Part 404 (1/2)
CHARLES.
Thou'rt in a pleasant humor; undisturbed I'll leave thee to enjoy it. Hark, Duchatel!
Amba.s.sadors are here from old King Rene, Of tuneful songs the master, far renowned.
Let them as honored guests be entertained, And unto each present a chain of gold.
[To the b.a.s.t.a.r.d.
Why smilest thou, Dunois?
DUNOIS.
That from thy mouth Thou shakest golden chains.
DUCHATEL.
Alas! my king!
No gold existeth in thy treasury.
CHARLES.
Then gold must be procured. It must not be That bards unhonored from our court depart.
'Tis they who make our barren sceptre bloom, 'Tis they who wreath around our fruitless crown Life's joyous branch of never-fading green.
Reigning, they justly rank themselves as kings, Of gentle wishes they erect their throne, Their harmless realm existeth not in s.p.a.ce; Hence should the bard accompany the king, Life's higher sphere the heritage of both!
DUCHATEL.
My royal liege! I sought to spare thine ear So long as aid and counsel could be found; Now dire necessity doth loose my tongue.
Naught hast thou now in presents to bestow, Thou hast not wherewithal to live to-morrow!
The spring-tide of thy fortune is run out, And lowest ebb is in thy treasury!
The soldiers, disappointed of their pay, With sullen murmurs, threaten to retire.
My counsel faileth, not with royal splendor But meagerly, to furnish out thy household.
CHARLES.
My royal customs pledge, and borrow gold From the Lombardians.
DUCHATEL.
Sire, thy revenues, Thy royal customs are for three years pledged.
DUNOIS.
And pledge meanwhile and kingdom both are lost.
CHARLES.
Still many rich and beauteous lands are ours.
DUNOIS.
So long as G.o.d and Talbot's sword permit!
When Orleans falleth into English hands Then with King Rene thou may'st tend thy sheep!
CHARLES.
Still at this king thou lov'st to point thy jest; Yet 'tis this lackland monarch who to-day Hath with a princely crown invested me.
DUNOIS.
Not, in the name of heaven, with that of Naples, Which is for sale, I hear, since he kept sheep.
CHARLES.