_Mons._ Manly slaughter 150 Should never beare th'account of wilfull murther, It being a spice of justice, where with life Offending past law equall life is laid In equall ballance, to scourge that offence By law of reputation, which to men 155 Exceeds all positive law; and what that leaves To true mens valours (not prefixing rights Of satisfaction suited to their wrongs) A free mans eminence may supply and take.

_Henr._ This would make every man that thinks him wrong'd, 160 Or is offended, or in wrong or right, Lay on this violence; and all vaunt themselves Law-menders and supplyers, though meere butchers, Should this fact, though of justice, be forgiven.

_Mons._ O no, my Lord! it would make cowards feare 165 To touch the reputations of true men.

When only they are left to impe the law, Justice will soone distinguish murtherous minds From just revengers. Had my friend beene slaine, His enemy surviving, he should die, 170 Since he had added to a murther'd fame (Which was in his intent) a murthered man; And this had worthily beene wilfull murther; But my friend only sav'd his fames deare life, Which is above life, taking th'under value 175 Which in the wrong it did was forfeit to him; And in this fact only preserves a man In his uprightnesse, worthy to survive Millions of such as murther men alive.

_Henr._ Well, brother, rise, and raise your friend withall 180 From death to life: and, D'Ambois, let your life (Refin'd by pa.s.sing through this merited death) Be purg'd from more such foule pollution; Nor on your scape, nor valour, more presuming To be again so violent.

_Buss._ My Lord, 185 I lothe as much a deed of unjust death, As law it selfe doth; and to tyrannise, Because I have a little spirit to dare, And power to doe, as to be tyranniz'd.

This is a grace that (on my knees redoubled) 190 I crave, to double this my short lifes gift, And shall your royal bountie centuple, That I may so make good what Law and Nature Have given me for my good: since I am free, (Offending no just law) let no law make, 195 By any wrong it does, my life her slave: When I am wrong'd, and that Law failes to right me, Let me be King my selfe (as man was made) And doe a justice that exceeds the Law: If my wrong pa.s.se the power of single valour 200 To right and expiate, then be you my King, And doe a right, exceeding Law and Nature.

Who to himselfe is law, no law doth need, Offends no law, and is a King indeed.

_Henr._ Enjoy what thou intreat'st, we give but ours. 205

_Buss._ What you have given, my lord, is ever yours.

_Exit Rex c.u.m [Montsurry.]_

_Gui._ _Mort dieu_, who would have pardon'd such a murther?

_Exit._

_Mons._ Now vanish horrors into Court attractions For which let this balme make thee fresh and faire!

And now forth with thy service to the d.u.c.h.esse, 210 As my long love will to Monsurries Countesse. _Exit._

_Buss._ To whom my love hath long been vow'd in heart, Although in hand, for shew, I held the d.u.c.h.esse.

And now through bloud and vengeance, deeds of height, And hard to be atchiev'd, tis fit I make 215 Attempt of her perfection. I need feare No check in his rivality, since her vertues Are so renown'd, and hee of all dames hated. _Exit._

LINENOTES:

_Montsurry, and Attendants._ A, Beaumond, Nuncius.

11 _Where_. A, When.

27 _their_. A, his.

70 _Sparkl'd_. So in A; B, Spakl'd.

105 [_Montsurry._] Emend. ed.: Beau. Qq; see note 30, p.

149.

120 _a foot_. A, an eie.

128 _th'_. A, the.

129 _spirit_. A, spirits.

133 _All slaine outright_? So in A; B, All slaine outright but hee?

135 _freckled_. A, feebled.

166 _true_. A, full.

185 _violent_. So in A; B, daring.

204 _law_. A, King.

206 _c.u.m [Montsurry.]_ Emend. ed.: Qq, c.u.m Beau. See note 30, p. 149.

207 _Mort dieu_. A; B omits.

210-218 _And now . . . hated_. A omits, inserting instead:

_Buss._ How shall I quite your love?

_Mons._ Be true to the end.

I have obtained a kingdome with my friend.

[ACTUS SECUNDI SCENA SECUNDA.

_A Room in Montsurry's House._]

_Montsur[ry], Tamyra, Beaupre, Pero, Charlotte, Pyrha._

_Montsurry._ He will have pardon, sure.

_Tamyra._ Twere pittie else: For though his great spirit something overflow, All faults are still borne, that from greatnesse grow: But such a sudden courtier saw I never.

_Beaupre._ He was too sudden, which indeed was rudenesse. 5

_Tam._ True, for it argued his no due conceit Both of the place, and greatnesse of the persons, Nor of our s.e.x: all which (we all being strangers To his encounter) should have made more maners Deserve more welcome.

_Mont._ All this fault is found 10 Because he lov'd the d.u.c.h.esse and left you.

_Tam._ Ahlas, love give her joy! I am so farre From envie of her honour, that I sweare, Had he encounterd me with such proud sleight, I would have put that project face of his 15 To a more test than did her Dutchesship.

_Beau._ Why (by your leave, my lord) Ile speake it heere, (Although she be my ante) she scarce was modest, When she perceived the Duke, her husband, take Those late exceptions to her servants courtship, 20 To entertaine him.

_Tam._ I, and stand him still, Letting her husband give her servant place: Though he did manly, she should be a woman.

_Enter Guise._

[_Guise._] D'Ambois is pardond! wher's a King? where law?

See how it runnes, much like a turbulent sea; 25 Heere high and glorious, as it did contend To wash the heavens, and make the stars more pure; And heere so low, it leaves the mud of h.e.l.l To every common view. Come, Count Montsurry, We must consult of this.

_Tam._ Stay not, sweet lord. 30