Cath. My Lord Cardinal of Lorraine, tell me, How likes your grace my son's pleasantness? His mind, you see, runs on his minions, And all his heaven is to delight himself; And, whilst he sleeps securely thus in ease, Thy brother Guise and we may now provide To plant ourselves with such authority50 As not a man may live without our leaves. Then shall the Catholic faith of Rome Flourish in France, and none deny the same.
Card. Madam, as in secrecy I was told, My brother Guise hath gather'd a power of men, Which are, [400] he saith, to kill the Puritans; But 'tis the house of Bourbon that he means. Now, madam, must you insinuate with the king, And tell him that 'tis for his country's good, And common profit of religion.60
Cath. Tush, man, let me alone with him, To work the way to bring this thing to pass; And, if he do deny what I do say, I'll despatch him with his brother presently, And then shall Monsieur wear the diadem. Tush, all shall die unless I have my will; For, while she lives, Catherine will be queen. Come, my lord, [401] let us go seek the Guise, And then determine of this enterprise. [Exeunt.
SCENE XV.
Enter [402] the Duchess of Guise and her Maid.
Duch. of G. Go fetch me pen and ink,—
Maid. I will, madam.
Duch. That I may write unto my dearest lord. [Exit Maid. Sweet Mugeroun, [403] 'tis he that hath my heart, And Guise usurps it 'cause I am his wife. Fain would I find some means to speak with him, But cannot, and therefore am enforced to write, That he may come and meet me in some place, Where we may one enjoy the other's sight.
Re-enter the Maid, with pen, ink, and paper.
So, set it down, and leave me to myself. [Exit Maid. The Duchess writes. O, would to God, this quill that here doth write10 Had late been pluck'd from out fair Cupid's wing, That it might print these lines within his heart!