Actus Primus . Enter Asall , and Allegre . Asall . NOw Phillip Chabot , Admirall of France , The great , and onely famous Favorite To Francis first of that Imperiall name , Hath found a fresh competitor in glory , ( Duke Montmorancie , Constable of France ) Who drinkes as deepe as he of the streame Royall , And may in little time convert the strength To raise his spring , and blow the others fall . Al. The world would wish it so , that will not patiently Endure the due rise of a vertuous man . As . If he be vertuous , what is the reason That men affect him not , why is he lost Toth ' generall opinion , and become Rather their hate than love ? Al. I wonder you Will question it , aske a ground or reason Of men bred in this vile degenerate age ; The most men are not good , and it agrees not With impious natures to allow what s honest , T is an offence enough to be exalted To regall favours , great men are not safe In their owne vice , where good men by the hand Of Kings are planted to survey their workings ; What man was ever fixt 'i th Sphere of honour , And precious to his Soveraigne , whose actions , Nay very soule was not expos'd to every Common and base dissection ? and not onely That which in Nature hath excuse , and in Themselves is priviledg'd by name of frailtie , But even Vertues are made crimes , and doom'd Toth ' fate of Treason . As . A bad age the while , I aske your pardon Sir , but thinkes your judgement , His love to Justice , and Corruptions hate Are true and hearty ? Al. Iudge your selfe by this One argument , his hearty truth to all , For in the heart hath anger his wisest seate , And gainst unjust suites such brave anger fires him , That when they seeke to passe his place and power , Though mov'd , and urg'd by the other minion , Or by his greatest friends , and even the King Leade them to his allowance with his hand , First given in Bill , assign'd , even then his spirit , ( In nature calme as any Summers evening ) Puts up his Whole powers like a Winters sea , His bloud boyles over , and his heart even cracks At the injustice , and he teares the Bill , And would doe , were he for 't to be torne in peeces . As . T is brave I sweare . Al. Nay it is worthy your wonder That I must tell you further , there no Needle In a Sunne Diall plac'd upon his steele In such a tender posture , that doth tremble The timely Diall being held amisse , And will shake ever , till you hold it right More tender than himsefe in any thing That he concludes in Iustice for the State : For as a fever held him , hee will shake When he is signing any things of weight , Least humane frailty should misguide his justice . As . You have declar'd him a most noble ●usticer . Al. He truely weighes and feeles Sir , what a charge The subjects livings are ( being even their lives Laid on the hand of power , ) which abus'd Though seene , blood flow not from the justice seate , T is in true sence as grievous , and horrid . As . It argues nothing lesse , but since your Lord Is diversly reported for his parts , What s your true censure of his generall worth , Vertue and Iudgement . Al. As of a Picture wrought to opticke reason , That to all passers by , seemes as they move Now woman , now a Monster , now a Divell , And till you stand , and in a right line view it , You cannot well judge what the maine forme is , So men that view him but in vulgar passes Casting but laterall , or partiall glances , At what he is , suppose him weake , unjust , Bloody , and monstrous , but stand free and fast , And judge him by no more than what you know Ingenuously , and by the right laid line Of truth , he truely , will all stiles deserve Of wise , just , good , a man both soule and nerve . As . Sir , I must joyne in just beleefe with you , But what s his rivall the Lord high Constable ? Al. As just , and well inclin'd when hee 's himselfe , ( Not wrought on with the counsells , and opinions Of other men ) and the maine difference is , The Admirall is not flexible nor wonne To move one scruple , when he comprehends The honest tract and justnesse of a cause , The Constable explores not so sincerely The course hee runnes , but takes the minde of others ( By name Iudiciall ) for what his owne Iudgement , and knowledge should conclude . As . A fault In my apprehension , anothers knowledge Applied to my instruction , cannot equall My owne soules knowledge , how to informe Acts ; The Sunnes rich radiance shot through waves most faire , Is but a shaddow to his beames i th' ayre , His beames that in the ayre we so admire , Is but a darkenesse to his flame in fire , In fire his fervour but as vapour flies To what his owne pure bosome rarifies : And the Almighty wisedom , having given Each man within himselfe an apter light To guide his acts , than any light without him ( Creating nothing not in all things equall ) It seems a fault in any that depend On others knowledge , and exile their owne . Al. T is nobly argued , and exemplified , But now I heare my Lord , and his young rivall Are to be reconcil'd , and then one light May serve to guide them both . As . I wish it may , the King being made first mover To forme their reconcilement , and enflame it With all the sweetnesse of his praise and honour . Al. See , t is dispatch'd I hope , the King doth grace it . Loud Musicke , and Enter Vshers before , the Secretary , Tresuror , Chancellor , Admirall , Constable hand in hand , the King following , others attend . Kin. This doth expresse the noblest fruit of peace . Cha. Which when the great begin , the humble end In joyfull imitation , all combining A gardian beyond the Thrigian knot Past wit to lose it , or the sword , be still so . Tre. T is certaine Sir , by concord least things grow Most great , and flourishing like trees that wrap Their forehead in the skies , may these doe so . Kin. You heare my Lord , all that is spoke contends To celebrate with pious vote the attonement So lately , and so nobly made betweene you . Ad. Which for it selfe Sir , resolve to keepe Pure , and inviolable , needing none To encourage or confirme it , but my owne Love and allegiance to your sacred counsell . Kin. T is good , and pleases , like my dearest health , Stand you firme on that sweete simplicitie . Con. Past all earth pollicie that would infringe it . Kin. T is well , and answers all the doubts suspected ▪ Enter one that whispers with the Admirall . And what moves this close message Phillip ? Adm. My wives Father Sir , is closely come to Court . King . Is he come to the Court , whose aversation So much affects him , that he shunnes and flies it , What 's the strange reason that he will not rise Above the middle region he was borne in ? Adm. He saith Sir , t is because the extreame of height Makes a man lesse seeme to the imperfect eye Then he is truely , his acts envied more , And though he nothing cares for seeming , so His being just stand firme twixt heaven and him , Yet since in his soules jealousie , hee feares That he himselfe advanced , would undervalue Men placed beneath him , and their businesse with him , Since height of place oft dazles height of judgement , He takes his toppe ▪ saile downe in such rough stormes , And apts his sailes to ayres more temperate . Kin. A most wise soule he has , how long shall Kings Raise men that are not wise till they be high ▪ You haue our leave , but tell him Phillip wee Would have him neerer . Con. Your desires attend you . Enter another . Kin. We know from whence you come , say to the Queene ▪ We were comming to her , t is a day of love And she seales all perfection . Exit Tre. My Lord , We must beseech your stay . Con. My stay ? Cha. Our Counsells Have led you thus farre to your reconcilement , And must remember you , to observe the end At which in plaine I told you then wee aim'd at , You know we all urg'd the attonement , rather To enforce the broader difference betweene you , Then to conclude your friendshippe , which wise men Know to be fashionable , and priviledg'd pollicie ▪ And will succeede betwixt you , and the Admirall As sure as fate , if you please to get sign'd A sute now to the King with all our hands , Which will so much increase his precise justice , That weighing not circumstances of politicke State , He will instantly oppose it , and complaine , And urge in passion , what the King will sooner Punish than yeeld too , and so render you In the Kings frowne on him , the onely darling ▪ And mediate power of France . Con. My good Lord Chancellor , Shall I so late atton'd , and by the Kings Hearty and earnest motion , fall in peeces ? Cha. T is he , not you that breake . Tre. Ha not you patience To let him burne himselfe in the Kings flame ? Cha. Come , be not Sir infected with a spice Of that too servile equitie , that renders Men free borne slaves , and rid with bits like horses , When you must know my Lord , that even in nature A man is Animall politicum , So that when he informes his actions simply He does in both 'gainst pollicie and nature , And therefore our soule motion is affirm'd To be like heavenly natures circular ▪ And circles being call'd ambitious lines , We must like them become ambitious ever , And endles in our circumventions ; No tough hides limiting our cheverill mindes . Tre. T is learnedly , and past all answer argued , Y are great , and must grow greater still , and greater , And not be like a dull and standing lake , That settles , putrifies , and chokes with mudde , But like a river gushing from the head , That windes through the undervalles , what checkes ore flowing Gets strength still of his course , Till with the Ocean meeting , even with him In sway , and title , his brave billowes move . Con. You speake a rare affection , and high soules , But give me leave great Lords , still my just thankes Remembred ▪ ●o your counsells and direction , I seeking this way to confirme my selfe I undermine the columnes that support My hopefull glorious fortune , and at once Provoke the tempest ▪ though did drowne my envie , With what assurance shall the King expect My faith to him , that breake it for another , He has engag'd our peace , and my revenge Forfits my trust with him , whose narrow ●ight Will penetrate through all our mists , could we Vaile our designe with clouds blacker than night ; But grant this danger over , with what Iustice , Or satisfaction to the inward Iudge , Shall I be gultie of this good mans ruine , Though I may still the murmuring tongues without me , Loud conscience has a voyce to shadder greatnesse ▪ Secr. A name to fright , and terrifie young statists , There is necessitie my Lord , that you Must lose your light , if you ecclipse not him , Two starres so Lucide cannot shine at once In such a firmament , and better you Extinguish his fires , then be made his fuell , And in your ashes give his slame a Trophy . Cha. My Lord , the league that you have vow'd of friendship , In a true understanding not confines you , But makes you boundlesse , turne not edge at such A liberty , but looke to your owne fortune ; Secure your honour , a Precisian , In state , is a rideculous miracle Friendship is but a visor , beneath which A wise man laughes to see whole families Ruinde , upon whose miserable pile He mounts to glory , Sir you must resolve To use any advantage . Con. Misery Of rising Statesmen I must on , I see That 'gainst the politicke , and priviledg'd fashion , All justice tasts but affectation . Cha. Why so ? we shall do good on him i th' end . Exeunt . Enter Father and the Admirall . Adm. You are most welcome . Fa. I wish your Lordships safetie ▪ Which whilst I pray for , I must not forget To urge agen the wayes to fixe you where No danger has accesse to threaten you . Adm. Still your old argument , I owe your love for t . Fa. But fortified with new and pregnant reasons , That you should leave the Court. Ad. I dare not Sir . Fa. You dare be undone then . Ad. I should be ingratefull To such a master , as no subject boasted To leave his service when they exact My chiefest dutie , and attendance Sir . Fa. Would thou wert lesse degraded from thy titles , And swelling offices , that will i th' end Engulfe thee past a rescue , I had not come So farre to trouble you at this time , but that I doe not like the loud tongues o' the world , That say the King has tane another favorite , The Constable a gay man , and a great , With a hugh traine of faction too , the Queene , Chancellor , Treasurer , Secretary , and An army of state warriers ▪ whose discipline Is sure , and subtile to confusion , I hope the rumour 's false , thou art so calme . Adm. Report has not abus'd you Sir . Fa. It has not , And you are pleas'd , then you doe meane to mixe With unjust courses , the great Constable And you combining , that no suite may passe One of the graples of your eithers rape , I that abhorr'd , must I now entertaine A thought , that your so straight , and simple custome To render Iustice , and the common good , Should now be patch'd with pollicy , and wrested From the ingenious step you tooke , And hang Vpon the shoulders of your enemy To beare you out in what you shame to act ▪ Adm. Sir , We both are reconciled . Fa. It followes then that both the acts must beare Like reconcilement , and if hee will now Maligne and mallice you for crossing him Or any of his faction in their suites , Being now atton'd , you must be one in all , One in corruption , and twixt you two millstones New pickt , and put together , must the graine Of good mens needfull meanes to live , be ground Into your choking superfluities ; You both too rich , they ruinde . Adm. I conceive Sir Wee both may be enrich'd , and raise our fortunes Even with our places in our Soveraignes favour : Though past the height of others , yet within The rules of Law and Iustice , and approove Our actions white and innocent . Fa. I doubt it While inforc'd shew perhaps , which will I feare Prove in true substance but a Millers whitenesse , More sticking in your clothes then conscience . Adm. Your censure herein tasts some passion Sir , And I beseech you nourish better thoughts , Then to imagine that the Kings meere grace Sustaines such prejudice by those it honours ; That of necessitie we must pervert it With passionate enemies , and ambitious boundlesse Avarice , and every licence incident To fortunate greatnesse , and that all abuse it For the most impious avarice of some . Fa. As if the totall summe of favorites frailties Affected not the full rule of their Kings In their owne partially disposed ambitions , And that Kings doe no hazard infinitely In their free realties of rights and honours , Where they leave much for favourites powers to order . Adm. But wee have such a master of our King In the Imperiall art , that no power flies Out of his favour , but his policie ties A criance to it , to containe it still ; And for the reconcilement of us Sir , Never were two in favour , that were more , One in all love of Iustice , and true honour , Though in the act and prosecution Pehaps we differ . Howsoever yet One beame us both creating , what should let That both our soules should both one mettle beare , And that one stampe , one word , one character . Fa. I could almost be won to be a Courtier , There s some thing more in 's composition , Then ever yet was favourites . Enter a Courtier . What s hee ? Cour. I bring your Lordship a sign'd bill , to ●ave The addition of your honor'd hand , the counsell Have all before subscribed , and full prepar'd it . Ad. It seemes then they have weigh'd the importance of it , And know the grant is just . Cour. No doubt my Lord , Or else they take therein the Constables word , It being his suite , and his power having wrought The King already to appose his hand . Adm. I doe not like his working of the King , For if it be a suite made knowne to him , And fit to passe , he wrought himselfe to it , However my hand goes to no such grant , But first I 'le know and censure it my selfe . Cour. A he , if thou beest goddesse of contention ▪ That Iove tooke by the haire , and hurl'd from heaven Assume in earth thy empire , and this bill Thy firebrand make to turne his love , thus tempted Into a hate , as horrid as thy furies . Adm. Does this beare title of his Lordships suite ? Cour. It does my Lord , and therefore he beseech'd The rather your dispatch . Adm. No thought the rather , But now the rather all powers against it , The suite being most injust , and he pretending In all his actions justice , on the sudden After his so late vow not to violate it , Is strange and vile , and if the King himselfe Should owne and urge it , I would stay ▪ and crosse it , For t is within the free power of my office , And I should straine his kingdome if I past it , I see their poore attempts , and giddy malice ; Is this the reconcilement that so lately He vow'd in sacred witnesse of the King ? Assuring me , he never more would offer To passe a suite unjust , which I well know This is , above all , and have often beene urg'd To give it passage , be you Sir the Judge . Fa. I wonot meddle With any thing of state , you knew long since . Adm. Yet you may heare it Sir . Fa. You wonot urge My opinion then , go to . Adm. An honest merchant Presuming on our league of France with Spaine , Brought into Spaine a wealthy ship , to vent Her fit commodities to serve the country , Which , in the place of suffering their saile Were seas'd to recompence a Spanish ship Priz'd by a French man , ere the league was made , No suites , no letters of our Kings could gaine Our merchants first right in it , but his letters Vnreverently received , the Kings selfe scandall , Beside the leagues breach , and the foule injustice Done to our honest merchant , who endured all , Till some small time since ( authoris'd by our counsell , Though not in open Court ▪ ) he made a ship out , And tooke a Spaniard , brings all home , and sues To gaine his full prov'd losse , full recompence Of his just prize , his prize is staid and ceaz'd , Yet for the Kings disposure , and the Spaniard Makes suite to be restor'd her , which this bill Would faine get granted , faining ( as they hop'd ) With my allowance , and way given to make Our Countrey mans in Spaine their absolute prize . Fa. I were absolute injustice . Adm. Should I passe it . Fa. Passe life , and state before . Adm. If this would seeme His Lordships suite , his love to me , and justice Including plots upon me , while my simplenesse Is seriously vow'd to reconcilement ; Love him good vulgars , and abhorre me still , For if I court your slatterie with my crimes , Heavens love before me fly , till in my tombe I sticke pursuing it , and for this bill , Thus say t was shiver'd , blesse us equall heaven ! Exit . Fa. This could I cherish , now above his losse , You may report as much , the bill discharg'd Sir . Exeunt .

Actus Secundus . Enter King and Queen , Secretary with the Torne bill . Kin. IS it end ▪ so . Que. Good heaven how tame you are ? Doe Kings of France reward foule Traitors thus ? Kin. No Traitor , y' are too loude ▪ Chabots no Traitor , He has the passions of a man about him , And multiplicitie of cares may make Wise men forget themselves , come be you patient . Qu. Can you be so , and see your selfe thus torne . Kin. Our selfe . Qu. There is some left , if you dare owne , Your royall character , is not this your name ? Kin. T is Francis I confesse . Qu. Be but a name If this staine live upon 't , affronted , by Your subject , shall the sacred name of King , A word to make your nation bow and tremble , Be thus profain'd , are lawes establish'd To punish the defacers of your image , But dully set by the rude hand of others Vpon your coine , and shall the character That doth include the blessing of all France , Your name , thus written by your royall hand Design'd for Justice , and your Kingdomes honour , Not call up equall anger to reward it ? Your Counsellors of state contemn'd , and slighted As in this braine more circumscrib'd all wisedome , And pollicy of Empire , and your power , Subordinate and subject to his passion . Kin. Come , it concernes you not . Qu. Is this the consequence Of an attonement made so lately betweene ▪ The hopefull Mountmorencie , and his Lordship Vrge by your selfe with such a precious sanction ; Come , he that dares doe this , wants not a heart , But opportunitie . Kin. To doe what ? Qu. To teare your crowne off . Kin. Come your language doth taste more Of rage and womanish flame than solid reason Against the Admirall , what commands of yours Not to your expectation ▪ obey'd By him , is ground of your so keene displeasure ? Qu. Commands of mine ? he is too great , and powerfull To stoope to my employment , a Colossus , And can stride from one Province to another By the assistance of those offices You have most confidently impos'd upon him , T is he , not you take up the peoples eyes And admiration , while his Princely wise . Kin. Nay then I reach the spring of your distaste , He has a wife , — Enter Chancellor , Treasurer , and whisper with the King . Qu. Whom for her pride I love not , And I but in her husbands ruine Can triumph ore her greatnesse . King . Well , well , I le thinke on 't ? Exit . Cha. He beginnes to incline , Madam you are the soule of our great worke . Qu. I le follow , and imploy my powers upon him . Tre. We are confident you will prevaile at last , And for the pious worke oblige the King to you . Cha , And us your humblest creatures . Que. Presse no further . Exit . Que. Cha. Le ts seeke out my Lord Constable . Tre. And inflame him . Cha. To expostulate with Chabot , something may Arise from thence , ▪ to pull more weight upon him . Exeunt . Enter Father and Allegre . Fa. How sorts the businesse ? how tooke the King The tearing of his bill ? Al. Exceeding well , And seem'd to smile at all their grimme complaints , Gainst all that outrage to his highnesse hand , And said in plaine , he sign'd it but to try My Lords firme Iustice Fa. What a sweete King t is ? Al. But how his rivall the Lord Constable Is labour'd by the Chancellor , and others to retort His wrong with ten parts more upon my Lord , Is monstrous ? Fa. Neede hee their spurres ? Al. I Sir , for hee s afraid To beare himselfe too boldly in his braves Vpon the King ( being newly entred Mynion ) Since t is but patience sometime they thinke ; Because the favor spending in two streames , One must runne low at length , till when he dare Take fire in such flame , as his faction wishes , But with wise feare containes himselfe , and so Like a greene faggot in his kindling smoakes , And where the Chancellor his chiefe Cyclops findes The fire within him apt to take , he blowes , And then the faggot flames , as never more The bellowes needed , till the too soft greenenesse Of his state habit , shewes his sappe still flowes , Above the solid timber , with which , then His blaze shrinkes head , he cooles , and smoakes agen . Fa. Good man he would be , wod the bad not spoile him . Al. True sir , but they still ply him with their arts , And as I heard have wrought him , personally To question my Lord with all the bitternesse The galls of all their faction can powre in , And such an expectation hangs upon 't , Though all the Court as t were with child , and long'd To make a mirror of my Lords cleare blood , And therein see the full ebbe of his flood , And therefore if you please to counsell him You shall performe a fathers part . Fa. Nay since Hee s gone so farre , I wod not have him feare But dare e'm , and yet i le not meddle in t . Enter Admirall . Hoes here , if he have wit to like his cause , His spirit wonot be asham'd to die in t . Exit . Al. My Lord retire , y' are way-laid in your walkes , Your friendes are all fallen from you , all your servants Suborn'd by all advantage to report Each word you whisper out , and to serve you With hat and knee , while other have their hearts . Adm. Much profit may my foes make of such servants , I love no enemy I have so well , To take so ill a bargaine from his hands . Al. Their other oddes yet shun , all being combinde , And lodg'd in ambush ariv'd to doe you mischiefe By any meanes past feare of law , or soveraigne . Adm. I walke no desart , yet goe arm'd with that , That would give wildest beasts instincts to rescue , Rather then offer any force to hurt me ; My innocence is , which is a conquering justice , As weares a shield , that both defends and fights . All. One against all the world . Adm. The more the oddes , The lesse the conquest , or if all the world Be thought an army fit to employ gainst one , That one is argued fit to fight gainst all ; If I fall under them , this breast shall beare Their heape digested in my sepulchre , Death is the life of good men , let e'm come . Enter Constable , Chancellor , Treasurer , Secretary . Con. I thought my Lord our reconcilement perfect , You have exprest what sea of gall flow'd in you , In tearing of the bill I sent to allow . Adm. Dare you confesse the sending of that bill . Con. Dare , why not ? Adm. Because it breake your oath Made in our reconcilement , and betrayes The honour , and the chiefe life of the King Which is his justice . Con. Betraies ? Adm. No lesse , and that I le prove to him . Omnes You cannot . Trea. I would not wish you offer at an action So most impossibly , and much against The judgement , and favour of the King . Adm. His judgement nor his favour I respect , So I preserve his Iustice . Cha. T is not Iustice , Which I 'le prove by law , and absolute learning . Adm. All your great law , and learning are but words , When I plead plainely , naked truth , and deedes , Which though you seeke to fray with state , and glory , I 'le shoote a shaft at all your globe of light , If lightning split it , yet t was high and right . Exit : Con. Brave resolution so his acts be just , He cares for gaine not honour . Chan. How came he then By all his infinite honour and his gaine ? Tre. Well said my Lord . Sec. Answer but onely that . Con. By doing justice still in all his actions . Sec But if this action prove unjust , will you Say all his other may be so as well , And thinke your owne course fitter farre than his . Con , I will — Exit . Cha. He cooles , we must not leave him , we have no Such engine to remove the Admirall . Exeunt . Enter King and the Admirall . Kin. I prethee Philip be not so severe To him I favour , t is an argument That may serve one day to availe your selfe , Nor Does it square with your so gentle nature , To give such fires of envie to your bloud ; For howsoeuer out of love to Iustice , Your Iealousie of that doth so incense you , Yet they that censure it will say t is envy . Adm. I serve not you for them , but for your selfe , And that good in your Rule , that Iustice does you , And care not this what others say , so you Please but to doe me right for what you know . King . You will not doe your selfe right , why should I Exceede you to your selfe ? Adm. My selfe am nothing Compar'd to what I seeke , t is justice onely The fount and flood , both of your strength and kingdomes . King . But who knowes not , that extreame justice is ( by all ruld lawes ) the extreame of injurie , And must to you be so , the persons that Your passionate heate calls into question Are great , and many , and may wrong in you Your rights of kinde , and dignities of fortune , And I advanc'd you not to heape on you Honours , and fortunes , that by strong hand now Held up , and over you , when heaven takes off That powerfull hand' should thunder on your head , And after you crush your surviving seedes . Adm. Sir , your regards to both are great , and sacred , But if the innocence , and right that rais'd me And meanes for mine , can finde no friend hereafter Of him that ever lives , and ever seconds All Kings just bounties with defence , and refuge In just mens races , let my fabricke ruine , My stocke want sap , my branches by the roote Be ●orne to death , and swept with whirlewindes out . King . For my love no relenting . Adm. No my leige , T is for your love , and right that I stand out . King . Be better yet advis'd . Adm. I cannot Sir Should any Oracle become my counsell , For that I stand not out , thus of set will , Or pride of any singular conceite , My ēnēmies , and the world may clearely know , I taste no sweetes to drowne in others gall , And to affect in that which makes me lothed , To leave my selfe and mine expos'd to all The dangers you propos'd , my purchas'd honours , And all my fortunes in an instant lost , That mony , cares , and paines , and yeares have gather'd , How mad were I to rave thus in my wounds , Vnlesse my knowne health felt in these forc'd issues Were sound , and fit , and that I did not know By most true proofes , that to become sincere With all mens hates , doth farre excëede their loves , To be as they are , mixtures of corruption ? And that those envies that I see pursue me Of all true actions are the naturall consequents Which being my object , and my resolute choise Not for my good but yours , I will have justice . King . You will have justice , is your will so strong Now against mine ? your power being so weake Before my favour gave them both their forces Of all that ever shar'd in my free graces , You Philip Chabot a meane Gentleman Have not I-rais'd you to a supremest Lord , And given you greater dignities than any ? Adm. You have so . King . Well sed , and to spurre your dulinesse With the particulars to which I rais'd you , Have not I made you first a Knight of the Order● Then Admirall of France , then Count Byzanges , Lord , and Livetenant generall of all My country , and command of Burgady ; Livetenant generall likewise of my sonne Daulphine , and heire , and of all Normandy , And of my chiefely honor'd privy Counsell , And cannot all these powers weigh downe your will ? Adm. No Sir , they were not given me to that end , But to uphold my will , my will being just . King . And who shall judge that Justice , you or I ? Adm. I Sir , in this case your royall thoughts are fitly Exempt from every curious search of one , You have the generall charge with care of all . Kin. And doe not generalls include particulars ? May not I Iudge of any thing compriz'd In your particular as well as you ? Adm. Farre be the misery from you , that you may , My cares , paines , broken sleepe therein made more Then yours should make me see more , and my forces Render of better judgement . King . Well Sir , grant Your force in this my odds in benefits Paid for your paines , put in the other scale , And any equall holder of the ballance Will shew my merits hoist up yours to aire In rule of any doubt or deed betwixt us . Adm. You merit not of me for benefits More than my selfe of you for services . King . I st possible . Adm. T is true . King . Stand you on that ? Adm. I to the death and will approve to all men . Kin. I am deceiv'd , but I shall finde good Judges That will finde difference . Adm. Finde them being good . King . Still so ? what if conferring My bounties , and your services to sound them , We fall foule on some licences of yours , Nay , give me therein some advantage of you . Adm. They cannot . King . Not in sisting their severe discharges Of all your offices ? Adm. The more you sift The more you shall refine mee . King . What if I Grant out against you a commission Ioyn'd with an extraordinary processe To arrest , and put you in lawes hands for triall . Adm. Not with lawes uttermost . King . I le throw the dice. Adm. And I le endure the chance , The dice being square . Adm. Repos'd in dreadlesse confidence , and conscience , That all your most extreames shall never reach , Or to my life , my goodes or honours breach . King . Was ever heard so fine a confidence ? Must it not prove presumption , and can that Scape brack●s and errors in your search of law , I prethee weigh yet , with more soule than danger , And some lesse passion . Adm. Witnesse heaven , I cannot . Were I dissolv'd , and nothing else but soule . King . Be shrew my blood , but his resolves amaze me ; Was ever such a Iustice in a subject ▪ Of so much office left to his owne swinge That left to law thus , and his Soveraignes wrath , Could stand cleare spight of both ? let reason rule it Before it come at law , a man so rare In one thing cannot in the rest be vulgar , And who sees you not in the broad high-way The common dust up in your owne eyes , beating In quest of riches , honours , offices , As heartily in shew as most beleeve , And he that can use actions with the vulgar , Must needes embrace the same effects & cannot informe him Whatsoever he pretends , use them with such Free equitie , as fits one just and reall ▪ Even in the eyes of men , nor stand at all parts So truly circular , so sound , and solid , But have his swellings out , his crackes and crannies , And therefore in this reason , before law Take you to her , least you affect and flatter Your selfe with mad opinions . Adm. I were mad Directly Sir , if I were yet to know Not the sure danger , but the certaine ruine Of men shot into law from Kings bent brow , There being no dreame from the most muddie braine Vpon the foulest fancie , that can forge More horrour in the shaddowes of meere fame , Then can some Lawyer in a man expos'd To his interpretation by the King , But these grave toyes I shall despise in death , And while I live will lay them open so ( My inocence laid by them ) that like foiles They shall sticke of my merits tenne times more , And make your bounties nothing , for who gives And hits i th teeth , himselfe payes with the glory For which he gave , as being his end of giving , Not to crowne merits , or doe any good , And so no thankes is due but to his glory . King . T is brave I sweare . Adm. No Sir , t is plaine , and rude But true , and spotlesse , and where you object My hearty , and grosse vulgar love of riches , Titles , and honours , I did never seeke them For any love to them , but to that justice You ought to use in their due gift to merits , To shew you royall , and most open handed , Not using for hands talons , pincers , grapples ; In whose gripes , and upon whose gord point , Deserts hang sprawling out their vertuous limbs , King . Better and better . Adm. This your glory is My deserts wrought upon no wretched matter , But shew'd your royall palmes as free , and moist , As Ida , all enchast with silver springs , And yet my merit still their equall sings . King . Sing till thou sigh thy soule out hence , and leave us . Adm. My person shall , my love and faith shall never . King . Perish thy love , and faith , and thee for ever ; Whos 's there ? Enter Asall . Let one goe for the Chancellor . Asa . He 's here in Court Sir . King . Haste and send him hither , This is an insolence I never met with , Can one so high as his degrees ascend , Clime all so free , and without staine ? My Lord Enter Chancellor . Chancellor , I send for you about a service Of equall price to me , as if againe My ransome came to me from Pavian thraldome , And more , as if from forth a subjects fetters , The worst of servitudes my life were rescued . Cha. You fright me with a Prologue of much trouble ▪ King . Me thinkes it might be , tell me out of all Your famous learning , was there ever subject Rais'd by his Soveraignes free hand from the dust , Vp to a height above Ayres upper region , That might compare with him in any merit That so advanc'd him ? and not shew in that Grosse over-weening worthy cause to thinke There might be other over-sights excepted Of capitall nature in his sifted greatnesse . Chan. And past question Sir , for one absur'd thing granted , A thousand follow . King . You must then employ Your most exact , and curious art to explore A man in place of greatest trust , and charge , Whom I suspect to have abus'd them all , And in whom you may give such proud veines vent , As will bewray their boyling bloud corrupted Both gainst my crowne and life . Cha. And may my life Be crust in every act , If I explore him not to every finer . King . It is my Admirall . Cha. Oh my good Leige You tempt , not charge me with such search of him . King . Doubt not my heartiest meaning , all the troubles That ever mov'd in a distracted King , Put in just feare of his assaulted life Are not above my sufferings for Chabot . Cha. Then I am glad , and proud that I can cure you , For he 's a man that I am studied in , And all his offices , and if you please To give authoritie . King . You shall not want it . Cha. If I discharge you not of that disease , About your necke growne , by your strange trust in him , With full discovery of the foulest treasons . King . But I must have all prov'd with that free justice . Cha. Beseech your Majestie doe not question it . King . About it instantly , and take me wholly Vpon your selfe . Cha. How much you grace your servant ? King . Let it be fiery quicke . Cha. It shall have wings , And every feather shew the slight of Kings .