ACT V., SCENE I.

_Enter the three Sisters_.

LAUR. Nay, never weep, Marina, for the matter; Tears are but signs of sorrow, helping not.

MAR. Would it not mad one to be crossed as I, Being in the very height of my desire? The strangers frustrate all; our true loves come, Nay more, even at the door, and Harvey's arms Spread as a rainbow, ready to receive me, And then my father meet us. O God! O God!

MATH. Weep who that list for me, i' faith, not I, Though I am youngest, yet my stomach's great. Nor 'tis not father, friends, nor any one, Shall make me wed the man I cannot love. I'll have my will in faith; i' faith, I will.

LAUR. Let us determine, sisters, what to do. My father means to wed us in the morning, And therefore something must be thought upon.

MAR. We'll to our father, and so know his mind, Ay, and his reason too: we are no fools, Or babies neither, to be fed with words.

LAUR. Agreed, agreed: but who shall speak for all?

MATH. I will.

MAR. No, I.

LAUR. Thou wilt not speak for crying.

MAR. Yes, yes, I warrant you; that humour's left. Be I but mov'd a little. I shall speak, And anger him, I fear, ere I have done.

_Enter_ ANTHONY.

ALL. Whom? Anthony, our friend, our schoolmaster? Now help us, gentle Anthony, or never.

ANTH. What! is your hasty running chang'd to prayer? Say, where were you going?

LAUR. Even to our father, To know what he intends to do with us.

ANTH. 'Tis bootless, trust me; for he is resolv'd To marry you to--

MAR. The strangers?

ANTH. I' faith, he is.

MATH. Faith, he shall not. Frenchman, be sure we'll pluck a crow together, Before you force me give my hand at church.

MAR. Come to our father: speech this comfort finds, That we may scold out grief, and ease our minds.

ANTH. Stay, stay, Marina, and advise you better. It is not force, but policy must serve. The doors are lock'd: your father keeps the key; Wherefore unpossible to 'scape away: Yet have I plotted, and devis'd a drift To frustrate your intended marriages, And give you full possession of your joys. Laurentia, ere the morning's light appear, You must play Anthony in my disguise.

MATH. } Anthony, what of us? What shall we wear? MAR. }

ANTH. Soft, soft, you are too forward, girls, I swear, For you some other drift devis'd must be: One shadow for a substance; this is she,-- Nay, weep not, sweets, repose upon my care, For all alike, or good or bad, shall share. You will have Harvey, you Heigham, and you Ned. You shall have all your wish, or be I dead; For sooner may one day the sea lie still, Than once restrain a woman of her will.

ALL. Sweet Anthony, how shall we 'quite thy hire?

ANTH. Not gifts, but your contentments I desire: To help my countrymen I cast about, For strangers' loves blaze fresh, but soon burn out. Sweet rest dwell here, and frightful fear abjure: These eyes shall wake to make your rest secure; For ere again dull night the dull eyes charms, Each one shall fold her husband in her arms; Which if it chance, we may avouch it still, Women and maids will always have their will. [_Exeunt._