_Gui._ You're an old man too soon, you're superstitious; I'll trust my stars, I know them now by proof; The genius of the king bends under mine: Environed with his guards, he durst not touch me; But awed and cravened, as he had been spelled, Would have pronounced, Go kill the Guise, and durst not. _Card._ We have him in our power, coop'd in his court. Who leads the first attack? Now by yon heaven, That blushes at my scarlet robes, I'll doff This womanish attire of godly peace, And cry,--Lie there, Lord Cardinal of Guise. _Gui._ As much too hot, as Mayenne is too cool. But 'tis the manlier fault of the two. _Arch._ Have you not heard the king, preventing day, Received the guards into the city gates, The jolly Swisses marching to their fifes? The crowd stood gaping, heartless and amazed, Shrunk to their shops, and left the passage free. _Gui._ I would it should be so, 'twas a good horror[17]. First let them fear for rapes, and ransacked houses; That very fright, when I appear to head them, Will harden their soft city courages: Cold burghers must be struck, and struck like flints, Ere their hid fire will sparkle. _Arch._ I'm glad the king has introduced these guards. _Card._ Your reason. _Arch._ They are too few for us to fear; Our numbers in old martial men are more, The city not cast in; but the pretence, That hither they are brought to bridle Paris, Will make this rising pass for just defence. _May._ Suppose the city should not rise? _Gui._ Suppose, as well, the sun should never rise: He may not rise, for heaven may play a trick; But he has risen from Adam's time to ours. Is nothing to be left to noble hazard? No venture made, but all dull certainty? By heaven I'll tug with Henry for a crown, Rather than have it on tame terms of yielding: I scorn to poach for power. _Enter a Servant, who whispers_ GUISE. A lady, say'st thou, young and beautiful, Brought in a chair? Conduct her in.-- [_Exit Servant._ _Card._ You would be left alone? _Gui._ I would; retire. [_Exeunt_ MAY. CARD. _&c._ _Re-enter Servant with_ MARMOUTIERE, _and exit._ _Starting back._] Is't possible? I dare not trust my eyes! You are not Marmoutiere? _Mar._ What am I then? _Gui._ Why, any thing but she: What should the mistress of a king do here? _Mar._ Find him, who would be master of a king. _Gui._ I sent not for you, madam. _Mar._ I think, my lord, the king sent not for you. _Gui._ Do you not fear, your visit will be known? _Mar._ Fear is for guilty men, rebels, and traitors: Where'er I go, my virtue is my guard.