ACT V., SCENE I.

_Enter_ VOTARIUS, _with_ ANSELMUS.

VOT. You shall stand here, my lord, unseen, And hear all; do I deal now like a right Friend with you?

ANS. Like a most faithful.

VOT. You shall have her mind, e'en as it comes to me, Though I undo her by't; your friendship, sir, Is the sweet mistress that I only serve; I prize the roughness of a man's embrace Before the soft lips of a hundred ladies.

ANS. And that's an honest mind of thee.

VOT. Lock yourself, sir, Into that closet, and be sure none see you. Trust not a creature; we'll have all round clear, E'en as the heart affords it.

ANS. 'Tis a match, sir. [_Exit._

VOT. Troth, he says true then, 'tis a match indeed. He does not know the strength of his own words; For, if he did, there were no masering on him. He's cleft the pin in two with a blind man's eyes; Though I shoot wide, I'll cosen him of the game.[473] [_Exit._

_Enter_ LEONELLA _above in a gallery, with her lover_ BELLARIUS.

LEO. Dost thou see thine enemy walk?

BEL. I would I did not.

LEO. Prythee, rest quiet, man; I have fee'd one for him, A trusty catchpole, too, that will be sure of him; Thou know'st this gallery? well, 'tis at thy use now, 'T 'as been at mine full often; thou may'st sit Like a most private gallant in yon corner For all the play, and ne'er be seen thyself.

BEL. Therefore I chose it.

LEO. Thou shalt see my lady Play her part naturally--more to the life Than she's aware on.

BEL. Then must I be pleased. Thou'rt one of the actors: thou'lt be miss'd anon.

LEO. Alas! a woman's action's always ready; Yet I'll down, now I think on't.

BEL. Do: 'tis time, i' faith. [LEONELLA _descends_.

ANS. I know not yet, where I should plant belief: I am so strangely toss'd between two tales. I'm told by my wife's woman the deed's done, And in Votarius' tongue 'tis yet to come. The castle is but upon yielding yet, 'Tis not deliver'd up. Well, we shall find The mystery shortly; I will entertain The patience of a prisoner i' th' meantime. [_Locks himself in._

_Enter_ ANSELMUS' _Lady, with_ LEONELLA.

WIFE. Is all set ready, wench?

LEO. Push! madam! all.

WIFE. Tell not me so; she lives not for a lady, That has less peace than I.

LEO. Nay, good sweet madam. You would not think how much this passion alters you; It drinks up all the beauty of your cheek. I promise you, madam, you have lost much blood.

WIFE. Let it draw death upon me, for till then I shall be mistress of no true content: Who could endure hourly temptation, And bear it as I do?

LEO. Nay, that's most certain: Unless it were myself again: I can do't, I suffer the like daily; you should complain, madam.

WIFE. Which way, were that wisdom? prythee, wench, to whom?

LEO. To him that makes all whole again--my lord. To one that, if he be a kind, good husband, Will let you bear no more than you are able.

WIFE. Thou know'st not what thou speakest; why, my lord's he That gives him the house's freedom, all his boldness-- Keeps him o' purpose here to war with me.

LEO. Now I hold wiser of my lord than so: He knows the world; he would not be so idle.

WIFE. I speak sad truth to thee; I am not private In mine own chamber, such his impudence is: Nay, my repenting-time is scarce bless'd from him-- He will offend my prayers.

LEO. Out upon him! I believe, madam, he's of no religion.

WIFE. He serves my lord, and that's enough for him: And preys upon poor ladies like myself-- There's all the gentleman's devotion.

LEO. Marry, the devil of hell give him his blessing!

WIFE. Pray, watch the door, and suffer none to trouble us, Unless it be my lord.

LEO. 'Twas finely spoke, that! My lord indeed is the most trouble to her. Now must I show a piece of service here: How do I spend my days? shall I never Get higher than a lady's doorkeeper? I must be married (as my lady is) first, And then my maid may do as much for me.

[_Aside._

WIFE. O miserable time! except my lord Do wake in honourable pity to me, And rid this vicious gamester from his house. Whom I have check'd so often: here I vow I'll imitate my noble sister's fate, Late mistress to the worthy Govianus, And cast away my life, as she did hers.

_Enter_ VOTARIUS _to the door within_.

LEO. Back, you're too forward, sir! there's no coming for you.

VOT. How, Mistress Len, my lady's smock-woman, Am I no further in your duty yet?

LEO. Duty! look for't of them you keep under, sir.

VOT. You'll let me in?

LEO. Who would you speak withal?

VOT. Why, the best lady you make courtesy to.

LEO. She will not speak with you.

VOT. Have you her mind? I scorn to take her answer of her broker.

LEO. Madam?

WIFE. What's there? How now, sir, what's your business? We see your boldness plain.

VOT. I came to see you, madam.

WIFE. Farewell, then! though 'twas impudence too much, When I was private.

VOT. Madam!

WIFE. He was born To beggar all my patience.

VOT. I'm bold Still to prefer my love; your woman hears me not.

WIFE. Where's modesty and honour? Have I not thrice Answer'd thy lust?

LEO. By'r lady, I think oft'ner. [_Aside._

WIFE. And darest thou yet look with temptation on us? Since nothing will prevail, come, death--come, vengeance-- I will forget the weakness of my kind, And force thee from my chamber.

[_She thrusts at_ VOTARIUS _with the sword_.

VOT. How now, lady! 'Ud's life, you prick me, madam!

WIFE. Prythee, peace! I will not hurt thee; will you yet be gone, sir?

LEO. He's upon going, I think.

VOT. Madam, you deal false with me; O, I feel it; You're a most treacherous lady! this thy glory! My breast is all a-fire! O-- [_Dies._

LEO. Ha, ha, ha!

ANS. Ha! I believe her constancy too late, Confirm'd e'en in the blood of my best friend; Take thou my vengeance, thou bold, pernicious strumpet,

[_Kills_ LEONELLA.

_Enter_ BELLARTUS.

That durst accuse thy virtuous lady falsely!

BEL. O deadly poison after a sweet banquet! What make I here? I had forgot my part;[474] I am an actor too, and never thought on't, The blackness of this season cannot miss me. Sirrah, you lord!

WIFE. Is he there? welcome, ruin!

BEL. There is a life due to me in that bosom For this poor gentlewoman.

ANS. And art thou then receiver! I'll pay thee largely, slave, for thy last 'scape.

[_They make a dangerous pass at one another,_ _the lady purposely runs between them, and_ _is killed_.

WIFE. I come, Votarius!

ANS. Hold, if manhood guide thee! O, what has fury done now?

BEL. What has it done now? Why, kill'd an honourable whore, that's all.

ANS. Villain! I'll seal that lie upon thy heart. A constant lady---- [_He kneels at his wife's side._

BEL. ----to the devil, as could be! Must I prick you forward; either up Or, sir, I'll take my chance; thou couldst kill her Without repenting, that deserv'd more pity; And spend'st thy time and tears upon a quean.

ANS. Slave!

BEL. That was deceiv'd once in her own deceit, [_They fight: both are mortally wounded._ As I am now; the poison I prepar'd Upon that weapon for mine enemy's bosom, Is bold to take acquaintance of my blood too, And serves us both to make up death withal.

ANS. I ask no more of destiny, but to fall Close by the chaste side of my virtuous mistress; If all the treasure of my weeping strength Be left so wealthy but to purchase that, I have the dear wish of a great man's spirit, Yet favour me, O, yet--I thank thee, fate, I expire cheerfully, and give death a smile.

[ANSELMUS _dies_.

BEL. O rage! I pity now mine enemy's flesh.

_Enter_ GOVIANUS, _with Servants_.

GOV. Where should he be?

1ST SER. My lady, sir, will tell you. She's in her chamber here.

2D SER. O my lord!

GOV. Peace--my honourable brother--madam--all? So many dreadful deeds, and not one tongue Left to proclaim 'em.

BEL. Yes, here, if a voice Some minutes' long may satisfy your ear, I have that time allowed it.

GOV. 'Tis enough, Bestow it quickly, ere death snatch it from thee.

BEL. That lord, your brother, made his friend Votarius To tempt his lady; she was won to lust, The act reveal'd here by her serving-woman; But that wise close adultress, stor'd with art To prey upon the weakness of that lord, Dissembled a, great rage upon her love, And indeed kill'd him, which so won her husband, He slew this right discoverer in his fury, Who (being my mistress) I was mov'd in haste To take some pains with him, and he's paid me for it. As for the cunning lady, I commend her; She perform'd that which never woman tried: She ran upon our weapons, and so died. Now you have all, I hope I shall sleep quiet. [_Dies._

ANS. O thunder! that awakes me e'en from death, And makes me curse my confidence with cold lips; I feel his words in flames about my soul, He's more than kill'd me.

GOV. Brother!

ANS. I repent the smile That I bestow'd on destiny? O whore! I fling thee thus from my believing breast With all the strength I have; my rage is great, Although my veins grow beggars; now I sue To die far from thee; may we never meet. Were my soul bid to joy's eternal banquet, And were assur'd to find thee there a guest, I'd sup with torments, and refuse that feast. O thou beguiler of man's easy trust! The serpent's wisdom is in women's lust. [_Dies._

GOV. Is death so long a-coming to mankind, It must be met half-way? O cruel speed! There's few men pay their debts before their day; If they be ready at their time, 'tis well-- And but a few that are so. What strange haste Was made among these people! My heart weeps for't. Go, bear those bodies to a place more comely. Brother, I came for thy advice; but I Find thee so ill a councillor to thyself, That I repent my pains, and depart sighing. The body of my love is still at court: I am not well to think on't; the poor spirit Was with me once again about it, troth; And I can put it off no more for shame, Though I desire to have it haunt me still, And never to give over, 'tis so pleasing. I must to court, I've plighted my faith to't; 'T has open'd me the way to the revenge. Tyrant, I'll run thee on a dangerous shelf, Though I be forc'd to fly this land myself. [_Exit._