University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The Palace. An ante-room leading to the Council Chamber.
Fontaine, Tournet, and La Roche. Nobles and others occasionally pass across the stage at the back.
Fon.
[Bringing Tournet and La Roche forward.]
See, they go in to council! Not so loud.

La Roche.
And so from that poor hint, that casual breath,
Thy art is like to work the queen's divorce!

Fon.
Ay, if the council be but the king's clerk,
Crying amen to what he prays for.

Tour.
Count not on that. The Churchmen whose advice
Is like to sway the synod may not strain
The law to such extremes. Divorce the queen
Because she was akin to Philip's wife,
Betrothed in boyhood! Thou dost prop our hope
On basement fine and frail as spider's line.

Fon.
A most substantial bridge—that spider's line.
The iron wills all earth can scarce roll on,
Are zephyrs when themselves elect to move.
Our spider's line will do. The queen's divorce
The king wills, and the bishops will to please
The king's will, save the reverend Lord of Paris, whom
The rest must overrule.

Tour.
I doubt the issue.

Fon.
Sir, the king's hate is threefold; in it blend
Jealousy of the Dane, disrelish fixed
Of Ingerburge, which she by threats and coldness
Has more inflamed, and passion for another.

La Roche.
How will this serve us?

Fon.
How? Art thou a mole,
That cannot see the daylight? Philip breaks
His oath to Ingerburge, and lays his crown
At Marie's feet. They wed. The incensed Dane,
His sister thus disgraced, withdraws his aids;
Nay, turns them to offence! John, Otho—seize
The auspicious hour! The Pope has been o'erlooked
By these impatient prelates. Ingerburge
Appeals to Rome. Rome, glad to arbitrate
In royal feuds, her quarrel doth espouse.
The Pope is Philip's foe. What penal fires
Sleep in those words!—what crushing consequence!
Then is our time for action and revenge.
Then slaughtered kinsman, then dishonoured line,
Your retribution quickens! Well, Sir Mole,
Dost thou yet see?

La Roche.
I see.

Fon.
The council waits.
Come, come, the game proceeds! Craft matched with craft!
O conflict nobler far than sword with sword!

[They go out.