SCENE IV.--_An Apartment in_ BELFOREST'S _Mansion.

_Enter_ BELFOREST _and a_ Servant.

_Bel._ Is not my wife come in yet?

_Ser._ No, my lord.

_Bel._ Methinks she's very affectedly inclined To young Sebastian's company o' late. But jealousy is such a torment that I am afraid to entertain it. Yet The more I shun by circumstances to meet Directly with it, the more ground I find To circumvent my apprehension. First, I know she has a perpetual appetite, Which being so oft encountered with a man Of such a bold luxurious freedom as Sebastian is, and of so promising A body, her own blood corrupted will Betray her to temptation.

_Enter_ FRESCO _closely._

_Fres._ Precious! I was sent by his lady to see if her lord were in bed. I should ha' done't slily without discovery, and now I am blurted upon 'em before I was aware. [_Exit._

_Bel._ Know not you the gentlewoman my wife brought home?

_Ser._ By sight, my lord. Her man was here but now.

_Bel._ Her man? I prithee, run and call him quickly. This villain! I suspect him ever since I found him hid behind the tapestry.

_Re-enter_ FRESCO.

Fresco! th'art welcome, Fresco. Leave us. [_Exit_ Servant.] Dost hear, Fresco? Is not my wife at thy mistress's?

_Fres._ I know not, my lord.

_Bel._ I prithee tell me, Fresco--we are private--tell me: Is not thy mistress a good wench?

_Fres._ How means your lordship that? A wench o' the trade?

_Bel._ Yes, faith, Fresco; e'en a wench o' the trade.

_Fres._ O no, my lord. Those falling diseases cause baldness, and my mistress recovers the loss of hair, for she is a periwig maker.

_Bel._ And nothing else?

_Fres._ Sells falls, and tires, and bodies for ladies, or so.

_Bel._ So, sir; and she helps my lady to falls and bodies now and then, does she not?

_Fres._ At her ladyship's pleasure, my lord.

_Bel._ Her pleasure, you rogue? You are the pander to her pleasure, you varlet, are you not? You know the conveyances between Sebastian and my wife? Tell me the truth, or by this hand I'll nail thy bosom to the earth. Stir not, you dog, but quickly tell the truth.

_Fres._ O yes! [_Speaks like a crier._

_Bel._ Is not thy mistress a bawd to my wife?

_Fres._ O yes!

_Bel._ And acquainted with her tricks, and her plots, and her devices?

_Fres._ O yes! If any man, o' court, city, or country, has found my Lady Levidulcia in bed but my Lord Belforest, it is Sebastian.

_Bel._ What, dost thou proclaim it? Dost thou cry it, thou villain?

_Fres._ Can you laugh it, my lord? I thought you meant to proclaim yourself cuckold.

_Enter_ The Watch.

_Bel._ The watch met with my wish. I must request the assistance of your offices. [FRESCO _runs away._ 'Sdeath, stay that villain; pursue him! [_Exeunt._