of a deadly toyle,
And as we late decreed we may perfourme.

CHARLES. Madam, it wilbe noted through the world,
An action bloudy and tirannicall:
Cheefely since under safetie of our word,
They justly challenge their protection:
Besides my heart relentes that noble men,
Onely corrupted in religion,
Ladies of honor, Knightes and Gentlemen,
Should for their conscience taste such rutheles ends.

ANJOY. Though gentle minces should pittie others paines,
Yet will the wisest note their proper greefes:
And rather seeke to scourge their enemies,
Then be themselves base subjects to the whip.

GUISE. Me thinkes my Lord, Anjoy hath well advisde
Your highnes to consider of the thing,
And rather chuse to seek your countries good,
Then pittie or releeve these upstart hereticks.

QUEENE MOTHER. I hope these reasons mayserve my princely, Sonne,
To have some care for feare of enemies.

CHARLES. Well Madam, I referre it to your Majestie,
And to my Nephew heere the Duke of Guise:
What you determine, I will ratifie.

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