Home

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.

Copyright information:

The text is in the public domain.

Fair use statement:

This material is put online to further the educational goals of Liberty Fund, Inc. Unless otherwise stated in the Copyright Information section above, this material may be used freely for educational and academic purposes. It may not be used in any way for profit.

Publisher's Notice
To My Worthy Friend , Master Thomas Hammon, of Gray's Inn , &c.
Persons Represented.
The Jew of Malta.
Act the First.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Act the Second.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Act the Third.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Scene V.
Scene VI.
Act the Fourth.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Scene V.
Scene VI.
Act the Fifth.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Scene V.
Edward the Second.
Act the First.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Act the Second.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Scene V.
Act the Third.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Act the Fourth.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Scene V.
Scene VI.
Act the Fifth.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Scene V.
Scene VI.
The Massacre At Paris.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Scene V.
Scene VI.
Scene VII.
Scene VIII.
Scene IX.
Scene X.
Scene XI.
Scene XII.
Scene XIII.
Scene XIV.
Scene XV.
Scene XVI.
Scene XVII.
Scene XVIII.
Scene XIX.
Scene XX.
Scene XXI.
Scene XXII.
Scene XXIII.
Scene XXIV.
The Tragedy of Dido, Queen of Carthage.
Act I.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Act II.
Scene I.
Act III.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene III.
Scene IV.
Act IV.
Scene I.
Scene II.
Scene Iii
Scene IV.
Scene V
Act V.
Scene I.

SCENE VI.

Enter1MortimerandMatrevis.

Y. Mor.

Is't done, Matrevis, and the murderer dead?

Mat.

Ay, my good lord; I would it were undone.

Y. Mor.

Matrevis, if thou now2 growest penitent
I'll be thy ghostly father; therefore choose,
Whether thou wilt be secret in this,
Or else die by the hand of Mortimer.

Mat.

Gurney, my lord, is fled, and will, I fear,
Betray us both, therefore let me fly.

Y. Mor.

Fly to the savages.

Mat.

I humbly thank your honour.
10

Y. Mor.

As for myself, I stand as Jove's huge tree;
And others are but shrubs compared to me.
All tremble at my name, and I fear none;
Let's see who dare impeach me for his death.
Enter theQueen.

Queen.

Ah, Mortimer, the king my son hath news
His father's dead, and we have murdered him.

Y. Mor.

What if he have? the king is yet a child.
Queen. Ay,1 but he tears his hair, and wrings his hands,
And vows to be revenged upon us both.
Into the council-chamber he is gone,
20
To crave the aid and succour of his peers.
Ay me! see where he comes, and they with him;
Now, Mortimer, begins our tragedy.
Enter theKing, with the Lords.
First2 Lord. Fear not, my lord, know that you are a king.

King.

Villain!

Y. Mor.

Ho,3 now, my lord!

King.

Think not that I am frighted with thy words!
My father's murdered through thy treachery;
And thou shalt die, and on his mournful hearse
Thy hateful and accursèd head shall he,
30
To witness to the world, that by thy means
His kingly body was too soon interred.

Queen.

Weep not, sweet son!

King.

Forbid me not to weep, he was my father;
And, had you loved him half so well as I,
You could not bear his death thus patiently.
But you, I fear, conspired with Mortimer.
First1 Lord. Why speak you not unto my lord the king?

Y. Mor.

Because I think scorn to be accused.
Who is the man dares say I murdered him?
40

King.

Traitor! in me my loving father speaks,
And plainly saith, 'twas thou that murder'dst him.

Y. Mor.

But has your grace no other proof than this?

King.

Yes, if this be the hand of Mortimer.

Y. Mor.

False Gurney hath betrayed me and himself.
[Aside.

Queen.

I feared as much; murder cannot be hid.
[Aside.

Y. Mor.

It is my hand; what gather you by this?

King.

That thither thou didst send a murderer.

Y. Mor.

What murderer? Bring forth the man I sent.

King.

Ah, Mortimer, thou knowest that he is slain;
50
And so shalt thou be too. Why stays he here?
Bring him unto a hurdle, drag him forth;
Hang him, I say, and set his quarters up;
But bring his head back presently to me.

Queen.

For my sake, sweet son, pity Mortimer.

Y. Mor.

Madam, entreat not, I will rather die,
Than sue for life unto a paltry boy.

King.

Hence with the traitor! with the murderer!

Y. Mor.

Base Fortune, now I see, that in thy wheel
There is a point, to which when men aspire,
60
They tumble headlong down: that point I touched,
And, seeing there was no place to mount up higher,
Why should I grieve at my declining fall?
Farewell, fair queen; weep not for Mortimer,
That scorns the world, and, as a traveller,
Goes to discover countries yet unknown.

King.

What! suffer you the traitor to delay?
[Mortimeris taken away.

Queen.

As thou receivedest thy life from me,
Spill not the blood of gentle Mortimer.

King.

This argues that you spilt my father's blood,
70
Else would you not entreat for Mortimer.

Queen.

I spill his blood? no.1

King.

Ay, madam, you; for so the rumour runs.

Queen.

That rumour is untrue; for loving thee,
Is this report raised on poor Isabel.

King.

I do not think her so unnatural.
Second2 Lord. My lord, I fear me it will prove too true.

King.

Mother, you are suspected for his death,
And therefore we commit you to the Tower
Till farther trial may be made thereof;
80
If you be guilty, though I be your son,
Think not to find me slack or pitiful.

Queen.

Nay, to my death, for too long have I lived,
Whenas my son thinks to abridge my days.

King.

Away with her, her words enforce these tears,
And I shall pity her if she speak again.

Queen.

Shall I not mourn for my belovèd lord,
And with the rest accompany him to his1 grave?
Second2 Lord. Thus, madam, 'tis the king's will you shall hence.

Queen.

He hath forgotten me; stay, I am his mother.
Second² Lord. That boots not; therefore, gentle madam, go.
91

Queen.

Then come, sweet death, and rid me of this grief.
[Exit.
Re-enter a Lord, with the head ofMortimer.

Lord.

My lord, here is the head of Mortimer.

King.

Go fetch my father's hearse, where it shall he
And bring my funeral robes. Accursèd head,
Could I have ruled thee then, as I do now,
Thou had'st not hatched this monstrous treachery.
Here comes the hearse; help me to mourn, my lords.
Sweet father, here unto thy murdered ghost
I offer up this wicked traitor's head;
100
And let these tears, distilling from mine eyes,
Be witness of my grief and innocency.
[Exeunt.

THE MASSACRE AT PARIS.

OfThe Massacre at Paris there is only one early edition, an un-dated 8vo. (printed circ. 1596?) The title is:—

The Massacre at Paris With the death of the Duke of Guise. As it was plaide by the right honourable the Lord high Admirall his Servants. Written by Christopher Marlowe. At London Printed by E. A. for Edward White, dwelling neere the little North doore of S. Paules Church at the signe of the Gun.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

CharlestheNinth, King of France.
DukeofAnjou, his Brother, afterwardsKingHenrytheThird.
KingofNavarre.
PrinceofCondè, his Cousin.
DukeofGuise,
CardinalofLorraine, Brothers.
DukeDumaine, Brothers.
Son to the DukeofGuise, a Boy.
TheLordHighAdmiral.
DukeJoyeux.
Epernoun.
Pleshè.
Bartus.
TwoLordsofPoland.
Gonzago.
Retes.
Mountsorrell.
Mugeroun.
Loreine, a Preacher.
Seroune.
Ramus.
Tælus.
Friar.
Surgeon.
English Agent.
Apothecary.
Cutpurse.
Captain of the Guard, Protestants, Schoolmasters, Soldiers Murderers, Attendants, &c.
Catherine, the Queen-Mother of France.
Margaret, her Daughter, wife to thekingofNavarre
TheOldQueenofNavarre.
DuchessofGuise.
Wife to Seroune.
Maid to the DuchessofGuise.

THE MASSACRE AT PARIS.

SCENE I.

EnterCharles,1the French king, Catherine, the Queen-Mother; theKingofNavarre; Margaret, Queen of Navarre; thePrinceofCondè; theLordHighAdmiral; theOldQueenofNavarre; with others.

Char.

Prince of Navarre, my honourable brother,
Prince Condè, and my good Lord Admiral,
I wish this union and religious league,
Knit in these hands, thus joined in nuptial rites,
May not dissolve till death dissolve our lives;
And that the native sparks of princely love,
That kindled first this motion in our hearts,
May still be fuelled in our progeny.

Nav.

The many favours which your grace hath shown,
From time to time, but specially in this,
10
Shall bind me ever to your highness' will,
In what Queen-Mother or your grace commands.

Cath.

Thanks, son Navarre. You see we love you well,
That link you in marriage with our daughter here;
And, as you know, our difference in religion
Might be a means to cross you in your love.—

Char.

Well, madam, let that rest.—
And now, my lords, the marriage rites performed,
We think it good to go and cònsummate
The rest with hearing of a holy mass.—
20
Sister, I think yourself will bear us company.

Mar.

I will, my good lord.

Char.

The rest that will not go, my lords, may stay.—
Come, mother,
Let us go to honour this solemnity.

Cath.

Which I'll dissolve with blood and cruelty.
[Aside.
[Exeunt all except the KingofNavarre, Condè,and theAdmiral.

Nav.

Prince Condè, and my good Lord Admiral,
Now Guise may storm, but do us little hurt,
Having the king, Queen-Mother on our sides,
To stop the malice of his envious heart,
30
That seeks to murder all the Protestants.
Have you not heard of late how he decreed
(If that the king had given consent thereto)
That all the Protestants that are in Paris

Adm.

My lord, I marvel that th' aspiring Guise Dares once adventure, without the king's consent,
To meddle or attempt such dangerous things.

Con.

My lord, you need not marvel at the Guise,
For what he doth, the Pope will ratify,
40
In murder, mischief, or in tyranny.

Nav.

But he that sits and rules above the clouds
Doth hear and see the prayers of the just,
And will revenge the blood of innocents,
That Guise hath slain by treason of his heart,
And brought by murder to their timeless1 ends.

Adm.

My lord, but did you mark the Cardinal,
The Guise's brother, and the Duke Dumaine,
How they did storm at these your nuptial rites,
Because the house of Bourbon now comes in,
50
And joins your lineage to the crown of France?

Nav.

And that's the cause that Guise so frowns at us.
And beats his brains to catch us in his trap,
Which he hath pitched within his deadly toil.
Come, my lords, let's go to the church, and pray
That God may still defend the right of France,
And make his Gospel flourish in this land.
Exeunt

SCENE II.

EnterGuise.2

Guise.

If ever Hymen lour'd at marriage rites,
And had his altars decked with dusky lights;
If ever sun stained heaven with bloody clouds,
And made it look with terror on the world;
If ever day were turned to ugly night,
And night made semblance of the hue of hell;
This day, this hour, this fatal night,
Shall fully show the fury of them all.—
Apothecary!
Enter Apothecary

Apoth.

My lord?
10

Guise.

Now shall I prove, and guerdon to the full,
The love thou bear'st unto the house of Guise.
Where are those perfumed gloves which [late] I sent
To be poisoned? hast thou done them? speak;
Will every savour breed a pang of death?

Apoth.

See where they be, my good lord; and he that smells
But to them, dies.

Guise.

Then thou remainest resolute?

Apoth.

I am, my lord, in what your grace commands.
Till death.

Guise.

Thanks, my good friend: I will requite thy love
Go, then, present them to the Queen Navarre;
21
For she is that huge blemish in our eye,
That makes these upstart heresies in France:
Be gone, my friend, present them to her straight.
[Exit Apothecary
Soldier!
Enter a Soldier.

Sold.

My lord?

Guise.

Now come thou forth and play thy tragic part
Stand in some window,1 opening near the street,
And when thou see'st the Admiral ride by,
Discharge thy musket, and perform his death;
30
And then I'll guerdon thee with store of crowns.

Sold.

I will, my lord.
[Exit.

Guise.

Now, Guise, begin those deep-engendered thoughts
To burst abroad those never-dying flames
Which cannot be extinguished but by blood.
Oft have I levelled, and at last have learn'd That peril is the chiefest way to happiness,
And resolution honour's fairest aim.
What glory is there in a common good,
That hangs for every peasant to achieve?
40
That like I best that flies beyond my reach.
Set me to scale the high Pyramides,
And thereon set the diadem of France;
I'll either rend it with my nails to naught,
Or mount the top with my aspiring wings,
Although my downfall be the deepest hell.
For this I wake, when others think I sleep;
For this I wait, that scorn attendance else;
For this, my quenchless thirst, whereon I build,
Hath often pleaded kindred to the king;
50
For this, this head, this heart, this hand, and sword,
Contrives, imagines, and fully executes,
Matters of import aimèd at by many,
Yet understood by none;
For this, hath heaven engendered me of earth;
For this, this earth sustains my body's weight,
And with this weight I'll counterpoise a crown,
Or with seditions weary all the world;
For this, from Spain the stately Catholics
Send Indian gold to coin me French ecues;1
60
For this, have I a largess from the Pope,
A pension, and a dispensation too;
And by that privilege to work upon,
My policy hath fram'd religion.
Religion! O Diabole!
Fie, I am asham'd, however that I seem,
To think a word of such a simple sound,
Of so great matter should be made the ground!
The gentle king, whose pleasure uncontroll'd
Weakeneth his body, and will waste his realm,
70
If I repair not what he ruinates,2 —
Him, as a child, I daily win with words,
So that for proof he barely bears the name;
I execute, and he sustains the blame.
The Mother-Queen works wonders for my sake,
And in my love entombs the hope of France,
Rifling the bowels of her treasury,
To supply my wants and necessity.
Paris hath full five hundred colleges,
As monasteries, priories, abbeys, and halls,
80
Wherein are thirty thousand able men
Besides a thousand sturdy student Catholics:
And more,—of my knowledge, in one cloister keep1
Five hundred fat Franciscan friars and priests:
All this, and more, if more may be comprised,
To bring the will of our desires to end.
Then, Guise,
Since thou hast all the cards within thy hands,
To shuffle or cut, take this as surest thing,
That, right or wrong, thou deal thyself a king.—
90
Ay, but, Navarre,2 —'tis but a nook of France,
Sufficient yet for such a petty king,
That, with a rabblement of his heretics,
Blinds Europe's eyes, and troubleth our estate.
Him will we—[Pointing to his sword] but first let's follow those in France
That hinder our possession to the crown.
As Cæsar to his soldiers, so say I,—
Those that hate me will I learn to loathe.
Give me a look, that, when I bend the brows,
Pale death may walk in furrows of my face;
100
A hand, that with a grasp may gripe the world;
An ear to hear what my detractors say;
A royal seat, a sceptre, and a crown;
That those which do behold, they1 may become
As men that stand and gaze against the sun.
The plot is laid, and things shall come to pass
Where resolution strives for victory.
[Exit.

SCENE III.

Enter theKingofNavarre,2QueenMargaret, theOldQueenofNavarre, thePrinceofCondè, and theAdmiral; they are met by the Apothecary with the gloves, which he gives to theOldQueen.

Apoth.

Madam,
I beseech your grace to accept this simple gift.

Old Q. of Nav.

Thanks, my good friend. Hold, take thou this reward.
[Gives a purse.

Apoth.

I humbly thank your majesty.
[Exit.

Old Q. of Nav.

Methinks the gloves have a very strong perfume,
The scent whereof doth make my head to ache.

Nav.

Doth not your grace know the man that gave them you?

Old Q. of Nav.

Not well; but do remember such a man.

Adm.

Your grace was ill-advised to take them, then,
Considering of these dangerous times.
10

Old Q. of Nav.

Help, son Navarre! I am poisoned!

Mar.

The heavens forbid your highness such mishap!

Nav.

The late suspicion of the Duke of Guise
Might well have moved your highness to beware
How you did meddle with such dangerous gifts.

Mar.

Too late it is, my lord, if that be true,
To blame her highness; but I hope it be

Old Q. of Nav.

O no, sweet Margaret! the fatal poison
Works within my head'; my brain-pan breaks;
20
My heart doth faint; I die!
[Dies.

Nav.

My mother poisoned here before my face!
O gracious God, what times are these!
O grant, sweet God, my days may end with hers,
That I with her may die and live again!

Mar.

Let not this heavy chance, my dearest lord
(For whose effects my soul is massacrèd),
Infect thy gracious breast with fresh supply
To aggravate our sudden misery.

Adm.

Come, my lords, let us bear her body hence,
30
And see it honoured with just solemnity.
[As they are going out, the Soldier dischargeth his musket at theAdmiral.

Con.

What, are you hurt, my Lord High Admiral?

Adm.

Ay, my good lord, shot through the arm.

Nav.

We1 are betrayed come, my lords,
And let us Go tell the king of this.”

Adm.

These are
The cursèd Guisians, that do seek our death.
O fatal was this marriage to us all!
[Exeunt, bearing out the body of theOldQueenofNavarre.

SCENE IV.

Enter1KingCharles, Catherinethe Queen-MotherGuise, Anjou, andDumaine.

Cath.

My noble son, and princely Duke of Guise,
Now have we got the fatal, straggling deer
Within the compass of a deadly toil,

Char.

Madam, it will be noted through the world
An action bloody and tyrannical;
Chiefly, since under safety of our word
They justly challenge their protection:
Besides, my heart relents that noblemen,
Only corrupted in religion,
10
Ladies of honour, knights, and gentlemen,
Should, for their conscience, taste such ruthless ends.

Anj.

Though gentle minds should pity others' pam,
Yet will the wisest note their proper griefs,
And rather seek to scourge their enemies
Than be themselves base subjects to the whip.

Guise.

Methinks my Lord Anjou hath well advised
Your highness to consider of the thing,
And rather choose to seek your country's good.
Than pity or relieve these upstart heretics.
20

Cath.

I hope these reasons may serve my princely son
To have some care for fear of enemies.

Char.

Well, madam, I refer it to your majesty,
And to my nephew here, the Duke of Guise:
What you determine, I will ratify.

Cath.

Thanks to my princely son.—Then tell me, Guise,
What order will you set down for the massacre?

Guise.

Thus, madam. They
That shall be actors in this massacre,
Shall wear white crosses on their burgonets,
30
And tie white linen scarfs about their arms:
He that wants these, and is suspect1 of heresy,
Shall die, be he king or emperor. Then I'll have
A peal of ordnance shot from the tower, at which
They all shall issue out, and set2 the streets;
And then,
The watch-word being given, a bell shall ring,
Which when they hear, they shall begin to kill,
And never cease until that bell shall cease;
Then breathe a while.
40
Enter theAdmiral'S Serving-Man.

Char.

How now, fellow! what news?

Serv.-M.

An it please your grace, the Lord High Admiral,
Riding the streets, was traitorously shot;
And most humbly1 entreats your majesty
To visit him, sick in his bed.

Char.

Messenger, tell him I will see him straight.
[Exit Serv -M
What shall we do now with the Admiral?

Cath.

Your majesty were best go visit him,
And make a show as if all were well.

Char.

Content; I will go visit the Admiral.
50

Guise.

And I will go take order for his death.
[Exeunt.2

SCENE V.

The3Admiraldiscovered in bed. EnterKingCharles

Char.

How fares it with my Lord High Admiral?
Hath he been hurt with villains in the street?
I vow and swear, as I am king of France,
To find and to repay the man with death,
With death delayed and torments never us'd,
That durst presume, for hope of any gain,
To hurt the nobleman their4 sovereign loves.

Adm.

Ah, my good lord, these are the Guisians,
That seek to massacre our guiltless lives!

Char.

Assure yourself, my good Lord Admiral,
10
I deeply sorrow for your treacherous wrong;
And that I am not more secure myself
Than I am careful you should be preserv'd.—
Cousin, take twenty of our strongest guard,
And, under your direction, see they keep
All treacherous violence from our noble friend.
Repaying all attempts with present death
Upon the cursèd breakers of our peace.—
And so be patient, good Lord Admiral,
And every hour I will visit you.
20

Adm.

I humbly thank your royal majesty.
[ExitCharles. The bed is drawn in

SCENE VI.

Enter1Guise, Anjou, Dumaine, Gonzago, Retes, Mountsorrell, and Soldiers, to the massacre.

Guise.

Anjou, Dumaine, Gonzago, Retes, swear,
By the argent crosses in your burgonets,
To kill all that you suspect of heresy.

Dum.

I swear by this, to be unmerciful.

Anj.

I am disguis'd, and none knows who I am,
And therefore mean to murder all I meet.

Gon.

And so will I.

Retes.

And I.

Guise.

Away, then! break into the Admiral's house.

Retes.

Ay, let the Admiral be first despatch'd.

Guise.

The Admiral,
10
Chief standard-bearer to the Lutherans,
Shall in the entrance1 of this massacre
Be murder'd in his bed.
Gonzago, conduct them thither; and then

Anj.

That charge is mine.—Switzers, keep you the streets;
And at each corner shall the king's guard stand.

Gon.

Come, sirs, follow me.
[ExitGonzagowith others

Anj.

Cousin, the captain of the Admiral's guard,
Plac'd by my brother, will betray his lord.
20
Now, Guise, shall Catholics flourish once again;
The head being off, the members cannot stand.

Retes.

But look, my lord, there's some in the Admiral's house.
Gonzagoand others enter theAdmiral'SHouse; TheAdmiraldiscovered in bed.

Anj.

In lucky time: come, let us keep this lane,
And slay his servants that shall issue out.

Gon.

Where is the Admiral?

Adm.

O let me pray before I die!

Gon.

Then pray unto our Lady; kiss this cross
[Stabs him.

Adm.

O God, forgive my sins!
[Dies

Guise.

Gonzago, what, is he dead?

Gon.

Ay, my lord.
30

Guise.

Then throw him down.1
[The body of theAdmiralis thrown down.

Anj.

Now, cousin, view him well:
It maybe 'tis some other, and he escap'd.

Guise.

Cousin, 'tis he; I know him by his look
See where my soldier shot him through the arm;
He miss'd him near, but we have struck him now.—
Ah, base Chatillon and degenerate,
Chief Standard-bearer to the Lutherans,
Thus, in despite of thy religion,
The Duke of Guise stamps on thy lifeless bulk!

Anj.

Away with him! cut off his head and hands,
40
And send them for a present to the Pope,2
And, when this just revenge is finishèd,
Unto Mount Faucon3 will we drag his corse.
And he, that living hated so the Cross,
Shall, being dead, be hanged thereon in chains.

Guise.

Anjou, Gonzago, Retes, if that you three
Will be as resolute as I and Dumaine,
There shall not a Huguenot breathe in France.

Anj.

I swear by this cross, we'll not be partial,
But slay as many as we can come near.
50

Guise.

Mountsorrell, go shoot the ordnance off,
That they, which have already set the street,
May know their watchword; then toll the bell,
And so let's forward to the massacre.

Mount.

I will, my lord.
[Exit

Guise.

And now, my lords, let's closely to our business

Anj.

Anjou will follow thee.

Dum.

And so will Dumaine.
[The ordnance being shot off, the bell tolls

Guise.

Come, then, let's away.
[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.

Enter1Guiseand the rest with their swords drawn, chasing the Protestants.

Guise.

Tuez, tuez, tuez!
Let none escape! murder the Huguenots!

Anj.

Kill them! kill them!
[Exeunt
EnterLoreinerunning; Guiseand the rest pursuing him.

Guise.

Loreine, Loreine! follow Loreine!—Sirrah,
Are you a preacher of these heresies?

Lor.

I am a preacher of the word of God;
And thou a traitor to thy soul and him.

Guise.

“Dearly belovèd brother,”—thus 'tis written
[StabsLoreine, who dies.

Anj.

Stay, my lord, let me begin the psalm.

Guise.

Come, drag him away, and throw him in a ditch.
[Exeunt with the body.
10

SCENE VIII.

Enter1Mountsorrell, and knocks atSeroune'Sdoor.

Seroune's Wife [within].

Who is that which knocks there?

Mount.

Mountsorrell, from the Duke of Guise.

Seroun's Wife [within].

Husband, come down, here's one would speak with you
From the Duke of Guise.
EnterSerounefrom the house.

Ser.

To speak with me, from such a man as he?

Mount.

Ay, ay, for this, Seroune; and thou shalt ha't.
[Showing his dagger.

Ser.

O, let me pray, before I take my death!

Mount.

Despatch, then, quickly.

Ser.

O Christ, my Saviour!

Mount.

Christ, villain!
Why, darest thou presume to call on Christ,
10
Without the intercession of some saint?
Sanctus1 Jacobus, he's2 my saint; pray to him.

Ser.

O let me pray unto my God!

Mount.

Then take this with you.
[StabsSeroune, who dies; and then exit

SCENE IX.

EnterRamus, in his study.

Ramus.

What fearful cries come from the river Seine.3
That fright poor Ramus sitting at his book!
I fear the Guisians have pass'd the bridge,
And mean once more to menace me.
EnterTalæus.

Tal.

Fly, Ramus, fly, if thou wilt save thy life!

Ramus.

Tell me, Talæus, wherefore should I fly?

Tal.

The Guisians are
Hark at thy door, and mean to murder us:
Hark, hark, they come! I'll leap out at the window.

Ramus.

Sweet TalÆus, stay.
10
EnterGonzagoandRetes.

Gon.

Who goes there?

Retes.

'Tis TalÆus, Ramus' bedfellow.

Gon.

What art thou?

Tal.

I am, as Ramus is, a Christian.

Retes.

O, let him go; he is a Catholic.
[ExitTalæus.

Gon.

Come, Ramus, more gold, or thou shalt have the stab.

Ramus.

Alas, I am a scholar! how should I have gold?
All that I have is but my stipend from the king,
Which is no sooner receiv'd but it is spent.
EnterGuise, Anjou, Dumaine, Mountsorrell, and Soldiers.

Anj.

Who have you there?

Retes.

'Tis Ramus, the king's Professor of Logic.

Guise.

Stab him.
20

Ramus.

O, good my lord,
Wherein hath Ramus been so offensious?

Guise.

Marry, sir, in having a smack in all,
And yet didst never sound anything to the depth.
Was it not thou that scoff'dst1 the Organon,
And said it was a heap of vanities?
He that will be a flat dichotomist,
And seen in nothing but epitomes,
Is in your judgment thought a learnèd man;
And he, forsooth, must go and preach in Germany,
30
Excepting against doctors' axioms,2
And ipse dixi with this quiddity,
Argumentum testimonii est inartificiale.3
To contradict which, I say, Ramus shall die:
How answer you that? your nego argumentum
Cannot serve, sirrah.—Kill him.
“Argumentum testmonii est inartificiale.”

Ramus.

O, good my lord, let me but speak a word!

Anj.

Well, say on.

Ramus.

Not for my life do I desire this pause;
But in my latter hour to purge myself,
40
In that I know the things that I have wrote,
Which, as I hear, one Scheckius1 takes it ill,
Because my places,2 being but three, contain all his.
I knew the Organon to be confus'd,
And I reduc'd it into better form:
And this for Aristotle will I say,
That he that despiseth him can ne'er
Be good in logic or philosophy;
And that's because the blockish Sorbonnists3
Attribute as much unto their [own] works
50
As to the service of the eternal God.

Guise.

Why suffer you that peasant to declaim?
Stab4 him, I say, and send him to his friends in hell.

Anj.

Ne'er was there collier's5 son so full of pride.
[StabsRamus, who dies.

Guise.

My Lord of Anjou, there are a hundred Protestants
Which we have chased into the river Seine,1
That swim about, and so preserve their lives:
How may we do? I fear me they will live.

Dum.

Go place some men upon the bridge,
With bows and darts, to shoot at them they see,
60
And sink them in the river as they swim.

Guise.

'Tis well advis'd, Dumaine; go see it straight be done.
[ExitDumaine.
And in the meantime, my lord, could we devise
To get those pedants from the King Navarre,
That are tutors to him and the Prince of Condè—

Anj.

For that, let me alone: cousin, stay you here,
And when you see me in, then follow hard.2
Anjouknocketh at the door: and enter theKingofNavarreand thePrinceofCondè,3with their two Schoolmasters.
How now, my lords! how fare you?

Nav.

My lord, they say
That all the Protestants are massacred.

Anj.

Ay, so they are; but yet, what remedy?
70
I have done what I could to stay this broil.

Nav.

But yet, my lord, the report doth run
That you were one that made this massacre.

Anj.

Who, I? you are deceiv'd; I rose but now.
[Guiseand the others come forward1 from the back of the stage.

Guise.

Murder the Huguenots! take those pedants hence!

Nav.

Thou traitor, Guise, lay off thy bloody hands!

Con.

Come, let us go tell the king.
[Exit with theKingofNavarre.

Guise.

Come, sirs,
I'll whip you to death with my poniard's point.
[Stabs the Schoolmasters, who die.

Anj.

Away with them both!
[ExeuntAnjouand Soldiers with the bodies.

Guise.

And now, sirs, for this night let our fury stay.
Yet will we not that the massacre shall end:
81
Gonzago, post you to Orleans,
Retes to Dieppe, Mountsorrell unto Rouen,
And spare not one that you suspect of heresy.
And now stay
That bell, that to the devil's matins rings.
Now every man put off his burgonet,
And so convey him closely to his bed.
[Exeunt.

SCENE X.

Enter2Anjou, with two Lords of Poland.

Anj.

My lords of Poland, I must needs confess,
The offer of your Prince Elector's far
Beyond the reach of my deserts;
For Poland is, as I have been inform'd,
A martial people, worthy such a king
As hath sufficient counsel in himself
To lighten doubts, and frustrate subtle foes;
And such a king, whom practice long hath taught
To please himself with manage of the wars,
The greatest wars within our Christian bounds,—
10
I mean our wars against the Muscovites,
And, on the other side, against the Turk,
Rich princes both, and mighty emperors.
Yet, by my brother Charles, our King of France,
And by his grace's council, it is thought
That, if I undertake to wear the crown
Of Poland, it may prejudice their hope
Of my inheritance to the crown of France;
For, if th' Almighty take my brother hence,
By due descent the regal seat is mine.
20
With Poland, therefore, must I covenant thus,—
That if, by death of Charles, the diadem
Of France be cast on me, then, with your leaves,
I may retire me to my native home.
If your commission serve to warrant this,
I thankfully shall undertake the charge
Of you and yours, and carefully maintain
The wealth and safety of your kingdom's right.

First Lord.

All this, and more, your highness shall command,
For Poland's crown and kingly diadem.
30

Anj.

Then, come, my lords, let's go.
[Exeunt.

SCENE XI.

Enter1two Men, with theAdmiral'Sbody.

First Man.

Now, sirrah, what shall we do with the Admiral?

Sec. Man.

Why, let us burn him for an heretic.

First Man.

O no! his body will infect the fire, and the fire the air, and so we shall be poisoned with him.

Sec. Man.

What shall we do, then?

First Man.

Let's throw him into the river.

Sec. Man.

O, 'twill corrupt the water, and the water the fish, and the2 fish ourselves when we eat them!

First Man.

Then throw him into the ditch.
10

Sec. Man.

No, no. To decide all doubts, be ruled by me: let's hang him here upon this tree.

First Man.

Agreed.
[They hang up the body on a tree, and then exeunt.
EnterGuise, Catherinethe Queen-Mother, and theCardinalOfLorraine, with Attendants.

Guise.

Now, madam, how like you our lusty Admiral?

Cath.

Believe me, Guise, he becomes the place so well
As I could long ere this have wish'd him there.
But come,
Let's walk aside; the air's not very sweet.

Guise.

No, by my faith, madam.—
Sirs, take him away, and throw him in some ditch.
20
The Attendants bear off theAdmiral'Sbody.
And now, madam, as I understand,
There are a hundred Huguenots and more,
Which in the woods do hold their synagogue,
And daily meet about this time of day;
And thither will I, to put them to the sword.

Cath.

Do so, sweet Guise; let us delay no time,
For, if these stragglers gather head again,
And disperse themselves throughout the realm of France,
It will be hard for us to work their deaths.
Be gone; delay no time, sweet Guise.

Guise.

Madam,
30
I go as whirlwinds rage before a storm.
[Exit.

Cath.

My Lord of Lorraine, have you marked of late,
How Charles our son begins for to lament
For the late night's work which my Lord of Guise
Did make in Paris among the Huguenots?

Card.

Madam, I have heard him solemnly vow,
With the rebellious King of Navarre,
To revenge their deaths upon us all.

Cath.

Ay, but, my lord, let me alone for that;
For Catherine must have her will in France.
40
As I do live, so surely shall he die,
And Henry then shall wear the diadem;
And, if he grudge or cross his mother's will,
I'll disinherit him and all the rest;
For I'll rule France, but they shall wear the crown,
And, if they storm, I then may pull them down.
Come, my lord, let us go.
[Exeunt.

SCENE XII.

Enter1five or six Protestants, with books, and kneel together. Then enterGuiseand others.

Guise.

Down with the Huguenots! murder them!

First Pro.

O Monsieur de Guise, hear me but speak!

Guise.

No, villain; that tongue of thine,
That hath blasphem'd the holy Church of Rome,
Shall drive no plaints into the Guise's ears,
To make the justice of my heart relent.—
Tuez, tuez, tuez! let none escape.
They kill the Protestants.
So, drag them away.
[Exeunt with the bodies.

SCENE XIII.

Enter2King Charles, supported by theKingofNavarreandEpernoun; Catherinethe Queen-Mother, theCardinalofLorraine, Pleshè,3and Attendants.

Char.

O, let me stay, and rest me here awhile!
A griping pain hath seiz'd upon my heart;
A sudden pang, the messenger of death.

Cath.

O, say not so! thou kill'st thy mother's heart.

Char.

I must say so; pain forceth me complain.

Nov.

Comfort yourself, my lord, and have no doubt
But God will sure restore you to your health.

Char.

O no, my loving brother of Navarre!
I have deserved a scourge, I must confess;
Yet is their1 patience of another sort
10
Than to misdo the welfare of their king:
God grant my nearest friends may prove no worse!
O, hold me up, my sight begins to fail,
My sinews shrink, my brains turn upside down;
My heart doth break: I faint and die.
[Dies.

Cath.

What, art thou dead, sweet son? speak to thy mother!
O no, his soul is fled from out his breast,
And he nor hears nor sees us what we do!
My lords, what resteth there now to be done,
But that we presently despatch ambassadors
20
To Poland, to call Henry back again,
To wear his brother's crown and dignity?
Epernoun, go see it presently be done,
And bid him come without delay to us.

Eper.

Madam, I will.
[Exit.

Cath.

And now,
My lords, after these funerals be done,
We will, with all the speed we can, provide
For Henry's coronation from Polony.
Come, let us take his body hence.
30
The body ofKing Charlesis borne out; and exeunt all except theKingofNavarreandPleshè.

Nav.

And now, Pleshè,1 whilst that these broils do last,
My opportunity may serve it fit
To steal from France, and hie me to my home,
For there's no safety in this realm for me:
And now that Henry is call'd from Poland,
It is my due, by just succession;
And therefore, as speedily as I can perform,
I'll muster up an army secretly,
For fear that Guise, join'd with the King of Spain,
Might seek2 to cross me in mine enterprise.
40
But God, that always doth defend the right,
Will show his mercy, and preserve us still.

Pleshè.

The virtues of our true religion
Cannot but march, with many graces more,
Whose army shall discomfort all your foes,
And, at the length, in Pampelonia3 crown
(In spite of Spain, and all the popish power,
That holds it from your highness wrongfully)
Your majesty her rightful lord and sovereign.

Nav.

Truth, Pleshè; and God so prosper me in all,
50
As I intend to labour for the truth,
And true profession of his holy word!
Come, Pleshè, let's away whilst time doth serve.
[Exeunt.

SCENE XIV.

Trumpets sound within, and a cry of “Vive le Roi” two or three times. Enter1Anjoucrowned as King Henry the Third; Catherinethe Queen-Mother, theCardinalofLorraine, Guise, Epernoun, Mugeroun, the Cutpurse, and others.

All. Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi!
[A flourish of trumpets.

Cath.

Welcome from Poland, Henry, once again!
Welcome to France, thy father's royal seat!
Here hast thou a country void of fears,
A warlike people to maintain thy right,
A watchful senate for ordaining laws,
A loving mother to preserve thy state,
And all things that a king may wish besides;

Card.

And long may Henry enjoy all this, and more!
10

All.

Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi! [A flourish of trumpets.

Henry.

Thanks to you all. The guider of all crowns
Grant that our deeds may well deserve your loves!
And so they shall if fortune speed my will,
And yield your thoughts to height of my deserts.
What say our minions? think they Henry's heart
Will not both harbour love and majesty?
Put off that fear, they are already join'd:
No person, place, or time, or circumstance,
Shall slack my love's affection from his bent:
20
As now you are, so shall you still persist,
Removeless from the favours of your king.

Mug.

We know that noble minds change not their thoughts
For wearing of a crown, in that your grace
Hath worn the Poland diadem before
You were invested in the crown of France.

Henry.

I tell thee, Mugeroun, we will be friends,
And fellows too, whatever storms arise.

Mug.

Then1 may it please your majesty to give me leave
To punish those that do profane this holy feast.
30

Henry.

How mean'st thou that?
[Mugerouncuts off the Cutpurse's ear, for cutting the gold buttons off his cloak.

Cutp.

O Lord, mine ear!

Mug.

Come, sir, give me my buttons, and here's your ear.

Guise.

Sirrah, take him away.

Henry.

Hands off, good fellow; I will be his bail
For this offence.—Go, sirrah, work no more
Till this our coronation day be past.—
And now,
Our solemn rites of coronation done,
What now remains but for a while to feast,
40
And spend some days in barriers, tourney, tilt,
And like disports, such as do fit the court?
Let's go, my lords; our dinner stays for us.
[Exeunt all exceptCatherinethe Queen-Mother and theCardinalofLorraine.

Cath.

My Lord Cardinal of Lorraine, tell me,
How likes your grace my son's pleasantness?
His mind, you see, runs on his minions,
And all his heaven is to delight himself;
And, whilst he sleeps securely thus in ease,
Thy brother Guise and we may now provide
To plant ourselves with such authority
50
As not a man may live without our leaves.
Then shall the Catholic faith of Rome
Flourish in France, and none deny the same.

Card.

Madam, as in secrecy I was told,
My brother Guise hath gather'd a power of men,
Which are,1 he saith, to kill the Puritans,
But 'tis the house of Bourbon that he means.
Now, madam, must you insinuate with the king,
And tell him that 'tis for his country's good,
And common profit of religion.
60

Cath.

Tush, man, let me alone with him,
To work the way to bring this thing to pass;
And, if he do deny what I do say,
I'll despatch him with his brother presently,
And then shall Monsieur wear the diadem.
Tush, all shall die unless I have my will;
For, while she lives, Catherine will be queen.
Come, my lord,1 let us go seek the Guise,
And then determine of this enterprise.
[Exeunt

SCENE XV.

Enter2theDuchessofGuiseand her Maid.

Duch. of G.

Go fetch me pen and ink.—

Maid.

I will, madam.

Duch.

That I may write unto my dearest lord.
[Exit Maid
Sweet Mugeroun,3 'tis he that hath my heart,
And Guise usurps it 'cause I am his wife.
Fain would I find some means to speak with him,
But cannot, and therefore am enforced to write,
That he may come and meet me in some place,
Where we may one enjoy the other's sight.
Re-enter the Maid, with pen, ink, and paper.
So, set it down, and leave me to myself.
[Exit Maid. TheDuchesswrites.
O, would to God, this quill that here doth write
10
Had late been pluck'd from out fair Cupid's wing,
That it might print these lines within his heart!
EnterGuise.

Guise.

What, all alone, my love? and writing too?
I prithee, say to whom thou writ'st.

Duch.

To such
A one, my lord, as, when she reads my lines,
Will laugh, I fear me, at their good array.

Guise.

I pray thee, let me see.

Duch.

O no, my lord; a woman only must
Partake the secrets of my heart.

Guise.

But, madam, I must see.
20
[Seizes the paper.
Are these your secrets that no man must know!

Duch.

O, pardon me, my lord!

Guise.

Thou trothless and unjust! what lines are these?
Am I grown old, or is thy lust grown young?
Or hath my love been so obscured in thee,
That others need to comment on my text?
Is all my love forgot, which held thee dear,
Ay, dearer than the apple of mine eye?
Is Guise's glory but a cloudy mist,
In sight and judgment of thy lustful eye?
30
Mort Dieu! were1 not the fruit within thy womb,
Of whose increase I set some longing hope,
This wrathful hand should strike thee to the heart.
Hence, strumpet! hide thy head for shame;
And fly my presence if thou look to live!
[ExitDuchess.
O wicked sex, perjùrèd and unjust!
Now do I see that from the very first
Her eyes and looks sow'd seeds of perjury.
But villain, he, to whom these lines should go,
Shall buy her love even with his dearest blood.
[Exit.
40

SCENE XVI.

Enter1theKingofNavarre, Pleshè, Bartus, and train, with drums and trumpets.

Nav.

My lords, sith in a quarrel just and right
We undertake to manage these our wars
Against the proud disturbers of the faith
(I mean the Guise, the Pope, and King of Spain,
Who set themselves to tread us under foot,
And rent our true religion from this land;
But for you know our quarrel is no more
But to defend2 their strange inventions,
Which they will put us to with sword and fire),
We must with resolute minds resolve to fight,
10
In honour of our God, and country's good.
Spain is the council-chamber of the Pope,
Spain is the place where he makes peace and war,
And Guise for Spain hath now incensed the king
To send his power to meet us in the field.

Bar.

Then in this bloody brunt they may behold
The sole endeavour of your princely care,
To plant the true succession of the faith,
In spite of Spain and all his heresies.

Nav.

The power of vengeance now encamps itself
20
Upon the haughty mountains of my breast;
Plays with her gory colours of revenge,
Whom I respect as leaves of boasting green,
That change their colour when the winter comes,
When I shall vaunt as victor in revenge.
Enter a Messenger.
How now, sirrah! what news?

Mes.

My lord, as by our scouts we understand,
A mighty army comes from France with speed;
Which are already mustered in the land,
And mean to meet your highness in the field.
30

Nav.

In God's name, let them come!
This is the Guise that hath incensed the king
To levy arms, and make these civil broils.
But canst thou tell who is their general?

Mes.

Not yet, my lord, for thereon do they stay;
But, as report doth go, the Duke of Joyeux
Hath made great suit unto the king therefore.

Nav.

It will not countervail his pains, I hope.
I would the Guise in his stead might have come!
But he doth lurk within his drowsy couch,
40
And makes his footstool on security:
So he be safe, he cares not what becomes
Of king or country; no, not for them both.
But come, my lords, let us away with speed,
And place ourselves in order for the fight.
[Exeunt

SCENE XVII.

Enter1King Henry, Guise, Epernoun, and Joyeux.

Henry.

My sweet Joyeux, I make thee general
Of all my army, now in readiness
To march 'gainst the rebellious King Navarre;
At thy request I am content thou go,
Although my love to thee can hardly suffer['t],
Regarding still the danger of thy life.

Joyeux.

Thanks to your majesty: and so, I take my leave
Farewell to my Lord of Guise, and Epernoun.

Guise.

Health and hearty farewell to my Lord Joyeux.
[ExitJoyeux.

Henry.

So kindly, cousin of Guise, you and your wife
Do both salute our lovely minions.
Remember you the letter, gentle sir,
Which your wife writ
To my dear minion, and her chosen friend?
[Makes horns atGuise.

Guise.

How now, my lord! faith, this is more than need.
Am I thus to be jested at and scorn'd?
'Tis more than kingly or emperious:
And, sure, if all the proudest kings
In Christendom should bear me such derision,
They should know how I scorn'd them and their mocks.
20
I love your minions! dote on them yourself;
I know none else but holds them in disgrace;
And here, by all the saints in heaven, I swear,
That villain for whom I bear this deep disgrace,
Even for your words that have incens'd me so,
Shall buy that strumpet's favour with his blood!
Whether he have dishonour'd me or no,
Par la mort de Dieu1 il mourra!
[Exit.

Henry.

Believe me, this jest bites sore.

Eper.

My lord, 'twere good to make them friends,
30
For his oaths are seldom spent in vain.
Enter Mugeroun.

Henry.

How now, Mugeroun! mett'st thou not the Guise at the door?

Mug.

Not I, my lord; what if I had?

Henry.

Marry, if thou hadst, thou mightst have had the stab,
For he hath solemnly sworn thy death.

Mug.

I may be stabb'd, and live till he be dead:
But wherefore bears he me such deadly hate?

Henry.

Because his wife bears thee such kindly love.

Mug.

If that be all, the next time that I meet her,
I'll make her shake off love with her heels.
40
But which way is he gone? I'll go take1 a walk
On purpose from the court to meet with him.
[Exit.

Henry.

I like not this. Come, Epernoun,
Let us go seek the duke, and make them friends.
[Exeunt.

SCENE XVIII.

Alarums within, and a cry-“TheDuke Joyeuxis slain.” Enter2 theKing Of Navarre, Bartus,and train.

Nav.

The duke is slain, and all his power dispers'd,
And we are graced with wreaths of victory.
Thus God, we see, doth ever guide the right,
To make his glory great upon the earth.

Bar.

The terror of this happy victory,
I hope, will make the king surcease his hate,
And either never manage army more,
Or else employ them im some better cause.

Nav.

How many noblemen have lost their lives
In prosecution of these cruel arms,
10
Is ruth, and almost death, to call to mind.
But God we know will always put them down
That lift themselves against the perfect truth;
Which I'll maintain so long as life doth last,
And with the Queen of England join my force
To beat the papal monarch from our lands,
And keep those rehcs from our countries' coasts.
Come, my lords; now that this storm is over-past,
Let us away with triumph to our tents.
[Exeunt.

SCENE XIX.

Enter1 aSoldier

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.
11
EnterMugeroun.
What, are ye come so soon? have at ye, sir!
[Shoots atMugerounand kills him.1
EnterGuiseandAttendants.
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 offMugeroun'Sbody.
EnterKing HenryandEpernoun.

Henry.

My Lord of Guise, we understand
That you have gathered a power of men:
What your intent is yet we cannot learn,
But we presume it is not for our good.
20

Guise.

Why, I am no traitor to the crown of France,
What I have done, 'tis for the Gospel's sake.

Eper.

Nay, for the Pope's sake, and thine own benefit
What peer in France but thou, aspiring Guise,
Durst be in arms without the king's consent?
I challenge thee for treason in the cause.

Guise.

Ah, base Epernoun! were not his highness here,
Thou shouldst perceive the Duke of Guise is mov'd.

Henry.

Be patient, Guise, and threat not Epernoun,
Lest thou perceive the king of France be mov'd.
30

Guise.

Why, I'm a prince of the Valois line,
Therefore an enemy to the Bourbonites;
I am a juror in the holy league,
And therefore hated of the Protestants:
What should I do but stand upon my guard?
And, being able, I'll keep an host in pay.

Eper.

Thou able to maintain an host in pay,
That liv'st by foreign exhibition!1
The Pope and King of Spain are thy good friends;
Else all France knows how poor a duke thou art.
40

Henry.

Ay, 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 factious2 Puritans:
And know, my lord, the Pope will sell his triple crown,
Ay, and the Catholic Philip, King of Spain,
Ere I shall want, will cause his Indians
To rip the golden bowels of America.
50
Navarre, that cloaks them underneath his wings,
Shall feel the house of Lorraine is his foe.
Your highness needs not fear mine army's force;
'Tis for your safety, and your enemies' wreck.

Henry.

Guise, wear our crown, and be thou king of France,
And, as dictator, make or war or peace,
Whilst I cry placet, like a senator!
I cannot brook thy haughty insolence:
Dismiss thy camp, or else by our edict
Be thou proclaim'd a traitor throughout France.
60
Guise. The choice is hard; I must dissemble.-
[Aside.
My lord, in token of my true humility,
And simple meaning to your majesty,
I kiss your grace's hand, and take my leave,
Intending to dislodge my camp with speed.

Henry.

Then farewell, Guise; the king and thou are friends.
[ExitGuise.

Eper.

But trust him not, my lord; for, had your highness
Seen with what a pomp he enter'd Paris,
And how the citizens with gifts and shows
Did entertain him,
70
And promised 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 anAttendant,with pen and ink.
Make a discharge of all my council straight,
And I'll subscribe my name, and seal it straight.-
[Attendant writes.
My head shall be my council; they are false;
80
And, Eperoun, 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 quite1 your grace of all suspect.

Henry.

First let us set our hand and seal to this,
And then I'll tell thee what I mean to do.—
[Writes.
So; convey this to the council presently.
[Exit Attendant.
And, Epernoun, though I seem mild and calm,
Think not but I am tragical within.
90
I'll secretly convey me unto Blois;
For, now that Paris takes the Guise's part,
Here is no staying for the king of France,
Unless he mean to be betray'd and die:
But, as I live, so sure the Guise shall die.
[Exeunt

SCENE XX.

Enter2 theKing Of Navarre, reading a letter, andBartus.

Nav.

My lord, I am advertisèd from France
That the Guise hath taken arms against the king,
And that Paris is revolted from his grace.

Bar.

Then hath your grace fit opportunity
To show your love unto the king of France,
Offering him aid against his enemies,

Nav.

Bartus, it shall be so: post, then, to France,
And there salute his highness in our name;
Assure him all the aid we can provide
10
Against the Guisians and their complices.
Bartus, be gone: commend me to his grace,

Bar.

I will, my lord.
[Exit.

Nav.

Pleshè!
EnterPleshè.

Pleshè.

My lord?

Nav.

Pleshè, go muster up our men with speed,
And let them march away to France amain,
For we must aid the king against the Guise.
Begone, I say; 'tis time that we were there.
20

Pleshè.

I go, my lord.
[Exit.

Nav.

That wicked Guise, I fear me much, will be
The ruin of that famous realm of France;
For his aspiring thoughts aim at the crown,
And1 takes his vantage on religion,
To plant the Pope and Popelings in the realm,
And bind it wholly to the see of Rome.
But, if that God do prosper mine attempts,
And send us safely to arrive in France,
We'll beat him back, and drive him to his death,
30
That basely seeks the ruin of his realm.
[Exit.

SCENE XXI.

Enter1the Captain of the Guard, and three Murderers.

Cap.

Come on, sirs. What, are you resolutely bent,
Hating the life and honour of the Guise?
What, will you not fear, when you see him come?

First Murd.

Fear him, said you? tush, were he here,
we would kill him presently.

Sec. Murd.

O that his heart were leaping in my hand!

Third Murd.

But when will he come, that we may murder him?

Cap.

Well, then, I see you are resolute.

First Murd.

Let us alone; I warrant you.

Cap.

Then, sirs, take your standings within this chamber;
10
For anon the Guise will come.

All three Murderers.

You will give us our money?

Cap.

Ay, ay, fear not: stand close: so; be resolute.
[Exeunt Murderers.
Now falls the star whose influence governs France,
Whose light was deadly to the Protestants:
Now must he fall, and perish in his height.
EnterKing HenryandEpernoun.

Henry.

Now, captain of my guard, are these murderers ready?

Cap.

They be, my good lord.

Henry.

But are they resolute, and armed to kill,
Hating the life and honour of the Guise?
20

Cap.

I warrant ye, my lord.
[Exit.

Henry.

Then come, proud Guise, and here disgorge thy breast,
Surcharged with surfeit of ambitious thoughts;
Breathe out that life wherein my death was hid,
And end thy endless treasons with thy death.
[Knocking within.

Guise [within].

Holà, varlet, hè!—Epernoun, where is the king?

Eper.

Mounted1 his royal cabinet.

Guise [within].

I prithee, tell him that the Guise is here.

Eper.

An please your grace, the Duke of Guise doth crave
Access unto your highness.

Henry.

Let him come in.—
30
Come, Guise, and see thy traitorous guile outreach'd,
And perish in the pit thou mad'st for me.
EnterGuise.

Guise.

Good morrow to your majesty.

Henry.

Good morrow to my loving cousin of Guise:
How fares it this morning with your excellence?

Guise.

I heard your majesty was scarcely pleased,
That in the court I bear so great a train.

Henry.

They were to blame that said I was displeased;
And you, good cousin, to imagine it.
'Twere hard with me, if I should doubt my kin,
40
Or be suspicious of my dearest friends.
Cousin, assure you I am resolute,
Whatsoever any whisper in mine ears,
Not to suspect disloyalty in thee:
And so, sweet coz, farewell.
[Exit withEpernoun.

Guise.

So;
Now sues the king for favour to the Guise,
And all his minions stoop when I command:
Why, this 'tis to have an army in the field.
Now, by the holy sacrament, I swear,
50
As ancient Romans o'er their captive lords,
So will I triumph o'er this wanton king;
And he shall follow my proud chariot's wheels.
Now do I but begin to look about,
And all my former time was spent in vain.
Hold, sword,
For in thee is the Duke of Guise's hope.
Re-enter Third Murderer.
Villain, why dost thou look so ghastly? speak.

Third Murd.

O, pardon me, my Lord of Guise!

Guise.

Pardon thee! why, what hast thou done?
60

Third Murd.

O my lord, I am one of them that is set to murder you!

Guise.

To murder me, villain!

Third Murd.

Ay, my lord: the rest have ta'en their standings in the next room; therefore, good my lord, go not forth.

Guise.

Yet Cæsar shall go forth.
Let mean conceits and baser men fear death:
Tut, they are peasants; I am Duke of Guise;
And princes with their looks engender fear.
70

First Murd.

[within] Stand close; he is coming; I know him by his voice.

Guise.

As pale as ashes!1 nay, then, it is time
To look about.
Enter First and Second Murderers.

First and Sec. Murderers.

Down with him, down with him!
[They stabGuise.

Guise.

O, I have my death's wound! give me leave to speak.

Sec. Murd.

Then pray to God, and ask forgiveness of the king.

Guise.

Trouble me not; I ne'er offended him,
Nor will I ask forgiveness of the king.
O, that I have not power to stay my life,
Nor immortality to be revenged!
80
To die by peasants, what a grief is this!
Ah, Sixtus, be reveng'd upon the king!
Philip and Parma, I am slain for you!
Pope, excommunicate, Philip, depose
The wicked branch of curs'd Valois his line!
Vive la messe! perish Huguenots!
Thus Cæsar did go forth, and thus he died.
[Dies.
Enter the Captain of the Guard.

Cap.

What, have you done?
Then stay a while, and I'll go call the king.
But see, where he comes.
90
EnterKing Henry, Epernoun, and Attendants.
My lord, see, where the Guise is slain.

Henry.

Ah, this sweet sight is physic to my soul!
Go fetch his son for to behold his death.—
[Exit an Attendant
Surcharg'd with guilt of thousand massacres,
Monsieur of Lorraine, sink away to hell!
And, in remembrance of those bloody broils,
To which thou didst allure me, being alive,
And here, in presence of you all, I swear,
I ne'er was king of France until this hour.
This is the traitor that hath spent my gold
100
In making foreign wars and civil broils.
Did he not draw a sort1 of English priests
From Douay to the seminary at Rheims,
To hatch forth treason 'gainst their natural queen?
Did he not cause the king of Spain's huge fleet
To threaten England, and to menace me?
Did he not injure Monsieur that's deceas'd?
Hath he not made me, in the Pope's defence,
To spend the treasure, that should strength my land,
In civil broils between Navarre and me?
110
Tush, to be short, he meant to make me monk,
Or else to murder me, and so be king.
Let Christian princes, that shall hear of this
(As all the world shall know our Guise is dead),
Rest satisfied with this, that here I swear,

Eper.

My lord, here is his son.
EnterGuise's Son.

Henry.

Boy, look where your father lies.

G.'s Son.

My father slain! who hath done this deed?

Henry.

Sirrah, 'twas I that slew him; and will slay
120
Thee too, an thou prove such a traitor.

G.'s Son.

Art thou king, and hast done this bloody deed?
I'll be reveng'd.
[Offers to throw his dagger.

Henry.

Away to prison with him! I'll clip his wings
Or e'er he pass my hands. Away with him!
[Some of the Attendants bear offGuise's Son.
But what availeth that this traitor's dead,
When Duke Dumaine, his brother, is alive,
And that young cardinal that is grown so proud?
Go to the governor of Orleans,
And will1 him, in my name, to kill the duke.
130
[To the Captain of the Guard.
Get you away, and strangle the cardinal.
[To the Murderers.
[Exeunt Captain of the Guard and Murderers.
These two will make one entire Duke of Guise,
Especially with our old mother's help.

Eper.

My lord, see, where she comes, as if she droop'd
To hear these news.

Henry.

And let her droop, my heart is light enough.
EnterCatherinethe Queen-Mother.
Mother, how like you this device of mine?

Cath.

King! why, so thou wert before.
Pray God thou be a king now this is done!
140

Henry.

Nay, he was king, and countermanded me.
But now I will be king, and rule myself,

Cath.

I cannot speak for grief.—When thou wast born.
I would that I had murdered thee, my son!
My son? thou art a changeling, not my son:
I curse thee, and exclaim thee miscreant,

Henry.

Cry out, exclaim, howl till thy throat be hoarse!
The Guise is slain, and I rejoice therefore:
150
And now will I to arms.—Come, Epernoun,
And let her grieve her heart out, if she will.
[Exit withEpernoun

Cath.

Away! leave me alone to meditate.
[Exeunt Attendants.
Sweet Guise, would he had died, so thou wert here!
To whom shall I bewray my secrets now,
Or who will help to build religion?
The Protestants will glory and insult;
Wicked Navarre will get the crown of France;
The Popedom cannot stand; all goes to wreck;
And all for thee, my Guise! What may I do?
160
But sorrow seize upon my toiling soul!
For, since the Guise is dead, I will not live.
[Exit.

SCENE XXII.

Enter1two Murderers, dragging in theCardinal.

Card.

Murder me not; I am a cardinal.

First Murd.

Wert thou the Pope thou might'st not scape from us.

Card.

What, will you file your hands with churchmen's blood?

Sec. Murd.

Shed your blood! O Lord, no! for we intend to strangle you.

Card.

Then there is no remedy, but I must die?

First Murd.

No remedy; therefore prepare yourself.

Card.

Yet lives my brother Duke Dumaine, and many mo,
To revenge our deaths upon that cursèd king;
Upon whose heart may all the Furies gripe,
10
And with their paws drench his black soul in hell!

First Murd.

Yours, my Lord Cardinal, you should have said.—
[They strangle him.
So, pluck amain:
He is hard-hearted; therefore pull with violence.
Come, take him away.
[Exeunt with the body

SCENE XXIII.

Enter1Dumaine, reading a letter; with others.

Dum.

My noble brother murder'd by the king!
O, what may I do for to revenge thy death?
The king's alone, it cannot satisfy.
Sweet Duke of Guise, our prop to lean upon,
Now thou art dead, here is no stay for us.
I am thy brother, and I'll revenge thy death,
And root Valois his line from forth of France;
And beat proud Bourbon to his native home,
That basely seeks to join with such a king,
Whose murderous thoughts will be his overthrow.
10
He will'd the governor of Orleans, in his name,
That I with speed should have been put to death;
But that's prevented, for to end his life,
And2 all those traitors to the Church of Rome
That durst attempt to murder noble Guise.
Enter Friar.

Fri.

My lord, I come to bring you news that your brother the Cardinal of Lorraine, by the king's consent, is lately strangled unto death.

Dum.

My brother Cardinal slain, and I alive!
O words of power to kill a thousand men!—
20
Come, let us away, and levy men;
'Tis war that must assuage this tyrant's pride.

Fri.

My lord, hear me but speak.
I am a friar of the order of the Jacobins,
That for my conscience' sake will kill the king.

Dum.

But what doth move thee, above the rest, to do the deed?

Fri.

O my lord, I have been a great sinner in my days! and the deed is meritorious.

Dum.

But how wilt thou get opportunity?
30

Fri.

Tush, my lord, let me alone for that.

Dum.

Friar, come with me;
We will go talk more of this within.
[Exeunt.

SCENE XXIV.

Drums and Trumpets. Enter1King Henry, theKing Of Navarre, Epernoun, Bartus, Pleshè, Soldiers, and Attendants.

Henry.

Brother of Navarre, I sorrow much
That ever I was prov'd your enemy,
And that the sweet and princely mind you bear
Was ever troubled with injurious wars.
I vow, as I am lawful king of France,
To recompense your reconcilèd love,
With all the honours and affections
That ever I vouchsaf'd my dearest friends.

Nav.

It is enough if that Navarre may be
Esteemèd faithful to the king of France,
10
Whose service he may still command till death.

Henry.

Thanks to my kingly brother of Navarre.
Then here we'll lie before Lutetia-walls,1
Girting this strumpet city with our siege,
Till, surfeiting with our afflicting arms,
She cast her hateful stomach to the earth
Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

An it please your majesty, here is a friar of the order of the Jacobins, sent from the President of Paris, that craves access unto your grace.

Henry.

Let him come in.
[Exit Mess.
20
Enter Friar, with a letter.

Eper.

I like not this friar's look:
'Twere not amiss, my lord, if he were search'd.

Henry.

Sweet Epernoun, our friars are holy men,
And will not offer violence to their king
For all the wealth and treasure of the world.—
Friar, thou dost acknowledge me thy king?

Fri.

Ay, my good lord, and will die therein.

Henry.

Then come thou near, and tell what news thou bring'st.

Fri.

My lord,
The President of Paris greets your grace,
30
And sends his duty by these speedy lines,
Humbly craving your gracious reply.
[Gives letter

Henry.

I'll read them, friar, and then I'll answer thee.

Fri.

Sancte Jacobe,1 now have mercy upon me!
[Stabs the king with a knife, as he reads the letter; and then the king gets the knife, and kills him.

Eper.

O my lord, let him live a while!

Henry.

No, let the villain die, and feel in hell
Just torments for his treachery.

Nav.

What, is your highness hurt?

Henry.

Yes, Navarre; but not to death, I hope.

Nav.

God shield your grace from such a sudden death!—
40
Go call a surgeon hither straight. [Exit an Attendant.

Henry.

What irreligious pagans' parts be these,
Of such as hold them of the holy church!
Take hence that damnèd villain from my sight.
[Attendants carry out the Friar's body.

Eper.

Ah, had your highness let him live,
We might have punish'd him to his deserts!

Henry.

Sweet Epernoun, all rebels under heaven
Shall take example by his2 punishment,
How they bear arms against their sovereign.—
Go call the English agent hither straight:
50
[Exit an Attendant.
I'll send my sister England news of this,
And give her warning of her treacherous foes.
Enter a Surgeon.

Nav.

Pleaseth your grace to let the surgeon search your wound?

Henry.

The wound, I warrant ye, is deep, my lord.—
Search, surgeon, and resolve me what thou see'st.
[The Surgeon searches the wound
Enter the English Agent.
Agent for England, send thy mistress word
What this detested Jacobin hath done.
Tell her, for all this, that I hope to live;
Which if I do, the papal monarch goes
To wreck, and antichristian kingdom falls:
60
These bloody hands shall tear his triple crown,
And fire accursèd Rome about his ears;
I'll fire his crazèd buildings, and enforce
The papal towers to kiss the lowly1 earth.
Navarre, give me thy hand: I here do swear
To ruinate that wicked Church of Rome,
That hatcheth up such bloody practices;
And here protest eternal love to thee,
And to the Queen of England specially,
Whom God hath bless'd for hating papistry.
70

Nav.

These words revive my thoughts, and comfort me.
To see your highness in this virtuous mind.

Henry.

Tell me, surgeon, shall I live?

Surg.

Alas, my lord, the wound is dangerous,
For you are stricken with a poison'd knife!

Henry.

A poison'd knife! what, shall the French king die,
Wounded and poison'd both at once?

Eper.

O, that
That damnèd villain were alive again,
That we might torture him with some new-found death

Bar.

He died a death too good:
80
The devil of hell torture his wicked soul!

Henry.

Ah, curse him not, sith he is dead!—
O, the fatal poison works within my breast!—

Surg.

Alas, my lord, your highness cannot live!

Nav.

Surgeon, why say'st thou so? the king may live.

Henry.

O no, Navarre! thou must be king of France,

Nav.

Long may you live, and still be king of France!

Eper.

Or else, die Epernoun!
89

Henry.

Sweet Epernoun, thy king must die.—My lords,
Fight in the quarrel of this valiant prince,
For he's your lawful king, and my next heir;
Valois's line ends in my tragedy.
Now let the house of Bourbon wear the crown;
And may it ne'er end in blood as mine hath done!—
Weep not, sweet Navarre, but revenge my death.—
Ah, Epernoun, is this thy love to me?
Henry, thy king, wipes off these childish tears,
And bids thee whet thy sword on Sixtus' bones,
That it may keenly slice the Catholics.
100
He loves me not [the most1 ] that sheds most tears,
But he that makes most lavish of his blood.
Fire Paris, where these treacherous rebels lurk.—
I die, Navarre: come bear me to my sepulchre.
Salute the Queen of England in my name,
And tell her Henry dies her faithful friend.
[Dies

Nav.

Come, lords, take up the body of the king,
That we may see it honourably interr'd:
And then I vow so2 to revenge his death,
As Rome, and all those popish prelates there,
110
Shall curse the time that e'er Navarre was king,
And ruled in France by Henry's fatal death.
[They march out, with the body ofKing Henrylying on four men's shoulders, with a dead march, drawing weapons on the ground.

THE TRAGEDY OF DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE.

Dido was published in 1594, with the following title —

The Tragedie of Dido Queene of Carthage Played by the Children of her Maiesties Chappell. Written by Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Nash, Gent.

Actors

Jupiter.	Ascanius.
Gammed.	Dido.
Venus.	Anna.
Cupid.	Achates.
Juno	Ilioneus.
Mercurie, or Hermes.	Iarbas.
	Cloanthes.
Æneas.	Sergestus.

At London, Printed, by the Widdowe Orwin, for Thomas Wooa-cocke, and are to be sold at his shop, in Paules Churchyeard, at the signe of the blacke Beare.

1594, 4to.

A copy of this edition is in the Bodleian Library; and I am indebted to my friend Mr. C. H Firth for kindly comparing Dyce's text with the text of the Bodleian copy.

PERSONS REPRESENTED

Jupiter.
Ganymede.
Hermes.
Cupid.

Juno.
Venus.

æneas.
Ascanius, his son.
Achates.
Ilioneus.
Cloanthus.
Sergestus.
Other Trojans.
Iarbas.
Carthaginian Lords.

Dido.
Anna, her sister.
Nurse.

THE TRAGEDY OF DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE.

ACT I.

[1]Scene: the royal palace, London.

[2]So ed. 1598.—Omitted in eds. 1612, 1622.

[1]The old eds. repeat “Ay.”

[2]The prefix in the old eds. is “Lords.”

[3]So ed. 1598.—Eds, 1612, 1622, “How now, my Lord?” (which is perhaps the right reading).

[1]Old eds. “Lords.”

[1]Omitted in eds. 1612, 1622.

[2]Old eds. “Lords”

[1]So ed. 1598.—Eds. 1612, 1622, “the.”

[2]Old eds. “Lords.”

[1]In the old copy there is no division into scenes. Scene: an apartment in the Louvre.

[1]Untimely.

[2]Scene: an apartment in a house near the Louvre.

[1]“About noone, when he [the Admiral] was in returning home from the Counsell, with a greate compame of noblemen and gentlemen, beholde a harquebuzier out of a window of a house neere adjoyning shot the Admiral with two bullets of lead through both the arms … The name of him that shot was very diligently kept secret. Some saye it was Manrevet, which in the third Civill War tratorously slew his Captaine, Monsieur de Mony, a most valiant and noble gentleman, and straightway fled into the enemie's campe. Some say it was Bondot, one of the archers of the king's guard.”—The Three Partes of Commentaries containing the whole and perfect discourse of the Civill Wars of France, &c. 1574 (Book x.).

[1]Crowns.

[2]This word occurs in 3 Henry VI., v. 1, and 7 itus Andronicus, v.3 also in Shakespeare's Sonnets and Rape of Lucrece.

[1]Dwell. (In this sense the word “keep” is still used at Cambridge.)

[2]Old ed. “Nauarre, Nauarre.”

[1]So old ed.—Dyce reads, “That those which do behold them.”

[2]Scene: a street.

[1]Cunningham arranges ll. 34-5 thus:—

“We are betrayed! Come, my lords, and let us
Go tell the king of this.”

[1]Scene: an apartment in the Louvre.

[1]So Dyce.—Old ed. “suspected.”

[2]Beset.

[1]Old ed. “humble.”

[2]Not marked in old ed.

[3]Old ed. “Enter the Admirall in his bed,” a stage-direction meaning that a bed containing the Admiral should be thrust upon the stage. Cf. a stage-direction in Heywood's Golden Age —” Enter the foure old Beldams, drawing out Danae's bed, she in it.”

[4]Dyce reads “his.”

[1]Scene: a street.

[1]Commencement. Dyce quotes from Heywood's Four Prentices of London.—

“Take them to guard: this entrance to our warres
Is full of spirit, and begets much hope.”

[1]From the upper stage.

[2]“Then a certain Italian of Gonzague's band cut off the Admiral's head, and sent it, preserved with spices, to Rome to the Pope and the Cardinal of Lorraine. Others cut off his hands.' —Three Parts of Commtaries, &c., Book x. p. 14.

[3]“So the old ed., and so indeed our early autbors usually wrote the name:

'O, may they once as high as Haman mount,
And from Mount Faulcon give a sad account, &c Sylvester's Du Bartas's Works.”—Dyce.

[1]Scene: a street.

[1]Scene: the entrance to Seroune's house

[1]Old ed. “Sancta.”

[2]Old ed. “he was.”

[3]Old ed. “Rene.”

[1]Old ed. “scoftes.”

[2]Old ed. “acuons.”

[3]I have adopted Mitford's emendauon. The read the old ed.

[1]Old ed. “Shekins.”

[2]Grounds of proof,—in the scholastic sense of τόποι, or loci. “Itaqui licet definire, locum esse argumenti sedem.”—Cicero, Top. ii. 3.

[3]Old ed. “thorbonest.”

[4]“… tandemque P. Ramum diu quaesitum vicariorum coryphaen unus offendit, eique veniam frustra deprecanti vulnus in brachio infligit et plurimis aliis ictibus postea confoditur. … E fenestra spiritum trahens praecipitatur in aream, pedibusque fune devinctis per urbis sordes devol vitur et capite a chirurgo quodam truncato cadaver in … Sequanam flumen misere projicitur.”—Theephilus Banosius' Vita Rami, prefixed to Commentarii de Religione Christiana (Francofuru, 1577).

[5]“‘Carbonarius pater probri loco illi [sc. Ramo] objectus est. Rami Vita per Freigium.' —Dyce.

[1]Old ed. “Rene.”

[2]The scene shifts to the King of Navarre's quarters in the Louvre.

[3]The young Prince of Condè, cousin to the King of Navarre.

[1]The stage-direction in old ed. is “Enter Guise.”

[2]Scene: a room in the Louvre.

[1]Scene: near Paris.

[2]Old ed. “by the.”

[1]Scene. a wood near Paris.

[2]Scene: a room in the Castle of Vincennes.

[3]Du-Plessis Mornay.

[1]Old ed. “there,” which Dyce silently retains. The correction was made by Cunningham, who explains the passage thus:—” There are persons (you yourself and my Protestant subjects, for instance) from whom I have deserved a scourge, but their feelings would never lead them to poison their king; God grant that my dearest relations may prove to have been no worse than those who ought to be my enemies,” &c.—” Scourge” must surely be the scourge of God. Navarre had said, “God will sure restore you:” to which the king answers, “I have deserved a scourge” from God. Before 1. 10 a line or more referring to the massacre of the Protestants must have dropped out.

[1]Old ed. “Nauarre.”

[2]Old ed. “seeme.”

[3]Pampeluna.

[1]Scene, a hall in the Louvre.

[1]I should prefer to read:—

“Then may it please
Your majesty to give me leave to punish
Those that do [dare] profane this holy feast.”

[1]Old ed. “as.”

[1]Old ed. “lords.”

[2]Scene: a room in the Duke of Guise's house.

[3]“The gallant of the Duchess was not Mugeroun (Maugiron), but Saint-Mègrin, another of the King's ‘Mignons.’ See Anquetil.—Hist. de France, t, v. 345, ed. 1817.”—Dyce.

[1]Old ed. “wert.”

[1]“I must leave the location of this scene to the reader. I should have marked it—La Rochelle, but that the Messenger presently informs the King that 'a mighty army comes from France.'”—Dyce.

[2]Hinder.

[1]Scene: an apartment in the Louvre.

[1]Olded. “mordu.”

[1]Old ed. “make.”

[2]Scene: near Coutras.

[1]Scene outside the Louvre.-In his Htst. of Eng. Dram. Poetry, III 134 (old ed.), Collier printed a portion (given below) of this scene from a fragment of a MS. copy. It will be seen that the printed text was much mutilated.

“Enter a Souldier with a muskett,
Souldier. Now, sir, to you that dares make a duke a cuckolde, and use a counterfeyt key to his privye chamber: though you take out none but your owne treasure, yett you put in that displeases him, and fill up his rome that he shold occupye. Herein, sir, you forestalle the markett, and sett up your standinge where you shold not. But you will saye you leave him rome enoghe besides: that's no answere; he's to have the choyce of his owne freeland; yf it be not too free, there's the questione. Nowe, for where he is your landlorde, you take upon you to be his, and will needs enter by defaulte: what though you were once in possession, yett comminge upon you once unawares, he frayde you out againe; therefore your entrye is mere intrusions: this is against the law, sir: and though I come not to keepe possessione (as I wolde I might I), yet I come to keepe you out, sir.
EnterMinion.
You are wellcome, sir: have at you!
[He kills him.
Minion. Trayterouse Guise, ah, thou hast morthered me!
EnterGuise.
Guise. Hold the[e], tall soldier! take the[e] this, and flye.
[Exit[Soldier].
Thus fall, imperfett exbalatione,
Which our great sonn of France cold not effecte;
A fyery meteor in the fermament:
Lye there, the kinge's delyght and Guise's scorne'
Revenge it, Henry, yf thou list or darst:
I did it onely in dispight of thee.
Fondlie hast thou incenste the Guise's sowle,
That of it selfe was hote enough to worke
Thy just degestione with extreamest shame.
The armye I have gatherd now shall ayme,
More at thie end then exterpatione;
And when thou thinkst I have forgotten this,
And that thou most reposest in my faythe,
Than will I wake thee from thy folishe dreame,
And lett thee see thie selfe my prysoner.
[Exeunt.”

[1]“Mugeroun (Maugiron) fell In a duel' Anquetil, Hist. de France, t. v. 344, ed. 1817: but Saint-Megrin, the gallant of the Duchess of Guise, was assassinated. 'Ils dresserent une embuscade & la porte du Louvre. Comme Saint-Megrin, en sortoit la nuit, des assassins apostes jeterent sur lui, et I'etendirent sur le pave, perce de trente-cinq coups II vecut cependant jusqu'au lendemain.' Anquetil, Ibid. p. 347.”-Dyce.

[1]Pension, maintenance.

[2]Collier's correction for the old copy's “sexious.”

[1]Quit, free.

[2]It cannot be determined where this scene takes place.

[1]Dyce reads “'A takes” (i.e. “He takes”), but the omission of a personal pronoun, where the sense is plain, occurs not unfrequently.

[1]Scene: a room in the royal palace at Blois.

[1]Cf. 2 Tamburlaine iv. 3—“Mounted his shining chariot” (for “mounted in“).

[1]Dyce conjectures that Guise must have seen himself in a mirror as he uttered these words.

[1]Set.

[1]Order.

[1]Scene: the interior of a prison at Blois.

[1]Scene: a room in Dumaine's house, at Paris.

[2]Old ed. “His life and all,” &c.

[1]Scene: Saint-Cloud.

[1]Old ed. “Lucrecia walles.”

[1]Old ed. “Jacobus.”

[2]Old ed. “their.”

[1]Dyce's correction for “incense … to kiss the holy earth.” He compares Edward II (I. 4, Il. 100, 101).—

“I'll fire thy crazèd buildings, and enforce
The papal towers to kiss the lowly ground.”

[1]The bracketed words were inserted by Dyce

[2]Dyce's correction for the old copy's “for.”

Home

The Forum

Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

The Library

Return to Title Page for The Works of Christopher Marlowe, vol. 2

The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

SCENE VI. - Christopher Marlowe, The Works of Christopher Marlowe, vol. 2 [1593]

Edition used:

Part of: The Works of Christopher Marlowe, 3 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Copyright information:

Fair use statement:

SCENE VI.

Y. Mor.

Mat.

Y. Mor.

Mat.

Y. Mor.

Mat.

Y. Mor.

Queen.

Y. Mor.

King.

Y. Mor.

King.

Queen.

King.

Y. Mor.

King.

Y. Mor.

King.

Y. Mor.

Queen.

Y. Mor.

King.

Y. Mor.

King.

Queen.

Y. Mor.

King.

Y. Mor.

King.

Queen.

King.

Queen.

King.

Queen.

King.

King.

Queen.

King.

Queen.

Queen.

Queen.

Lord.

King.

THE MASSACRE AT PARIS.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

THE MASSACRE AT PARIS.

SCENE I.

Char.

Nav.

Cath.

Char.

Mar.

Char.

Cath.

Nav.

Adm.

Con.

Nav.

Adm.

Nav.

SCENE II.

Guise.