The Massacre
Knightes and Gentlemen, should for their conscience taste such rutheles ends.
Anjoy.
Though gentle mindes 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.
I hope these reasons may serve my princely Sonne,
To have some care for feare of enemies:
King.
Well Madam, I referre it to your Majestie,
And to my Nephew heere the Duke of Guise:
What you determine, I will ratifie.
Queene.
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, 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
