University of Virginia Library

SCENA ultima.

The Royal Bed-Chamber.
The King on 's Couch Navar, seated by him, Grillon, Revol, Larchant, Gabriel, Chateauneuf, and Chyrurgions. Guessle, Plessis at the other door. Attendants.
King.
Grieve not my Friends; I feel but little pain;
A sign (they say) I may be well again.
Strange was my dream and th'event too soon!

Gril.
But, Sir, the work of Vengeance is not done.
He hovers there, Sir, or if gone he be,
H' has his Commission left, and Sword with me.

Nav.
Grillon, thy vengeance shall have its desire;
We'l purge that treach'rous Town with sword and fire.

Gril.
May I but kindle 't, tho i' th' midst I fry,
Then like the Phœnix, I'le triumphant die.

King.
My thanks, Sir, for your love and care I give;
And shall requite you, if I die or live.

Nav.
More certain favours to your life I owe,
Than the World, nay than my hopes can e'r bestow.
Talk not of dying, Sir; It nums the sense,
And deads the very thoughts of recompence.

King.
The League is not so tender, Sir, as you;
I wear their Mark, but my revenge is due,
Shows sense of pain.
Both from my Honour, and my Justice too.

Chyr.
How are you, Sir?

King.
The pains I now indure.
Denounce my Sentence; I am past your cure.

[Chyrurgions view the wound, and look distractedly.
Gril.
What say'st thou Man?

Chyr.
His Bowels, ah! are pierc'd!

King.
My doom is past, and cannot be revers'd.

[Here all this time the Chyrurgions are busie.
Gril.
Thy tongue's as fatal as the Villains knife!
O! that with mine, I could redeem his life.
I soon would like the balsome tree be found,
Distilling drops of blood to cure his wound.
So both of us might add to honour's score;
I finish mine and he might purchase more.

King.
Ladies forbear! My wound has wept enough;
Ladies weep.
My Soul, 'gainst stabs, but not 'gainst tears is proof.

Gab.
If, Sir, my Tears could do you any good,
I'de ope the flood-gates, and the streams let loose;
Nay gladly weep my self into a Flood.
The nat'ral Balsam Virgins do produce.

Chat.
Poor, hopeless Maid! I have receiv'd a wound
More deep, than that the Villain gave to you.
That you, when too unkind, I only found,
And now must lose you when both kind and true.

King.
May you more happy in all fortunes prove,
And for your kind grief now, gain joyes in Love.
My End hastes on, my last breath does declare
(And you all know't) my brother of Navar
Is next in blood, and my immediate Heir.
Forgive my Enemies for Heav'n will be
So just both to avenge it self and me.
And for Religion I onely pray—
Heav'n would direct you in the safest way.
To turn you, Sir, to mine is vain to try;
Since, oh! this wound speaks louder far than I.

Nav.
Grief has distracted me and ty'd my tongue;
And rob'd me of all sense, but of your wrong.

King.
My soul from ev'ry faculty now flies,
And hovers at the Windows of my Eyes:
'Twill take it's flight just at my next fetcht groan.
My dearest friends, farewel! Oh!

[Groans and dies.
Rev.
Now, 'tis flown!

Chat.
Heav'n was my choice before; and now shall be!
Farewel all Loves, dear soul, unless for thee

[Weeps.
Nav.
In death it was his duty to forgive,
As to do justice is our parts that live.
Let us indeavour then with all our might,
Both to revenge his wrong and gain my right.
I am your King; and will point out the way
To Honour, and oblige you to obey.

Ples.
Let's now to Rheims, Sir, make a quick advance,
And with that sacred Oyl, anoint your Head,
Which was by Heav'n sent purposely to France.
To raise a new King, when the old on's dead.

Rev.
The King's last Will, Sir, makes your Title good.
You are his Heir by Will, as well as Blood

Gril.
I'l Love and serve you for no other thing.
But that you're very valiant and my King.

Nav.
I thank you all. You all shall largely share
Both in my Royal favours and my care.
Madam, you knew so much of me before
[To Gabriel.
It is a needless thing, now to say more.
Only some diff'rence by this change is grown,
I can present you with a double Crown.
[Then turns to the Men.
Love shall not die, tho for a time it cease;
We'l first try War, then the delights of Peace.

[The Curtain falls.