King. You’ve conquered; all that’s past shall be forgiven. 
My lavish love has made a lavish grant;
But know, this act of grace shall be my last. 
Let him repent, yes, let him well repent;
Let him desist, and tempt revenge no further: 
For, by yon heaven, that’s conscious of his crimes,
I will no more by mercy be betrayed.

  Deputies appearing at the Door.

The deputies are entering; you must leave me. 
Thus, tyrant business all my hours usurps,
And makes me live for others.

Mar. Now heaven reward you with a prosperous reign, And grant, you never may be good in vain! [Exit.

  Enter Deputies of the Three States:  Cardinal of GUISE, and
  Archbishop of LYONS, at the head of them.

King. Well, my good lords, what matters of importance Employed the States this morning?

Arch. One high point Was warmly canvassed in the Commons House, And will be soon resolved.

King. What was’t?

Card. Succession.

King. That’s one high point indeed, but not to be So warmly canvassed, or so soon resolved.

Card. Things necessary must sometimes be sudden.

King. No sudden danger threatens you, my lord.

Arch. What may be sudden, must be counted so.  We hope and wish your life; but yours and ours Are in the hand of heaven.

King. My lord, they are; Yet, in a natural way, I may live long, If heaven, and you my loyal subjects, please.

Arch. But since good princes, like your majesty,
Take care of dangers merely possible,
Which may concern their subjects, whose they are,
And for whom kings are made—­

King. Yes; we for them, And they for us; the benefits are mutual, And so the ties are too.

Card. To cut things short, The Commons will decree, to exclude Navarre From the succession of the realm of France.

King. Decree, my lord!  What! one estate decree? 
Where then are the other two, and what am I? 
The government is cast up somewhat short,
The clergy and nobility cashiered,
Five hundred popular figures on a row,
And I myself, that am, or should be, king,
An o’ergrown cypher set before the sum: 
What reasons urge our sovereigns for the exclusion?

Arch. He stands suspected, sir, of heresy.

King. Has he been called to make his just defence?

Card. That needs not, for ’tis known.

King. To whom?

Card. The Commons.

King. What is’t those gods, the Commons, do not know? 
But heresy, you churchmen teach us vulgar,
Supposes obstinate, and stiff persisting
In errors proved, long admonitions made,
And all rejected:  Has this course been used?