SCENE III.

Enter the King of Navarre, [357] Queen Margaret, the Old Queen of Navarre, the Prince of Condé, and the Admiral; they are met by the Apothecary with the gloves, which he gives to the Old Queen. Apoth. Madam, I beseech your grace to accept this simple gift. Old Q. of Nav. Thanks, my good friend. Hold, takethou this reward. [Gives a purse. Apoth. I humbly thank your majesty. [Exit. Old Q. of Nav. Methinks the gloves have a very strong perfume, The scent whereof doth make my head to ache. Nav. Doth not your grace know the man that gave them you? Old Q. of Nav. Not well; but do remember such a man. Adm. Your grace was ill-advised to take them, then, Considering of these dangerous times.10 Old Q. of Nav. Help, son Navarre! I am poisoned! Mar. The heavens forbid your highness such mishap! Nav. The late suspicion of the Duke of Guise Might well have moved your highness to beware How you did meddle with such dangerous gifts. Mar. Too late it is, my lord, if that be true, To blame her highness; but I hope it be Only some natural passion makes her sick. Old Q. of Nav. O no, sweet Margaret! the fatal poison Works within my head; my brain-pan breaks;20 My heart doth faint; I die! [Dies. Nav. My mother poisoned here before my face! O gracious God, what times are these! O grant, sweet God, my days may end with hers, That I with her may die and live again! Mar. Let not this heavy chance, my dearest lord (For whose effects my soul is massacrèd), Infect thy gracious breast with fresh supply To aggravate our sudden misery. Adm. Come, my lords, let us bear her body hence,30 And see it honoured with just solemnity. [As they are going out, the Soldier dischargeth his musket at the Admiral. Con. What, are you hurt, my Lord High Admiral? Adm. I, my good lord, shot through the arm. Nav. We [358] are betrayed! Come, my lords, And let us go tell the king of this. Adm. These are The cursèd Guisians, that do seek our death. O fatal was this marriage to us all! [Exeunt, bearing out the body of the Old Queen of Navarre.