Trumpets sound within, and a cry of "Vive le Roi" two or three times. Enter [398] Anjou crowned as King Henry the Third; Catherine the Queen Mother, the Cardinal of Lorraine, Guise, Epernoun, Mugeroun, the Cutpurse, and others.
All. Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi! [A flourish of trumpets.
Cath. Welcome from Poland, Henry, once again! Welcome to France, thy father's royal seat! Here hast thou a country void of fears, A warlike people to maintain thy right, A watchful senate for ordaining laws, A loving mother to preserve thy state, And all things that a king may wish besides; All this, and more, hath Henry with his crown.
Card. And long may Henry enjoy all this, and more!10
All. Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi! [A flourish of trumpets.
Henry. Thanks to you all. The guider of all crowns Grant that our deeds may well deserve your loves! And so they shall if fortune speed my will, And yield your thoughts to height of my deserts. What say our minions? think they Henry's heart Will not both harbour love and majesty? Put off that fear, they are already join'd: No person, place, or time, or circumstance, Shall slack my love's affection from his bent:20 As now you are, so shall you still persist, Removeless from the favours of your king.
Mug. We know that noble minds change not their thoughts For wearing of a crown, in that your grace Hath worn the Poland diadem before You were invested in the crown of France.
Henry. I tell thee, Mugeroun, we will be friends, And fellows too, whatever storms arise.
Mug. Then [399] may it please your majesty to give me leave To punish those that do profane this holy feast.30
Henry. How mean'st thou that? [Mugeroun cuts off the Cutpurse's ear, for cutting the gold buttons off his cloak.
Cutp. O Lord, mine ear!
Mug. Come, sir, give me my buttons, and here's your ear.
Guise. Sirrah, take him away.
Henry. Hands off, good fellow; I will be his bail For this offence.—Go, sirrah, work no more Till this our coronation day be past.— And now, Our solemn rites of coronation done, What now remains but for a while to feast,40 And spend some days in barriers, tourney, tilt, And like disports, such as do fit the court? Let's go, my lords; our dinner stays for us. [Exeunt all except Catherine the Queen Mother and the Cardinal of Lorraine.
Cath. My Lord Cardinal of Lorraine, tell me, How likes your grace my son's pleasantness? His mind, you see, runs on his minions, And all his heaven is to delight himself; And, whilst he sleeps securely thus in ease, Thy brother Guise and we may now provide To plant ourselves with such authority50 As not a man may live without our leaves. Then shall the Catholic faith of Rome Flourish in France, and none deny the same.
Card. Madam, as in secrecy I was told, My brother Guise hath gather'd a power of men, Which are, [400] he saith, to kill the Puritans; But 'tis the house of Bourbon that he means. Now, madam, must you insinuate with the king, And tell him that 'tis for his country's good, And common profit of religion.60
Cath. Tush, man, let me alone with him, To work the way to bring this thing to pass; And, if he do deny what I do say, I'll despatch him with his brother presently, And then shall Monsieur wear the diadem. Tush, all shall die unless I have my will; For, while she lives, Catherine will be queen. Come, my lord, [401] let us go seek the Guise, And then determine of this enterprise. [Exeunt.

SCENE XV.

Enter [402] the Duchess of Guise and her Maid.
Duch. of G. Go fetch me pen and ink,—
Maid. I will, madam.
Duch. That I may write unto my dearest lord.  [Exit Maid. Sweet Mugeroun, [403] 'tis he that hath my heart, And Guise usurps it 'cause I am his wife. Fain would I find some means to speak with him, But cannot, and therefore am enforced to write, That he may come and meet me in some place, Where we may one enjoy the other's sight.
Re-enter the Maid, with pen, ink, and paper.
So, set it down, and leave me to myself.    [Exit Maid. The Duchess writes. O, would to God, this quill that here doth write10 Had late been pluck'd from out fair Cupid's wing, That it might print these lines within his heart!
Enter Guise.
Guise. What, all alone, my love? and writing too? I prithee, say to whom thou writ'st.
Duch. To such A one, my Lord, as, when she reads my lines, Will laugh, I fear me, at their good array.
Guise. I pray thee, let me see.
Duch. O no, my lord; a woman only must Partake the secrets of my heart.
Guise. But, madam, I must see.  [Seizes the paper.20 Are these your secrets that no man must know!
Duch. O, pardon me, my lord!
Guise. Thou trothless and unjust! what lines are these? Am I grown old, or is thy lust grown young? Or hath my love been so obscured in thee, That others need to comment on my text? Is all my love forgot, which held thee dear, I, dearer than the apple of mine eye? Is Guise's glory but a cloudy mist, In sight and judgment of thy lustful eye?30 Mort Dieu! were [404] not the fruit within thy womb, Of whose increase I set some longing hope, This wrathful hand should strike thee to the heart. Hence, strumpet! hide thy head for shame; And fly my presence if thou look to live!  [Exit Duchess. O wicked sex, perjùrèd and unjust! Now do I see that from the very first Her eyes and looks sow'd seeds of perjury. But villain, he, to whom these lines should go, Shall buy her love even with his dearest blood.40 [Exit.

SCENE XVI.

Enter [405] the King of Navarre, Pleshé, Bartus, and train, with drums and trumpets.
Nav. My lords, sith in a quarrel just and right We undertake to manage these our wars Against the proud disturbers of the faith (I mean the Guise, the Pope, and king of Spain, Who set themselves to tread us under foot, And rent our true religion from this land; But for you know our quarrel is no more But to defend [406] their strange inventions, Which they will put us to with sword and fire), We must with resolute minds resolve to fight,10 In honour of our God, and country's good. Spain is the council-chamber of the Pope, Spain is the place where he makes peace and war; And Guise for Spain hath now incensed the king To send his power to meet us in the field.
Bar. Then in this bloody brunt they may behold The sole endeavour of your princely care, To plant the true succession of the faith, In spite of Spain and all his heresies.
Nav. The power of vengeance now encamps itself20 Upon the haughty mountains of my breast; Plays with her gory colours of revenge, Whom I respect as leaves of boasting green, That change their colour when the winter comes, When I shall vaunt as victor in revenge.
Enter a Messenger.
How now, sirrah! what news?
Mes. My lord, as by our scouts we understand, A mighty army comes from France with speed; Which are already mustered in the land, And mean to meet your highness in the field.30
Nav. In God's name, let them come! This is the Guise that hath incensed the king To levy arms, and make these civil broils. But canst thou tell who is their general?
Mes. Not yet, my lord, for thereon do they stay; But, as report doth go, the Duke of Joyeux Hath made great suit unto the king therefore.
Nav. It will not countervail his pains, I hope. I would the Guise in his stead might have come! But he doth lurk within his drowsy couch,40 And makes his footstool on security: So he be safe, he cares not what becomes Of king or country; no, not for them both. But come, my lords, let us away with speed, And place ourselves in order for the fight. [Exeunt.

SCENE XVII.

Enter [407] King Henry, Guise, Epernoun, and Joyeux.
Henry. My sweet Joyeux, I make thee general Of all my army, now in readiness To march 'gainst the rebellious King Navarre; At thy request I am content thou go, Although my love to thee can hardly suffer['t], Regarding still the danger of thy life.
Joyeux. Thanks to your majesty: and so, I take my leave.— Farewell to my Lord of Guise, and Epernoun.
Guise. Health and hearty farewell to my Lord Joyeux. [Exit Joyeux.
Henry. So kindly, cousin of Guise, you and your wife Do both salute our lovely minions.11 Remember you the letter, gentle sir, Which your wife writ To my dear minion, and her chosen friend?  [Makes horns at Guise.
Guise. How now, my Lord! faith, this is more than need. Am I thus to be jested at and scorn'd? 'Tis more than kingly or emperious: And, sure, if all the proudest kings In Christendom should bear me such derision, They should know how I scorn'd them and their mocks.20 I love your minions! dote on them yourself; I know none else but holds them in disgrace; And here, by all the saints in heaven, I swear, That villain for whom I bear this deep disgrace, Even for your words that have incens'd me so, Shall buy that strumpet's favour with his blood! Whether he have dishonour'd me or no, Par la mort de Dieu [408] il mourra!  [Exit.
Henry. Believe me, this jest bites sore.
Eper. My lord, 'twere good to make them friends,30 For his oaths are seldom spent in vain.
Enter Mugeroun.
Henry. How now, Mugeroun! mett'st thou not the Guise at the door?
Mug. Not I, my lord; what if I had?
Henry. Marry, if thou hadst, thou mightst have had the stab, For he hath solemnly sworn thy death.
Mug. I may be stabb'd, and live till he be dead: But wherefore bears he me such deadly hate?
Henry. Because his wife bears thee such kindly love.
Mug. If that be all, the next time that I meet her, I'll make her shake off love with her heels.40 But which way is he gone? I'll go take [409] a walk On purpose from the court to meet with him.  [Exit.
Henry. I like not this. Come, Epernoun, Let us go seek the duke, and make them friends. [Exeunt.

SCENE XVIII.

Alarums within, and a cry— "The Duke Joyeux is slain." Enter [410] the King of Navarre, Bartus, and train.
Nav. The duke is slain, and all his power dispers'd, And we are graced with wreaths of victory. Thus God, we see, doth ever guide the right, To make his glory great upon the earth.
Bar. The terror of this happy victory, I hope, will make the king surcease his hate, And either never manage army more, Or else employ them in some better cause.
Nav. How many noblemen have lost their lives In prosecution of these cruel arms,10 Is ruth, and almost death, to call to mind. But God we know will always put them down That lift themselves against the perfect truth; Which I'll maintain so long as life doth last, And with the Queen of England join my force To beat the papal monarch from our lands, And keep those relics from our countries' coasts. Come, my lords; now that this storm is over-past, Let us away with triumph to our tents. [Exeunt.

SCENE XIX.

Enter [411] a Soldier.

 Sold. Sir, to you, sir, that dares make the duke a cuckold, and use a counterfeit key to his privy-chamber-door; and although you take out nothing but your own, yet you put in that which displeaseth him, and so forestall his market, and set up your standing where you should not; and whereas he is your landlord, you will take upon you to be his, and till the ground that he himself should occupy, which is his own free land; if it be not too free—there's the question; and though I come not to take possession (as I would I might!), yet I mean to keep you out; which I will, if this gear hold.

Enter Mugeroun.11
What, are ye come so soon? have at ye, sir! [Shoots at Mugeroun and kills him. [412]
Enter Guise and Attendants.
Guise [Giving a purse]. Hold thee, tall soldier, take thee this, and fly. [Exit Soldier. Lie there, the king's delight, and Guise's scorn! Revenge it, Henry, as thou list or dare; I did it only in despite of thee. [Attendants bear off Mugeroun's body.
Enter King Henry and Epernoun.
Henry. My Lord of Guise, we understand That you have gatherèd a power of men: What your intent is yet we cannot learn, But we presume it is not for our good.20
Guise. Why, I am no traitor to the crown of France; What I have done, 'tis for the Gospel's sake.
Eper. Nay, for the Pope's sake, and thine own benefit. What peer in France but thou, aspiring Guise, Durst be in arms without the king's consent? I challenge thee for treason in the cause.
Guise. Ah, base Epernoun! were not his highness here, Thou shouldst perceive the Duke of Guise is mov'd.
Henry. Be patient, Guise, and threat not Epernoun, Lest thou perceive the king of France be mov'd.30
Guise. Why, I'm a prince of the Valois line, Therefore an enemy to the Bourbonites; I am a juror in the holy league, And therefore hated of the Protestants: What should I do but stand upon my guard? And, being able, I'll keep an host in pay.
Eper. Thou able to maintain an host in pay, That liv'st by foreign exhibition! [413] The Pope and King of Spain are thy good friends; Else all France knows how poor a duke thou art.40
Henry. I, those are they that feed him with their gold, To countermand our will, and check our friends.
Guise. My lord, to speak more plainly, thus it is. Being animated by religious zeal, I mean to muster all the power I can, To overthrow those factious [414] Puritans: And know, my lord, the Pope will sell his triple crown, I, and the Catholic Philip, king of Spain, Ere I shall want, will cause his Indians To rip the golden bowels of America.50 Navarre, that cloaks them underneath his wings, Shall feel the house of Lorraine is his foe. Your highness needs not fear mine army's force; 'Tis for your safety, and your enemies' wreck.
Henry. Guise, wear our crown, and be thou king of France, And, as dictator, make or war or peace, Whilst I cry placet, like a senator! I cannot brook thy haughty insolence: Dismiss thy camp, or else by our edict Be thou proclaim'd a traitor throughout France.60
Guise. The choice is hard; I must dissemble.— [Aside. My lord, in token of my true humility, And simple meaning to your majesty, I kiss your grace's hand, and take my leave, Intending to dislodge my camp with speed.
Henry. Then farewell, Guise; the king and thou are friends.   [Exit Guise.
Eper. But trust him not, my lord; for, had your highness Seen with what a pomp he enter'd Paris, And how the citizens with gifts and shows Did entertain him,70 And promisèd to be at his command— Nay, they fear'd not to speak it in the streets, That the Guise durst stand in arms against the king, For not effecting of his holiness' will.
Henry. Did they of Paris entertain him so? Then means he present treason to our state. Well, let me alone.—Who's within there?
Enter an Attendant, with pen and ink.
Make a discharge of all my council straight, And I'll subscribe my name, and seal it straight.—  [Attendant writes. My head shall be my council; they are false;80 And, Epernoun, I will be rul'd by thee.
Eper. My lord, I think, for safety of your royal person, It would be good the Guise were made away, And so to quite [415] your grace of all suspect.
Henry. First let us set our hand and seal to this, And then I'll tell thee what I mean to do.— [Writes. So; convey this to the council presently.   [Exit Attendant. And, Epernoun, though I seem mild and calm, Think not but I am tragical within.90 I'll secretly convey me unto Blois; For, now that Paris takes the Guise's part, Here is no staying for the king of France, Unless he mean to be betray'd and die: But, as I live, so sure the Guise shall die. [Exeunt.

SCENE XX.

Enter [416] the King of Navarre, reading a letter, and Bartus.
Nav. My lord, I am advertisèd from France That the Guise hath taken arms against the king, And that Paris is revolted from his grace.
Bar. Then hath your grace fit opportunity To show your love unto the king of France, Offering him aid against his enemies, Which cannot but be thankfully receiv'd.
Nav. Bartus, it shall be so: post, then, to France, And there salute his highness in our name; Assure him all the aid we can provide10 Against the Guisians and their complices. Bartus, be gone: commend me to his grace, And tell him, ere it be long, I'll visit him.
Bar. I will, my lord.  [Exit.
Nav. Pleshè!
Enter Pleshè.
Pleshè. My lord?
Nav. Pleshè, go muster up our men with speed, And let them march away to France amain, For we must aid the king against the Guise. Begone, I say; 'tis time that we were there.20
Pleshè. I go, my lord.  [Exit.
Nav. That wicked Guise, I fear me much, will be The ruin of that famous realm of France; For his aspiring thoughts aim at the crown, And [417] takes his vantage on religion, To plant the Pope and Popelings in the realm, And bind it wholly to the see of Rome. But, if that God do prosper mine attempts, And send us safely to arrive in France, We'll beat him back, and drive him to his death,30 That basely seeks the ruin of his realm. [Exit.

SCENE XXI.

Enter [418] the Captain of the Guard, and three Murderers.
Cap. Come on, sirs. What, are you resolutely bent, Hating the life and honour of the Guise? What, will you not fear, when you see him come?
First Murd. Fear him, said you? tush, were he here, we would kill him presently.
Sec. Murd. O that his heart were leaping in my hand!
Third Murd. But when will he come, that we may murder him?
Cap. Well, then, I see you are resolute.
First Murd. Let us alone; I warrant you.
Cap. Then, sirs, take your standings within this chamber;10 For anon the Guise will come.
All three Murderers. You will give us our money?
Cap. I, I, fear not: stand close: so; be resolute.   [Exeunt Murderers. Now falls the star whose influence governs France, Whose light was deadly to the Protestants: Now must he fall, and perish in his height.
Enter King Henry and Epernoun.
Henry. Now, captain of my guard, are these murderers ready?
Cap. They be, my good lord.
Henry. But are they resolute, and armed to kill, Hating the life and honour of the Guise?20
Cap. I warrant ye, my lord.  [Exit.
Henry. Then come, proud Guise, and here disgorge thy breast, Surcharged with surfeit of ambitious thoughts; Breathe out that life wherein my death was hid, And end thy endless treasons with thy death. [Knocking within.
Guise [within]. Holà, varlet, hé!—Epernoun, where is the king?
Eper. Mounted [419] his royal cabinet.
Guise [within]. I prithee, tell him that the Guise is here.
Eper. An please your grace, the Duke of Guise doth crave Access unto your highness.
Henry. Let him come in.—30 Come, Guise, and see thy traitorous guile outreach'd, And perish in the pit thou mad'st for me.
Enter Guise.
Guise. Good morrow to your majesty.
Henry. Good morrow to my loving cousin of Guise: How fares it this morning with your excellence?
Guise. I heard your majesty was scarcely pleased, That in the court I bear so great a train.
Henry. They were to blame that said I was displeased; And you, good cousin, to imagine it. 'Twere hard with me, if I should doubt my kin,40 Or be suspicious of my dearest friends, Cousin, assure you I am resolute, Whatsoever any whisper in mine ears, Not to suspect disloyalty in thee: And so, sweet coz, farewell.  [Exit with Epernoun.
Guise. So; Now sues the king for favour to the Guise, And all his minions stoop when I command: Why, this 'tis to have an army in the field. Now, by the holy sacrament, I swear,50 As ancient Romans o'er their captive lords, So will I triumph o'er this wanton king; And he shall follow my proud chariot's wheels. Now do I but begin to look about, And all my former time was spent in vain. Hold, sword, For in thee is the Duke of Guise's hope.
Re-enter Third Murderer.
Villain, why dost thou look so ghastly? speak.
Third Murd. O, pardon me, my Lord of Guise!
Guise. Pardon thee! why, what hast thou done?60
Third Murd. O my lord, I am one of them that is set to murder you!
Guise. To murder me, villain!
Third Murd. I, my lord: the rest have ta'en their standings in the next room; therefore, good my lord, go not forth.
Guise. Yet Cæsar shall go forth. Let mean conceits and baser men fear death: Tut, they are peasants; I am Duke of Guise; And princes with their looks engender fear.70
First Murd. [within] Stand close; he is coming; I know him by his voice.
Guise. As pale as ashes! [420] nay, then, it is time To look about.
Enter First and Second Murderers.
First and Sec. Murderers. Down with him, down with him! [They stab Guise.
Guise. O, I have my death's wound! give me leave to speak.
Sec. Murd. Then pray to God, and ask forgiveness of the king.
Guise. Trouble me not; I ne'er offended him, Nor will I ask forgiveness of the king. O, that I have not power to stay my life, Nor immortality to be revenged!80 To die by peasants, what a grief is this! Ah, Sixtus, be reveng'd upon the king! Philip and Parma, I am slain for you! Pope, excommunicate, Philip, depose The wicked branch of curs'd Valois his line! Vive la messe! perish Huguenots! Thus Cæsar did go forth, and thus he died.  [Dies.
Enter the Captain of the Guard.
Cap. What, have you done? Then stay a while, and I'll go call the king. But see, where he comes.90
Enter King Henry, Epernoun, and Attendants.
My lord, see, where the Guise is slain.
Henry. Ah, this sweet sight is physic to my soul! Go fetch his son for to behold his death.—   [Exit an Attendant. Surcharg'd with guilt of thousand massacres, Monsieur of Lorraine, sink away to hell! And, in remembrance of those bloody broils, To which thou didst allure me, being alive, And here, in presence of you all, I swear, I ne'er was king of France until this hour. This is the traitor that hath spent my gold100 In making foreign wars and civil broils. Did he not draw a sort [421] of English priests From Douay to the seminary at Rheims, To hatch forth treason 'gainst their natural queen? Did he not cause the king of Spain's huge fleet To threaten England, and to menace me? Did he not injure Monsieur that's deceas'd? Hath he not made me, in the Pope's defence, To spend the treasure, that should strength my land, In civil broils between Navarre and me?110 Tush, to be short, he meant to make me monk, Or else to murder me, and so be king. Let Christian princes, that shall hear of this (As all the world shall know our Guise is dead), Rest satisfied with this, that here I swear, Ne'er was there king of France so yoked as I.
Eper. My lord, here is his son.
Enter Guise's Son.
Henry. Boy, look where your father lies.
G.'s Son. My father slain! who hath done this deed?
Henry. Sirrah, 'twas I that slew him; and will slay120 Thee too, an thou prove such a traitor.
G.'s Son. Art thou king, and hast done this bloody deed? I'll be reveng'd.      [Offers to throw his dagger.
Henry. Away to prison with him! I'll clip his wings Or e'er he pass my hands. Away with him! [Some of the Attendants bear off Guise's Son. But what availeth that this traitor's dead, When Duke Dumaine, his brother, is alive, And that young cardinal that is grown so proud? Go to the governor of Orleans, And will [422] him, in my name, to kill the duke.    [To the Captain of the Guard.130 Get you away, and strangle the cardinal.       [To the Murderers. [Exeunt Captain of the Guard and Murderers. These two will make one entire Duke of Guise, Especially with our old mother's help.
Eper. My lord, see, where she comes, as if she droop'd To hear these news.
Henry. And let her droop; my heart is light enough.
Enter Catherine the Queen Mother.
Mother, how like you this device of mine? I slew the Guise, because I would be king.
Cath. King! why, so thou wert before: Pray God thou be a king now this is done!140
Henry. Nay, he was king, and countermanded me: But now I will be king, and rule myself, And make the Guisians stoop that are alive.
Cath. I cannot speak for grief.—When thou wast born, I would that I had murdered thee, my son! My son? thou art a changeling, not my son: I curse thee, and exclaim thee miscreant, Traitor to God and to the realm of France!
Henry. Cry out, exclaim, howl till thy throat be hoarse! The Guise is slain, and I rejoice therefore:150 And now will I to arms.—Come, Epernoun, And let her grieve her heart out, if she will.  [Exit with Epernoun.
Cath.. Away! leave me alone to meditate.  [Exeunt Attendants. Sweet Guise, would he had died, so thou wert here! To whom shall I bewray my secrets now, Or who will help to build religion? The Protestants will glory and insult; Wicked Navarre will get the crown of France; The Popedom cannot stand; all goes to wreck; And all for thee, my Guise! What may I do?160 But sorrow seize upon my toiling soul! For, since the Guise is dead, I will not live. [Exit.

SCENE XXII.