Chapter 12

_The Street near the House of Anselm's Mother_.

_Enter_ ANSELM _and_ FULLER.

ANS. 'Tis true, as I relate the circumstance, And she is with my mother safe at home; But yet, for all the hate I can allege Against her husband, nor for all the love That on my own part I can urge her to, Will she be won to gratify my love.

FUL. All things are full of ambiguity, And I admire this wond'rous accident. But, Anselm, Arthur's about a new wife, _a bona roba_; How will she take it when she hears this news?

ANS. I think, even as a virtuous maiden should; It may be that report may, from thy mouth, Beget some pity from her flinty heart, And I will urge her with it presently.

FUL. Unless report be false, they are link'd already; They are fast as words can tie them: I will tell thee How I, by chance, did meet him the last night:-- One said to me this Arthur did intend To have a wife, and presently to marry. Amidst the street, I met him as my friend, And to his love a present he did carry; It was some ring, some stomacher, or toy; I spake to him, and bad God give him joy. God give me joy, quoth he; of what, I pray? Marry, quoth I, your wedding that is toward. 'Tis false, quoth he, and would have gone his way. Come, come, quoth I, so near it and so froward: I urg'd him hard by our familiar loves, Pray'd him withal not to forget my gloves. Then he began:--Your kindness hath been great, Your courtesy great, and your love not common; Yet so much favour pray let me entreat, To be excus'd from marrying any woman. I knew the wench that is become his bride, And smil'd to think how deeply he had lied; For first he swore he did not court a maid; A wife he could not, she was elsewhere tied; And as for such as widows were, he said, And deeply swore none such should be his bride: Widow, nor wife, nor maid--I ask'd no more, Knowing he was betroth'd unto a whore.

ANS. Is it not Mistress Mary that you mean? She that did dine with us at Arthur's house?

_Enter_ MISTRESS ARTHUR.

FUL. The same, the same:--here comes the gentlewoman; O Mistress Arthur, I am of your counsel: Welcome from death to life!

ANS. Mistress, this gentleman hath news to tell ye, And as you like of it, so think of me.

FUL. Your husband hath already got a wife; A huffing wench, i' faith, whose ruffling silks Make with their motion music unto love, And you are quite forgotten.

ANS. I have sworn To move this my unchaste demand no more. [_Aside_.]

FUL. When doth your colour change? When do your eyes Sparkle with fire to revenge these wrongs? When doth your tongue break into rage and wrath, Against that scum of manhood, your vile husband?' He first misus'd you.

ANS. And yet can you love him?

FUL. He left your chaste bed, to defile the bed Of sacred marriage with a courtesan.

ANS. Yet can you love him?

FUL. And, not content with this, Abus'd your honest name with sland'rous words, And fill'd your hush'd house with unquietness.

ANS. And can you love him yet?

FUL. Nay, did he not With his rude fingers dash you on the face, And double-dye your coral lips with blood? Hath he not torn those gold wires from your head, Wherewith Apollo would have strung his harp, And kept them to play music to the gods? Hath he not beat you, and with his rude fists Upon that crimson temperature of your cheeks Laid a lead colour with his boist'rous blows?

ANS. And can you love him yet?

FUL. Then did he not, Either by poison or some other plot, Send you to death where, by his providence, God hath preserved you by that wond'rous miracle? Nay, after death, hath he not scandalis'd Your place with an immodest courtesan?

ANS. And can you love him yet?

MRS ART. And yet, and yet, And still, and ever whilst I breathe this air: Nay, after death, my unsubstantial soul, Like a good angel, shall attend on him, And keep him from all harm. But is he married? much good do his heart! Pray God, she may content him better far Than I have done; long may they live in peace, Till I disturb their solace; but because I fear some mischief doth hang o'er his head, I'll weep my eyes dry with my present care, And for their healths make hoarse my tongue with prayer. [_Exit_.

FUL. Art sure she is a woman? if she be, She is create of nature's purity.

ANS. O yes, I too well know she is a woman; Henceforth my virtue shall my love withstand, And of my striving thoughts get th'upper hand.

FUL. Then, thus resolv'd, I straight will drink to thee A health thus deep, to drown thy melancholy.

[_Exeunt_.