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, take thou 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.