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one and two round, at his costard ; he like a fool

bears his sword-point half a yard out of danger.

I lie here for my life ; if the devil come, and he

have no more strength than I have fence, he shall

never beat me from this ward, I'll stand to it ; a

buckler in a skilful hand is as good as a castle ;

nay, 'tis better than a sconce, for I have tried it.

Mosbie, perceiving this, began to faint :

With that comes Arden with his arming sword,

And thrust him through the shoulder in a trice.

Alice. Ay, but I wonder why you both stood still.

Will. Faith, I was so amazed, I could not strike.

Alice. Ah, sirs, had he yesternight been slain,

For every drop of his detested blood

I would have crammed in angels in thy fist.

And kissed thee, too, and hugged thee in my arms.

Will. Patient yourself, we cannot help it now.

Greene and we two will dog him through the fair,

And stab him in the crowd, and steal away.

Here enters Mosbie.

Alice. It is unpossible ; but here comes he

That will, I hope, invent some surer means.

Sweet Mosbie, hide thy arm, it kills my heart.

Mosbie. Ay, Mistress Arden, this is your favour.

Alice. Ah, say not so ; for when I saw thee hurt,

I could have took the weapon thou let'st fall,

And run at Arden ; for I have sworn

That these mine eyes, offended with his sight,

Shall never close till Arden's be shut up.

This night I rose and walked about the chamber,

And twice or thrice I thought to have murdered him.

Mosbie. What, in the night ? then had we been undone.

Alice. Why, how long shall he live?

Mosbie. Faith, Alice, no longer than this night. —

Black Will and Shakebag, will you two perform

The complot that I have laid ?

Will. Ay, or else think me a villain.

Greene. And rather than you shall want, I'll help myself.

Mosbie. You, Master Greene, shall single Franklin forth,

And hold him with a long tale of strange news,

That he may not come home till supper-time.

I'll fetch Master Arden home, and we like friends

Will play a game or two at tables here.

Alice. But what of all this ? how shall he be slain?

Mosbie. Why, Black Will and Shakebag locked within the counting-house

Shall at a certain watchword given rush forth.

Will. What shall the watchword be ?

Mosbie. ' Now I take you ' ; that shall be the word :

But come not forth before in any case.

Will. I warrant you. But who shall lock me in ?

Alice. That will I do ; thou'st keep the key thyself

Mosbie. Come, Master Greene, go you along with me.

See all things ready, Alice, against we come.

Alice. Take no care for that ; send you him home.

Exeunt Mosbie and Greene.

And if he e'er go forth again, blame me.

Come, Black Will, that in mine eyes art fair ;

Next unto Mosbie do I honour thee ;

Instead of fair words and large promises

My hands shall play you golden harmony :

How like you this ? say, will you do it, sirs ?

Will. Ay, and that bravely, too. Mark my device :

Place Mosbie, being a stranger, in a chair.

And let your husband sit upon a stool.

That I may come behind him cunningly.

And with a towel pull him to the ground,

Then stab him till his flesh be as a sieve ;

That done, bear him behind the Abbey,

That those that find him murdered may suppose

Some slave or other killed him for his gold.

Alice. A fine device ! you shall have twenty pound,

And, when he is dead, you shall have forty more.

And, lest you might be suspected staying here,

Michael shall saddle you two lusty geldings ;

Ride whither you will, to Scotland, or to Wales,

I'll see you shall not lack, where'er you be.

Will. Such words would make one kill a thousand men !

Give me the key : which is the counting-house ?

Alice. Here would I stay and still encourage you ;

But that I know how resolute you are.

Shakebag. Tush, you are too faint-hearted; we must do it.

Alice. But Mosbie will be there, whose very looks

Will add unwonted courage to my thought,

And make me the first that shall adventure on him.

Will. Tush, get you gone ; 'tis