SCENE V.--_A Room, in_ CATAPLASMA'S _House.

_Enter_ LANGUEBEAU SNUFFE, _importuning_ SOQUETTE.

_Soqu._ Nay, if you get me any more into the churchyard!

_Lang._ Why, Soquette, I never got thee there yet.

_Soqu._ Got me there! No, not with child.

_Lang._ I promised thee I would not, and I was as good as my word.

_Soqu._ Yet your word was better than your deed. But steal up into the little matted chamber o' the left hand.

_Lang._ I prithee let it be the right hand. Thou leftest me before, and I did not like that.

_Soqu._ Precious quickly.--So soon as my mistress shall be in bed I'll come to you. [_Exit_ SNUFFE.

_Enter_ SEBASTIAN, LEVIDULCIA, _and_ CATAPLASMA.

_Cata._ I wonder Fresco stays so long.

_Sebas._ Mistress Soquette, a word with you. [_Whispers._

_Lev._ If he brings word my husband is i' bed I will adventure one night's liberty To be abroad.-- My strange affection to this man!--'Tis like That natural sympathy which e'en among The senseless creatures of the earth commands A mutual inclination and consent. For though it seems to be the free effect Of mine own voluntary love, yet I can Neither restrain it nor give reason for't. But now 'tis done, and in your power it lies To save my honour, or dishonour me.

_Cata._ Enjoy your pleasure, madam, without fear, I never will betray the trust you have Committed to me. And you wrong yourself To let consideration of the sin Molest your conscience. Methinks 'tis unjust That a reproach should be inflicted on A woman for offending but with one, When 'tis a light offence in husbands to Commit with many.

_Lev._ So it seems to me.-- Why, how now, Sebastian, making love to that gentlewoman? How many mistresses ha' you i' faith?

_Sebas._ In faith, none; for I think none of 'em are faithful; but otherwise, as many as clean shirts. The love of a woman is like a mushroom,--it grows in one night and will serve somewhat pleasingly next morning to breakfast, but afterwards waxes fulsome and unwholesome.

_Cata._ Nay, by Saint Winifred, a woman's love lasts as long as winter fruit.

_Sebas._ 'Tis true--till new come in. By my experience no longer.

_Enter_ FRESCO _running._

_Fres._ Somebody's doing has undone us, and we are like to pay dearly for't.

_Sebas._ Pay dear? For what?

_Fres._ Will't not be a chargeable reckoning, think you, when here are half a dozen fellows coming to call us to account, with every man a several bill[173] in his hand that we are not able to discharge. [_Knock at the door._

_Cata._ Passion o' me! What bouncing's that? Madam, withdraw yourself.

_Lev._ Sebastian, if you love me, save my honour. [_Exeunt all except_ SEBASTIAN.

_Sebas._ What violence is this? What seek you? Zounds! You shall not pass.

_Enter_ BELFOREST _with the_ Watch.

_Bel._ Pursue the strumpet [_Exit_ Watch]. Villain, give me way, Or I will make a passage through thy blood.

_Sebas._ My blood will make it slippery, my lord, 'Twere better you would take another way. You may hap fall else. [_They fight. Both are slain._ SEBASTIAN _falls first._

_Sebas._ I ha't, i' faith. [_Dies._

[_While_ BELFOREST _is staggering enter_ LEVIDULCIA.

_Lev._ O God! my husband! my Sebastian! Husband! Neither can speak, yet both report my shame. Is this the saving of my honour when Their blood runs out in rivers, and my lust The fountain whence it flows? Dear husband, let Not thy departed spirit be displeased If with adulterate lips I kiss thy cheek. Here I behold the hatefulness of lust, Which brings me kneeling to embrace him dead Whose body living I did loathe to touch. Now I can weep. But what can tears do good When I weep only water, they weep blood. But could I make an ocean with my tears That on the flood this broken vessel of My body, laden heavy with light lust, Might suffer shipwreck and so drown my shame. Then weeping were to purpose, but alas! The sea wants water enough to wash away The foulness of my name. O! in their wounds I feel my honour wounded to the death. Shall I out-live my honour? Must my life Be made the world's example? Since it must, Then thus in detestation of my deed, To make the example move more forceably To virtue, thus I seal it with a death As full of horror as my life of sin. [_Stabs herself._

_Enter the_ Watch _with_ CATAPLASMA, FRESCO, LANGUEBEAU SNUFFE, _and_ SOQUETTE.

_Watch._ Hold, madam! Lord, what a strange night is this!

_Lang._ May not Snuffe be suffered to go out of himself?

_Watch._ Nor you, nor any. All must go with us. O with what virtue lust should be withstood! Since 'tis a fire quenched seldom without blood. [_Exeunt._

ACT THE FIFTH.