340
Made safe your selfe, I pray; hast, flie about it.

_Maf._ You'l speak with none but with the Count Montsurry?

_Mons._ With none but hee, except it be the Guise.

_Maf._ See, even by this there's one exception more;
Your Grace must be more firme in the command, 345
Or else shall I as weakly execute.
The Guise shall speak with you?

_Mons._ He shall, I say.

_Maf._ And Count Montsurry?

_Mons._ I, and Count Montsurry.

_Maf._ Your Grace must pardon me, that I am bold
To urge the cleare and full sence of your pleasure; 350
Which when so ever I have knowne, I hope
Your Grace will say I hit it to a haire.

_Mons._ You have.

_Maf._ I hope so, or I would be glad--

_Mons._ I pray thee, get thee gone; thou art so tedious
In the strick't forme of all thy services 355
That I had better have one negligent.
You hit my pleasure well, when D'Ambois hit you;
Did you not, think you?

_Maf._ D'Ambois! why, my lord--

_Mons._ I pray thee, talk no more, but shut the dores:
Doe what I charge thee.

_Maf._ I will my lord, and yet 360
I would be glad the wrong I had of D'Ambois--

_Mons._ Precious! then it is a fate that plagues me
In this mans foolery; I may be murthered,
While he stands on protection of his folly.
Avant, about thy charge!

_Maf._ I goe, my lord.-- 365
I had my head broke in his faithfull service;
I had no suit the more, nor any thanks,
And yet my teeth must still be hit with D'Ambois.
D'Ambois, my lord, shall know--

_Mons._ The devill and D'Ambois!
_Exit Maffe._
How am I tortur'd with this trusty foole! 370
Never was any curious in his place
To doe things justly, but he was an asse:
We cannot finde one trusty that is witty,
And therefore beare their disproportion.
Grant, thou great starre, and angell of my life, 375
A sure lease of it but for some few dayes,
That I may cleare my bosome of the snake
I cherisht there, and I will then defie
All check to it but Natures; and her altars
Shall crack with vessels crown'd with ev'ry liquor 380
Drawn