University of Virginia Library

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.