Richelieu: . ; —I am not;—I am just ! — I found France rent asun-der,—The rich men despots, and the poor banditti; —Sloth in the mart, and schism within the temple;Brawls festering to Rebellion ; and weak LawsRotting away with rust in antique sheaths. —I have re-created France; and, from the ashesOf the old feudal and decrepit carcase,Civilisation on her luminous wingsSoars, phcenix-like, to Jove ! — What was my art? 52 Richelieu Genius, some say, — some, Fortune, — Witchcraft, so ; — my art was Justice ! — Force and FraudMisname it cruelty — you shall confute them !My champion YOU !
Richelieu: . ; —I am not;—I am just ! — I found France rent asun-der,—The rich men despots, and the poor banditti; —Sloth in the mart, and schism within the temple;Brawls festering to Rebellion ; and weak LawsRotting away with rust in antique sheaths. —I have re-created France; and, from the ashesOf the old feudal and decrepit carcase,Civilisation on her luminous wingsSoars, phcenix-like, to Jove ! — What was my art? 52 Richelieu Genius, some say, — some, Fortune, — Witchcraft, so ; — my art was Justice ! — Force and FraudMisname it cruelty — you shall confute them !My champion YOU ! —You met me as your foe, Depart my friend — You shall not die. — France needs shall wipe off all stains,—be rich, be honoured,Be great. [De Mauprat falls on his knee —Richelieu raises him. I ask, Sir, in return, this hand,To gift it with a bride, whose dower shall match,Yet not exceed, her beauty. DE MAUPRAT. , I, my Lord, — (hesitating). ji I have no wish to RICHELIEU. Surely, Sir, To die were worse. DE MAUPRAT. Scarcely; the poorest cowardMust die, — but knowingly to march to marriage —My Lord, it asks the courage of a lion! or, The Conspiracy. 53 RICHELIEU. Traitor, thou triflest with me ! — I know all!Thou hast dared to love my ward — my charge. DE MAUPRAT. As rivers May love the sunlight — basking in the beams, And hurrying on ! — hast told her of thy love? DE MAUPRAT. My Lord, if I had dared to love a maid, Lowliest in France, I would not so have wronged her, As bid her link rich life and virgin hope With one, the deathmans gripe might, from her side, Pluck at the nuptial altar. RICHELIEU. I believe thee;Yet since she knows not of thy love, renounce her; —Take life and fortune with another! — Silent? DE MAUPRAT. Your fate has been one triumph — You know notHow blessed a thing it was in my dark hourTo nurse the one sweet thought you bid me hath no need of words; — nor less wi
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublishernewyo, bookyear1896
