University of Virginia Library

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.