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Then he gives him the letter.

See, Master Franklin, here's proper stuff:

Susan my maid, the painter, and my man,

A crew of harlots, all in love, forsooth ;

Sirrah, let me hear no more of this.

Nor for thy life once write to her a word.

Here enters Greene, Will, and Shakebag.

Wilt thou be married to so base a trull ?

'Tis Mosbie's sister : come I once at home,

I'll rouse her from remaining in my house.

- Now, Master Franklin, let us go walk in Paul's ;

Come but a turn or two, and then away.

Exeunt.

Greene. The first is Arden, and that 's his man,

The other is Franklin, Arden's dearest friend.

Will. Zounds, I'll kill them all three.

Greene. Nay, sirs, touch not his man in any case ;

But stand close, and take you fittest standing.

And at his coming forth speed him. :

To the Nag's Head, there is this coward's haunt.

But now I'll leave you till the deed be done.

Exit Greene.

Shakebag. If he be not paid his own, ne'er trust Shakebag.

Will. Sirrah Shakebag, at his coming forth I'll run him

through, and then to the Blackfriars, and there

take water and away.

Shakebag. Why, that's the best ; but see thou miss him not.

Will. How can I miss him, when I think on the forty

angels I must have more ?

Here enters Prentice.

Prentice. 'Tis very late ; I were best shut up my stall,

for here will be old filching, when the press comes

forth of Paul's.

Then lets he down his window, and

it breaks Black Will's head.

Will. Zounds, draw, Shakebag, I am almost killed.

Prentice. We'll tame you, I warrant.

Will. Zounds, I am tame enough already.

Here eftters Arden, Franklin, and Michael.

Arden. What troublesome fray or mutiny is this?

Franklin. 'Tis nothing but some brabling paltry fray,

Devised to pick men's pockets in the throng.

Arden. Is't nothing else? come, Franklin, let's away,

Exeunt.

Will. What 'mends shall I have for my broken head ?

Prentice. Marry, this 'mends, that if you get you not

away all the sooner, you shall be well beaten and

sent to the Counter.

Exit Prentice.

Will. Well, I'll be gone, but look to your signs, for I'll

pull them down all. Shakebag, my broken head

grieves me not so much as by this means Arden hath escaped.

Here enters Greene.

I had a glimpse of him and his companion.

Greene. Why, sirs, Arden 's as well as I ; I met him and

Franklin going merrily to the ordinary. What, dare you not do it?

Will. Yes, sir, we dare do it ; but, were my consent to

give again, we would not do it under ten pound

more. I value every drop of my blood at a French

crown. I have had ten pound to steal a dog, and we

have no more here to kill a man ; but that a bargain

is a bargain, and so forth, you should do it yourself.

Greene. I pray thee, how came thy head broke ?

Will. Why, thou seest it is broke, dost thou not ?

Shakebag. Standing against a stall, watching Arden's

coming, a boy let down his shop-window and broke

his head; whereupon arose a brawl, and in the

tumult Arden escaped us and passed by unthought

on. But forbearance is no acquittance ; another

time we'll do it, I warrant thee.

Greene. I pray thee, Will, make clean thy bloody brow,

And let us bethink us on some other place

Where Arden may be met with handsomely.

Remember how devoutly thou hast sworn

To kill the villain ; think upon thine oath. 90

Will. Tush, I have broken five hundred oaths !

But wouldst thou charm me to effect this deed,

Tell me of gold, my resolution's fee ;

Say thou seest Mosbie kneeling at my knees,

Offering me service for my high attempt,

And sweet Alice Arden, with a lap of crowns,

Comes with a lowly curtsey to the earth,

Saying ' Take this but for thy quarterage,

Such yearly tribute will I answer thee.'

Why, this would steel soft-mettled cowardice, loo

WAith which Black Will was never tainted yet.

I tell thee, Greene, the forlorn traveller,

Whose lips are glued with summer's parching heat.

Ne'er longed so much to see a running brook

As I to finish Arden's tragedy.

Seest thou this gore that cleaveth to my face?