Eper. An please your grace, the Duke of Guise doth crave Access unto your highness.
Henry. Let him come in.—30 Come, Guise, and see thy traitorous guile outreach'd, And perish in the pit thou mad'st for me.
Enter Guise.
Guise. Good morrow to your majesty.
Henry. Good morrow to my loving cousin of Guise: How fares it this morning with your excellence?
Guise. I heard your majesty was scarcely pleased, That in the court I bear so great a train.
Henry. They were to blame that said I was displeased; And you, good cousin, to imagine it. 'Twere hard with me, if I should doubt my kin,40 Or be suspicious of my dearest friends, Cousin, assure you I am resolute, Whatsoever any whisper in mine ears, Not to suspect disloyalty in thee: And so, sweet coz, farewell. [Exit with Epernoun.
Guise. So; Now sues the king for favour to the Guise, And all his minions stoop when I command: Why, this 'tis to have an army in the field. Now, by the holy sacrament, I swear,50 As ancient Romans o'er their captive lords, So will I triumph o'er this wanton king; And he shall follow my proud chariot's wheels. Now do I but begin to look about, And all my former time was spent in vain. Hold, sword, For in thee is the Duke of Guise's hope.
Re-enter Third Murderer.
Villain, why dost thou look so ghastly? speak.