The Massacre at Paris by Christopher Marlowe, Arthur Henry Bullen
Scene Xix
[Enter a Soldier.]
SOLD. Sir, to you, sir, that dares make the duke a cuckold, and use a counterfeit key to his privy-chamber-door; and although you take out nothing but your own, yet you put in that which displeaseth him, and so forestall his market, and set up your standing where you should not; and whereas he is your landlord, you will take upon you to be his, and till the ground that he himself should occupy, which is his own free land; if it be not too free—there's the question; and though I come not to take possession (as I would I might!), yet I mean to keep you out; which I will, if this gear hold.
[Enter Mugeroun.]
What, are ye come so soon? have at ye, sir! [Shoots at Mugeroun and kills him.
[Enter Guise and Attendants.]
Guise [Giving a purse]. Hold thee, tall soldier, take thee this, and fly. [Exit Soldier. Lie there, the king's delight, and Guise's scorn! Revenge it, Henry, as thou list or dare; I did it only in despite of thee. [Attendants bear off Mugeroun's body.
[Enter King Henry and Epernoun.]
HENRY My Lord of Guise, we understand That you have gatherèd a power of men: What your intent is yet we cannot learn, But we presume it is not for our good.
GUISE Why, I am no traitor to the crown of France; What I have done, 'tis for the Gospel's sake.
EPER Nay, for the Pope's sake, and thine own benefit. What peer in France but thou, aspiring Guise, Durst be in arms without the king's consent? I challenge thee for treason in the cause.
GUISE Ah, base Epernoun! were not his highness here, Thou shouldst perceive the Duke of Guise is mov'd.
HENRY Be patient, Guise, and threat not Epernoun, Lest thou perceive the king of France be mov'd.
GUISE Why, I'm a prince of the Valois line, Therefore an enemy to the Bourbonites; I am a juror in the holy league, And therefore hated of the Protestants: What should I do but stand upon my guard? And, being able, I'll keep an host in pay.
EPER Thou able to maintain an host in pay, That liv'st by foreign exhibition! The Pope and King of Spain are thy good friends; Else all France knows how poor a duke thou art.
HENRY I, those are they that feed him with their gold, To countermand our will, and check our friends.
GUISE My lord, to speak more plainly, thus it is. Being animated by religious zeal, I mean to muster all the power I can, To overthrow those factious Puritans: And know, my lord, the Pope will sell his triple crown, I, and the Catholic Philip, king of Spain, Ere I shall want, will cause his Indians To rip the golden bowels of America. Navarre, that cloaks them underneath his wings, Shall feel the house of Lorraine is his foe. Your highness needs not fear mine army's force; 'Tis for your safety, and your enemies' wreck.
HENRY Guise, wear our crown, and be thou king of France, And, as dictator, make or war or peace, Whilst I cry placet, like a senator! I cannot brook thy haughty insolence: Dismiss thy camp, or else by our edict Be thou proclaim'd a traitor throughout France.
GUISE The choice is hard; I must dissemble.— [Aside. My lord, in token of my true humility, And simple meaning to your majesty, I kiss your grace's hand, and take my leave, Intending to dislodge my camp with speed.
HENRY Then farewell, Guise; the king and thou are friends. [Exit Guise.
EPER But trust him not, my lord; for, had your highness Seen with what a pomp he enter'd Paris, And how the citizens with gifts and shows Did entertain him, And promisèd to be at his command— Nay, they fear'd not to speak it in the streets, That the Guise durst stand in arms against the king, For not effecting of his holiness' will.
HENRY Did they of Paris entertain him so? Then means he present treason to our state. Well, let me alone.—Who's within there?
[Enter an Attendant, with pen and ink.]
Make a discharge of all my council straight, And I'll subscribe my name, and seal it straight.— [Attendant writes. My head shall be my council; they are false; And, Epernoun, I will be rul'd by thee.
EPER My lord, I think, for safety of your royal person, It would be good the Guise were made away, And so to quite your grace of all suspect.
HENRY First let us set our hand and seal to this, WRITES n I'll tell thee what I mean to do.— [Writes. So; convey this to the council presently. [Exit Attendant. And, Epernoun, though I seem mild and calm, Think not but I am tragical within. I'll secretly convey me unto Blois; For, now that Paris takes the Guise's part, Here is no staying for the king of France, Unless he mean to be betray'd and die: But, as I live, so sure the Guise shall die. [Exeunt.