Читать книгу Queen Margot: A Play in Five Acts - Александр Дюма - Страница 6
ОглавлениеACT I, SCENE 1
A square in Paris. To the right, the hostel of La Hurière 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 HURIÈRE
(at his door, seeing Maureval who enters from the left)
Ah! Come here, Lord Maureval, come here.
MAUREVAL
I am here!
LA HURIÈRE
Do you know who is there opposite us?
MAUREVAL
At the Admiral’s home?
LA HURIÈRE
Yes, at the Admiral’s—King Charles IX.
MAUREVAL
What of it?
LA HURIÈRE
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 HURIÈRE
Then nothing is changed, despite this visit?
MAUREVAL
Nothing.
LA HURIÈRE
And is it still for tonight?
MAUREVAL
Without fail!
LA HURIÈRE
At what time?
MAUREVAL
No one knows yet; but a signal will be given us.
LA HURIÈRE
What will it be?
MAUREVAL
The tocsin will sound from Saint Germain.
LA HURIÈRE
The rallying sign?
MAUREVAL
The cross of Lorraine.
LA HURIÈRE
And the password?
MAUREVAL
Suise and Calais.
LA HURIÈRE
That’s good; we’ll prepare for the feast.
MAUREVAL
Quiet! Here’s a tourist who’s just come.
LA HURIÈRE
Pass this way.
MAUREVAL
Goodbye.
(La Hurière 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 MÔLE
(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 Môle)
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 MÔLE
As you see, sir—not yet, I am considering.
COCONNAS
Not yet? The house is still gratifying.
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
(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 MÔLE
And I, sir, am your devoted Count Joseph de Levac de La Môle—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 HURIÈRE
Ah, excuse me, sir, I didn’t see you.
COCONNAS
You must see us—it’s your business.
LA HURIÈRE
Well, what do you want, gentlemen?
COCONNAS
(to La Môle)
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 HURIÈRE
Gentlemen, I am in despair. There’s only one free room in the hostel. And I fear you wouldn’t like it.
LA MÔLE
Ah! My word, so much the better. We will go elsewhere.
COCONNAS
Not at all. Do as you please, Mr. La Môle, 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 HURIÈRE
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 HURIÈRE
My word, since you take this tone, I will tell you frankly, I would much prefer not to experience the honor.
LA MÔLE
And why?
LA HURIÈRE
I have my reasons.
COCONNAS
Doesn’t it seem to you we are going to massacre this character?
LA MÔLE
It’s likely.
LA HURIÈRE
(sneering)
One can see these gentlemen have come from the provinces.
COCONNAS
And why’s that?
LA HURIÈRE
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 HURIÈRE
Gregory—my arquebus.
COCONNAS
(drawing his sword)
Damn! Aren’t you boiling, Mr. La Môle?
LA MÔLE
Not at all! For while we are boiling, our supper is freezing—
(to La Hurière)
My friend, for how much do you ordinarily rent your room?
LA HURIÈRE
A half crown a day.
LA MÔLE
Here are eight crowns for eight days. Have you anything else to say?
LA HURIÈRE
My word, no—and with such manners. Come in, gentlemen, come in.
(La Môle 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 MÔLE
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 Môle. 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 HURIÈRE
(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 Bearnaise with Princess Margot.
(smiling)
It would be funny if two Huguenots came to me today—St. Bartholomew’s day—
COCONNAS
So, Count, tell me, while they are preparing our room for us, do you find Paris a gay city?
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
Yes.
COCONNAS
Well, if you like, while waiting for supper, we can find it together.
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
Let’s go—so be it. It is well, says Plutarch, to accustom one’s soul to sadness and one’s stomach to hunger—
COCONNAS
You know Greek?
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
Not to mention that I can still speak Gascon with the King of Navarre—are you coming?
COCONNAS
I’m with you.
(to La Hurière)
Finish up, here, master—what’s your name?
LA HURIÈRE
La Hurière.
COCONNAS
Well, Master La Hurière, tell us the quickest way to get to the Louvre.
LA HURIÈRE
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 MÔLE
Thanks.
(Coconnas and La Môle exit.)
LA HURIÈRE
(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 HURIÈRE
Ah—King Charles the IX. 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 counselors.
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 counselor—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 François 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 by 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 Hurière arrives from the street. Coconnas is behind him.)
LA HURIÈRE
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 HURIÈRE
By God—I had forgotten you, sir!
COCONNAS
What, you had forgotten me? And you admit it, clown?
LA HURIÈRE
My word, when you know why—and for whom—
COCONNAS
Why and for whom?
LA HURIÈRE
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 HURIÈRE
Yes, coming from the Admiral’s house.
COCONNAS
What! The King went to visit that pagan?
LA HURIÈRE
(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 HURIÈRE
An omelette with bacon, so you won’t have to wait, Your Lordship.
COCONNAS
Bravo!
(He sits down to eat.)
LA MÔLE
(entering by the other door)
Count, not only does Plutarch 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 Plutarch, 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 HURIÈRE
Ah! It appears this one is a Huguenot.
LA MÔLE
No—the King of Navarre was not at the Louvre. But in exchange—
COCONNAS
Well—in exchange?
LA MÔLE
Oh—count—the adorable vision I have seen.
COCONNAS
A vision?
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
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 MÔLE
You are right.
COCONNAS
And what did you say to this beautiful Queen?
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
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 Hurière who is entranced)
Well, what are you up to there? Are you listening to us?
LA HURIÈRE
(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 HURIÈRE
No, Count, but it is less long—besides—you must be told that the Great Henry is our idol—of Parisians like me.
LA MÔLE
Which Henry, if you please?
LA HURIÈRE
I only know of one.
LA MÔLE
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 HURIÈRE
Which one?
LA MÔLE
His Majesty, King Henry of Navarre.
LA HURIÈRE
I don’t know him.
(He makes a sign to Coconnas.)
LA MÔLE
Clown!
(He rises.)
COCONNAS
Now—what are you doing?
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
You are returning to the Louvre?
COCONNAS
Yes, sir.
LA MÔLE
And I, too.
COCONNAS
At what time?
LA MÔLE
I have a rendezvous just about now.
COCONNAS
I, too.
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
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 Hurière 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 MÔLE
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 Hurière are you playing politics by chance?
LA HURIÈRE
(with a terrible gesture)
Ah—rogue!
COCONNAS
(rising and going to him)
What’s wrong with you, my friend? Are you possessed?
LA HURIÈRE
(seizing the hand of Coconnas)
Silence! Wretch! Silence on your life!
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
LA HURIÈRE
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 MÔLE
(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 MÔLE
To yours, sir.
COCONNAS
Are you retiring?
LA MÔLE
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 Hurière.
LA HURIÈRE
Count?
LA MÔLE
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 Hurière, give me some blank paper and scissors so I can cut off my seal.
LA HURIÈRE
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 Môle, come.
(He goes up the staircase, lighting La Môle.)
COCONNAS
(aside)
Decidedly, something extraordinary is happening here.
LA MÔLE
(going up)
Good evening, Monsieur de Coconnas. And good luck at the Louvre!
(La Môle and La Hurière go out. Maureval is at the far door.)
COCONNAS
Ah,—what have I just done?
MAUREVAL
What have you done, sir? You almost revealed, 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 alone, 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 Môle enters with La Hurière.)
COCONNAS
It’s nothing; it’s my companion who’s setting in.
LA HURIÈRE
(above)
Here’s your room.
LA MÔLE
(above)
Marvelous! Don’t forget to waken me at midnight.
LA HURIÈRE
Be easy!
MAUREVAL
Listen, the hour is striking—listen.
(The clock strikes, they count.)
COCONNAS
Eleven o’clock.
MAUREVAL
Fine! La Hurière is shutting the door. He’s coming down. Come, master, come!
LA HURIÈRE
(returning)
We are alone. Let’s have a seat.
MAUREVAL
Everything is carefully shut up?
LA HURIÈRE
Yes—and Gregory is standing guard outside. Are you there, Gregory?
GREGORY
(in the street)
Yes, master.
LA HURIÈRE
(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 three white crosses, giving one to La Hurière, the other to Coconnas and keeping the third 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 HURIÈRE
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 Hurière, 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 Hurière during this conversation has armed himself from head to foot.)
MAUREVAL
Let’s get going now.
LA HURIÈRE
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 Môle?
LA HURIÈRE
Yes, that’s the freethinker. He’s already in the wolf’s mouth.
COCONNAS
What! You are going to attack your guest?
LA HURIÈRE
It was with him in mind that I sharpened my rapier.
COCONNAS
While he’s sleeping?
LA HURIÈRE
All the more reason!
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
LA HURIÈRE
You are saying!
COCONNAS
I say it’s hard. de La Môle supped with me, and I don’t know if I ought.
MAUREVAL
Yes, but de La Môle 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 HURIÈRE
I’ll go to his room and in a twinkle.
COCONNAS
Wait! I’ll go with you.
LA HURIÈRE
What for?
COCONNAS
By God, I’m curious to see it done.
(He goes upstairs behind La Hurière.)
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 MÔLE
(rising)
What’s that noise?
(He takes a pistol from the table.)
LA HURIÈRE
(listening at the door)
Eh! I think he woke up.
COCONNAS
It seems that way to me.
LA HURIÈRE
He’s going to defend himself then.
COCONNAS
He’s capable of it. Say, Master La Hurière, if he were to kill you—it would be funny.
LA HURIÈRE
Him! Him!
COCONNAS
I think you are drawing back.
LA HURIÈRE
Me? Get out! Drawing back? Never!
(He kicks on the door. He finds himself face to face with La Môle entrenched behind his bed with a pistol in each hand.)
COCONNAS
Now this is getting interesting.
LA MÔLE
Ah—he intends to murder me, so it appears! And is it you, wretch?
LA HURIÈRE
Monsieur de Coconnas you are witness that he has insulted me.
(La Hurière aims his arquebus and fires. The ball brushes by his head. La Môle aims.)
LA MÔLE
Help, Monsieur de Coconnas, help me!
COCONNAS
My word, de La Môle, the best I can do in this affair is not to put myself against you. Get out of it as best you can.
LA MÔLE
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 MÔLE
(reaching an open window)
Murderer! Murderer!
(jumping out the window)
LA HURIÈRE
By God! He’s getting away.
COCONNAS
Him! Wait.
LA MÔLE
(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 Hurière)
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
