Alph. Yet I have heard he made a sharp reflecting speech upon their party at the opening of the parliament, admonished men of their duties, pardoned what was past, but seemed to threaten vengeance if they persisted for the future.
Gril. Yes; and then they all took the sacrament together: he promising to unite himself to them, and they to obey him, according to the laws; yet the very next morning they went on, in pursuance of their old commonwealth designs, as violently as ever.
Alph. Now, I am dull enough to think they have broken their oath.
Gril. Ay, but you are but one private man, and they are the three States; and if they vote that they have not broken their oaths, who is to be judge?
Alph. There's one above.
Gril. I hope you mean in heaven; or else you are a bolder man than I am in parliament time[18]; but here comes the master and my niece.
094 Alph. Heaven preserve him! if a man may pray for him without treason.
Gril. O yes, you may pray for him; the preachers of the Guise's side do that most formally; nay, 095 you may be suffered civilly to drink his health; be of the court, and keep a place of profit under him: for, in short, 'tis a judged case of conscience, to make your best of the king, and to side against him.
Enter King and Marmoutiere.
King. Grillon, be near me,
There's something for my service to be done,
Your orders will be sudden; now, withdraw.