Act II
Scene 1
[An Apartment at Eus“be Tricastin's. Enter Tricastin, Eus“be, and Conrad, in travelling dresses.]
Eus.
Then, if it must be so—if it is discreet to separate—to your care, Conrad, my friend, I commit my father till we meet in England.
Take every precaution possible for your safety, but let not your journeys
be so rapid as to endanger his health. [Whispering Conrad.] Consider he is not so young as you, and do not suffer him to be too active,
whatever inclination he may show.
Tri. [Cheerfully.]
My boy, farewell! You will go immediately from the other door of the house,
with your wife and children; and till we meet again, my blessing go along
with you—the blessing of an old man, who did not think to be an exile at these years.
But, in whatever country, if I meet my child, I shall not call it banishment.
Are you sure you have taken money and jewels sufficient to bear you all
through your journey? Here, take this little casket more; your wife may
be in want of many things upon the road which you are not aware of: and,
as for Conrad here, and myself, I'll answer for it we shall want for nothing. [Affecting cheerfulness.l
Eus.
Sir, I have more than enough already—paper money in abundance.
Tri.
But, I have been thinking, paper is doubtful currency. However, if you have
no occasion for this, take it for my make—sure, at parting, Eusèbe, you cannot refuse to take a keepsake from me? [He takes the casket.]
[Enter Madame Tricastin and Amédée attendants following with small trunks, chests, etc.]
Eus.
Ah! These chests will look suspicious: if it's suspected we mean to fly,
we may be detained; or at least insulted. Let these be left for us at the
next village.
[Enter on the opposite side Menancourt hastily.]
Men.
Alas! Eusèbe Tricastin, you have saved yourself at Paris, only to fall a victim here!
Tri. [Starting with horror.]
What do you say?
Men.
The rage of the adverse party is not confined to the capital: some from thence
are arrived in this city, and have increased that flame, which has long
since been kindled amongst our populace. You, young Tricastin, are proscribed;
a price is set upon your life; and now the rabble are at the gate of your
avenue, to claim it.
Tri.
I'll go to them.
Eus. [Stopping him.]
You go!—for what?
Tri.
To speak kindly to them—to let them know you have done them no harm, nor wished them any;—and it would be cruel to take an only child from an old man, who has no other
comfort.
Mad. Tri
Why do we loiter?—Let us fly immediately by the other part of the house, as we had determined.
Men.
Ah, Madam, were it possible to fly, you would not see me here. The gates
of the town are closed—the soldiers have declared themselves against us—a battalion guard every passage—the garrison is under arms—do you not hear the beat of the drum? That, and the sound of that bell, are the
signals for a general massacre.
Eus.
Then let us arm ourselves instead of meanly flying—arm, arm, and sell our blood most dearly. But where shall I conceal my wife?
how protect her from their unhallowed hands? for, when I am slain, who will
then fight for thee? [Throwing his arms around her.]
Men.
Give her an instrument of death to defend herself—our female enemies use them to our cost.
Eus.
No, by Heaven! so Sacred do I hold the delicacy of her sex, that could she
with a breath lay all our enemies dead, I would not have her feminine virtues
violated by the act. [Turning to his father.] More sorrow still!—Those relations, who were my dearest comfort, are now the source of all my affliction!—were it not for these, I would this moment rush amongst the enemy—but you, my father, weak by age, as she by nature, can I leave you behind?
Tri. [Assuming a dignity.]
Eusèbe, had I strength, as at your age, I would disdain to arm myself against a banditti
of cowardly assassins. Besides, ought we to take away another's life, unless we had a chance to save our own? Self-preservation has here no plea;
we can't preserve ourselves.
Men.
At present, they demand at this house only the life of your son; but, 'tis
to be feared, when once they have forced the gate, and obtained that—
Eus.
No, they would be satisfied—and they shall—with joy I go, a sacrifice for my friends. [Going
Mad. Tri.
Oh, stay, I conjure you!
Tri.
My son, pity your father!
Mad. Tri.
Why do you hold that poniard in your hand?—do you mean to turn it against yourself? Oh! give it me.
Eus.
You know not what you ask for—tremble!—touch not that dagger without suffering an anguish through every fibre! It is
an eternal monument of the blackest crimes! Some drops of precious blood,
never to be effaced, have spotted the steel.
Mad. Tri.
You thrill me with horror—What do you mean?
Eus.
Dare you ask me? I snatched it warm and reeking from the breast of your expiring
mother.—[Wildly.] I will replunge it into the hearts of those who have so well taught me how to
use it.
Tri.
Eusèbe, you who have obeyed me through your life, will you neglect my dying words?
Eus.
Your dying words!
Tri.
Most probably these are my last moments.—I can feel for the various passions which transport you, my child, to this excess
of despair—but do not imitate your foes.—If it were left to your choice to be the murderer, or the victim, I am sure you
would sooner perish than bear the name of homicide.
Ame.
That providence which preserved you so wonderfully at Paris, may guard us
here.
Tri.
At least, let us not render ourselves unworthy of its protection—Let us fall with courage, but with resignation—and show, in dying, we have confidence there is another life. Join hands, my
children, and join me in my humble appeal to Heaven. [They all join hands but old Tricastin, who comes forward and kneels.] O thou, who art all-merciful, as well as all-wise and just! look down with compassion
on this weak group, who have ever walked (to the best of their understandings)
in the way of thy precepts. Oh! in this moment of their calamity, save them
from perishing!—Disarm their enemies!—We hope in thee—We bless thee, whether under the sword of our assailants, or restored to peace and happiness.
Mad. Tri. [Kneeling.]
O Heaven! preserve my husband, my children, and my father!
Eus. [Kneeling.]
Heaven! save my wife, my father, my children, and these my friends.
[Enter a domestic.]
Dom.
In vain have we endeavoured to guard the outward gate; the populace have
forced it, and are now rushing into the house demanding my young master—Oh, sir, for mercy's sake, fly.
Tri.
Son, you have just now addressed yourself to the throne of heaven; and it
would be mockery so noon to offend against it. Retire then, at a father's
command, nor show yourself to the people till they break to your inner
apartments. I will speak to them here—I have done some charitable offices, in my time, to many of our citizens—I am not the object of their pursuit—therefore, permit me to expostulate just a few moments with them—a kind word has sometimes done, with most ferocious enemies, more than a thousand
swords. [Raising his voice with passion and firmness.] Leave me to speak to them, I do command you.
Men.
He advises well.
Con.
My friend, retire. [To Eusèbe.]
Mad. Tri.
Oh! obey your father, and save his life and mine.
Con.
Force, force him away
[Conrad and Menancourt force him off, overcome by his various passions—Madame Tricastin, Amédée, and the domestics follow, and leave only old Tricastin on the stage.]
[Enter Guret, followed by two or three leaders, such as himself, and a number of rabble, dressed
like inferior tradesmen.]
Gur.
Where in Eusèbe Tricastin? We want Tricastin.
Tri.
I am he.
Gur.
Are you Eusèbe Tricastin?
Tri.
I am.
Gur.
They told me he was young. Is this the man? [To his followers.]
Tri.
I know not who, my friends, just at this time, would willingly put himself
in the place of him you ask for.
Gur.
That's true. [To his followers.] This is the man then?
1st Fol.
He is like him, as well as I can remember;—yet he looks too old.
Tri.
Care alters men much, good sir.
2nd Fol. [Coming round Tricastin, and looking hard at him.]
This man must be too old for him. His hair is white.
Tri.
Did you never hear of fright changing a young man's hair from brown to gray?
and I must own [affecting to tremble] you have frightened me a good deal, gentlemen.
Gur.
If you are Eusèbe, we are come to try, and to condemn you to death.
Tri.
Hush—silence—[in a low voice.] I have relations in the next room, whom it would grieve to hear you say so.
Take me from this house, and then dispose of me as you think fit. Hush, hush—no noise—I go willingly with you.
Gur.
Come along then—and in the open hall in the market-place, you shall indulge the fury of the multitude
[As they are leading him off, enter Eusèbe on the other side.]
Eus.
Hold your profane hands—The fiend, who offers violence to my father—
Gur.
This is then the son—seize him, my friends. [They seize him]
1st Fol.
Yes, this is young Tricastin—I now perceive this is the man we came for.
[Enter Madame Tricastin, Conrad, Menancourt, and several attendants, on one side, and Dugas on the other.]
Dug.
My friends, I am come with fresh instructions—Secure not only the younger Tricastin, but his whole family; and take them to the appointed place. Don't give way to your vengeance here—but there, in the midst of all our fellow-citizens, the example will be more terrible. [They are all seized.] [Exit Dugas.]
Eus.
Villains, let go that lady. [Breaking from the persons who hold him.]
Mad. Tri. No, be kind and take me with him to death.
Eus. [To those who hold her.]
Permit me to speak a single word to this lady. [Takes her aside.] My life, by all the tenderness I have ever shown you, save yourself for your
children's sake. What will become of them when their father is gone? You
have a moment now—retire, and secrete yourself among your domestics—we may yet escape by our valour; but what will avail my security if you should
fall a prey? Our cruellest enemy, the man who knows us all intimately (Dugas),
is this moment gone forward, off his guard, and an imposition may pass. [To the persons who, had seized her.] This female, gentlemen, is but an humble visitor at my house, let her retire
in safety. Here's myself, my father, and my two friends, do not ask your
clemency.
Dom.
We'll bear the stranger in, sir, and see her safe to her own home. [The rabble do not oppose, and the attendants lead Madame Tricastin fainting, on their shoulders, to the back of the stage.]
[Re-enter Dugas.]
Dug.
Regard neither struggles nor supplications, but bring them all instantly
away. [Going before
Tri. [Laying hold of his hand.]
Dugas, hesitate an instant, and consider once—once call to mind, before you drag me and my wretched family to immediate death,
that you and I are fellow-creatures—we are countrymen—nay more, townsmen—and, till this unhappy period, have always lived like neighbours. Many little
acts of friendship have passed between us—such, my neighbour, as ought not to be forgotten in an hour of tribulation like
this. Oh! by the many times we have exchanged the friendly salutation of
good morrow, or the kind farewell of good night—the numerous times that, at the hospitable board, we have wished each other,
in our cheerful glasses, health and many a happy day!'—by all these little kindnesses, which have their weight, with minds susceptible,
do not imbrue your hand in your neighbour's blood.
Dug.
The neighbour who thinks differently from me, I am his enemy.
Tri.
Lead on then—for, in that case, I rejoice you are not my friend.
[Exit Dugas, followed by Tricastin, Eus“be, Conrad, and Menancourt, who are surrounded by the rabble.—Madame Tricastin is taken off, by her attendants, on the opposite side, as by stealth.]
END OF ACT II
 Act III
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