_Cath._ My n.o.ble son, and princely Duke of Guise, Now have we got the fatal, straggling deer Within the compa.s.s of a deadly toil, And, as we late decreed, we may perform.

_Char._ Madam, it will be noted through the world An action b.l.o.o.d.y and tyrannical; Chiefly, since under safety of our word They justly challenge their protection: Besides, my heart relents that n.o.blemen, 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' pain, 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.

_Cat._ Thanks to my princely son.--Then tell me,Guise, What order will you set down for the ma.s.sacre?

_Guise._ Thus, madam. They That shall be actors in this ma.s.sacre, Shall wear white crosses on their burgonets, 30 And tie white linen scarfs about their arms: He that wants these, and is suspect[360] 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 set[361] 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 the_ ADMIRAL'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 humbly[362] 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_.[363]

SCENE V.

_The_[364] ADMIRAL _discovered in bed.

Enter_ KING CHARLES.

_Char._ How fares it with my Lord High Admiral?

Hath he been hurt with villain's 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 n.o.bleman their[365] sovereign loves.

_Adm._ Ah, my good lord, these are the Guisians, That seek to ma.s.sacre our guiltless lives!

_Char._ a.s.sure 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 n.o.ble friend; Repaying all attempts with present death Upon the cursed 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.

[_Exit_ CHARLES. _The bed is drawn in._

SCENE VI.

_Enter_[366] GUISE, ANJOU, DUMAINE, GONZAGO, RETES, MOUNTSORRELL, _and_ Soldiers, _to the ma.s.sacre_.

_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._ I, let the Admiral be first despatch'd.

_Guise._ The Admiral, 10 Chief standard-bearer to the Lutherans, Shall in the entrance[367] of this ma.s.sacre Be murder'd in his bed.

Gonzago, conduct them thither; and then Beset his house, that not a man may live.

_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.

[_Exit_ GONZAGO _with 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.

GONZAGO _and others enter the_ ADMIRAL'S _house; the_ ADMIRAL _discovered 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 G.o.d, forgive my sins! [_Dies._

_Guise._ Gonzago, what, is he dead?

_Gon._ I, my lord. 30

_Guise._ Then throw him down.[368]

[_The body of the_ ADMIRAL _is thrown down._ _Anj._ Now, cousin, view him well: It maybe 'tis some other, and he escap'd.