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From hence ne'er will I wash this bloody stain,

Till Arden's heart be panting in my hand.

Greene. Why, that's well said ; but what saith Shake-

bag ?

Shakebag. I cannot paint my valour out with words :

But, give me place and opportunity,

Such mercy as the starven lioness.

When she is dry sucked of her eager young,

Shows to the prey that next encounters her,

On Arden so much pity would I take.

Greene. So should it fare with men of firm resolve.

And now, sirs, seeing that this accident

Of meeting him in Paul's hath no success.

Let us bethink us of some other place

Whose earth may swallow up this Arden's blood.

Here enters Michael.

See, yonder comes his man : and wot you what ?

The foolish knave's in love with Mosbie's sister,

And for her sake, whose love he cannot get

Unless Mosbie solicit his suit.

The villain hath sworn the slaughter of his master.

We'll question him, for he may stead us much, —

How now, Michael, whither are you going?

Michael. My master hath new supped.

And I am going to prepare his chamber.

Greene. Where supped Master Arden ?

Michael. At the Nag's Head, at the eighteen pence

ordinary. How now, Master Shakebag.' what,

Black Will ! God's dear lady, how chance your

face is so bloody ?

Will. Go to, sirrah, there is a chance in it ; this sauci-

ness in you will make you be knocked.

Michael. Nay, an you be offended, I'll be gone.

Greene. Stay, Michael, you may not escape us so.

Michael, I know you love your master well.

Michael. Why, so I do ; but wherefore urge you that ?

Greene. Because I think you love your mistress better.

Michael. So think not I ; but say, i'faith, what, if I should?

Shakebag. Come to the purpose, Michael ; we hear

You have a pretty love in Feversham.

Michael. Why, have I two or three, what 's that to thee !

Will. You deal too mildly with the peasant. Thus it is :

'Tis known to us that you love Mosbie's sister ;

We know besides that you have ta'en your oath

To further Mosbie to your mistress' bed,

And kill your master for his sister's sake.

Now, sir, a poorer coward than yourself

Was never fostered in the coast of Kent :

How comes it then that such a knave as you

Dare swear a matter of such consequence ?

Greene. Ah, Will

Will. Tush, give me leave, there 's no more but this :

Sith thou hast sworn, we dare discover all ;

And hadst thou or should'st thou utter it,

We have devised a complat under hand,

Whatever shall betide to any of us.

To send thee roundly to the devil of hell.

And therefore thus : I am the very man,

Marked in my birth-hour by the destinies.

To give an end to Arden's life on earth ;

Thou but a member but to whet the knife

Whose edge must search the closet of his breast :

Thy office is but to appoint the place,

And train thy master to his tragedy ;

Mine to perform it when occasion serves.

Then be not nice, but here devise with us

How and what way we may conclude his death.

Shakebag. So shalt thou purchase Mosbie for thy friend,

And by his friendship gain his sister's love.

Greene. So shall thy mistress be thy favourer,

And thou disburdened of the oath thou made.

Michael. Well, gentlemen, I cannot but confess,

Sith you have urged me so apparently,

That I have vowed my master Arden's death ;

And he whose kindly love and liberal hand

Doth challenge nought but good deserts of me,

I will deliver over to your hands. So

This night come to his house at Aldersgate :

The doors I'll leave unlock'd against you come.

No sooner shall ye enter through the latch,

Over the threshold to the inner court,

But on your left hand shall you see the stairs

That leads directly to my master's chamber :

There take him and dispose him as ye please.

Now it were good we parted company ;

What I have promised, I will perform.

Will. Should you deceive us, 'twould go wrong with you.

Michael. I will accomplish all I have revealed.

Will. Come, let 's go drink : choler makes me as dry as a dog.

Exeunt Will, Greene, and Shakebag.

Manet Michael.

Michael. Thus feeds the lamb