. The door in the rear opens -- a priest and guards can be seen to enter.)
(curtain)
Scene xii
The Executioner's House.
(Joylette elbows on the table is weeping.)
CABOCHE
(entering)
This is the first time I've come in that she didn't jump on my neck. She heard the door open and she's recognized my step -- Joylette!
JOYLETTE
(shuddering)
Huh?
CABOCHE
What are you doing there?
JOYLETTE
Nothing father!
CABOCHE
Are you crying!
JOYLETTE
Alas!
CABOCHE
Come, my child.
JOYLETTE
Father.
(going to him)
It is true that the handsome gentleman who, one day came to see you to thank you, who shook your hand, who embraced me -- is it true that he is dead?
CABOCHE
Who told you that?
JOYLETTE
They told me.
CABOCHE
I forbade you to go out today. Did you disobey?
JOYLETTE
No father. I heard the judgment proclaimed and I recognized the name.
CABOCHE
Yes, it's true.
JOYLETTE
He is dead! Poor young man!
CABOCHE
But, now he's blessing me in heaven for I spared him all pain. Yesterday, when you asked me what these wax wedges were for, I didn't tell you. It was for him.
JOYLETTE
And his companion?
CABOCHE
Oh! That's another matter; his companion didn't shake my hand -- come on, Joylette, let's not talk about it any more.
JOYLETTE
What's the use of not speaking of it any more? We will always think about it.
CABOCHE
Set the table. After supper, I have to go out.
JOYLETTE
Where are you going, father.
CABOCHE
To the Louvre. The youngest of the two charged me with a commission for a great lady. I promised him to do it, and I will do it.
JOYLETTE
My God! My God!
(Someone knocks.)
CABOCHE
Someone's knocking. Silence.
JOYLETTE
Who would come to us -- where no one comes?
CABOCHE
(looking through a peephole)
Two women.
(opening the door)
Enter!
(Marguerite and Mme. de Nevers, both veiled, enter.)
MARGUERITE
(raising a veil)
Do you recognize me, master?
CABOCHE
Yes, Madame, it's you who made me come to the Louvre for a wounded man.
MARGUERITE
It's me -- well, this gentleman -- I made him a promise and I've come to accomplish it.
CABOCHE
I was going to the Louvre to remind you.
MARGUERITE
There's no need of that, master; I have a memory.
CABOCHE
Come!
MARGUERITE
One moment -- you didn't leave them, right?
CABOCHE
No. -- from Vincennes to La Greve.
MARGUERITE
What did they do? What did they say? It's frightful, I realize that, but my friend and I, we must know this.
MADAME DE NEVERS
(under her veil)
Yes -- speak -- speak.
JOYLETTE
Poor ladies. They loved them!
CABOCHE
First of all -- down there, as de La Mole could not walk, his friend took him in his arms as if he were a child. When the people saw them, both so young, both so handsome, brothers in pain, the strong carrying the weak -- the weak consoling the strong -- then -- there had not been, the entire length of the route, anything but complaints, lamentations for these wretches and curses against those who killed them.
MARGUERITE, MME DE NEVERS
My God! My God!
CABOCHE
Count de Coconnas said to me, "Don't you have some cordial, master? My friend is fainting with pain and I do not want anyone to think it is with fear." So, I gave him a flask of elixir; the other one drank several drops and came to himself. Then he fervently kissed a relic that hung from his neck and said, 'My God -- all powerful father, I believe in you -- and I hope we will meet in heaven those who loved us on earth."
MARGUERITE, MME DE NEVERS
Oh! Yes! Oh! Yes!
CABOCHE
Arriving at the Place de Greve, noticing the scaffold, the youngest one said, 'Friend, I want to die first -- ' that's fine, that's fine, I told him, I understood. "And by a single blow, right," added Coconnas. "If you must take your time, take your time with me."
MADAME DE NEVERS
Brave Hannibal.
CABOCHE
We stopped. Ah, Madame, there were only tears and weeping around us. "You promised to carry me," said La Mole. "Yes, yes, rest assured!" replied de Coconnas. And he took him in his arms as he had already done -- and he mounted. The scaffold without help from anyone -- or rather without wanting anyone to touch him -- only, the one who was being carried said, 'Look carefully, Hannibal -- look carefully around us -- I am sure that we are going to see them again." In fact, when he was placed on the platform he extended his hand toward the little turret which is found in the corner of the square and pointed to two women dressed in black -- who were embracing and wept.
(The two women embrace and weep)
Then his friend said to him, "Embrace me, La Mole, and die well -- it will not be difficult for you, friend, you are so brave!" "Ah," said de La Mole -- there's no merit in my dying well -- I am in so much pain at the moment." The oldest gave me a sign -- I understood. Oh, Madame, in the name of the Virgin, since you saw everything, have pity on me.
MARGUERITE
No, no, not a word more -- you are right -- where are they?
CABOCHE
There -- lying next to each other -- hand-in-hand.
MARGUERITE
We want to see them, maser, for we made a promise to the living that we must keep with the dead.
CABOCHE
(drawing a large curtain)
Come!
(The two friends can be seen lying next to each other in the horrible symmetry of death. They are covered with a cape which doesn't allow their heads to be seen. The two women approach religiously and kiss their faces.
MARGUERITE
La Mole! Dear La Mole!
MADAME DE NEVERS
Hannibal! Hannibal! So handsome, so proud, so brave! Alas! Alas! I call you and you do not answer.
JOYLETTE
(on her knees)
My God! My God! Give strength to those who are suffering -- have pity on those who weep.
MARGUERITE
Now --
MADAME DE NEVERS
(pulling a ruby necklace from her throat)
You will pray for their souls. Goodbye, Master, goodbye, come, Marguerite, come.
(Caboche shuts the curtain. The two women make an effort and disappear.)
JOYLETTE
Father, I ask you for the smallest ruby from this necklace.
CABOCHE
What will you use it for, my child?
JOYLETTE
To pay my dowry at the Convent of the Daughters of Calvary -- which I beg you on my knees for permission to enter -- tomorrow.
(curtain)
ACT V
Scene xiii
The King's bedchamber in the Chateau of Vincinnes. In a corner, an office whose interior can be seen -- in the distance a large window with a balcony.
(The King is praying, the Nurse is near the door.)
KING
My Lord, God, pardon me! My Lord, God -- have pity on me.
(praying)
CATHERINE
(comes into the office leading Maureval by the hand)
Stay here, sire, Maureval -- the King is getting worse and worse -- and if he dies, perhaps I will have instant need of you --
MAUREVAL
Your Majesty knows I am at her orders with the entire regiment of arquebusiers of which she made me the captain.
CATHERINE
And where are your people?
MAUREVAL
In the courtyard of the Chateau.
CATHERINE
And the King of Navarre is guarded, right?
MAUREVAL
He is in the dungeon, with two men in his room and six others at the door.
CATHERINE
Oh -- don't let him scheme with news from outside. de Maureval, don't let him flee -- you will answer for him?
MAUREVAL
Fear nothing, Madame.
KING
(praying)
Oh, my God! My God! Lord -- if you will that I die, call me to you immediately, my God -- Oh! Help me! Help me! Call for help. This blood is flowing. Ambrose Pare! Help!
NURSE
Aid to the King! Aid to the King! Help! Help! The King is dying.
DE NANCEY, COURTIERS
The King -- the King.
NURSE
Call Master Ambrose Pare -- Master Ambrose! Ah! My Charles!
KING
This blood -- this blood --
(noticing Catherine)
Pardon, Madame, but I should like to die in peace.
CATHERINE
To die, my son! From an attack of this villainous illness! Why do you despair so?
KING
I tell you, Madame, that I feel my soul leaving. I tell you, Madame, that death is coming. Oh, I know what I feel, I know what I'm talking about.
CATHERINE
Sire, your imagination is your worst illness. Since the well-deserved sacrifice of those two sorcerers, of those two murderers, called La Mole and Coconnas, your physical pains ought to have diminished -- the moral evil alone perseveres, and if I could only talk with you for 10 minutes I would prove to you --
KING
You think so? Well -- Leave gentlemen -- and you, Nurse, watch at the door. Queen Catherine de Medici wishes to talk with her well-beloved son, Charles the IX. Only, Madame, a third person must assist in this conversation.
CATHERINE
And who is the third person you wish to see?
KING
My brother, Madame. Have him called.
CATHERINE
Nurse, by the order of the King -- tell Monsieur de Nancey to get the Duke D'Alencon.
KING
No, not the Duke D'Alencon -- I said my brother, Madame.
CATHERINE
And of which brother do you mean to speak?
KING
I mean to speak of Henry and not the Duke d'Anjou nor the Duke D'Alencon, Henry of Navarrre is my brother, Henry of Navarre alone will know my last wishes.
CATHERINE
Henry of Navarre. And, I, do you think Charles, if you are as near the tomb as you say, do you believe that I will cede to anyone, especially a stranger -- the right to assist you in your last hour -- that right which is my right as Queen -- my right as mother.
KING
You are no more my mother, Madame, any more than the Duke D'Alencon is my brother.
CATHERINE
Since when is she who gives birth not the mother of the child she bore?
KING
From the moment, Madame, that this unnatural mother took the life she gave.
CATHERINE
What do you mean? I do not understand you.
KING
You will understand me.
(taking a little gold key from under his holster)
Take this key, Madame, and open that casket -- it contains some papers which will speak for me.
CATHERINE
(opening the box and recoiling)
Oh!
KING
Well -- what's in this box that frightens you, Madame? Speak, Madame, speak.
CATHERINE
Nothing.
KING
In that case, plunge your hand in and bring out a book. There must be a book there, right?
CATHERINE
Yes.
KING
A book on hunting?
CATHERINE
Yes.
KING
Take it and bring it to me.
CATHERINE
(taking the book)
Calamity!
KING
Fine -- listen now -- this book -- I was senseless -- I liked hunting more than anything -- this hunting book -- I read it -- do you understand?
CATHERINE
Oh! My God! My God!
KING
It was a weakness. Burn it, Madame. The weaknesses of Kings must not be known.
(Catherine takes the book to the fireplace)
And now, Madame, call my brother.
CATHERINE
(going to the office)
Oh - may he be cursed!
KING
You hear -- my brother, Henry of Navarre, to whom I wish to speak right now on the subject of the Regency of the Kingdom.
CATHERINE
(in the office to Maureval)
Monsieur de Maureval -- how long will it take for a well mounted horseman to leave for Vincennes?
MAUREVAL
Five minutes, Madame.
CATHERINE
Do you have horses ready?
MAUREVAL
Yes.
CATHERINE
Run to the dungeon -- open the gates -- escort the King of Navarre to the esplanade let him mount a horse so that in five minutes he will be free and outside the chateau.
MAUREVAL
Madame!
CATHERINE
I am going to release my son, Francis, and I am coming back here -- In five minutes -- neither more nor less -- you understand me?
(They, Maureval and the Queen Mother, leave.)
NURSE
(bringing a drink)
Well, my Charles, how do you feel?
KING
Better, much better, nurse. It's better to go at the approach of death when one suffers as I do. Always this sweating of blood! Always!
NURSE
Ah -- it's the blood of the Huguenots, poor Charles.
KING
You think so? It's possible -- but my mother, my brother, de Guise shed much more than I.
NURSE
Yes, but it's you, my child, it's you who authorized them to shed it. Ah, I said it, I told you so.
KING
Enough, Nurse! Pray -- pray -- there are already too many voices around me cursing -- but Little Henry isn't coming -- I don't have long to wait -- Henry! Henry!
CATHERINE
Sire, the King of Navarre's not coming.
KING
Why's that, Madame?
CATHERINE
Because this good Henry -- this beloved brother, this faithful friend, finding himself ill at ease under the same roof as Your Majesty, because he prefers his conspiracies to your Protection, his rebels in Navarre, because he's just fled from Vincennes and at this hour is rejoining his Huguenots, his fine allies.
KING
Henry in flight -- he who asked me to remain here? Henry a traitor? Henry abandoning me? Oh -- this last blow finishes me. Little Henry -- Little Henry -- Henry, be cursed Henry -- Henry --
HENRY
(entering during this last words)
You called me, brother?
CATHERINE
The Bernese!
KING
Henry! Ah -- you see, Madame.
(Overcome by this effort, the King falls back in his armchair -- and loses consciousness.)
CATHERINE
(seizing Henry's arm)
What have you come to do here?
HENRY
When you kept me prisoner, I tried to flee, Madame, but today when you offer me liberty through the intervention of de Maureval, I understood that I must stay in Vincennes, so I let Monsieur de Maureval open the door for me, but I am returning and I am staying here.
CATHERINE
You came to speak to the King?
HENRY
I've come to see my brother, who is sick, that they tell me is dying.
CATHERINE
(with irony)
Faithful friend! Tender relative! You have no other design?
HENRY
To be King -- haven't you a heart, haven't you some tears before suffering like this?
(pointing to the King)
CATHERINE
Listen, sir, we haven't time to lend to your sensitivity or your tricks. Let's play our game as King and Queen. If you have some ambition, if you are allowed to see the King, if you were made an offer?
HENRY
What offer do you want him to make me, Madame?
CATHERINE
I don't know, but if he makes one -- and you accepted it --
HENRY
Well?
CATHERINE
Reflect!
HENRY
Since I am playing this royal gamble with you, Madame, I've had time to reflect.
(The King awakens little by little, he listens and observes.)
CATHERINE
Well, through this door through which you entered, by this door you must leave to find life and liberty -- unless you've given in to ambition.
CATHERINE
Then I will be at this door.
(She pulls from his hand and draws a dagger.)
KING
(seizing the dagger from Catherine)
Go through here, Little Henry!
HENRY
(throwing himself on the King's hand)
My King!
CATHERINE
(enraged)
Oh!
KING
You, Madame, leave us.
CATHERINE
But what you are going to say to the King of Navarre? I still must know.
KING
In effect, you already know it; I will call you, Madame, when it is time. You may await my orders.
CATHERINE
(leaving)
If Maureval is not used to freeing prisoners at least, do him justice -- he kills them.
(She exits.)
KING
(dismissing the Nurse with a gesture)
You love then -- Henry? You?
HENRY
With all my heart, sire.
KING
Oh! Henry, how I suffered from not seeing you. I tortured you so much in my life, my poor friend.
HENRY
Sire, I remember only the love I bore my king.
KING
Thanks, Little Henry -- for you have suffered so much under my reign -- under my reign, where your mother died.
HENRY
Let's not speak of the past, sir.
KING
The present is hardly mine, and the future no longer belongs to me. I am dying, do you see, Henry! I am dying.
HENRY
Don't speak of that, my brother, full of youth, full of strength still -- powerful king of the most beautiful realm on earth -- you die? Oh! not at all -- you will live.
KING
Henry, perhaps they told you that I am sweating at every pore, the blood of the Huguenots killed on St. Bartholemew! Well, it's not their blood -- it's poison which is escaping from my veins.
HENRY
Poison? Oh! Sire, tell me who the murderers are!
KING
Silence, Henry! If my death is to be avenged it's by God alone! Let's not speak any more of me. I am dead, I tell you.
(The King goes to an armchair.)
HENRY
Sire, you will be saved.
KING
Impossible -- and why should I still live? To put up with all these traitors, all these assassins who surrounded me, to assist in the agony of France, to see my once so beautiful crown fall to pieces, bit by bit. No, I prefer to die completely, to die King.
HENRY
Hunt out the murderers! Destroy the traitors! The crown slides from your head, you say!
KING
Raise your head. All is finished.
HENRY
This corrupted nobility -- degraded, betrayed by Italian intrigues -- sweep it out! Extend the hand to year true friends, who massacred by their king spill yet more tears than blood. Give parliament its rights, to the people freedom, the day you have magistrates instead of courtiers, fellow citizens instead of slaves, a happy people instead of famished subjects -- that day you will insist on living -- kings are very strong when they are loved.
KING
It's you who say this, Henry!
HENRY
It's I who would do it, sire, if I were the master.
KING
You will do it.
HENRY
My King!
KING
It's very necessary that I make you strong to resist these implacable enemies that I leave you -- Monsieur D'Alencon, my mother, you accept, right?
(Noise of arms in the antechamber.)
HENRY
(to himself)
Oh -- what's that noise?
KING
You are afraid? You hesitate?
HENRY
No, sire, I am not afraid, no, sire, I do not hesitate anymore. I accept.
KING
That's well -- Nurse, call my mother. Then have Monsieur D'Alencon come.
NURSE
They are there waiting.
KING
Let them enter.
(Catherine and Monsieur D'Alencon enter.)
CATHERINE
Here we are, what do you want of us, sire?
KING
Madame, I wish to tell you that I have chosen a regent who can take on deposit, the crown and who can protect it under his hand and not on his head. This regent -- salute him, brother. This regent is the King of Navarre. Here Regent, here's the parchment which until the return of the King of Poland, gives you command of the army, the key to the treasury, the prerogatives and royal powers.
(Catherine makes a motion.)
KING
Ah! You don't answer -- ? You don't obey?
CATHERINE
No, I don't answer -- no I won't obey -- for never will my race bow its head to a foreign race. Never will a Bourbon reign in France so long as there remains one Valois.
KING
Madame -- it doesn't take much time to give an order. It doesn't take much time to punish murderers and poisoners.
CATHERINE
Well, give this order if you dare. While waiting, I'm going to give mine. Come, my son.
(She leaves, pulling D'Alencon after her.)
KING
Nancey! Nancey! Help. I order it! I wish it. Nancey, arrest my mother -- and my brother. They are the ones who -- ah --
(The King falls into a faint, chocked on blood. They carry him to his bed.)
HENRY
(to Monsieur de Nancey)
Guard the door, sir, and don't let anyone enter.
DE NANCEY
But in whose name do you give me this order, sire?
HENRY
(showing him the parchment)
In my name. I am regent of France. Here's the last moment. Will he live? Will he reign?
(De Nancey bows and goes out.)
(A tapestry on the other side of the King's bed.)
RENE
He's going to live, sire.
HENRY
Rene.
RENE
Yes, the prediction which said you will be King of France was not false, but the hour has not come.
HENRY
How do you know? Can I believe you?
RENE
Listen.
HENRY
I am listening.
RENE
Lower your voice.
(Henry hesitates)
Do you suspect me?
HENRY
In my place, wouldn't you be suspicious? Speak.
RENE
Well -- learn a secret.
HENRY
What?
RENE
A secret that I alone know and that I will reveal to you, if you swear by this dying man to pardon me for the death of your mother.
HENRY
All religious orders pardon. Rene on this dying man, I swear to pardon you.
RENE
Well, sire, the King of Poland is arriving.
HENRY
Oh, misfortune to me.
RENE
A messenger arrived this morning from Warsaw. He precedes King Henry of Anjou by only a few hours.
HENRY
Oh -- if I only had eight hours.
RENE
Yes, but you don't have eight hours. Did you hear the clash of arms. They are preparing for him.
HENRY
Certainly.
RENE
Well, these arms are being prepared with you in mind. They will come to kill you even here, even in the King's room.
HENRY
The King is not dead yet.
RENE
No, but in five minutes he will be.
HENRY
What's to be done then?
RENE
Flee, escorted by four sure men.
HENRY
Are there four sure men for me in France?
DE MOUY
(appearing behind Rene)
Yes, sire -- they are commanded by me.
HENRY
De Mouy? Who let you in here?
DE MOUY
Rene.
RENE
Now, do you have confidence in me, sire?
HENRY
Yes.
RENE
Well, follow me through this secret passage and I will escort you to the postern. Come! Come!
HENRY
(kissing Charles' face)
Goodbye my brother. Die in peace, poor abandoned man. In the name of our brothers, I pardon you -- I will not forget that your last wish was for me to be king -- Come gentlemen.
KING
(opening his eyes)
Nurse! Nurse!
(Henry leaves after having taken his sword from the bolster of the bed of the King. Rene and de Mouy follow him.)
Nurse! Nurse!
NURSE
Well, what's wrong, my Charles?
KING
Nurse! Something must have happened while I slept. I saw God who called me. My God! My God! Receive me in your mercy -- My God, forget I was king -- for I come to you without scepter and without crown -- My God, forget the curses of the King so you may only remember the sufferings of man. My God! My God! Here I am -- ah --
(he dies)
NURSE
Help! Help! The King is dead!
(Catherine, the Duke D'Alencon, De Nancey, courtiers, captains, then De Mouy enter.)
CATHERINE
Dead! All enter! Where is Henry? What has become of him?
(running to the balcony)
He's fleeing -- he's fleeing! Wait -- down there in the night with his brown cape with a white feather -- fire, Monsieur de Maureval! Fire on the white plume!
(shots)
Ah -- he falls -- he's fallen -- he's dead. Bring him here! Bring him here.
DUKE
He is dead! Then I am King.
MAUREVAL
Madame, the courtyard is full of guards, courtiers, and captains.
CATHERINE
Do what I told you, sir. Proclaim the Duke of Anjou!
DUKE
Stop, sir! My brother D'Anjou is in Poland and cannot be proclaimed king. My mother is mistaken.
CATHERINE
Your brother, D'Anjou is knocking at the gate of Vincennes this very moment, perhaps.
(the sound of trumpets can be heard)
Take care, my son, one word more and you are a rebel.
(They bring in a body enveloped in a brown cape. The face covered by a hat with a white feather.)
CATHERINE
Ah -- there he is. There he is. Well, now where are the predictions of the astrologers who assured you of the kingdom of France -- damned Bernese! Monsieur de Nancey, announce the death of the king and proclaim his successor.
DE NANCEY
(on the balcony)
King Charles is dead. King Charles is dead. King Charles is dead. Long live King Henry the Third!
DE MOUY
(rising the pulling off his cloak)
Long live Henry the Fourth.
(De Mouy falls back dead)
CATHERINE
Oh -- it's the prophecy of the dead! He will reign. He will reign!
(curtain)