University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Nuntio.
This Change so sudden, and so ill foreseen,
The Rebel Peers recall'd, and King appeas'd,
Almost o'ershoots my Politicks, and mars
The deep concerted Measures of our Cause,
Just ripe for Execution: Curs'd, curs'd Turn!
What Means can now retrieve it? None but this;
We must dispatch this Minute, on our Foes
Or fire the Train, or be blown up our selves.
Startled at this damn'd Counterplot of Fate,
I bad Ravilliac should attend me here;
And see, the desp'rate Youth obeys me well.
I need but give the Word, the Work is done.

Enter Ravilliac.
Ravil.
Your Eminency's Orders I attend.

Nunt.
Ravilliac, as our Church has mark'd thee out,
Deputed thee the Glory of her great
Revenger, and the Strength'ner of her Faith;
Nay, we her rev'rend miter'd Sons have heard,
And witness'd to thy Vows; which unperform'd
Plunge to a certain Hell thy perjur'd Fear.
If done (as who shall dare distrust thee now?)
Procure thee Absolution, Fame, and Heav'n.
I need not ask thee, Whether now prepar'd?
(For Souls like thine disdain a Coward Pause)
This Minute to discharge thy sacred Oath,
And strike this Poniard home—Thou know'st the Place.

[Giving him a Dagger.
Ravil.
In Henry's Heart.

Nunt.
Enough; let it be done;
And fear not for thy self: And, above All,
Stand firm; let neither Promises, nor Threats,
Extort a mean Confession who employ'd
Thy righteous Arm, and prompted the just Blow;
That will undo the Labour of thy Hands,
And mar the Merit of the pious Deed.
This Ev'ning, as he goes to publick Vespers,
Join with th'encircling Crowd, and strike him there.
But once again, I caution thee, be secret;
Look on the hissing Flames, or threatning Wheel,
As on the Tracks to Glory and Reward:
Quit, with a Martyr's Pride, this meaner World,
And trust thy Merits in the next to Me.

Ravil.
Nor doubt me, nor detain me longer here,
I pant to be Immortal! Here's the Means:
[Holding out the Dagger.
This shall my Arm launch forth with sure Success,
Or reach the Tyrant's Heart, or pierce my own.
[Exit Ravilliac.

Nunt.
This Bigot Boy, this Necessary Tool,
Has rouz'd me once again with Glorious Hopes,
To see my Mines spring well, my self secure.
The Deed once done, I will my self appear
First in the Bustle, loudest in my Griefs,
And, if demanded, give my foremost Voice
For instant Justice on th'Assassin's Guilt.
A double Policy is answer'd there:
Success is purchas'd cheaply with the Ruin
Of one Religious Lunatick. Now, Fate
To work; be quick and bloody as thou wilt!
But some few Minutes pass, and, lo! again
Our Church shall triumph, and our Order reign.
[Exit Nuntio.