Part 23

Mons. O the unsounded sea of womens bloods, That when tis calmest, is most dangerous! Not any wrinkle creaming in their faces, 315 When in their hearts are Scylla and Caribdis, Which still are hid in dark and standing foggs, Where never day shines, nothing ever growes But weeds and poysons that no states-man knowes; Nor Cerberus ever saw the damned nookes 320 Hid with the veiles of womens vertuous lookes. But what a cloud of sulphur have I drawne Up to my bosome in this dangerous secret! Which if my hast with any spark should light Ere D'Ambois were engag'd in some sure plot, 325 I were blowne up; he would be, sure, my death. Would I had never knowne it, for before I shall perswade th'importance to Montsurry, And make him with some studied stratagem Train D'Ambois to his wreak, his maid may tell it; 330 Or I (out of my fiery thirst to play With the fell tyger up in darknesse tyed, And give it some light) make it quite break loose. I feare it, afore heaven, and will not see D'Ambois againe, till I have told Montsurry, 335 And set a snare with him to free my feares. Whose there?

Enter Maffe.

Maffe. My lord?

Mons. Goe, call the Count Montsurry, And make the dores fast; I will speak with none Till he come to me.

Maf. Well, my lord. Exiturus.

Mons. Or else Send you some other, and see all the dores 340 Made safe your selfe, I pray; hast, flie about it.

Maf. You'l speak with none but with the Count Montsurry?

Mons. With none but hee, except it be the Guise.

Maf. See, even by this there's one exception more; Your Grace must be more firme in the command, 345 Or else shall I as weakly execute. The Guise shall speak with you?

Mons. He shall, I say.

Maf. And Count Montsurry?

Mons. I, and Count Montsurry.

Maf. Your Grace must pardon me, that I am bold To urge the cleare and full sence of your pleasure; 350 Which when so ever I have knowne, I hope Your Grace will say I hit it to a haire.

Mons. You have.

Maf. I hope so, or I would be glad--

Mons. I pray thee, get thee gone; thou art so tedious In the strick't forme of all thy services 355 That I had better have one negligent. You hit my pleasure well, when D'Ambois hit you; Did you not, think you?

Maf. D'Ambois! why, my lord--

Mons. I pray thee, talk no more, but shut the dores: Doe what I charge thee.

Maf. I will my lord, and yet 360 I would be glad the wrong I had of D'Ambois--

Mons. Precious! then it is a fate that plagues me In this mans foolery; I may be murthered, While he stands on protection of his folly. Avant, about thy charge!

Maf. I goe, my lord.-- 365 I had my head broke in his faithfull service; I had no suit the more, nor any thanks, And yet my teeth must still be hit with D'Ambois. D'Ambois, my lord, shall know--

Mons. The devill and D'Ambois! Exit Maffe. How am I tortur'd with this trusty foole! 370 Never was any curious in his place To doe things justly, but he was an asse: We cannot finde one trusty that is witty, And therefore beare their disproportion. Grant, thou great starre, and angell of my life, 375 A sure lease of it but for some few dayes, That I may cleare my bosome of the snake I cherisht there, and I will then defie All check to it but Natures; and her altars Shall crack with vessels crown'd with ev'ry liquor 380 Drawn from her highest and most bloudy humors. I feare him strangely; his advanced valour Is like a spirit rais'd without a circle, Endangering him that ignorantly rais'd him, And for whose fury he hath learnt no limit. 385

Enter Maffe hastily.

Maf. I cannot help it; what should I do more? As I was gathering a fit guard to make My passage to the dores, and the dores sure, The man of bloud is enter'd.

Mons. Rage of death! If I had told the secret, and he knew it, 390 Thus had I bin endanger'd.

Enter D'Ambois.

My sweet heart! How now? what leap'st thou at?

Bussy. O royall object!