 | The Duke of Guise |  |
1
ACT. I.
SCEN. I.
The Council of Sixteen Seated: An Empty Chair prepar'd for the Duke of Guise.Bussy and Polin two of the Sixteen.
Bussy.
Lights there! more Lights: what burn the Tapers dim,
When glorious Guise, the Moses, Gideon, David,
The Saviour of the Nation, makes approach?
Pol.
And therefore are we met; the whole Sixteen
That sway the Crowd of Paris, guide their Votes,
Manage their Purses, Persons, Fortunes, Lives,
To mount the Guise, where merit calls him, high;
And give him a whole Heaven, for room to shine.
Enter Curate of St. Eustace.
Buss.
The Curate of S. Eustace comes at last;
But, Father, why so late?
Cur.
I have been taking godly pains, to satisfie some Scruples
rais'd amongst weak Brothers of our Party, that were staggering
in the Cause.
Pol.
What cou'd they find t'Object?
Cur.
They thought, to Arm against the King was Treason.
Buss.
I hope you set 'em right?
Cur.
Yes; and for answer, I produc'd this Book.
A Calvinist Minister of Orleans
Writ this, to justifie the Admiral
2
Wherein he proves that irreligious Kings
May justly be depos'd, and put to death.
Buss.
To borrow Arguments from Heretick Books
Methinks was not so prudent.
Cur.
Yes; from the Devil, if it would help our Cause.
The Author was indeed a Heretick;
The Matter of the Book is good and pious.
Pol.
But one prime Article of our Holy League,
Is to preserve the King, his Pow'r and Person.
Cur.
That must be said, you know, for decency;
A pretty Blind to make the Shoot secure.
Buss.
But did the Primitive Christians e're rebell,
When under Heathen Lords? I hope they did.
Cur.
No sure, they did not; for they had not Pow'r;
The Conscience of a People is their Power.
Pol.
Well; the next Article in our Solemn Covenant
Has clear'd the Point again.
Buss.
What is't? I shou'd be glad to find the King
No safer than needs must?
Pol.
That in case of Opposition from any person whatsoever—
Cur.
That's well, that's well; then the King is not excepted,
if he oppose us—
Pol.
We are oblig'd to join as one, to punish
All, who attempt to hinder or disturb us.
Buss.
'Tis a plain Case; the King's included in the Punishment,
In case he rebell against the People.
Pol.
But how can he rebell?
Cur.
I'll make it out: Rebellion is an Insurrection against the
Government; but they that have the Power are actually the Government:
Therefore if the People have the Power, the Rebellion
is in the King.
Buss.
A most convincing Argument for Faction.
Cur.
For Arming, if you please; but not for Faction.
For still the Faction is the fewest number;
So, what they call the Lawful Government,
Is now the Faction; for the most are ours.
Pol.
Since we are prov'd to be above the King; I wou'd gladly
understand whom we are to obey; or whether we are to be
all Kings together?
3
Are you a Member of the League, and ask that Question?
There's an Article, that, I may say, is as necessary as any
In the Creed: Namely, that we, the said Associates, are
Sworn to yield ready Obedience, and Faithful Service, to that
Head which shall be deputed.
Buss.
'Tis most manifest, that by Virtue of our Oath
We are all Subjects to the Duke of Guise. The King's
An Officer that has betray'd his Trust; and therefore we
have turn'd him out of Service.
Omnes.
Agreed, agreed.
Enter the Duke of Guise; Cardinal of Guise, Aumale: Torches before them. The Duke takes the Chair.
Buss.
Your Highness enters in a lucky hour;
Th'unanimous Vote you heard, confirms your Choice,
As Head of Paris, and the Holy League.
Card.
I say Amen to that.
Pol.
You are our Champion; Buckler of our Faith.
Card.
The King, like Saul, is Heaven's repented Choice;
You his Anointed one, on better thought.
Guise.
I'm what you please to call me: Any thing,
Lieutenant General, Chief, or Constable,
Good Decent Names, that only mean your Slave.
Buss.
You chas'd the Germans hence, Exil'd Navarre;
And rescu'd France from Hereticks and Strangers.
Aum.
What he and all of us have done, is known.
What's our Reward? Our Offices are lost,
Turn'd out like Labour'd Oxen, after Harvest,
To the bare Commons of the wither'd Field.
Buss.
Our Charters will go next: Because we Sheriffs
Permit no Justice to be done on those
The Court calls Rebels, but we call them Saints.
Guise.
Yes; we are all involv'd, as Heads, or Parties:
Dipt in the noisy Crime of State, call'd Treason:
And Traitours we must be, to King, or Country.
Buss.
Why then my Choice is made.
Pol.
And mine.
Omn.
And all.
Card.
Heav'n is it self Head of the Holy League;
4
Guise.
What say you, Curate?
Cur.
I hope well, my Lord.
Card.
That is, he hopes you mean to make him Abbot,
And he deserves your care of his Preferment.
For all his Prayers are Curses on the Government;
And all his Sermons Libels on the King.
In short, a Pious, Hearty, Factious Priest.
Guise.
All that are here my Friends, shall share my Fortunes;
There's Spoil, Preferments, Wealth enough in France,
'Tis but deserve and have: The Spanish King
Consigns me fifty thousand Crowns a Week
To raise and to foment a Civil-War.
'Tis true, a Pension from a Foreign Prince
Sounds Treason in the Letter of the Law,
But good intentions justify the deed.
Cur.
Heaven's good; the Cause is good; the Money's good;
No matter whence it comes.
Buss.
Our City Bands, are twenty thousand strong;
Well Disciplin'd, well Arm'd, well season'd Traitors;
Thick rinded heads, that leave no room for Kernel;
Shop Consciences, of proof against an Oath,
Preach'd up, and ready tin'd for a Rebellion.
Guise.
Why then the Noble Plot is fit for birth;
And Labouring France cries out for Midwife hands.
We miss'd surprizing of the King at Blois,
When last the States were held; 'twas over-sight:
Beware we make not such another Blot.
Card.
This Holy time of Lent we have him sure;
He goes unguarded, mix'd with whipping Fryars,
In that Procession, he's more fit for Heav'n:
What hinders us to seize the Royal Penitent,
And close him in a Cloyster?
Cur.
Or dispatch him: I love to make all sure.
Guise.
No; guard him safe;
Thin Diet will do well; 'twill starve him into Reason,
Till he exclude his Brother of Navarre,
And graft Succession on a worthier Choice:
To favour this, five hundred Men in Arms,
Shall stand prepar'd to enter at your call;
5
But the Sheriff Conty, who Commands that Ward,
Refus'd me passage there.
Buss.
I know that Conty:
A Sniveling, Conscientious, Loyal Rogue:
He'll Peach, and Ruine all.
Card.
Give out he's Arbitrary; a Navarrist;
A Heretick; discredit him betimes;
And make his Witness void.
Cur.
I'll swear him Guilty.
I swallow Oaths as easie as Snap-dragon,
Mock-Fire that never burns.
Guise.
Then Bussy, be't your care t'admit my Troops,
At Porte St. Honore: (rises)
Night wears apace,
And Day-light must not peep on Dark Designs.
I will my self to Court: Pay Formal Duty;
Take leave; and to my Government retire:
Impatient to be soon recall'd; to see
The King Imprison'd, and the Nation free.
[Exeunt all but Guise.
Enter Malicorn solus.
Mal.
Each dismal Minute when I call to Mind
The Promise that I made the Prince of Hell,
In one and twenty years to be his Slave,
Of which near twelve are gone, my Soul runs back,
The Wards of reason rowl into their Spring.
O horrid thought I but one and twenty years,
And twelve near past, then to be steep'd in Fire,
Dash'd against Rocks, or snatcht from molten Lead,
Reeking, and dropping, piece-meal born by Winds,
And quench'd ten thousand fathom in the deep!
But hark! he comes, see there, my Blood stands still,
Knocking at the Door.
My Spirits start an end for Guise's Fate.
A Devil rises.
Mal.
What Counsel does the Fate of Guise require?
Dev.
Remember with his Prince there's no delay
But, the Sword drawn, to fling the Sheath away;
6
The Tomb is still, whatever Fools believe;
Laugh at the Tales which wither'd Sages bring,
Proverbs and Morals, let the Waxen King
That rules the Hive, be born without a Sting;
Let Guise by Blood resolve to mount to Pow'r,
And he is Great as Mecha's Emperour;
He comes, bid him not stand on Altar Vows,
But then strike deepest, when he lowest bows;
Tell him Fate's aw'd when an Usurper Springs,
And joyns to crow'd out Just Indulgent Kings.
[Vanishes!
Enter the Duke of Guise, and Duke of Mayen.
May.
All Offices and Dignities he gives
To your profest and most inveterate Foes;
But if he were inclin'd, as we could wish him,
There is a Lady Regent at his Ear,
That never Pardons.
Guise.
Poyson on her Name,
Take my hand on't, that Cormorant Dowager
Will never rest, till she has all our Heads
In her lap. I was at Bayon with her,
When She, the King, and Grisly d'Alva met;
Methinks I see her listening now before me,
Marking the very motion of his Beard,
His Op'ning Nostrils and his Dropping Lids,
I hear him Croak too to the Gaping Council;
Fish for the great Fish, take no care for Frogs,
Cut off the Poppy-Heads, Sir; Madam, charm
the Winds but fast, the Billows will be still.
May.
But Sir, how comes it you should be thus warm,
Still pushing Councils when among your Friends;
Yet at the Court Cautious and cold as Age.
Your Voice, your Eyes, your Meen so different,
You seem to me two Men.
Guise.
The Reason's plain,
Hot with my Friends, because the Question giv'n,
I start the Judgment right where others drag.
This is the Effect of Equal Elements,
7
More at the strength of Body than of Mind;
'Tis equally the same to see me plunge
Headlong into the Seine all over Arm'd,
And Plow against the Torrent to my point,
As 'twas to hear my Judgment on the Germans;
This to another Man wou'd be a brag.
Or at the Court among my Enemies,
To be as I am here quite off my Guard,
Would make me such another thing as Grillon,
A blunt, hot, honest, downright, valiant Fool.
May.
Yet this you must allow a failure in you,
You love his Neece, and to a Politician,
All Passion's bane, but Love directly death.
Guise.
False, false, my Mayen, thou'rt but half Guise agen;
Were she not such a wondrous Composition;
A Soul so flush'd as mine is with Ambition,
Sagacious and so nice, must have disdain'd her;
But she was made when Nature was in humour,
As if a Grillon got her on the Queen,
Where all the honest Atoms fought their way;
Took a full Tincture of the Mother's Wit,
But left the dregs of Wickedness behind.
May.
Have you not told her what we have in hand?
Guise.
My utmost aim has been to hide it from her,
But there I'm short, by the long Chain of Causes
She has scan'd it, just as if she were my Soul,
And though I flew about with Circumstances,
Denials, Oaths, Improbabilities;
Yet through the Histories of our Lives, she look'd;
She saw, she overcame.
May.
Why then, we're all undone.
Guise.
Agen you err.
Chast as she is, she wou'd as soon give up
Her Honour, as betray me to the King;
I tell thee, she's the Character of Heaven;
Such an habitual over-Womanly Goodness,
She dazles, walks meer Angel upon Earth.
But see, she comes, call the Cardinal Guise,
While Malicorn attends for some Dispatches,
8
Enter Marmoutire.
Mar.
Ah Guise, you are undone.
Guise.
How, Madam?
Mar.
Lost,
Beyond the possibility of hope,
Despair, and die.
Guise.
You menace deeply Madam,
And should this come from any Mouth but yours,
My smile should answer how the ruine touch'd me.
Mar.
Why do you leave the Court?
Guise.
The Court leaves me.
Mar.
Were there no more but weariness of State,
Or cou'd you like great Scipio retire,
Call Rome ungrateful, and sit down with that;
Such inward Gallantry would gain you more
Than all the sullied Conquests you can boast;
But Oh, you want that Roman Masterie;
You have too much of the tumultuous times.
And I must mourn the Fate of your Ambition.
Guise.
Because the King disdains my Services,
Must I not let him know I dare begon?
What when I feel his Council on my Neck,
Shall I not cast 'em backward if I can;
And at his Feet make known their villany?
Mar.
No Guise, not at his Feet, but on his Head;
For there you strike.
Guise.
Madam, you wrong me now;
For still what-e're shall come in Fortunes whirle,
His Person must be safe.
Mar.
I cannot think it.
However, your last words confess too much.
Confess, what need I urge that Evidence,
When every hour I see you Court the Crowd,
When with the shouts of the Rebellious Rabble,
I see you born on shoulders to Cabals;
Where with the Traiterous Council of Sixteen,
You sit and Plot the Royal Henry's Death.
9
Infamous Scrowls, and Treasonable Verse;
While, on the other side, the Name of Guise,
By the whole Kennel of the Slaves, is rung,
Pamphleteers, Balladmongers sing your Ruine,
While all the Vermin of the vile Parisians
Toss up their greasie Caps where e're you pass,
And hurl your dirty Glories in your Face.
Guise.
Can I help this?
Mar.
By Heaven, I'd Earth my self,
Rather than live to act such black Ambition:
But, Sir, you seek it with your Smiles and Bows,
This Side and that Side congeing to the Crowd;
You have your Writers too, that cant your Battels,
That stile you the New David, Second Moses,
Prop of the Church, Deliverer of the People.
Thus from the City, as from the Heart they spread
Thro all the Provinces, alarm the Countries,
Where they run forth in Heaps, bellowing your Wonders,
Then cry, The King, the King's a Hugonot,
And, spight of us, will have Navar succeed,
Spight of the Laws, and spight of our Religion:
But we will pull 'em down, down with 'em, down.
[Kneels.
Guise.
Ha, Madam! Why this Posture?
Mar.
Hear me, Sir:
For, if 'tis possible, my Lord, I'll move you.
Look back, return, implore the Royal Mercy,
E're 'tis too late, I beg you by these Tears,
These Sighs, and by th'ambitious Love you bear me;
By all the Wounds of your poor groaning Country,
That bleeds to death, O seek the Best of Kings,
Kneel, fling your stubborn Body at his Feet:
Your Pardon shall be sign'd, your Country sav'd,
Virgins and Matrons all shall sing your Fame,
And every Babe shall bless the Guise's Name.
Guise.
O rise, thou Image of the Deity;
You shall prevail, I will do any thing;
You have broke the very Gall of my Ambition,
And all my Powers now float in Peace agen:
Be satisfi'd that I will see the King,
10
And beg a kind Farewell.
Mar.
No, no, my Lord;
I see, thro that, you but withdraw a while,
To muster all the Forces that you can,
And then rejoyn the Council of Sixteen.
You must not go.
Guise.
All the Heads of the League
Expect me, and I have engag'd my Honour.
Mar.
Would all those Heads were off, so yours were sav'd.
Once more, O Guise, the weeping Marmoutire
Entreats you do not go.
Guise.
Is't possible.
That Guise should say, in this he must refuse you?
Mar.
Go then, my Lord. I late receiv'd a Letter
From one at Court, who tells me the King loves me:
Read it, there is no more than what you hear.
I have Jewels offer'd too, perhaps may take 'em:
And if you go from Paris, I'll to Court.
Guise.
But, Madam, I have often heard you say,
You lov'd not Courts.
Mar.
Perhaps I have chang'd my Mind:
Nothing as yet could draw me, but a King,
And such a King, so Good, so Just, so Great,
That at his Birth the Heavenly Council paus'd,
And then at last cry'd out, This is a Man.
Guise.
Come, 'tis but Counterfeit; you dare not go.
Mar.
Go to your Government, and try.
Guise.
I will.
Mar.
Then I'll to Court, nay, to the King.
Guise.
By Heaven
I swear, you cannot, shall not, dare not see him.
Mar.
By Heaven I can, I dare, nay, and I will:
And nothing but your Stay shall hinder me;
For now, methinks, I long for't.
Guise.
Possible!
Mar.
I'll give you yet a little time to think:
But if I hear you go to take your leave,
I'll meet you there, before the Throne I'll stand,
Nay, you shall see me kneel, and kiss his Hand.
[Exit.
11
Furies and Hell! She does but try me: Ha!
This is the Mother-Queen and Espernon,
Abbot Delbene, Alphonso Corso too,
All packt to plot, and turn me into Madness.
[Reading the Letter.
Enter Cardinal Guise, Duke of Mayen, Malicorn, &c.
Ha! can it be! Madam, the King loves you.
[Reads.
But Vengeance I will have; to pieces, thus,
To pieces with 'em all.
[Tears the Letter.
Card.
Speak lower.
Guise.
No;
By all the Torments of this galling Passion,
I'll hollow the Revenge I vow, so loud,
My Father's Ghost shall hear me up to Heaven.
Card.
Contain your self; this Outrage will undo us.
Guise.
All things are ripe, and Love new points their Ruine.
Ha! my good Lords, what if the murd'ring Council
Were in our Power, should they escape our Justice?
I see by each Mans laying of his Hand
Upon his Sword, you swear the like Revenge.
For me, I wish that mine may both rot off—
Card.
No more.
May.
The Council of Sixteen attend you.
Guise.
I go—That Vermin may devour my Limbs,
That I may die like the late puling Francis,
Under the Barbers Hands, Imposthumes choak me,
If while alive I cease to chew their Ruine;
Alphonso Corso, Grillon, Priest, together,
To hang 'em in Effigie, nay, to tread,
Drag, stamp, and grind 'em, after they are dead,
[Exeunt
| The Duke of Guise | |