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Prithee forgive me.

LEONELLA

I have nothing to say to you.

WIFE

Come, thou shalt wear this jewel for my sake.

A kiss, and friends; we'll never quarrel more.

LEONELLA

Nay, choose you, faith. The best is, and you do,

You know who'll have the worst on't.

WIFE

[Aside] True: myself.

LEONELLA

[Aside] Little thinks she I have set her forth already.

I please my lord, yet keep her in awe too.

WIFE

One thing I had forgot: I prithee, wench,

Steal to Votarius closely and remember him

To wear some privy armour then about him,

That I may feign a fury without fear.

LEONELLA

Armour? When, madam?

WIFE

See now, I chid thee

When I least thought upon thee; thou'rt my best hand:

I cannot be without thee. Thus then, sirrah.

To beat away suspicion from the thoughts

Of ruder list'ning servants about house,

I have advised Votarius at fit time

Boldly to force his way into my chamber,

The admittance being denied him, and the passage

Kept strict by thee, my necessary woman.

La, there I should ha' missed thy help again!

At which attempt, I'll take occasion

To dissemble such an anger, that the world

Shall ever after swear us to their thoughts

As clear and free from any fleshly knowledge

[As] nearest kindred are, or ought to be,

Or what can more express it, if that failed.

LEONELLA

You know I'm always at your service, madam.

But why some privy armour?

WIFE

Marry, sweetheart,

The best is yet forgotten. Thou shalt hang

A weapon in some corner of the chamber,

Yonder, or there--

LEONELLA

Or anywhere. Why, i'faith, madam,

Do you think I'm to learn now to hang a weapon?

As much as I'm uncapable of what follows,

I've all your mind without book. Think it done, madam.

WIFE

Thanks, my good wench. I'll never call thee worse.

Exit Wife.

LEONELLA

Faith, y'are like to ha't again, and you do, madam.

Enter Bellarius.

BELLARIUS

What, art alone?

LEONELLA

Cuds me, what make you here, sir?

You're a bold, long-nosed fellow!

BELLARIUS

How!

LEONELLA

So my lady says.

Faith, she and I have had a bout for you, sir,

But she got nothing by't.

BELLARIUS

Did not I say still

Thou wouldst be too adventurous?

LEONELLA

Ne'er a whit, sir!

I made her glad to seek my friendship first.

BELLARIUS

By my faith, that showed well. If you come off

So brave a conqueress, to't again, and spare not.

I know not which way you should get more honour.

LEONELLA

She trusts me now to cast a mist, forsooth,

Before the servants' eyes. I must remember

Votarius to come once with privy armour

Into her chamber, when with a feigned fury

And rapier drawn, which I must lay a' purpose

Ready for her dissemblance, she will seem

T'act wonders for her juggling honesty.

BELLARIUS

I wish no riper vengeance. Canst conceive me?

Votarius is my enemy.

LEONELLA

That's stale news, sir.

BELLARIUS

Mark what I say to thee. Forget of purpose

That privy armour; do not bless his soul

With so much warning, nor his hated body

With such sure safety. Here express thy love.

Lay some empoisoned weapon next her hand,

That in that play he may be lost forever;

I'd have him kept no longer. Away with him!

One touch will set him flying; let him go.

LEONELLA

Bribe me but with a kiss, it shall be so.

Exeunt.

ACT IV.ii. The court

Enter Tyrant wondrous [discontentedly], Nobles [including Memphonius] afar off.

[FIRST] NOBLE

My lord.

TYRANT

Begone, or never see life more!

I'll send thee far enough from court! Memphonius!

Where's he now?

MEMPHONIUS

Ever at your highness' service.

TYRANT

How dar'st thou be so near when we have threatened

Death to thy fellow? Have we lost our power,

Or thou thy fear? Leave us, in time of grace;

'Twill be too late anon.

MEMPHONIUS

[Aside] I think 'tis so

With thee already.

TYRANT

Dead! And I so healthful!

There's no equality in this. Stay!

MEMPHONIUS

Sir?

TYRANT

Where is that fellow brought the first report to us?

MEMPHONIUS

He waits without.

TYRANT

I charge thee, give command

That he be executed speedily,