University of Virginia Library

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.