The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume II Part 58

_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 gathered 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 promised 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 advertised 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; a.s.sure 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._ Pleshe!

_Enter_ PLESHe.

_Pleshe._ My lord?

_Nav._ Pleshe, 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

_Pleshe._ 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 G.o.d 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.