_Gui._ Since more I am confirmed, I'll stand the shock. Where'er he dares to call, I dare to go. My friends are many, faithful, and united; He will not venture on so rash a deed: And now, I wonder I should fear that force, Which I have used to conquer and contemn. _Enter_ MARMOUTIERE. _Arch._ Your tempter comes, perhaps, to turn the scale, And warn you not to go. _Gui._ O fear her not, I will be there. [_Exeunt Arch-Bishop and Cardinal._ What can she mean?--repent? Or is it cast betwixt the king and her To sound me? come what will, it warms my heart With secret joy, which these my ominous statesmen Left dead within me;--ha! she turns away. _Mar._ Do you not wonder at this visit, sir? _Gui._ No, madam, I at last have gained the point Of mightiest minds, to wonder now at nothing. _Mar._ Believe me, Guise, 'twere gallantly resolved, If you could carry it on the inside too. Why came that sigh uncalled? For love of me, Partly, perhaps; but more for thirst of glory, Which now again dilates itself in smiles, As if you scorned that I should know your purpose. _Gui._ I change, 'tis true, because I love you still; Love you, O heaven, even in my own despite; I tell you all, even at that very moment, I know you straight betray me to the king. _Mar._ O Guise, I never did; but, sir, I come To tell you, I must never see you more. _Gui._ The king's at Blois, and you have reason for it; Therefore, what am I to expect from pity,-- From yours, I mean,--when you behold me slain? _Mar._ First answer me, and then I'll speak my heart. Have you, O Guise, since your last solemn oath, Stood firm to what you swore? Be plain, my lord, Or run it o'er a while, because again I tell you, I must never see you more. _Gui._ Never!--She's set on by the king to sift me. Why, by that never then, all I have sworn Is true, as that the king designs to end me. _Mar._ Keep your obedience,--by the saints, you live. _Gui._ Then mark; 'tis judged by heads grown white in council, This very day he means to cut me off. _Mar._ By heaven, then you're forsworn; you've broke your vows. _Gui._ By you, the justice of the earth, I have not. _Mar._ By you, dissembler of the world, you have. I know the king. _Gui._ I do believe you, madam. _Mar._ I have tried you both. _Gui._ Not me, the king you mean. _Mar._ Do these o'erboiling answers suit the Guise? But go to council, sir, there shew your truth; If you are innocent, you're safe; but O, If I should chance to see you stretched along, Your love, O Guise, and your ambition gone, That venerable aspect pale with death, I must conclude you merited your end. _Gui._ You must, you will, and smile upon my murder. _Mar._ Therefore, if you are conscious of a breach, Confess it to me. Lead me to the king; He has promised me to conquer his revenge, And place you next him; therefore, if you're right, Make me not fear it by asseverations, But speak your heart, and O resolve me truly!