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.

Gril. A friend!  Traitor thou mean’st, and so I bid thee welcome; But since thou art so insolent, thy blood Be on thy head, and fall by me unpitied. [Exit.

Gui. The bruises of his loyalty have crazed him. [Shouts louder.

          Spirit within sings.

Malicorn, Malicorn, Malicorn, ho!  If the Guise resolves to go, I charge, I warn thee let him know, Perhaps his head may lie too low.

Gui. Why, Malicorn.

Mal. [Starting.] Sir, do not see the king.