All the treaties he Concludes in secret. DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. Yes; but then you have Your hunting mansion at Planchette. THE KING. All--all! He does it all! All with petitions rush To him! I'm but a shadow to the French! Is there a single one who comes to me For help? DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. Those who have the king's evil come. [_The anger of The King increases._ THE KING. He means to give my order to his brother! I will not have it! I rebel. DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. But, sire-- THE KING. I am disgusted with his people! DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. Sire! THE KING. His niece, Combalet, leads a model life. DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. 'Tis slander, sire! THE KING. Two hundred foot-guards! DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. But Only a hundred horse-guards! THE KING. What a shame! DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. He saves France, sire. THE KING. Does he? He damns my soul! With one arm fights the heathen, with the other He signs a compact with the Huguenots. [_Whispering to Duke de Bellegarde._ Then, if I dared to count upon my hand The heads--the heads that fall for him at Grève! All friends of mine! His purple robes are made Of their hearts' blood! 'Tis he who forces me To wear eternal mourning. DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. Treats he his own More kindly? Did he spare Saint Preuil? THE KING. He has A bitter tenderness, they say, for those He loves. He must love me tremendously! [_Abruptly, after a pause, folding his arms._ He has exiled my mother! DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. But he thinks He does your will. He's faithful. He is firm And sure. THE KING. I hate him! He is in my way. He crushes me! I am not master here-- Not free! And yet I might be something. Ah, When he walks o'er me with such heavy tread, Does he not fear to rouse a slumbering king? For trembling near me, be it ne'er so high, His fortune vacillates with every breath I draw, and all would crumble at a word, Did I wish loud, what I wish in my heart! [_A pause._ That man makes good men bad, and bad men vile! The kingdom, like the king, already sick, Grows worse. Without is cardinal, within Is cardinal; no king is anywhere! He torments Austria, lets any one Capture my vessels in Gascony's Bay. Allies me with Gustavus Adolphus! What more? I do not know. He's everywhere: As if he were soul of the king, he fills My kingdom, and my family, and me. I am much to be pitied. [Going to window. Always rain. DUKE DE BELLEGARDE. Your Majesty is suffering? THE KING.