TheStationersRegister

The Works of Christopher Marlowe

The Massacre at Paris

Act: 1 Scene: 17

My Lord of Guise, we understand that you

Have gathered a power of men.

What your intent is yet we cannot learn,

But we presume it is not for our good.

Be patient Guise and threat not Epernoune,

Least thou perceive the King of France be mov'd.

I, those are they that feed him with their golde,

To countermaund our will and check our freends.

Guise, weare our crowne, and be thou King of France,

And as Dictator make or warre or peace,

Whilste I cry placet like a Senator.

I cannot brook thy hauty insolence,

Dismisse thy campe or else by our Edict,

Be thou proclaimde a traitor throughout France.

Then farwell Guise, the King and thou art freends.

Did they of Paris entertaine him so?

Then meanes he present treason to our state.

Well, let me alone, whose within there?

Enter one with e pen and inke.

Make a discharge of all my counsell straite,

And Ile subscribe my name and seale it straight.

My head shall be my counsell, they are false:

And Epernoune I will be rulde by thee.

First let us set our hand and seale to this,

And then Ile tell thee what I meane to doe.

He writes.

So, convey this to the counsell presently.

Exit one.

And Epernoune though I seeme milde and calme,

Thinke not but I am tragicall within:

Ile secretly convey me unto Bloyse,

For now that Paris takes the Guises parse,

Heere is not staying for the King of France,

Unles he means to be betraide and dye:

But as I live, so sure the Guise shall dye.

Exeunt.