_Guise_ [_Giving a purse_]. Hold thee, tall soldier, take thee this, and fly. [_Exit_ Soldier. Lie there, the king's delight, and Guise's scorn! Revenge it, Henry, as thou list or dare; I did it only in despite of thee. [Attendants _bear off_ MUGEROUN'S _body_. _Enter_ KING HENRY _and_ EPERNOUN. _Henry._ My Lord of Guise, we understand That you have gatherèd a power of men: What your intent is yet we cannot learn, But we presume it is not for our good. 20 _Guise._ Why, I am no traitor to the crown of France; What I have done, 'tis for the Gospel's sake. _Eper._ Nay, for the Pope's sake, and thine own benefit. What peer in France but thou, aspiring Guise, Durst be in arms without the king's consent? I challenge thee for treason in the cause. _Guise._ Ah, base Epernoun! were not his highness here, Thou shouldst perceive the Duke of Guise is mov'd. _Henry._ Be patient, Guise, and threat not Epernoun, Lest thou perceive the king of France be mov'd. 30 _Guise._ Why, I'm a prince of the Valois line, Therefore an enemy to the Bourbonites; I am a juror in the holy league, And therefore hated of the Protestants: What should I do but stand upon my guard? And, being able, I'll keep an host in pay. _Eper._ Thou able to maintain an host in pay, That liv'st by foreign exhibition![413] The Pope and King of Spain are thy good friends; Else all France knows how poor a duke thou art. 40 _Henry._ I, those are they that feed him with their gold, To countermand our will, and check our friends. _Guise._ My lord, to speak more plainly, thus it is. Being animated by religious zeal, I mean to muster all the power I can, To overthrow those factious[414] Puritans: And know, my lord, the Pope will sell his triple crown, I, and the Catholic Philip, king of Spain, Ere I shall want, will cause his Indians To rip the golden bowels of America. 50 Navarre, that cloaks them underneath his wings, Shall feel the house of Lorraine is his foe. Your highness needs not fear mine army's force; 'Tis for your safety, and your enemies' wreck. _Henry._ Guise, wear our crown, and be thou king of France, And, as dictator, make or war or peace, Whilst I cry _placet_, like a senator! I cannot brook thy haughty insolence: Dismiss thy camp, or else by our edict Be thou proclaim'd a traitor throughout France. 60 _Guise._ The choice is hard; I must dissemble.-- [_Aside._ My lord, in token of my true humility, And simple meaning to your majesty, I kiss your grace's hand, and take my leave, Intending to dislodge my camp with speed.