CARDINAL There's the strong anchor To stay all in this tempest.
MEDINA Holy sir, With these works you the King, and so prevail That all these mischiefs hull <51> with flagging sail.
MEDINA Soldier, thy breast I must lock better things in.
BALTHAZAR 'Tis your chest, With three good keys to keep it from opening an honest heart, a daring hand, and a pocket which scorns money.
Enter King, Cardinal with letters, [Valesco and Lopez].
KING Commend us to Medina, say his letters Right pleasing are, and that, except himself Nothing could be more welcome. Counsel him, To blot the opinion out of factious numbers, Only to have his ordinary train Waiting upon him. For, to quit all fears Upon his side of us, our very court Shall even but dimly shine with some few Dons, Freely to prove our longings great to peace.
CARDINAL The Constable expects some pawn from you, That in this fairy circle shall rise up No fury to confound his niece nor him.
KING Valasco, call the Captain of our Guard, Bid him attend us instantly.
KING Lopez come hither. See, Letters from Duke Medina, both in the name Of him and all his faction, offering peace, And our old love, his niece Onaelia In marriage with her free and fair consent To Cockadillio, a Don of Spain.
KING My crown as soon. They feel their sinewy plots Belike to shrink i'the joints. And fearing ruin, Have found this cement out to piece up all, Which more endangers all.
KING Lions may hunted be into the snare, But if they once break loose, woe be to him That first seized on them. A poor prisoner scorns To kiss his jailer. And shall a king be choked With sweet-meats by false traitors! No, I will fawn On them as they stroke me, till they are fast But in this paw. And then...
LOPEZ A brave revenge! The Captain of your Guard.
KING Upon thy life Double our guard this day. Let every man Bear a charged pistol hid, and, at a watch-word Given by a musket, when our self sees time, Rush in, and, if Medina's faction wrestle Against your forces, kill, but if yield, save. Be secret!
KING Watch Valasco. If any wear a Cross, feather or glove, Or such prodigious signs of a knit faction, Table their names up. At our court-gate plant Good strength to bar them out, if once they swarm. Do this upon thy life.