She has lavished all the diamonds of the Guise, Mar. O heavens! did ever virgin yet attempt Gril. Thou liest! and if thou hadst not glanced aside, And spied me coming, I had had it all. Mar. By heaven! by all that's good- Give me this hand, this hand by which I caught thee From the bold ruffian in the massacre, That would have stained thy almost infant honour, With lust, and blood;-dost thou remember it? Mar. I do, and bless the godlike arm, that saved me. Gril. "Tis false! thou hast forgot my generous action; And now thou laugh'st, to think how thou hast cheated, For all his kindness, this old grisled fool. Gril. But oh, that thou hadst died Ten thousand deaths, ere blasted Grillon' glory; As his own soul, and laid thee in his heart-strings; On all my wars; and oh,-out, shame upon Mar. Sir! father! hear me ! I come to court, to save the life of Guise. thee! Gril. And prostitute thy honour to the king. Mar. I have looked, perhaps, too nicely for my sex, Into the dark affairs of fatal state; And, to advance this dangerous inquisition, I listened to the love of daring Guise. Gril. By arms, by honesty, I swear thou lovest him! Mar. By heaven, that gave those arms success, I swear I do not, as you think! but take it all. I have heard the Guise, not with an angel's temper, Now, by the powers that framed me, this is all! Nor should the world have wrought this close confession, But to rebate your jealousy of honour. Gril. I know not what to say, nor what to think; There's heaven still in thy voice, but that's a sign Virtue's departing; for thy better angel Still makes the woman's tongue his rising ground, Wags there a while, and takes his flight for ever. Mar. You must not go. Gril. Though I have reason, plain As day, to judge thee false, I think thee true: Death and the devil! that's my own honesty; All like myself; but off; I'll hence and curse thee! Mar. Hark! the king's coming. Let me conjure you, for your own soul's quiet, Stir not, till you have heard my heart's design. Gril. Angel, or devil, I will.-Nay, at this rate, She'll make me shortly bring him to her bed.Bawd for him? no, he shall make me run my head Into a cannon, when 'tis firing, first; That's honourable sport. But I'll retire, And if she plays me false, here's that shall mend her. [Touching his Dagger, exit. MARMOUTIERE sits. Song and Dance. Enter the King. King. After the breathing of a love-sick heart Upon your hand, once more,--nay twice,-forgive me. Mar. I discompose you, sir. King. Who should be loved, but you? So loved, that even my crown, and self are vile, Mar. Fear you, sir! what is there dreadful in you? But to the Guise they deal their faithless praise Though for what end I cannot guess, except The love of all the good, and wonder of the great; Mar. Nay, were you, sir, unthroned By this seditious rout that dare despise you, you. Blast all my days, ye powers! torment my nights; That could not for the royal cause, like me, And follow you, like pilgrims, through the world. girl! [Aside. King. What shall I answer to thee, O thou balm To heal a broken, yet a kingly heart! For, so I swear I will be to my last. Come to my arms, and be thy Harry's angel, easy. Mar. O never, sir. King. What said you, Marmoutiere ? Why dost thou turn thy beauties into frowns? By heaven! were I a dying, and the priest King. You cannot go, You shall not.-O your suit, I kneel to grant it ; I beg you take whatever you demand. Mar. Then, sir, thus low, or prostrate if you please, Let me intreat for Guise. King. Ha, madam, what! For Guise; for Guise! that stubborn arrogant rebel, Which once I vowed with my drawn sword to wear To my last drop of blood.-Come Guise, come cardinal, All King. See, I am hushed; Speak then; how far, madam, would you command? Before the wound is desperate. Think alone, Take your own methods; all the heads of France Therefore resume, my lord, your god-like temper, Yet do not bear more than a monarch should; Believe it, sir, the more your majesty Draws back your arm, the more of fate it carries. my soul! |