Chapter 1

_Enter the Lady de Averne with a letter in her hand readinge, and with her mayde_.

_Lady_. And howe came you by this?

_Mayde_. Followinge you to th'chappell And I protest not thinking anythinge, Fryar _Jhon_ o'th suddeine pluckt mee by the sleeve And whisperd in myne eare to give that to you, But privatly, bycause it was a thinge Only toweard your person.

_Lady_. Twas well doonne; But prithee do no more so, for this tyme Tak't for a warninge.

_Mayde_. Madam I am skool'd.

_Lady_. Doo so, or ever loose me. Heeres[100] sweet stuffe! Can this be in a vowed monastick lyfe Or to be fownd in churchmen? 'tis a question Whether to smyle or vex, to laughe or storme, Bycause in this I finde the cause of boathe. What might this sawcy fellowe spy in mee To incorradge such a boldnes? yes this letter Instructs mee what: he seythe my affability And modest smiles, still gracinge his salutes, Moovd him to wryte. Oh what a chary care then Had womene neede have boathe of lipps and eyes When every fayre woord's censur'd liberty, And every kind looke meere licensiousnes! I have bin hitherto so greate a stranger To these unus'd temptations that in truthe I knowe not howe to take this. Sylly fryar! Madnes or folly, one of these't must bee. If th'one I pity, at the other laughe, And so no more reguard it.

_Maid_. Madam, if ought bee in that letter ill, Mee thinks 'tis good [that] you can tak't so well.

_Lady_. Peace you; a braineles weake, besotted fellowe! But lett mee better recollect myself. Madnes nor folly, and add lust to them, Durst not in fury, heate, or Ignorans, Have tempted my unquestioned chastity Without a fowrth abetter, jealousy. The more I ponder that, I more suspect By that my Lord should have a hand in this, And,[101] knowinge there's such difference in our yeares, To proove my feythe might putt this triall on mee. Else how durst such a poore penurious fryar Oppose such an unheard of Impudens Gaynst my incensed fury and revendge? My best is therefore, as I am innocent, To stooddy myne owne safety, showe this letter, Which one [?] my charity woold have conceiled, And rather give him upp a sacrifice To my lord's just incensement then indanger Myne owne unblemisht truthe and loyalty By incurringe his displeasure; heare hee coms.

_Enter the Lord de Averne with som followers; his man Denis_

_L. Averne_. Howe, Lady? reading?

_Lady_. Yes, a letter, sir.

_L. Averne_. Imparts it any newes?

_Lady_. Yes, syr, strange newes, And scarce to bee beleaved.

_Lord Av_. Forreyne.

_Lady_. Nay, domestick, Tis howsehould busines all.

_Lord Av_. May I impart it?

_Lady_. Oh, syr, in any case, As one it most concernes; but I intreate you, Reade it with patiens; the simplicity Of him that writte it will afford you mirthe, Or else his mallice spleane.--Nowe by his temper And change of countenance I shall easily find Whose hand was cheife in this.

_Lord Av_. All leave the place.

_Denis_. We shall, syr.

_Lord Av_. Possible That this shoold bee in man, nay in man vowed Unto a strickt abstemious chastity! From my owne creature and from one I feede, Nay from a place built in my holiest vowes, Establisht in my purpose in my lyfe, Maintayn'd from my revenue, after death Firm'd and assur'd to all posterityes-- That that shoold breede such vipers!

_Lady_. Patiens, syr; the fellowe suer is madd.

_Lord Av_. I can be madd as hee too and I will. Thus to abuse my goodnes! in a deede Som woold hold meritorious, att the least Intended for an act of piety, To suffer in my zeale! nay to bee mockt In my devotion, by these empty drones That feede upon the honey of my hyve! To invert my good intentements, turne this nest [_Ink: paper ready_. I built for prayer unto a bedd of sinnes! Which thus I'l punish; this religious place, Once vowed to sanctity, I'l undermyne And in one instant blowe the structure upp With all th'unhallowed covent.

_Lady_. Praye, no extreames: Where one offends shall for his heighnous fact So many suffer? there's no justyce in't.

_Lord Av_. Som justyce I would showe them heare on earthe Before they finde it multiplyed in heaven.

_Lady_. For my sake, syr, do not for one man's error Destroy a woorke of perpetuity, By which your name shall lyve. One man offends; Lett the delinquent suffer.

_Lord Av_. So't shallbe, And thou hast well advysed. Som pen and Inke theire!

_Lady_. What purpose you?

_Lord Av_. That's soly to my selfe And in my fyxt thoughts stands irreproovable.

_Enter Dennis with pen, inke, and paper_.

Syr, heares pen inke and paper.

_Lord Av_. To his letter My self will give him answer. (_writes_)

_Denis_. Suer all's not well that on the suddane thus My lord is so distempered.

_Lady_. I have, I feare, Styr'd such a heate, that nought save blood will quensh: But wish my teares might doo't; hee's full of storme, And that in him will not bee easily calmd. His rage and troble both pronounce him guiltles Of this attempt, which makes mee rather doubt Hee may proove too seveare in his revendge, Which I with all indevour will prevent Yet to the most censorious I appeale, What coold I lesse have doone to save myne honor From suffringe beneathe skandall?

_Lord Av_. See, heare's all: 'Tis short and sweete, wryte this in your own hand Without exchange of the least sillable. Insert in copiinge no suspitious dash, No doubtfull comma; then subscribe your name, Seal't then with your own signet and dispatche it As I will have dyrected; doo't, I charge you, Without the least demurre or fallacy. By dooinge this you shall prevent distrust Or future breach beetwixt us; you shall further Expresse a just obediens.

_Lady_. Syr, I shall, What ere your concealed purpose bee, I shall.

_Lord Av_. Provyde mee horses, I will ryde.

_Denis_. When, syr?

_Lord Av_. Instantly, after dinner, and gie't out I am not to returne till three dayes hence, So spreade it throughe the howse.

_Denis_. What followers, Syr, Meane you to take alonge?

_Lord Av_. Thyself, no more, For 'tis a private busines, and withall; Provyde mee,--harke thyne eare.

_Denis_. A stronge one, Syrr.

_Lord Av_. One that will howld; withall give pryvate order At night the guarden gates may bee left open, By whiche wee may returne unknowne to any. What I intend lyes heare.

_Denis_. All wee servants Are bownd to doo, but not examine what; That's out of our comission.

_Lord Av_. 'Twixt us too I shall resolve thee further.

_Denis_. I am gone, Syr.

_Lord Av_. Nowe, sweete ladye, have you doon?

_Lady_. As you commanded.

_Lord Av_. Itt wants nothinge nowe But seale and superscription; I'l see't doone. And marke mee nowe; at evensonge, passinge through The cloyster to the chappell, when the fryar Amongst the rest bowes with his wonted duckes, Add rather then deminish from your smiles And wonted favours. Let this shee post then Conveigh this letter to the fryar's close fist, Who no dowbt gapes for answer.

_Lady_. All shall bee As you instructe; but punishe, syr, with pitty; Putt him to payne or shame, but deathe, alas, Is too seveare.

_Lord Av_. Tush, wyfe, feare not; think'st thou Ile quale[102] a churchman? [_Exeunt_.