Part 53

Clermont. As how, sir?

Mons. Be a true glasse to mee, in which I may Behold what thoughts the many-headed beast 195 And thou thy selfe breathes out concerning me, My ends and new upstarted state in Brabant, For which I now am bound, my higher aymes Imagin'd here in France: speake, man, and let Thy words be borne as naked as thy thoughts. 200 O were brave Bussy living!

Cler. Living, my lord!

Mons. Tis true thou art his brother, but durst thou Have brav'd the Guise; mauger his presence, courted His wedded lady; emptied even the dregs Of his worst thoughts of mee even to my teeth; 205 Discern'd not me, his rising soveraigne, From any common groome, but let me heare My grossest faults, as grosse-full as they were? Durst thou doe this?

Cler. I cannot tell. A man Does never know the goodnesse of his stomacke 210 Till hee sees meate before him. Were I dar'd, Perhaps, as he was, I durst doe like him.

Mons. Dare then to poure out here thy freest soule Of what I am.

Cler. Tis stale, he tolde you it.

Mons. He onely jested, spake of splene and envie; 215 Thy soule, more learn'd, is more ingenuous, Searching, judiciall; let me then from thee Heare what I am.

Cler. What but the sole support, And most expectant hope of all our France, The toward victor of the whole Low Countryes? 220

Mons. Tush, thou wilt sing encomions of my praise! Is this like D'Ambois? I must vexe the Guise, Or never looke to heare free truth. Tell me, For Bussy lives not; hee durst anger mee, Yet, for my love, would not have fear'd to anger 225 The King himselfe. Thou understand'st me, dost not?

Cler. I shall my lord, with studie.

Mons. Dost understand thy selfe? I pray thee tell me, Dost never search thy thoughts, what my designe Might be to entertaine thee and thy brother? 230 What turne I meant to serve with you?

Cler. Even what you please to thinke.

Mons. But what thinkst thou? Had I no end in't, think'st?

Cler. I thinke you had.

Mons. When I tooke in such two as you two were, A ragged couple of decaid commanders, 235 When a French-crowne would plentifully serve To buy you both to any thing i'th'earth--

Cler. So it would you.

Mons. Nay bought you both out-right, You and your trunkes--I feare me, I offend thee.

Cler. No, not a jot.

Mons. The most renowmed souldier, 240 Epaminondas (as good authors say) Had no more suites then backes, but you two shar'd But one suite twixt you both, when both your studies Were not what meate to dine with, if your partridge, Your snipe, your wood-cocke, larke, or your red hering, 245 But where to begge it; whether at my house, Or at the Guises (for you know you were Ambitious beggars) or at some cookes-shop, T'eternize the cookes trust, and score it up. Dost not offend thee?

Cler. No, sir. Pray proceede. 250

Mons. As for thy gentry, I dare boldly take Thy honourable othe: and yet some say Thou and thy most renowmed noble brother Came to the Court first in a keele of sea-coale. Dost not offend thee?

Cler. Never doubt it, sir. 255

Mons. Why doe I love thee, then? Why have I rak'd thee Out of the dung-hill? cast my cast ward-robe on thee? Brought thee to Court to, as I did thy brother? Made yee my sawcy bon companions? Taught yee to call our greatest Noblemen 260 By the corruption of their names--Jack, Tom? Have I blowne both for nothing to this bubble? Though thou art learn'd, thast no enchanting wit; Or, were thy wit good, am I therefore bound To keepe thee for my table?

Cler. Well, sir, 'twere 265 A good knights place. Many a proud dubb'd gallant Seekes out a poore knights living from such emrods.

Cler. Perhaps I shall.

Mons. Or did the slie Guise put thee 270 Into my bosome t'undermine my projects? I feare thee not; for, though I be not sure I have thy heart, I know thy braine-pan yet To be as emptie a dull piece of wainscot As ever arm'd the scalpe of any courtier; 275 A fellow onely that consists of sinewes; Meere Swisser, apt for any execution.

Cler. But killing of the King!