University of Virginia Library

ACT. I.

SCENE I.

The Court at Blois.
Enter Guise, Cardinal, Pericart.
Guise
What! shall the Providence of our Fate be vain,
In being sprung fro' th' blood of Charlemain?
Shall those rich streams (like Jordan's silver floud)
Be lost i'th' dull Sea of Hugh Capets blood?
Shall th' Name of Valois flourish o'r Lorrain?
Our Golden Lillies wither with disdain?
No! tho in azure Field so long they stood,
I'l drown their splendors first in fields of blood.

Car.
This resolution's brave, and nobly flies
Unto a pitch, worthy the Name of Guise.
Nor does our Princely House derive its fame
(As this was all) from Charlemains great name:
No, we have other boasts as just and fair;
Since from great Clovis we descended are.
Clovis! the first of all our ancient Kings,
Who made the Roman Eagles droop their wings.
He, who the Monarchy of Gaul did found,
And with the sacred Cross the Lillies crown'd.

Per.
Eleven of 'em, Kings from Charlemain;
Of whom five did the Western Empire gain.
Charles of Lorrain; the last of that great Race,
Outed by Capet, who usurpt the place.

Car.
Yet Heav'n reveng'd our wrongs: as witness bear
The English Lions; who so oft did tear
Our Lillies from their stems; and did advance
Their Ensigns on our Walls, and conquer'd France.

Guise.
Look but how judgement prosecutes them still!
What England once has done, again she will.
That British Harpy, who robs all the gain,
And watches o'r the golden Mines of Spain;
Whose Canvas wings about the World have flown,
As by that charm she'd circle in her own.
A Virgin! Who her neighb'ring Kings outbraves,
Scorning to match with her intended Slaves.
This Heretick, this Woman, dares combine
Against our League, and with Navar does joyn.
She flatters him; and fools the King t' advance
Her swelling hopes, in captivating France.

Car.
Yet see how Heav'n our great designments mind
In this rare Providence, just now design'd.
Th' invincible Armada for us waits,
And domineers now in the British Streights.
To conquer that small Island will be more,
Than the new World the Spaniard gain'd before.

Guise.
And conquer'd it must be.—This Navy vast,
Seven dayes ago near unto Calais past.
When it was first presented to my eyes,
As up the briny Convex it did rise;
Methought it seem'd just as the World did peep,
When first it rose fro' th' bosome of the Deep.
The Waves o'r burden'd with the Ships they bore,
Fled from the weight, and panted on the shore.

Car.
When this Elizabeth's no more a Queen;
Navar has not one hope to step between
Him and his ruin: for when Heav'n's so just
To make the Valois fall, (as fall he must)
The Hollander dares onely for him stand;
And Porpoises can little do by land.

Per.
Since Orenge dy'd their baffled Sp'rits retreat;
Whose blood did only that crude Body heat.
Those phlegmatick dull States can never own
A sanguine temper, now his brave One's gone.
But, Sir, his sudden death may caution you
T' avoid delayes; since you are mortal too.

Guise.
I know it well.

Car.
Then, Sir, I needs must fear,
Since here our Brother Mayn writes how Navar
[shews a Letter.
Will be within three leagues of Blois to night.

Guise.
Let him; so Mayn but keep him in his sight.
Were he but here, he were as good as ta'ne
'Twixt Paris and the Army of Du Mayn.
When opportunities are fitted so,
Neither in vain to frown, nor make a blow,
I'l charge through light'ning to attaque my Foe.
Has Pericart yet humour'd my desire,
In making tryal of the conj'ring Fry'r.

Per.
Yes, Sir, and him above reports did find.

Car.
Reports to Lies and Miracles are kind.

Guise.
Desist; for you Philosophers are all
In your opinions too pragmatical.
How did you find him?

Per.
Sir, above the rate
Of Mortals; like the Favourite of Fate.
For how can he be less? who can controul
The num'rous Spirits, that swarm 'twixt either Pole?
None of 'em but will come at his command
More swift than Faulcons to a wonted hand.
Leaving the Chrystal Regions of the Skie,
Like shooting Stars, to his desires they flie.
He, more to gain my credit, did prepare
To show he could command the Prince o'th' Air.
He from the Earth thick Vapours made to rise,
Which by his Art turn'd Nitre in the Skies;
Then ram'd into a Cloud, he stretcht his hand,
Making a Lynstock of his Magick wand.
The aëry Cannon flam'd at his desire,
Disgorging both its thunder and its fire.

Guise.
'Tis very strange!

Card.
So strange it is, that I—
Think Pericart is one that scorns to lye,
Yet must be satisfi'd from my own Eye.

Per.
That he has promis'd, Sir. Within a Wood,
A league from Blois, where once a Temple stood
Of mighty Oaks, roof'd o'r with woven boughs,
Where Druids formerly did pay their vows,
He has a Cave: wherein he does relate
His Oracles, and future hints of fate.
This Evening is appointed for the Scene.

Guise.
Told he what those Nativities did mean?

Per.
He'l do his best, and if in that he fail,
By ways more sacred he'l your fates reveal.
He'l wait for you before an hour be past.

Car.
Then will I meet you there.

[Exit. Card.
Par.
Now, Sir, at last;
You'l hear some words about your proper fate.

Guise.
Let's talk of Love—we've talkt enough of State.
Now Pericart, what news from Orleans?

Per.
My way was shorten'd by a happy chance.
Sir, at the Fryers, I Madam Gabriel met.

Guise.
How, Madam Gabriel, thrice happy fate!

Per.
And with her one of my acquaintance too,
Armida nam'd.

Guise.
How! Meet your Mistriss too?
I hope this good portends.

Per.
And so hop'd I.
Then did I soon my self to them apply;
And told 'em there was none or little choice
Of Lodgings, since the great resort to Blois.
But mine they might command; Gabriel reply'd,
It was a favour not to be deni'd.

Guise.
Dear Pericart! Altho before possest,
Thou hast a greater share now in my breast.
As great as that Usurper Love will spare;
And yet for greater room thou struglest there.

Per.
My Services cannot deserve that boast,
Since in my Duty they are all ingrost.
The Fry'r, Sir, her Nativity just cast;
The fate, she's born to, he declares is vast.

[Gives a Paper to Guise, who reads it.
Your Beauty shall gain much renown.
In being destin'd for a Crown.
Yet He that shall your State advance,
Is not, but must be King of France.

Guise.
If our Designments now successful be,
This Fry'r (for ought I know) may point at me.
Our greatest dilligence this needs must move,
Concern'd in Glory now, as well as Love.
Whilst we are with the Fry'r, direct thy care
To bring her to my Lodgings, when we're there
A farther secret I'le to thee impart,
And thou shalt share my glory and my heart.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Chamber of Presence.
Enter Revol, Guessle, Plessis, Grillon.
Rev.
My Lords, the King will instantly be here.

Gues.
'Tis strange the Guises will not yet appear.

Ples.
'Tis like their Acts. All must attend their State.

Gril.
May be they'l make the King himself to wait.

[To 'em King, Larchant, and Guards.
King.
Larchant, attend without. How are you all?

Rev.
We want the Duke, Sir, and the Cardinal.

King.
They drove me from the Lovure th' other day,
And now keep others and themselves away.

Enter Guise, Cardinal.
King.
Your sleeps are long, or else your motions slow.

Guise.
We both our duty and neglect, Sir, know.

Car.
A setled mind, that no vain thoughts o'rcome,
Can sleep without the aids of Opium.

King.
A plain and honest heart, without disguise,
Is more serene than are Egyptian skies;
Where neither clouds of discontent—
Nor storms of passion rise.

Guise.
For my own part, I publickly declare,—
Passion and Interest both secluded are
From my desires; which altogether joyn
T' establish firm the Laws and Church divine.

Car.
There needs not this. It is already done
By the late League agre'd on at Peron.

Ples.
'Tis odd, methinks, into extreams to fly
'Gain'st others, 'cause they think not so as I.
I full as justly may my hate declare
To those that differ in their cloaths and hair.

King.
The League made at Peron is too severe;
The Paris Edicts too indulgent are.
I'l choose the mean, and 'twixt both these will run,
Endeavouring (as I can) an Union.
But to the fairest means I'l have recourse
And if those will not do, I'l then use force.

Guise.
For sometime to this tryal we may yield,
But let no Heretick upon it build.

Rev.
Tho to the Romish faith I must agree,
Yet I would also a true French-man be.
Let's lay by all effects of violence,
Let Churchmen only Consciences convince:
They may perswade, whom we cannot constrain;
As Lyons may be stroak'd into a Chain.

Guise.
Who are those Lyons? I will make them fall,
Or bring a Bull from Rome t' outroar 'em all.
If you would make 'em truckle to your Laws,
Or knock their teeth out, Sir, or break their claws,
Then let 'em grin their worst.—

Gril.
The Duke of Guise,
As is his spirit, so is his advice,
Noble and fierce. But, Sir, the time's not fit
For War, nor is there cause to mannage it.

Gues.
We know Navar to be a Soldier born,
Whose conduct at Coutras we yet do mourn.

Guise.
I soon cry'd quit at the Battle of Arneau,
Where I the German Army did o'rthrow.

Rev.
'Tis very true, that Action was most brave:
But strong Confederates Navar must have.

Ples.
Sir, he is certain of the English Queen,
The King of Scotland, and the Palatine,
Wirtenberg, Saxony, Pomcrania, Hess,
The Holland forces and the warlike Swise.

Guise.
Well let 'em, let 'em all their forces bring,
Those Dukes, that English Queen, and Scotish King.
Tho other Frenchmen to such lowness fall,
And suffer it, I will confront 'em all.
I'l not degenerate from the House of Guise!
My Father sell Religion's sacrifice;
And tho I dye, a double Crown will come,
Lawrels for War, Roses for Martyrdome.

Car.
These Hugonot's presumptions are forgot;
Our Father, Sir, was murder'd by Pultrot;
Th' indanger'd both your Brothers Life and Crown;
Fav'ring 'em, seems as we their Crimes did own.
What th' Admiral then suffer'd by your vow,
Others there are, as much deserve it now.

Guise.
We ventur'd then on Men as brave, and great
As France has any now. If some forget
What they escap'd, and what they promis'd then,
When it comes to't, they shall not 'scape again.

Gril.
Who would believe that murder and surprize
Could be reminded by the Duke of Guise?
Let not an Act incourag'd be by you,
Which Grillon thinks below himself to do.

Guise.
Am I to be control'd by you, Sir? Know,
It has not been the wont, nor shall be so.

Gril.
Death! What a huffing's here? were I allow'd
The liberty you take—I'd—

Guise.
You are proud
In your command; and happy these are by.

Gril.
More happy far, if only you and I.

King.
Hold, Grillon, I command, or go.

Gril.
I go
But first would have these Lorrainers to know,
One word from you
Does more than they, and all Lorrain can do.

[Exit Grillon.
King.
His boist'rous Soul to ev'ry one is known.

Car.
May be e're long it will be calmer grown.

Guise.
Sir, to be plain, such Fellows as these are,
Favour'd by you, almost proclaim a War.
They rob the greatest treasure you can have;
I mean the hearts of all men great and brave,

King.
Let us leave trifles, and the main advance;
We're here assembled for the good of France.

Car.
'Tis true; and, Sir, your Royal word is gone,
No Heretick should sit upon the Throne.
Judge but what contradictions it would bring,
An Heretick, and the Most Christian King!
And since illustrious Anjou hence is gone,
Navar is one step nearer to the Throne.
For 'we in Herauldry are so well read,
To know the House of Bourbon must succeed,
If you die without Heirs, which Heav'n forbid

Ples.
'Tis odd discourse, a King to entertain,
Young and in health, with whom must after reign.
It is but little less than to degrade
The very pow'r of Heav'n it does invade.

Guise.
I wonder whence this boldness is deriv'd.

Ples.
Fro' th' King my Master: when I here arriv'd,
I my Credentials gave.

King.
You welcome are.
Speak his Commands.

Car.
Commands, Sir, from Navar?

King.
I, Sir, has not a King a Title good?
And is not he besides first Prince o'th' Blood?
Deliver up your Message.

Ples.
Sir, I bring—
In the first place defiance from my King
To any one in France, that dares relate
He's in the least, a Troubler of the State.
He only arms against rebellious foes,
Wh' attempt your Crown under religious shows.
He then defies—
And challenges by me the Duke of Guise.

Guise.
I answer not the challenge rash and vain;
'Tis known I've fought, and I dare fight again.
If he turn Catholick it is not fit;
And if he do not, tell him we shall meet.
I'l reach his Head tho it were ten times higher,
And meet him! Tho, as Powder meets with fire.

Ples.
From that Perswasion whereto he was bred
He faithfully ingages to recede—
When by a lawful Council he is shown
A better faith, then what he yet has known.

Car.
We ask but his conversion; that's our aim;
France then may keep her safety and her fame.
Since this is promis'd; Sir, we beg of you—
That You the Oath of Union would renew.

King.
Withdraw and soon assemble all the States
To sign the Edict. I at any rates
Would purchase Peace, the greatest blessing given,
Or that e'r can expected be from Heaven.
[Exeunt.
King and Grillon returns.
Grillon, my Brother of Navar writes here
[Shews a Letter.
His Army and Du Mayn's are very near,
And watch each other with a jealous fear.

Gril.
Yet, Sir, my Scouts now bring me word last night
Some Horse of Mayns, about the parting light,
Marcht this way from their Camp; doubtless to make
Discov'ries from such Pris'ners they can take;
And knowing, Sir, your weakness ('till Navar
Joyn with you) will presume to venture far.
But if you please I will a Party head,
And them into the neighb'ring Wood will lead;
So the surprizers selves may be surpriz'd.

King.
Grillon, perform what you have well advis'd.
But first I'd have you to declare the proof
Of your address, to beauteous Chateneuf.

Gril.
It little did avail; Tho I did try
All means; but you can better do't than I.
In any bus'ness that belongs to War,
I could far stronger Arguments prepare.
She said, she could not Love as you requir'd;
Neither would you, Sir, Love as she desir'd.

King.
I understand her not.

Gril.
Her meaning is—
She'd have a Husband, and you'd have a Miss.

King.
Grillon, too oft' we Kings in Passions prove
Like common men, and are inslav'd in Love.
But then in Marri'ges we are confin'd—
And must our State consult and int'rest mind.

Gril.
That's very much! Love, State, and Int'rest too!
I'm only bound to Love (that's kiss and woo)
And one of these is full enough to do.

To 'em Chateaneuf, Bonneval.
King.
Here's Bonneval, and now you may make proof.

Gril.
So, Sir, may you, for here is Chateauneuf.

Chat.
Pardon, Sir, our Intrusion; we are rude.

King.
Fair Chateauneuf can never here intrude.

Chat.
We may disturb you tho.

King.
Not in the least:
I no disturbance find but in my breast:
And, Madam, there you take but little care.

Bonnev. and Grillon aside.
Chat.
I must presume to say unjust you are:
For if I could, Sir, your disturbance free,
You need not long expect a remedy.

King.
O Chateauneuf no happiness I want,
If what you promise you'l vouchsafe to grant.
But such unkind distinctions find you will,
Just in their birth my strugling hopes you kill.

Chat.
Sir, your Prerogative in words is known;
Your words and my thoughts too are both our own.

King.
But, Madam, why can no perswasions move.
That all I speak are pure effects of Love?

Chat.
Love should find equal objects, Worth and State;
Which are (you know) deni'd to me by fate.

King.
I can bring State, and You can merit bring;
Be you the Queen of Love I'l be the King.

Chat.
O, Sir, suppress this too injurious flame,
Least what you mean my honour, turn your shame!
Let me my self in my own shadow hide,
And never tempt me with so vain a pride.

King.
Such Rhetorick as this you vainly move,
Which seems meer slightings of the God of Love.
And tho I grant most pow'rful you be,
There's no contesting with that Deity.

Chat.
If, Sir, his pow'r be such, he scorns a slight,
To save his credit let him shew his might.
And when I find my Honour has a share
With your desires, and both united are;
There needs no argument my heart to move
And without Cupid's pow'r I then may Love.

King.
A faint content like unto theirs who lye
Languishing without hopes, but must not dye.
But Time and Truth may remedies reveal.
And what has wounded now, at last may heal.
Grillon about your charge.

[Exeunt. King and Chateauneuf.
Gril.
I cannot stay,
[To Bonneval staying him.
And this discourse requires a Summers day.

Bon.
This you indiff'rency enough does prove;
We're seldome weary of the things we Love.

Gril.
'Tis true, when one has nothing else to do;
But who can mannage Love and bus'ness too?

Bon.
Love claims the present hour; the next you may
Bestow on bus'ness,

Gril.
Death! Another day
I'l tyre you out with Love, and making moan
Ev'n from the rising to the setting Sun,
Nay if you please, we will talk down the Moon.

Bon.
Grillon, on this condition you are free.
[Exit Bon.

Gril.
O Heav'n! The blest delight of liberty.
[Exit. Grillon.