_Mont._ Nothing but this: D'Ambois is thought negligent in observing the Duchesse, and therefore she is suspicious that your neece or my wife closely entertaines him.

_Mons._ Your wife, my lord! Think you that possible?

_Mont._ Alas, I know she flies him like her last houre.

_Mons._ Her last houre? Why that comes upon her the more she flies it. Does D'Ambois so, think you?

_Mont._ That's not worth the answering. Tis miraculous to think with what monsters womens imaginations engrosse them when they are once enamour'd, and what wonders they will work for their satisfaction. They will make a sheepe valiant, a lion fearefull.

_Mons._ And an asse confident. Well, my lord, more will come forth shortly; get you to the banquet.

_Gui._ Come, my lord, I have the blind side of one of them.                        _Exit Guise cum Mont[surry]._ 

_Mons._ O the unsounded sea of womens bloods, That when tis calmest, is most dangerous! Not any wrinkle creaming in their faces, When in their hearts are Scylla and Caribdis, Which still are hid in dark and standing foggs, Where never day shines, nothing ever growes But weeds and poysons that no states-man knowes; Nor Cerberus ever saw the damned nookes Hid with the veiles of womens vertuous lookes. But what a cloud of sulphur have I drawne Up to my bosome in this dangerous secret! Which if my hast with any spark should light Ere D'Ambois were engag'd in some sure plot, I were blowne up; he would be, sure, my death. Would I had never knowne it, for before I shall perswade th'importance to Montsurry, And make him with some studied stratagem Train D'Ambois to his wreak, his maid may tell it; Or I (out of my fiery thirst to play With the fell tyger up in darknesse tyed, And give it some light) make it quite break loose. I feare it, afore heaven, and will not see D'Ambois againe, till I have told Montsurry, And set a snare with him to free my feares. Whose there?          _Enter Maffe._

_Maffe._     My lord?

_Mons._               Goe, call the Count Montsurry, And make the dores fast; I will speak with none Till he come to me.

_Maf._              Well, my lord.                    _Exiturus._

_Mons._                            Or else Send you some other, and see all the dores Made safe your selfe, I pray; 

 Prev. P 62/498 next