SCENE II. The Neighbourhood of Edmonton.

Enter FRANK THORNEY, and WINNIFREDE in boy's clothes.

Frank. Prithee no more! those tears give nourishment

To weeds and briars in me, which shortly will O'ergrow and top my head; my shame will sit And cover all that can be seen of me.

Win. I have not shown this cheek in company;
Pardon me now: thus singled with yourself,
It calls a thousand sorrows round about,
Some going before, and some on either side,
But infinite behind; all chain'd together:
Your second adulterous marriage leads;
That is the sad eclipse, the effects must follow,
As plagues of shame, spite, scorn, and obloquy.
Frank. Why? hast thou not left one hour's pa-
tience

To add to all the rest? one hour bears us
Beyond the reach of all these enemies :
Are we not now set forward in the flight,
Provided with the dowry of my sin,
To keep us in some other nation?
While we together are, we are at home
In any place.

Win. 'Tis foul ill-gotten coin,

Far worse than usury or extortion.

Frank. Let

My father then make the restitution,

Who forced me take the bribe: it is his gift
And patrimony to me; so I receive it.

He would not bless, nor look a father on me,
Until I satisfied his angry will:

When I was sold, I sold myself again

(Some knaves have done't in lands, and I in body) For money, and I have the hire. But, sweet, no

more,

'Tis hazard of discovery, our discourse;

And then prevention takes off all our hopes:
For only but to take her leave of me,

My wife is coming.

Win. Who coming? your wife!

Frank. No, no; thou art here: the woman-I

knew

Not how to call her now; but after this day
She shall be quite forgot, and have no name
In my remembrance.

See, see! she's come.

Enter SUSAN.

Go lead

The horses to th' hill's top; there I'll meet thee. Sus. Nay, with your favour let him stay a little;

I would part with him too, because he is
Your sole companion; and I'll begin with him,
Reserving you the last.

Frank. Ay, with all my heart.

Sus. You may hear, if it please you, sir.
Frank. No, 'tis not fit:

Some rudiments, I conceive, they must be,

To overlook my slippery footings: and so-
Sus. No, indeed, sir.

Frank. Tush, I know it must be so,

And it is necessary: on! but be brief.

[Walks forward.

Win. What charge soe'er you lay upon me,

mistress,

I shall support it faithfully (being honest)
To my best strength.

Sus. Believe't shall be no other.

I know you were commended to my husband
By a noble knight.

Win. Oh gods!-oh, mine eyes!

Sus. How now? what ail'st thou, lad?

Win. Something hit mine eye, (it makes it water still,)

Even as you said

band."

"commended to my hus

Some dor, I think it was,-I was, forsooth, Commended to him by Sir Arthur Clarington. Sus. Whose servant once my Thorney was himself.

5 Some dor I think it was.]

The cockchafer, or beetle. "What should I care what every dor doth buz In credulous ears?"-Cynthia's Revels.

And see vol. ii. p. 280.

That title, methinks, should make you almost fel

lows;

Or at the least much more than a [mere] servant ;
And I am sure he will respect you so.

Your love to him then needs no spur for me,
And what for my sake you will ever do,
'Tis fit it should be bought with something more
Than fair entreats; look! here's a jewel for thee,
A pretty wanton label for thine ear;

And I would have it hang there, still to whisper These words to thee, Thou hast my jewel with thee.

It is but earnest of a larger bounty,

When thou return'st with praises of thy service,
Which I am confident thou wilt deserve.

Why, thou art many now besides thyself:
Thou may'st be servant, friend, and wife to him;
A good wife is them all. A friend can play
The wife and servant's part, and shift enough;
No less the servant can the friend and wife:
'Tis all but sweet society, good counsel,
Interchang'd loves; yes, and counsel-keeping.
Frank. Not done yet?

Sus. Even now, sir.

Win. Mistress, believe my vow; your severe

eye,

Were't present to command, your bounteous

hand,

Were it then by to buy or bribe my service, Shall not make me more dear or near unto him,

Than I shall voluntary. I'll be all your charge, Servant, friend, wife to him.

Sus. Wilt thou?

Now blessings go with thee for't! courtesies
Shall meet thee coming home.

Win. Pray you say plainly,

Mistress, are you jealous of him? if you
I'll look to him that way too.

Sus. Say'st thou so?

be,

I would thou hadst a woman's bosom now;
We have weak thoughts within us. Alas!
There's nothing so strong in us as suspicion;
But I dare not, nay, I will not think
So hardly of my Thorney.

Win. Believe it, mistress,

I'll be no pandar to him; and if I find

Any loose lubrick scapes in him, I'll watch him,
And at my return, protest I'll show you all:
He shall hardly offend without my knowledge.
Sus. Thine own diligence is that I press,
And not the curious eye over his faults.
Farewell! if I should never see thee more,
Take it for ever.

Frank. Prithee take that along with thee.

[Gives his sword to WINNIFREDE, And haste thee

To the hill's top; I'll be there instantly. Sus. No haste, I prithee; slowly as thou [Exit Win,

canst

Pray let him