Chapter 6

Mons.What had my bounty drunk when it rais'd him?Gui.Y'ave stuck us up a very worthy flag,140That takes more winde than we with all our sailes.Mons.O, so he spreds and flourishes.Gui.He must downe;Upstarts should never perch too neere a crowne.Mons.Tis true, my lord; and as this doting handEven out of earth (like Juno) struck this giant,145So Joves great ordinance shall be here implideTo strike him under th'Ætna of his pride.To which work lend your hands, and let us castWhere we may set snares for his ranging greatnes.I think it best, amongst our greatest women:150For there is no such trap to catch an upstartAs a loose downfall; for, you know, their fallsAre th'ends of all mens rising. If great menAnd wise make scapes to please advantage,Tis with a woman—women that woorst may155Still hold mens candels: they direct and knowAll things amisse in all men, and their womenAll things amisse in them; through whose charm'd mouthesWe may see all the close scapes of the Court.When the most royall beast of chase, the hart,160Being old, and cunning in his layres and haunts,Can never be discovered to the bow,The peece, or hound—yet where, behind some queich,He breaks his gall, and rutteth with his hinde,The place is markt, and by his venery165He still is taken. Shall we then attemptThe chiefest meane to that discovery here,And court our greatest ladies chiefest womenWith shewes of love, and liberall promises?Tis but our breath. If something given in hand170Sharpen their hopes of more, 'twill be well ventur'd.Gui.No doubt of that: and 'tis the cunningst pointOf our devis'd investigation.Mons.I have brokenThe yce to it already with the womanOf your chast lady, and conceive good hope175I shall wade thorow to some wished shoreAt our next meeting.Mont.Nay, there's small hope there.Gui.Take say of her, my lord, she comes most fitly.Mons.Starting back?

Mons.What had my bounty drunk when it rais'd him?

Gui.Y'ave stuck us up a very worthy flag,140That takes more winde than we with all our sailes.

Gui.Y'ave stuck us up a very worthy flag,140

That takes more winde than we with all our sailes.

Mons.O, so he spreds and flourishes.

Gui.He must downe;Upstarts should never perch too neere a crowne.

Gui.He must downe;

Upstarts should never perch too neere a crowne.

Mons.Tis true, my lord; and as this doting handEven out of earth (like Juno) struck this giant,145So Joves great ordinance shall be here implideTo strike him under th'Ætna of his pride.To which work lend your hands, and let us castWhere we may set snares for his ranging greatnes.I think it best, amongst our greatest women:150For there is no such trap to catch an upstartAs a loose downfall; for, you know, their fallsAre th'ends of all mens rising. If great menAnd wise make scapes to please advantage,Tis with a woman—women that woorst may155Still hold mens candels: they direct and knowAll things amisse in all men, and their womenAll things amisse in them; through whose charm'd mouthesWe may see all the close scapes of the Court.When the most royall beast of chase, the hart,160Being old, and cunning in his layres and haunts,Can never be discovered to the bow,The peece, or hound—yet where, behind some queich,He breaks his gall, and rutteth with his hinde,The place is markt, and by his venery165He still is taken. Shall we then attemptThe chiefest meane to that discovery here,And court our greatest ladies chiefest womenWith shewes of love, and liberall promises?Tis but our breath. If something given in hand170Sharpen their hopes of more, 'twill be well ventur'd.

Mons.Tis true, my lord; and as this doting hand

Even out of earth (like Juno) struck this giant,145

So Joves great ordinance shall be here implide

To strike him under th'Ætna of his pride.

To which work lend your hands, and let us cast

Where we may set snares for his ranging greatnes.

I think it best, amongst our greatest women:150

For there is no such trap to catch an upstart

As a loose downfall; for, you know, their falls

Are th'ends of all mens rising. If great men

And wise make scapes to please advantage,

Tis with a woman—women that woorst may155

Still hold mens candels: they direct and know

All things amisse in all men, and their women

All things amisse in them; through whose charm'd mouthes

We may see all the close scapes of the Court.

When the most royall beast of chase, the hart,160

Being old, and cunning in his layres and haunts,

Can never be discovered to the bow,

The peece, or hound—yet where, behind some queich,

He breaks his gall, and rutteth with his hinde,

The place is markt, and by his venery165

He still is taken. Shall we then attempt

The chiefest meane to that discovery here,

And court our greatest ladies chiefest women

With shewes of love, and liberall promises?

Tis but our breath. If something given in hand170

Sharpen their hopes of more, 'twill be well ventur'd.

Gui.No doubt of that: and 'tis the cunningst pointOf our devis'd investigation.

Gui.No doubt of that: and 'tis the cunningst point

Of our devis'd investigation.

Mons.I have brokenThe yce to it already with the womanOf your chast lady, and conceive good hope175I shall wade thorow to some wished shoreAt our next meeting.

Mons.I have broken

The yce to it already with the woman

Of your chast lady, and conceive good hope175

I shall wade thorow to some wished shore

At our next meeting.

Mont.Nay, there's small hope there.

Gui.Take say of her, my lord, she comes most fitly.

Mons.Starting back?

Enter Charlot, Anable, Pero.

Gui.Y'are ingag'd indeed.180Annable.Nay pray, my lord, forbeare.Mont.What, skittish, servant?An.No, my lord, I am not so fit for your service.Charlotte.Nay, pardon me now, my lord; my lady expects me.185Gui.Ile satisfie her expectation, as far as an unkle may.Mons.Well said! a spirit of courtship of allhands. Now, mine owne Pero, hast thou remembred190me for the discovery I entreated theeto make of thy mistresse? Speak boldly, and besure of all things I have sworne to thee.Pero.Building on that assurance (my lord) Imay speak; and much the rather because my195lady hath not trusted me with that I can tellyou; for now I cannot be said to betray her.Mons.That's all one, so wee reach ourobjects: forth, I beseech thee.Per.To tell you truth, my lord, I have made200a strange discovery.Mons.Excellent Pero, thou reviv'st me; may Isink quick to perdition if my tongue discover it!Per.Tis thus, then: this last night my lordlay forth, and I, watching my ladies sitting up,205stole up at midnight from my pallat, and (havingbefore made a hole both through the wall andarras to her inmost chamber) I saw D'Amboisand her selfe reading a letter!Mons.D'Ambois!210Per.Even he, my lord.Mons.Do'st thou not dreame, wench?Per.I sweare he is the man.Mons.The devill he is, and thy lady his dam!Why this was the happiest shot that ever flewe;215the just plague of hypocrisie level'd it. Oh, theinfinite regions betwixt a womans tongue andher heart! is this our Goddesse of chastity? Ithought I could not be so sleighted, if she hadnot her fraught besides, and therefore plotted this220with her woman, never dreaming of D'Amboys.Deare Pero, I will advance thee for ever: buttell me now—Gods pretious, it transformes meewith admiration—sweet Pero, whom should shetrust with this conveyance? Or, all the dores225being made sure, how should his conveyance bemade?Per.Nay, my lord, that amazes me: I cannotby any study so much as guesse at it.Mons.Well, let's favour our apprehensions230with forbearing that a little; for, if my heartwere not hoopt with adamant, the conceipt ofthis would have burst it: but heark thee.Whispers.Mont.I pray thee, resolve mee: the Dukewill never imagine that I am busie about's wife:235hath D'Ambois any privy accesse to her?An.No, my lord, D'Ambois neglects her (asshee takes it) and is therefore suspicious thateither your lady, or the lady Beaupre, hathclosely entertain'd him.240Mont.Ber lady, a likely suspition, and veryneere the life—especially of my wife.Mons.Come, we'l disguise all with seemingonely to have courted.—Away, dry palm! sh'asa livor as dry as a bisket; a man may goe a245whole voyage with her, and get nothing buttempests from her windpipe.Gui.Here's one (I think) has swallowed aporcupine, shee casts pricks from her tongue so.Mont.And here's a peacock seemes to have250devour'd one of the Alpes, she has so swellinga spirit, & is so cold of her kindnes.Char.We are no windfalls, my lord; ye mustgather us with the ladder of matrimony, or we'lhang till we be rotten.255Mons.Indeed, that's the way to make ye rightopenarses. But, alas, ye have no portions fit forsuch husbands as we wish you.Per.Portions, my lord! yes, and such portionsas your principality cannot purchase.260Mons.What, woman, what are those portions?Per.Riddle my riddle, my lord.Mons.I, marry, wench, I think thy portionis a right riddle; a man shall never finde it out:but let's heare it.265Per.You shall, my lord.What's that, that being most rar's most cheap?That when you sow, you never reap?That when it growes most, most you [th]in it,And still you lose it, when you win it?270That when tis commonest, tis dearest,And when tis farthest off, 'tis neerest?Mons.Is this your great portion?Per.Even this, my lord.Mons.Beleeve me, I cannot riddle it.275Per.No, my lord; tis my chastity, which youshall neither riddle nor fiddle.Mons.Your chastity! Let me begin with theend of it; how is a womans chastity neerestman, when tis furthest off?280Per.Why, my lord, when you cannot get it,it goes to th'heart on you; and that I think comesmost neere you: and I am sure it shall be farreenough off. And so wee leave you to our mercies.Exeunt Women.

Gui.Y'are ingag'd indeed.180

Annable.Nay pray, my lord, forbeare.

Mont.What, skittish, servant?

An.No, my lord, I am not so fit for your service.

Charlotte.Nay, pardon me now, my lord; my lady expects me.185

Gui.Ile satisfie her expectation, as far as an unkle may.

Mons.Well said! a spirit of courtship of allhands. Now, mine owne Pero, hast thou remembred190me for the discovery I entreated theeto make of thy mistresse? Speak boldly, and besure of all things I have sworne to thee.

Mons.Well said! a spirit of courtship of all

hands. Now, mine owne Pero, hast thou remembred190

me for the discovery I entreated thee

to make of thy mistresse? Speak boldly, and be

sure of all things I have sworne to thee.

Pero.Building on that assurance (my lord) Imay speak; and much the rather because my195lady hath not trusted me with that I can tellyou; for now I cannot be said to betray her.

Pero.Building on that assurance (my lord) I

may speak; and much the rather because my195

lady hath not trusted me with that I can tell

you; for now I cannot be said to betray her.

Mons.That's all one, so wee reach ourobjects: forth, I beseech thee.

Mons.That's all one, so wee reach our

objects: forth, I beseech thee.

Per.To tell you truth, my lord, I have made200a strange discovery.

Per.To tell you truth, my lord, I have made200

a strange discovery.

Mons.Excellent Pero, thou reviv'st me; may Isink quick to perdition if my tongue discover it!

Mons.Excellent Pero, thou reviv'st me; may I

sink quick to perdition if my tongue discover it!

Per.Tis thus, then: this last night my lordlay forth, and I, watching my ladies sitting up,205stole up at midnight from my pallat, and (havingbefore made a hole both through the wall andarras to her inmost chamber) I saw D'Amboisand her selfe reading a letter!

Per.Tis thus, then: this last night my lord

lay forth, and I, watching my ladies sitting up,205

stole up at midnight from my pallat, and (having

before made a hole both through the wall and

arras to her inmost chamber) I saw D'Ambois

and her selfe reading a letter!

Mons.D'Ambois!210

Per.Even he, my lord.

Mons.Do'st thou not dreame, wench?

Per.I sweare he is the man.

Mons.The devill he is, and thy lady his dam!Why this was the happiest shot that ever flewe;215the just plague of hypocrisie level'd it. Oh, theinfinite regions betwixt a womans tongue andher heart! is this our Goddesse of chastity? Ithought I could not be so sleighted, if she hadnot her fraught besides, and therefore plotted this220with her woman, never dreaming of D'Amboys.Deare Pero, I will advance thee for ever: buttell me now—Gods pretious, it transformes meewith admiration—sweet Pero, whom should shetrust with this conveyance? Or, all the dores225being made sure, how should his conveyance bemade?

Mons.The devill he is, and thy lady his dam!

Why this was the happiest shot that ever flewe;215

the just plague of hypocrisie level'd it. Oh, the

infinite regions betwixt a womans tongue and

her heart! is this our Goddesse of chastity? I

thought I could not be so sleighted, if she had

not her fraught besides, and therefore plotted this220

with her woman, never dreaming of D'Amboys.

Deare Pero, I will advance thee for ever: but

tell me now—Gods pretious, it transformes mee

with admiration—sweet Pero, whom should she

trust with this conveyance? Or, all the dores225

being made sure, how should his conveyance be

made?

Per.Nay, my lord, that amazes me: I cannotby any study so much as guesse at it.

Per.Nay, my lord, that amazes me: I cannot

by any study so much as guesse at it.

Mons.Well, let's favour our apprehensions230with forbearing that a little; for, if my heartwere not hoopt with adamant, the conceipt ofthis would have burst it: but heark thee.Whispers.

Mons.Well, let's favour our apprehensions230

with forbearing that a little; for, if my heart

were not hoopt with adamant, the conceipt of

this would have burst it: but heark thee.Whispers.

Mont.I pray thee, resolve mee: the Dukewill never imagine that I am busie about's wife:235hath D'Ambois any privy accesse to her?

Mont.I pray thee, resolve mee: the Duke

will never imagine that I am busie about's wife:235

hath D'Ambois any privy accesse to her?

An.No, my lord, D'Ambois neglects her (asshee takes it) and is therefore suspicious thateither your lady, or the lady Beaupre, hathclosely entertain'd him.240

An.No, my lord, D'Ambois neglects her (as

shee takes it) and is therefore suspicious that

either your lady, or the lady Beaupre, hath

closely entertain'd him.240

Mont.Ber lady, a likely suspition, and veryneere the life—especially of my wife.

Mont.Ber lady, a likely suspition, and very

neere the life—especially of my wife.

Mons.Come, we'l disguise all with seemingonely to have courted.—Away, dry palm! sh'asa livor as dry as a bisket; a man may goe a245whole voyage with her, and get nothing buttempests from her windpipe.

Mons.Come, we'l disguise all with seeming

onely to have courted.—Away, dry palm! sh'as

a livor as dry as a bisket; a man may goe a245

whole voyage with her, and get nothing but

tempests from her windpipe.

Gui.Here's one (I think) has swallowed aporcupine, shee casts pricks from her tongue so.

Gui.Here's one (I think) has swallowed a

porcupine, shee casts pricks from her tongue so.

Mont.And here's a peacock seemes to have250devour'd one of the Alpes, she has so swellinga spirit, & is so cold of her kindnes.

Mont.And here's a peacock seemes to have250

devour'd one of the Alpes, she has so swelling

a spirit, & is so cold of her kindnes.

Char.We are no windfalls, my lord; ye mustgather us with the ladder of matrimony, or we'lhang till we be rotten.255

Char.We are no windfalls, my lord; ye must

gather us with the ladder of matrimony, or we'l

hang till we be rotten.255

Mons.Indeed, that's the way to make ye rightopenarses. But, alas, ye have no portions fit forsuch husbands as we wish you.

Mons.Indeed, that's the way to make ye right

openarses. But, alas, ye have no portions fit for

such husbands as we wish you.

Per.Portions, my lord! yes, and such portionsas your principality cannot purchase.260

Per.Portions, my lord! yes, and such portions

as your principality cannot purchase.260

Mons.What, woman, what are those portions?

Per.Riddle my riddle, my lord.

Mons.I, marry, wench, I think thy portionis a right riddle; a man shall never finde it out:but let's heare it.265

Mons.I, marry, wench, I think thy portion

is a right riddle; a man shall never finde it out:

but let's heare it.265

Per.You shall, my lord.What's that, that being most rar's most cheap?That when you sow, you never reap?That when it growes most, most you [th]in it,And still you lose it, when you win it?270That when tis commonest, tis dearest,And when tis farthest off, 'tis neerest?

Per.You shall, my lord.

What's that, that being most rar's most cheap?

That when you sow, you never reap?

That when it growes most, most you [th]in it,

And still you lose it, when you win it?270

That when tis commonest, tis dearest,

And when tis farthest off, 'tis neerest?

Mons.Is this your great portion?

Per.Even this, my lord.

Mons.Beleeve me, I cannot riddle it.275

Per.No, my lord; tis my chastity, which youshall neither riddle nor fiddle.

Per.No, my lord; tis my chastity, which you

shall neither riddle nor fiddle.

Mons.Your chastity! Let me begin with theend of it; how is a womans chastity neerestman, when tis furthest off?280

Mons.Your chastity! Let me begin with the

end of it; how is a womans chastity neerest

man, when tis furthest off?280

Per.Why, my lord, when you cannot get it,it goes to th'heart on you; and that I think comesmost neere you: and I am sure it shall be farreenough off. And so wee leave you to our mercies.Exeunt Women.

Per.Why, my lord, when you cannot get it,

it goes to th'heart on you; and that I think comes

most neere you: and I am sure it shall be farre

enough off. And so wee leave you to our mercies.Exeunt Women.

Mons.Farewell, riddle.285Gui.Farewell, medlar.Mont.Farewell, winter plum.Mons.Now, my lords, what fruit of our inquisition?feele you nothing budding yet? Speak,good my lord Montsurry.290Mont.Nothing but this: D'Ambois is thoughtnegligent in observing the Duchesse, and thereforeshe is suspicious that your neece or my wifeclosely entertaines him.Mons.Your wife, my lord! Think you that295possible?Mont.Alas, I know she flies him like herlast houre.Mons.Her last houre? Why that comes uponher the more she flies it. Does D'Ambois so,300think you?Mont.That's not worth the answering. Tismiraculous to think with what monsters womensimaginations engrosse them when they are onceenamour'd, and what wonders they will work305for their satisfaction. They will make a sheepevaliant, a lion fearefull.Mons.And an asse confident. Well, my lord,more will come forth shortly; get you to thebanquet.310Gui.Come, my lord, I have the blind side ofone of them.Exit Guise cum Mont[surry].Mons.O the unsounded sea of womens bloods,That when tis calmest, is most dangerous!Not any wrinkle creaming in their faces,315When in their hearts are Scylla and Caribdis,Which still are hid in dark and standing foggs,Where never day shines, nothing ever growesBut weeds and poysons that no states-man knowes;Nor Cerberus ever saw the damned nookes320Hid with the veiles of womens vertuous lookes.But what a cloud of sulphur have I drawneUp to my bosome in this dangerous secret!Which if my hast with any spark should lightEre D'Ambois were engag'd in some sure plot,325I were blowne up; he would be, sure, my death.Would I had never knowne it, for beforeI shall perswade th'importance to Montsurry,And make him with some studied stratagemTrain D'Ambois to his wreak, his maid may tell it;330Or I (out of my fiery thirst to playWith the fell tyger up in darknesse tyed,And give it some light) make it quite break loose.I feare it, afore heaven, and will not seeD'Ambois againe, till I have told Montsurry,335And set a snare with him to free my feares.Whose there?

Mons.Farewell, riddle.285

Gui.Farewell, medlar.

Mont.Farewell, winter plum.

Mons.Now, my lords, what fruit of our inquisition?feele you nothing budding yet? Speak,good my lord Montsurry.290

Mons.Now, my lords, what fruit of our inquisition?

feele you nothing budding yet? Speak,

good my lord Montsurry.290

Mont.Nothing but this: D'Ambois is thoughtnegligent in observing the Duchesse, and thereforeshe is suspicious that your neece or my wifeclosely entertaines him.

Mont.Nothing but this: D'Ambois is thought

negligent in observing the Duchesse, and therefore

she is suspicious that your neece or my wife

closely entertaines him.

Mons.Your wife, my lord! Think you that295possible?

Mons.Your wife, my lord! Think you that295

possible?

Mont.Alas, I know she flies him like herlast houre.

Mont.Alas, I know she flies him like her

last houre.

Mons.Her last houre? Why that comes uponher the more she flies it. Does D'Ambois so,300think you?

Mons.Her last houre? Why that comes upon

her the more she flies it. Does D'Ambois so,300

think you?

Mont.That's not worth the answering. Tismiraculous to think with what monsters womensimaginations engrosse them when they are onceenamour'd, and what wonders they will work305for their satisfaction. They will make a sheepevaliant, a lion fearefull.

Mont.That's not worth the answering. Tis

miraculous to think with what monsters womens

imaginations engrosse them when they are once

enamour'd, and what wonders they will work305

for their satisfaction. They will make a sheepe

valiant, a lion fearefull.

Mons.And an asse confident. Well, my lord,more will come forth shortly; get you to thebanquet.310

Mons.And an asse confident. Well, my lord,

more will come forth shortly; get you to the

banquet.310

Gui.Come, my lord, I have the blind side ofone of them.Exit Guise cum Mont[surry].

Gui.Come, my lord, I have the blind side of

one of them.Exit Guise cum Mont[surry].

Mons.O the unsounded sea of womens bloods,That when tis calmest, is most dangerous!Not any wrinkle creaming in their faces,315When in their hearts are Scylla and Caribdis,Which still are hid in dark and standing foggs,Where never day shines, nothing ever growesBut weeds and poysons that no states-man knowes;Nor Cerberus ever saw the damned nookes320Hid with the veiles of womens vertuous lookes.But what a cloud of sulphur have I drawneUp to my bosome in this dangerous secret!Which if my hast with any spark should lightEre D'Ambois were engag'd in some sure plot,325I were blowne up; he would be, sure, my death.Would I had never knowne it, for beforeI shall perswade th'importance to Montsurry,And make him with some studied stratagemTrain D'Ambois to his wreak, his maid may tell it;330Or I (out of my fiery thirst to playWith the fell tyger up in darknesse tyed,And give it some light) make it quite break loose.I feare it, afore heaven, and will not seeD'Ambois againe, till I have told Montsurry,335And set a snare with him to free my feares.Whose there?

Mons.O the unsounded sea of womens bloods,

That when tis calmest, is most dangerous!

Not any wrinkle creaming in their faces,315

When in their hearts are Scylla and Caribdis,

Which still are hid in dark and standing foggs,

Where never day shines, nothing ever growes

But weeds and poysons that no states-man knowes;

Nor Cerberus ever saw the damned nookes320

Hid with the veiles of womens vertuous lookes.

But what a cloud of sulphur have I drawne

Up to my bosome in this dangerous secret!

Which if my hast with any spark should light

Ere D'Ambois were engag'd in some sure plot,325

I were blowne up; he would be, sure, my death.

Would I had never knowne it, for before

I shall perswade th'importance to Montsurry,

And make him with some studied stratagem

Train D'Ambois to his wreak, his maid may tell it;330

Or I (out of my fiery thirst to play

With the fell tyger up in darknesse tyed,

And give it some light) make it quite break loose.

I feare it, afore heaven, and will not see

D'Ambois againe, till I have told Montsurry,335

And set a snare with him to free my feares.

Whose there?

Enter Maffe.

Maffe.My lord?Mons.Goe, call the Count Montsurry,And make the dores fast; I will speak with noneTill he come to me.Maf.Well, my lord.Exiturus.Mons.Or elseSend you some other, and see all the dores340Made safe your selfe, I pray; hast, flie about it.Maf.You'l speak with none but with the Count Montsurry?Mons.With none but hee, except it be the Guise.Maf.See, even by this there's one exception more;Your Grace must be more firme in the command,345Or else shall I as weakly execute.The Guise shall speak with you?Mons.He shall, I say.Maf.And Count Montsurry?Mons.I, and Count Montsurry.Maf.Your Grace must pardon me, that I am boldTo urge the cleare and full sence of your pleasure;350Which when so ever I have knowne, I hopeYour Grace will say I hit it to a haire.Mons.You have.Maf.I hope so, or I would be glad—Mons.I pray thee, get thee gone; thou art so tediousIn the strick't forme of all thy services355That I had better have one negligent.You hit my pleasure well, when D'Ambois hit you;Did you not, think you?Maf.D'Ambois! why, my lord—Mons.I pray thee, talk no more, but shut the dores:Doe what I charge thee.Maf.I will my lord, and yet360I would be glad the wrong I had of D'Ambois—Mons.Precious! then it is a fate that plagues meIn this mans foolery; I may be murthered,While he stands on protection of his folly.Avant, about thy charge!Maf.I goe, my lord.—365I had my head broke in his faithfull service;I had no suit the more, nor any thanks,And yet my teeth must still be hit with D'Ambois.D'Ambois, my lord, shall know—Mons.The devill and D'Ambois!Exit Maffe.How am I tortur'd with this trusty foole!370Never was any curious in his placeTo doe things justly, but he was an asse:We cannot finde one trusty that is witty,And therefore beare their disproportion.Grant, thou great starre, and angell of my life,375A sure lease of it but for some few dayes,That I may cleare my bosome of the snakeI cherisht there, and I will then defieAll check to it but Natures; and her altarsShall crack with vessels crown'd with ev'ry liquor380Drawn from her highest and most bloudy humors.I feare him strangely; his advanced valourIs like a spirit rais'd without a circle,Endangering him that ignorantly rais'd him,And for whose fury he hath learnt no limit.385

Maffe.My lord?

Mons.Goe, call the Count Montsurry,And make the dores fast; I will speak with noneTill he come to me.

Mons.Goe, call the Count Montsurry,

And make the dores fast; I will speak with none

Till he come to me.

Maf.Well, my lord.Exiturus.

Mons.Or elseSend you some other, and see all the dores340Made safe your selfe, I pray; hast, flie about it.

Mons.Or else

Send you some other, and see all the dores340

Made safe your selfe, I pray; hast, flie about it.

Maf.You'l speak with none but with the Count Montsurry?

Mons.With none but hee, except it be the Guise.

Maf.See, even by this there's one exception more;Your Grace must be more firme in the command,345Or else shall I as weakly execute.The Guise shall speak with you?

Maf.See, even by this there's one exception more;

Your Grace must be more firme in the command,345

Or else shall I as weakly execute.

The Guise shall speak with you?

Mons.He shall, I say.

Maf.And Count Montsurry?

Mons.I, and Count Montsurry.

Maf.Your Grace must pardon me, that I am boldTo urge the cleare and full sence of your pleasure;350Which when so ever I have knowne, I hopeYour Grace will say I hit it to a haire.

Maf.Your Grace must pardon me, that I am bold

To urge the cleare and full sence of your pleasure;350

Which when so ever I have knowne, I hope

Your Grace will say I hit it to a haire.

Mons.You have.

Maf.I hope so, or I would be glad—

Mons.I pray thee, get thee gone; thou art so tediousIn the strick't forme of all thy services355That I had better have one negligent.You hit my pleasure well, when D'Ambois hit you;Did you not, think you?

Mons.I pray thee, get thee gone; thou art so tedious

In the strick't forme of all thy services355

That I had better have one negligent.

You hit my pleasure well, when D'Ambois hit you;

Did you not, think you?

Maf.D'Ambois! why, my lord—

Mons.I pray thee, talk no more, but shut the dores:Doe what I charge thee.

Mons.I pray thee, talk no more, but shut the dores:

Doe what I charge thee.

Maf.I will my lord, and yet360I would be glad the wrong I had of D'Ambois—

Maf.I will my lord, and yet360

I would be glad the wrong I had of D'Ambois—

Mons.Precious! then it is a fate that plagues meIn this mans foolery; I may be murthered,While he stands on protection of his folly.Avant, about thy charge!

Mons.Precious! then it is a fate that plagues me

In this mans foolery; I may be murthered,

While he stands on protection of his folly.

Avant, about thy charge!

Maf.I goe, my lord.—365I had my head broke in his faithfull service;I had no suit the more, nor any thanks,And yet my teeth must still be hit with D'Ambois.D'Ambois, my lord, shall know—

Maf.I goe, my lord.—365

I had my head broke in his faithfull service;

I had no suit the more, nor any thanks,

And yet my teeth must still be hit with D'Ambois.

D'Ambois, my lord, shall know—

Mons.The devill and D'Ambois!Exit Maffe.How am I tortur'd with this trusty foole!370Never was any curious in his placeTo doe things justly, but he was an asse:We cannot finde one trusty that is witty,And therefore beare their disproportion.Grant, thou great starre, and angell of my life,375A sure lease of it but for some few dayes,That I may cleare my bosome of the snakeI cherisht there, and I will then defieAll check to it but Natures; and her altarsShall crack with vessels crown'd with ev'ry liquor380Drawn from her highest and most bloudy humors.I feare him strangely; his advanced valourIs like a spirit rais'd without a circle,Endangering him that ignorantly rais'd him,And for whose fury he hath learnt no limit.385

Mons.The devill and D'Ambois!Exit Maffe.

How am I tortur'd with this trusty foole!370

Never was any curious in his place

To doe things justly, but he was an asse:

We cannot finde one trusty that is witty,

And therefore beare their disproportion.

Grant, thou great starre, and angell of my life,375

A sure lease of it but for some few dayes,

That I may cleare my bosome of the snake

I cherisht there, and I will then defie

All check to it but Natures; and her altars

Shall crack with vessels crown'd with ev'ry liquor380

Drawn from her highest and most bloudy humors.

I feare him strangely; his advanced valour

Is like a spirit rais'd without a circle,

Endangering him that ignorantly rais'd him,

And for whose fury he hath learnt no limit.385

Enter Maffe hastily.

Maf.I cannot help it; what should I do more?As I was gathering a fit guard to makeMy passage to the dores, and the dores sure,The man of bloud is enter'd.Mons.Rage of death!If I had told the secret, and he knew it,390Thus had I bin endanger'd.

Maf.I cannot help it; what should I do more?As I was gathering a fit guard to makeMy passage to the dores, and the dores sure,The man of bloud is enter'd.

Maf.I cannot help it; what should I do more?

As I was gathering a fit guard to make

My passage to the dores, and the dores sure,

The man of bloud is enter'd.

Mons.Rage of death!If I had told the secret, and he knew it,390Thus had I bin endanger'd.

Mons.Rage of death!

If I had told the secret, and he knew it,390

Thus had I bin endanger'd.

Enter D'Ambois.

My sweet heart!How now? what leap'st thou at?Bussy.O royall object!Mons.Thou dream'st awake: object in th'empty aire!Buss.Worthy the browes of Titan, worth his chaire.Mons.Pray thee, what mean'st thou?Buss.See you not a crowne395Empalethe forehead of the great King Monsieur?Mons.O, fie upon thee!Buss.Prince, that is the subjectOf all these your retir'd and sole discourses.Mons.Wilt thou not leave that wrongfull supposition?Buss.Why wrongfull to suppose the doubtlesse right400To the succession worth the thinking on?Mons.Well, leave these jests! how I am over-joyedWith thy wish'd presence, and how fit thou com'st,For, of mine honour, I was sending for thee.Buss.To what end?Mons.Onely for thy company,405Which I have still in thought; but that's no paymentOn thy part made with personall appearance.Thy absence so long suffered oftentimesPut me in some little doubt thou do'st not love me.Wilt thou doe one thing therefore now sincerely?410Buss.I, any thing—but killing of the King.Mons.Still in that discord, and ill taken note?How most unseasonable thou playest the cucko,In this thy fall of friendship!Buss.Then doe not doubtThat there is any act within my nerves,415But killing of the King, that is not yours.Mons.I will not then; to prove which, by my loveShewne to thy vertues, and by all fruits elseAlready sprung from that still flourishing tree,With whatsoever may hereafter spring,420I charge thee utter (even with all the freedomeBoth of thy noble nature and thy friendship)The full and plaine state of me in thy thoughts.Buss.What, utter plainly what I think of you?Mons.Plaine as truth.425Buss.Why this swims quite against the stream of greatnes:Great men would rather heare their flatteries,And if they be not made fooles, are not wise.Mons.I am no such great foole, and therefore charge theeEven from the root of thy free heart display mee.430Buss.Since you affect it in such serious termes,If your selfe first will tell me what you thinkAs freely and as heartily of me,I'le be as open in my thoughts of you.Mons.A bargain, of mine honour! and make this,435That prove we in our full dissectionNever so foule, live still the sounder friends.Buss.What else, sir? come, pay me home, ile bide it bravely.Mons.I will, I sweare. I think thee, then, a manThat dares as much as a wilde horse or tyger,440As headstrong and as bloody; and to feedThe ravenous wolfe of thy most caniball valour(Rather than not employ it) thou would'st turneHackster to any whore, slave to a Jew,Or English usurer, to force possessions445(And cut mens throats) of morgaged estates;Or thou would'st tire thee like a tinkers strumpet,And murther market folks; quarrell with sheepe,And runne as mad as Ajax; serve a butcher;Doe any thing but killing of the King.450That in thy valour th'art like other naturallsThat have strange gifts in nature, but no souleDiffus'd quite through, to make them of a peece,But stop at humours, that are more absurd,Childish and villanous than that hackster, whore,455Slave, cut-throat, tinkers bitch, compar'd before;And in those humours would'st envie, betray,Slander, blaspheme, change each houre a religion,Doe any thing, but killing of the King:That in thy valour (which is still the dunghill,460To which hath reference all filth in thy house)Th'art more ridiculous and vaine-gloriousThan any mountibank, and impudentThan any painted bawd; which not to sooth,And glorifie thee like a Jupiter Hammon,465Thou eat'st thy heart in vinegar, and thy gallTurns all thy blood to poyson, which is causeOf that toad-poole that stands in thy complexion,And makes thee with a cold and earthy moisture,(Which is the damme of putrifaction)470As plague to thy damn'd pride, rot as thou liv'st:To study calumnies and treacheries;To thy friends slaughters like a scrich-owle sing,And to all mischiefes—but to kill the King.Buss.So! have you said?Mons.How thinkest thou? Doe I flatter?475Speak I not like a trusty friend to thee?Buss.That ever any man was blest withall.So here's for me! I think you are (at worst)No devill, since y'are like to be no King;Of which with any friend of yours Ile lay480This poore stillado here gainst all the starres,I, and 'gainst all your treacheries, which are more:That you did never good, but to doe ill,But ill of all sorts, free and for it selfe:That (like a murthering peece making lanes in armies,485The first man of a rank, the whole rank falling)If you have wrong'd one man, you are so farreFrom making him amends that all his race,Friends, and associates fall into your chace:That y'are for perjuries the very prince490Of all intelligencers; and your voiceIs like an easterne winde, that, where it flies,Knits nets of catterpillars, with which you catchThe prime of all the fruits the kingdome yeelds:That your politicall head is the curst fount495Of all the violence, rapine, cruelty,Tyrannie, & atheisme flowing through the realme:That y'ave a tongue so scandalous, 'twill cutThe purest christall, and a breath that willKill to that wall a spider; you will jest500With God, and your soule to the Devill tenderFor lust; kisse horror, and with death engender:That your foule body is a Lernean fenneOf all the maladies breeding in all men:That you are utterly without a soule;505And for your life, the thred of that was spunneWhen Clotho slept, and let her breathing rockFall in the durt; and Lachesis still drawes it,Dipping her twisting fingers in a bouleDefil'd, and crown'd with vertues forced soule:510And lastly (which I must for gratitudeEver remember) that of all my heightAnd dearest life you are the onely spring,Onely in royall hope to kill the King.Mons.Why, now I see thou lov'st me! come to the banquet!Exeunt.515

My sweet heart!How now? what leap'st thou at?

My sweet heart!

How now? what leap'st thou at?

Bussy.O royall object!

Mons.Thou dream'st awake: object in th'empty aire!

Buss.Worthy the browes of Titan, worth his chaire.

Mons.Pray thee, what mean'st thou?

Buss.See you not a crowne395Empalethe forehead of the great King Monsieur?

Buss.See you not a crowne395

Empalethe forehead of the great King Monsieur?

Mons.O, fie upon thee!

Buss.Prince, that is the subjectOf all these your retir'd and sole discourses.

Buss.Prince, that is the subject

Of all these your retir'd and sole discourses.

Mons.Wilt thou not leave that wrongfull supposition?

Buss.Why wrongfull to suppose the doubtlesse right400To the succession worth the thinking on?

Buss.Why wrongfull to suppose the doubtlesse right400

To the succession worth the thinking on?

Mons.Well, leave these jests! how I am over-joyedWith thy wish'd presence, and how fit thou com'st,For, of mine honour, I was sending for thee.

Mons.Well, leave these jests! how I am over-joyed

With thy wish'd presence, and how fit thou com'st,

For, of mine honour, I was sending for thee.

Buss.To what end?

Mons.Onely for thy company,405Which I have still in thought; but that's no paymentOn thy part made with personall appearance.Thy absence so long suffered oftentimesPut me in some little doubt thou do'st not love me.Wilt thou doe one thing therefore now sincerely?410

Mons.Onely for thy company,405

Which I have still in thought; but that's no payment

On thy part made with personall appearance.

Thy absence so long suffered oftentimes

Put me in some little doubt thou do'st not love me.

Wilt thou doe one thing therefore now sincerely?410

Buss.I, any thing—but killing of the King.

Mons.Still in that discord, and ill taken note?How most unseasonable thou playest the cucko,In this thy fall of friendship!

Mons.Still in that discord, and ill taken note?

How most unseasonable thou playest the cucko,

In this thy fall of friendship!

Buss.Then doe not doubtThat there is any act within my nerves,415But killing of the King, that is not yours.

Buss.Then doe not doubt

That there is any act within my nerves,415

But killing of the King, that is not yours.

Mons.I will not then; to prove which, by my loveShewne to thy vertues, and by all fruits elseAlready sprung from that still flourishing tree,With whatsoever may hereafter spring,420I charge thee utter (even with all the freedomeBoth of thy noble nature and thy friendship)The full and plaine state of me in thy thoughts.

Mons.I will not then; to prove which, by my love

Shewne to thy vertues, and by all fruits else

Already sprung from that still flourishing tree,

With whatsoever may hereafter spring,420

I charge thee utter (even with all the freedome

Both of thy noble nature and thy friendship)

The full and plaine state of me in thy thoughts.

Buss.What, utter plainly what I think of you?

Mons.Plaine as truth.425

Buss.Why this swims quite against the stream of greatnes:Great men would rather heare their flatteries,And if they be not made fooles, are not wise.

Buss.Why this swims quite against the stream of greatnes:

Great men would rather heare their flatteries,

And if they be not made fooles, are not wise.

Mons.I am no such great foole, and therefore charge theeEven from the root of thy free heart display mee.430

Mons.I am no such great foole, and therefore charge thee

Even from the root of thy free heart display mee.430

Buss.Since you affect it in such serious termes,If your selfe first will tell me what you thinkAs freely and as heartily of me,I'le be as open in my thoughts of you.

Buss.Since you affect it in such serious termes,

If your selfe first will tell me what you think

As freely and as heartily of me,

I'le be as open in my thoughts of you.

Mons.A bargain, of mine honour! and make this,435That prove we in our full dissectionNever so foule, live still the sounder friends.

Mons.A bargain, of mine honour! and make this,435

That prove we in our full dissection

Never so foule, live still the sounder friends.

Buss.What else, sir? come, pay me home, ile bide it bravely.

Mons.I will, I sweare. I think thee, then, a manThat dares as much as a wilde horse or tyger,440As headstrong and as bloody; and to feedThe ravenous wolfe of thy most caniball valour(Rather than not employ it) thou would'st turneHackster to any whore, slave to a Jew,Or English usurer, to force possessions445(And cut mens throats) of morgaged estates;Or thou would'st tire thee like a tinkers strumpet,And murther market folks; quarrell with sheepe,And runne as mad as Ajax; serve a butcher;Doe any thing but killing of the King.450That in thy valour th'art like other naturallsThat have strange gifts in nature, but no souleDiffus'd quite through, to make them of a peece,But stop at humours, that are more absurd,Childish and villanous than that hackster, whore,455Slave, cut-throat, tinkers bitch, compar'd before;And in those humours would'st envie, betray,Slander, blaspheme, change each houre a religion,Doe any thing, but killing of the King:That in thy valour (which is still the dunghill,460To which hath reference all filth in thy house)Th'art more ridiculous and vaine-gloriousThan any mountibank, and impudentThan any painted bawd; which not to sooth,And glorifie thee like a Jupiter Hammon,465Thou eat'st thy heart in vinegar, and thy gallTurns all thy blood to poyson, which is causeOf that toad-poole that stands in thy complexion,And makes thee with a cold and earthy moisture,(Which is the damme of putrifaction)470As plague to thy damn'd pride, rot as thou liv'st:To study calumnies and treacheries;To thy friends slaughters like a scrich-owle sing,And to all mischiefes—but to kill the King.

Mons.I will, I sweare. I think thee, then, a man

That dares as much as a wilde horse or tyger,440

As headstrong and as bloody; and to feed

The ravenous wolfe of thy most caniball valour

(Rather than not employ it) thou would'st turne

Hackster to any whore, slave to a Jew,

Or English usurer, to force possessions445

(And cut mens throats) of morgaged estates;

Or thou would'st tire thee like a tinkers strumpet,

And murther market folks; quarrell with sheepe,

And runne as mad as Ajax; serve a butcher;

Doe any thing but killing of the King.450

That in thy valour th'art like other naturalls

That have strange gifts in nature, but no soule

Diffus'd quite through, to make them of a peece,

But stop at humours, that are more absurd,

Childish and villanous than that hackster, whore,455

Slave, cut-throat, tinkers bitch, compar'd before;

And in those humours would'st envie, betray,

Slander, blaspheme, change each houre a religion,

Doe any thing, but killing of the King:

That in thy valour (which is still the dunghill,460

To which hath reference all filth in thy house)

Th'art more ridiculous and vaine-glorious

Than any mountibank, and impudent

Than any painted bawd; which not to sooth,

And glorifie thee like a Jupiter Hammon,465

Thou eat'st thy heart in vinegar, and thy gall

Turns all thy blood to poyson, which is cause

Of that toad-poole that stands in thy complexion,

And makes thee with a cold and earthy moisture,

(Which is the damme of putrifaction)470

As plague to thy damn'd pride, rot as thou liv'st:

To study calumnies and treacheries;

To thy friends slaughters like a scrich-owle sing,

And to all mischiefes—but to kill the King.

Buss.So! have you said?

Mons.How thinkest thou? Doe I flatter?475Speak I not like a trusty friend to thee?

Mons.How thinkest thou? Doe I flatter?475

Speak I not like a trusty friend to thee?

Buss.That ever any man was blest withall.So here's for me! I think you are (at worst)No devill, since y'are like to be no King;Of which with any friend of yours Ile lay480This poore stillado here gainst all the starres,I, and 'gainst all your treacheries, which are more:That you did never good, but to doe ill,But ill of all sorts, free and for it selfe:That (like a murthering peece making lanes in armies,485The first man of a rank, the whole rank falling)If you have wrong'd one man, you are so farreFrom making him amends that all his race,Friends, and associates fall into your chace:That y'are for perjuries the very prince490Of all intelligencers; and your voiceIs like an easterne winde, that, where it flies,Knits nets of catterpillars, with which you catchThe prime of all the fruits the kingdome yeelds:That your politicall head is the curst fount495Of all the violence, rapine, cruelty,Tyrannie, & atheisme flowing through the realme:That y'ave a tongue so scandalous, 'twill cutThe purest christall, and a breath that willKill to that wall a spider; you will jest500With God, and your soule to the Devill tenderFor lust; kisse horror, and with death engender:That your foule body is a Lernean fenneOf all the maladies breeding in all men:That you are utterly without a soule;505And for your life, the thred of that was spunneWhen Clotho slept, and let her breathing rockFall in the durt; and Lachesis still drawes it,Dipping her twisting fingers in a bouleDefil'd, and crown'd with vertues forced soule:510And lastly (which I must for gratitudeEver remember) that of all my heightAnd dearest life you are the onely spring,Onely in royall hope to kill the King.

Buss.That ever any man was blest withall.

So here's for me! I think you are (at worst)

No devill, since y'are like to be no King;

Of which with any friend of yours Ile lay480

This poore stillado here gainst all the starres,

I, and 'gainst all your treacheries, which are more:

That you did never good, but to doe ill,

But ill of all sorts, free and for it selfe:

That (like a murthering peece making lanes in armies,485

The first man of a rank, the whole rank falling)

If you have wrong'd one man, you are so farre

From making him amends that all his race,

Friends, and associates fall into your chace:

That y'are for perjuries the very prince490

Of all intelligencers; and your voice

Is like an easterne winde, that, where it flies,

Knits nets of catterpillars, with which you catch

The prime of all the fruits the kingdome yeelds:

That your politicall head is the curst fount495

Of all the violence, rapine, cruelty,

Tyrannie, & atheisme flowing through the realme:

That y'ave a tongue so scandalous, 'twill cut

The purest christall, and a breath that will

Kill to that wall a spider; you will jest500

With God, and your soule to the Devill tender

For lust; kisse horror, and with death engender:

That your foule body is a Lernean fenne

Of all the maladies breeding in all men:

That you are utterly without a soule;505

And for your life, the thred of that was spunne

When Clotho slept, and let her breathing rock

Fall in the durt; and Lachesis still drawes it,

Dipping her twisting fingers in a boule

Defil'd, and crown'd with vertues forced soule:510

And lastly (which I must for gratitude

Ever remember) that of all my height

And dearest life you are the onely spring,

Onely in royall hope to kill the King.

Mons.Why, now I see thou lov'st me! come to the banquet!Exeunt.515

Finis Actus Tertii.

Henry . . . Attendants.A,Henry, D'Ambois, Monsieur, Guise, Mont., Elenor, Tam., Pero.

1my. A; B omits.

4sparrowes. A, nothing.

16man. A, truth.

29than. So in A; B, by.

53besieged. A, oppressed.

58the rest. A, the tother.

67bout. A, charge.

71-72Three lines in Qq, i.e.Peace . . . thee peace|Let . . . warre|He's . . . man.

76noblier. Emend. ed. Qq, nobly; seenote, p. 154.

88Stay . . . D'Ambois. B, Stay them, stay D'Ambois.

89honour'd. A, equall.

96empire. A, eminence.

104one stick out. A, out one sticke.

105bound our lifes. A, was compris'd.

107ingenious. A, ingenuous.

117hold. A, proove.vertue. A, rodde.

121Decline not to. A, Engender not.

131-138And hope . . . D'Amb[ois], Ladies. Omitted in A, which after 130 has:Exeunt Henry, D'Amb., Ely, Ta.

140worthy. A, proper.

149ranging. A, gadding.

153for, you know. A, and indeed.

160-161the hart, Being old, and cunning in his. A, being old, And cunning in his choice of.

163-164where . . . his hinde. A has:—Where his custome isTo beat his vault, and he ruts with his hinde.

163-164where . . . his hinde. A has:—

Where his custome isTo beat his vault, and he ruts with his hinde.

168chiefest. A, greatest.

172the cunningst. A, an excellent.

173-177I have broken . . . hope there. A has:—I have already broke the ice, my lord,With the most trusted woman of your Countesse,And hope I shall wade through to our discovery.

173-177I have broken . . . hope there. A has:—

I have already broke the ice, my lord,With the most trusted woman of your Countesse,And hope I shall wade through to our discovery.

178Gui.A,Mont.omitting the speechNay . . . there.

179Starting back. Omitted in A, which instead continues Montsurry's speech with: And we will to the other.

180indeed. A omits.

185Nay. A, Pray.

189-193Well said . . . to thee. Printed in doggerel form in Qq, the lines ending withhands,me,mistresse,thee.

192of. A, concerning.

193sworne to thee. A, promised.

194that assurance. A, that you have sworne.

198-199so wee reach our objects. A, so it bee not to one that will betray thee.

202Excellent . . . me. So punctuated by ed.; A, Excellent Pero thou reviv'st me; B, Excellent! Pero thou reviv'st me.

203to perdition. A, into earth heere.

205watching. A, wondring.

206stole up. A, stole.

209her selfe reading a letter. A, she set close at a banquet.

213I sweare. A, No, my lord.

215-216Why this . . . Oh, the. A omits, possibly by mistake.

220fraught. A, freight.

221never dreaming of D'Amboys. A omits.

225this. A, his.

226should. A, could.

227made. A, performed.

Whispers.A omits.

Back to Index Next