t live, that he may be my convert!
[_King walks awhile, then wipes
his eyes, and speaks._

_King._ You've conquered; all that's past shall be forgiven.
My lavish love has made a lavish grant;
But know, this act of grace shall be my last.
Let him repent, yes, let him well repent;
Let him desist, and tempt revenge no further:
For, by yon heaven, that's conscious of his crimes,
I will no more by mercy be betrayed.

_Deputies appearing at the Door._

The deputies are entering; you must leave me.
Thus, tyrant business all my hours usurps,
And makes me live for others.

_Mar._ Now heaven reward you with a prosperous reign,
And grant, you never may be good in vain! [_Exit._

_Enter Deputies of the Three States: Cardinal of_ GUISE, _and
Archbishop of_ LYONS, _at the head of them._

_King._ Well, my good lords, what matters of importance
Employed the States this morning?

_Arch._ One high point
Was warmly canvassed in the Commons House,
And will be soon resolved.

_King._ What was't?

_Card._ Succession.

_King._ That's one high point indeed, but not to be
So warmly canvassed, or so soon resolved.

_Card._ Things necessary must sometimes be sudden.

_King._ No sudden danger threatens you, my lord.

_Arch._ What may be sudden, must be counted so.
We hope and wish your life; but yours and ours
Are in the hand of heaven.

_King._ My lord, they are;
Yet, in a natural way, I may live long,
If heaven, and you my loyal subjects, please.

_Arch._ But since good princes, like your majesty,
Take care of dangers merely possible,
Which may concern their subjects, whose they are,
And for whom kings are made--

_King._ Yes; we for them,
And they for us; the benefits are mutual,
And so the ties are too.

_Card._ To cut things short,
The Commons will decree, to exclude Navarre
From the succession of the realm of France.

_King._ Decree, my lord! What! one estate decree?
Where then are the other two, and what am I?
The government is cast up somewhat short,
The clergy and nobility cashiered,
Five hundred popular figures on a row,
And I myself, that am, or should be, king,
An o'ergrown cypher set before the sum:
What reasons urge our sovereigns for the exclusion?

_Arch._ He stands suspected, sir, of heresy.

_King._ Has he been called to make his just defence?

_Card._ That needs not, for 'tis known.

_