• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

When this door opens next, look for his death.

Exeunt Will and Shakebag.

Alice. Ah, would he now were here that it might open !

I shall no more be closed in Arden's arms,

That like the snakes of black Tisiphone

Sting me with their embracings ! Mosbie's arms

Shall compass me, and, were I made a star,

I would have none other spheres but those.

There is no nectar but in Mosbie's lips !

Had chaste Diana kissed him, she like me

Would grow love-sick, and from her watery bower

Fling down Endymion and snatch him up :

Then blame not me that slay a silly man

Not half so lovely as Endymion.

Here enters Michael.

Michael. Mistress, my master is coming hard by.

Alice. Who comes with him ?

Michael. Nobody but Mosbie.

Alice. That's well, Michael. Fetch in the tables, and

when thou hast done, stand before the counting-house door.

Michael. Why so ?

Alice. Black Will is locked within to do the deed.

Michael. What ? shall he die to-night ?

Alice. Ay, Michael.

Michael. But shall not Susan know it ?

Alice. Yes, for she'll be as secret as ourselves.

Michael. That 's brave. I'll go fetch the tables.

Alice. But, Michael, hark to me a word or two :

When my husband is come in, lock the street-door ;

He shall be murdered, or the guests come in.

Exit Michael.

Here enters Arden and Mosbie.

Husband, what mean you to bring Mosbie home ?

Although I wished you to be reconciled,

'Twas more for fear of you than love of him.

Black Will and Greene are his companions,

And they are cutters, and may cut you short :

Therefore I thought it good to make you friends.

But wherefore do you bring him hither now?

You have given me my supper with his sight.

Mosbie. Master Arden, methinks your wife would have me gone.

Arden. No, good Master Mosbie ; women will be prating.

Alice, bid him welcome ; he and I are friends.

Alice. You may enforce me to it, if you will ;

But I had rather die than bid him welcome.

His company hath purchased me ill friends,

And therefore will I ne'er frequent it more.

Mosbie. — Oh, how cunningly she can dissemble !

Arden. Now he is here, you will not serve me so.

Alice, I pray you be not angry or displeased ;

I'll bid him welcome, seeing you'll have it so.

You are welcome. Master Mosbie ; will you sit down?

Mosbie. I know I am welcome to your loving husband ;

But for yourself, you speak not from your heart.

Alice. And if I do not, sir, think I have cause.

Mosbie. Pardon me. Master Arden ; I'll away.

Arden. No, good Master Mosbie.

Alice. We shall have guests enough, though you go hence.

Mosbie. I pray you, Master Arden, let me go.

Arden. I pray thee, Mosbie, let her prate her fill.

Alice. The doors are open, sir, you may be gone.

Michael. — Nay, that's a He, for I have locked the doors.

Arden. Sirrah, fetch me a cup of wine, I'll make them friends.

And, gentle Mistress Alice, seeing you are so stout,

You shall begin ! frown not, I'll have it so.

Alice. I pray you meddle with that you have to do.

Arden. Why, Alice ! how can I do too much for him

Whose life I have endangered without cause.''

Alice. 'Tis true ; and, seeing 'twas partly through my means,

I am content to drink to him for this once.

Here, Master Mosbie ! and I pray you, henceforth

Be you as strange to me as I to you.

Your company hath purchased me ill friends,

And I for you, God knows, have undeserved

Been ill spoken of in every place ;

Therefore henceforth frequent my house no more.

Mosbie. I'll see your husband in despite of you.

Yet, Arden, I protest to thee by heaven,

Thou ne'er shalt see me more after this night,

I'll go to Rome rather than be forsworn.

Arden. Tush, I'll have no such vows made in my house.

Alice. Yes, I pray you, husband, let him swear ;

And, on that condition, Mosbie, pledge me here.

Mosbie. Ay, as willingly as I mean to live.

Arden. Come, Alice, is our supper ready yet ?

Alice. It will by then you have played a game at tables.

Arden. Come, Master Mosbie, what shall we play for?

Mosbie.