University of Virginia Library

ACT. III.

SCENE. I.

Guises Apartment.
Enter Guise, Pericart.
Per.
Have you not soften'd yet her stubborn mind?

Guise,
In her each day I stranger humour's find:
Peevish as Children wak'd, or Matrons craz'd;
Scornful as Upstarts, that are newly rais'd.

Per.
The thought, Sir, of her fate sure does you wrong.

Guise.
If so, I will remove the cause e'r long.
Then your Armida hinders too my Love.

Per.
I can with ease that obstacle remove;
For she has beg'd, and partly gain'd to be
Convey'd to one, she thinks no friend to me;
But is deceiv'd, For I'm by him assur'd,
During my will, she shall be there secur'd.

Guise.
I like it well, and now resolve to try,
If talk of Crowns, can dazle Gabriel's Eye,
And if I find those Arguments will move,
I'l be a King onely to gain her Love,

[Exeunt.
Enter Gabriel, Armida.
Gab.
I'm glad thy speed and fortune were so good,
Faster to fly those Rogues, than be pursu'd.
But the chief Villain soon had me betray'd,
If Heav'n had not been pleas'd to send me aid.
Just in my need, an Hero set me free;
His Sword at once reveng'd and aided me.
I kneel'd him thanks. He scarce three words had spoke,
When clashing Swords our conversation broke.
Yet as he fought, he still look'd back at me;
Which for some time delay'd his victory.

Arm.
That Hero, Madam, if a blush speak true,
At once both fre'd and captivated you.

Gab.
I must confess, he look'd me to the heart;
And tho my Life lay on't; I could not part.
Rather then my Deliv'rer should be slain,
I wisht my self in danger once again.
Each man that fell my fear and grief did move;
I thought it fear, but oh! I find it love.

Armi.
But, Dearest Madam, what of him became?

Gab.
He fought and vanisht like the Thunderer's flame;
When Fates (as my late wounds they would requite)
Did bring me to the gallant Grillons sight.
He proffer'd love! had not my heart been lost,
He'd been a prize becoming Queens to boast.
But all in vain I am betraid to Guise;
Lost where I love, and lov'd where I despise!

Armi.
I promise freedom if you'l take advice.

Gab.
My dear Armida, I'le be rul'd by you;
Blest with your love, and with my freedome too.

[Enter Serv.
Serv.
Madam, the Duke of Guise has sent to know,
If you'l vouchsafe him to attend on you?

Gab.
He need not ask what he has pow'r to do.
[Exit Serv.
What shall I do Armida?

Armi.
Seem but Kind;
It will advance the Plot I have design'd.

Enter Guise, Pericart.
Armida and Peric. go aside,
Guise.
Stil, fairest Lady, you create your pain.
Your Brow frowns clouds, or else your eyes weep rain.
'Tis against Nature Storms should have a place
In the highest Region of that heavenly face.
O, Madam, imitate the Heav'ns above,
Where only is serenity and love!

Gab.
Your words are good, your actions are not so;
Like Trees that onely fruitless blossoms show.
If my small Beauty's heav'nly, as you say.
You like a Lucifer, would it betray.
By his sad fate you may your own proclaim;
For you both lose your glory and your aim.

Guise.
My sufferings you a Prophetess declare?
I'm scorch'd with flames, and damn'd into despair.

Gab.
You 've time, Sir, to repent of your offence,
And to regain your pristine Innocence.
Give me my freedome and you leave your crime,
And we may both be happy at one time.

Guise.
Make your words good, oblige your self and me;
And at one time too, we may both be free.

Gab.
The first attemp, Sir, unto you belong;
Since you are only he that offers wrong:
Or, if in honour, you'l not yield to me,
I'l lead the way, and here I set you free.

Guise.
Madam, if you will make your promise true,
You must both make me free, and happy too.

Gab.
Your happiness and freedome both belong
Unto your self, and I have all the wrong.
For with what justice can you keep me here?
Or what's your pow'r o'r me?

Guise.
Ah! None I fear.
Justice and Pow'r, with all things you can move,
Must yield to th' pleasing violence of Love.
My mind is bent your motions to fulfil,
But something stronger contradicts my will,
My Soul (above constraint) does oversway
All those desires, and makes me disobey.

Gab.
Remember, Sir, It is a glorious boast
To wheel about and gain a Field that's lost.
Relieve your self before you be o'rcome;
Knock at your breast; may be you're not at home.

Guise.
You prophecy again: my Heart is gone;
Here is the Aery, but the Falkons flown.
The Haggard Sous'd, soon as it 'spy'd its Prey,
But Cupid had laid Lime-twigs in the way.

Gab.
Sir, to be plain, your Passions strangely move;
You practice force, and yet pretend to Love.
Love by restriction does its vertue want:
As happiness was lost first by Restraint.
Consult but sense, It should not be confin'd;
Love is the Free-born Subject of the mind;
And when that priviledge it cannot have,
It turns a Rebel, or is made a slave.

Gab.
To all your Argument I'm not inclin'd;
My heart was free, but now, alass, confin'd!
Its Birth-right's lost, yet never will rebel.

Gab.
I'm glad you know your duty, Sir, so well.
This doctrine fitter for the League may be,
And you may do more good on it, than me.

Guise.
It is below you to upbraid me so;
For I to you will only duty owe.

Gab.
The King claims share,

Guise.
And he shall have his due.
It seems by this you're most to Kings inclin'd,
Because your Stars have one for you design'd.
But if such charms the very name does bring,
Think what's the honour then to make a King.

Gab.
I'm now a Slave such thoughts become not me.

Guise.
If you'l love a King you shall be free.

Gab.
I love none else, and that is but his due.

Guise.
You love a King then?

Gab.
Yes, tho it be you.

Guise.
Vouchsafe your hand: Upon your Juror look.
[takes it.
By this fair hand; and thus I kiss the Book.
[kisses it.
Next day by this time I will set you free;
But one Oath more—
[Again.
And once again for more security.

[Exeunt Guise and Pericart.
Gab.
Thy help Armida; for the storm grows high.

Armid.
I heard him, and my counter Plots will try.
I have gain'd Pericart, and am to go
This hour unto a Friend, whose faith I know.
We must shift cloaths, and you depart in mine;
And so you may escape his bad design.

Gab.
You have all thanks, that gratitude can give,
And to requite you I must only live.
But when the Duke returns, and misses me,
Armida, what will then become of thee?

Armid.
I know his Spirits fierce, but brave and true,
And he'l respect me for regarding you.
I'l no excuses frame, as for a crime;
Since in his need, I'd do as much for him.

Gab.
But, dearest Friend, why should thy love for me
Be more advent'rous, than my love for thee?

Armid.
Madam, his Passion's like a furious wind;
And Love's the raging tempest of the mind:
If a fair stately Cedar stand i'th' way,
Scorning the Winds rough courtship to obey;
Its blustring rage will more and more abound,
In hopes to lay the Cedar on the ground.
But if, when he returns, the Cedar's gone,
And he no object have to blow upon;
He'l rage a while, but soon his fury lay,
And he himself will blow his Storm away.

Gab.
Thy wit has Empire in't; I'l not contest,
I hope thy Genius guides thee for the best.

[Exeunt.

SCENE. II.

The Court.
Enter Chateauneuf, Bonneval.
Chaten.
Altho my Fortune's bad, it is not strange,
Since the Kings heart is so inclin'd to change.
His thoughts can ne'r be fixt; you may as soon
Cut out and fit a Vesture for the Moon.
Inconstant winds to fewer points will vere,
Than he to Ladies if he think 'em fair.

Bon.
You have too tender and too quick a sense,
Which catches at the shadows of offence.
And yet this jealousie does plainly prove,
You claim no small share in great Henry's love.

Chat.
I'l either have no share, or I'l have all,
They who love right can never lower fall.
True Lovers all, like greatest Gamesters set,
And will not let By-standers have a Bet.

Bon.
Like Men both great and rich, you have such store,
Scarce with conveniency you can manage more;
Yet still like them you are so greedy found,
Envying the poor to look but on your Ground.

Chat.
Desist my Friend; it would ev'n patience vex;
Custome and Nature both against our Sex!
Nature's a Bungler not to make us strong,
As th' other Sex to vindicate a wrong.
To seek amends for any great abuse
In them is Honour, impudence in us.

Enter King, Grillon.
He and Bonneval aside.
King.
Madam, I'm told by Grillon, you're severe
In your discourse, as I inconstant were
Of what you tax me, you may guilty prove,
And injure Truth that Confident of Love.

Chat.
Whereshall we seek for Truth, (that injur'd Maid)
Despis'd on Earth is to Astræa fled.
In Cottages despis'd she may remain,
For I, alas, have searcht the Court in vain.

King.
You wrong your self, such doubtings to pursue;
Why should not I persist in loving you?

Chat.
Believe it, Sir, I now can plainly see,
You share not any part of love with me.
Else you'd the causes of my doubts perceive,
As well as I the causes you do give.
With what content and pride, your love I'd own?
But I have lost it, and for one unknown.

King.
That Jealousie is rash, I daily see't;
But ne'r before knew it so indiscreet.
Can you believe I should my love withdraw
From your fair eyes, for those I never saw?
As I should leave the Sun and its known light,
To search for greater in the womb of night.

Chat.
Yet Fancy most inclines to what is new;
And knowledge cannot please as hopes can do.
When Grillon's frantick praises speak his Prize,
O Heav'ns! what joy, what love shoots from your eys!
Your loose Imaginations are surpriz'd,
And I for fond Chymera's am despis'd.

King.
There is no hope to alter such a doubt,
When I have made my Love so fairly out.
Has not my Kingdome taxt me of the Crime
Of slighting other Beauties of the Time.
Great Criminals justly condemn'd to death,
Begg'd a new life, and gain'd it in your breath.
Honour and Riches (which the World beguile
From Heav'n it self) were purchas'd with your smile.
What then can more be said, My Love t' advance?
You, Madam, govern him, who governs France.

Chat.
To what we wish how eas'ly we incline?
My doubts disperse, and joys begin to shine.
I am content; so you'l a Promise make—
You'l not my Love, for this Unknown, forsake.
And when she's found (tho you must her prefer)
Yet you will look on me as much as her.
And tho you cannot Love me half so well,
I'l not believe it, so you do not tell.—
I'd rather have you Murder me this Night,
Then let me live to morrow for a slight.

King.
Thy merit and thy beauty thou maist trust,
Whilst I am wise, or generous, or just:
[Exit. Chat.
Grillon about your charge, but first command
[Turning to him.
Larchant to wait me here.

Gril.
I'm now unchain'd.

Gets from Bonneval. She followes and said.
Bon.
You vow'd to talk a day with me.

Gril.
'Tis right;
And so I will, but now it is almost night.

[Ext. Gril. and Bon.
Enter Larchant.
King.
Larchant how hast thou sped!

Larch.
As I desir'd:
No sooner come; for Grillon she inquir'd;
My proffer'd service took, and thankt me for't;
By which pretence I got her to the Court.

King.
How is her Beauty?

Larch.
O, Sir, so refin'd
It dazles th' Eye and strikes the ravisht mind.
All o'r warm Christal, Sir, with Sun beams lin'd
Strugling for ease th' imprison'd splendor lyes,
And breaks the Jayl thro' th' Windows of her Eyes.

King.
I long to see this Wonder. Now hold proof,
Distracted Heart, and hold fast Chateauneuf.

[Exeunt.

SCENE. III.

Guises Lodgings.
Enter Guise, Cardinal, Pericart.
Guise.
This divelish Fry'r with his strange Scenes of fate
Has much confus'd my thoughts and present State.
Of Blood and Honour, who would hazard run,
To do what must now in few days be done?
Let us lye close upon our Guard and wait
The timely ripening of approaching fate.
I know I'm not by Heav'n design'd to do't,
Since here is something that disswades me fro't.

[Points to's breast.
Card.
Rather 'tis your ill Genius, makes you shun
That glory, which by others may be won.
As some brave Man that stands upon the Shore,
By Crowns and Honour doubly tempted o'r,
Leaps boldly in; not fearful in the least,
And cuts the Billows with exalted breast;
Should he turn back and his attempt give o'r,
When he had almost reach't the wisht-for Shore,
He'd sink unpitti'd.—

Guise.
The King's late promises to us are great.

Card.
But to stop now, is worse then to retreat.
Why came you hither, if you meant to stay?
The Crown's at th' end, not in the midst o'th' way.
When Subjects once by Kings' suspected are,
There is not any thing but they may fear.
What Pepin (our great Ancestor) did do
To Chilperick, do you to Harry so.
Who'd not observe a President so fair,
To shave his Head, both of his Crown and Hair?
Delay not.—

Guise.
Why? Delays pull on their fate;
Navar by Rome is excommunicate;
All his Estates are to the Conqu'rour given
By th' Pope, whose pow'r (they say) is deriv'd from Heav'n.

Card.
If so, or no; let's leave it to the Schools.
Or to the tender Consciences of Fools.
Derive it whence he will, it has my Vote,
If it the ends of our designs promote.

Per.
Now you are made, Sir, General of France.
And Duke de Mayn, your Brother, can advance
That Army, which for Dauphin was design'd;
And Paris with your interest is combin'd,
Sixteen Great Cities more your Party own;
And you, Sir, Legat of Avignion:
Whilst thus secur'd, what need you doubt or fear?

Guise.
I am resolv'd the Assembly now to dare,
And make 'em utterly exclude Navar.

Car.
Yield not in your demands, nor reason shew?
For any thing, but that you'l have it so.
Shew now your strength, and carry such a hand,
That tho you be not King, you may command.

Guise.
I have enough, were I to rest inclin'd;
Great is my fortune, greater is my mind.
My place in France, nay in the World is great,
Yet despicable in my own conceit.
To rise still higher seems but as a fall,
'Till I be gaz'd on, at the Top of all.
There could I sit with a contented brow,
And nod down life and death to all below.

Car.
All but the Minions and Court-party sign'd
Our League as soon as offer'd.

Per.
I've inclin'd
Most of the Guards.

Car.
This very night let's seize upon the Court,
And then as things appear, our selves deport.
We'l take the King as easily from hence
To Paris, as of late we drove him thence.

Guise.
The Pope this flaming Sword to me has given;
The Second flaming Sword e'r sent from Heaven!
[Draws it.
The Ghost of Heresie before it flies,
As shadows vanish at the morning's rise;
With this I'l guard the Gallic Paradice.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

The Court.
Enter King, Guessle, Revol, Larchant, Grillon.
Gues.
In the Broad-Street, that on the Northside lies
Of the Great Church, I met the Duke of Guise.
He look'd upon me with a fierce disdain,
His Guards were num'rous, numerous his Train.
I thought h'had gone to Church, but he past by;
It seems his bus'ness does not that way lie.

Rev.
Most part o'th' night until the rising Sun,
The Cardinal from house to house has gone;
The leading persons they have made their own.

King.
You look on Kings, as Gods, who can bestow
Happiness on themselves, and others too.
Cares and suspitions but disturb our breast,
We 're unacquainted with the sweets of rest.
'Tis true we shine in glory, and dispence
Too oft' t' unthankful men our influence;
Who like ingrateful Fogs infest those Skies,
And cloud that Sun to whom they owe their rise.

Gril.
Dispel those Fogs, and you will find all fair;
But thunder, Sir, and it will clear the air.

King.
Jove in his hottest fury never throws
His Thunderbolts at once amongst his Foes.
He stayes his time, but then he layes on load:
Rage, to no purpose, ill beseems a God.
When Men are fit for judgement then's the time;
And Punishment is best when 't meets the crime.

Revol.
Letters from Paris say they idolize,
As Demy-Gods, all of the House of Guise.
The Pulpits are State-Beacons, wherein Flame
No other Boutefeus, than Guise's name.

Gues.
France, like a Feverish body, may be said,
Wasting with heats, which in it self are bred.

King.
'Tis sent me here the Guises still prepare
[Shews a Pap.
Pernicious Plots, which now in hatching are.
The Actors and contrivance are set down,
Their aim is high, both at my Life and Crown.

Lar.
Twenty o'th' Guards last night corrupted were
To sieze, Sir, you, and all your Servants here.

King.
Is it then so? we must prevention try;
All the means left for our security.
I have been slow and staid so long a time,
To see if they'd repent 'em of their Crime.
And may be had staid longer yet to try,
If France was not concern'd as much as I:
But France and I must fall, or they must die.

Gues.
All gen'rous Frenchmen must conclude the same,
Who either love their Country, or their fame.
The Members, by the rule of Nature led,
Fence ev'ry blow, that's offer'd at the Head.

Rev.
Sick States, like sickly Bodies, must be freed
From those ill humours which Distempers breed.
Purging and blooding must be us'd, 'tis best
To bleed some ounces, to preserve the rest.

Gril.
What a strange change now in my self I find.
My raging storm is laid, calm is my mind.
—Before—
Whilst Guise's greatness did so dreadful seem,
O Heavens! How did I long to cope with him.
But now that he must fall, I've chang'd my heart,
And would give Millions I could take his part.
His ru'nous fate (altho most just) does move
Me unto pity, almost unto Love.
O! that a Man so brave, so nobly born,
should now become the Vulgar prate and scorn!
I at his punishment cannot repine;
—But that his soul design
Should doom him to another sword than mine.

King.
Grillon, thou art deceiv'd, his Head's too high
To stoop t' a Block: we have no time to try
The forms of Justice: Death is in delay;
Grillon, thy King or Guise must die to day.
Mine and thy Countries safety's in thy hand;
Thy Faith and Courage needs no more command.

Gril.
May that blunt honesty to which I'm born
Hope pardon?

King.
Grillon, I.

Gril.
Then, Sir, I scorn
To do but what a Man of Honour shou'd:
In Battles I have lost and drawn some blood;
But that was for my Countries honour done;
And then in Duels I consult my own.
But here, Sir, to be plain, I scorn, I hate
To be an Executioner of State:
For whilst I kill a Man condemn'd to die,
I obey, but am a Hangman by the by.

King.
Is this obedience?

Gril,
Sir, if I obey
My Kings Commands in an ignoble way,
I am a Traytor to his Fame.

King.
'Tis true;
But who's the Judge of Honour, I or you?

Gril.
You are its Fountain, Sir, it is confest,
But the true Judge is ev'ry Brave man's breast.
Let me give warning and denounce the War,
Mid'st all his Guards, I'l mine own Challenge bear;
And when that's done, I'le fight, I'le kill him there.

King.
Well I shall find some help; or Heav'n will own
My Quarrel, and send aids of Thunder down.
My Brother of Navar by this does know
From Plessis, what is fit for him to do.
My Scoutes have brought me word he is in view;
Were he but here, I had no need of you.

Gril.
You have no Subject dares do more than I,
In Courage, Honour, or in Loyalty:
But yet of Virtue I have such a sense,
In baseness he may have preheminence,
And yet, I think, his soul is so sublime,
That he would scorn the shadow of a crime;
And if he scorn'd not this, I should scorn him.
But when your Grillon, Sir, for you or France,
Dares not as far as Man did e'r advance.
When on Command, Sir, he denies to run
And clap his breast against a teeming Gun.
Or in your service, when he does decline
To venture boldly on a springing Mine:
Then think his Honour master'd by his fear,
And call him Coward in the bus'ness here.

King.
Thou hast a boist'rous, but a gallant Soul,
Which neither fear nor flatt'ry can controul.
Go, head the Guards till I new Orders send.
Larchant, see you prepare what I intend.

[Exeunt omnes præt. Gril.
As Grillon is going, Guise and Cardinal meet him.
Guise.
Grillon, in honour thou canst not deny
My fair request; Art thou my Enemy?
I hear there's 'gainst my life a combin'd Vow.

Gril.
I was your Enemy, but am not now.
I scorn advantage, and a weaker Foe
Cannot be safer, than because he's so.

Guise.
I must believe it and thy Friendship prize;
Thou 'rt brave and honest.

Gril.
Take then my advice:
If you have any crime own it betimes;
Great Men need fear no Enemies but Crimes.

Guise.
From any Crimes, that have offended Heaven,
I need its Mercy to have them forgiven.
But as for any unto others done,
I scorn all Pardons.
[Exeunt severally.
Scene changes to the Guard Chamber; Larchant and the Guard, Guise and Cardinal to 'em.
My Lords, where is the King?

Gues.
Within, Sir, there.

Guise.
Larchant, make way.

Larch.
You must not enter here.

Guise.
Must not?

Larch.
No, Sir, not till the King have done
Sending dispatches, which he will have soon.

Card.
Most brave! When Hereticks and Minions may
Enter the Cabinet and we two stay.

Enter Revol.
Rev.
The King, Sir, did not your attendance know,
Please to walk in.

Larch.
Here, Sir, you must not go.

[Stops him.
Car.
Not go?

Lar.
Not this way, Sir, but that you may;
These Lords will wait on you.

Car.
Then lead the way.

[Exeunt omnes.
Clashing of weapons within: Then enter Guise and six armed Guards, fighting.
Guise.
Perfidious Dogs! my Courage tho assures,
Guise cannot fall by such base hands as yours.
Two Rascal lives makes not the purchase good
Two fall. Guise bleeds.
For one small drop of Charlemain's rich blood.
These Cowards, like the Hydra's Heads increase;
Enter more and fight Gu. he bleeds
And I Stand yet the Gallic Hercules.
Stand whilst I geet some breath, ye Murderers stand,
Observe! I do not beg it, I command.
[Gives them a point.
That Crown'd Assassin tell, who set you on,
This Act has but perform'd what I'd have done;
It has unking'd him, and the Crime's his own.
I conquer dying; murder'd, not o'rcome:
[Leans on's Sword.
Lawrels not Cypress must o'r spread my Tomb,
Ten of his armed Guards were not enow;
Had I been arm'd, you all had been too few.
Altho I murder'd am the way's not mean;
[Faints.
A King my Murd'rer, and his Court the Scene.
Bid Valois boast the acts of all his Race,
To whet his Courage; yet to his disgrace
He durst not look me dying in the face.

[Fals and dies.
Larch.
Those angry groans, he at his farewel sends,
Are like fierce blasts just when a Tempest ends,
His blood his restless Spirits now has laid;
As blust'ring Storms by falling Show'rs are laid:
So Lyon's when their raging fury's gone,
Fly to the darkest shades and there lie down.
Convey this Body hence.

[Enter Revol.
Rev.
Which are the two.
[Two of them steps out. He shews the Order.
Here is your Order what you are to do:
All else be gone. The Cardinal of Guise
Instead of begging Pardon, does despise.
Speaks dang'rous words against both King and State,
Which hastens and deserves this timeless fate.

[Exeunt.
Guards bring in the Cardinal and leave him. The other two Enter with Swords drawn, He Eyes 'em seriously, and steps towards 'em.
Card.
I do not like their looks! Their words I'l try.
[Aside.
What come you for?

1 Sould.
To tell you, you must dye.

Card.
And so must you. Nay (what is more) be damn'd,
If you perform what you have tak'n in hand.

2 Sould.
It is not our Profession to dispute:
The King commands us, Sir, and we must do't.

Card.
What pow'r has he o'r me? Or whence does't come?
We're free from Kings when we depend on Rome.
When Kings presume to do what is not fit,
Popes Subjects can from their Allegiance quit.
Should he command, you should your faith deny?
Or bid you spit defiance at the sky,
Would you obey?
Lucifer struck at Heav'n, your Crime's the same;
And you'l be damn'd to full as hot a flame.

1 Sould.
I will not do't.—

Card.
A gracious pardon, thou shalt have from Rome,
For all offences past, and all to come.
[Exit. 1 Souldier.
Friend, what say'st thou?

2 Sould.
Troth, Sir, I'd lend an Ear,
If for your self, you could find Pardon here.
But such fantastick hopes I dare not try;
Besides I'm hyr'd to do't.—

Card.
Then I must dye—
A mercinary Soul is fit to do
All crimes the Devil ever tempted to.
'Tis known that Pow'r which Heav'n and Earth obey,
A slave (like thee) did for a bribe betray.

[Souldier kills him.
[Scene closes.