Actus Secund[i.]Scena Prima.

Duch.Soft sir, you must rise by degrees, first100being the servant of some common Lady orKnights wife, then a little higher to a Lordswife; next a little higher to a Countesse; yet alittle higher to a Duchesse, and then turne theladder.105Buss.Doe you alow a man then foure mistresses,when the greatest mistresse is alowedbut three servants?Duch.Where find you that statute sir.Buss.Why be judged by the groome-porters.110Duch.The groome-porters!Buss.I, madam, must not they judge of allgamings i'th' Court?Duch.You talke like a gamester.Gui.Sir, know you me?115Buss.My lord!Gui.I know not you; whom doe you serve?Buss.Serve, my lord!Gui.Go to companion; your courtship's toosaucie.120Buss.Saucie! Companion! tis the Guise,but yet those termes might have beene spar'd ofthe guiserd. Companion! He's jealous, by thislight. Are you blind of that side, Duke? Ileto her againe for that. Forth, princely mistresse,125for the honour of courtship. Another riddle.Gui.Cease your courtshippe, or, by heaven,Ile cut your throat.Buss.Cut my throat? cut a whetstone, youngAccius Nœvius! Doe as much with your130tongue as he did with a rasor. Cut my throat!Barrisor.What new-come gallant have weeheere, that dares mate the Guise thus?L'Anou.Sfoot, tis D'Ambois! the Duke mistakeshim (on my life) for some Knight of the135new edition.Buss.Cut my throat! I would the Kingfear'd thy cutting of his throat no more than Ifeare thy cutting of mine.Gui.Ile doe't, by this hand.140Buss.That hand dares not doe't; y'ave cuttoo many throats already, Guise, and robb'd therealme of many thousand soules, more preciousthan thine owne. Come, madam, talk on. Sfoot,can you not talk? Talk on, I say. Another145riddle.Pyrhot.Here's some strange distemper.Bar.Here's a sudden transmigration withD'Ambois, out of the Knights ward into theDuches bed.150L'An.See what a metamorphosis a bravesuit can work.Pyr.Slight! step to the Guise, and discoverhim.Bar.By no meanes; let the new suit work;155wee'll see the issue.Gui.Leave your courting.Buss.I will not. I say, mistresse, and I willstand unto it, that if a woman may have threeservants, a man may have threescore mistresses.160Gui.Sirrha, Ile have you whipt out of theCourt for this insolence.Buss.Whipt! Such another syllable out ath'presence, if thou dar'st, for thy Dukedome.Gui.Remember, poultron!165Mons.Pray thee forbeare!Buss.Passion of death! Were not the Kinghere, he should strow the chamber like a rush.Mons.But leave courting his wife then.Buss.I wil not: Ile court her in despight of170him. Not court her! Come madam, talk on;feare me nothing. [To Guise.] Well mai'stthou drive thy master from the Court, but neverD'Ambois.Mons.His great heart will not down, tis like the sea,175That partly by his owne internall heat,Partly the starrs daily and nightly motion,Their heat and light, and partly of the placeThe divers frames, but chiefly by the moone,Bristled with surges, never will be wonne,180(No, not when th'hearts of all those powers are burst)To make retreat into his setled home,Till he be crown'd with his owne quiet fome.Henr.You have the mate. Another?Gui.No more.Flourish short.

Duch.Soft sir, you must rise by degrees, first100being the servant of some common Lady orKnights wife, then a little higher to a Lordswife; next a little higher to a Countesse; yet alittle higher to a Duchesse, and then turne theladder.105

Duch.Soft sir, you must rise by degrees, first100

being the servant of some common Lady or

Knights wife, then a little higher to a Lords

wife; next a little higher to a Countesse; yet a

little higher to a Duchesse, and then turne the

ladder.105

Buss.Doe you alow a man then foure mistresses,when the greatest mistresse is alowedbut three servants?

Buss.Doe you alow a man then foure mistresses,

when the greatest mistresse is alowed

but three servants?

Duch.Where find you that statute sir.

Duch.Where find you that statute sir.

Buss.Why be judged by the groome-porters.110

Buss.Why be judged by the groome-porters.110

Duch.The groome-porters!

Duch.The groome-porters!

Buss.I, madam, must not they judge of allgamings i'th' Court?

Buss.I, madam, must not they judge of all

gamings i'th' Court?

Duch.You talke like a gamester.

Duch.You talke like a gamester.

Gui.Sir, know you me?115

Gui.Sir, know you me?115

Buss.My lord!

Buss.My lord!

Gui.I know not you; whom doe you serve?

Gui.I know not you; whom doe you serve?

Buss.Serve, my lord!

Buss.Serve, my lord!

Gui.Go to companion; your courtship's toosaucie.120

Gui.Go to companion; your courtship's too

saucie.120

Buss.Saucie! Companion! tis the Guise,but yet those termes might have beene spar'd ofthe guiserd. Companion! He's jealous, by thislight. Are you blind of that side, Duke? Ileto her againe for that. Forth, princely mistresse,125for the honour of courtship. Another riddle.

Buss.Saucie! Companion! tis the Guise,

but yet those termes might have beene spar'd of

the guiserd. Companion! He's jealous, by this

light. Are you blind of that side, Duke? Ile

to her againe for that. Forth, princely mistresse,125

for the honour of courtship. Another riddle.

Gui.Cease your courtshippe, or, by heaven,Ile cut your throat.

Gui.Cease your courtshippe, or, by heaven,

Ile cut your throat.

Buss.Cut my throat? cut a whetstone, youngAccius Nœvius! Doe as much with your130tongue as he did with a rasor. Cut my throat!

Buss.Cut my throat? cut a whetstone, young

Accius Nœvius! Doe as much with your130

tongue as he did with a rasor. Cut my throat!

Barrisor.What new-come gallant have weeheere, that dares mate the Guise thus?

Barrisor.What new-come gallant have wee

heere, that dares mate the Guise thus?

L'Anou.Sfoot, tis D'Ambois! the Duke mistakeshim (on my life) for some Knight of the135new edition.

L'Anou.Sfoot, tis D'Ambois! the Duke mistakes

him (on my life) for some Knight of the135

new edition.

Buss.Cut my throat! I would the Kingfear'd thy cutting of his throat no more than Ifeare thy cutting of mine.

Buss.Cut my throat! I would the King

fear'd thy cutting of his throat no more than I

feare thy cutting of mine.

Gui.Ile doe't, by this hand.140

Gui.Ile doe't, by this hand.140

Buss.That hand dares not doe't; y'ave cuttoo many throats already, Guise, and robb'd therealme of many thousand soules, more preciousthan thine owne. Come, madam, talk on. Sfoot,can you not talk? Talk on, I say. Another145riddle.

Buss.That hand dares not doe't; y'ave cut

too many throats already, Guise, and robb'd the

realme of many thousand soules, more precious

than thine owne. Come, madam, talk on. Sfoot,

can you not talk? Talk on, I say. Another145

riddle.

Pyrhot.Here's some strange distemper.

Pyrhot.Here's some strange distemper.

Bar.Here's a sudden transmigration withD'Ambois, out of the Knights ward into theDuches bed.150

Bar.Here's a sudden transmigration with

D'Ambois, out of the Knights ward into the

Duches bed.150

L'An.See what a metamorphosis a bravesuit can work.

L'An.See what a metamorphosis a brave

suit can work.

Pyr.Slight! step to the Guise, and discoverhim.

Pyr.Slight! step to the Guise, and discover

him.

Bar.By no meanes; let the new suit work;155wee'll see the issue.

Bar.By no meanes; let the new suit work;155

wee'll see the issue.

Gui.Leave your courting.

Gui.Leave your courting.

Buss.I will not. I say, mistresse, and I willstand unto it, that if a woman may have threeservants, a man may have threescore mistresses.160

Buss.I will not. I say, mistresse, and I will

stand unto it, that if a woman may have three

servants, a man may have threescore mistresses.160

Gui.Sirrha, Ile have you whipt out of theCourt for this insolence.

Gui.Sirrha, Ile have you whipt out of the

Court for this insolence.

Buss.Whipt! Such another syllable out ath'presence, if thou dar'st, for thy Dukedome.

Buss.Whipt! Such another syllable out a

th'presence, if thou dar'st, for thy Dukedome.

Gui.Remember, poultron!165

Gui.Remember, poultron!165

Mons.Pray thee forbeare!

Mons.Pray thee forbeare!

Buss.Passion of death! Were not the Kinghere, he should strow the chamber like a rush.

Buss.Passion of death! Were not the King

here, he should strow the chamber like a rush.

Mons.But leave courting his wife then.

Mons.But leave courting his wife then.

Buss.I wil not: Ile court her in despight of170him. Not court her! Come madam, talk on;feare me nothing. [To Guise.] Well mai'stthou drive thy master from the Court, but neverD'Ambois.

Buss.I wil not: Ile court her in despight of170

him. Not court her! Come madam, talk on;

feare me nothing. [To Guise.] Well mai'st

thou drive thy master from the Court, but never

D'Ambois.

Mons.His great heart will not down, tis like the sea,175That partly by his owne internall heat,Partly the starrs daily and nightly motion,Their heat and light, and partly of the placeThe divers frames, but chiefly by the moone,Bristled with surges, never will be wonne,180(No, not when th'hearts of all those powers are burst)To make retreat into his setled home,Till he be crown'd with his owne quiet fome.

Mons.His great heart will not down, tis like the sea,175

That partly by his owne internall heat,

Partly the starrs daily and nightly motion,

Their heat and light, and partly of the place

The divers frames, but chiefly by the moone,

Bristled with surges, never will be wonne,180

(No, not when th'hearts of all those powers are burst)

To make retreat into his setled home,

Till he be crown'd with his owne quiet fome.

Henr.You have the mate. Another?

Henr.You have the mate. Another?

Gui.No more.Flourish short.

Gui.No more.Flourish short.

Exit Guise; after him the King, Mons[ieur] whispering.

Bar.Why here's the lion skar'd with the185throat of a dunghill cock, a fellow that hasnewly shak'd off his shackles; now does hecrow for that victory.L'An.Tis one of the best jiggs that everwas acted.190Pyr.Whom does the Guise suppose him tobe, troe?L'An.Out of doubt, some new denizondLord, and thinks that suit newly drawne out ath' mercers books.195Bar.I have heard of a fellow, that by a fixtimagination looking upon a bulbaiting, had avisible paire of hornes grew out of his forhead:and I beleeve this gallant overjoyed with theconceit of Monsieurs cast suit, imagines himselfe200to be the Monsieur.L'An.And why not? as well as the assestalking in the lions case, bare himselfe like alion, braying all the huger beasts out of theforrest?205Pyr.Peace! he looks this way.Bar.Marrie, let him look, sir; what will yousay now if the Guise be gone to fetch a blanquetfor him?L'An.Faith, I beleeve it, for his honour sake.210Pyr.But, if D'Ambois carrie it cleane?Exeunt Ladies.

Bar.Why here's the lion skar'd with the185throat of a dunghill cock, a fellow that hasnewly shak'd off his shackles; now does hecrow for that victory.

Bar.Why here's the lion skar'd with the185

throat of a dunghill cock, a fellow that has

newly shak'd off his shackles; now does he

crow for that victory.

L'An.Tis one of the best jiggs that everwas acted.190

L'An.Tis one of the best jiggs that ever

was acted.190

Pyr.Whom does the Guise suppose him tobe, troe?

Pyr.Whom does the Guise suppose him to

be, troe?

L'An.Out of doubt, some new denizondLord, and thinks that suit newly drawne out ath' mercers books.195

L'An.Out of doubt, some new denizond

Lord, and thinks that suit newly drawne out a

th' mercers books.195

Bar.I have heard of a fellow, that by a fixtimagination looking upon a bulbaiting, had avisible paire of hornes grew out of his forhead:and I beleeve this gallant overjoyed with theconceit of Monsieurs cast suit, imagines himselfe200to be the Monsieur.

Bar.I have heard of a fellow, that by a fixt

imagination looking upon a bulbaiting, had a

visible paire of hornes grew out of his forhead:

and I beleeve this gallant overjoyed with the

conceit of Monsieurs cast suit, imagines himselfe200

to be the Monsieur.

L'An.And why not? as well as the assestalking in the lions case, bare himselfe like alion, braying all the huger beasts out of theforrest?205

L'An.And why not? as well as the asse

stalking in the lions case, bare himselfe like a

lion, braying all the huger beasts out of the

forrest?205

Pyr.Peace! he looks this way.

Pyr.Peace! he looks this way.

Bar.Marrie, let him look, sir; what will yousay now if the Guise be gone to fetch a blanquetfor him?

Bar.Marrie, let him look, sir; what will you

say now if the Guise be gone to fetch a blanquet

for him?

L'An.Faith, I beleeve it, for his honour sake.210

L'An.Faith, I beleeve it, for his honour sake.210

Pyr.But, if D'Ambois carrie it cleane?Exeunt Ladies.

Pyr.But, if D'Ambois carrie it cleane?Exeunt Ladies.

Bar.True, when he curvets in the blanquet.Pyr.I, marrie, sir.L'An.Sfoot, see how he stares on's.Bar.Lord blesse us, let's away.215Buss.Now, sir, take your full view: whodoes the object please ye?Bar.If you aske my opinion, sir, I thinkyour suit sits as well as if't had beene made foryou.220Buss.So, sir, and was that the subject of yourridiculous joylity?L'An.What's that to you, sir?Buss.Sir, I have observ'd all your fleerings;and resolve your selves yee shall give a strickt225account for't.

Bar.True, when he curvets in the blanquet.

Bar.True, when he curvets in the blanquet.

Pyr.I, marrie, sir.

Pyr.I, marrie, sir.

L'An.Sfoot, see how he stares on's.

L'An.Sfoot, see how he stares on's.

Bar.Lord blesse us, let's away.215

Bar.Lord blesse us, let's away.215

Buss.Now, sir, take your full view: whodoes the object please ye?

Buss.Now, sir, take your full view: who

does the object please ye?

Bar.If you aske my opinion, sir, I thinkyour suit sits as well as if't had beene made foryou.220

Bar.If you aske my opinion, sir, I think

your suit sits as well as if't had beene made for

you.220

Buss.So, sir, and was that the subject of yourridiculous joylity?

Buss.So, sir, and was that the subject of your

ridiculous joylity?

L'An.What's that to you, sir?

L'An.What's that to you, sir?

Buss.Sir, I have observ'd all your fleerings;and resolve your selves yee shall give a strickt225account for't.

Buss.Sir, I have observ'd all your fleerings;

and resolve your selves yee shall give a strickt225

account for't.

Enter Brisac, Melynell.

Bar.O miraculous jealousie! Doe you thinkyour selfe such a singular subject for laughterthat none can fall into the matter of our merrimentbut you?230L'An.This jealousie of yours, sir, confessessome close defect in your selfe that wee neverdream'd of.Pyr.Wee held discourse of a perfum'd asse,that being disguis'd in a lions case imagin'd235himself a lion: I hope that toucht not you.Buss.So, sir? Your descants doe marvellouswell fit this ground; we shall meet where yourbuffonly laughters will cost ye the best blood inyour bodies.240Bar.For lifes sake, let's be gone; hee'll kill'soutright else.Buss.Goe, at your pleasures; Ile be yourghost to haunt you; and yee sleepe an't, hangme.245L'An.Goe, goe, sir; court your mistresse.Pyr.And be advis'd; we shall have oddsagainst you.Buss.Tush, valour stands not in number: Ilemaintaine it that one man may beat three boyes.250Brisac.Nay, you shall have no ods of him innumber, sir; hee's a gentleman as good as theproudest of you, and yee shall not wrong him.Bar.Not, sir?Melynell.Not, sir; though he be not so rich,255hee's a better man than the best of you; and Iwill not endure it.L'An.Not you, sir?Bris.No, sir, nor I.Buss.I should thank you for this kindnesse,260if I thought these perfum'd musk-cats (beingout of this priviledge) durst but once mew at us.Bar.Does your confident spirit doubt that,sir? Follow us and try.L'An.Come, sir, wee'll lead you a dance.265

Bar.O miraculous jealousie! Doe you thinkyour selfe such a singular subject for laughterthat none can fall into the matter of our merrimentbut you?230

Bar.O miraculous jealousie! Doe you think

your selfe such a singular subject for laughter

that none can fall into the matter of our merriment

but you?230

L'An.This jealousie of yours, sir, confessessome close defect in your selfe that wee neverdream'd of.

L'An.This jealousie of yours, sir, confesses

some close defect in your selfe that wee never

dream'd of.

Pyr.Wee held discourse of a perfum'd asse,that being disguis'd in a lions case imagin'd235himself a lion: I hope that toucht not you.

Pyr.Wee held discourse of a perfum'd asse,

that being disguis'd in a lions case imagin'd235

himself a lion: I hope that toucht not you.

Buss.So, sir? Your descants doe marvellouswell fit this ground; we shall meet where yourbuffonly laughters will cost ye the best blood inyour bodies.240

Buss.So, sir? Your descants doe marvellous

well fit this ground; we shall meet where your

buffonly laughters will cost ye the best blood in

your bodies.240

Bar.For lifes sake, let's be gone; hee'll kill'soutright else.

Bar.For lifes sake, let's be gone; hee'll kill's

outright else.

Buss.Goe, at your pleasures; Ile be yourghost to haunt you; and yee sleepe an't, hangme.245

Buss.Goe, at your pleasures; Ile be your

ghost to haunt you; and yee sleepe an't, hang

me.245

L'An.Goe, goe, sir; court your mistresse.

L'An.Goe, goe, sir; court your mistresse.

Pyr.And be advis'd; we shall have oddsagainst you.

Pyr.And be advis'd; we shall have odds

against you.

Buss.Tush, valour stands not in number: Ilemaintaine it that one man may beat three boyes.250

Buss.Tush, valour stands not in number: Ile

maintaine it that one man may beat three boyes.250

Brisac.Nay, you shall have no ods of him innumber, sir; hee's a gentleman as good as theproudest of you, and yee shall not wrong him.

Brisac.Nay, you shall have no ods of him in

number, sir; hee's a gentleman as good as the

proudest of you, and yee shall not wrong him.

Bar.Not, sir?

Bar.Not, sir?

Melynell.Not, sir; though he be not so rich,255hee's a better man than the best of you; and Iwill not endure it.

Melynell.Not, sir; though he be not so rich,255

hee's a better man than the best of you; and I

will not endure it.

L'An.Not you, sir?

L'An.Not you, sir?

Bris.No, sir, nor I.

Bris.No, sir, nor I.

Buss.I should thank you for this kindnesse,260if I thought these perfum'd musk-cats (beingout of this priviledge) durst but once mew at us.

Buss.I should thank you for this kindnesse,260

if I thought these perfum'd musk-cats (being

out of this priviledge) durst but once mew at us.

Bar.Does your confident spirit doubt that,sir? Follow us and try.

Bar.Does your confident spirit doubt that,

sir? Follow us and try.

L'An.Come, sir, wee'll lead you a dance.265

L'An.Come, sir, wee'll lead you a dance.265

Exeunt.

Finis Actus Primi.

2that. A, this.

2that. A, this.

4the. A omits.

4the. A omits.

10Court-fashion. A, Court forme.

10Court-fashion. A, Court forme.

11demi-gods. A, semi-gods.

11demi-gods. A, semi-gods.

14-15No question . . . immortality. A omits.

14-15No question . . . immortality. A omits.

18vaunt. A, boast.

18vaunt. A, boast.

20clowneries. A, rudenesse.

20clowneries. A, rudenesse.

32confusion. A, deformitie.

32confusion. A, deformitie.

47sole heire. A, first borne.

47sole heire. A, first borne.

53more. A omits.

53more. A omits.

54To jet . . . haughtely. A, To be the pictures of our vanitie.

54To jet . . . haughtely. A, To be the pictures of our vanitie.

56Holding . . . vaunts. A omits.

56Holding . . . vaunts. A omits.

58a. A, this.to court. A, t'attend you.

58a. A, this.to court. A, t'attend you.

60-61That's . . . attire. Printed as prose in Qq.

60-61That's . . . attire. Printed as prose in Qq.

62, 63We. A, I.

62, 63We. A, I.

67So in A: B has only: They that will winne, must wooe her.

67So in A: B has only: They that will winne, must wooe her.

71sweet heart. A, my love.

71sweet heart. A, my love.

68-75.I urg'd . . . graces. Printed as prose in Qq.

68-75.I urg'd . . . graces. Printed as prose in Qq.

76'Save you, ladyes! A omits.

76'Save you, ladyes! A omits.

87-90Marke . . . extremity. A omits.

87-90Marke . . . extremity. A omits.

Enter . . . Pyrhot.After l. 146 in A.

Enter . . . Pyrhot.After l. 146 in A.

100-114Soft . . . gamester. A omits.

100-114Soft . . . gamester. A omits.

124Duke. A, Sir.

124Duke. A, Sir.

125princely mistresse. A, madam.

125princely mistresse. A, madam.

126Another riddle. A omits.

126Another riddle. A omits.

129young. A, good.

129young. A, good.

132-139, and an additional line: "Gui.So, sir, so," inserted after l. 146 in A.

132-139, and an additional line: "Gui.So, sir, so," inserted after l. 146 in A.

141-145Set as verse in B, the lines ending inmany,of,owne,talk.

141-145Set as verse in B, the lines ending inmany,of,owne,talk.

145-146Another riddle. A, More courtship, as you love it.

145-146Another riddle. A, More courtship, as you love it.

178Their heat. A, Ardor.

178Their heat. A, Ardor.

204braying. A, roaring.

204braying. A, roaring.

227miraculous jealousie. A, strange credulitie.

227miraculous jealousie. A, strange credulitie.

229the matter of. A omits.

229the matter of. A omits.

227-231O . . . you. Printed as three lines of verse, ending inselfe,into,you.

227-231O . . . you. Printed as three lines of verse, ending inselfe,into,you.

235in. A, with.

235in. A, with.

241else. A omits.

241else. A omits.

[A Room in the Court.]

Henry, Guise, Montsurry, and Attendants.

Henry.This desperate quarrell sprung out of their enviesTo D'Ambois sudden bravery, and great spirit.Guise.Neither is worth their envie.Henr.Lesse than eitherWill make the gall of envie overflow;She feeds on outcast entrailes like a kite:5In which foule heape, if any ill lies hid,She sticks her beak into it, shakes it up,And hurl's it all abroad, that all may view it.Corruption is her nutriment; but touch herWith any precious oyntment, and you kill her.10Where she finds any filth in men, she feasts,And with her black throat bruits it through the worldBeing sound and healthfull; but if she but tasteThe slenderest pittance of commended vertue,She surfets of it, and is like a flie15That passes all the bodies soundest parts,And dwels upon the sores; or if her squint eieHave power to find none there, she forges some:She makes that crooked ever which is strait;Calls valour giddinesse, justice tyrannie:20A wise man may shun her, she not her selfe;Whither soever she flies from her harmes,She beares her foe still claspt in her own armes:And therefore, cousen Guise, let us avoid her.

Henry.This desperate quarrell sprung out of their enviesTo D'Ambois sudden bravery, and great spirit.

Henry.This desperate quarrell sprung out of their envies

To D'Ambois sudden bravery, and great spirit.

Guise.Neither is worth their envie.

Guise.Neither is worth their envie.

Henr.Lesse than eitherWill make the gall of envie overflow;She feeds on outcast entrailes like a kite:5In which foule heape, if any ill lies hid,She sticks her beak into it, shakes it up,And hurl's it all abroad, that all may view it.Corruption is her nutriment; but touch herWith any precious oyntment, and you kill her.10Where she finds any filth in men, she feasts,And with her black throat bruits it through the worldBeing sound and healthfull; but if she but tasteThe slenderest pittance of commended vertue,She surfets of it, and is like a flie15That passes all the bodies soundest parts,And dwels upon the sores; or if her squint eieHave power to find none there, she forges some:She makes that crooked ever which is strait;Calls valour giddinesse, justice tyrannie:20A wise man may shun her, she not her selfe;Whither soever she flies from her harmes,She beares her foe still claspt in her own armes:And therefore, cousen Guise, let us avoid her.

Henr.Lesse than either

Will make the gall of envie overflow;

She feeds on outcast entrailes like a kite:5

In which foule heape, if any ill lies hid,

She sticks her beak into it, shakes it up,

And hurl's it all abroad, that all may view it.

Corruption is her nutriment; but touch her

With any precious oyntment, and you kill her.10

Where she finds any filth in men, she feasts,

And with her black throat bruits it through the world

Being sound and healthfull; but if she but taste

The slenderest pittance of commended vertue,

She surfets of it, and is like a flie15

That passes all the bodies soundest parts,

And dwels upon the sores; or if her squint eie

Have power to find none there, she forges some:

She makes that crooked ever which is strait;

Calls valour giddinesse, justice tyrannie:20

A wise man may shun her, she not her selfe;

Whither soever she flies from her harmes,

She beares her foe still claspt in her own armes:

And therefore, cousen Guise, let us avoid her.

Enter Nuncius.

Nuncius.What Atlas or Olympus lifts his head25So farre past covert, that with aire enoughMy words may be inform'd, and from their heightI may be seene and heard through all the world?A tale so worthy, and so fraught with wonder,Sticks in my jawes, and labours with event.30Henr.Com'st thou from D'Ambois?Nun.From him, and the rest,His friends and enemies; whose sterne fight I saw,And heard their words before, and in the fray.Henr.Relate at large what thou hast seene and heard.Nun.I saw fierce D'Ambois and his two brave friends35Enter the field, and at their heeles their foes;Which were the famous souldiers, Barrisor,L'Anou, and Pyrrhot, great in deeds of armes.All which arriv'd at the evenest peece of earthThe field afforded, the three challengers40Turn'd head, drew all their rapiers, and stood ranck't;When face to face the three defendants met them,Alike prepar'd, and resolute alike.Like bonfires of contributorie woodEvery mans look shew'd, fed with eithers spirit;45As one had beene a mirror to another,Like formes of life and death each took from other;And so were life and death mixt at their heights,That you could see no feare of death, for life,Nor love of life, for death: but in their browes50Pyrrho's opinion in great letters shone:That life and death in all respects are one.Henr.Past there no sort of words at their encounter?Nun.As Hector, twixt the hosts of Greece and Troy,(When Paris and the Spartane King should end55The nine yeares warre) held up his brasen launceFor signall that both hosts should cease from armes,And heare him speak; so Barrisor (advis'd)Advanc'd his naked rapier twixt both sides,Ript up the quarrell, and compar'd six lives60Then laid in ballance with six idle words;Offer'd remission and contrition too,Or else that he and D'Ambois might concludeThe others dangers. D'Ambois lik'd the last;But Barrisors friends (being equally engag'd65In the maine quarrell) never would exposeHis life alone to that they all deserv'd.And for the other offer of remissionD'Ambois (that like a lawrell put in fireSparkl'd and spit) did much much more than scorne70That his wrong should incense him so like chaffe,To goe so soone out, and like lighted paperApprove his spirit at once both fire and ashes.So drew they lots, and in them Fates appointed,That Barrisor should fight with firie D'Ambois;75Pyrhot with Melynell, with Brisac L'Anou;And then, like flame and powder, they commixtSo spritely, that I wisht they had beene spirits,That the ne're shutting wounds they needs must openMight, as they open'd, shut, and never kill.80But D'Ambois sword (that lightned as it flew)Shot like a pointed comet at the faceOf manly Barrisor, and there it stucke:Thrice pluckt he at it, and thrice drew on thrustsFrom him that of himselfe was free as fire,85Who thrust still as he pluckt; yet (past beliefe!)He with his subtile eye, hand, body, scap't.At last, the deadly bitten point tugg'd off,On fell his yet undaunted foe so fiercely,That (only made more horrid with his wound)90Great D'Ambois shrunke, and gave a little ground;But soone return'd, redoubled in his danger,And at the heart of Barrisor seal'd his anger.Then, as in Arden I have seene an okeLong shooke with tempests, and his loftie toppe95Bent to his root, which being at length made loose(Even groaning with his weight), he gan to noddeThis way and that, as loth his curled browes(Which he had oft wrapt in the skie with stormes)Should stoope: and yet, his radicall fivers burst,100Storme-like he fell, and hid the feare-cold earth—So fell stout Barrisor, that had stood the shocksOf ten set battels in your Highnesse warre,'Gainst the sole souldier of the world, Navarre.Gui.O pitious and horrid murther![Montsurry.]Such a life105Me thinks had mettall in it to surviveAn age of men.Henr.Such often soonest end.—Thy felt report cals on; we long to knowOn what events the other have arriv'd.Nun.Sorrow and fury, like two opposite fumes110Met in the upper region of a cloud,At the report made by this worthies fall,Brake from the earth, and with them rose Revenge,Entring with fresh powers his two noble friends;And under that ods fell surcharg'd Brisac,115The friend of D'Ambois, before fierce L'Anou;Which D'Ambois seeing, as I once did see,In my young travels through Armenia,An angrie unicorne in his full cariereCharge with too swift a foot a jeweller,120That watcht him for the treasure of his brow,And, ere he could get shelter of a tree,Naile him with his rich antler to the earth:So D'Ambois ranne upon reveng'd L'Anou,Who eying th'eager point borne in his face,125And giving backe, fell back; and, in his fall,His foes uncurbed sword stopt in his heart:By which time all the life strings of th'tw'otherWere cut, and both fell, as their spirit flew,Upwards, and still hunt Honour at the view.130And now (of all the six) sole D'Ambois stoodUntoucht, save only with the others bloud.Henr.All slaine outright?Nun.All slaine outright but he,Who kneeling in the warme life of his friends,(All freckled with the bloud his rapier raind)135He kist their pale lips, and bade both farewell:And see the bravest man the French earth beares![Exit Nuntius.]

Nuncius.What Atlas or Olympus lifts his head25So farre past covert, that with aire enoughMy words may be inform'd, and from their heightI may be seene and heard through all the world?A tale so worthy, and so fraught with wonder,Sticks in my jawes, and labours with event.30

Nuncius.What Atlas or Olympus lifts his head25

So farre past covert, that with aire enough

My words may be inform'd, and from their height

I may be seene and heard through all the world?

A tale so worthy, and so fraught with wonder,

Sticks in my jawes, and labours with event.30

Henr.Com'st thou from D'Ambois?

Henr.Com'st thou from D'Ambois?

Nun.From him, and the rest,His friends and enemies; whose sterne fight I saw,And heard their words before, and in the fray.

Nun.From him, and the rest,

His friends and enemies; whose sterne fight I saw,

And heard their words before, and in the fray.

Henr.Relate at large what thou hast seene and heard.

Henr.Relate at large what thou hast seene and heard.

Nun.I saw fierce D'Ambois and his two brave friends35Enter the field, and at their heeles their foes;Which were the famous souldiers, Barrisor,L'Anou, and Pyrrhot, great in deeds of armes.All which arriv'd at the evenest peece of earthThe field afforded, the three challengers40Turn'd head, drew all their rapiers, and stood ranck't;When face to face the three defendants met them,Alike prepar'd, and resolute alike.Like bonfires of contributorie woodEvery mans look shew'd, fed with eithers spirit;45As one had beene a mirror to another,Like formes of life and death each took from other;And so were life and death mixt at their heights,That you could see no feare of death, for life,Nor love of life, for death: but in their browes50Pyrrho's opinion in great letters shone:That life and death in all respects are one.

Nun.I saw fierce D'Ambois and his two brave friends35

Enter the field, and at their heeles their foes;

Which were the famous souldiers, Barrisor,

L'Anou, and Pyrrhot, great in deeds of armes.

All which arriv'd at the evenest peece of earth

The field afforded, the three challengers40

Turn'd head, drew all their rapiers, and stood ranck't;

When face to face the three defendants met them,

Alike prepar'd, and resolute alike.

Like bonfires of contributorie wood

Every mans look shew'd, fed with eithers spirit;45

As one had beene a mirror to another,

Like formes of life and death each took from other;

And so were life and death mixt at their heights,

That you could see no feare of death, for life,

Nor love of life, for death: but in their browes50

Pyrrho's opinion in great letters shone:

That life and death in all respects are one.

Henr.Past there no sort of words at their encounter?

Henr.Past there no sort of words at their encounter?

Nun.As Hector, twixt the hosts of Greece and Troy,(When Paris and the Spartane King should end55The nine yeares warre) held up his brasen launceFor signall that both hosts should cease from armes,And heare him speak; so Barrisor (advis'd)Advanc'd his naked rapier twixt both sides,Ript up the quarrell, and compar'd six lives60Then laid in ballance with six idle words;Offer'd remission and contrition too,Or else that he and D'Ambois might concludeThe others dangers. D'Ambois lik'd the last;But Barrisors friends (being equally engag'd65In the maine quarrell) never would exposeHis life alone to that they all deserv'd.And for the other offer of remissionD'Ambois (that like a lawrell put in fireSparkl'd and spit) did much much more than scorne70That his wrong should incense him so like chaffe,To goe so soone out, and like lighted paperApprove his spirit at once both fire and ashes.So drew they lots, and in them Fates appointed,That Barrisor should fight with firie D'Ambois;75Pyrhot with Melynell, with Brisac L'Anou;And then, like flame and powder, they commixtSo spritely, that I wisht they had beene spirits,That the ne're shutting wounds they needs must openMight, as they open'd, shut, and never kill.80But D'Ambois sword (that lightned as it flew)Shot like a pointed comet at the faceOf manly Barrisor, and there it stucke:Thrice pluckt he at it, and thrice drew on thrustsFrom him that of himselfe was free as fire,85Who thrust still as he pluckt; yet (past beliefe!)He with his subtile eye, hand, body, scap't.At last, the deadly bitten point tugg'd off,On fell his yet undaunted foe so fiercely,That (only made more horrid with his wound)90Great D'Ambois shrunke, and gave a little ground;But soone return'd, redoubled in his danger,And at the heart of Barrisor seal'd his anger.Then, as in Arden I have seene an okeLong shooke with tempests, and his loftie toppe95Bent to his root, which being at length made loose(Even groaning with his weight), he gan to noddeThis way and that, as loth his curled browes(Which he had oft wrapt in the skie with stormes)Should stoope: and yet, his radicall fivers burst,100Storme-like he fell, and hid the feare-cold earth—So fell stout Barrisor, that had stood the shocksOf ten set battels in your Highnesse warre,'Gainst the sole souldier of the world, Navarre.

Nun.As Hector, twixt the hosts of Greece and Troy,

(When Paris and the Spartane King should end55

The nine yeares warre) held up his brasen launce

For signall that both hosts should cease from armes,

And heare him speak; so Barrisor (advis'd)

Advanc'd his naked rapier twixt both sides,

Ript up the quarrell, and compar'd six lives60

Then laid in ballance with six idle words;

Offer'd remission and contrition too,

Or else that he and D'Ambois might conclude

The others dangers. D'Ambois lik'd the last;

But Barrisors friends (being equally engag'd65

In the maine quarrell) never would expose

His life alone to that they all deserv'd.

And for the other offer of remission

D'Ambois (that like a lawrell put in fire

Sparkl'd and spit) did much much more than scorne70

That his wrong should incense him so like chaffe,

To goe so soone out, and like lighted paper

Approve his spirit at once both fire and ashes.

So drew they lots, and in them Fates appointed,

That Barrisor should fight with firie D'Ambois;75

Pyrhot with Melynell, with Brisac L'Anou;

And then, like flame and powder, they commixt

So spritely, that I wisht they had beene spirits,

That the ne're shutting wounds they needs must open

Might, as they open'd, shut, and never kill.80

But D'Ambois sword (that lightned as it flew)

Shot like a pointed comet at the face

Of manly Barrisor, and there it stucke:

Thrice pluckt he at it, and thrice drew on thrusts

From him that of himselfe was free as fire,85

Who thrust still as he pluckt; yet (past beliefe!)

He with his subtile eye, hand, body, scap't.

At last, the deadly bitten point tugg'd off,

On fell his yet undaunted foe so fiercely,

That (only made more horrid with his wound)90

Great D'Ambois shrunke, and gave a little ground;

But soone return'd, redoubled in his danger,

And at the heart of Barrisor seal'd his anger.

Then, as in Arden I have seene an oke

Long shooke with tempests, and his loftie toppe95

Bent to his root, which being at length made loose

(Even groaning with his weight), he gan to nodde

This way and that, as loth his curled browes

(Which he had oft wrapt in the skie with stormes)

Should stoope: and yet, his radicall fivers burst,100

Storme-like he fell, and hid the feare-cold earth—

So fell stout Barrisor, that had stood the shocks

Of ten set battels in your Highnesse warre,

'Gainst the sole souldier of the world, Navarre.

Gui.O pitious and horrid murther!

Gui.O pitious and horrid murther!

[Montsurry.]Such a life105Me thinks had mettall in it to surviveAn age of men.

[Montsurry.]Such a life105

Me thinks had mettall in it to survive

An age of men.

Henr.Such often soonest end.—Thy felt report cals on; we long to knowOn what events the other have arriv'd.

Henr.Such often soonest end.—

Thy felt report cals on; we long to know

On what events the other have arriv'd.

Nun.Sorrow and fury, like two opposite fumes110Met in the upper region of a cloud,At the report made by this worthies fall,Brake from the earth, and with them rose Revenge,Entring with fresh powers his two noble friends;And under that ods fell surcharg'd Brisac,115The friend of D'Ambois, before fierce L'Anou;Which D'Ambois seeing, as I once did see,In my young travels through Armenia,An angrie unicorne in his full cariereCharge with too swift a foot a jeweller,120That watcht him for the treasure of his brow,And, ere he could get shelter of a tree,Naile him with his rich antler to the earth:So D'Ambois ranne upon reveng'd L'Anou,Who eying th'eager point borne in his face,125And giving backe, fell back; and, in his fall,His foes uncurbed sword stopt in his heart:By which time all the life strings of th'tw'otherWere cut, and both fell, as their spirit flew,Upwards, and still hunt Honour at the view.130And now (of all the six) sole D'Ambois stoodUntoucht, save only with the others bloud.

Nun.Sorrow and fury, like two opposite fumes110

Met in the upper region of a cloud,

At the report made by this worthies fall,

Brake from the earth, and with them rose Revenge,

Entring with fresh powers his two noble friends;

And under that ods fell surcharg'd Brisac,115

The friend of D'Ambois, before fierce L'Anou;

Which D'Ambois seeing, as I once did see,

In my young travels through Armenia,

An angrie unicorne in his full cariere

Charge with too swift a foot a jeweller,120

That watcht him for the treasure of his brow,

And, ere he could get shelter of a tree,

Naile him with his rich antler to the earth:

So D'Ambois ranne upon reveng'd L'Anou,

Who eying th'eager point borne in his face,125

And giving backe, fell back; and, in his fall,

His foes uncurbed sword stopt in his heart:

By which time all the life strings of th'tw'other

Were cut, and both fell, as their spirit flew,

Upwards, and still hunt Honour at the view.130

And now (of all the six) sole D'Ambois stood

Untoucht, save only with the others bloud.

Henr.All slaine outright?

Henr.All slaine outright?

Nun.All slaine outright but he,Who kneeling in the warme life of his friends,(All freckled with the bloud his rapier raind)135He kist their pale lips, and bade both farewell:And see the bravest man the French earth beares![Exit Nuntius.]

Nun.All slaine outright but he,

Who kneeling in the warme life of his friends,

(All freckled with the bloud his rapier raind)135

He kist their pale lips, and bade both farewell:

And see the bravest man the French earth beares![Exit Nuntius.]

Enter Monsieur, D'Amb[ois] bare.

Bussy.Now is the time; y'are princely vow'd my friend;Perform it princely, and obtaine my pardon.Monsieur.Else Heaven forgive not me! Come on, brave friend!140If ever Nature held her selfe her owne,When the great triall of a King and subjectMet in one bloud, both from one belly springing,Now prove her vertue and her greatnesse one,Or make the t'one the greater with the t'other,145(As true Kings should) and for your brothers love(Which is a speciall species of true vertue)Doe that you could not doe, not being a King.Henr.Brother, I know your suit; these wilfull murthersAre ever past our pardon.Mons.Manly slaughter150Should never beare th'account of wilfull murther,It being a spice of justice, where with lifeOffending past law equall life is laidIn equall ballance, to scourge that offenceBy law of reputation, which to men155Exceeds all positive law; and what that leavesTo true mens valours (not prefixing rightsOf satisfaction suited to their wrongs)A free mans eminence may supply and take.Henr.This would make every man that thinks him wrong'd,160Or is offended, or in wrong or right,Lay on this violence; and all vaunt themselvesLaw-menders and supplyers, though meere butchers,Should this fact, though of justice, be forgiven.Mons.O no, my Lord! it would make cowards feare165To touch the reputations of true men.When only they are left to impe the law,Justice will soone distinguish murtherous mindsFrom just revengers. Had my friend beene slaine,His enemy surviving, he should die,170Since he had added to a murther'd fame(Which was in his intent) a murthered man;And this had worthily beene wilfull murther;But my friend only sav'd his fames deare life,Which is above life, taking th'under value175Which in the wrong it did was forfeit to him;And in this fact only preserves a manIn his uprightnesse, worthy to surviveMillions of such as murther men alive.Henr.Well, brother, rise, and raise your friend withall180From death to life: and, D'Ambois, let your life(Refin'd by passing through this merited death)Be purg'd from more such foule pollution;Nor on your scape, nor valour, more presumingTo be again so violent.Buss.My Lord,185I lothe as much a deed of unjust death,As law it selfe doth; and to tyrannise,Because I have a little spirit to dare,And power to doe, as to be tyranniz'd.This is a grace that (on my knees redoubled)190I crave, to double this my short lifes gift,And shall your royal bountie centuple,That I may so make good what Law and NatureHave given me for my good: since I am free,(Offending no just law) let no law make,195By any wrong it does, my life her slave:When I am wrong'd, and that Law failes to right me,Let me be King my selfe (as man was made)And doe a justice that exceeds the Law:If my wrong passe the power of single valour200To right and expiate, then be you my King,And doe a right, exceeding Law and Nature.Who to himselfe is law, no law doth need,Offends no law, and is a King indeed.Henr.Enjoy what thou intreat'st, we give but ours.205Buss.What you have given, my lord, is ever yours.Exit Rex cum [Montsurry.]Gui.Mort dieu, who would have pardon'd such a murther?Exit.Mons.Now vanish horrors into Court attractionsFor which let this balme make thee fresh and faire!And now forth with thy service to the Duchesse,210As my long love will to Monsurries Countesse.Exit.Buss.To whom my love hath long been vow'd in heart,Although in hand, for shew, I held the Duchesse.And now through bloud and vengeance, deeds of height,And hard to be atchiev'd, tis fit I make215Attempt of her perfection. I need feareNo check in his rivality, since her vertuesAre so renown'd, and hee of all dames hated.Exit.

Bussy.Now is the time; y'are princely vow'd my friend;Perform it princely, and obtaine my pardon.

Bussy.Now is the time; y'are princely vow'd my friend;

Perform it princely, and obtaine my pardon.

Monsieur.Else Heaven forgive not me! Come on, brave friend!140If ever Nature held her selfe her owne,When the great triall of a King and subjectMet in one bloud, both from one belly springing,Now prove her vertue and her greatnesse one,Or make the t'one the greater with the t'other,145(As true Kings should) and for your brothers love(Which is a speciall species of true vertue)Doe that you could not doe, not being a King.

Monsieur.Else Heaven forgive not me! Come on, brave friend!140

If ever Nature held her selfe her owne,

When the great triall of a King and subject

Met in one bloud, both from one belly springing,

Now prove her vertue and her greatnesse one,

Or make the t'one the greater with the t'other,145

(As true Kings should) and for your brothers love

(Which is a speciall species of true vertue)

Doe that you could not doe, not being a King.

Henr.Brother, I know your suit; these wilfull murthersAre ever past our pardon.

Henr.Brother, I know your suit; these wilfull murthers

Are ever past our pardon.

Mons.Manly slaughter150Should never beare th'account of wilfull murther,It being a spice of justice, where with lifeOffending past law equall life is laidIn equall ballance, to scourge that offenceBy law of reputation, which to men155Exceeds all positive law; and what that leavesTo true mens valours (not prefixing rightsOf satisfaction suited to their wrongs)A free mans eminence may supply and take.

Mons.Manly slaughter150

Should never beare th'account of wilfull murther,

It being a spice of justice, where with life

Offending past law equall life is laid

In equall ballance, to scourge that offence

By law of reputation, which to men155

Exceeds all positive law; and what that leaves

To true mens valours (not prefixing rights

Of satisfaction suited to their wrongs)

A free mans eminence may supply and take.

Henr.This would make every man that thinks him wrong'd,160Or is offended, or in wrong or right,Lay on this violence; and all vaunt themselvesLaw-menders and supplyers, though meere butchers,Should this fact, though of justice, be forgiven.

Henr.This would make every man that thinks him wrong'd,160

Or is offended, or in wrong or right,

Lay on this violence; and all vaunt themselves

Law-menders and supplyers, though meere butchers,

Should this fact, though of justice, be forgiven.

Mons.O no, my Lord! it would make cowards feare165To touch the reputations of true men.When only they are left to impe the law,Justice will soone distinguish murtherous mindsFrom just revengers. Had my friend beene slaine,His enemy surviving, he should die,170Since he had added to a murther'd fame(Which was in his intent) a murthered man;And this had worthily beene wilfull murther;But my friend only sav'd his fames deare life,Which is above life, taking th'under value175Which in the wrong it did was forfeit to him;And in this fact only preserves a manIn his uprightnesse, worthy to surviveMillions of such as murther men alive.

Mons.O no, my Lord! it would make cowards feare165

To touch the reputations of true men.

When only they are left to impe the law,

Justice will soone distinguish murtherous minds

From just revengers. Had my friend beene slaine,

His enemy surviving, he should die,170

Since he had added to a murther'd fame

(Which was in his intent) a murthered man;

And this had worthily beene wilfull murther;

But my friend only sav'd his fames deare life,

Which is above life, taking th'under value175

Which in the wrong it did was forfeit to him;

And in this fact only preserves a man

In his uprightnesse, worthy to survive

Millions of such as murther men alive.

Henr.Well, brother, rise, and raise your friend withall180From death to life: and, D'Ambois, let your life(Refin'd by passing through this merited death)Be purg'd from more such foule pollution;Nor on your scape, nor valour, more presumingTo be again so violent.

Henr.Well, brother, rise, and raise your friend withall180

From death to life: and, D'Ambois, let your life

(Refin'd by passing through this merited death)

Be purg'd from more such foule pollution;

Nor on your scape, nor valour, more presuming

To be again so violent.

Buss.My Lord,185I lothe as much a deed of unjust death,As law it selfe doth; and to tyrannise,Because I have a little spirit to dare,And power to doe, as to be tyranniz'd.This is a grace that (on my knees redoubled)190I crave, to double this my short lifes gift,And shall your royal bountie centuple,That I may so make good what Law and NatureHave given me for my good: since I am free,(Offending no just law) let no law make,195By any wrong it does, my life her slave:When I am wrong'd, and that Law failes to right me,Let me be King my selfe (as man was made)And doe a justice that exceeds the Law:If my wrong passe the power of single valour200To right and expiate, then be you my King,And doe a right, exceeding Law and Nature.Who to himselfe is law, no law doth need,Offends no law, and is a King indeed.

Buss.My Lord,185

I lothe as much a deed of unjust death,

As law it selfe doth; and to tyrannise,

Because I have a little spirit to dare,

And power to doe, as to be tyranniz'd.

This is a grace that (on my knees redoubled)190

I crave, to double this my short lifes gift,

And shall your royal bountie centuple,

That I may so make good what Law and Nature

Have given me for my good: since I am free,

(Offending no just law) let no law make,195

By any wrong it does, my life her slave:

When I am wrong'd, and that Law failes to right me,

Let me be King my selfe (as man was made)

And doe a justice that exceeds the Law:

If my wrong passe the power of single valour200

To right and expiate, then be you my King,

And doe a right, exceeding Law and Nature.

Who to himselfe is law, no law doth need,

Offends no law, and is a King indeed.

Henr.Enjoy what thou intreat'st, we give but ours.205

Henr.Enjoy what thou intreat'st, we give but ours.205

Buss.What you have given, my lord, is ever yours.Exit Rex cum [Montsurry.]

Buss.What you have given, my lord, is ever yours.Exit Rex cum [Montsurry.]

Gui.Mort dieu, who would have pardon'd such a murther?Exit.

Gui.Mort dieu, who would have pardon'd such a murther?Exit.

Mons.Now vanish horrors into Court attractionsFor which let this balme make thee fresh and faire!And now forth with thy service to the Duchesse,210As my long love will to Monsurries Countesse.Exit.

Mons.Now vanish horrors into Court attractions

For which let this balme make thee fresh and faire!

And now forth with thy service to the Duchesse,210

As my long love will to Monsurries Countesse.Exit.

Buss.To whom my love hath long been vow'd in heart,Although in hand, for shew, I held the Duchesse.And now through bloud and vengeance, deeds of height,And hard to be atchiev'd, tis fit I make215Attempt of her perfection. I need feareNo check in his rivality, since her vertuesAre so renown'd, and hee of all dames hated.Exit.

Buss.To whom my love hath long been vow'd in heart,

Although in hand, for shew, I held the Duchesse.

And now through bloud and vengeance, deeds of height,

And hard to be atchiev'd, tis fit I make215

Attempt of her perfection. I need feare

No check in his rivality, since her vertues

Are so renown'd, and hee of all dames hated.Exit.

Montsurry, and Attendants.A, Beaumond, Nuncius.

Montsurry, and Attendants.A, Beaumond, Nuncius.

11Where. A, When.

11Where. A, When.

27their. A, his.

27their. A, his.

70Sparkl'd. So in A; B, Spakl'd.

70Sparkl'd. So in A; B, Spakl'd.

105[Montsurry.] Emend. ed.: Beau. Qq; see note 30, p. 149.

105[Montsurry.] Emend. ed.: Beau. Qq; see note 30, p. 149.

120a foot. A, an eie.

120a foot. A, an eie.

128th'. A, the.

128th'. A, the.

129spirit. A, spirits.

129spirit. A, spirits.

133All slaine outright? So in A; B, All slaine outright but hee?

133All slaine outright? So in A; B, All slaine outright but hee?

135freckled. A, feebled.

135freckled. A, feebled.

166true. A, full.

166true. A, full.

185violent. So in A; B, daring.

185violent. So in A; B, daring.

204law. A, King.

204law. A, King.

206cum [Montsurry.]Emend. ed.: Qq, cum Beau. See note 30, p. 149.

206cum [Montsurry.]Emend. ed.: Qq, cum Beau. See note 30, p. 149.

207Mort dieu. A; B omits.

207Mort dieu. A; B omits.

210-218And now . . . hated. A omits, inserting instead:Buss.How shall I quite your love?Mons.Be true to the end.I have obtained a kingdome with my friend.

210-218And now . . . hated. A omits, inserting instead:

Buss.How shall I quite your love?Mons.Be true to the end.I have obtained a kingdome with my friend.

Buss.How shall I quite your love?

Buss.How shall I quite your love?

Mons.Be true to the end.I have obtained a kingdome with my friend.

Mons.Be true to the end.

I have obtained a kingdome with my friend.

A Room in Montsurry's House.]

Montsur[ry], Tamyra, Beaupre, Pero, Charlotte, Pyrha.

Montsurry.He will have pardon, sure.Tamyra.Twere pittie else:For though his great spirit something overflow,All faults are still borne, that from greatnesse grow:But such a sudden courtier saw I never.Beaupre.He was too sudden, which indeed was rudenesse.5Tam.True, for it argued his no due conceitBoth of the place, and greatnesse of the persons,Nor of our sex: all which (we all being strangersTo his encounter) should have made more manersDeserve more welcome.Mont.All this fault is found10Because he lov'd the Duchesse and left you.Tam.Ahlas, love give her joy! I am so farreFrom envie of her honour, that I sweare,Had he encounterd me with such proud sleight,I would have put that project face of his15To a more test than did her Dutchesship.Beau.Why (by your leave, my lord) Ile speake it heere,(Although she be my ante) she scarce was modest,When she perceived the Duke, her husband, takeThose late exceptions to her servants courtship,20To entertaine him.Tam.I, and stand him still,Letting her husband give her servant place:Though he did manly, she should be a woman.

Montsurry.He will have pardon, sure.

Montsurry.He will have pardon, sure.

Tamyra.Twere pittie else:For though his great spirit something overflow,All faults are still borne, that from greatnesse grow:But such a sudden courtier saw I never.

Tamyra.Twere pittie else:

For though his great spirit something overflow,

All faults are still borne, that from greatnesse grow:

But such a sudden courtier saw I never.

Beaupre.He was too sudden, which indeed was rudenesse.5

Beaupre.He was too sudden, which indeed was rudenesse.5

Tam.True, for it argued his no due conceitBoth of the place, and greatnesse of the persons,Nor of our sex: all which (we all being strangersTo his encounter) should have made more manersDeserve more welcome.

Tam.True, for it argued his no due conceit

Both of the place, and greatnesse of the persons,

Nor of our sex: all which (we all being strangers

To his encounter) should have made more maners

Deserve more welcome.

Mont.All this fault is found10Because he lov'd the Duchesse and left you.

Mont.All this fault is found10

Because he lov'd the Duchesse and left you.

Tam.Ahlas, love give her joy! I am so farreFrom envie of her honour, that I sweare,Had he encounterd me with such proud sleight,I would have put that project face of his15To a more test than did her Dutchesship.

Tam.Ahlas, love give her joy! I am so farre

From envie of her honour, that I sweare,

Had he encounterd me with such proud sleight,

I would have put that project face of his15

To a more test than did her Dutchesship.

Beau.Why (by your leave, my lord) Ile speake it heere,(Although she be my ante) she scarce was modest,When she perceived the Duke, her husband, takeThose late exceptions to her servants courtship,20To entertaine him.

Beau.Why (by your leave, my lord) Ile speake it heere,

(Although she be my ante) she scarce was modest,

When she perceived the Duke, her husband, take

Those late exceptions to her servants courtship,20

To entertaine him.

Tam.I, and stand him still,Letting her husband give her servant place:Though he did manly, she should be a woman.

Tam.I, and stand him still,

Letting her husband give her servant place:

Though he did manly, she should be a woman.

Enter Guise.

[Guise.] D'Ambois is pardond! wher's a King? where law?See how it runnes, much like a turbulent sea;25Heere high and glorious, as it did contendTo wash the heavens, and make the stars more pure;And heere so low, it leaves the mud of hellTo every common view. Come, Count Montsurry,We must consult of this.Tam.Stay not, sweet lord.30Mont.Be pleased; Ile strait returne.Exit cum Guise.Tam.Would that would please me!Beau.Ile leave you, madam, to your passions;I see ther's change of weather in your lookes.Exit cum suis.Tam.I cannot cloake it; but, as when a fume,Hot, drie, and grosse, within the wombe of earth35Or in her superficies begot,When extreame cold hath stroke it to her heart,The more it is comprest, the more it rageth,Exceeds his prisons strength that should containe it,And then it tosseth temples in the aire,40All barres made engines to his insolent fury:So, of a sudden, my licentious fancyRiots within me: not my name and house,Nor my religion to this houre observ'd,Can stand above it; I must utter that45That will in parting breake more strings in me,Than death when life parts; and that holy manThat, from my cradle, counseld for my soule,I now must make an agent for my bloud.

[Guise.] D'Ambois is pardond! wher's a King? where law?See how it runnes, much like a turbulent sea;25Heere high and glorious, as it did contendTo wash the heavens, and make the stars more pure;And heere so low, it leaves the mud of hellTo every common view. Come, Count Montsurry,We must consult of this.

[Guise.] D'Ambois is pardond! wher's a King? where law?

See how it runnes, much like a turbulent sea;25

Heere high and glorious, as it did contend

To wash the heavens, and make the stars more pure;

And heere so low, it leaves the mud of hell

To every common view. Come, Count Montsurry,

We must consult of this.

Tam.Stay not, sweet lord.30

Tam.Stay not, sweet lord.30

Mont.Be pleased; Ile strait returne.Exit cum Guise.

Mont.Be pleased; Ile strait returne.Exit cum Guise.

Tam.Would that would please me!

Tam.Would that would please me!

Beau.Ile leave you, madam, to your passions;I see ther's change of weather in your lookes.Exit cum suis.

Beau.Ile leave you, madam, to your passions;

I see ther's change of weather in your lookes.Exit cum suis.

Tam.I cannot cloake it; but, as when a fume,Hot, drie, and grosse, within the wombe of earth35Or in her superficies begot,When extreame cold hath stroke it to her heart,The more it is comprest, the more it rageth,Exceeds his prisons strength that should containe it,And then it tosseth temples in the aire,40All barres made engines to his insolent fury:So, of a sudden, my licentious fancyRiots within me: not my name and house,Nor my religion to this houre observ'd,Can stand above it; I must utter that45That will in parting breake more strings in me,Than death when life parts; and that holy manThat, from my cradle, counseld for my soule,I now must make an agent for my bloud.

Tam.I cannot cloake it; but, as when a fume,

Hot, drie, and grosse, within the wombe of earth35

Or in her superficies begot,

When extreame cold hath stroke it to her heart,

The more it is comprest, the more it rageth,

Exceeds his prisons strength that should containe it,

And then it tosseth temples in the aire,40

All barres made engines to his insolent fury:

So, of a sudden, my licentious fancy

Riots within me: not my name and house,

Nor my religion to this houre observ'd,

Can stand above it; I must utter that45

That will in parting breake more strings in me,

Than death when life parts; and that holy man

That, from my cradle, counseld for my soule,

I now must make an agent for my bloud.

Enter Monsieur.


Back to IndexNext