Part 16

_Alarum within: Excursions over the Stage._

_The [Soldiers disguised as] Lackies running, Maillard following them._

_Maillard._ Villaines, not hold him when ye had him downe!

_1[st Soldier.]_ Who can hold lightning? Sdeath a man as well Might catch a canon bullet in his mouth, And spit it in your hands, as take and hold him.

_Mail._ Pursue, enclose him! stand or fall on him, 5 And yee may take him. Sdeath! they make him guards. _Exit._

_Alarum still, and enter Chalon._

_Challon._ Stand, cowards, stand; strike, send your bullets at him.

_1[st Soldier.]_ Wee came to entertaine him, sir, for honour.

_2[d Soldier.]_ Did ye not say so?

_Chal._ Slaves, hee is a traitor; Command the horse troopes to over-runne the traitor. _Exeunt._ 10

_Shouts within. Alarum still, and Chambers shot off. Then enter Aumall._

_Aumale._ What spirit breathes thus in this more then man, Turnes flesh to ayre possest, and in a storme Teares men about the field like autumne leaves? He turnd wilde lightning in the lackies hands, Who, though their sodaine violent twitch unhorst him, 15 Yet when he bore himselfe, their saucie fingers Flew as too hot off, as hee had beene fire. The ambush then made in, through all whose force Hee drave as if a fierce and fire-given canon Had spit his iron vomit out amongst them. 20 The battailes then in two halfe-moones enclos'd him, In which he shew'd as if he were the light, And they but earth, who, wondring what hee was, Shruncke their steele hornes and gave him glorious passe. And as a great shot from a towne besieg'd 25 At foes before it flyes forth blacke and roring, But they too farre, and that with waight opprest (As if disdaining earth) doth onely grasse, Strike earth, and up againe into the ayre, Againe sinkes to it, and againe doth rise, 30 And keepes such strength that when it softliest moves It piece-meale shivers any let it proves-- So flew brave Clermont forth, till breath forsooke him, Then fell to earth; and yet (sweet man) even then His spirits convulsions made him bound againe 35 Past all their reaches; till, all motion spent, His fixt eyes cast a blaze of such disdaine, All stood and star'd, and untouch'd let him lie, As something sacred fallen out of the skie. _A cry within._ O now some rude hand hath laid hold on him! 40

_Enter Maillard, Chalon leading Clermont, Captaines and Souldiers following._

See, prisoner led, with his bands honour'd more Then all the freedome he enjoy'd before.

_Mail._ At length wee have you, sir.

_Clermont._ You have much joy too; I made you sport. Yet, but I pray you tell mee, Are not you perjur'd?

_Mail._ No: I swore for the King. 45

_Cler._ Yet perjurie, I hope, is perjurie.

_Mail._ But thus forswearing is not perjurie. You are no politician: not a fault, How foule soever, done for private ends, Is fault in us sworne to the publike good: 50 Wee never can be of the damned crew; Wee may impolitique our selves (as 'twere) Into the kingdomes body politique, Whereof indeede we're members; you misse termes.

_Cler._ The things are yet the same. 55

_Mail._ Tis nothing so; the propertie is alter'd: Y'are no lawyer. Or say that othe and othe Are still the same in number, yet their species Differ extreamely, as, for flat example, When politique widowes trye men for their turne, 60 Before they wed them, they are harlots then, But when they wed them, they are honest women: So private men, when they forsweare, betray, Are perjur'd treachers, but being publique once, That is, sworne-married to the publique good-- 65

_Cler._ Are married women publique?

_Mail._ Publique good; For marriage makes them, being the publique good, And could not be without them: so I say Men publique, that is, being sworne-married To the good publique, being one body made 70 With the realmes body politique, are no more Private, nor can be perjur'd, though forsworne, More then a widow married, for the act Of generation is for that an harlot, Because for that shee was so, being unmarried: 75 An argument _a paribus_.

_Chal._ Tis a shrow'd one.

_Cler._ "Who hath no faith to men, to God hath none:" Retaine you that, sir? who said so?

_Mail._ Twas I.

_Cler._ Thy owne tongue damne thy infidelitie! But, Captaines all, you know me nobly borne; 80 Use yee t'assault such men as I with lackyes?

_Chal._ They are no lackyes, sir, but souldiers Disguis'd in lackyes coates.

_1 Sold._ Sir, wee have seene the enemie.

_Cler._ Avant! yee rascols, hence!

_Mail._ Now leave your coates.

_Cler._ Let me not see them more. 85

_Aum._ I grieve that vertue lives so undistinguisht From vice in any ill, and though the crowne Of soveraigne law, shee should be yet her footstoole, Subject to censure, all the shame and paine Of all her rigor.

_Cler._ Yet false policie 90 Would cover all, being like offenders hid, That (after notice taken where they hide) The more they crouch and stirre, the more are spide.

_Aum._ I wonder how this chanc'd you.

_Cler._ Some informer, Bloud-hound to mischiefe, usher to the hang-man, 95 Thirstie of honour for some huge state act, Perceiving me great with the worthy Guise, And he (I know not why) held dangerous, Made me the desperate organe of his danger, Onely with that poore colour: tis the common 100 And more then whore-like tricke of treacherie And vermine bred to rapine and to ruine, For which this fault is still to be accus'd; Since good acts faile, crafts and deceits are us'd. If it be other, never pittie mee. 105

_Aum._ Sir, we are glad, beleeve it, and have hope The King will so conceit it.

_Cler._ At his pleasure. In meane time, what's your will, Lord Lieutenant?

_Mail._ To leave your owne horse, and to mount the trumpets.

_Cler._ It shall be done. This heavily prevents 110 My purpos'd recreation in these parts; Which now I thinke on, let mee begge you, sir, To lend me some one captaine of your troopes, To beare the message of my haplesse service And miserie to my most noble mistresse, 115 Countesse of Cambray; to whose house this night I promist my repaire, and know most truely, With all the ceremonies of her favour, She sure expects mee.

_Mail._ Thinke you now on that?

_Cler._ On that, sir? I, and that so worthily, 120 That if the King, in spight of your great service, Would send me instant promise of enlargement, Condition I would set this message by, I would not take it, but had rather die.

_Aum._ Your message shall be done, sir: I, my selfe, 125 Will be for you a messenger of ill.

_Cler._ I thanke you, sir, and doubt not yet to live To quite your kindnesse.

_Aum._ Meane space use your spirit And knowledge for the chearfull patience Of this so strange and sodaine consequence. 130

_Cler._ Good sir, beleeve that no particular torture Can force me from my glad obedience To any thing the high and generall Cause, To match with his whole fabricke, hath ordainde; And know yee all (though farre from all your aymes, 135 Yet worth them all, and all mens endlesse studies) That in this one thing, all the discipline Of manners and of manhood is contain'd:-- A man to joyne himselfe with th'Universe In his maine sway, and make (in all things fit) 140 One with that all, and goe on round as it; Not plucking from the whole his wretched part, And into straites, or into nought revert, Wishing the compleate Universe might be Subject to such a ragge of it as hee; 145 But to consider great Necessitie All things, as well refract as voluntarie, Reduceth to the prime celestiall cause; Which he that yeelds to with a mans applause, And cheeke by cheeke goes, crossing it no breath, 150 But like Gods image followes to the death, That man is truely wise, and every thing (Each cause and every part distinguishing) In nature with enough art understands, And that full glory merits at all hands 155 That doth the whole world at all parts adorne, And appertaines to one celestiall borne. _Exeunt omnes._

LINENOTES:

_Exeunt._ Q, Exit.

54 _We're_. Q, We'are.

[SCÆNA SECUNDA.

_A Room at the Court in Paris._]

_Enter Baligny, Renel._

_Baligny._ So foule a scandall never man sustain'd, Which caus'd by th'King is rude and tyrannous: Give me a place, and my Lieutenant make The filler of it!

_Renel._ I should never looke For better of him; never trust a man 5 For any justice, that is rapt with pleasure; To order armes well, that makes smockes his ensignes, And his whole governments sayles: you heard of late Hee had the foure and twenty wayes of venerie Done all before him.

_Bal._ Twas abhorr'd and beastly. 10

_Ren._ Tis more then natures mightie hand can doe To make one humane and a letcher too. Looke how a wolfe doth like a dogge appeare, So like a friend is an adulterer; Voluptuaries, and these belly-gods, 15 No more true men are then so many toads. A good man happy is a common good; Vile men advanc'd live of the common bloud.

_Bal._ Give, and then take, like children!

_Ren._ Bounties are As soone repented as they happen rare. 20

_Bal._ What should Kings doe, and men of eminent places, But, as they gather, sow gifts to the graces? And where they have given, rather give againe (Being given for vertue) then, like babes and fooles, Take and repent gifts? why are wealth and power? 25

_Ren._ Power and wealth move to tyranny, not bountie; The merchant for his wealth is swolne in minde, When yet the chiefe lord of it is the winde.

_Bal._ That may so chance to our state-merchants too; Something performed, that hath not farre to goe. 30

_Ren._ That's the maine point, my lord; insist on that.

_Bal._ But doth this fire rage further? hath it taken The tender tynder of my wifes sere bloud? Is shee so passionate?

_Ren._ So wilde, so mad, Shee cannot live and this unwreakt sustaine. 35 The woes are bloudy that in women raigne. The Sicile gulfe keepes feare in lesse degree; There is no tyger not more tame then shee.

_Bal._ There is no looking home, then?

_Ren._ Home! Medea With all her hearbs, charmes, thunders, lightning, 40 Made not her presence and blacke hants more dreadfull.

_Bal._ Come, to the King; if he reforme not all, Marke the event, none stand where that must fall. _Exeunt._

[SCÆNA TERTIA.

_A Room in the House of the Countess of Cambrai._]

_Enter Countesse, Riova, and an Usher._

_Usher._ Madame, a captaine come from Clermont D'Ambois Desires accesse to you.

_Countess._ And not himselfe?

_Ush._ No, madame.

_Count._ That's not well. Attend him in. _Exit Ush[er]._ The last houre of his promise now runne out! And hee breake, some brack's in the frame of nature 5 That forceth his breach.

_Enter Usher and Aumal._

_Aumale._ Save your ladiship!

_Coun._ All welcome! Come you from my worthy servant?

_Aum._ I, madame, and conferre such newes from him--

_Coun._ Such newes! what newes?

_Aum._ Newes that I wish some other had the charge of. 10

_Coun._ O, what charge? what newes?

_Aum._ Your ladiship must use some patience, Or else I cannot doe him that desire He urg'd with such affection to your graces.

_Coun._ Doe it, for heavens love, doe it! if you serve 15 His kinde desires, I will have patience. Is hee in health?

_Aum._ He is.

_Count._ Why, that's the ground Of all the good estate wee hold in earth; All our ill built upon that is no more Then wee may beare, and should; expresse it all. 20

_Aum._ Madame, tis onely this; his libertie--

_Coun._ His libertie! Without that health is nothing. Why live I, but to aske in doubt of that? Is that bereft him?

_Aum._ You'll againe prevent me.

_Coun._ No more, I sweare; I must heare, and together 25 Come all my miserie! Ile hold, though I burst.

_Aum._ Then, madame, thus it fares; he was envited, By way of honour to him, to take view Of all the powers his brother Baligny Hath in his government; which rang'd in battailes, 30 Maillard, Lieutenant to the Governour, Having receiv'd strickt letters from the King, To traine him to the musters and betray him To their supprise; which, with Chalon in chiefe, And other captaines (all the field put hard 35 By his incredible valour for his scape) They haplesly and guiltlesly perform'd; And to Bastile hee's now led prisoner.

_Count._ What change is here! how are my hopes prevented! O my most faithfull servant, thou betraid! 40 Will Kings make treason lawfull? Is societie (To keepe which onely Kings were first ordain'd) Lesse broke in breaking faith twixt friend and friend Then twixt the King and subject? let them feare Kings presidents in licence lacke no danger. 45 Kings are compar'd to Gods, and should be like them, Full in all right, in nought superfluous, Nor nothing straining past right for their right. Raigne justly, and raigne safely. Policie Is but a guard corrupted, and a way 50 Venter'd in desarts, without guide or path. Kings punish subjects errors with their owne. Kings are like archers, and their subjects, shafts: For as when archers let their arrowes flye, They call to them, and bid them flye or fall, 55 As if twere in the free power of the shaft To flye or fall, when onely tis the strength, Straight shooting, compasse given it by the archer, That makes it hit or misse; and doing eyther, Hee's to be prais'd or blam'd, and not the shaft: 60 So Kings to subjects crying, "Doe, doe not this," Must to them by their owne examples strength, The straightnesse of their acts, and equall compasse, Give subjects power t'obey them in the like; Not shoote them forth with faultie ayme and strength, 65 And lay the fault in them for flying amisse.

_Aum._ But for your servant, I dare sweare him guiltlesse.

_Count._ Hee would not for his kingdome traitor be; His lawes are not so true to him, as he. O knew I how to free him, by way forc'd 70 Through all their armie, I would flye, and doe it: And had I of my courage and resolve But tenne such more, they should not all retaine him. But I will never die, before I give Maillard an hundred slashes with a sword, 75 Chalon an hundred breaches with a pistoll. They could not all have taken Clermont D'Ambois Without their treacherie; he had bought his bands out With their slave blouds: but he was credulous; Hee would beleeve, since he would be beleev'd; 80 Your noblest natures are most credulous. Who gives no trust, all trust is apt to breake; Hate like hell mouth who thinke not what they speake.

_Aum._ Well, madame, I must tender my attendance On him againe. Will't please you to returne 85 No service to him by me?

_Count._ Fetch me straight My little cabinet. _Exit Ancil[la]._ Tis little, tell him, And much too little for his matchlesse love: But as in him the worths of many men Are close contracted, (_Intr[at] Ancil[la.]_) so in this are jewels 90 Worth many cabinets. Here, with this (good sir) Commend my kindest service to my servant, Thanke him, with all my comforts, and, in them, With all my life for them; all sent from him In his remembrance of mee and true love. 95 And looke you tell him, tell him how I lye _She kneeles downe at his feete._ Prostrate at feet of his accurst misfortune, Pouring my teares out, which shall ever fall, Till I have pour'd for him out eyes and all.

_Aum._ O madame, this will kill him; comfort you 100 With full assurance of his quicke acquitall; Be not so passionate; rise, cease your teares.

_Coun._ Then must my life cease. Teares are all the vent My life hath to scape death. Teares please me better Then all lifes comforts, being the naturall seede 105 Of heartie sorrow. As a tree fruit beares, So doth an undissembled sorrow, teares. _Hee raises her, and leades her out. Exe[unt]._

_Usher._ This might have beene before, and sav'd much charge. _Exit._

LINENOTES:

5 _brack's_. Emended by all editors; Q, brack.

20 _and should; expresse it all_. So punctuated by all editors; Q, and should expresse it all.

31 _Maillard_. Q, Mailiard.

[SCÆNA QUARTA.

_A Room at the Court in Paris._]

_Enter Henry, Guise, Baligny, Esp[ernone], Soisson. Pericot with pen, incke, and paper._

_Guise._ Now, sir, I hope you're much abus'd eyes see In my word for my Clermont, what a villaine Hee was that whisper'd in your jealous eare His owne blacke treason in suggesting Clermonts, Colour'd with nothing but being great with mee. 5 Signe then this writ for his deliverie; Your hand was never urg'd with worthier boldnesse: Come, pray, sir, signe it. Why should Kings be praid To acts of justice? tis a reverence Makes them despis'd, and showes they sticke and tyre 10 In what their free powers should be hot as fire.

_Henry._ Well, take your will, sir;--Ile have mine ere long.-- _Aversus._ But wherein is this Clermont such a rare one?

_Gui._ In his most gentle and unwearied minde, Rightly to vertue fram'd in very nature; 15 In his most firme inexorable spirit To be remov'd from any thing hee chuseth For worthinesse; or beare the lest perswasion To what is base, or fitteth not his object; In his contempt of riches, and of greatnesse 20 In estimation of th'idolatrous vulgar; His scorne of all things servile and ignoble, Though they could gaine him never such advancement; His liberall kinde of speaking what is truth, In spight of temporising; the great rising 25 And learning of his soule so much the more Against ill fortune, as shee set her selfe Sharpe against him or would present most hard, To shunne the malice of her deadliest charge; His detestation of his speciall friends, 30 When he perceiv'd their tyrannous will to doe, Or their abjection basely to sustaine Any injustice that they could revenge; The flexibilitie of his most anger, Even in the maine careere and fury of it, 35 When any object of desertfull pittie Offers it selfe to him; his sweet disposure, As much abhorring to behold as doe Any unnaturall and bloudy action; His just contempt of jesters, parasites, 40 Servile observers, and polluted tongues-- In short, this Senecall man is found in him, Hee may with heavens immortall powers compare, To whom the day and fortune equall are; Come faire or foule, whatever chance can fall, 45 Fixt in himselfe, hee still is one to all.

_Hen._ Showes he to others thus?

_Omnes._ To all that know him.

_Hen._ And apprehend I this man for a traitor?

_Gui._ These are your Machevilian villaines, Your bastard Teucers, that, their mischiefes done, 50 Runne to your shield for shelter; Cacusses That cut their too large murtherous theveries To their dens length still. Woe be to that state Where treacherie guards, and ruine makes men great!

_Hen._ Goe, take my letters for him, and release him. 55

_Om._ Thankes to your Highnesse; ever live your Highnesse! _Exeunt._

_Baligny._ Better a man were buried quicke then live A propertie for state and spoile to thrive. _Exit._

LINENOTES:

_Aversus._ In left margin in Q.

51 _Cacusses_. Ed.; Q, Caucusses.

[SCÆNA QUINTA.

_A Country Road, between Cambrai and Paris._]

_Enter Clermont, Mail[lard], Chal[on] with Souldiers._

_Maillard._ Wee joy you take a chance so ill, so well.

_Clermont._ Who ever saw me differ in acceptance Of eyther fortune?

_Chalon._ What, love bad like good! How should one learne that?

_Cler._ To love nothing outward, Or not within our owne powers to command; 5 And so being sure of every thing we love, Who cares to lose the rest? if any man Would neyther live nor dye in his free choise, But as hee sees necessitie will have it (Which if hee would resist, he strives in vaine) 10 What can come neere him that hee doth not well? And if in worst events his will be done, How can the best be better? all is one.

_Mail._ Me thinkes tis prettie.

_Cler._ Put no difference If you have this, or not this; but as children 15 Playing at coites ever regard their game, And care not for their coites, so let a man The things themselves that touch him not esteeme, But his free power in well disposing them.

_Chal._ Prettie, from toyes!

_Cler._ Me thinkes this double disticke 20 Seemes prettily too to stay superfluous longings: "Not to have want, what riches doth exceede? Not to be subject, what superiour thing? He that to nought aspires, doth nothing neede; Who breakes no law is subject to no King." 25

_Mail._ This goes to mine eare well, I promise you.

_Chal._ O, but tis passing hard to stay one thus.

_Cler._ Tis so; rancke custome raps men so beyond it. And as tis hard so well mens dores to barre To keepe the cat out and th'adulterer: 30 So tis as hard to curbe affections so Wee let in nought to make them over-flow. And as of Homers verses, many critickes On those stand of which times old moth hath eaten The first or last feete, and the perfect parts 35 Of his unmatched poeme sinke beneath, With upright gasping and sloath dull as death: So the unprofitable things of life, And those we cannot compasse, we affect; All that doth profit and wee have, neglect, 40 Like covetous and basely getting men That, gathering much, use never what they keepe; But for the least they loose, extreamely weepe.

_Mail._ This prettie talking, and our horses walking Downe this steepe hill, spends time with equall profit. 45

_Cler._ Tis well bestow'd on ye; meate and men sicke Agree like this and you: and yet even this Is th'end of all skill, power, wealth, all that is.

_Chal._ I long to heare, sir, how your mistresse takes this.

_Enter Aumal with a cabinet._

_Mail._ Wee soone shall know it; see Aumall return'd. 50

_Aumale._ Ease to your bands, sir!

_Cler._ Welcome, worthy friend!

_Chal._ How tooke his noblest mistresse your sad message?

_Aum._ As great rich men take sodaine povertie. I never witness'd a more noble love, Nor a more ruthfull sorrow: I well wisht 55 Some other had beene master of my message.

_Mail._ Y'are happy, sir, in all things, but this one Of your unhappy apprehension.

_Cler._ This is to mee, compar'd with her much mone, As one teare is to her whole passion. 60

_Aum._ Sir, shee commends her kindest service to you, And this rich cabinet.

_Chal._ O happy man! This may enough hold to redeeme your bands.

_Cler._ These clouds, I doubt not, will be soone blowne over.

_Enter Baligny, with his discharge: Renel, and others._

_Aum._ Your hope is just and happy; see, sir, both 65 In both the looks of these.

_Baligny._ Here's a discharge For this your prisoner, my good Lord Lieutenant.

_Mail._ Alas, sir, I usurpe that stile, enforc't, And hope you know it was not my aspiring.

_Bal._ Well, sir, my wrong aspir'd past all mens hopes. 70

_Mail._ I sorrow for it, sir.

_Renel._ You see, sir, there Your prisoners discharge autenticall.

_Mail._ It is, sir, and I yeeld it him with gladnesse.

_Bal._ Brother, I brought you downe to much good purpose.

_Cler._ Repeate not that, sir; the amends makes all. 75

_Ren._ I joy in it, my best and worthiest friend; O, y'have a princely fautor of the Guise.