To Annabella, and, for aught I know,
Married.

Grim. How!

Rich. Yet your patience;

The place, 'tis friar Bonaventure's cell.
Now I would wish you to bestow this night
In watching thereabouts; 'tis but a night:-
If you miss now, to-morrow I'll know all.
Grim. Have you the poison?

Rich. Here 'tis, in this box;

Doubt nothing, this will do't; in any case,
As you respect your life, be quick and sure.
Grim. I'll speed him.

Rich. Do.--Away; for 'tis not safe

You should be seen much here,-ever my love! Grim. And mine to you.

[Exit. Rich. So! if this hit, I'll laugh and hug re

venge;

And they that now dream of a wedding-feast, May chance to mourn the lusty bridegroom's ruin: But to my other business-niece Philotis !

Phi. Uncle.

Enter PHILOTIS.

Rich. My lovely niece,

You have bethought you?

Phi. Yes, and, as you counsell'd,

Fashion'd my heart to love him; but he swears

He will to-night be married; for he fears
His uncle else, if he should know the drift,
Will hinder all, and call his coz to shrift.

Rich. To-night? why best of all; but let me see, I-ha!—yes,—so it shall be; in disguise We'll early to the friar's-I have thought on't. Phi. Uncle, he comes.

Enter BERGETTO and POGGIO.

Rich. Welcome, my worthy coz.

Ber. Lass, pretty lass, come buss, lass! A-ha,

Poggio!

Rich. There's hope of this yet.'

[Kisses her. [Aside.

You shall have time enough; withdraw a little, We must confer at large.

Ber. Have you not sweetmeats, or dainty devices for me?

Phi. You shall [have] enough, sweetheart.

Ber. Sweetheart! mark that, Poggio. By my troth I cannot choose but kiss thee once more for that word, sweetheart. Poggio, I have a monstrous swelling about my stomach, whatsoever the matter be.

Pog. You shall have physic for't, sir.
Rich. Time runs apace.

Ber. Time's a blockhead.

Rich. Be ruled; when we have done what's fit to do,

Then

you may

kiss

your fill, and bed her too.
[Exeunt.

9 There's hope of this yet.] The 4to erroneously gives this hemistich to Philotis. If it be not a side-specch of the uncle, it must be considered as a continuation of poor Poggio's rapture at the condescension of his mistress.

SCENE VI.

FLORIO'S House.

ANNABELLA's Chamber. A Table with Wax Lights; ANNABELLA at Confession before the FRIAR; she weeps and wrings her hands.

Friar. I am glad to see this penance; for, believe me,

You have unripp'd a soul so foul and guilty,

As I must tell you true, I marvel how

The earth hath borne you up; but weep, weep on, These tears may do you good; weep ; weep faster yet,

Whilst I do read a lecture.

Ann. Wretched creature!

Friar. Ay, you are wretched, miserably wretch

ed,

Almost condemn'd alive. There is a place,
List, daughter! in a black and hollow vault,
Where day is never seen; there shines no sun,
But flaming horror of consuming fires,

A lightless sulphur, choak'd with smoky fogs
Of an infected darkness: in this place
Dwell many thousand thousand sundry sorts.
Of never-dying deaths: there damned souls.
Roar without pity; there are gluttons fed
With toads and adders; there is burning oil
Pour'd down the drunkard's throat; the usurer
Is forced to sup whole draughts of molten gold;
There is the murderer for ever stabb'd,

Yet can he never die; there lies the wanton

On racks of burning steel, whilst in his soul
He feels the torment of his raging lust.—
Ann. Mercy! oh mercy!

Friar. There stand these wretched things, Who have dream'd out whole years in lawless sheets

And secret incests, cursing one another: Then you will wish each kiss your brother gave, Had been a dagger's point; then you shall hear How he will cry, “Oh, "Oh, would my wicked sister Had first been damn'd, when she did yield to lust!"

But soft, methinks I see repentance work

New motions in your heart; say, how is't with

you?

Ann. Is there no way left to redeem my mi

series?

Friar. There is, despair not; Heaven is mer

ciful,

And offers grace even now.

First, for

'Tis thus agreed: your honour's safety, that you marry My lord Soranzo; next, to save your soul, Leave off this life, and henceforth live to him. Ann. Ah me!

Friar. Sigh not; I know the baits of sin Are hard to leave; oh, 'tis a death to do't. Remember what must come: are you content? Ann. I am.

Friar. I like it well; we'll take the time. Who's near us there?

Enter FLORIO and GIOVANNI.

Flo. Did you call, father?

Friar. Is lord Soranzo come?

Flo. He stays below.

Friar. Have you acquainted him at full?
Flo. I have,

And he is overjoy'd.

Friar. And so are we :

Bid him come near.

Gio. My sister weeping?-Ha!

I fear this friar's falsehood. [Aside.]—I will call

him.

Flo. Daughter, are you resolv'd?

Ann. Father, I am.

[Exit.

Re-enter GIOVANNI with SORANZO and VASQUES.

Flo. My lord Soranzo, here

Give me your hand; for that, I give you this.

Sor. Lady, say you so too?

Ann. I do, and vow

To live with you and your's.

Friar. Timely resolv'd;

[Joins their hands.

My blessing rest on both! more to be done,
You may perform it on the morning-sun.

[Exeunt.