Actus Tertii Scena Prima.

Monsieur.Yet is my mistresse gratious?Tam.Yet unanswered?50Mons.Pray thee regard thine owne good, if not mine,And cheere my love for that: you doe not knowWhat you may be by me, nor what without me;I may have power t'advance and pull downe any.Tam.That's not my study. One way I am sure55You shall not pull downe me; my husbands heightIs crowne to all my hopes, and his retiringTo any meane state, shall be my aspiring.Mine honour's in mine owne hands, spite of kings.Mons.Honour, what's that? your second maydenhead:60And what is that? a word: the word is gone,The thing remaines; the rose is pluckt, the stalkAbides: an easie losse where no lack's found.Beleeve it, there's as small lack in the losseAs there is paine ith' losing. Archers ever65Have two strings to a bow, and shall great Cupid(Archer of archers both in men and women)Be worse provided than a common archer?A husband and a friend all wise wives have.Tam.Wise wives they are that on such strings depend,70With a firme husband joyning a lose friend.Mons.Still you stand on your husband; so doe allThe common sex of you, when y'are encounter'dWith one ye cannot fancie: all men knowYou live in Court here by your owne election,75Frequenting all our common sports and triumphs,All the most youthfull company of men.And wherefore doe you this? To please your husband?Tis grosse and fulsome: if your husbands pleasureBe all your object, and you ayme at honour80In living close to him, get you from Court,You may have him at home; these common put-ofsFor common women serve: "my honour! husband!"Dames maritorious ne're were meritorious:Speak plaine, and say "I doe not like you, sir,85Y'are an ill-favour'd fellow in my eye,"And I am answer'd.Tam.Then I pray be answer'd:For in good faith, my lord, I doe not like youIn that sort you like.Mons.Then have at you here!Take (with a politique hand) this rope of pearle;90And though you be not amorous, yet be wise:Take me for wisedom; he that you can loveIs nere the further from you.Tam.Now it comesSo ill prepar'd, that I may take a poysonUnder a medicine as good cheap as it:95I will not have it were it worth the world.Mons.Horror of death! could I but please your eye,You would give me the like, ere you would loose me."Honour and husband!"Tam.By this light, my lord,Y'are a vile fellow; and Ile tell the King100Your occupation of dishonouring ladies,And of his Court. A lady cannot liveAs she was borne, and with that sort of pleasureThat fits her state, but she must be defam'dWith an infamous lords detraction:105Who would endure the Court if these attempts,Of open and profest lust must be borne?—Whose there? come on, dame, you are at your bookWhen men are at your mistresse; have I taught youAny such waiting womans quality?110Mons.Farewell, good "husband"!Exit Mons[ieur].Tam.Farewell, wicked lord!

Monsieur.Yet is my mistresse gratious?

Tam.Yet unanswered?50

Mons.Pray thee regard thine owne good, if not mine,And cheere my love for that: you doe not knowWhat you may be by me, nor what without me;I may have power t'advance and pull downe any.

Mons.Pray thee regard thine owne good, if not mine,

And cheere my love for that: you doe not know

What you may be by me, nor what without me;

I may have power t'advance and pull downe any.

Tam.That's not my study. One way I am sure55You shall not pull downe me; my husbands heightIs crowne to all my hopes, and his retiringTo any meane state, shall be my aspiring.Mine honour's in mine owne hands, spite of kings.

Tam.That's not my study. One way I am sure55

You shall not pull downe me; my husbands height

Is crowne to all my hopes, and his retiring

To any meane state, shall be my aspiring.

Mine honour's in mine owne hands, spite of kings.

Mons.Honour, what's that? your second maydenhead:60And what is that? a word: the word is gone,The thing remaines; the rose is pluckt, the stalkAbides: an easie losse where no lack's found.Beleeve it, there's as small lack in the losseAs there is paine ith' losing. Archers ever65Have two strings to a bow, and shall great Cupid(Archer of archers both in men and women)Be worse provided than a common archer?A husband and a friend all wise wives have.

Mons.Honour, what's that? your second maydenhead:60

And what is that? a word: the word is gone,

The thing remaines; the rose is pluckt, the stalk

Abides: an easie losse where no lack's found.

Beleeve it, there's as small lack in the losse

As there is paine ith' losing. Archers ever65

Have two strings to a bow, and shall great Cupid

(Archer of archers both in men and women)

Be worse provided than a common archer?

A husband and a friend all wise wives have.

Tam.Wise wives they are that on such strings depend,70With a firme husband joyning a lose friend.

Tam.Wise wives they are that on such strings depend,70

With a firme husband joyning a lose friend.

Mons.Still you stand on your husband; so doe allThe common sex of you, when y'are encounter'dWith one ye cannot fancie: all men knowYou live in Court here by your owne election,75Frequenting all our common sports and triumphs,All the most youthfull company of men.And wherefore doe you this? To please your husband?Tis grosse and fulsome: if your husbands pleasureBe all your object, and you ayme at honour80In living close to him, get you from Court,You may have him at home; these common put-ofsFor common women serve: "my honour! husband!"Dames maritorious ne're were meritorious:Speak plaine, and say "I doe not like you, sir,85Y'are an ill-favour'd fellow in my eye,"And I am answer'd.

Mons.Still you stand on your husband; so doe all

The common sex of you, when y'are encounter'd

With one ye cannot fancie: all men know

You live in Court here by your owne election,75

Frequenting all our common sports and triumphs,

All the most youthfull company of men.

And wherefore doe you this? To please your husband?

Tis grosse and fulsome: if your husbands pleasure

Be all your object, and you ayme at honour80

In living close to him, get you from Court,

You may have him at home; these common put-ofs

For common women serve: "my honour! husband!"

Dames maritorious ne're were meritorious:

Speak plaine, and say "I doe not like you, sir,85

Y'are an ill-favour'd fellow in my eye,"

And I am answer'd.

Tam.Then I pray be answer'd:For in good faith, my lord, I doe not like youIn that sort you like.

Tam.Then I pray be answer'd:

For in good faith, my lord, I doe not like you

In that sort you like.

Mons.Then have at you here!Take (with a politique hand) this rope of pearle;90And though you be not amorous, yet be wise:Take me for wisedom; he that you can loveIs nere the further from you.

Mons.Then have at you here!

Take (with a politique hand) this rope of pearle;90

And though you be not amorous, yet be wise:

Take me for wisedom; he that you can love

Is nere the further from you.

Tam.Now it comesSo ill prepar'd, that I may take a poysonUnder a medicine as good cheap as it:95I will not have it were it worth the world.

Tam.Now it comes

So ill prepar'd, that I may take a poyson

Under a medicine as good cheap as it:95

I will not have it were it worth the world.

Mons.Horror of death! could I but please your eye,You would give me the like, ere you would loose me."Honour and husband!"

Mons.Horror of death! could I but please your eye,

You would give me the like, ere you would loose me.

"Honour and husband!"

Tam.By this light, my lord,Y'are a vile fellow; and Ile tell the King100Your occupation of dishonouring ladies,And of his Court. A lady cannot liveAs she was borne, and with that sort of pleasureThat fits her state, but she must be defam'dWith an infamous lords detraction:105Who would endure the Court if these attempts,Of open and profest lust must be borne?—Whose there? come on, dame, you are at your bookWhen men are at your mistresse; have I taught youAny such waiting womans quality?110

Tam.By this light, my lord,

Y'are a vile fellow; and Ile tell the King100

Your occupation of dishonouring ladies,

And of his Court. A lady cannot live

As she was borne, and with that sort of pleasure

That fits her state, but she must be defam'd

With an infamous lords detraction:105

Who would endure the Court if these attempts,

Of open and profest lust must be borne?—

Whose there? come on, dame, you are at your book

When men are at your mistresse; have I taught you

Any such waiting womans quality?110

Mons.Farewell, good "husband"!Exit Mons[ieur].

Tam.Farewell, wicked lord!

Enter Mont[surry].

Mont.Was not the Monsieur here?Tam.Yes, to good purpose;And your cause is as good to seek him too,And haunt his company.Mont.Why, what's the matter?Tam.Matter of death, were I some husbands wife:115I cannot live at quiet in my chamberFor oportunities almost to rapesOfferd me by him.Mont.Pray thee beare with him:Thou know'st he is a bachelor, and a courtier,I, and a Prince: and their prerogatives120Are to their lawes, as to their pardons areTheir reservations, after Parliaments—One quits another; forme gives all their essence.That Prince doth high in vertues reckoning standThat will entreat a vice, and not command:125So farre beare with him; should another manTrust to his priviledge, he should trust to death:Take comfort then (my comfort), nay, triumph,And crown thy selfe; thou part'st with victory:My presence is so onely deare to thee130That other mens appeare worse than they be:For this night yet, beare with my forced absence:Thou know'st my businesse; and with how much weightMy vow hath charged it.Tam.True, my lord, and neverMy fruitlesse love shall let your serious honour;135Yet, sweet lord, do no stay; you know my souleIs so long time with out me, and I dead,As you are absent.Mont.By this kisse, receiveMy soule for hostage, till I see my love.Tam.The morne shall let me see you?Mont.With the sunne140Ile visit thy more comfortable beauties.Tam.This is my comfort, that the sunne hath leftThe whole worlds beauty ere my sunne leaves me.Mont.Tis late night now, indeed: farewell, my light!Exit.Tam.Farewell, my light and life! but not in him,145In mine owne dark love and light bent to another.Alas! that in the wane of our affectionsWe should supply it with a full dissembling,In which each youngest maid is grown a mother.Frailty is fruitfull, one sinne gets another:150Our loves like sparkles are that brightest shineWhen they goe out; most vice shewes most divine.Goe, maid, to bed; lend me your book, I pray,Not, like your selfe, for forme. Ile this night troubleNone of your services: make sure the dores,155And call your other fellowes to their rest.Per.I will—yet I will watch to know why you watch.Exit.Tam.Now all yee peacefull regents of the night,Silently-gliding exhalations,Languishing windes, and murmuring falls of waters,160Sadnesse of heart, and ominous securenesse,Enchantments, dead sleepes, all the friends of rest,That ever wrought upon the life of man,Extend your utmost strengths, and this charm'd houreFix like the Center! make the violent wheeles165Of Time and Fortune stand, and great Existens,(The Makers treasurie) now not seeme to beTo all but my approaching friends and me!They come, alas, they come! Feare, feare and hopeOf one thing, at one instant, fight in me:170I love what most I loath, and cannot live,Unlesse I compasse that which holds my death;For life's meere death, loving one that loathes me,And he I love will loath me, when he seesI flie my sex, my vertue, my renowne,175To runne so madly on a man unknowne.The Vault opens.See, see, a vault is opening that was neverKnowne to my lord and husband, nor to anyBut him that brings the man I love, and me.How shall I looke on him? how shall I live,180And not consume in blushes? I will in;And cast my selfe off, as I ne're had beene.Exit.

Mont.Was not the Monsieur here?

Tam.Yes, to good purpose;And your cause is as good to seek him too,And haunt his company.

Tam.Yes, to good purpose;

And your cause is as good to seek him too,

And haunt his company.

Mont.Why, what's the matter?

Tam.Matter of death, were I some husbands wife:115I cannot live at quiet in my chamberFor oportunities almost to rapesOfferd me by him.

Tam.Matter of death, were I some husbands wife:115

I cannot live at quiet in my chamber

For oportunities almost to rapes

Offerd me by him.

Mont.Pray thee beare with him:Thou know'st he is a bachelor, and a courtier,I, and a Prince: and their prerogatives120Are to their lawes, as to their pardons areTheir reservations, after Parliaments—One quits another; forme gives all their essence.That Prince doth high in vertues reckoning standThat will entreat a vice, and not command:125So farre beare with him; should another manTrust to his priviledge, he should trust to death:Take comfort then (my comfort), nay, triumph,And crown thy selfe; thou part'st with victory:My presence is so onely deare to thee130That other mens appeare worse than they be:For this night yet, beare with my forced absence:Thou know'st my businesse; and with how much weightMy vow hath charged it.

Mont.Pray thee beare with him:

Thou know'st he is a bachelor, and a courtier,

I, and a Prince: and their prerogatives120

Are to their lawes, as to their pardons are

Their reservations, after Parliaments—

One quits another; forme gives all their essence.

That Prince doth high in vertues reckoning stand

That will entreat a vice, and not command:125

So farre beare with him; should another man

Trust to his priviledge, he should trust to death:

Take comfort then (my comfort), nay, triumph,

And crown thy selfe; thou part'st with victory:

My presence is so onely deare to thee130

That other mens appeare worse than they be:

For this night yet, beare with my forced absence:

Thou know'st my businesse; and with how much weight

My vow hath charged it.

Tam.True, my lord, and neverMy fruitlesse love shall let your serious honour;135Yet, sweet lord, do no stay; you know my souleIs so long time with out me, and I dead,As you are absent.

Tam.True, my lord, and never

My fruitlesse love shall let your serious honour;135

Yet, sweet lord, do no stay; you know my soule

Is so long time with out me, and I dead,

As you are absent.

Mont.By this kisse, receiveMy soule for hostage, till I see my love.

Mont.By this kisse, receive

My soule for hostage, till I see my love.

Tam.The morne shall let me see you?

Mont.With the sunne140Ile visit thy more comfortable beauties.

Mont.With the sunne140

Ile visit thy more comfortable beauties.

Tam.This is my comfort, that the sunne hath leftThe whole worlds beauty ere my sunne leaves me.

Tam.This is my comfort, that the sunne hath left

The whole worlds beauty ere my sunne leaves me.

Mont.Tis late night now, indeed: farewell, my light!Exit.

Tam.Farewell, my light and life! but not in him,145In mine owne dark love and light bent to another.Alas! that in the wane of our affectionsWe should supply it with a full dissembling,In which each youngest maid is grown a mother.Frailty is fruitfull, one sinne gets another:150Our loves like sparkles are that brightest shineWhen they goe out; most vice shewes most divine.Goe, maid, to bed; lend me your book, I pray,Not, like your selfe, for forme. Ile this night troubleNone of your services: make sure the dores,155And call your other fellowes to their rest.

Tam.Farewell, my light and life! but not in him,145

In mine owne dark love and light bent to another.

Alas! that in the wane of our affections

We should supply it with a full dissembling,

In which each youngest maid is grown a mother.

Frailty is fruitfull, one sinne gets another:150

Our loves like sparkles are that brightest shine

When they goe out; most vice shewes most divine.

Goe, maid, to bed; lend me your book, I pray,

Not, like your selfe, for forme. Ile this night trouble

None of your services: make sure the dores,155

And call your other fellowes to their rest.

Per.I will—yet I will watch to know why you watch.Exit.

Tam.Now all yee peacefull regents of the night,Silently-gliding exhalations,Languishing windes, and murmuring falls of waters,160Sadnesse of heart, and ominous securenesse,Enchantments, dead sleepes, all the friends of rest,That ever wrought upon the life of man,Extend your utmost strengths, and this charm'd houreFix like the Center! make the violent wheeles165Of Time and Fortune stand, and great Existens,(The Makers treasurie) now not seeme to beTo all but my approaching friends and me!They come, alas, they come! Feare, feare and hopeOf one thing, at one instant, fight in me:170I love what most I loath, and cannot live,Unlesse I compasse that which holds my death;For life's meere death, loving one that loathes me,And he I love will loath me, when he seesI flie my sex, my vertue, my renowne,175To runne so madly on a man unknowne.The Vault opens.See, see, a vault is opening that was neverKnowne to my lord and husband, nor to anyBut him that brings the man I love, and me.How shall I looke on him? how shall I live,180And not consume in blushes? I will in;And cast my selfe off, as I ne're had beene.Exit.

Tam.Now all yee peacefull regents of the night,

Silently-gliding exhalations,

Languishing windes, and murmuring falls of waters,160

Sadnesse of heart, and ominous securenesse,

Enchantments, dead sleepes, all the friends of rest,

That ever wrought upon the life of man,

Extend your utmost strengths, and this charm'd houre

Fix like the Center! make the violent wheeles165

Of Time and Fortune stand, and great Existens,

(The Makers treasurie) now not seeme to be

To all but my approaching friends and me!

They come, alas, they come! Feare, feare and hope

Of one thing, at one instant, fight in me:170

I love what most I loath, and cannot live,

Unlesse I compasse that which holds my death;

For life's meere death, loving one that loathes me,

And he I love will loath me, when he sees

I flie my sex, my vertue, my renowne,175

To runne so madly on a man unknowne.The Vault opens.

See, see, a vault is opening that was never

Knowne to my lord and husband, nor to any

But him that brings the man I love, and me.

How shall I looke on him? how shall I live,180

And not consume in blushes? I will in;

And cast my selfe off, as I ne're had beene.Exit.

Ascendit Frier and D'Ambois.

Friar.Come, worthiest sonne, I am past measure gladThat you (whose worth I have approv'd so long)Should be the object of her fearefull love;185Since both your wit and spirit can adaptTheir full force to supply her utmost weaknesse.You know her worths and vertues, for reportOf all that know is to a man a knowledge:You know besides that our affections storme,190Rais'd in our blood, no reason can reforme.Though she seeke then their satisfaction(Which she must needs, or rest unsatisfied)Your judgement will esteeme her peace thus wroughtNothing lesse deare than if your selfe had sought:195And (with another colour, which my artShall teach you to lay on) your selfe must seemeThe only agent, and the first orbe moveIn this our set and cunning world of love.Bussy.Give me the colour (my most honour'd father)200And trust my cunning then to lay it on.Fri.Tis this, good sonne:—Lord Barrisor (whom you slew)Did love her dearely, and with all fit meanesHath urg'd his acceptation, of all whichShee keepes one letter written in his blood:205You must say thus, then: that you heard from meeHow much her selfe was toucht in conscienceWith a report (which is in truth disperst)That your maine quarrell grew about her love,Lord Barrisor imagining your courtship210Of the great Guises Duchesse in the PresenceWas by you made to his elected mistresse:And so made me your meane now to resolve her,Chosing by my direction this nights depth,For the more cleare avoiding of all note215Of your presumed presence. And with this(To cleare her hands of such a lovers blood)She will so kindly thank and entertaine you(Me thinks I see how), I, and ten to one,Shew you the confirmation in his blood,220Lest you should think report and she did faine,That you shall so have circumstantiall meanesTo come to the direct, which must be used:For the direct is crooked; love comes flying;The height of love is still wonne with denying.225Buss.Thanks, honoured father.Fri.Shee must never knowThat you know any thing of any loveSustain'd on her part: for, learne this of me,In any thing a woman does alone,If she dissemble, she thinks tis not done;230If not dissemble, nor a little chide,Give her her wish, she is not satisfi'd;To have a man think that she never seekesDoes her more good than to have all she likes:This frailty sticks in them beyond their sex,235Which to reforme, reason is too perplex:Urge reason to them, it will doe no good;Humour (that is the charriot of our foodIn every body) must in them be fed,To carrie their affections by it bred.240Stand close!

Friar.Come, worthiest sonne, I am past measure glad

That you (whose worth I have approv'd so long)

Should be the object of her fearefull love;185

Since both your wit and spirit can adapt

Their full force to supply her utmost weaknesse.

You know her worths and vertues, for report

Of all that know is to a man a knowledge:

You know besides that our affections storme,190

Rais'd in our blood, no reason can reforme.

Though she seeke then their satisfaction

(Which she must needs, or rest unsatisfied)

Your judgement will esteeme her peace thus wrought

Nothing lesse deare than if your selfe had sought:195

And (with another colour, which my art

Shall teach you to lay on) your selfe must seeme

The only agent, and the first orbe move

In this our set and cunning world of love.

Bussy.Give me the colour (my most honour'd father)200And trust my cunning then to lay it on.

Bussy.Give me the colour (my most honour'd father)200

And trust my cunning then to lay it on.

Fri.Tis this, good sonne:—Lord Barrisor (whom you slew)Did love her dearely, and with all fit meanesHath urg'd his acceptation, of all whichShee keepes one letter written in his blood:205You must say thus, then: that you heard from meeHow much her selfe was toucht in conscienceWith a report (which is in truth disperst)That your maine quarrell grew about her love,Lord Barrisor imagining your courtship210Of the great Guises Duchesse in the PresenceWas by you made to his elected mistresse:And so made me your meane now to resolve her,Chosing by my direction this nights depth,For the more cleare avoiding of all note215Of your presumed presence. And with this(To cleare her hands of such a lovers blood)She will so kindly thank and entertaine you(Me thinks I see how), I, and ten to one,Shew you the confirmation in his blood,220Lest you should think report and she did faine,That you shall so have circumstantiall meanesTo come to the direct, which must be used:For the direct is crooked; love comes flying;The height of love is still wonne with denying.225

Fri.Tis this, good sonne:—Lord Barrisor (whom you slew)

Did love her dearely, and with all fit meanes

Hath urg'd his acceptation, of all which

Shee keepes one letter written in his blood:205

You must say thus, then: that you heard from mee

How much her selfe was toucht in conscience

With a report (which is in truth disperst)

That your maine quarrell grew about her love,

Lord Barrisor imagining your courtship210

Of the great Guises Duchesse in the Presence

Was by you made to his elected mistresse:

And so made me your meane now to resolve her,

Chosing by my direction this nights depth,

For the more cleare avoiding of all note215

Of your presumed presence. And with this

(To cleare her hands of such a lovers blood)

She will so kindly thank and entertaine you

(Me thinks I see how), I, and ten to one,

Shew you the confirmation in his blood,220

Lest you should think report and she did faine,

That you shall so have circumstantiall meanes

To come to the direct, which must be used:

For the direct is crooked; love comes flying;

The height of love is still wonne with denying.225

Buss.Thanks, honoured father.

Fri.Shee must never knowThat you know any thing of any loveSustain'd on her part: for, learne this of me,In any thing a woman does alone,If she dissemble, she thinks tis not done;230If not dissemble, nor a little chide,Give her her wish, she is not satisfi'd;To have a man think that she never seekesDoes her more good than to have all she likes:This frailty sticks in them beyond their sex,235Which to reforme, reason is too perplex:Urge reason to them, it will doe no good;Humour (that is the charriot of our foodIn every body) must in them be fed,To carrie their affections by it bred.240Stand close!

Fri.Shee must never know

That you know any thing of any love

Sustain'd on her part: for, learne this of me,

In any thing a woman does alone,

If she dissemble, she thinks tis not done;230

If not dissemble, nor a little chide,

Give her her wish, she is not satisfi'd;

To have a man think that she never seekes

Does her more good than to have all she likes:

This frailty sticks in them beyond their sex,235

Which to reforme, reason is too perplex:

Urge reason to them, it will doe no good;

Humour (that is the charriot of our food

In every body) must in them be fed,

To carrie their affections by it bred.240

Stand close!

Enter Tamyra with a book.

Tam.Alas, I fear my strangenesse will retire him.If he goe back, I die; I must prevent it,And cheare his onset with my sight at least,And that's the most; though every step he takes245Goes to my heart. Ile rather die than seemeNot to be strange to that I most esteeme.Fri.Madam!Tam.Ah!Fri.You will pardon me, I hope,That so beyond your expectation,(And at a time for visitants so unfit)250I (with my noble friend here) visit you:You know that my accesse at any timeHath ever beene admitted; and that friend,That my care will presume to bring with me,Shall have all circumstance of worth in him255To merit as free welcome as myselfe.Tam.O father, but at this suspicious houreYou know how apt best men are to suspect usIn any cause that makes suspicious shadowNo greater than the shadow of a haire;260And y'are to blame. What though my lord and husbandLie forth to night, and since I cannot sleepeWhen he is absent I sit up to night;Though all the dores are sure, and all our servantsAs sure bound with their sleepes; yet there is One265That wakes above, whose eye no sleepe can binde:He sees through dores, and darknesse, and our thoughts;And therefore as we should avoid with feareTo think amisse our selves before his search,So should we be as curious to shunne270All cause that other think not ill of us.Buss.Madam, 'tis farre from that: I only heardBy this my honour'd father that your conscienceMade some deepe scruple with a false reportThat Barrisors blood should something touch your honour,275Since he imagin'd I was courting youWhen I was bold to change words with the Duchesse,And therefore made his quarrell, his long loveAnd service, as I heare, beeing deepely vowedTo your perfections; which my ready presence,280Presum'd on with my father at this seasonFor the more care of your so curious honour,Can well resolve your conscience is most false.Tam.And is it therefore that you come, good sir?Then crave I now your pardon and my fathers,285And sweare your presence does me so much goodThat all I have it bindes to your requitall.Indeed sir, 'tis most true that a reportIs spread, alleadging that his love to meWas reason of your quarrell; and because290You shall not think I faine it for my gloryThat he importun'd me for his Court service,I'le shew you his own hand, set down in blood,To that vaine purpose: good sir, then come in.Father, I thank you now a thousand fold.295

Tam.Alas, I fear my strangenesse will retire him.

If he goe back, I die; I must prevent it,

And cheare his onset with my sight at least,

And that's the most; though every step he takes245

Goes to my heart. Ile rather die than seeme

Not to be strange to that I most esteeme.

Fri.Madam!

Tam.Ah!

Fri.You will pardon me, I hope,That so beyond your expectation,(And at a time for visitants so unfit)250I (with my noble friend here) visit you:You know that my accesse at any timeHath ever beene admitted; and that friend,That my care will presume to bring with me,Shall have all circumstance of worth in him255To merit as free welcome as myselfe.

Fri.You will pardon me, I hope,

That so beyond your expectation,

(And at a time for visitants so unfit)250

I (with my noble friend here) visit you:

You know that my accesse at any time

Hath ever beene admitted; and that friend,

That my care will presume to bring with me,

Shall have all circumstance of worth in him255

To merit as free welcome as myselfe.

Tam.O father, but at this suspicious houreYou know how apt best men are to suspect usIn any cause that makes suspicious shadowNo greater than the shadow of a haire;260And y'are to blame. What though my lord and husbandLie forth to night, and since I cannot sleepeWhen he is absent I sit up to night;Though all the dores are sure, and all our servantsAs sure bound with their sleepes; yet there is One265That wakes above, whose eye no sleepe can binde:He sees through dores, and darknesse, and our thoughts;And therefore as we should avoid with feareTo think amisse our selves before his search,So should we be as curious to shunne270All cause that other think not ill of us.

Tam.O father, but at this suspicious houre

You know how apt best men are to suspect us

In any cause that makes suspicious shadow

No greater than the shadow of a haire;260

And y'are to blame. What though my lord and husband

Lie forth to night, and since I cannot sleepe

When he is absent I sit up to night;

Though all the dores are sure, and all our servants

As sure bound with their sleepes; yet there is One265

That wakes above, whose eye no sleepe can binde:

He sees through dores, and darknesse, and our thoughts;

And therefore as we should avoid with feare

To think amisse our selves before his search,

So should we be as curious to shunne270

All cause that other think not ill of us.

Buss.Madam, 'tis farre from that: I only heardBy this my honour'd father that your conscienceMade some deepe scruple with a false reportThat Barrisors blood should something touch your honour,275Since he imagin'd I was courting youWhen I was bold to change words with the Duchesse,And therefore made his quarrell, his long loveAnd service, as I heare, beeing deepely vowedTo your perfections; which my ready presence,280Presum'd on with my father at this seasonFor the more care of your so curious honour,Can well resolve your conscience is most false.

Buss.Madam, 'tis farre from that: I only heard

By this my honour'd father that your conscience

Made some deepe scruple with a false report

That Barrisors blood should something touch your honour,275

Since he imagin'd I was courting you

When I was bold to change words with the Duchesse,

And therefore made his quarrell, his long love

And service, as I heare, beeing deepely vowed

To your perfections; which my ready presence,280

Presum'd on with my father at this season

For the more care of your so curious honour,

Can well resolve your conscience is most false.

Tam.And is it therefore that you come, good sir?Then crave I now your pardon and my fathers,285And sweare your presence does me so much goodThat all I have it bindes to your requitall.Indeed sir, 'tis most true that a reportIs spread, alleadging that his love to meWas reason of your quarrell; and because290You shall not think I faine it for my gloryThat he importun'd me for his Court service,I'le shew you his own hand, set down in blood,To that vaine purpose: good sir, then come in.Father, I thank you now a thousand fold.295

Tam.And is it therefore that you come, good sir?

Then crave I now your pardon and my fathers,285

And sweare your presence does me so much good

That all I have it bindes to your requitall.

Indeed sir, 'tis most true that a report

Is spread, alleadging that his love to me

Was reason of your quarrell; and because290

You shall not think I faine it for my glory

That he importun'd me for his Court service,

I'le shew you his own hand, set down in blood,

To that vaine purpose: good sir, then come in.

Father, I thank you now a thousand fold.295

Exit Tamyra and D'Amb[ois].

Fri.May it be worth it to you, honour'd daughter!Descendit Fryar.

Finis Actus Secundi.

1-49He will . . . bloud. These lines and the direction,Montsur . . . Pyrha, are found in A only.

50B, which begins the scene with this line, inserts before it:Enter Monsieur, Tamyra, and Pero with a booke.

71joyning a lose. A, weighing a dissolute.

76common. A, solemne.

135honour. A, profit.

146In . . . another. A omits.

147wane. Emend., Dilke; Qq, wave.

158yee. A, the.

172which. A, that.

173For life's . . . me. A, For love is hatefull without love againe.

The Vault opens.B places this after 173; A omits.

177-181See . . . in. Instead of these lines, A has:—See, see the gulfe is opening that will swallowMe and my fame forever; I will in.

177-181See . . . in. Instead of these lines, A has:—

See, see the gulfe is opening that will swallowMe and my fame forever; I will in.

with a book.A omits.

266wakes. A, sits.

274Made some deepe scruple. A, Was something troubled.

275honour. A, hand.

278-280his long love . . . perfections. A omits.

280ready. A omits.

286good. A, comfort.

[A Room in Montsurry's House.]

Enter D'Ambois, Tamyra, with a chaine of pearle.

Bussy.Sweet mistresse, cease! your conscience is too nice,And bites too hotly of the Puritane spice.Tamyra.O, my deare servant, in thy close embracesI have set open all the dores of dangerTo my encompast honour, and my life:5Before I was secure against death and hell;But now am subject to the heartlesse feareOf every shadow, and of every breath,And would change firmnesse with an aspen leafe:So confident a spotlesse conscience is,10So weake a guilty. O, the dangerous siegeSinne layes about us, and the tyrannieHe exercises when he hath expugn'd!Like to the horror of a winter's thunder,Mixt with a gushing storme, that suffer nothing15To stirre abroad on earth but their own rages,Is sinne, when it hath gathered head above us;No roofe, no shelter can secure us so,But he will drowne our cheeks in feare or woe.Buss.Sin is a coward, madam, and insults20But on our weaknesse, in his truest valour:And so our ignorance tames us, that we letHis shadowes fright us: and like empty cloudsIn which our faulty apprehensions forgeThe formes of dragons, lions, elephants,25When they hold no proportion, the slie charmesOf the witch policy makes him like a monsterKept onely to shew men for servile money:That false hagge often paints him in her clothTen times more monstrous than he is in troth.30In three of us the secret of our meetingIs onely guarded, and three friends as oneHave ever beene esteem'd, as our three powersThat in our one soule are as one united:Why should we feare then? for my selfe, I sweare,35Sooner shall torture be the sire to pleasure,And health be grievous to one long time sick,Than the deare jewell of your fame in meBe made an out-cast to your infamy;Nor shall my value (sacred to your vertues)40Onely give free course to it from my selfe,But make it flie out of the mouths of KingsIn golden vapours, and with awfull wings.Tam.It rests as all Kings seales were set in thee.Now let us call my father, whom I sweare45I could extreamly chide, but that I feareTo make him so suspicious of my love,Of which (sweet servant) doe not let him knowFor all the world.Buss.Alas! he will not think it.Tam.Come then—ho! Father, ope and take your friend.50

Bussy.Sweet mistresse, cease! your conscience is too nice,And bites too hotly of the Puritane spice.

Bussy.Sweet mistresse, cease! your conscience is too nice,

And bites too hotly of the Puritane spice.

Tamyra.O, my deare servant, in thy close embracesI have set open all the dores of dangerTo my encompast honour, and my life:5Before I was secure against death and hell;But now am subject to the heartlesse feareOf every shadow, and of every breath,And would change firmnesse with an aspen leafe:So confident a spotlesse conscience is,10So weake a guilty. O, the dangerous siegeSinne layes about us, and the tyrannieHe exercises when he hath expugn'd!Like to the horror of a winter's thunder,Mixt with a gushing storme, that suffer nothing15To stirre abroad on earth but their own rages,Is sinne, when it hath gathered head above us;No roofe, no shelter can secure us so,But he will drowne our cheeks in feare or woe.

Tamyra.O, my deare servant, in thy close embraces

I have set open all the dores of danger

To my encompast honour, and my life:5

Before I was secure against death and hell;

But now am subject to the heartlesse feare

Of every shadow, and of every breath,

And would change firmnesse with an aspen leafe:

So confident a spotlesse conscience is,10

So weake a guilty. O, the dangerous siege

Sinne layes about us, and the tyrannie

He exercises when he hath expugn'd!

Like to the horror of a winter's thunder,

Mixt with a gushing storme, that suffer nothing15

To stirre abroad on earth but their own rages,

Is sinne, when it hath gathered head above us;

No roofe, no shelter can secure us so,

But he will drowne our cheeks in feare or woe.

Buss.Sin is a coward, madam, and insults20But on our weaknesse, in his truest valour:And so our ignorance tames us, that we letHis shadowes fright us: and like empty cloudsIn which our faulty apprehensions forgeThe formes of dragons, lions, elephants,25When they hold no proportion, the slie charmesOf the witch policy makes him like a monsterKept onely to shew men for servile money:That false hagge often paints him in her clothTen times more monstrous than he is in troth.30In three of us the secret of our meetingIs onely guarded, and three friends as oneHave ever beene esteem'd, as our three powersThat in our one soule are as one united:Why should we feare then? for my selfe, I sweare,35Sooner shall torture be the sire to pleasure,And health be grievous to one long time sick,Than the deare jewell of your fame in meBe made an out-cast to your infamy;Nor shall my value (sacred to your vertues)40Onely give free course to it from my selfe,But make it flie out of the mouths of KingsIn golden vapours, and with awfull wings.

Buss.Sin is a coward, madam, and insults20

But on our weaknesse, in his truest valour:

And so our ignorance tames us, that we let

His shadowes fright us: and like empty clouds

In which our faulty apprehensions forge

The formes of dragons, lions, elephants,25

When they hold no proportion, the slie charmes

Of the witch policy makes him like a monster

Kept onely to shew men for servile money:

That false hagge often paints him in her cloth

Ten times more monstrous than he is in troth.30

In three of us the secret of our meeting

Is onely guarded, and three friends as one

Have ever beene esteem'd, as our three powers

That in our one soule are as one united:

Why should we feare then? for my selfe, I sweare,35

Sooner shall torture be the sire to pleasure,

And health be grievous to one long time sick,

Than the deare jewell of your fame in me

Be made an out-cast to your infamy;

Nor shall my value (sacred to your vertues)40

Onely give free course to it from my selfe,

But make it flie out of the mouths of Kings

In golden vapours, and with awfull wings.

Tam.It rests as all Kings seales were set in thee.Now let us call my father, whom I sweare45I could extreamly chide, but that I feareTo make him so suspicious of my love,Of which (sweet servant) doe not let him knowFor all the world.

Tam.It rests as all Kings seales were set in thee.

Now let us call my father, whom I sweare45

I could extreamly chide, but that I feare

To make him so suspicious of my love,

Of which (sweet servant) doe not let him know

For all the world.

Buss.Alas! he will not think it.

Tam.Come then—ho! Father, ope and take your friend.50

Ascendit Frier.

Fri.Now, honour'd daughter, is your doubt resolv'd?Tam.I, father, but you went away too soone.Fri.Too soone!Tam.Indeed you did; you should have stayed;Had not your worthy friend beene of your bringing,And that containes all lawes to temper me,55Not all the fearefull danger that besieged usHad aw'd my throat from exclamation.Fri.I know your serious disposition well.Come, sonne, the morne comes on.Buss.Now, honour'd mistresse,Till farther service call, all blisse supply you!60Tam.And you this chaine of pearle, and my love onely!Descendit Frier and D'Amb[ois].It is not I, but urgent destinyThat (as great states-men for their generall endIn politique justice make poore men offend)Enforceth my offence to make it just.65What shall weak dames doe, when th' whole work of NatureHath a strong finger in each one of us?Needs must that sweep away the silly cobwebOf our still-undone labours, that layes stillOur powers to it, as to the line, the stone,70Not to the stone, the line should be oppos'd.We cannot keepe our constant course in vertue:What is alike at all parts? every dayDiffers from other, every houre and minute;I, every thought in our false clock of life75Oft times inverts the whole circumference:We must be sometimes one, sometimes another.Our bodies are but thick clouds to our soules,Through which they cannot shine when they desire.When all the starres, and even the sunne himselfe,80Must stay the vapours times that he exhalesBefore he can make good his beames to us,O how can we, that are but motes to him,Wandring at random in his ordered rayes,Disperse our passions fumes, with our weak labours,85That are more thick and black than all earths vapours?

Fri.Now, honour'd daughter, is your doubt resolv'd?

Tam.I, father, but you went away too soone.

Fri.Too soone!

Tam.Indeed you did; you should have stayed;Had not your worthy friend beene of your bringing,And that containes all lawes to temper me,55Not all the fearefull danger that besieged usHad aw'd my throat from exclamation.

Tam.Indeed you did; you should have stayed;

Had not your worthy friend beene of your bringing,

And that containes all lawes to temper me,55

Not all the fearefull danger that besieged us

Had aw'd my throat from exclamation.

Fri.I know your serious disposition well.Come, sonne, the morne comes on.

Fri.I know your serious disposition well.

Come, sonne, the morne comes on.

Buss.Now, honour'd mistresse,Till farther service call, all blisse supply you!60

Buss.Now, honour'd mistresse,

Till farther service call, all blisse supply you!60

Tam.And you this chaine of pearle, and my love onely!Descendit Frier and D'Amb[ois].It is not I, but urgent destinyThat (as great states-men for their generall endIn politique justice make poore men offend)Enforceth my offence to make it just.65What shall weak dames doe, when th' whole work of NatureHath a strong finger in each one of us?Needs must that sweep away the silly cobwebOf our still-undone labours, that layes stillOur powers to it, as to the line, the stone,70Not to the stone, the line should be oppos'd.We cannot keepe our constant course in vertue:What is alike at all parts? every dayDiffers from other, every houre and minute;I, every thought in our false clock of life75Oft times inverts the whole circumference:We must be sometimes one, sometimes another.Our bodies are but thick clouds to our soules,Through which they cannot shine when they desire.When all the starres, and even the sunne himselfe,80Must stay the vapours times that he exhalesBefore he can make good his beames to us,O how can we, that are but motes to him,Wandring at random in his ordered rayes,Disperse our passions fumes, with our weak labours,85That are more thick and black than all earths vapours?

Tam.And you this chaine of pearle, and my love onely!Descendit Frier and D'Amb[ois].

It is not I, but urgent destiny

That (as great states-men for their generall end

In politique justice make poore men offend)

Enforceth my offence to make it just.65

What shall weak dames doe, when th' whole work of Nature

Hath a strong finger in each one of us?

Needs must that sweep away the silly cobweb

Of our still-undone labours, that layes still

Our powers to it, as to the line, the stone,70

Not to the stone, the line should be oppos'd.

We cannot keepe our constant course in vertue:

What is alike at all parts? every day

Differs from other, every houre and minute;

I, every thought in our false clock of life75

Oft times inverts the whole circumference:

We must be sometimes one, sometimes another.

Our bodies are but thick clouds to our soules,

Through which they cannot shine when they desire.

When all the starres, and even the sunne himselfe,80

Must stay the vapours times that he exhales

Before he can make good his beames to us,

O how can we, that are but motes to him,

Wandring at random in his ordered rayes,

Disperse our passions fumes, with our weak labours,85

That are more thick and black than all earths vapours?

Enter Mont[surry].

Mont.Good day, my love! what, up and ready too!Tam.Both (my deare lord): not all this night made IMy selfe unready, or could sleep a wink.Mont.Alas, what troubled my true love, my peace,90From being at peace within her better selfe?Or how could sleepe forbeare to seize thine eyes,When he might challenge them as his just prise?Tam.I am in no powre earthly, but in yours.To what end should I goe to bed, my lord,95That wholly mist the comfort of my bed?Or how should sleepe possesse my faculties,Wanting the proper closer of mine eyes?Mont.Then will I never more sleepe night from thee:All mine owne businesse, all the Kings affaires,100Shall take the day to serve them; every nightIle ever dedicate to thy delight.Tam.Nay, good my lord, esteeme not my desiresSuch doters on their humours that my judgementCannot subdue them to your worthier pleasure:105A wives pleas'd husband must her object beIn all her acts, not her sooth'd fantasie.Mont.Then come, my love, now pay those rites to sleepeThy faire eyes owe him: shall we now to bed?Tam.O no, my lord! your holy frier sayes110All couplings in the day that touch the bedAdulterous are, even in the married;Whose grave and worthy doctrine, well I know,Your faith in him will liberally allow.Mont.Hee's a most learned and religious man.115Come to the Presence then, and see great D'Ambois(Fortunes proud mushrome shot up in a night)Stand like an Atlas under our Kings arme;Which greatnesse with him Monsieur now enviesAs bitterly and deadly as the Guise.120Tam.What! he that was but yesterday his maker,His raiser, and preserver?Mont.Even the same.Each naturall agent works but to this end,To render that it works on like it selfe;Which since the Monsieur in his act on D'Ambois125Cannot to his ambitious end effect,But that (quite opposite) the King hath power(In his love borne to D'Ambois) to convertThe point of Monsieurs aime on his owne breast,He turnes his outward love to inward hate:130A princes love is like the lightnings fume,Which no man can embrace, but must consume.Exeunt.

Mont.Good day, my love! what, up and ready too!

Tam.Both (my deare lord): not all this night made IMy selfe unready, or could sleep a wink.

Tam.Both (my deare lord): not all this night made I

My selfe unready, or could sleep a wink.

Mont.Alas, what troubled my true love, my peace,90From being at peace within her better selfe?Or how could sleepe forbeare to seize thine eyes,When he might challenge them as his just prise?

Mont.Alas, what troubled my true love, my peace,90

From being at peace within her better selfe?

Or how could sleepe forbeare to seize thine eyes,

When he might challenge them as his just prise?

Tam.I am in no powre earthly, but in yours.To what end should I goe to bed, my lord,95That wholly mist the comfort of my bed?Or how should sleepe possesse my faculties,Wanting the proper closer of mine eyes?

Tam.I am in no powre earthly, but in yours.

To what end should I goe to bed, my lord,95

That wholly mist the comfort of my bed?

Or how should sleepe possesse my faculties,

Wanting the proper closer of mine eyes?

Mont.Then will I never more sleepe night from thee:All mine owne businesse, all the Kings affaires,100Shall take the day to serve them; every nightIle ever dedicate to thy delight.

Mont.Then will I never more sleepe night from thee:

All mine owne businesse, all the Kings affaires,100

Shall take the day to serve them; every night

Ile ever dedicate to thy delight.

Tam.Nay, good my lord, esteeme not my desiresSuch doters on their humours that my judgementCannot subdue them to your worthier pleasure:105A wives pleas'd husband must her object beIn all her acts, not her sooth'd fantasie.

Tam.Nay, good my lord, esteeme not my desires

Such doters on their humours that my judgement

Cannot subdue them to your worthier pleasure:105

A wives pleas'd husband must her object be

In all her acts, not her sooth'd fantasie.

Mont.Then come, my love, now pay those rites to sleepeThy faire eyes owe him: shall we now to bed?

Mont.Then come, my love, now pay those rites to sleepe

Thy faire eyes owe him: shall we now to bed?

Tam.O no, my lord! your holy frier sayes110All couplings in the day that touch the bedAdulterous are, even in the married;Whose grave and worthy doctrine, well I know,Your faith in him will liberally allow.

Tam.O no, my lord! your holy frier sayes110

All couplings in the day that touch the bed

Adulterous are, even in the married;

Whose grave and worthy doctrine, well I know,

Your faith in him will liberally allow.

Mont.Hee's a most learned and religious man.115Come to the Presence then, and see great D'Ambois(Fortunes proud mushrome shot up in a night)Stand like an Atlas under our Kings arme;Which greatnesse with him Monsieur now enviesAs bitterly and deadly as the Guise.120

Mont.Hee's a most learned and religious man.115

Come to the Presence then, and see great D'Ambois

(Fortunes proud mushrome shot up in a night)

Stand like an Atlas under our Kings arme;

Which greatnesse with him Monsieur now envies

As bitterly and deadly as the Guise.120

Tam.What! he that was but yesterday his maker,His raiser, and preserver?

Tam.What! he that was but yesterday his maker,

His raiser, and preserver?

Mont.Even the same.Each naturall agent works but to this end,To render that it works on like it selfe;Which since the Monsieur in his act on D'Ambois125Cannot to his ambitious end effect,But that (quite opposite) the King hath power(In his love borne to D'Ambois) to convertThe point of Monsieurs aime on his owne breast,He turnes his outward love to inward hate:130A princes love is like the lightnings fume,Which no man can embrace, but must consume.Exeunt.

Mont.Even the same.

Each naturall agent works but to this end,

To render that it works on like it selfe;

Which since the Monsieur in his act on D'Ambois125

Cannot to his ambitious end effect,

But that (quite opposite) the King hath power

(In his love borne to D'Ambois) to convert

The point of Monsieurs aime on his owne breast,

He turnes his outward love to inward hate:130

A princes love is like the lightnings fume,

Which no man can embrace, but must consume.Exeunt.

Enter D'Ambois . . . pearle.A, Bucy, Tamyra.

1-2Sweet . . . spice. A omits.

28servile. A, Goddesse.

34our one. So in A: B omitsour.

35selfe. A, truth.

37one. A, men.

45-61Now let . . . Descendit Frier and D'Amb[ois]. A omits.

92thine eies. A, thy beauties.

118under our Kings arme. A, underneath the King.

A room in the Court.]

Henry, D'Ambois, Monsieur, Guise, Dutches, Annabell, Charlot, Attendants.

Henry.Speak home, my Bussy! thy impartiall wordsAre like brave faulcons that dare trusse a fowleMuch greater than themselves; flatterers are kitesThat check at sparrowes; thou shalt be my eagle,And beare my thunder underneath thy wings:5Truths words like jewels hang in th'eares of kings.Bussy. Would I might live to see no Jewes hang thereIn steed of jewels—sycophants, I meane,Who use Truth like the Devill, his true foe,Cast by the angell to the pit of feares,10And bound in chaines; Truth seldome decks kings eares.Slave flattery (like a rippiers legs rowl'd upIn boots of hay-ropes) with kings soothed gutsSwadled and strappl'd, now lives onely free.O, tis a subtle knave; how like the plague15Unfelt he strikes into the braine of man,And rageth in his entrailes when he can,Worse than the poison of a red hair'd man.Henr.Fly at him and his brood! I cast thee off,And once more give thee surname of mine eagle.20Buss.Ile make you sport enough, then. Let me haveMy lucerns too, or dogs inur'd to huntBeasts of most rapine, but to put them up,And if I trusse not, let me not be trusted.Shew me a great man (by the peoples voice,25Which is the voice of God) that by his greatnesseBumbasts his private roofes with publique riches;That affects royaltie, rising from a clapdish;That rules so much more than his suffering King,That he makes kings of his subordinate slaves:30Himselfe and them graduate like woodmongersPiling a stack of billets from the earth,Raising each other into steeples heights;Let him convey this on the turning propsOf Protean law, and (his owne counsell keeping)35Keepe all upright—let me but hawlk at him,Ile play the vulture, and so thump his liverThat (like a huge unlading Argosea)He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.Shew me a clergie man that is in voice40A lark of heaven, in heart a mowle of earth;That hath good living, and a wicked life;A temperate look, and a luxurious gut;Turning the rents of his superfluous curesInto your phesants and your partriches;45Venting their quintessence as men read Hebrew—Let me but hawlk at him, and like the other,He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.Shew me a lawyer that turnes sacred law(The equall rendrer of each man his owne,50The scourge of rapine and extortion,The sanctuary and impregnable defenceOf retir'd learning and besieged vertue)Into a Harpy, that eates all but's owne,Into the damned sinnes it punisheth,55Into the synagogue of theeves and atheists;Blood into gold, and justice into lust:—Let me but hawlk at him, as at the rest,He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.

Henry.Speak home, my Bussy! thy impartiall words

Are like brave faulcons that dare trusse a fowle

Much greater than themselves; flatterers are kites

That check at sparrowes; thou shalt be my eagle,

And beare my thunder underneath thy wings:5

Truths words like jewels hang in th'eares of kings.

Bussy. Would I might live to see no Jewes hang thereIn steed of jewels—sycophants, I meane,Who use Truth like the Devill, his true foe,Cast by the angell to the pit of feares,10And bound in chaines; Truth seldome decks kings eares.Slave flattery (like a rippiers legs rowl'd upIn boots of hay-ropes) with kings soothed gutsSwadled and strappl'd, now lives onely free.O, tis a subtle knave; how like the plague15Unfelt he strikes into the braine of man,And rageth in his entrailes when he can,Worse than the poison of a red hair'd man.

Bussy. Would I might live to see no Jewes hang there

In steed of jewels—sycophants, I meane,

Who use Truth like the Devill, his true foe,

Cast by the angell to the pit of feares,10

And bound in chaines; Truth seldome decks kings eares.

Slave flattery (like a rippiers legs rowl'd up

In boots of hay-ropes) with kings soothed guts

Swadled and strappl'd, now lives onely free.

O, tis a subtle knave; how like the plague15

Unfelt he strikes into the braine of man,

And rageth in his entrailes when he can,

Worse than the poison of a red hair'd man.

Henr.Fly at him and his brood! I cast thee off,And once more give thee surname of mine eagle.20

Henr.Fly at him and his brood! I cast thee off,

And once more give thee surname of mine eagle.20

Buss.Ile make you sport enough, then. Let me haveMy lucerns too, or dogs inur'd to huntBeasts of most rapine, but to put them up,And if I trusse not, let me not be trusted.Shew me a great man (by the peoples voice,25Which is the voice of God) that by his greatnesseBumbasts his private roofes with publique riches;That affects royaltie, rising from a clapdish;That rules so much more than his suffering King,That he makes kings of his subordinate slaves:30Himselfe and them graduate like woodmongersPiling a stack of billets from the earth,Raising each other into steeples heights;Let him convey this on the turning propsOf Protean law, and (his owne counsell keeping)35Keepe all upright—let me but hawlk at him,Ile play the vulture, and so thump his liverThat (like a huge unlading Argosea)He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.Shew me a clergie man that is in voice40A lark of heaven, in heart a mowle of earth;That hath good living, and a wicked life;A temperate look, and a luxurious gut;Turning the rents of his superfluous curesInto your phesants and your partriches;45Venting their quintessence as men read Hebrew—Let me but hawlk at him, and like the other,He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.Shew me a lawyer that turnes sacred law(The equall rendrer of each man his owne,50The scourge of rapine and extortion,The sanctuary and impregnable defenceOf retir'd learning and besieged vertue)Into a Harpy, that eates all but's owne,Into the damned sinnes it punisheth,55Into the synagogue of theeves and atheists;Blood into gold, and justice into lust:—Let me but hawlk at him, as at the rest,He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.

Buss.Ile make you sport enough, then. Let me have

My lucerns too, or dogs inur'd to hunt

Beasts of most rapine, but to put them up,

And if I trusse not, let me not be trusted.

Shew me a great man (by the peoples voice,25

Which is the voice of God) that by his greatnesse

Bumbasts his private roofes with publique riches;

That affects royaltie, rising from a clapdish;

That rules so much more than his suffering King,

That he makes kings of his subordinate slaves:30

Himselfe and them graduate like woodmongers

Piling a stack of billets from the earth,

Raising each other into steeples heights;

Let him convey this on the turning props

Of Protean law, and (his owne counsell keeping)35

Keepe all upright—let me but hawlk at him,

Ile play the vulture, and so thump his liver

That (like a huge unlading Argosea)

He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.

Shew me a clergie man that is in voice40

A lark of heaven, in heart a mowle of earth;

That hath good living, and a wicked life;

A temperate look, and a luxurious gut;

Turning the rents of his superfluous cures

Into your phesants and your partriches;45

Venting their quintessence as men read Hebrew—

Let me but hawlk at him, and like the other,

He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.

Shew me a lawyer that turnes sacred law

(The equall rendrer of each man his owne,50

The scourge of rapine and extortion,

The sanctuary and impregnable defence

Of retir'd learning and besieged vertue)

Into a Harpy, that eates all but's owne,

Into the damned sinnes it punisheth,55

Into the synagogue of theeves and atheists;

Blood into gold, and justice into lust:—

Let me but hawlk at him, as at the rest,

He shall confesse all, and you then may hang him.

Enter Mont-surrey, Tamira and Pero.

Gui.Where will you find such game as you would hawlk at?60Buss.Ile hawlk about your house for one of them.Gui.Come, y'are a glorious ruffin and runne proudOf the Kings headlong graces; hold your breath,Or, by that poyson'd vapour, not the KingShall back your murtherous valour against me.65Buss.I would the King would make his presence freeBut for one bout betwixt us: by the reverenceDue to the sacred space twixt kings and subjects,Here would I make thee cast that popular purpleIn which thy proud soule sits and braves thy soveraigne.70Mons.Peace, peace, I pray thee, peace!Buss.Let him peace firstThat made the first warre.Mons.He's the better man.Buss.And, therefore, may doe worst?Mons.He has more titles.Buss.So Hydra had more heads.Mons.He's greater knowne.Buss.His greatnesse is the peoples, mine's mine owne.75Mons.He's noblier borne.Buss.He is not; I am noble,And noblesse in his blood hath no gradation,But in his merit.Gui.Th'art not nobly borne,But bastard to the Cardinall of Ambois.Buss.Thou liest, proud Guiserd; let me flie, my Lord!80Henr.Not in my face, my eagle! violence fliesThe sanctuaries of a princes eyes.Buss.Still shall we chide, and fome upon this bit?Is the Guise onely great in faction?Stands he not by himselfe? Proves he th'opinion85That mens soules are without them? Be a duke,And lead me to the field.Guis.Come, follow me.Henr.Stay them! stay, D'Ambois! Cosen Guise, I wonderYour honour'd disposition brooks so illA man so good that only would uphold90Man in his native noblesse, from whose fallAll our dissentions rise; that in himselfe(Without the outward patches of our frailty,Riches and honour) knowes he comprehendsWorth with the greatest. Kings had never borne95Such boundlesse empire over other men,Had all maintain'd the spirit and state of D'Ambois;Nor had the full impartiall hand of Nature,That all things gave in her originallWithout these definite terms of Mine and Thine,100Beene turn'd unjustly to the hand of Fortune,Had all preserv'd her in her prime like D'Ambois;No envie, no disjunction had dissolv'd,Or pluck'd one stick out of the golden faggotIn which the world of Saturne bound our lifes,105Had all beene held together with the nerves,The genius, and th'ingenious soule of D'Ambois.Let my hand therefore be the Hermean rodTo part and reconcile, and so conserve you,As my combin'd embracers and supporters.110Buss.Tis our Kings motion, and we shall not seemeTo worst eies womanish, though we change thus sooneNever so great grudge for his greater pleasure.Gui.I seale to that, and so the manly freedome,That you so much professe, hereafter prove not115A bold and glorious licence to deprave,To me his hand shall hold the Hermean vertueHis grace affects, in which submissive signeOn this his sacred right hand I lay mine.Buss.Tis well, my lord, and so your worthy greatnesse120Decline not to the greater insolence,Nor make you think it a prerogativeTo rack mens freedomes with the ruder wrongs,My hand (stuck full of lawrell, in true signeTis wholly dedicate to righteous peace)125In all submission kisseth th'other side.Henr.Thanks to ye both: and kindly I invite yeBoth to a banquet where weele sacrificeFull cups to confirmation of your loves;At which (faire ladies) I entreat your presence;130And hope you, madam, will take one carowseFor reconcilement of your lord and servant.Duchess.If I should faile, my lord, some other ladyWould be found there to doe that for my servant.Mons.Any of these here?Duch.Nay, I know not that.135Buss.Think your thoughts like my mistresse, honour'd lady?Tamyra.I think not on you, sir; y'are one I know not.Buss.Cry you mercy, madam!Montsurry.Oh sir, has she met you?Exeunt Henry, D'Amb[ois], Ladies.

Gui.Where will you find such game as you would hawlk at?60

Buss.Ile hawlk about your house for one of them.

Gui.Come, y'are a glorious ruffin and runne proudOf the Kings headlong graces; hold your breath,Or, by that poyson'd vapour, not the KingShall back your murtherous valour against me.65

Gui.Come, y'are a glorious ruffin and runne proud

Of the Kings headlong graces; hold your breath,

Or, by that poyson'd vapour, not the King

Shall back your murtherous valour against me.65

Buss.I would the King would make his presence freeBut for one bout betwixt us: by the reverenceDue to the sacred space twixt kings and subjects,Here would I make thee cast that popular purpleIn which thy proud soule sits and braves thy soveraigne.70

Buss.I would the King would make his presence free

But for one bout betwixt us: by the reverence

Due to the sacred space twixt kings and subjects,

Here would I make thee cast that popular purple

In which thy proud soule sits and braves thy soveraigne.70

Mons.Peace, peace, I pray thee, peace!

Buss.Let him peace firstThat made the first warre.

Buss.Let him peace first

That made the first warre.

Mons.He's the better man.

Buss.And, therefore, may doe worst?

Mons.He has more titles.

Buss.So Hydra had more heads.

Mons.He's greater knowne.

Buss.His greatnesse is the peoples, mine's mine owne.75

Mons.He's noblier borne.

Buss.He is not; I am noble,And noblesse in his blood hath no gradation,But in his merit.

Buss.He is not; I am noble,

And noblesse in his blood hath no gradation,

But in his merit.

Gui.Th'art not nobly borne,But bastard to the Cardinall of Ambois.

Gui.Th'art not nobly borne,

But bastard to the Cardinall of Ambois.

Buss.Thou liest, proud Guiserd; let me flie, my Lord!80

Henr.Not in my face, my eagle! violence fliesThe sanctuaries of a princes eyes.

Henr.Not in my face, my eagle! violence flies

The sanctuaries of a princes eyes.

Buss.Still shall we chide, and fome upon this bit?Is the Guise onely great in faction?Stands he not by himselfe? Proves he th'opinion85That mens soules are without them? Be a duke,And lead me to the field.

Buss.Still shall we chide, and fome upon this bit?

Is the Guise onely great in faction?

Stands he not by himselfe? Proves he th'opinion85

That mens soules are without them? Be a duke,

And lead me to the field.

Guis.Come, follow me.

Henr.Stay them! stay, D'Ambois! Cosen Guise, I wonderYour honour'd disposition brooks so illA man so good that only would uphold90Man in his native noblesse, from whose fallAll our dissentions rise; that in himselfe(Without the outward patches of our frailty,Riches and honour) knowes he comprehendsWorth with the greatest. Kings had never borne95Such boundlesse empire over other men,Had all maintain'd the spirit and state of D'Ambois;Nor had the full impartiall hand of Nature,That all things gave in her originallWithout these definite terms of Mine and Thine,100Beene turn'd unjustly to the hand of Fortune,Had all preserv'd her in her prime like D'Ambois;No envie, no disjunction had dissolv'd,Or pluck'd one stick out of the golden faggotIn which the world of Saturne bound our lifes,105Had all beene held together with the nerves,The genius, and th'ingenious soule of D'Ambois.Let my hand therefore be the Hermean rodTo part and reconcile, and so conserve you,As my combin'd embracers and supporters.110

Henr.Stay them! stay, D'Ambois! Cosen Guise, I wonder

Your honour'd disposition brooks so ill

A man so good that only would uphold90

Man in his native noblesse, from whose fall

All our dissentions rise; that in himselfe

(Without the outward patches of our frailty,

Riches and honour) knowes he comprehends

Worth with the greatest. Kings had never borne95

Such boundlesse empire over other men,

Had all maintain'd the spirit and state of D'Ambois;

Nor had the full impartiall hand of Nature,

That all things gave in her originall

Without these definite terms of Mine and Thine,100

Beene turn'd unjustly to the hand of Fortune,

Had all preserv'd her in her prime like D'Ambois;

No envie, no disjunction had dissolv'd,

Or pluck'd one stick out of the golden faggot

In which the world of Saturne bound our lifes,105

Had all beene held together with the nerves,

The genius, and th'ingenious soule of D'Ambois.

Let my hand therefore be the Hermean rod

To part and reconcile, and so conserve you,

As my combin'd embracers and supporters.110

Buss.Tis our Kings motion, and we shall not seemeTo worst eies womanish, though we change thus sooneNever so great grudge for his greater pleasure.

Buss.Tis our Kings motion, and we shall not seeme

To worst eies womanish, though we change thus soone

Never so great grudge for his greater pleasure.

Gui.I seale to that, and so the manly freedome,That you so much professe, hereafter prove not115A bold and glorious licence to deprave,To me his hand shall hold the Hermean vertueHis grace affects, in which submissive signeOn this his sacred right hand I lay mine.

Gui.I seale to that, and so the manly freedome,

That you so much professe, hereafter prove not115

A bold and glorious licence to deprave,

To me his hand shall hold the Hermean vertue

His grace affects, in which submissive signe

On this his sacred right hand I lay mine.

Buss.Tis well, my lord, and so your worthy greatnesse120Decline not to the greater insolence,Nor make you think it a prerogativeTo rack mens freedomes with the ruder wrongs,My hand (stuck full of lawrell, in true signeTis wholly dedicate to righteous peace)125In all submission kisseth th'other side.

Buss.Tis well, my lord, and so your worthy greatnesse120

Decline not to the greater insolence,

Nor make you think it a prerogative

To rack mens freedomes with the ruder wrongs,

My hand (stuck full of lawrell, in true signe

Tis wholly dedicate to righteous peace)125

In all submission kisseth th'other side.

Henr.Thanks to ye both: and kindly I invite yeBoth to a banquet where weele sacrificeFull cups to confirmation of your loves;At which (faire ladies) I entreat your presence;130And hope you, madam, will take one carowseFor reconcilement of your lord and servant.

Henr.Thanks to ye both: and kindly I invite ye

Both to a banquet where weele sacrifice

Full cups to confirmation of your loves;

At which (faire ladies) I entreat your presence;130

And hope you, madam, will take one carowse

For reconcilement of your lord and servant.

Duchess.If I should faile, my lord, some other ladyWould be found there to doe that for my servant.

Duchess.If I should faile, my lord, some other lady

Would be found there to doe that for my servant.

Mons.Any of these here?

Duch.Nay, I know not that.135

Buss.Think your thoughts like my mistresse, honour'd lady?

Tamyra.I think not on you, sir; y'are one I know not.

Buss.Cry you mercy, madam!

Montsurry.Oh sir, has she met you?Exeunt Henry, D'Amb[ois], Ladies.

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