The King!
[_The King enters; he is in black, his eyes are cast down. The order of the Holy Ghost is on his doublet and his cloak. Hat on his head. The Courtiers all uncover and range themselves, silently, in two rows. The Guards lower their pikes and present muskets._
SCENE VI
_The same. The King. The King enters slowly, pa.s.ses through the crowd of Courtiers, without lifting his head, stops at front of stage, and stands for several instants absorbed and silent. The Courtiers retire to the back of the hall_
THE KING.
All things move on from bad to worse. Yes, all!
[_To Courtiers, nodding his head._ G.o.d keep you, gentlemen!
[_He throws himself into a large armchair and sighs profoundly._
I have slept ill!
[_To Duke de Bellegarde._ My lord!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_advancing with three profound salutations_).
The time for sleeping, sire, is past.
THE KING (_eagerly_).
True, Duke! The State is rushing to destruction With giant strides!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
"Tis guided by a hand Both strong and wise.
THE KING.
He bears a heavy burden, Our good lord cardinal!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Sire!
THE KING.
He is old.
I ought to spare him, but I have enough To do with living, without reigning!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Sire, The Cardinal"s not old!
THE KING.
Pray, tell me frankly-- No one is watching or is listening here-- What do you think of him?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Of whom, sire?
THE KING.
Him!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
His Eminence?
THE KING.
Of course!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
My dazzled eyes Can hardly fix themselves--
THE KING.
Is that your frankness?
There is no cardinal here, nor red, nor gray!
No spies! Speak! Why are you afraid? The King Wants your opinion of the Cardinal.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Entirely frank, sire?
THE KING.
Yes, entirely frank.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_boldly_).
Well, then, I think him a great man!
THE KING.
If needful You would proclaim it on the house-tops? Good!
Can you not understand? The State, mark me, Is suffering, because he does it all And I am nothing!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Ah!
THE KING.