Chapter XIV: Act THE FIFTH: Scene I (2)

_Guise._ Loreine, Loreine! follow Loreine!--Sirrah,
Are you a preacher of these heresies?

_Lor._ I am a preacher of the word of God;
And thou a traitor to thy soul and him.

_Guise._ "Dearly belovèd brother,"--thus 'tis written.
[_Stabs_ LOREINE, _who dies_.

_Anj._ Stay, my lord, let me begin the psalm.

_Guise._ Come, drag him away, and throw him in a ditch. 10
[_Exeunt with the body._

SCENE VIII.

_Enter_[372] MOUNTSORRELL, _and knocks at_
SEROUNE'S _door._

_Seroune's Wife_ [_within_]. Who is that which knocks there?

_Mount._ Mountsorrell, from the Duke of Guise.

_Seroune's Wife_ [_within_]. Husband, come down; here's
one would speak with you
From the Duke of Guise.

_Enter_ SEROUNE _from the house._

_Ser._ To speak with me, from such a man as he?

_Mount._ I, I, for this, Seroune; and thou shalt ha't.
[_Showing his dagger._

_Ser._ O, let me pray, before I take my death!

_Mount._ Despatch, then, quickly.

_Ser._ O Christ, my Saviour!

_Mount._ Christ, villain!
Why, darest thou presume to call on Christ, 10
Without the intercession of some saint?

_Sanctus_[373] _Jacobus_, he's[374] my saint; pray to him.

_Ser._ O let me pray unto my God!

_Mount._ Then take this with you.
[_Stabs_ SEROUNE, _who dies; and then exit._

SCENE IX.

_Enter_ RAMUS, _in his study._

_Ramus._ What fearful cries come from the river Seine,[375]
That fright poor Ramus sitting at his book!
I fear the Guisians have pass'd the bridge,
And mean once more to menace me.

_Enter_ TALÆUS.

_Tal._ Fly, Ramus, fly, if thou wilt save thy life!

_Ramus._ Tell me, Talæus, wherefore should I fly?

_Tal._ The Guisians are
Hard at thy door, and mean to murder us:
Hark, hark, they come! I'll leap out at the window.

_Ramus_. Sweet Talæus, stay. 10

_Enter_ GONZAGO _and_ RETES.

_Gon._ Who goes there?

_Retes._ 'Tis Talæus, Ramus' bedfellow.

_Gon._ What art thou?

_Tal._ I am, as Ramus is, a Christian.

_Retes._ O, let him go; he is a Catholic. [_Exit_ TALÆUS.

_Gon._ Come, Ramus, more gold, or thou shall have the stab.

_Ramus._ Alas, I am a scholar! how should I have gold?
All that I have is but my stipend from the king,
Which is no sooner receiv'd but it is spent.

_Enter_ GUISE, ANJOU, DUMAINE,
MOUNTSORRELL, _and_ Soldiers.

_Anj._ Who have you there?

_Retes._ 'Tis Ramus, the king's Professor of Logic. 20

_Guise._ Stab him.

_Ramus._ O, good my lord,
Wherein hath Ramus been so offensious?

_Guise._ Marry, sir, in having a smack in all,
And yet didst never sound anything to the depth.
Was it not thou that scoff'dst[376] the _Organon_,
And said it was a heap of vanities?
He that will be a flat dichotomist,
And seen in nothing but epitomes,
Is in your judgment thought a learnèd man;
And he, forsooth, must go and preach in Germany, 30
Excepting against doctors' axioms,[377]
And _ipse dixi_ with this quiddity,
_Argumentum testimonii est inartificiale._[378]
To contradict which, I say, Ramus shall die:
How answer you that? your _nego argumentum_
Cannot serve, sirrah.--Kill him.

_Ramus._ O, good my lord, let me but speak a word!

_Anj._ Well, say on.

_Ramus._ Not for my life do I desire this pause;
But in my latter hour to purge myself, 40
In that I know the things that I have wrote,
Which, as I hear, one Scheckius[379] takes it ill,
Because my places,[380] being but three, contain all his.
I knew the _Organon_ to be confus'd,
And I reduc'd it into better form:
And this for Aristotle will I say,
That he that despiseth him can ne'er
Be good in logic or philosophy;
And that's because the blockish Sorbonnists[381]
Attribute as much unto their [own] works 50
As to the service of the eternal God.

_Guise._ Why suffer you that peasant to declaim?
Stab[382] him, I say, and send him to his friends in hell.

_Anj._ Ne'er was there collier's[383] son so full of pride.
[_Stabs_ RAMUS, _who dies_.

_Guise._ My Lord of Anjou, there are a hundred Protestants
Which we have chased into the river Seine,[384]
That swim about, and so preserve their lives:
How may we do? I fear me they will live.

_Dum._ Go place some men upon the bridge,
With bows and darts, to shoot at them they see, 60
And sink them in the river as they swim.

_Guise._ 'Tis well advis'd, Dumaine; go see it straight be done.
[_Exit_ DUMAINE.
And in the meantime, my lord, could we devise
To get those pedants from the King Navarre,
That are tutors to him and the Prince of Condé--

_Anj._ For that, let me alone: cousin, stay you here,
And when you see me in, then follow hard.[385]

ANJOU _knocketh at the door: and enter the_ KING OF
NAVARRE _and the_ PRINCE OF CONDÉ,[386] _with their
two_ Schoolmasters.

How now, my lords! how fare you?

_Nav._ My lord, they say
That all the Protestants are massacred.

_Anj._ I, so they are; but yet, what remedy? 70
I have done what I could to stay this broil.

_Nav._ But yet, my lord, the report doth run
That you were one that made this massacre.

_Anj._ Who, I? you are deceiv'd; I rose but now.
[GUISE _and the others come forward_[387]
_from the back of the stage._
_Guise._ Murder the Huguenots! take those pedants hence!

_Nav._ Thou traitor, Guise, lay off thy bloody hands!

_Con._ Come, let us go tell the king.
[_Exit with the_ KING OF NAVARRE.

_Guise._ Come, sirs,
I'll whip you to death with my poniard's point.
[_Stabs the_ Schoolmasters, _who die_.

_Anj._ Away with them both!
[_Exeunt_ ANJOU _and_ Soldiers _with the bodies_.

_Guise._ And now, sirs, for this night let our fury stay.
Yet will we not that the massacre shall end: 81
Gonzago, post you to Orleans,
Retes to Dieppe, Mountsorrell unto Rouen,
And spare not one that you suspect of heresy.
And now stay
That bell, that to the devil's matins rings.
Now every man put off his burgonet,
And so convey him closely to his bed.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE X.

_Enter_[388] ANJOU, _with two_ Lords of Poland.

_Anj._ My lords of Poland, I must needs confess,
The offer of your Prince Elector's far
Beyond the reach of my deserts;
For Poland is, as I have been inform'd,
A martial people, worthy such a king
As hath sufficient counsel in himself
To lighten doubts, and frustrate subtle foes;
And such a king, whom practice long hath taught
To please himself with manage of the wars,
The greatest wars within our Christian bounds,-- 10
I mean our wars against the Muscovites,
And, on the other side, against the Turk,
Rich princes both, and mighty emperors.
Yet, by my brother Charles, our King of France,
And by his grace's council, it is thought
That, if I undertake to wear the crown
Of Poland, it may prejudice their hope
Of my inheritance to the crown of France;
For, if th' Almighty take my brother hence,
By due descent the regal seat is mine. 20
With Poland, therefore, must I covenant thus,--
That if, by death of Charles, the diadem
Of France be cast on me, then, with your leaves,
I may retire me to my native home.
If your commission serve to warrant this,
I thankfully shall undertake the charge
Of you and yours, and carefully maintain
The wealth and safety of your kingdom's right.

_First Lord._ All this, and more, your highness shall command,
For Poland's crown and kingly diadem. 30

_Anj._ Then, come, my lords, let's go.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XI.

_Enter_[389] _two_ Men, _with the_ ADMIRAL'S _body_.

_First Man._ Now, sirrah, what shall we do with the Admiral?

_Sec. Man._ Why, let us burn him for an heretic.

_First Man._ O no! his body will infect the fire, and
the fire the air, and so we shall be poisoned with him.

_Sec. Man._ What shall we do, then?

_First Man._ Let's throw him into the river.

_Sec. Man._ O, 'twill corrupt the water, and the water
the fish, and the[390] fish ourselves when we eat them!

_First Man._ Then throw him into a ditch. 10

_Sec. Man._ No, no. To decide all doubts, be ruled by me:
let's hang him here upon this tree.

_First Man._ Agreed.
[_They hang up the body on a tree, and then exeunt._

_Enter_ GUISE, CATHERINE _the Queen-Mother,
and the_ CARDINAL OF LORRAINE, _with_ Attendants.

_Guise._ Now, madam, how like you our lusty Admiral?

_Cath._ Believe me, Guise, he becomes the place so well
As I could long ere this have wish'd him there.
But come,
Let's walk aside; the air's not very sweet.

_Guise._ No, by my faith, madam.--

Sirs, take him away, and throw him in some ditch. 20
[_The_ Attendants _bear off the_ ADMIRAL'S _body_.
And now, madam, as I understand,
There are a hundred Huguenots and more,
Which in the woods do hold their synagogue,
And daily meet about this time of day;
And thither will I, to put them to the sword.

_Cath._ Do so, sweet Guise; let us delay no time;
For, if these stragglers gather head again,
And disperse themselves throught the realm of France,
It will be hard for us to work their deaths.
Be gone; delay no time, sweet Guise.

_Guise._ Madam, 30
I go as whirlwinds rage before a storm. [_Exit._

_Cath._ My Lord of Lorraine, have you marked of late,
How Charles our son begins for to lament
For the late night's work which my Lord of Guise
Did make in Paris among the Huguenots?

_Card._ Madam, I have heard him solemnly vow,
With the rebellious King of Navarre,
To revenge their deaths upon us all.

_Cath._ I, but, my lord, let me alone for that;
For Catherine must have her will in France. 40
As I do live, so surely shall he die,
And Henry then shall wear the diadem;
And, if he grudge or cross his mother's will,
I'll disinherit him and all the rest;
For I'll rule France, but they shall wear the crown,
And, if they storm, I then may pull them down.
Come, my lord, let us go.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XII.

_Enter_[391] _five or six_ Protestants, _with books,
and kneel together. Then enter_ GUISE _and others_.

_Guise._ Down with the Huguenots! murder them!

_First Pro._ O Monsieur de Guise, hear me but speak!

_Guise._ No, villain; that tongue of thine,
That hath blasphem'd the holy Church of Rome,
Shall drive no plaints into the Guise's ears,
To make the justice of my heart relent.--
_Tuez, tuez, tuez!_ let none escape. [_They kill the_ Protestants.
So drag them away.
[_Exeunt with the bodies._

SCENE XIII.

_Enter_[392] KING CHARLES, _supported by the_
KING OF NAVARRE _and_ EPERNOUN;
CATHERINE _the Queen-Mother, the_
CARDINAL OF LORRAINE, PLESHÉ,[393]
_and_ Attendants.

_Char._ O, let me stay, and rest me here awhile!
A griping pain hath seiz'd upon my heart;
A sudden pang, the messenger of death.

_Cath._ O, say not so! thou kill'st thy mother's heart.

_Char._ I must say so; pain forceth me complain.

_Nav._ Comfort yourself, my lord, and have no doubt
But God will sure restore you to your health.

_Char._ O no, my loving brother of Navarre!
I have deserved a scourge, I must confess;
Yet is their[394] patience of another sort 10
Than to misdo the welfare of their king:
God grant my nearest friends may prove no worse!
O, hold me up, my sight begins to fail,
My sinews shrink, my brains turn upside down;
My heart doth break: I faint and die. [_Dies._

_Cath._ Art thou dead, sweet son? speak to thy mother!
O no, his soul is fled from out his breast,
And he nor hears nor sees us what we do!
My lords, what resteth there now to be done,
But that we presently despatch ambassadors 20
To Poland, to call Henry back again,
To wear his brother's crown and dignity?
Epernoun, go see it presently be done,
And bid him come without delay to us.

_Eper._ Madam, I will. [_Exit._

_Cath._ And now,
My lords, after these funerals be done,
We will, with all the speed we can, provide
For Henry's coronation from Polony.
Come, let us take his body hence. 30
[_The body of_ KING CHARLES _is borne out; and_
_exeunt all except the_ KING OF NAVARRE _and_ PLESHÉ.

_Nav._ And now, Pleshé,[395] whilst that these broils do last,
My opportunity may serve it fit
To steal from France, and hie me to my home,
For there's no safety in this realm for me:
And now that Henry is call'd from Poland,
It is my due, by just succession;
And therefore, as speedily as I can perform,
I'll muster up an army secretly,
For fear that Guise, join'd with the king of Spain,
Might seek[396] to cross me in mine enterprise. 40
But God, that always doth defend the right,
Will show his mercy, and preserve us still.

_Pleshé._ The virtues of our true religion
Cannot but march, with many graces more,
Whose army shall discomfort all your foes,
And, at the length, in Pampelonia[397] crown
(In spite of Spain, and all the popish power,
That holds it from your highness wrongfully)
Your majesty her rightful lord and sovereign.

_Nav._ Truth, Pleshé; and God so prosper me in all, 50
As I intend to labour for the truth,
And true profession of his holy word!
Come, Pleshé, let's away whilst time doth serve.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XIV.

_Trumpets sound within, and a cry of "Vive le Roi"
two or three times. Enter_[398] ANJOU
_crowned as King Henry the Third_; CATHERINE
_the Queen Mother, the_ CARDINAL OF LORRAINE,
GUISE, EPERNOUN, MUGEROUN,
_the_ Cutpurse, _and others_.

_All. Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi! [A flourish of trumpets._

_Cath._ Welcome from Poland, Henry, once again!
Welcome to France, thy father's royal seat!
Here hast thou a country void of fears,
A warlike people to maintain thy right,
A watchful senate for ordaining laws,
A loving mother to preserve thy state,
And all things that a king may wish besides;
All this, and more, hath Henry with his crown.

_Card._ And long may Henry enjoy all this, and more! 10

_All._ _Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi!_
[_A flourish of trumpets._
_Henry._ Thanks to you all. The guider of all crowns
Grant that our deeds may well deserve your loves!
And so they shall if fortune speed my will,
And yield your thoughts to height of my deserts.
What say our minions? think they Henry's heart
Will not both harbour love and majesty?
Put off that fear, they are already join'd:
No person, place, or time, or circumstance,
Shall slack my love's affection from his bent: 20
As now you are, so shall you still persist,
Removeless from the favours of your king.

_Mug._ We know that noble minds change not their thoughts
For wearing of a crown, in that your grace
Hath worn the Poland diadem before
You were invested in the crown of France.

_Henry._ I tell thee, Mugeroun, we will be friends,
And fellows too, whatever storms arise.

_Mug._ Then[399] may it please your majesty to give me leave
To punish those that do profane this holy feast. 30

_Henry._ How mean'st thou that?
[MUGEROUN _cuts off the_ Cutpurse's _ear,
for cutting the gold buttons off his cloak_.
_Cutp._ O Lord, mine ear!

_Mug._ Come, sir, give me my buttons, and here's your ear.

_Guise._ Sirrah, take him away.

_Henry._ Hands off, good fellow; I will be his bail
For this offence.--Go, sirrah, work no more
Till this our coronation day be past.--
And now,
Our solemn rites of coronation done,
What now remains but for a while to feast, 40
And spend some days in barriers, tourney, tilt,
And like disports, such as do fit the court?
Let's go, my lords; our dinner stays for us.
[_Exeunt all except_ CATHERINE _the Queen Mother
and the_ CARDINAL OF LORRAINE.

_Cath._ My Lord Cardinal of Lorraine, tell me,
How likes your grace my son's pleasantness?
His mind, you see, runs on his minions,
And all his heaven is to delight himself;
And, whilst he sleeps securely thus in ease,
Thy brother Guise and we may now provide
To plant ourselves with such authority 50
As not a man may live without our leaves.
Then shall the Catholic faith of Rome
Flourish in France, and none deny the same.

_Card._ Madam, as in secrecy I was told,
My brother Guise hath gather'd a power of men,
Which are,[400] he saith, to kill the Puritans;
But 'tis the house of Bourbon that he means.
Now, madam, must you insinuate with the king,
And tell him that 'tis for his country's good,
And common profit of religion. 60

_Cath._ Tush, man, let me alone with him,
To work the way to bring this thing to pass;
And, if he do deny what I do say,
I'll despatch him with his brother presently,
And then shall Monsieur wear the diadem.
Tush, all shall die unless I have my will;
For, while she lives, Catherine will be queen.
Come, my lord,[401] let us go seek the Guise,
And then determine of this enterprise.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XV.

_Enter_[402] _the_ DUCHESS OF GUISE _and her_ Maid.

_Duch. of G._ Go fetch me pen and ink,--

_Maid._ I will, madam.

_Duch._ That I may write unto my dearest lord. [_Exit_ Maid.
Sweet Mugeroun,[403] 'tis he that hath my heart,
And Guise usurps it 'cause I am his wife.
Fain would I find some means to speak with him,
But cannot, and therefore am enforced to write,
That he may come and meet me in some place,
Where we may one enjoy the other's sight.

_Re-enter the_ Maid, _with pen, ink, and paper_.

So, set it down, and leave me to myself.
[_Exit_ Maid. _The_ DUCHESS _writes_.
O, would to God, this quill that here doth write 10
Had late been pluck'd from out fair Cupid's wing,
That it might print these lines within his heart!

_Enter_ GUISE.

_Guise._ What, all alone, my love? and writing too?
I prithee, say to whom thou writ'st.

_Duch._ To such
A one, my Lord, as, when she reads my lines,
Will laugh, I fear me, at their good array.

_Guise._ I pray thee, let me see.

_Duch._ O no, my lord; a woman only must
Partake the secrets of my heart.

_Guise._ But, madam, I must see. [_Seizes the paper._ 20

Are these your secrets that no man must know!

_Duch._ O, pardon me, my lord!

_Guise_. Thou trothless and unjust! what lines are these?
Am I grown old, or is thy lust grown young?
Or hath my love been so obscured in thee,
That others need to comment on my text?
Is all my love forgot, which held thee dear,
I, dearer than the apple of mine eye?
Is Guise's glory but a cloudy mist,
In sight and judgment of thy lustful eye? 30
_Mort Dieu!_ were[404] not the fruit within thy womb,
Of whose increase I set some longing hope,
This wrathful hand should strike thee to the heart.
Hence, strumpet! hide thy head for shame;
And fly my presence if thou look to live!
[_Exit_ DUCHESS.
O wicked sex, perjùrèd and unjust!
Now do I see that from the very first
Her eyes and looks sow'd seeds of perjury.
But villain, he, to whom these lines should go,
Shall buy her love even with his dearest blood. 40
[_Exit._

SCENE XVI.

_Enter_[405] _the_ KING OF NAVARRE, PLESHÉ, BARTUS,
_and train, with drums and trumpets_.

_Nav._ My lords, sith in a quarrel just and right
We undertake to manage these our wars
Against the proud disturbers of the faith
(I mean the Guise, the Pope, and king of Spain,
Who set themselves to tread us under foot,
And rent our true religion from this land;
But for you know our quarrel is no more
But to defend[406] their strange inventions,
Which they will put us to with sword and fire),
We must with resolute minds resolve to fight, 10
In honour of our God, and country's good.
Spain is the council-chamber of the Pope,
Spain is the place where he makes peace and war;
And Guise for Spain hath now incensed the king
To send his power to meet us in the field.

_Bar._ Then in this bloody brunt they may behold
The sole endeavour of your princely care,
To plant the true succession of the faith,
In spite of Spain and all his heresies.

_Nav._ The power of vengeance now encamps itself 20
Upon the haughty mountains of my breast;
Plays with her gory colours of revenge,
Whom I respect as leaves of boasting green,
That change their colour when the winter comes,
When I shall vaunt as victor in revenge.

_Enter a_ Messenger.

How now, sirrah! what news?

_Mes._ My lord, as by our scouts we understand,
A mighty army comes from France with speed;
Which are already mustered in the land,
And mean to meet your highness in the field. 30

_Nav._ In God's name, let them come!
This is the Guise that hath incensed the king
To levy arms, and make these civil broils.
But canst thou tell who is their general?

_Mes._ Not yet, my lord, for thereon do they stay;
But, as report doth go, the Duke of Joyeux
Hath made great suit unto the king therefore.

_Nav._ It will not countervail his pains, I hope.
I would the Guise in his stead might have come!
But he doth lurk within his drowsy couch, 40
And makes his footstool on security:
So he be safe, he cares not what becomes
Of king or country; no, not for them both.
But come, my lords, let us away with speed,
And place ourselves in order for the fight.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XVII.

_Enter_[407] KING HENRY, GUISE, EPERNOUN, _and_ JOYEUX.

_Henry._ My sweet Joyeux, I make thee general
Of all my army, now in readiness
To march 'gainst the rebellious King Navarre;
At thy request I am content thou go,
Although my love to thee can hardly suffer['t],
Regarding still the danger of thy life.

_Joyeux._ Thanks to your majesty: and so, I take my leave.--
Farewell to my Lord of Guise, and Epernoun.

_Guise._ Health and hearty farewell to my Lord Joyeux.
[_Exit_ JOYEUX.

_Henry._ So kindly, cousin of Guise, you and your wife
Do both salute our lovely minions. 11
Remember you the letter, gentle sir,
Which your wife writ
To my dear minion, and her chosen friend? [_Makes horns at_ GUISE.

_Guise._ How now, my Lord! faith, this is more than need.
Am I thus to be jested at and scorn'd?
'Tis more than kingly or emperious:
And, sure, if all the proudest kings
In Christendom should bear me such derision,
They should know how I scorn'd them and their mocks. 20
I love your minions! dote on them yourself;
I know none else but holds them in disgrace;
And here, by all the saints in heaven, I swear,
That villain for whom I bear this deep disgrace,
Even for your words that have incens'd me so,
Shall buy that strumpet's favour with his blood!
Whether he have dishonour'd me or no,
_Par la mort de Dieu_[408] _il mourra!_ [_Exit._

_Henry._ Believe me, this jest bites sore.

_Eper._ My lord, 'twere good to make them friends, 30
For his oaths are seldom spent in vain.

_Enter_ MUGEROUN.

_Henry._ How now, Mugeroun! mett'st thou not the Guise at the door?

_Mug._ Not I, my lord; what if I had?

_Henry._ Marry, if thou hadst, thou mightst have had the stab,
For he hath solemnly sworn thy death.

_Mug._ I may be stabb'd, and live till he be dead:
But wherefore bears he me such deadly hate?

_Henry._ Because his wife bears thee such kindly love.

_Mug._ If that be all, the next time that I meet her,
I'll make her shake off love with her heels. 40
But which way is he gone? I'll go take[409] a walk
On purpose from the court to meet with him. [_Exit._

_Henry._ I like not this. Come, Epernoun,
Let us go seek the duke, and make them friends.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XVIII.

_Alarums within, and a cry_--"_The_ DUKE JOYEUX _is slain_."

_Enter_[410] _the_ KING OF NAVARRE, BARTUS, _and train_.

_Nav._ The duke is slain, and all his power dispers'd,
And we are graced with wreaths of victory.
Thus God, we see, doth ever guide the right,
To make his glory great upon the earth.

_Bar._ The terror of this happy victory,
I hope, will make the king surcease his hate,
And either never manage army more,
Or else employ them in some better cause.

_Nav._ How many noblemen have lost their lives
In prosecution of these cruel arms, 10
Is ruth, and almost death, to call to mind.
But God we know will always put them down
That lift themselves against the perfect truth;
Which I'll maintain so long as life doth last,

And with the Queen of England join my force
To beat the papal monarch from our lands,
And keep those relics from our countries' coasts.
Come, my lords; now that this storm is over-past,
Let us away with triumph to our tents.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XIX.

_Enter_[411] _a_ Soldier.

_Sold._ Sir, to you, sir, that dares make the duke a
cuckold, and use a counterfeit key to his privy-chamber-door;
and although you take out nothing but your own,
yet you put in that which displeaseth him, and so forestall
his market, and set up your standing where you should
not; and whereas he is your landlord, you will take upon
you to be his, and till the ground that he himself should
occupy, which is his own free land; if it be not too free--there's
the question; and though I come not to take
possession (as I would I might!), yet I mean to keep you
out; which I will, if this gear hold. 11

_Enter_ MUGEROUN.

What, are ye come so soon? have at ye, sir!
[_Shoots at_ MUGEROUN _and kills him_.[412]

_Enter_ GUISE _and_ Attendants.

_Guise_ [_Giving a purse_]. Hold thee, tall soldier,
take thee this, and fly. [_Exit_ Soldier.
Lie there, the king's delight, and Guise's scorn!
Revenge it, Henry, as thou list or dare;
I did it only in despite of thee.
[Attendants _bear off_ MUGEROUN'S _body_.

_Enter_ KING HENRY _and_ EPERNOUN.

_Henry._ My Lord of Guise, we understand
That you have gatherèd a power of men:
What your intent is yet we cannot learn,
But we presume it is not for our good. 20

_Guise._ Why, I am no traitor to the crown of France;
What I have done, 'tis for the Gospel's sake.

_Eper._ Nay, for the Pope's sake, and thine own benefit.
What peer in France but thou, aspiring Guise,
Durst be in arms without the king's consent?
I challenge thee for treason in the cause.

_Guise._ Ah, base Epernoun! were not his highness here,
Thou shouldst perceive the Duke of Guise is mov'd.

_Henry._ Be patient, Guise, and threat not Epernoun,
Lest thou perceive the king of France be mov'd. 30

_Guise._ Why, I'm a prince of the Valois line,
Therefore an enemy to the Bourbonites;
I am a juror in the holy league,
And therefore hated of the Protestants:
What should I do but stand upon my guard?
And, being able, I'll keep an host in pay.

_Eper._ Thou able to maintain an host in pay,
That liv'st by foreign exhibition![413]
The Pope and King of Spain are thy good friends;
Else all France knows how poor a duke thou art. 40

_Henry._ I, those are they that feed him with their gold,
To countermand our will, and check our friends.

_Guise._ My lord, to speak more plainly, thus it is.
Being animated by religious zeal,
I mean to muster all the power I can,
To overthrow those factious[414] Puritans:
And know, my lord, the Pope will sell his triple crown,
I, and the Catholic Philip, king of Spain,
Ere I shall want, will cause his Indians
To rip the golden bowels of America. 50
Navarre, that cloaks them underneath his wings,
Shall feel the house of Lorraine is his foe.
Your highness needs not fear mine army's force;
'Tis for your safety, and your enemies' wreck.

_Henry._ Guise, wear our crown, and be thou king of France,
And, as dictator, make or war or peace,
Whilst I cry _placet_, like a senator!
I cannot brook thy haughty insolence:
Dismiss thy camp, or else by our edict
Be thou proclaim'd a traitor throughout France. 60

_Guise._ The choice is hard; I must dissemble.-- [_Aside._
My lord, in token of my true humility,
And simple meaning to your majesty,
I kiss your grace's hand, and take my leave,
Intending to dislodge my camp with speed.

_Henry._ Then farewell, Guise; the king and thou are friends.
[_Exit_ GUISE.
_Eper._ But trust him not, my lord; for, had your highness
Seen with what a pomp he enter'd Paris,
And how the citizens with gifts and shows
Did entertain him, 70
And promisèd to be at his command--
Nay, they fear'd not to speak it in the streets,
That the Guise durst stand in arms against the king,
For not effecting of his holiness' will.

_Henry._ Did they of Paris entertain him so?
Then means he present treason to our state.
Well, let me alone.--Who's within there?

_Enter an_ Attendant, _with pen and ink_.

Make a discharge of all my council straight,
And I'll subscribe my name, and seal it straight.--
[Attendant _writes_.
My head shall be my council; they are false; 80
And, Epernoun, I will be rul'd by thee.

_Eper._ My lord,
I think, for safety of your royal person,
It would be good the Guise were made away,
And so to quite[415] your grace of all suspect.

_Henry._ First let us set our hand and seal to this,
And then I'll tell thee what I mean to do.-- [_Writes._
So; convey this to the council presently.
[_Exit_ Attendant.
And, Epernoun, though I seem mild and calm,
Think not but I am tragical within. 90
I'll secretly convey me unto Blois;
For, now that Paris takes the Guise's part,
Here is no staying for the king of France,
Unless he mean to be betray'd and die:
But, as I live, so sure the Guise shall die.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XX.

_Enter_[416] _the_ KING OF NAVARRE,
_reading a letter, and_ BARTUS.

_Nav._ My lord, I am advertisèd from France
That the Guise hath taken arms against the king,
And that Paris is revolted from his grace.

_Bar._ Then hath your grace fit opportunity
To show your love unto the king of France,
Offering him aid against his enemies,
Which cannot but be thankfully receiv'd.

_Nav._ Bartus, it shall be so: post, then, to France,
And there salute his highness in our name;
Assure him all the aid we can provide 10
Against the Guisians and their complices.
Bartus, be gone: commend me to his grace,
And tell him, ere it be long, I'll visit him.

_Bar._ I will, my lord. [_Exit._

_Nav._ Pleshè!

_Enter_ PLESHÈ.

_Pleshè._ My lord?

_Nav._ Pleshè, go muster up our men with speed,
And let them march away to France amain,
For we must aid the king against the Guise.
Begone, I say; 'tis time that we were there. 20

_Pleshè._ I go, my lord. [_Exit._

_Nav._ That wicked Guise, I fear me much, will be
The ruin of that famous realm of France;
For his aspiring thoughts aim at the crown,
And[417] takes his vantage on religion,
To plant the Pope and Popelings in the realm,
And bind it wholly to the see of Rome.
But, if that God do prosper mine attempts,
And send us safely to arrive in France,
We'll beat him back, and drive him to his death, 30
That basely seeks the ruin of his realm.
[_Exit._

SCENE XXI.

_Enter_[418] _the_ Captain of the Guard, _and
three_ Murderers.

_Cap._ Come on, sirs. What, are you resolutely bent,
Hating the life and honour of the Guise?
What, will you not fear, when you see him come?

_First Murd._ Fear him, said you? tush, were he here,
we would kill him presently.

_Sec. Murd._ O that his heart were leaping in my hand!

_Third Murd._ But when will he come, that we may murder him?

_Cap._ Well, then, I see you are resolute.

_First Murd._ Let us alone; I warrant you.

_Cap._ Then, sirs, take your standings within this chamber; 10
For anon the Guise will come.

_All three Murderers._ You will give us our money?

_Cap._ I, I, fear not: stand close: so; be resolute.
[_Exeunt_ Murderers.
Now falls the star whose influence governs France,
Whose light was deadly to the Protestants:
Now must he fall, and perish in his height.

_Enter_ KING HENRY _and_ EPERNOUN.

_Henry._ Now, captain of my guard, are these murderers ready?

_Cap._ They be, my good lord.

_Henry._ But are they resolute, and armed to kill,
Hating the life and honour of the Guise? 20

_Cap._ I warrant ye, my lord. [_Exit._

_Henry._ Then come, proud Guise, and here disgorge thy breast,
Surcharged with surfeit of ambitious thoughts;
Breathe out that life wherein my death was hid,
And end thy endless treasons with thy death. [_Knocking within._

_Guise_ [_within_]. _Holà, varlet, hé!_--Epernoun,
where is the king?

_Eper._ Mounted[419] his royal cabinet.

_Guise_ [_within_]. I prithee, tell him that the Guise is here.

_Eper._ An please your grace, the Duke of Guise doth crave
Access unto your highness.

_Henry._ Let him come in.-- 30
Come, Guise, and see thy traitorous guile outreach'd,
And perish in the pit thou mad'st for me.

_Enter_ GUISE.

_Guise._ Good morrow to your majesty.

_Henry._ Good morrow to my loving cousin of Guise:
How fares it this morning with your excellence?

_Guise._ I heard your majesty was scarcely pleased,
That in the court I bear so great a train.

_Henry._ They were to blame that said I was displeased;
And you, good cousin, to imagine it.
'Twere hard with me, if I should doubt my kin, 40
Or be suspicious of my dearest friends,
Cousin, assure you I am resolute,
Whatsoever any whisper in mine ears,
Not to suspect disloyalty in thee:
And so, sweet coz, farewell. [_Exit with_ EPERNOUN.

_Guise._ So;
Now sues the king for favour to the Guise,
And all his minions stoop when I command:
Why, this 'tis to have an army in the field.
Now, by the holy sacrament, I swear, 50
As ancient Romans o'er their captive lords,
So will I triumph o'er this wanton king;
And he shall follow my proud chariot's wheels.
Now do I but begin to look about,
And all my former time was spent in vain.
Hold, sword,
For in thee is the Duke of Guise's hope.

_Re-enter_ Third Murderer.

Villain, why dost thou look so ghastly? speak.

_Third Murd._ O, pardon me, my Lord of Guise!

_Guise._ Pardon thee! why, what hast thou done? 60

_Third Murd._ O my lord, I am one of them that is set
to murder you!

_Guise._ To murder me, villain!

_Third Murd._ I, my lord: the rest have ta'en their
standings in the next room; therefore, good my lord, go not forth.

_Guise._ Yet Cæsar shall go forth.
Let mean conceits and baser men fear death:
Tut, they are peasants; I am Duke of Guise;
And princes with their looks engender fear. 70

_First Murd._ [_within_] Stand close; he is coming; I
know him by his voice.

_Guise._ As pale as ashes![420] nay, then, it is time
To look about.

_Enter_ First _and_ Second Murderers.

_First and Sec. Murderers._ Down with him, down with him!
[_They stab_ GUISE.
_Guise._ O, I have my death's wound! give me leave to speak.

_Sec. Murd._ Then pray to God, and ask forgiveness of the king.

_Guise._ Trouble me not; I ne'er offended him,
Nor will I ask forgiveness of the king.
O, that I have not power to stay my life,
Nor immortality to be revenged! 80
To die by peasants, what a grief is this!
Ah, Sixtus, be reveng'd upon the king!
Philip and Parma, I am slain for you!
Pope, excommunicate, Philip, depose
The wicked branch of curs'd Valois his line!
_Vive la messe!_ perish Huguenots!
Thus Cæsar did go forth, and thus he died. [_Dies._

_Enter the_ Captain of the Guard.

_Cap._ What, have you done?
Then stay a while, and I'll go call the king.
But see, where he comes. 90

_Enter_ KING HENRY, EPERNOUN, _and_ Attendants.

My lord, see, where the Guise is slain.

_Henry._ Ah, this sweet sight is physic to my soul!
Go fetch his son for to behold his death.--
[_Exit an_ Attendant.
Surcharg'd with guilt of thousand massacres,
Monsieur of Lorraine, sink away to hell!
And, in remembrance of those bloody broils,
To which thou didst allure me, being alive,
And here, in presence of you all, I swear,
I ne'er was king of France until this hour.
This is the traitor that hath spent my gold 100
In making foreign wars and civil broils.
Did he not draw a sort[421] of English priests
From Douay to the seminary at Rheims,
To hatch forth treason 'gainst their natural queen?
Did he not cause the king of Spain's huge fleet
To threaten England, and to menace me?
Did he not injure Monsieur that's deceas'd?
Hath he not made me, in the Pope's defence,
To spend the treasure, that should strength my land,
In civil broils between Navarre and me? 110
Tush, to be short, he meant to make me monk,
Or else to murder me, and so be king.
Let Christian princes, that shall hear of this
(As all the world shall know our Guise is dead),
Rest satisfied with this, that here I swear,
Ne'er was there king of France so yoked as I.

_Eper._ My lord, here is his son.

_Enter_ GUISE'S Son.

_Henry._ Boy, look where your father lies.

_G.'s Son._ My father slain! who hath done this deed?

_Henry._ Sirrah, 'twas I that slew him; and will slay 120
Thee too, an thou prove such a traitor.

_G.'s Son._ Art thou king, and hast done this bloody deed?
I'll be reveng'd. [_Offers to throw his dagger._

_Henry._ Away to prison with him! I'll clip his wings
Or e'er he pass my hands. Away with him!
[_Some of the_ Attendants _bear off_ GUISE'S Son.
But what availeth that this traitor's dead,
When Duke Dumaine, his brother, is alive,
And that young cardinal that is grown so proud?
Go to the governor of Orleans,
And will[422] him, in my name, to kill the duke. 130
[_To the_ Captain of the Guard.
Get you away, and strangle the cardinal.
[_To the_ Murderers.

[_Exeunt_ Captain of the Guard _and_ Murderers.
These two will make one entire Duke of Guise,
Especially with our old mother's help.

_Eper._ My lord, see, where she comes, as if she droop'd
To hear these news.

_Henry._ And let her droop; my heart is light enough.

_Enter_ CATHERINE _the Queen Mother._

Mother, how like you this device of mine?
I slew the Guise, because I would be king.

_Cath._ King! why, so thou wert before:
Pray God thou be a king now this is done! 140

_Henry._ Nay, he was king, and countermanded me:
But now I will be king, and rule myself,
And make the Guisians stoop that are alive.

_Cath._ I cannot speak for grief.--When thou wast born,
I would that I had murdered thee, my son!
My son? thou art a changeling, not my son:
I curse thee, and exclaim thee miscreant,
Traitor to God and to the realm of France!

_Henry._ Cry out, exclaim, howl till thy throat be hoarse!
The Guise is slain, and I rejoice therefore: 150
And now will I to arms.--Come, Epernoun,
And let her grieve her heart out, if she will.
[_Exit with_ EPERNOUN.
_Cath._. Away! leave me alone to meditate.
[_Exeunt_ Attendants.
Sweet Guise, would he had died, so thou wert here!
To whom shall I bewray my secrets now,
Or who will help to build religion?
The Protestants will glory and insult;
Wicked Navarre will get the crown of France;
The Popedom cannot stand; all goes to wreck;
And all for thee, my Guise! What may I do? 160
But sorrow seize upon my toiling soul!
For, since the Guise is dead, I will not live. [_Exit._

SCENE XXII.

_Enter_[423] _two_ Murderers, _dragging in the_ CARDINAL.

_Card._ Murder me not; I am a cardinal.

_First Murd._ Wert thou the Pope thou might'st not scape from us.

_Card._ What, will you file your hands with churchmen's blood?

_Sec. Murd._ Shed your blood! O Lord, no! for we
intend to strangle you.

_Card._ Then there is no remedy, but I must die?

_First Murd._ No remedy; therefore prepare yourself.

_Card._ Yet lives my brother Duke Dumaine, and many mo,
To revenge our deaths upon that cursèd king;
Upon whose heart may all the Furies gripe, 10
And with their paws drench his black soul in hell!

_First Murd._ Yours, my Lord Cardinal, you should have said.--
[_They strangle him._
So, pluck amain:
He is hard-hearted; therefore pull with violence.
Come, take him away.
[_Exeunt with the body._

SCENE XXIII.

_Enter_[424] DUMAINE, _reading a letter; with others._

_Dum._ My noble brother murder'd by the king!
O, what may I do for to revenge thy death?
The king's alone, it cannot satisfy.
Sweet Duke of Guise, our prop to lean upon,
Now thou art dead, here is no stay for us.
I am thy brother, and I'll revenge thy death,
And root Valois his line from forth of France;
And beat proud Bourbon to his native home,
That basely seeks to join with such a king,
Whose murderous thoughts will be his overthrow. 10
He will'd the governor of Orleans, in his name,
That I with speed should have been put to death;
But that's prevented, for to end his life,
And[425] all those traitors to the Church of Rome
That durst attempt to murder noble Guise.

_Enter_ Friar.

_Fri._ My lord, I come to bring you news that your
brother the Cardinal of Lorraine, by the king's consent,
is lately strangled unto death.

_Dum._ My brother Cardinal slain, and I alive!
O words of power to kill a thousand men!-- 20
Come, let us away, and levy men;
'Tis war that must assuage this tyrant's pride.

_Fri._ My lord, hear me but speak.
I am a friar of the order of the Jacobins,
That for my conscience' sake will kill the king.

_Dum._ But what doth move thee, above the rest, to do the deed?

_Fri._ O my lord, I have been a great sinner in my days!
and the deed is meritorious.

_Dum._ But how wilt thou get opportunity? 30

_Fri._ Tush, my lord, let me alone for that.

_Dum._ Friar, come with me;
We will go talk more of this within.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE XXIV.

_Drums and Trumpets. Enter_[426] KING HENRY,
_the_ KING OF NAVARRE, EPERNOUN,
BARTUS, PLESHÈ, Soldiers, _and_ Attendants.

_Henry._ Brother of Navarre, I sorrow much
That ever I was prov'd your enemy,
And that the sweet and princely mind you bear
Was ever troubled with injurious wars.
I vow, as I am lawful king of France,
To recompense your reconcilèd love,
With all the honours and affections
That ever I vouchsaf'd my dearest friends.

_Nav._ It is enough if that Navarre may be
Esteemèd faithful to the king of France, 10
Whose service he may still command till death.

_Henry._ Thanks to my kingly brother of Navarre.
Then here we'll lie before Lutetia-walls,[427]
Girting this strumpet city with our siege,
Till, surfeiting with our afflicting arms,
She cast her hateful stomach to the earth.

_Enter a_ Messenger.

_Mes._ An it please your majesty, here is a friar of the
order of the Jacobins, sent from the President of Paris,
that craves access unto your grace.

_Henry._ Let him come in. [_Exit_ Mess. 20

_Enter_ Friar, _with a letter._

_Eper._ I like not this friar's look:
'Twere not amiss, my lord, if he were search'd.

_Henry._ Sweet Epernoun, our friars are holy men.
And will not offer violence to their king
For all the wealth and treasure of the world.--
Friar, thou dost acknowledge me thy king?

_Fri._ I, my good lord, and will die therein.

_Henry._ Then come thou near, and tell what news thou bring'st.

_Fri._ My lord,
The President of Paris greets your grace, 30
And sends his duty by these speedy lines,
Humbly craving your gracious reply. [_Gives letter._

_Henry._ I'll read them, friar, and then I'll answer thee.

_Fri._ _Sancte Jacobe_,[428] now have mercy upon me!

[_Stabs the king with a knife, as he reads the
letter; and then the king gets the knife, and kills him._

_Eper._ O my lord, let him live a while!

_Henry._ No, let the villain die, and feel in hell
Just torments for his treachery.

_Nav._ What, is your highness hurt?

_Henry._ Yes, Navarre; but not to death, I hope.

_Nav._ God shield your grace from such a sudden death!-- 40
Go call a surgeon hither straight. [_Exit an_ Attendant.

_Henry._ What irreligious pagans' parts be these,
Of such as hold them of the holy church!
Take hence that damnèd villain from my sight.
[Attendants _carry out the_ Friar's _body._
_Eper._ Ah, had your highness let him live,
We might have punish'd him to his deserts!

_Henry._ Sweet Epernoun, all rebels under heaven
Shall take example by his[429] punishment,
How they bear arms against their sovereign.--
Go call the English agent hither straight: 50
[_Exit an_ Attendant.
I'll send my sister England news of this,
And give her warning of her treacherous foes.

_Enter a_ Surgeon.

_Nav._ Pleaseth your grace to let the surgeon search your wound?

_Henry._ The wound, I warrant ye, is deep, my lord.--
Search, surgeon, and resolve me what thou see'st.
[_The_ Surgeon _searches the wound._

_Enter the_ English Agent.

Agent for England, send thy mistress word
What this detested Jacobin hath done.
Tell her, for all this, that I hope to live;
Which if I do, the papal monarch goes
To wreck, and antichristian kingdom falls: 60
These bloody hands shall tear his triple crown,
And fire accursèd Rome about his ears;
I'll fire his crazèd buildings, and enforce
The papal towers to kiss the lowly[430] earth.
Navarre, give me thy hand: I here do swear
To ruinate that wicked Church of Rome,
That hatcheth up such bloody practices;
And here protest eternal love to thee,
And to the Queen of England specially,
Whom God hath bless'd for hating papistry. 70

_Nav._ These words revive my thoughts, and comfort me,
To see your highness in this virtuous mind.

_Henry._ Tell me, surgeon, shall I live?

_Surg._ Alas, my lord, the wound is dangerous,
For you are stricken with a poison'd knife!

_Henry._ A poison'd knife! what, shall the French king die,
Wounded and poison'd both at once?

_Eper._ O, that
That damnèd villain were alive again, 79
That we might torture him with some new-found death!

_Bar._ He died a death too good:
The devil of hell torture his wicked soul!

_Henry._ Ah, curse him not, sith he is dead!--
O, the fatal poison works within my breast!--
Tell me, surgeon, and flatter not--may I live?

_Surg._ Alas, my lord, your highness cannot live!

_Nav._ Surgeon, why say'st thou so? the king may live.

_Henry._ O no, Navarre! thou must be king of France.

_Nav._ Long may you live, and still be king of France!

_Eper._ Or else, die Epernoun! 90

_Henry._ Sweet Epernoun, thy king must die.--My lords,
Fight in the quarrel of this valiant prince,
For he's your lawful king, and my next heir;
Valois's line ends in my tragedy.
Now let the house of Bourbon wear the crown;
And may it ne'er end in blood as mine hath done!--
Weep not, sweet Navarre, but revenge my death.--
Ah, Epernoun, is this thy love to me?
Henry, thy king, wipes off these childish tears,
And bids thee whet thy sword on Sixtus' bones, 100
That it may keenly slice the Catholics.
He loves me not [the most[431]] that sheds most tears,
But he that makes most lavish of his blood.
Fire Paris, where these treacherous rebels lurk.--
I die, Navarre: come bear me to my sepulchre.
Salute the Queen of England in my name,
And tell her Henry dies her faithful friend. [_Dies._

_Nav._ Come, lords, take up the body of the king,
That we may see it honourably interr'd:
And then I vow so[432] to revenge his death, 110
As Rome, and all these popish prelates there,
Shall curse the time that e'er Navarre was king,
And ruled in France by Henry's fatal death.
[_They march out, with the body of_ KING HENRY
_lying on four men's shoulders, with a dead_
_march, drawing weapons on the ground._

THE TRAGEDY
OF
DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE.

_Dido_ was published in 1594, with the following title:--

_The Tragedie of Dido Queene of Carthage: Played by the Children of her Maiesties Chappell. Written by Christopher Marlowe, and Thomas Nash, Gent._

_Actors._

_Jupiter._ _Ascanius._
_Ganimed._ _Dido._
_Venus._ _Anna._
_Cupid._ _Achates._
_Juno._ _Ilioneus._
_Mercurie, or_ _Iarbas._
_Hermes._ _Cloanthes._
_Æneas._ _Sergestus._

_At London, Printed, by the Widdowe Orwin, for Thomas Woodcocke, and are to be sold at his shop, in Paules Churchyeard, at the signe of the blacke Beare._ 1594. 4_to._

A copy of this edition is in the Bodleian Library; and I am indebted to my friend Mr. C. H. Firth for kindly comparing Dyce's text with the text of the Bodleian copy.

_PERSONS REPRESENTED._

JUPITER.
GANYMEDE.
HERMES.
CUPID.

JUNO.
VENUS.

ÆNEAS.
ASCANIUS, his son.
ACHATES.
ILIONEUS.
CLOANTHUS.
SERGESTUS.
Other Trojans.
IARBAS.
Carthaginian Lords.

DIDO.
ANNA, her sister.
Nurse.

THE TRAGEDY OF
DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE.