Part 405 (1/2)

DUNOIS.

And could Saintrailles consent to give his voice To such a shameful compact?

SENATOR.

Never, sir!

Long as the hero lived, none dared to breathe A single word of treaty or surrender.

DUNOIS.

He then is dead?

SENATOR.

The n.o.ble hero fell, His monarch's cause defending on our walls.

CHARLES.

What! Saintrailles dead! Oh, in that single man A host is foundered!

[A Knight enters and speaks apart with DUNOIS, who starts with surprise.

DUNOIS.

That too!

CHARLES.

Well? What is it?

DUNOIS.

Count Dougla.s.s sendeth here. The Scottish troops Revolt, and threaten to retire at once.

Unless their full arrears are paid to-day.

CHARLES.

Duchatel!

DUCHATEL (shrugs his shoulders).

Sire! I know not what to counsel.

CHARLES.

Pledge, promise all, even unto half my realm.

DUCHATEL.

'Tis vain! They have been fed with hope too often.

CHARLES.

They are the finest troops of all my hosts!

They must not now, not now abandon me!

SENATOR (throwing himself at the KING'S feet).

Oh, king, a.s.sist us! Think of our distress!

CHARLES (in despair).

How! Can I summon armies from the earth?

Or grow a cornfield on my open palm?

Rend me in pieces! Pluck my bleeding heart Forth from my breast, and coin it 'stead of gold!