Massacre at Paris

QUEENE MOTHER. Thankes to my princely sonne, then tell me Guise,
What order wil you set downe for the Massacre?

GUISE. Thus Madame.
They that shalbe actors in this Massacre,
Shall weare white crosses on their Burgonets,
And tye white linnen scarfes about their armes.
He that wantes these, and is suspect of heresie,
Shall dye, or be he King or Emperour.
Then Ile have a peale of ordinance shot from the tower,
At which they all shall issue out and set the streetes.
And then the watchword being given, a bell shall ring,
Which when they heare, they shall begin to kill:
And never cease untill that bell shall cease,
Then breath a while.

Enter the Admirals man.

CHARLES. How now fellow, what newes?

MAN. And it please your grace the Lord high Admirall,
Riding the streetes was traiterously shot,
And most humbly intreates your Majestie
To visite him sick in his bed.

CHARLES. Messenger, tell him I will see him straite.

Exit Messenger.

What shall we doe now with the Admirall?

QUEENE MOTHER. Your Majesty had best goe visite him,
And make a shew as if all were well.

CHARLES. Content, I will goe visite the Admirall.

GUISE. And I will goe take order for his death.

Exit Guise.

Enter the Admirall in his bed.

CHARLES. How fares it with my Lord high Admiral,
Hath he been hurt with villaines in the street?
I vow and sweare as I am King of France,
To finde and to repay the man with death:
With death delay'd and torments never usde,
That durst presume for hope of any gaine,
To hurt the noble man his sovereign loves.

ADMIRALL. Ah my good Lord, these are the Guisians,
That seeke to massacre our guiltles lives.

CHARLES. Assure your selfe my good Lord Admirall,
I deepely sorrow for your trecherous wrong:
And that I am not more secure my selfe,
Then I am carefull you should be preserved.
Cossin, take twenty of our strongest guarde,
And under your direction see they keep
All trecherous violence from our noble freend,
Repaying all attempts with present death,
Upon the cursed breakers of our peace.
And so be pacient good Lord Admirall,
And every hower I will visite you.

Exeunt omnes

[Scene v]

Enter Guise, Anjoy, Dumaine, Gonzago, Retes, Montsorrell, and Souldiers to the massacre.

GUISE. Anjoy, Dumaine, Gonzago, Retes, sweare by
The argent crosses on your burgonets,
To kill all that you suspect of heresie.

DUMAINE. I sweare by this to be unmercifull.

ANJOY. I am disguisde and none nows who I am,
And therfore meane to murder all I meet.

GONZAGO. And so will I.

RETES. And I.

GUISE. Away then, break into the Admirals house.

GETES. I let the Admirall be first dispatcht.

GUISE. The Admirall,
Cheefe standard bearer to the Lutheranes,
Shall in the entrance of this Massacre,
Be murdered in his bed.
Gonzago conduct them hither, and then
Beset his house that not a man may live.

ANJOY. That charge is mine. Swizers keepe you the streetes,
And at ech corner shall the Kings garde stand.

GONZAGO. Come sirs follow me.