_King._ I will be easy, To my last gasp, as your own virgin thoughts, And never dare to breathe my passion more; Yet you'll allow me now and then to sigh As we discourse, and court you with my eyes? _Enter_ ALPHONSO. Why do you wave your hand, and warn me hence? So looks the poor condemned, When justice beckons, there's no hope of pardon. Sternly, like you, the judge the victim eyes, And thus, like me, the wretch, despairing, dies. [_Exit with_ ALPHONSO. _Enter_ GRILLON. _Gril._ O rare, rare creature! By the power that made me, Wer't possible we could be damned again By some new Eve, such virtue might redeem us. Oh I could clasp thee, but that my arms are rough, Till all thy sweets were broke with my embraces, And kiss thy beauties to a dissolution! _Mar._ Ah father, uncle, brother, all the kin, The precious blood that's left me in the world, Believe, dear sir, whate'er my actions seem, I will not lose my virtue, for a throne. _Gril._ Why, I will carve thee out a throne myself; I'll hew down all the kings in Christendom, And seat thee on their necks, as high as heaven. _Enter Abbot_ DELBENE. _Abb._ Colonel, your ear. _Mar._ By these whispering councils, My soul presages that the Guise is coming. If he dares come, were I a man, a king, I'd sacrifice him in the city's sight.-- O heavens! what was't I said? Were I a man, I know not that; but, as I am a virgin, If I would offer thee, too lovely Guise, It should be kneeling to the throne of mercy.-- Ha! then thou lovest, that thou art thus concerned. Down, rising mischief, down, or I will kill thee, Even in thy cause, and strangle new-born pity!-- Yet if he were not married!--ha, what then? His charms prevail;--no, let the rebel die. I faint beneath this strong oppression here; Reason and love rend my divided soul; Heaven be the judge, and still let virtue conquer. Love to his tune my jarring heart would bring, But reason over-winds, and cracks the string. [_Exit._ _Abb._ The king dispatches order upon order, With positive command to stop his coming. Yet there is notice given to the city; Besides, Belleure brought but a half account, How that the Guise replied, he would obey His majesty in all; yet, if he might Have leave to justify himself before him, He doubted not his cause. _Gril._ The axe, the axe: Rebellion's pampered to a pleurisy, And it must bleed. [_Shout within._ _Abb._ Hark, what a shout was there! I'll to the king; it may be, 'tis reported On purpose thus. Let there be truth or lies In this mad fame, I'll bring you instant word. [_Exit Abbot._ _Manet_ GRILLON: _Enter_ GUISE, CARDINAL, MAYENNE, MALICORN, _Attendants, &c. Shouts again._ _Gril._ Death, and thou devil Malicorn, is that Thy master? _Gui._ Yes, Grillon, 'tis the Guise; One, that would court you for a friend.