_Enter_[359] KING CHARLES, CATHERINE _the Queen-Mother_,
GUISE, ANJOU, _and_ DUMAINE.
_Cath._ My noble son, and princely Duke of Guise,
Now have we got the fatal, straggling deer
Within the compass of a deadly toil,
And, as we late decreed, we may perform.
_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' 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 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 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]