EPERNOUNE. My Lord, I think for safety of your person, It would be good the Guise were made away, And so to quite your grace of all suspect.
KING. First let us set our hand and seale to this, And then Ile tell thee what I meane to doe.
He writes.
So, convey this to the counsell presently.
Exit one.
And Epernoune though I seeme milde and calme, Thinke not but I am tragicall within: Ile secretly convey me unto Bloyse, For now that Paris takes the Guises parse, Heere is not staying for the King of France, Unles he means to be betraide and dye: But as I live, so sure the Guise shall dye.
Exeunt.
[Scene xviii]
Enter the King of Navarre reading of a letter, and Bartus.
NAVARRE. My Lord, I am advertised from France, That the Guise hath taken armes against the King, And that Paris is revolted from his grace.
BARTUS. Then hath your grace fit oportunitie, To shew your love unto the King of France: Offering him aide against his enemies, Which cannot but be thankfully receiv'd.
NAVARRE. Bartus, it shall be so, poast then to Fraunce, And there salute his highnesse in our name, Assure him all the aide we can provide, Against the Guisians and their complices. Bartus be gone, commend me to his grace, And tell him ere it be long, Ile visite him.
BARTUS. I will my Lord.
Exit.
NAVARRE. Pleshe.
Enter Pleshe.
PLESHE. My Lord.
NAVARRE. Pleshe, goe muster up our men with speed, And let them march away to France amaine: For we must aide the King against the Guise. Be gone I say, tis time that we were there.
PLESHE. I goe my Lord.
[Exit.]
NAVARRE. That wicked Guise I feare me much will be, The wine of that famous Realme of France: For his aspiring thoughts aime at the crowne, He takes his vantage on Religion, To plant the Pope and popelings in the Realme, And binde it wholy to the Sea of Rome: But if that God doe prosper mine attempts, And send us safely to arrive in France: Wee'l beat him back, and drive him to his death, That basely seekes the wine of his Realme.
Exit.
[Scene xix]
Enter the Captaine of the guarde, and three murtherers.
CAPTAINE. Come on sirs, what, are you resolutely bent, Hating the life and honour of the Guise? What, will you not feare when you see him come?
1. Feare him said you? tush, were he heere, we would kill hin presently.
2. O that his heart were leaping in my hand.
31. But when will he come that we may murther him?
CAPTAINE. Well then, I see you are resolute.
1. Let us alone, I warrant you.
CAPTAINE. Then sirs take your standings within this Chamber, For anon the Guise will come.
ALL. You will give us our money?
CAPTAINE. I, I, feare not: stand close, be resolute:
[The murtherers go aside as if in the next room.]
Now fals the star whose influence governes France, Whose light was deadly to the Protestants: Now must he fall and perish in his height.
Enter the King and Epernoune.
KING. Now Captain of my guarde, are these murtherers ready?
CAPTAINE. They be my good Lord.
KING. But are they resolute and armde to kill, Hating the life and honour of the Guise?
CAPTAINE. I warrant you my Lord.
[Exit.]
KING. Then come proud Guise and heere disgordge thy brest, Surchargde with surfet of ambitious thoughts: Breath out that life wherein my death was hid, And end thy endles treasons with thy death.
Enter the Guise [within] and knocketh.
GUISE. Holla varlet, hey: Epernoune, where is the King?
EPERNOUNE. Mounted his royall Cabonet.
GUISE. I prethee tell him that the Guise is heere.
EPERNOUNE. And please your grace the Duke of Guise doth crave Accesse unto your highnes.
KING. Let him come in. Come Guise and see thy traiterous guile outreacht, And perish in the pit thou mad'st for me.
The Guise comes to the King.
GUISE. Good morrow to your Majestie.
KING. Good morrow to my loving Cousin of Guise. How fares it this morning with your excellence?
GUISE.