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Alice. A month ? ay me ! Sweet Arden, come again

Within a day or two, or else I die.

Arden. I cannot long bAA from thee, gentle Alice.

Whilst Michael fetch our horses from the field.

Franklin and I will down unto the quay ;

For I have certain goods there to unload.

Meanwhile prepare our breakfast, gentle Alice ;

For yet ere noon we 'll take horse and away.

Exeunt Arden and Franklin.

Alice. Ere noon he means to take horse and away !

Sweet news is this. O that some airy spirit

Would in the shape and likeness of a horse

Gallop with Arden 'cross the Ocean,

And throw him from his back into the waves !

Sweet Mosbie is the man that hath my heart :

And he usurps it, having nought but this.

That I am tied to him by marriage.

Love is a God, and marriage is but words ;

And therefore Mosbie's title is the best.

Tush ! whether it be or no, he shall be mine,

In spite of him, of Hymen, and of rites.

Here enters Adam of the Flower-de-luce.

And here comes Adam of the Flower-de-luce ;

I hope he brings me tidings of my love.

— How now, Adam, what is the news with you ?

Be not afraid ; my husband is now from home,

Adam. He whom you wot of, Mosbie, Mistress Alice,

Is come to town, and sends you word by me no

In any case you may not visit him.

Alice. Not visit him?

Adam. No, nor take no knowledge of his being here.

Alice. But tell me, is he angry or displeased ?

Adam. It should seem so, for he is Avondrous sad.

Alice. Were he as mad as raving Hercules,

I 'll see him, I ; and were thy house of force,

These hands of mine should race it to the ground,

Unless that thou wouldst bring me to my love.

Adam. Nay, and you be so impatient, I 'll be gone.

Alice. Stay, Adam, stay ; thou wert wont to be my friend.

Ask Mosbie how I have incurred his wrath ;

Bear him from me these pair of silver dice,

With which we played for kisses many a time,

And when I lost, I won, and so did he ; —

Such winning and such losing Jove send me !

And bid him, if his love do not decline.

To come this morning but along my door,

And as a stranger but salute me there :

This may he do without suspect or fear.

Adam. I'll tell him what you say, and so farewell.

Exit Adam.

Alice. Do, and one day I'll make amends for all. —

I know he loves me well, but dares not come.

Because my husband is so jealous.

And these my narrow-prying neighbours blab,

Hinder our meetings when we would confer.

But, if I live, that block shall be removed.

And, Mosbie, thou that comes to me by stealth,

Shalt neither fear the biting speech of men.

Nor Arden's looks ; as surely shall he die

As I abhor him and love only thee.

Here enters Michael.

How now, Michael, whither are you going ?

Michael. To fetch my master's nag.

I hope you'll think on me.

Alice. Ay ; but, Michael, see you keep your oath,

And be as secret as you are resolute.

Michael. I'll see he shall not live above a week.

Alice. On that condition, Michael, here's my hand :

None shall have Mosbie's sister but thyself.

Michael. I understand the painter here hard by

Hath made report that he and Sue is sure.

Alice. There 's no such matter, Michael ; beHeve it not.

Michael. But he hath sent a dagger sticking in a heart.

With a verse or two stolen from a painted cloth,

The which I hear the wench keeps in her chest.

Well, let her keep it ! I shall find a fellow

That can both write and read and make rhyme too.

And if I do — well, I say no more :

I'll send from London such a taunting letter

As she shall eat the heart he sent with salt

And fling the dagger at the painter's head.

Alice. What needs all this ? I say that Susan 's thine.

Michael. Why, then 1 say that I will kill my master,

Or anything that you will have me do.

Alice. But, Michael, see you do it cunningly.

Michael. Why, say I should be took, I'll ne'er confess

That you know anything ; and Susan, being a maid.

May beg me from the gallows of the sheriff.

Alice. Trust not to that, Michael.

Michael. You cannot tell me, I have seen it, I.

But, mistress, tell her,