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Mosbie. Who lives that is not touched with slanderous tongues !

Franklin. Then, Mosbie, to eschew the speech of men,

Upon whose general bruit all honour hangs,

Forbear his house.

Arden. Forbear it ! nay, rather frequent it more :

The world shall see that I distrust her not.

To warn him on the sudden from my house

Were to confirm the rumour that is grown.

Mosbie. By my faith, sir, you say true.

And therefore will I sojourn here a while.

Until our enemies have talked their fill ;

And then, I hope, they '11 cease, and at last confess

How causeless they have injured her and me.

Arden. And I will lie at London all this term

To let them see how light I weigh their words.

Here enters Alice.

Alice. Husband, sit down ; your breakfast will be cold.

Arden. Come, Master Mosbie, will you sit with us ?

Mosbie. I cannot eat, but I'll sit for company.

Arden. Sirrah Michael, see our horse be ready.

Alice. Husband, why pause ye ? why eat you not ?

Arden. I am not well ; there 's something in this broth

That is not wholesome : didst thou make it, Alice ?

Alice. I did, and that's the cause it likes not you.

Then she throws down the broth on the ground.

There 's nothing that I do can please your taste ;

You were best to say I would have poisoned you.

I cannot speak or cast aside my eye,

But he imagines I have stepped awry.

Here's he that you cast in my teeth so oft :

Now will I be convinced or purge myself.

I charge thee speak to this mistrustful man,

Thou that wouldst see me hang, thou, Mosbie, thou:

What favour hast thou had more than a kiss

At coming or departing from the town ?

Mosbie. You wrong yourself and me to cast these doubts :

Your loving husband is not jealous.

Arden. Why, gentle Mistress Alice, cannot I be ill

But you'll accuse yourself?

Franklin, thou hast a box of mithridate ;

I'll take a little to prevent the worst.

Franklin. Do so, and let us presently take horse ;

My life for yours, ye shall do well enough.

Alice. Give me a spoon, I'll eat of it myself;

Would it were full of poison to the brim,

Then should my cares and troubles have an end.

Was ever silly woman so tormented !

Arden. Be patient, sweet love ; I mistrust not thee.

Alice. God will revenge it, Arden, if thou dost;

For never woman loved her husband better

Than I do thee.

Arden. I know it, sweet Alice ; cease to complain,

Lest that in tears I answer thee again,

Franklin. Come, leave this dallying, and let us away.

Alice. Forbear to wound me with that bitter word ;

Arden shall go to London in my arms.

Arden. Loth am I to depart, yet I must go.

Alice. Wilt thou to London, then, and leave me here ?

Ah, if thou love me, gentle Arden, stay.

Yet, if thy business be of great import

Go, if thou wilt, I'll bear it as I may ;

But write from London to me every week,

Nay, every day, and stay no longer there

Than thou must needs, lest that I die for sorrow.

Arden. I'll write unto thee every other tide.

And so farewell, sweet Alice, till we meet next.

Alice. Farewell, husband, seeing you'll have it so ;

And, Master Franklin, seeing you take him hence,

In hope you 'll hasten him home, I'll give you this.

And then she kisseth him.

Franklin. And if he stay, the fault shall not be mine.

Mosbie, farewell, and see you keep your oath.

Mosbie. I hope he is not jealous of me now.

Arden. No, Mosbie, no ; hereafter think of me

As of your dearest friend, and so farewell.

Exeunt Arden, Franklin, and Michael.

Alice. I am glad he is gone ; he was about to stay,

But did you mark me then how I brake off?

Mosbie. Ay, Alice, and it was cunningly performed.

But what a villain is that painter Clarke !

Alice. Was it not a goodly poison that he gave ?

Why, he's as well now as he was before.

It should have been some fine confection

That might have given the broth some dainty taste :

This powder was too gross and populous.

Mosbie. But had he eaten but three spoonfuls more,

Then had he died and our love continued.

Alice. Why, so it shall, Mosbie,