The Youth of Louis XIV
Drama in Five Acts
by Alexandre Dumas père, 1856
Translated and adapted by Frank J. Morlock
Translation is Copyright © 2001 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
The Action takes place at Vincennes 25-26 September 1658.
The Council Hall in the Chateau Vincennes. Door at the back, door at the right -- window on the left. A dozen morocco arm chairs and a large round table draped in green -- the only furniture.
MAZARIN
(entering)
This way, my dear Mister Poquelin, this way.
POQUELIN
(following behind Mazarin, a notebook in hand)
Yes, Milord, yes. I am here -- I am adding up the ladies of honor. The ladies of honor -- 2000 pounds.
MAZARIN
Keep going, keep going! It's the total that's waiting for you.
POQUELIN
Milord is too honest to cheat a poor upholsterer who hardly earns five percent -- not to mention the speed with which I execute Milord's orders.
MAZARIN
Execute! Execute! You were forewarned more than a month ago, my good friend.
POQUELIN
Oh! Milord -- happily, I still have on me the letter from Mr. Bernouin, your valet de chambre - here, Milord, here it is.
MAZARIN
No need, my dear Mister Poquelin.
POQUELIN
Excuse me, but I want to read this letter to Your Eminence to remind you of a little paragraph.
MAZARIN
Remind me of a paragraph -- what do you mean?
POQUELIN
(reading)
"My dear Mr. Poquelin, His Majesty, having decided that he will spend the hunting season in his Chateau, at Vincennes, you are invited to go at once to the said Chateau with all your workers, so that this residence, which is completely unfurnished because it was used as a state prison, will be ready by the 25th of the present month of September.
MAZARIN
(interrupting him)
Well, I don't see the point of that paragraph, Mister Poquelin.
POQUELIN
Here it is precisely, Milord.
(resuming reading)
Work nights and make your men work nights -- if need be. The King won't concern himself with the expense -- by order of Cardinal Mazarin -- signed Bernouin, valet de chamber to His Eminence -- the 7th of September 1658.
MAZARIN
Well -- what's the matter?
POQUELIN
(pointing to the phrase with his finger)
Damn! -- Look Milord.
MAZARIN
What?
POQUELIN
"Work nights and make your men work nights -- if need be. The King won't concern himself with the expense." That's very plain, Milord, it seems to me.
MAZARIN
(tracing his finger on the letter)
What's that?
POQUELIN
That: -- the King --
MAZARIN
Very fair! It's not the Cardinal -- and as it's the Cardinal who is the treasurer, its with the Cardinal that you are dealing, Mister. Let's see the total, Mister Poquelin, the total -- ! Or we'll never be done with it.
POQUELIN
(presenting his notebook)
It's very easy, Milord, there's the total.
MAZARIN
Pardon, I prefer to do the addition myself.
(looking on the table)
Well -- why your council table! There's neither paper nor pens nor ink on your council table.
POQUELIN
I'm going to call, and ask for what Your Eminence wishes.
MAZARIN
NO, no! That will make us lose time! It is 9:30 and the council will convene at 10:00. I will find some old paper in my pocket.
(pulls out a paper)
There! Now lend me your pencil.
(he sits)
Oh! How it hurts on your armchairs, Mr. Poquelin -- ! Let's see -- you say "Dining room - 2,000 pounds."
(writing)
2,000 pounds. "Bedrooms for the King, the Queen, The Duke of Anjou, 4,000 pounds." Oh, Mr. Poquelin, if it weren't for the King -- ! But it is for the King.
(writing)
4,000 pounds. "Bedroom for Her Majesty, the Queen of England -- and for Madam Henriette, her daughter - 2,000 pounds." I ask you one little thing, they were so well off at the Louvre, what did they need to come to Vincennes for?
Anyway, since we must, let's add 2,000 pounds. "Bedroom for His Eminence, Cardinal Julio Mazarin, ante chamber for his petite lever and his grand lever -- office for Mr. Bernouin, his valet de chambre - 8,000 pounds -- " as to that, there's nothing to say and it's not too expensive.
(writing)
8,000 pounds. "For the bedroom of the very highborn lady Marie de Mancini, niece of His Eminence, the Cardinal -- 3,000 pounds." Three thousand pounds for the chamber of that little fir? Oh! Oh! Mr. Poquelin.
POQUELIN
Milord, I received, on that subject, a particular recommendation.
MAZARIN
And from whom, I beg you?
POQUELIN
From Mr. Bontemps, valet de chambre to His Majesty, who came to find me and who ordered me, on behalf of the King, to neglect nothing that was appropriate for the apartment of Miss Mancini.
MAZARIN
Ah! Ah!
POQUELIN
Yes, Milord.
MAZARIN
Bontemps -- that fine Bontemps! On behalf of His Majesty!
POQUELIN
It's as I have the honor to tell you.
MAZARIN
(aside, rubbing his hands)
God! I had noticed indeed that the King was occupied with my niece.
(aloud)
Very well, Mr. Poquelin, very well! I'll overlook that, but it's over the rest we are going to have to squabble, I warn you. Hum! "Bedrooms for ladies of honor -- 2,000 pounds." Two thousand pounds, dear Mr. Poquelin -- for people like that.
POQUELIN
There are six of them, Milord, it's 333 pounds per head.
MAZARIN
Eh! Death -- we must make them double up -- you are ruining us. Ah!
(writing)
Finally, for the Council Chamber, 1440 pounds. The Devil! Where are you going, Mr. Poquelin? Lucky for you, I'm in a hurry -- we'll settle in round figures for 20,000 pounds.
POQUELIN
But consider, Milord -- impossible!
MAZARIN
It's all agreed -- you'll come get your payment order in a week.
POQUELIN
Milord, if this is an effect of your bounty.
MAZARIN
My bounty! My bounty! You know indeed that it is great. Look, my dear Poquelin, what do you ask of my bounty?
POQUELIN
Since Your Eminence has a pencil in your hand, it won't cost you any more to authorize this little sum right away -- and in consideration of my getting the money in cash, I will agree to the reduction, Milord.
MAZARIN
And on what order? I'm in no condition to do it.
POQUELIN
Oh! I will content myself with this slip of paper. Milord's signature is excellent, and let Milord put there "good for 20,000 pounds," I wish he'd put "good for a million."
MAZARIN
Good for a million! And where do you want me to wind up? Why I'd have to sell myself down to my pins, dear Mr. Poquelin, to pay you a million --
(signing)
Here, since you absolutely will have it, but really, I have a weakness for you.
(he takes the scrap of paper and gives it to him)
POQUELIN
(opening the paper and reading)
Oh! Milord.
MAZARIN
Milord! Milord! What now?
POQUELIN
But Your Eminence has fixed payment for a year from now -- look! 25 September 1659.
MAZARIN
Did I put one year?
POQUELIN
Yes indeed.
MAZARIN
I made a mistake, I thought I put two years. Give me back that paper, Mr. Poquelin -- oh, this cursed fraud! This cursed fraud. It's ruined us completely.
POQUELIN
(clutching the paper)
Well, Milord, I will consent to wait -- if Your Eminence will do me a favor --
MAZARIN
A favor? No!
POQUELIN
A favor which will cost Milord nothing.
MAZARIN
Then speak, go on!
POQUELIN
Milord knows I have the misfortune to have a son.
MAZARIN
Yes, that wise guy, Moliere, who has made himself a poet and actor instead of accepting the inheritance of upholsterer to the King.
POQUELIN
Exactly, Milord -- well if Milord would give me a letter de cachet to apprehend him and put him in prison until he renounces versifying and playacting.
MAZARIN
Well, my friend --
POQUELIN
Well, Milord, I think that I would willingly with satisfied to this note -- although I haven't seen any money.
MAZARIN
Wow! Sign right away!
(starts to pass it to him, then stops)
No -- indeed. The Devil.
POQUELIN
What, Milord?
MAZARIN
(aside)
I recalled this wise acre is protected by the Prince de Conti, my dear nephew, whose comrade and colleague has been -- Plague! His Highness would only get angry seize the million I'd promised as a dowry for my niece, Anne Martinozzi. That would be to pay from my pocket and a bit too dearly, for furnishing the Chateau of Vincennes.
POQUELIN
Well, Milord?
MAZARIN
Well, my dear Poquelin, my desire to be agreeable to you was making me forget that letter de cachet, are affairs of state and consequently concern His Majesty -- I don't meddle in affairs of state.
POQUELIN
What! Milord doesn't meddle in affairs of State?
MAZARIN
Oh! My dear friend! The King's reached his majority six years ago -- address yourself to him.
POQUELIN
To the King? Why when could I see the King?
MAZARIN
Whenever you like. Tomorrow, today, in an hour -- His Majesty must even already be here. There's a great hunting party in the forest, after the council, where we are meeting to try to come up with a little money -- as upholsterer valet de chambre to the King -- you have your entry everywhere -- try to seize His Majesty and make him sign your invoice -- pistol to the throat, Mr. Poquelin, stick him up!
POQUELIN
(aside)
Oh! If ever my rogue of a son writes a play about a miser, and has trouble finding a model, I will be able to furnish him one.
MAZARIN
You were saying, my dear Mr. Poquelin?
POQUELIN
I was saying I will see the King, Milord.
MAZARIN
Yes, affair of state -- that concerns the King -- Go! Mr. Poquelin, go!
(Poquelin, starting to leave meets Anne of Austria, the Queen Mother -- at the door.)
POQUELIN
Ah! Her Majesty the Queen.
ANNE
Ah! It's you, Poquelin? I was looking for you.
POQUELIN
Your Majesty knows I am at her orders.
ANNE
So much the better, because I have a rush job for you.
POQUELIN
For me, Madame?
ANNE
For you -- follow Beringhen and he will explain to you what I want.
POQUELIN
(bowing)
Majesty!
ANNE
Then, when the thing is finished, you will go to the King, Beringhen, and tell him that I'm expecting him.
BERINGHEN
Yes, Majesty. Come, Mr. Poquelin.
MAZARIN
Without too much curiosity, Madame, dare I ask you what Beringhen and Poquelin have to do together?
ANNE
They have to furnish an apartment, Cardinal. But don't worry, I am paying for the furnishing from my privy purse.
MAZARIN
One apartment?
ANNE
Yes -- does that trouble you?
MAZARIN
The Queen knows I've had an apartment furnished for her, an apartment for the King and one for the Duke of Anjou.
ANNE
Rooms, Cardinal.
MAZARIN
Rooms or an apartment -- it's still the same thing -- one for the Queen of England -- one for her daughter, one for me and my niece, Marie -- and six rooms for the ladies of honor.
ANNE
I've just visited them, sir.
MAZARIN
Well?
ANNE
Well, for all that, you see how demanding I am! I find them not enough apartments.
MAZARIN
The Queen is expecting someone?
ANNE
Exactly.
MAZARIN
It's a secret?
ANNE
Of the family, yes, Milord, but which may become a state secret.
MAZARIN
Well, I am a bit of the family --
ANNE
And much in the state! Under that double title, you indeed have the right to be in our confidence -- that's quite true -- are we alone?
MAZARIN
Quite alone -- and except for the Musketeer who's promenading before the door -- but --
ANNE
But, by speaking low, you mean, it's as if he wasn't and at Court one is used to speaking low.
(she signals Mazarin, who comes closer and leans on her armchair)
Cardinal?
MAZARIN
Madame?
ANNE
Have you considered sometimes that the King is of the age to be married?
MAZARIN
Damn! I think so, indeed. I not only thought that -- and, here, just now, there in that armchair -- I was thinking of it, and I said, like you.
(rubbing his hands)
"The King is of the age to get married."
ANNE
Ah, really!
(looking at Mazarin)
Do you have some idea for it?
MAZARIN
Me, Madame? No!
ANNE
More than once we've searched together for the wife that could suit him.
MAZARIN
It's true; we've passed in review all the marriageable princesses -- and unfortunately for one reason or another, none could be Queen of France.
ANNE
The Infanta, Marie Therese suited us in every respect, and if she hadn't been an only child and consequently, destined to the throne of Spain -- then at least until my sister-in-law the Queen of Spain, who is pregnant, puts a son into the world -- we absolutely mustn't think of the Infanta.
MAZARIN
Alas, no!
ANNE
Still, the King is growing, sir, the King is becoming a man -- the King is twenty. With the years, the passions of youth are going to succeed the caprices of childhood -- up to now, he's only been amorous -- but one day, a grave matter -- he's going to love -- a real passion may succeed all his caprices!
MAZARIN
Real! Ah! And for whom?
ANNE
How do I know -- for some miss more clever and more ambitious than the others who, carefully directed by her relatives will cause him to do something stupid.
MAZARIN
Ah! Your Majesty fears that?
ANNE
Yes, and that's why I'm taking my precautions. Until now, the King has obeyed us, Cardinal -- the King fears you and he loves me. We have kept, even over his youth, the power that our age had the right to claim over his childhood and against which, trust me -- he's about ready to revolt. Let the struggle begin seriously -- I know this character; he will curb us as well as the others, sir!
MAZARIN
Eh! Eh! Madame, I am constrained to confess there is much truth in what you just said.
ANNE
Oh -- completely -- sir -- it's all true!
MAZARIN
Well, what has Your Majesty decided?
ANNE
A thing that I am going to tell you, Cardinal, and that I have yet to tell anyone. I have written to my sister-in-law, Christine de France, widow of Duke Amadeus of Savoy to come spend several days with us -- and to bring Marguerite, her daughter, a charming child of 17, of whom I hope the King will become amorous -- Marguerite will play a very agreeable role -- don't you think, Cardinal?
MAZARIN
(pensive)
Indeed! I think so, Madame.
ANNE
That's why I need an apartment in addition to those already prepared -- I am expecting tonight or tomorrow -- the Duchess Christine and Princess Marguerite.
MAZARIN
Good.
ANNE
And by means of Beringhen, I warned the King to come join me here.
MAZARIN
Your Majesty intends to put him au courant of your projects?
ANNE
Not at all! That would put him on guard against what I desire. On the contrary, I intend that he see in his Cousin Marguerite only an ordinary visitor -- Ah! Here's my messenger!
(Enter Beringhen.)
ANNE
Well, Beringhen?
BERINGHEN
Madame, the King has not yet arrived from Paris, or at least, no one has yet seen him at Vincennes.
ANNE
(meaningfully)
Ah, really? And Miss Mancini -- has she arrived?
BERINGHEN
Yes, Madame, for I just noticed her at her window.
ANNE
And her window gives on the road to Paris, it seems to me? Right, Cardinal?
MAZARIN
I think so, yes.
ANNE
Why this troubles me, this absence of the King -- look into it, Mazarin. You must know people who know better than we where he might be. Although you probably haven't thought of it, you want Louis to be present at the Council which is going to take place, right?
MAZARIN
Yes, Madame, yes -- I certainly desire that he be there -- Louis and all the gentlemen we have here.
ANNE
Go then, Mazarin, and look with your own eyes. You know the new fable of Fontaine -- the Master's eye?
MAZARIN
I'm going there, Madame, I'm going there.
(aside)
Oh -- she suspects something.
(leaving)
ANNE
(watching the Cardinal leave)
Beringhen.
BERINGHEN
Madame?
ANNE
You haven't told me all you had to tell me, right?
BERINGHEN
(eyes on the antechamber)
No, Madame, not all.
ANNE
At the moment of departure the King wasn't more particularly attentive to one person than another?
BERINGHEN
Indeed, Madame! He accompanied Miss Mancini, riding by her carriage door in hunt costume, and that as far as the Faubourg Saint Antoine; there only he took leave of her.
ANNE
Do you know what he said when he left her?
BERINGHEN
Here's what was heard; as Miss Mancini exhibited fear that this setting of Parliament announced for today would delay the promised hunting party, "Miss," said the King, "You can assure those who question you on this subject that there are not a hundred lawyers assembled in the Palace of Justice who will prevent me from a shooting a stag at the agreed time." And with these words he turned back with Saint-Aignan, de Villeroi and de Guiche, and returned to Paris at a gallop.
ANNE
(pensive)
To Paris! Where could be have gone?
GUITAUT
(entering dressed in leather doublet and the miltary style of the end of Louis XIII's reign)
(abruptly)
If I am bothersome, I ask pardon to retire, Your Majesty.
ANNE
Bothersome, you, Guitaut? Never -- on the contrary, I am always happy to see you and glad to speak to you.
(giving him her hand to kiss)
GUITAUT
Well, it's the same with me, Majesty -- I am always happy when I see you -- and satisfied when I speak to you.
ANNE
(to Beringhen)
Beringhen, take a walk in the courtyard without losing sight of the gate -- and as soon as the King arrives let me know, if it is possible, where he's coming from and where he's going --
BERINGHEN
(leaving)
Yes, Madame.
ANNE
Come, Guitaut, come -- you are my old friend.
GUITAUT
And I boast of it.
ANNE
You are right, for you've given me more than one proof of friendship.
GUITAUT
Your Majesty means devotion?
ANNE
I will never forget that it was you who led Louis XIII to the Louvre, on the evening of December 5, 1637.
GUITAUT
And who after leading to the Louvre pushed him into your chamber where he hadn't been for six years and which he didn't leave until 9:00 of the next morning.
ANNE
(smiling behind her veil)
You have a fine memory, Guitaut.
GUITAUT
Good! And if memory weakens, King Louis XIV, born September 1638, will be a living memory to refresh it.
ANNE
But that's not all you did for me, Guitaut.
GUITAUT
No, in my character as Captain of the Guards, I had the advantage of arresting by your order first, the Duke of Beaufort, then Mr. de Conde, then Mr. de Conti, then Mr. de Longueville -- let's not talk of Mr. de Conti nor Mr. de Longueville. Those I gave you cheaply enough but, without boasting of myself, many would not have thought my hand steady enough. But to take the King of the Halles and the Victor of Rocroy by the scruff of the neck.
ANNE
And then, my dear Guitaut, you also arrested Broussel.
GUITAUT
Bah! A councillor! That's not worth mentioning.
ANNE
Then Mr. de Gondy.
GUITAUT
No, Your Majesty is in error, it was Villequier who did his business.
ANNE
Ah! That's true! But what do you want, my dear Guitaut, we only loan to the rich.
GUITAUT
Gad! I wasn't there when the thing was done -- I really regret it! And if Your Majesty had deigned to write me, as King Henry IV wrote to Crillon, "Hang yourself, Guitaut," I think word of a gentleman -- I'd have hung myself --
ANNE
Then, if the opportunity arose of giving me some new proof of devotion of the same type --
GUITAUT
Let the Queen wink or gesture -- like this or that and the one who the Queen has had the honor to point out to me -- is on the way to the Bastille.
ANNE
Whoever it may be.
GUITAUT
Whoever it may be! I find it's been a long while since I arrested anyone.
ANNE
Silence, my dear Guitaut! Someone's coming.
(The side door opens.)
GUITAUT
Oh -- it's not someone it's the Duke of Anjou.
(aside, withdrawing and twirling his mustache)
Oh, oh -- are the good times returning when they caress me like this?
(The Duke of Anjou enters.)
ANNE
It's you, Phillippe.
D'ANJOU
Yes, Madame.
ANNE
Oh -- luckily there's no one here and you can call me mother.
D'ANJOU
So much the better! For I have a favor to ask of you.
ANNE
What?
D'ANJOU
But, first of all -- how do you find me this morning -- little mommie?
ANNE
Much too handsome for a man
D'ANJOU
Good! You, too? Can you imagine the Chevalier de Lorraine fixed me up a pomade for my lips -- here look at my lips --
ANNE
Indeed, they are adorably fresh.
D'ANJOU
And Guiche brought me a paste for the teeth -- see?
ANNE
Your teeth are so beautiful, my child, they don't need paste.
D'ANJOU
There's nothing so handsome, little mommie, that cannot be embellished.
ANNE
But then why do you want to be so handsome, I ask you?
D'ANJOU
Why, to please, of course!
ANNE
Look at the King -- does he spend his time at his toilette?
D'ANJOU
The King is the King -- he has no need to please -- since he can command.
ANNE
When you came, you spoke to me of a favor --
D'ANJOU
Oh, yes, it's true.
ANNE
Well?
D'ANJOU
Oh, it's a thing which I really want, I warn you, little mommie, ah, by the way, have you seen my Spanish leather gloves?
ANNE
No, but I see them.
D'ANJOU
It's Manicamp who made them for me -- huh! How nice they smell! You who adore perfume -- this must agree with you.
ANNE
Beware! If through strength of loving them, you are going to make me take them in hate.
D'ANJOU
Oh! There's no danger.
(imitating Mazarin's accent)
"With perfume and two beautiful strings, one could lure Queen Anne of Austria to hell."
ANNE
Well, sir!
D'ANJOU
It wasn't I, little mommie, who said that -- it was the Cardinal!
ANNE
And your request? Let's see!
D'ANJOU
That's right! Here's what it is. It seems that Conti is a very wise prince, he was raised by the Jesuits of Clemont with the son of our upholsterer Poquelin.
ANNE
Yes, and what of it?
D'ANJOU
Ah -- speaking of the upholsterer -- how badly furnished it is here! And these cushions -- are they hard! They're breaking my legs.
ANNE
(laughing)
You know that Mr. Mazarin is thrifty.
D'ANJOU
Oh, yes, and my brother also knows it. You remember the day the Superintendent of Finances gave Louis 200 crowns?
ANNE
Yes --
D'ANJOU
And when that poor brother had the impudence to make them clink in his breeches, Mr. de Mazarin said to him with his charming Eyetie accent, "What did I hear, my dear prince? You have some money, I believe" and took his 200 crowns, although Louis fought bravely for them.
ANNE
Hush! Let's not speak ill of Cardinal Mazarin, who loves you so much!
D'ANJOU
Him? He makes me brush my teeth, but in the end he cannot make me suffer -- I am sure of it.
ANNE
Phillippe!
D'ANJOU
You're right, little mommy. Let's return to my request. Well, this son of our upholsterer who's called Moliere, it seems he's a deserving lad. Mr. de Conti offered him a situation as his secretary -- which he refused. It's true that as Mr. de Conti is a little lively -- they say he killed the last secretary with a pair of fire tongs, which is not engaging for the new one -- you will agree -- still this Moliere is a fanatic for theater -- he creates comedies which he plays himself -- ah, when's there going to be a new ballet? The costume of the Nymph Echo looked so well on me.
ANNE
I think your brother would like nothing better than to dance a new one -- but money is lacking.
D'ANJOU
What do you mean, money is lacking? I thought that the decrees were issued.
ANNE
Oh -- but the Parliament is refusing to register them.
D'ANJOU
Oh! What a misfortune! The villainous Parliament! As for me, I always thought there was no good to be extracted from people so ugly and so badly dressed -- ! So to get back to the protege of Mr. de Conti, the nephew of the Cardinal.
ANNE
Again -- ?
D'ANJOU
He wants -- ah, my God -- what's it called -- ? He wants -- ah, I've got it -- a privilege of a theater?
ANNE
Oh -- but a privilege of a theater -- that concerns the King.
D'ANJOU
The King?
ANNE
Yes, it's a great affair! An affair of State!
D'ANJOU
Then affairs of state -- concern my brother?
ANNE
Doubtless, since he is king --
D'ANJOU
But war then -- that's not an affair of state; Peace is not an affair of state, finances -- that's not an affair of state -- foreign alliances -- that's not an affair of state.
ANNE
Why's that?
D'ANJOU
Hell, since you to be care of them -- you and Mazarin -- little mommie -- heavens! Do you want me to tell you -- I'm afraid my poor brother Louis the XIV much resembles our august father, Louis XIII to whom Cardinal Richlieu, the great Cardinal as he's called now that he's dead -- left to the royal office only the privilege of curing the scrofula.
ANNE
Will you shut up, wicked child?
D'ANJOU
Well, as for me, my little mommie, I am not such a great politician as Anne of Austria, or especially Cardinal Mazarin, but if I were in this place, well, word of honor, I would find something for that poor Louis to do for fear that one fine day.
ANNE
Well?
D'ANJOU
For fear that one fine day, as no one wants to place him in charge of anything, he'll put himself in charge of everything -- war, peace, finances, alliances, marriage. Take it for sure -- Meanwhile, as Moliere is at my place -- seeing that when he learned his father was at Vincennes, he had only one thing to fear -- that of meeting his father, who they say wants to put him in the Bastille. Then, I say, as Moliere's at my place, as the privilege of the theater reside, as they assure me in the great attributes reserved to the King, I am going to engineer Moliere an interview with Louis, and my word! He will rub noses with the great prince as if he knew him. As for me, I will have done all I can do in this great affair.
(looking in the mirror of his mother's fan) --
Until I fix my wig.
ANNE
Silence!
D'ANJOU
(looking toward the door)
I should think so: Silence! Here come the great crown councillors -- Cardinal at their head. Mr. Tellier, the Superintendent of Finances, I like him well enough -- he's the one who keeps the money -- he always is offering it --a nd sometimes he gives it -- unluckily, the Parliament refuses what he offers and the Cardinal reclaims what he's giving! Then Mr. de Villeroi, Mr. de Grammont, Mr. de Montglat, Mr. de Villequier, the whole council. Oh, how royally one is going to get bored here. Mama -- where is my brother? I thought being here one of the privileges reserved to him and that they didn't have the right to be bored without him.
(Mazarin, La Tellier, Lyonne, the Superintendent of Finances, the Duke de Grammont, the Duke de Villeroi, the Marquis de Montglat, the Duke de Villequier, Guitaut and other gentlemen enter.)
MAZARIN
(who enters first)
Take seats, gentlemen.
(going to Anne of Austria)
Madame, no one knows where the King is, and on honor, I know no more than the others.
ANNE
Then proceed, Cardinal, proceed.
MAZARIN
Gentlemen, you know the reason you are assembled here. Under the presentation of the Superintendent of Finances, the decrees were signed by His Majesty; it contains loads of new things that render indispensable the needs of the state. Day before yesterday, Parliament, intimidated doubtless by the presence of the King, promised to enregister the decrees -- but yesterday and today, Parliament has reneged, or so it seems, on its promise -- there's a large assembly of these gentlemen at the palace of justice. In your opinion, gentlemen, what must be done.
GUITAUT
We must arrest the Parliament and stuff them into the Bastille.
MAZARIN
Who said that?
GUITAUT
(advancing)
I did, b'god!
MAZARIN
Ah! It's you, my dear Guitaut? Hello, Guitaut!
GUITAUT
Put me in charge of the operation and it will be soon done.
MAZARIN
Gentlemen, you've heard Mr. Guitaut's proposal -- what do you say about it?
LE TELLIER
The Parliament is a body with whom one must reckon, they've taught us that, Milord.
LYONNE
It has a right of remonstrance.
SUPERINTENDENT
Yes, but it doesn't have a right of refusal.
DUKE de GRAMMONT
Gentlemen, here's what I propose.
MAZARIN
Hear the Duke de Grammont, gentlemen, he's a man of wit.
DUKE de GRAMMONT
I thank Your Eminence, the compliment much, much more flattering than it was intended to be --
(Commotion in the antechamber.)
MAZARIN
Silence!
DUKE de GRAMMONT
Here's what I propose --
(the commotion increases)
BERINGHEN
(entering abruptly)
The King, gentlemen.
EVERYBODY
The King!
(The door opens: the King appears in red hunting gear -- felt hat on his head, large hunting boots, whip in hand. Behind him, the youthful court, opposing through its costume the older one: Saint-Aignan, the Marquis de Villeroi, the Count de Guiche, etc., etc.,)
KING
Greetings, gentlemen. There's a council meeting so it seems -- ?
MAZARIN
Sire, Your Majesty finds us occupied deliberating over this meeting of the Parliament and to find a way of getting these gentlemen to enregister the edicts.
KING
Unnecessary, gentlemen, the edicts have been enregistered.
ALL
Enregistered?
MAZARIN
And who brought about this miracle, Sire?
KING
I did, Cardinal.
MAZARIN
But how was Your Majesty able to attain -- ?
KING
I've been to the Parliament myself.
MAZARIN
And Your Majesty made a speech?
KING
I said 'I wish it'!
(Mazarin and the Queen exchange a glance.)
D'ANJOU
Bravo, Louis --
KING
And now, gentlemen --
(looking at his watch)
it is eleven o'clock; I set the departure for the hunt at noon time. So change into hunt costumes -- for the departure will sound at noon exactly. My Mother -- Cardinal -- I hope indeed you will do us the honor of being part of our hunt.
ANNE
Yes, my son.
(she leaves first.)
MAZARIN
Yes, Sire.
(he leaves next)
D'ANJOU
Stay a few seconds in this room, Louis: I have a protege who's going to come ask you a favor.
KING
And you, go get dressed, and try not to be long if it's possible.
D'ANJOU
Oh, I cannot answer for anything! Anyway, if I am not ready, I'll join you.
(leaves)
DUKE de GRAMMONT
(aside to councillors)
Well, gentleman, what do you say to what's just happened.
DUKE de VILLEROI
It seems to me my pupil works miracles!
MONTGLAT
The King appears to me to have decided to be King -- absolutely.
GUITAUT
As for me, I say he won't really be King until he's ordered me to arrest someone and he hasn't -- yet!
(general exit)
KING
(alone)
She was at her window! Who was she expecting if not me? God knows! Perhaps Saint-Aignan, perhaps Villeroi, perhaps Guiche -- it seems to me -- still, that it really was me she greeted -- Bah! -- one always greets the King -- whoever he may be. Oh! If I were sure that she truly loved me, that would give me courage! Strange thing -- this fear I cannot overcome. I, who raised the whip to this Parliament as on a pack of hound dogs --
(he makes a gesture of striking -- the whip escapes his hands and rolls under the table)
I tremble before a young girl! It's true I still tremble a bit before my mother and a lot before the Cardinal!
(gets down on his knees to get the whip. When he pulls up the table covering, he notices a young girl very coquettishly dressed as a peasant)
What's this? Who is there? What are you doing, child?
GEORGETTE
Oh, excuse me, Sire! Sire -- pardon!
KING
Why, I'm not mistaken -- no, yes, yes! It's you child?
GEORGETTE
Oh -- the King remembers me? How lucky!
KING
Yes -- you are the daughter of Papa Dupre.
GEORGETTE
Yes, Sire.
KING
Who was the junior gardener at Castle Saint German?
GEORGETTE
He's just been named Gardener in Charge of the Chateau de Vincennes.
KING
We played together a hundred times in the flower beds of the New Castle -- and the fortifications of Old Castle -- your name is - wait a second -- your name is Georgette.
GEORGETTE
Yes, Georgette the Curious -- because they always found me hidden somewhere, behind some curtain or under some table -- looking and listening -- that's it.
KING
(laughing)
Well, it seems you've grown and improved, but you haven't changed your name, eh?
GEORGETTE
The King believes I was here from curiosity?
KING
Hell, it looks that way to me --
GEORGETTE
Oh -- the King is much mistaken.
KING
Why were you there then -- hmm?
GEORGETTE
Because I was scared.
KING
Afraid of whom?
GEORGETTE
Of His Eminence, the Cardinal.
KING
And for what reason?
GEORGETTE
Because -- because -- I am not bold enough to tell Your Majesty.
KING
Miss Georgette.
GEORGETTE
Sire --
KING
Take care! I am going to say "I wish it!"
GEORGETTE
Like at Parliament!
KING
(to himself)
Charming -- this little girl!
GEORGETTE
The King is very good.
KING
What -- you heard?
GEORGETTE
Oh -- I've a clever ear.
KING
Come, tell me this, child -- why were you hidden under this table?
GEORGETTE
The King won't get mad?
KING
No -- anyway, it's not the King you're telling, it's your playmate, Louis.
GEORGETTE
The King still remembers -- ?
KING
If you have a clever ear, Georgette, as for me, I've got a good memory.
GEORGETTE
Then -- that reassures me -- !
KING
I'm listening.
GEORGETTE
Well, Sire -- I must tell you what's been done -- for the last week, a great hullabaloo at Chateau Vincennes.
KING
I suspect so.
GEORGETTE
Everybody going and coming, shouting, "They say the King's going to come. Mr. Poquelin has come to furnish the Chateau -- He's going to have hunts, balls, parties."
KING
And you? And what did you say when you learned that?
GEORGETTE
As for me, I clapped my hands and I said, "So much the better! So much the better."
KING
And why did you say so much the better?
GEORGETTE
That's exactly what my father asked me.
KING
Any you answered him -- ?
GEORGETTE
I answered him -- "So much the better, because the King is one of my good friends and we will play together again in the gardens and in the apartments like before!"
KING
Why do you know you are adorable, Georgette?
GEORGETTE
Me? Oh! How funny for you to say that to me, Sire.
KING
(taking her hand)
And you answered your father -- ? Say, look here, what a pretty little hand.
GEORGETTE
No, it was my father who replied in his turn, he said, "Hush Georgette! You mustn't say things like that. The King is no longer a little boy exiled from Paris by the Fronde -- who played with you in the gardens of Saint German -- he's a handsome young man -- he's a great prince -- and there's even a poet, Mr. de Benserade, who says he's a god --
KING
Really? A poor god, on my word, Georgette -- a god without Olympus and without thunder.
GEORGETTE
Then, I felt myself becoming more curious than ever. I'd seen young handsome men -- but I'd never seen a god -- except in marble and in the gardens of the New Chateau -- "Oh," I said to myself, "I want to see a god in the flesh and bone, the first in all the world." Then this morning, knowing that you were going to arrive from Paris, I slipped into this big room, and I put myself in this window which gives on the highway. I'd already seen many mortals enter, but not one god, when suddenly I heard a noise behind me. I turned around, it was Cardinal Mazarin who was coming with the Upholsterer -- you remember, Sire, before we used to be very frightened of Cardinal Mazarin -- both of us?
KING
Even now, I'm in great fear of him.
GEORGETTE
Ah! Look, that proves that in my place you would have done like me.
KING
What did you do?
GEORGETTE
Can't you guess? I dove under the table. Gosh, I thought his accounts with the upholsterer finished they'd go away -- both of them. Not at all, the upholsterer left -- enter the Queen Mother -- of whom we were both once so afraid -- also --you remember, Sire?
KING
Yes -- I'm still afraid, but a bit less now.
GEORGETTE
Then they began to speak of affairs of state --
KING
That must have amused you!
GEORGETTE
Oh, Sire, it bored me terribly! Still, since it was question of your marriage -- oh -- then I listened, I listened.
KING
What do you mean of my marriage?
GEORGETTE
Yes, it seems you are going to marry -- but hush! You're not supposed to know.
KING
What do you mean, not supposed to know?
GEORGETTE
No --it's a big secret! Only the Queen Mother and Cardinal Mazarin in the whole world know about this project. And yet, this morning the Cardinal didn't know it, it's the Queen Mother who had got there ahead of his foresight. That's almost the way she expressed it and who confided it to him.
KING
So -- they want to marry me without my knowing it?
GEORGETTE
I think that is their intention.
KING
But still -- who do they intend to marry me to?
GEORGETTE
Oh, Gosh, I don't know if I can tell you.
KING
What do you mean, you don't know if you can tell me? You not only can -- you must!
GEORGETTE
Are you sure?
KING
Yes, under penalty of rebellion to your King -- ! Are you a rebel, Georgette?
GEORGETTE
No, Sire!
KING
Well then speak up! Who are they going to marry me to?
GEORGETTE
With Princess Marguerite of Savoy.
KING
With my cousin?
GEORGETTE
Ah -- she's your cousin, Sire?
KING
All princesses are my cousins, Georgette. Ah! So it's with Marguerite of Savoy they're going to marry me?
GEORGETTE
Yes, and she's arriving today or tomorrow with her Mama Christine -- only you understand, Sire, they are coming to visit Her Majesty, the Queen, not for anything else.
KING
Yes.
GEORGETTE
And as the Princess is very pretty, very witty, very charming -- they hope she will combat your love.
KING
(excitedly)
My love for whom?
GEORGETTE
Ah -- I don't know. Your love for the person you may love.
KING
Ah! Ah! It's good to know what you just told me, Georgette. And is that all you heard?
GEORGETTE
All! Isn't that enough, Sire?
KING
Oh, yes, yes! What a good thing you did by hiding yourself.
GEORGETTE
Really? How happy I am! Then I will always hide myself.
KING
And you will come tell me all you hear?
GEORGETTE
All!
KING
Then they didn't say anything else?
GEORGETTE
Relative to the King? No, Mr. Poquelin asked for a letter de cachet against his son, but the Cardinal answered 'That concerns the King.' Affairs of State! The Duke D'Anjou asked the Queen mother for a theater license for Mr. Moliere -- but the Queen replied 'That's King's business. Affair of State.' So in the matter, it's agreed Mr. Poquelin will come himself to ask you for the letter de cachet against his son -- and that Mr. Moliere will solicit in person the theater license. That's what the Duke D'Anjou begged you to remain in this room for.
KING
And there's nothing more?
GEORGETTE
No, sire, this time there's nothing more. I am quite sure of it.
KING
What a pretty police officer I've got here --
(looking around him)
GEORGETTE
The King desires something?
KING
Yes, Miss Georgette the Curious! I want to know who is the Musketeer on guard.
(calling)
Mr. Musketeer!
BOUCHAVANNES
(stopping in the doorway)
The King called?
KING
Yes, sir -- I want you to take a description of this child here, and give it to your comrades so she may pass freely to see me whenever she wishes -- anyway, her name will be her passport -- she's called Georgette.
BOUCHAVANNES
The King will be obeyed.
GEORGETTE
Oh -- how happy I am!
KING
Just a moment, sir.
BOUCHAVANNES
Sire?
KING
Aren't you Mr. de Bouchavannes?
BOUCHAVANNES
Yes, Sire.
KING
Then you've arrived from Turin? It seems to me they had me sign a leave for you.
BOUCHAVANNES
I came from Turin a week ago, Sire -- and I spent three months there, my mother having the honor to be a lady of the Regent's Palace.
KING
Come here, if you please, sir.
(Bouchavannes leaves his pike on the doorway and comes forward.)
BOUCHAVANNES
Sire.
KING
You must know the Princess Marguerite?
BOUCHAVANNES
I had the honor to see her, almost every day and to speak to her two or three times.
KING
And what kind of person is she?
BOUCHAVANNES
The King does me the honor to question me about her physically or morally?
KING
On both counts, sir.
GEORGETTE
(picking up the pike and barring the door to Poquelin)
No one can come in!
KING
That's it, Georgette. Stand good guard in the place of Mr. Bouchavannes.
POQUELIN
Sire!
KING
Ah, it's you, Mr. Poquelin? Right in a moment.
POQUELIN
(withdrawing)
Sire!
GEORGETTE
(replacing the pike)
There!
KING
Let's go back to our interrogation, sir.
BOUCHAVANNES
Well, Sire, the Princess Marguerite is morally a pious and charitable Princess, worthy in every respect of the blood she comes from.
KING
And physically? I want an exact portrait, Mr. de Bouchavannes.
BOUCHAVANNES
Sire -- black hair, big melancholy eyes, a complexion more calm than animated -- a well formed nose, fresh lips, white teeth, graceful and flexible figure. Anyway, if the King wants more precise information --
KING
Well?
BOUCHAVANNES
(smiling)
I have the advantage of knowing a young girl attached to the princess in the capacity of maid of honor --
KING
Thanks, Mr. de Bouchavannes, I know all that I want to know. If you are not on duty this evening -- which is likely, since you are on duty this morning --
BOUCHAVANNES
Pardon, Sire! We are few in number -- 24 in all.
KING
I know the Cardinal practices monetary economies but I was unaware he was economical with the Musketeers.
BOUCHAVANNES
So much so that we have two shifts every 24 hours -- my second comes tonight, from nine to eleven in the Orangery.
KING
Well, before nine, come while the gaming is going on, come by chance. I will be pleased to see you there and perhaps need to ask you more information. You are a good gentleman, as I understand it, sir.
BOUCHAVANNES
Sire, my father had the honor of riding in the carriage of King Louis XIII.
KING
That's fine -- we'll try to find you a company, sir.
BOUCHAVANNES
Oh, Sire!
(giving a military salute and resuming his station)
KING
And now let Mr. Poquelin enter.
POQUELIN
(entering)
Sire!
KING
(making a sign with his hand)
Georgette, leave me with this brave gentleman -- you have no need to hear what he's going to tell me -- you already know.
GEORGETTE
Yes.
KING
While elsewhere perhaps you will learn something you don't know.
GEORGETTE
I'll try.
KING
Go -- you have free access to me at all times.
GEORGETTE
Thanks, Sire! I will profit by it.
(aside)
Oh -- he doesn't resemble all those marble gods at all.
(she leaves)
KING
Approach, Mr. Poquelin!
POQUELIN
(trembling and fumbling with a bunch of papers which he drops and picks up)
KING
I know what it is -- a petition right? Give it to me.
POQUELIN
Yes, Sire, a petition.
KING
Begging to have your son, Moliere, looked up because he dishonors the name of Poquelin.
POQUELIN
What! The King knows -- ?
KING
Yes, I know a lot of things that no one suspects I know -- so that Moliere?
POQUELIN
Oh, Sire! The wretch! He's brought shame to our family. A poet and an actor!
KING
Still, it seems to me that a poet --
POQUELIN
A poet -- may be okay -- although when he had before him a situation as sure and honorable as that of upholsterer -- it seems to me a great folly, to risk dying of starvation by embracing poetry -- but, still, at least there are gentlemen who meddle with it -- Where as an actor, Sire -- ! A man who puts powder on his face, oh!
KING
Well, don't worry, I'll look into it --
POQUELIN
Then I may hope.
KING
That justice will be given to whoever is right. Go, Mr. Poquelin, go.
POQUELIN
Ah, Sire, you are saving the honor of a family.
(he leaves)
KING
(alone, sitting down)
What strange places pride is to be found.
(opening the petition)
"Petition to obtain a letter de cachet against Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, who calls himself Moliere -- Sire -- "
(noticing a paper)
Heavens, what's this -- papers that slipped into Master Poquelin's petition --it's the Cardinal's handwriting.
(reading)
"Dining room, 2,000 pounds -- King's bedroom, Queen's 4,000 pounds -- total, 20,000 pounds payable September 25, 1659. Mazarin."
Ah, this is the payment order that poor devil in his concern and indignation let slip in between the pages of his petition. I must return it to him.
(stopping)
Oh! Oh! What's this on the other side -- Plague! -- a round enough sum. "39 million 216 thousand pounds!" What's this? "State of the fortune of Cardinal Mazarin on 24 September 1658". Oh, my word -- it was yesterday he couldn't find any more money.
(reading)
"On Lyon -- 3 million, 900 thousand pounds --"
"On Bordeaux 7 millions --"
"On Madrid 4 millions --"
"General income 7 million --"
"Value of lands, castles, palaces, houses woods, 9 million -- "
"cash and diverse items of values, 2 million 600 thousand pounds -- "
Ah, Mr. Mazarin -- you who always cry poverty! Ah, but how did this precious paper get into the hands of Mr. Poquelin?
Ah, I understand -- without paying attention to what was written on one side, Mazarin wrote on the other.
That's that, on my word. This is precious information and which ties in with the news Georgette announced to me. Good -- someone's coming -- it's doubtless that rascally son --
MOLIERE
(half opening the door from the Duke D'Anjou, timidly but not clumsily)
The King will excuse my badness, I hope -- but Milord, the Duke of Anjou told me that His Majesty was forewarned of my visit.
KING
Come in, Mr. Moliere! Come in! Yes, I am forewarned and I was expecting you.
MOLIERE
My God, Sire, the fear I have of hastening too much -- has it made me fall into the opposite causing the King to be bored waiting for me?
KING
Yes, I was waiting for you, but rest assured, I didn't lose my time doing so.
MOLIERE
Sire, I will try to lay out my request in few words -- but if I tire the King --at a sign from His Majesty, I will retire.
KING
Not at all, Mr. Moliere! I am a man of first impression s-- and my first impression of you -- is that I like you.
MOLIERE
Sire!
KING
They torment you in your family. They persecute you, they make you very miserable, right?
MOLIERE
Sire, it's impossible for me to wish ill to my good parents. They are quite sincerely convinced that one who follows the career I have embraced will lose his body in this world and his soul in the next.
KING
And as for you -- that's not your opinion --
MOLIERE
As for me, Sire, my opinion is that in every condition one can live like an honest man and that God is too just to damn honest men.
KING
Mr. de Conti was your school fellow.
MOLIERE
Yes, Sire -- we studied together at the Jesuit College of Clermont.
KING
He is younger than you though.
MOLIERE
Oh, yes, Sire, much, much younger -- for it was only late -- that is to say at the age of 18 I obtained my father's permission to study.
KING
You studied law?
MOLIERE
I've even been received as an attorney, Sire, but it's not my vocation.
KING
You know that Mr. de Conti makes a great case for you -- he pretends that if he were King -- he would consult you on all matters of politics. He says you know rhetoric, philosophy, poetry --
MOLIERE
Sire, Mr. de Conti is too indulgent! It's true I studied rhetoric with Father Thuillier -- and philosophy with Gassendi, but as for poetry --
KING
As for poetry? Finish, sir --
MOLIERE
Well, Sire, I think one cannot learn poetry -- that one who is not born a poet will never become one.
KING
Ah, really? And tell me, Moliere, let's see -- what is a poet?
MOLIERE
Why, Sire, don't you have at court, by Your Majesty side, under your eyes folks who call themselves so?
KING
Who?
MOLIERE
Why Mr. de Benserade, for example, Mr. de Saint-Aignan, Sire.
KING
Would you like me to tell you something, Mr. Moliere. Well, I have the notion that they are not true poets.
MOLIERE
Really, Sire?
KING
Yes.
(looking fixedly at him)
While as for you, you are one. Here's what I ask you -- what's a poet?
MOLIERE
Sire, you've read before in Virgil the fable of Aristee the Shepherd?
KING
Yes, Mr. Moliere.
MOLIERE
Well, in that fable, Sire, there's a certain Proteus, lion, serpent, flame, smoke, cloud, either forever escaping the chain which holds him -- from the hand which tries to grasp him, from the eye which tries to analyze him. Sire, he's the poet. How can you expect me to explain such a character?
KING
Never mind! Try anyway. What you tell me is so different from the language in use in the country I live in that I feel as if I'm listening to a man speak for the first time.
MOLIERE
(what profound sadness)
The poet, Sire, is a man born hanging on a smile or a frown of nature -- he's a composite of tears and joy -- laughing like a child, weeping like a woman, forever letting reality escape him in the pursuit of a dream, valuing all the wealth of the earth no more than the cloud which slides across the sky and which changes twenty times a minute! It's the Roman Emperor desirous of the impossible, and who satisfied by the illusion takes a drop of water for a pearl, the glowworm for a star, caprice for love! It's rather the poor cricket singing in the grass, intoxicated by the odor of freshly cut hay -- king of a world of cornflowers and daisies which he prefers even to your realm, Sire! He's rather the proud eagle soaring above the clouds, emperor of infinity, streaming in the gold of the sun, and altering from moment to moment, a raucous and savage scream which is only an expression of his powerlessness to mount higher and his sadness at being forced to descend. He's finally, the man that you could make as Mr. de Conti said a councillor, secretary of state, prime minister that you could heap with all the favors of fortune and all the gifts of power -- and who, when he has the honor of seeing his king, of speaking to him, of falling at his feet, asks of all gifts, solicits of all favors four boards, placed on four columns, shut in by four walls, on which he can cause to enter, leave, speak, act, declaim, laugh, weep and suffer -- characters of fantasy who, locked in his imagination have existed only for him and who, nonetheless are his true family, his only world, his unique friends! That's the poet, Sire! And now there remains nothing left for me but to be astonished that such a strange creature has dared to present himself before the greatest, most noble, most powerful King in the universe -- before King Louis XIV!
KING
Ah, my word! Mr. Moliere, you have given me such a find definition of the poet that I will ask you one of king. That will be more difficult right?
MOLIERE
No, Sire.
KING
Well, Mr. Moliere, what is a King?
MOLIERE
Sire, he's a man posterity curses when he's called Nero, and that future ages bless when he's called Henry IV.
KING
And, in your opinion, Mr. Moliere, if a King had to ask God to grant him a gift, what gift ought he to demand?
MOLIERE
Solomon asked for wisdom.
KING
But as for me, I don't wish to do what was done before me, even by King Solomon.
MOLIERE
Well, Sire, the knowledge most precious for a King would be truth.
KING
Yes, but the way to know the truth?
MOLIERE
Eh! Sire, sometimes, it's by seeming to know it.
KING
Make me grasp what you are telling me.
MOLIERE
Alas, Sire, I am only a poor comic poet and cannot consequently, offer you any means but through comedy.
KING
Offer, Moliere, it will be received.
MOLIERE
Well, Sire, suppose for example that chance had made you master of a secret.
KING
Chance has done better, Mr. Moliere, for this very day, it delivered two to me -- and of the greatest importance.
MOLIERE
Then chance is treating you like a spoiled child -- and that proves its intelligence. Well, the King has done me the honor of remaining alone for a quarter of an hour with me.
KING
Yes.
MOLIERE
No one has seen me enter, no one will see me leave. Well, Sire, let the King say that his quarter of an hour was spent with a secret agent who delivers him an account of everything that's being said, even being thought at court. Let him slip the knowledge of these two secrets that he has in the ear of two persons who think these secrets are known to themselves alone. Let these persons tell what's just happened to them to a friend or confidant -- and -- I know men of the court -- each one will come to tell you the secret of his neighbor -- and perhaps even his own -- for fear your secret agent has not come to tell it to you before him.
KING
Oh -- by heavens, Mr. Moliere, what a jolly idea -- and I adopt it.
MOLIERE
Sire, it's too much honor for the poor poet who gives it to you.
(the horn shrieks)
But.
(the departure sounds)
KING
It's the departure sounding, Now, listen, Mr. Moliere, it's required that above all the poet who always takes reality for the shadow, have, at the final reckoning, something to eat -- so from today, you are my honorary valet de chambre -- with a salary of 3,000 pounds.
MOLIERE
Oh -- sire, what kindness! And my license?
KING
You are my valet de chambre, Mr. Moliere -- you'll ask me whenever you like.
MOLIERE
Oh! Sire! to kiss the royal hand is now the only desire remaining to me.
(The King offers his hand. Moliere kisses it respectfully and leaves -- meanwhile, the antechamber fills with gentlemen in hunting costume.)
KING
Come gentlemen, to the hunt -- and I hope that the day will end as well as it has begun.
(The King leaves and everyone follows him.)
(curtain)
The Forest of Vincennes -- to the left, the oak of Saint Louis -- to the right of a clump of trees and behind these trees a green grotto.
(The King, Queen Anne and the courtiers, male and female, with attendants are present at rise, divided into groups -- some seated, some standing, some lying down -- the first group is under the oak of St. Louis -- consisting of Anne, Madame Henriette, Miss de la Motte, de Beringhen, and the Chevalier de Lorraine -- the second group to the right consists of the King, the Duke D'Anjou, Marie de Mancini, the Count de Guiche, the Marquis de Villeroi, and the Count de Dangeau. The third group is composed of the Cardinal, and the Dukes de Villeroi, de Grammont and Mr. de Villequier -- rugs are on the ground, glasses and bottles strewn about. Hampers of food. It's the end of the picnic.)
MARIE
(in a low voice, by a motion of her head indicating Dangeau, who's writing in his notebook)
Sire, ask Dangeau what he's doing. As for me, I bet, it's a madrigal in honor of your passion for Miss de la Motte who's looking at us with a ferocious eye, knowing that Her Majesty, the Queen Mother, cannot hear our words -- or lose one of our gestures.
KING
First of all, you know better than anyone that Miss de la Motte has been, but no longer is, my passion. If I as yet don't have all the power of a King. I have the heart of one: Miss de la Motte having loved or still loving Mr. de Charmante, can no longer be anything for me. It follows, I know better than anyone, I to whom a secret agent has revealed everything that Dangeau doesn't write verse. So it's then impossible for two big lies to escape the so small and so charming mouth of Miss Marie de Mancini at the same time.
MARIE
Oh, Sire, that's the most gallant denial ever given me, even in the alcoves of Madame de Rambouillet.
D'ANJOU
Guiche, are you amused to hear love talked of ceaselessly?
GUICHE
To talk of it, yes, to hear it talked of -- no --
MARIE
But finally, I am getting back to the bottom of things, as the beautiful Artenice says. How do you expect me to know, Sire, if Miss de la Motte is or is not your passion and whether Mr. Dangeau is or is not composing a madrigal?
KING
Because woman is not mistaken about the feeling she inspires, and her gaze penetrates as easily as love to the depth of the heart of her lover, as the diver seeing a pearl in the depths of the sea.
MARIE
Ah, Sire, why you are a poet! And if you try, I am sure of it, you will write verse as heartfelt as the Count de Saint-Aignan or the Marquis de la Feuillade.
D'ANJOU
Is that your opinion, Guiche?
GUICHE
Damn! Isn't the King the King? And in that capacity can't the King do whatever he pleases -- ? Anyway, poetry is feminine! Why like all women won't it be unfaithful or coquettish?
KING
Guiche, I warn you, if you continue to speak ill of women, I will exile you.
GUICHE
Like Charmante, Sire? Egad, that wouldn't surprise me.
D'ANJOU
As for me, I don't see myself much in verse. I love it a little more than sweetmeats a little less than lace, jewels and diamonds -- for which I would sell my right of seniority if I were Essau instead of being Jacob -- but I found the last quatrain by Mr. de la Feuillade badly rhymed -- listen up --
MARIE
Oh! Milord, by chance did your governor make you learn the verse of Mr. de la Feuillade? for a pension?
D'ANJOU
First of all, Miss Marie -- know that for two years I haven't had a governor and that consequently, I alone govern myself. No, thank, God! I no longer have a governor and only perform those agencies imposed by Cardinal Mazarin -- when his avarice refuses me money to buy lace. By the way -- niece of your uncle, you've got some really marvelous English lace there.
MARIE
Her Majesty, Queen Henriette gave it to me.
D'ANJOU
Poor Aunt! Does she still have something to give? I thought Cromwell father and son had taken everything.
GUICHE
Get out, really! Now we're going to turn to politics.
D'ANJOU
Ah, indeed! Why you're never satisfied are you, Guiche?
MARIE
No, but Mr. de Guiche wants to remind Milord that my English lace made him forget Mr. de la Feuillade's verse.
D'ANJOU
Ah -- well, here. He needs to rhyme luck with kiss -- and Moliere to whom I showed it, assures me it doesn't -- sufficiently.
DUKE de VILLEROI
La Feuillade is a gentleman, Milord, and in that capacity, it seems to me he isn't obliged to rhyme like a peasant.
MARIE
But, in short, all this, Sire, doesn't tell us if Dangeau is writing verse or prose.
KING
We're going to learn. Come here, Dangeau!
DANGEAU
Here I am, Sire.
KING
Miss Mancini pretends you are writing verse. I pretend you are writing prose.
D'ANJOU
I bet -- neither the one nor the other.
KING
Which of the two of us is right?
DANGEAU
You, as always, Sire.
KING
Take care, Dangeau! There are certain persons who must always be right against me -- even when they are wrong.
DANGEAU
Sire, my character as a historian forbids me from ever lying.
D'ANJOU
And especially all flattery!
DANGEAU
I am forced to say it was history I am writing and one doesn't write history in verse.
KING
Well, let's see -- read us your history.
DANGEAU
Sire, will you allow me to complete my sentence?
KING
Yes, finish it, finish it --
MISS DE LA MOTTE
Look, Madame -- he's not taking his eyes of her for a moment.
ANNE
Alas, child two weeks ago at the Louvre, Madame de Chatillon said the same thing about you.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
Oh, excuse me, Madame, but you cannot think.
ANNE
I can think -- because I am three times your age, aren't I, child? But you know that women are always 20 in some spot in their heart.
KING
Have you finished, Dangeau?
DANGEAU
Yes, Sire.
KING
Then -- we're listening to you.
DANGEAU
(reading with the greatest seriousness)
"The 25th of December 1658, His Majesty Louis XIV, before the hunt, took his lunch in the Forest of Vincennes in the place called the Oak of Saint Louis -- the hunters ate on the turf, divided into several groups. The group with the King was composed of --
KING
(interrupting him)
Fine, fine, Dangeau. You've told us enough and we are convinced now that it's not poetry you are composing.
D'ANJOU
Plague! What an interesting book you're composing, Dangeau -- if your history of the reign of my brother contains many paragraphs like the one just read us!
ANNE
(calling)
Grammont.
GRAMMONT
(leaving Mazarin's group and going to the Queen)
Madame.
ANNE
What nasty story did you just tell the Cardinal that made you both laugh, you red, he green while that others didn't laugh at all.
GRAMMONT
Oh, Majesty! A simple joke! His Eminence neither eats nor drinks under the pretext that the poisoner of Guenaud had put him on a diet.
ANNE
And you find that funny?
GRAMMONT
That after having taken the ministry from Mr. de Beaufort, the Regency from Anne of Austria, liberty from Mr. de Conde, the Cardinalate from Pope Urbain, the Archepiscopacy of Paris from Mr de Rety, royalty from the King, money from France, Cardinal de Mazarin cannot take a good stomach from a lackey in his antechamber or a poster on the street corner.
GUICHE
(rising and passing his hand over his face)
Ah!
(he moves off)
KING
What's the matter with Guiche? Just now he was growling and now it seems he's sighing.
MARIE
How would I know?
KING
Good! You don't want to tell me. Let's not speak of it any more. I will ask my secret agent about it.
MARIE
Pardon Sire, but this is the second time Your Majesty has spoken of a secret agent -- may one know what you employ this mysterious confidant for?
KING
To find out all that's said, done or thought at court. So, for example, I have only to ask him what's going on in your heart -- he will tell me; what my cousin Henriette, who hasn't yet spoken a single word and seems to me more ready to cry than laugh, is thinking -- and what Cardinal Mazarin is whispering so low to the Duke de Villeroi -- so the priestly skull cap of the one and the hat of the other are not in on the secret of their words -- well, he will tell me.
MARIE
Oh -- clever joke!
D'ANJOU
Dangeau, here's a thing to put in your memoirs. My brother Louis has like that frightful Socrates, whose bust frightened me so much while I was a child that I've taken a hatred to all philosophies past, present and future -- my brother, Louis, has a familiar demon who haunts him by day and visits him by night.
ANNE
(who has listened with a certain attention)
What are you saying there, Phillippe?
D'ANJOU
Madame, I'm playing, as already happened to me in the ballet the 4 Seasons, the role of the Nymph, Echo. My brother Louis pretends to have a secret agent who repeats to him everything that is said, everything that is thought at court -- so in the future there will be no longer any way to hide anything from him.
HENRIETTE
(trembling)
Oh! My God!
D'ANJOU
Well, does that frighten you, Henriette? Do you by chance have something to hide?
(to Miss de la Motte who signals him)
Huh?
HENRIETTE
(as D'Anjou talks with Miss de la Motte and Beringhen goes to get orders from Mazarin)
Madame, if that's true, what D'Anjou said the King must already know my brother, Charles, is at Vincennes. In that case, perhaps I ought to warn him.
ANNE
Don't be afraid, little one! First of all, this familiar demon of whom I've just heard of for the first time, who's never shown any sign of life, probably exists only in the imagination of Anjou -- the wildest of imaginations! Anyway, if Louis knows that the King of England has broken the ban which exiles him from France as it is with my authorization the ban has been lifted, and as Louis only wishes his cousin Charles will -- your brother, my child, runs no danger.
HENRIETTE
From my cousin, Louis, no, I know it, but from Cardinal de Mazarin --
ANNE
(with a melancholy smile)
I am forced to confess that the Cardinal, being the friend of the Mr. Cromwell, is naturally enemies with the King of England.
HENRIETTE
Alas, he's really proved it. My mother hoped that on the death of the Usurper, Cardinal Mazarin would think of my brother, Charles. The Usurper dies, my brother, Charles, rushes -- what's he find? Mr. Richard Cromwell acclaimed, and the Court in mourning for Oliver Cromwell! Oh, Madame isn't it an impiety to see the Court of France in mourning for a man who made his sovereign mount the scaffold, and who, for the last ten years, held the ban of Europe against the legitimate King of England?
ANNE
Hush, my child! All that can change -- after days of rain, days of sunshine -- ! Remember the time when the King, the Duke of Anjou and myself were all dying of hunger at Melun, while you and your mother were dying of hunger at the Louvre -- but silence! Mr. de Villeroi is listening to us.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
(linking arms with the Duke D'Anjou)
Milord -- repeat to me, I beg you, what the King said just now to Miss Mancini.
D'ANJOU
First of all, he paid her a compliment on her get up -- and the fact is it's impossible to have a dress better cut than hers -- or which goes badly with the expression on her face.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
I heard he spoke of her eyes -- doubtless he said that she had the most magnificent in the world.
D'ANJOU
Right! There won't be enough beautiful words for a bluestocking like the Cardinal's niece -- he told her --
(interrupting himself)
Ah, what a charming broach with gemstones you have there.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
Don't you recognize it, Milord?
D'ANJOU
Why indeed! It seems to me I saw it in Louis' hat.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
Don't speak so loud, Milord -- you'll make Miss Mancini jealous. He said to her then -- about her eyes.
D'ANJOU
That they were deep -- like the sea.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
And she replied?
D'ANJOU
And she replied, "Bad comparison, Sire! The sea is treacherous and my eyes never make promises they are not disposed to keep. There," replied Louis, "deep like the azure of the heavens which extends above our heads." "Ah," responded Miss Mancini, "I accept that although that azure, may at the moment be torn by some clouds." They are, as you see the most pure and delicate -- sheeplike. Ah, indeed -- why do you ask me all these questions -- Are you no longer amorous of handsome Charmante?
MISS DE LA MOTTE
No more than Miss de Mancini is amorous of the Count de Guiche.
D'ANJOU
Oh! Oh! What's that you're saying beautiful serpent in silk and satin.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
I said that all you need to do to know what's going on is to watch the way the Count de Guiche looks at Miss Mancini and the way Miss Mancini avoids looking at the Count de Guiche.
D'ANJOU
Yes, to realize, that some day the thing between Miss Mancini and the King will end just like the thing between Miss de la Motte and the King ended.
GEORGETTE
(lost behind an armful of bouquets)
Help me! Help me! All my bouquets are going to fall.
LADIES
Ah -- charming flowers.
MEN
Oh -- pretty girl.
KING
Is it you, Georgette?
D'ANJOU
(low to Marie)
Take care, my lamb! You shed your wool and there are wolves around.
GEORGETTE
Yes, Sire, it's me. Father told me, "Georgette, we mustn't do like the burgomaster, who giving dinner to King Henry IV, kept his good wine for a better occasion. I am going to cut all my flowers, you'll make them into bouquets and take them to the ladies. That will please the King, who is the most gallant gentleman of his court --
Soon as said, soon as done. Father took his pruning knife, I picked up the flowers and here I am with my bouquets. But I have so many, so many, they are going to fall if no one takes them.
KING
Ladies, you see the situation Georgette's in -- be good enough to accept the bouquets that the poor child brings to you. The gardener who gives his flowers, the page who gives his love, the King who gives his crown -- are equal before the Lord; Each can only give what he had.
(They relieve Georgette of her bouquets, but she obstinately keeps one.)
GEORGETTE
No, not that one -- ladies -- no, not that one -- gentleman -- it's for the King.
(in a low voice)
Or rather for Miss Mancini.
KING
And why is this bouquet for Miss Mancini?
GEORGETTE
Because it is the most beautiful, Sire.
KING
And why must Miss Mancini's bouquet be more beautiful than the other bouquets?
GEORGETTE
Because I was under the table when Mr. de Beringhen told the Queen Mother that Miss Mancini was, since morning, at her window -- waiting for you -- So, if she was waiting for you at her window all morning, it's because she loves you -- and if she loves you -- I love her!
KING
Darling little girl! Wait.
(he tears a page from his notebook and writes)
MISS DE LA MOTTE
(who's read what the King wrote, on tiptoe, shrugging)
(aside)
Oh. Indeed I suspected the most beautiful bouquet would be for her.
GEORGETTE
Ah, what you wrote there is very pretty, Sire!
KING
You read it?
GEORGETTE
Yes.
KING
(putting the paper in the bouquet)
Well, now go take this bouquet to Miss Mancini.
GEORGETTE
I'm on my way (low) by the way, Sire, I have something important to tell Your Majesty.
KING
Speak.
GEORGETTE
The Princess Marguerite has just arrived with her mamma and a maid of honor. They will announce Madame Christine under the name of Countess de Verceil.
KING
And how do you know she's Princess Marguerite?
GEORGETTE
I recognized her from the portrait Mr. de Bouchavannes gave you.
KING
Very fine -- go!
GEORGETTE
(young to Marie)
Here, Miss -- this comes on behalf of the King.
MISS DE LA MOTTE
Ah, Madame, you see it was indeed to her that he wrote.
ANNE
Yes, and you're right, and this very day, I will speak to him about it.
(she gives an order to Beringhen, who then goes to the King)
MARIE
(after having read the letter)
Oh, what charming verse the King sent me, gentlemen. I really told you that he was a poet -- listen up:
Go see that object
So sweet and charming
Go little flowers
Die for this beauty
A thousand lovers
Would willingly do more
Who never had
The pleasure you had.
GUICHE
(low)
Marie! Marie!
MARIE
Well, who prevents you from writing poetry to me? No one. It's true, Sire, that you permit Mr. de Guiche, de Villeroi and Dangeau to write me verse -- even prettier than this -- if they can do so?
KING
Yes, surely I permit it! To prevent them from finding you beautiful, prevent them from telling you so -- that would be like forbidding the lark to sing in the morning on the nightingale singing at night --
(Meanwhile the servants have been cleaning up the bottles and the rugs. They've taken down the horn suspended from the branches. Finally a horn -- the kill.)
KING
Ladies, you hear? They lanced a beast. To hope, gentlemen -- ladies to horses.
MARIE
Aren't you coming, sire?
KING
No, I am forced to remain a moment for my mother who's making eyes at me. Beringhen has just informed me on her behalf.
MARIE
And about what?
(laughing)
Has the King been disobedient?
KING
It seems that way.
MARIE
And they are going to punish him.
KING
They are going to try to at least.
MARIE
Well -- but the hunt?
KING
The trumpets will guide me and I will rejoin it. Meanwhile go there -- why not reign where I am not when you already reign where I am?
MARIE
Here's the Queen -- be of good cheer, Sire!
KING
The ancient knights fought for their King and for their lady -- the King's going to fight for royalty and for you.
ANNE
(going to the King. Mazarin is at the rear talking to a Major Domo, notebook in hand)
You will pardon me, won't you, Louis, to deprive you for a moment of the pleasure of the hunt and the pleasure of accompanying Miss Mancini -- but what I have to tell you is truly of the highest importance.
KING
Supposing that a mother who asks for a five minute discussion with her son has need of pardon, you will easily receive mine -- for I was determined to remain here for myself -- even if I didn't remain here with you and for you.
ANNE
You are staying here?
KING
Yes, I've given a rendezvous to someone, but don't let that annoy you -- the person is at my orders and will wait your good pleasure.
ANNE
I thought you too gallant to make a pretty lady wait, Louis.
KING
I'll make all the ladies in the world wait, the most beautiful just like the most powerful, mother, from the moment it's a question of my staying near you -- but I don't have even that merit -- the person I'm waiting for is not a woman.
ANNE
It's not a woman who's going to come? Why who then is it that you've renounced the hunt to wait for?
KING
Haven't you heard, Madame, what Anjou was saying about a certain familiar spirit who does me the good office of repeating all that is said and done around me?
ANNE
And since when's this good genie been around you, my son?
KING
Unfortunately for only a short time, Madame -- since 11 o'clock this morning.
ANNE
But at 11 o'clock you'd just returned at the Chateau.
KING
So it was after my return to the Chateau, Madame, that I had the luck to see him.
ANNE
Impossible! Since 11 o'clock until this very moment, that is to say 2:00 in the afternoon, no strange person has come near you.
KING
(smiling)
To be so sure of what you maintain, Madame, you must also have a familiar spirit who gives you an account of my actions?
ANNE
(without responding)
And this unknown -- for he's unknown, doubtless?
KING
To the whole world except me?
ANNE
And this unknown has already returned from where he came?
KING
No, Madame -- from today he remains where I am.
ANNE
And what place does he hold at court?
KING
None which may be filled, Madam: That of my friend.
ANNE
He's a gentleman, I presume.
KING
Little matter, Madame! He has no pretention to be present, nor to ride in my carriage.
ANNE
Take care -- you're going to ruffle sensitivities and cause many complaints.
KING
What sensitivities can be raised by a man who wants to remain invisible? What complaints can be made against an unknown whose main condition of devotion is that he be offered neither place nor offers, nor money.
ANNE
Why then, where's this man dwell?
KING
Outside the palace -- he detests the court.
ANNE
Louis, you'll learn eventually that all devotion is paid for and the most disinterested in appearance often ends by being the most costly in reality.
KING
I am sure of few demands from this one.
ANNE
And, doubtless you are also sure of his veracity?
KING
I have irrefutable proof of both, Madame.
ANNE
Really, Louis, I am really crazy to lend myself to a joke, made, doubtless to answer a scatterbrain like D'Anjou, a coquette like Miss Mancini and a ninny like Dangeau --
KING
Pardon, Madame, but you may believe, I beg you that nothing is more real than what I have the honor to tell you at this moment --
ANNE
Truly, you affirm this with a tone --
KING
With a tone of truth, yes, Madame.
ANNE
And since this morning this officious friend has been near you and has already revealed important secrets to you, doubtless?
KING
Only one, Madame, but important enough so that it attracted all my attention.
ANNE
Really?
KING
(taking his mother's arm)
Yes and the discovery of the secret doubled, if that were possible, my respect, my affection, and my gratitude to you, my good mother.
ANNE
In what way?
KING
In proving to me that in my absence as in my presence, far and near, you occupy yourself only with my happiness.
ANNE
Isn't it the first duty of a mother to be concerned about the happiness of her son?
KING
So I'm happy you've furnished me the opportunity to thank you as I do, far from etiquette, one-on-one, your arm leaning on mine, and in an intimacy so rare between these poor folks disinherited from love they call Kings of this earth.
ANNE
You are thanking me, Louis, and I am trying to figure out in what way I've deserved this gratitude.
KING
Look, admit it openly, my good mother, there's a thing you are preoccupied with at this moment, and it was to explain this little matter to me that you asked for this meeting.
ANNE
What are you trying to say?
KING
Of a certain feeling you fear seeing become too tender --
ANNE
You are right; only I don't fear seeing it become too tender; I fear seeing it become too serious.
KING
So be it; but, anyway, I am not mistaken.
ANNE
No. Well?
KING
Well, isn't it in the preoccupation, which indicates, in all respects, your deep tenderness for me, your supreme solicitude for me my renown, that you've come up with the idea of inviting your sister-in-law, Madame Christine de Savoy to come to France under the pretext of those visits paid to close relatives and especially of bringing with her Princess Marguerite, so that the charm of her black eyes may be able to combat the disastrous influence of the blue eyes of Miss Mancini?
ANNE
What! You know -- ?
KING
I know, Madame, that Princess Marguerite is a worthy granddaughter of King Henry IV, pious, charitable, enlightened, moreover, a charming person with big melancholy eyes, straight nose, white teeth, olive complexioned -- a little dark for those princes like us of the blond race -- anyway, I can judge all these matters when I return from the hunt.
ANNE
When you return from the hunt?
KING
Why yes. Don't you know, Madame Christine, accompanies by Princess Marguerite, and a single maid of honor arrived hardly an hour ago at the Chateau under the name of the Countess de Verceil? Oh truly, Madame, I am very happy to be so well informed that I myself may bring you the first news of an arrival you were awaiting with so much impatience.
ANNE
The Regent and her daughter arrived without my knowing it, after the orders I have given? Impossible and on this point, my son, I am really afraid your secret agent must be at fault.
KING
Well, hold on, Madame, here's Beringhen coming to find you doubtless to confirm what I've had the honor to tell you. Come, Mr. de Beringhen, come -- you're looking for the Queen. Here she is.
(He moves away several steps.)
ANNE
(aside)
Ah! Your secret agent! Yes, he really exists, yes, he's quite well informed -- but I know who he is, go!
BERINGHEN
Two ladies saying they were invited to France by Your Majesty have just arrived at the Chateau. The elder of the two calls herself The Countess de Verceil.
ANNE
Who brought this news?
BERINGHEN
A pikeman sent by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Montglat. There, Madame, it's the same fellow being questioned at this very moment by Cardinal Mazarin.
ANNE
Let him depart instantly with the order to escort these ladies to the apartments you yourself designated to the upholsterer this morning -- which communicates with my room. In a quarter of an hour I will be at Vincennes. Wait for me to accompany me there.
(to Mazarin)
Come, Cardinal.
MAZARIN
It seems, Madame, that our two voyagers have arrived.
(Beringhen goes to the Pikeman and orders him to return to the Chateau. The King remains at the back.)
ANNE
Yes.
(pointing to the King)
You've told him everything, sir!
MAZARIN
First all, Majesty, I never say anything.
ANNE
And still he's aware of it.
MAZARIN
I assure you, Madame, that I don't know what you mean.
ANNE
I am speaking of the King, sir, and I tell you he knows everything.
MAZARIN
What do you call knowing everything, dear Majesty?
ANNE
He knows that I distrust his new love, he knows my plan to unite him to Princess Marguerite, he knows what I myself didn't know -- that the two princesses have arrived.
MAZARIN
Egad -- he knows that, Majesty! And who could tell him?
ANNE
Then, Cardinal, pardon me this nasty thought if it is false, but I imagine that as you are more interested that anyone that this marriage not take place, it was you, who, to ruin it, told everything to the King.
MAZARIN
More interested than anyone? I don't understand Your Majesty.
ANNE
Doubtless! The King --
MAZARIN
The King --
ANNE
Isn't the King in love with your niece?
MAZARIN
You think so? Oh!
ANNE
I'm bringing you the news, right, Cardinal?
MAZARIN
You know that is the custom of His Majesty to find love in my family -- and that those loves are without importance.
ANNE
Yes, I know it, but if his new love became more serious than the other? If he wanted to make Marie what he lacked the courage to make Olympia?
MAZARIN
Well, we'd marry the little one with some prince of the blood of France or Savoy just as we already married three of her sisters.
ANNE
Marry her to whom you like, Cardinal, but there's one thing I promise you -- she won't marry the King.
MAZARIN
Eh! Egad, who's thinking of such an enormity? The King perhaps, but not me, for sure!
ANNE
Listen, sir -- I don't think the King is capable of such baseness, but if it's possible that he even thought of it, I warn you that all France would revolt against him and against you, that I would place yourself at the head of the revolt, and that if need be, I would enlist my second son in it! Come, Beringhen.
(She leaves.)
KING
(to himself)
Good! It seems the news had produced its effect.
MAZARIN
(aside)
Ah, you'll place yourself at the head of the revolt and you'll involve your other son in it? That would not prevent it if the King absolutely insists on being the nephew of Cardinal Mazarin -- he'll do to his mommie, to the revolt of the Duke D'Anjou, what he did to the Parliament this morning -- and as for me, as I am his subject, if he said to me, 'My dear Cardinal, I wish to marry your niece' I couldn't disobey him by refusing her to him -- this cherished King!
KING
(coming forward)
Ah! My God! What's the matter with my mother, my dear Cardinal? She's getting into her carriage growling like a thunderstorm.
MAZARIN
Eh! Sire, who knows that's the matter with a woman especially where that woman is Queen?
KING
It's not with me she's angry, I hope, Mr. Mazarin -- right?
MAZARIN
No.
KING
Anyway, as I have something to ask -- it is true, but not of her -- her good or ill humor doesn't matter much.
MAZARIN
(sweetly)
You have something to ask of someone, my dear King?
KING
Yes.
MAZARIN
Of whom?
KING
Of you.
MAZARIN
Ask, my dear child, ask! Oh, pardon, pardon, Sire! There I go speaking to Your Majesty like in those days when the Queen Mother was regent and King Louis was a little boy no higher than that.
KING
Eh? Don't you still have the right to speak to me that way, my dear Cardinal? Who raised me? You! Who followed me into exile? You! Who protected me? You! If I am King of France, is it not because of you I am, and if, after God, I must owe my kingdom to someone, isn't it to you I owe it?
MAZARIN
Are you really convinced of what you are saying to me Louis?
KING
Why that's history Cardinal Mazarin.
MAZARIN
Oh -- history is sometimes such a liar -- and you were telling me, my dear child, that you had something to ask of me. Look, what is it? Speak.
KING
Yes, but before making this request to you, I want to ask you a question?
MAZARIN
What?
KING
Are you a good mood at the moment, my dear Cardinal?
MAZARIN
Today?
KING
Yes, today.
MAZARIN
Today, I am in a charming mood!
(he smiles at the King, who puts his arm through his -- just as with his mother)
KING
Well, my dear Cardinal, I need money.
MAZARIN
(pulling back)
Money?
KING
Yes, money.
MAZARIN
Pardon, Sire, I was hoping to have heard badly. Money! And what do you want to do with money?
KING
Why give balls, parties, spectacles -- in the end to amuse myself.
MAZARIN
Amuse yourself, Sire! Do you think one is King to amuse oneself?
KING
My dear Cardinal, a King must either amuse himself or reign -- now, at the moment you and my mother reign -- so it's necessary I amuse myself. If not, take care! I might notice I am not reigning.
MAZARIN
(aside)
Wow! What's he saying?
KING
That's why I am asking for money.
MAZARIN
Money! Money! Word of honor, you'd say the royal vocabulary was composed of those two words, money. The Queen asks for it in her sharp voice, "Money, Cardinal!" The Duke D'Anjou asks for it in his sweet voice, 'Cardinal, money!'. The King asks for it -- but Sire! There is no money. I've put all that we had into this party -- I've just gone through the calculations with the Major Domo -- it's costing 500 crowns.
KING
Well then, my dear Mr. Mazarin, as I am very bored, and there's no money, so it seems --
MAZARIN
No -- Sire -- there's no money.
KING
Then to distract myself, I'll have to mix in affairs of state. It's not amusing, but after all, it's still a distraction. You will tell, I beg you, Mr. Fouquet, Mr. Lyonne and Mr. Tellier to come work with me tomorrow instead of going to work with you. During that time, you will not, my dear Cardinal. After thirty years of your life dedicated to France, you surely must need a lot of rest -- while after six years of vacation, I must need some work.
MAZARIN
(rubbing his ear)
And you need a great deal of money my dear King?
KING
No --
MAZARIN
Oh, why if it's a little sum -- there's a way to get on.
KING
A little sum -- for a King -- especially when he has such rich ministers around him.
MAZARIN
Oh -- yes, Mr. Fouquet -- it's a scandal. Why, let's see -- the total of -- you understand -- everything depends on the total --
KING
Well, I think with a million --
MAZARIN
(starting)
A million?
KING
Yes, I'll spend the season hunting.
MAZARIN
One million -- my dear Loulon --
KING
Do you think it too little for a king of France?
MAZARIN
A million, my dear child! But where do you think I'll get a million?
KING
Why? It seemed to me, sir, that from the moment I registered the decrees of Parliament --
MAZARIN
Oh, Sire! First they must be promulgated, published, put into execution, and consequently, before the money starts coming in, more than a year will pass -- more than two years -- even then it may never come in -- that rascally money! The unhappy people are so wretched -- so ruined -- so poor -- ah!
KING
Well, my dear Cardinal, while waiting for the money to come in, couldn't you lend me that money?
MAZARIN
Jesus!
KING
You'll get it back from the first taxes which will pour into the treasury.
MAZARIN
Me, Sire, me -- lend you a million?
KING
Why, yes -- nothing would be easier for you.
MAZARIN
Madonna! And where do you think I would get it -- this money?
KING
Why, for example -- hold on, my dear Cardinal -- try the three million nine hundred thousand pounds -- from Lyon or the seven million in Bordeaux -- or the four million in Madrid.
MAZARIN
Christ Jesus!
KING
Or indeed, if you hesitate to withdraw money so advantageously placed, which is conceivable, borrow the sum on your nine millions or real estate -- I'll pay interest at 10 percent.
MAZARIN
I am robbed, betrayed, ruined.
KING
Or indeed couldn't you spare this million from your seven millions of general income? What do I know about it? Finally, it seems to me my dear Cardinal, that a minister who possesses so much money in properties and cash receipts, 39 million two hundred thousand pounds could readily lend a million to his King --
MAZARIN
Why, who told you this -- who could have told you?
KING
The same person who informed of the trip to France of Madame Christine and Princess Marguerite: My secret agent.
MAZARIN
But -- it's that the figure is so exact.
KING
My agent is incapable of being misled even about a penny.
MAZARIN
And when must you have this million, Sire?
KING
This evening, my dear Cardinal.
MAZARIN
But what do you want to do with a million?
KING
Listen -- I'm going to tell you this -- because for you to whom I owe so much I have no secrets, I'm in love.
MAZARIN
You're in love!
KING
And I absolutely will please the woman I love.
MAZARIN
And you absolutely will please her?
KING
Yes.
MAZARIN
Oh, a King as charming as you are has no need of a million to make a woman mad for him.
KING
No matter, my dear Cardinal, a million spent on parties of which she will be the queen won't be ill spent. I am sure of it.
MAZARIN
Of which she will be the Queen? Ah, my dear King, so you intend to make the one you love Queen?
KING
Of my parties, my dear Cardinal, meanwhile, perhaps she may be Queen of the Realm.
MAZARIN
Since you give such good reasons, we'll do our utmost -- we will hasten the income from taxes, we'll pursue contributions.
KING
And I shall have the million tonight?
MAZARIN
What do you mean tonight?
KING
My dear Cardinal, my love is so great that it admits of no delay.
MAZARIN
Ah! If your love is so great, that's another matter -- well --
KING
Well --
MAZARIN
(with a sigh)
We'll try to give you this wretched million!
KING
Truly, you are a charming man, my dear Cardinal.
(going towards the back)
MAZARIN
The King's going.
KING
Yes - wait, they're sounding the Haloo a hundred paces from here, and I am going to reach the hunt.
(Exit the King.)
MAZARIN
(alone)
Till tonight, my dear King! My dear child, my dear nephew. Ah, you're in love! Ah! You want to make the woman you love queen of your parties -- and perhaps Queen of your realm! May God hear you! I've got an idea who played me this dirty touch of giving him this devilish total -- ah, Madame Anne of Austria, Anne of Austria! You will pay me for this.
BERNOUIN
(entering)
Ah! There's Milord -- Milord!
MAZARIN
What? Ah, it's you Bernouin! Come, my dear Bernouin, come my friend, come!
BERNOUIN
Oh, oh, what's the matter with Your Eminence -- you seem very agitated to me.
MAZARIN
Yes -- tormented, my dear Bernouin -- and full of joy, too -- a bit -- but what's going on down there that brings you here? I told you not to rejoin me unless something important happened.
BERNOUIN
Two important things, Milord.
MAZARIN
Ah, two?
BERNOUIN
Yes, two big events. First of all, Mr. de Conti is at Vincennes to bring to the King, the Submission of the Prince de Conde.
MAZARIN
And the other?
BERNOUIN
And to announce that Prince Conde is ill in Brussels.
MAZARIN
Ah! Poor Prince -- he's ill?
BERNOUIN
Very ill, Milord -- which makes him wish to return to France and therefore he sends his submission.
MAZARIN
I will send him Guenaud, my doctor. And one mustn't forget in the last analysis -- he's a prince of the blood.
BERNOUIN
And as for his return to France?
MAZARIN
If he's as sick as you say, Bernouin, he has more need of a doctor than a passport -- and it would be to risk his health to permit him to set out on a trip. No, Guenaud will cure him first -- that will take time -- and during that time, I will consider -- Bernouin, if ever you became a statesman never forget that the great secret of politics is: Know when to wait -- the other event, Bernouin?
BERNOUIN
The other event, Milord, is the presence of King Charles II at Vincennes.
MAZARIN
King Charles II is at Vincennes?
BERNOUIN
Yes.
MAZARIN
Are you sure of this?
BERNOUIN
I am sure of it.
MAZARIN
Who saw him?
BERNOUIN
I did, behind a window blind at the hotel Crowned Peacock, near the parade ground.
MAZARIN
Ah, Bernouin, yes, you are right -- this is great event! It's Anne of Austria who's brought things to this muddle -- as if things weren't muddled enough already. Ah, if King Charles the II, were on the throne of England, I think that little Henriette, rather than the Infanta, would be the wife for the King and we would be marrying a great power at least -- ! But it's Mr. Richard Cromwell, who, for the moment is King of England and we have to deal with him -- Bernouin, you're going to return to the Chateau and send Guitaut to me when you arrive -- do you hear?
BERNOUIN
What! You are going to arrest King Charles II?
MAZARIN
Oh, no! One must have respect for crowned heads. I am going to order him to leave France in a week -- and Vincennes in twenty-four hours.
BERNOUIN
And if he won't leave?
MAZARIN
Then it won't be my fault, it will be his. I will act.
BERNOUIN
Hum!
MAZARIN
Bernouin! If ever you are a minister, remember to treat everything with these words: Know when to act.
BERNOUIN
How does Milord reconcile this second maxim with the first?
MAZARIN
I don't reconcile them; I put them face to face -- I interchange them, and according to the occasion I use the one I have need of. But hush!
BERNOUIN
What?
MAZARIN
Do you see who's coming over there?
BERNOUIN
Ah! Ah! His Majesty and Miss Mancini.
MAZARIN
Return to Vincennes and warn Doctor Guenaud to be prepared to leave.
BERNOUIN
Yes, Milord.
MAZARIN
Don't tell him for what country.
BERNOUIN
Have no fear.
MAZARIN
Warn Guitaut to be ready to act.
BERNOUIN
Yes, Milord.
MAZARIN
Don't tell him against who!
BERNOUIN
Don't worry.
MAZARIN
Go.
(Bernouin leaves, the Cardinal leaves in his turn at the moment the King and Marie enter.)
MARIE
I hope, Sire, that they don't make a stag who is a better courtier than ours -- he saw the King didn't want to take the trouble of running after him and he returned politely to die by your lance -- Ah, animals sometimes give men really bad examples.
KING
You think so? It's possible -- but let's leave stags, hunting dogs, huntsmen, horns and fanfares -- come over this way, Marie, I need to be alone a moment with you, to hear your sweet voice, apart from other voices, to see your charming face in a mirror in which it alone is reflected -- you are like the good fairies, who with a touch of their golden wand -- chase off ghosts and make evil spirits disappear.
(The wind comes up and the weather darkens.)
MARIE
Oh, Sire, what a beautiful place, Your Majesty gives me near the King.
KING
Marie, do you know anything sweeter than that of a woman who makes a King forget the cares of royalty?
MARIE
But, above all things, the woman must be loved and be especially certain of it.
KING
And what must that prince do to prove his love to her?
MARIE
One of the first things would be when, where she's hunting to follow the hunt rather than to send her to the other end of the forest to remain alone -- for what purpose? God only knows!
KING
By chance would I have the great good fortune to be making you jealous, dearest Marie?
MARIE
If it were a great good fortune to you, Sire, it would be a great misfortune for me!
KING
Why's that? And how could my good fortune cause misfortune to you? You are always talking to me about my power, of my scepter, of my crown. Alas, the only true royal crown that God puts on the head of his elect is that of the love. All the others bridle or burn one face of those that wear them. Love alone lights and rejuvenates it.
MARIE
Well, Sire, who told you that the woman