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Or my poor children's--though it suits a mother

To show a natural care in their reliefs,

Yet I'll forget myself to calm your blood--

Consume it, as your pleasure counsels you;

And all I wish, e'en clemency affords,

Give me but comely looks and modest words.

HUSBAND

Money, whore, money, or I'll--

[The Husband draws his dagger.] Enter a servant very hastily. [The Husband speaks] to his man.

What the devil? How now? Thy hasty news?

Servant in a fear.

SERVANT

May it please you, sir.

HUSBAND

What? May I not look upon my dagger? Speak, villain, or I will execute the point on thee: quick, short!

SERVANT

Why, sir, a gentleman from the university stays below to speak with you.

HUSBAND

From the university? So, university:

That long word runs through me.

Exeunt [Husband and Servant]. Wife alone.

WIFE

Was ever wife so wretchedly beset?

Had not this news stepp'd in between, the point

Had offered violence to my breast.

That which some women call great misery

Would show but little here, would scarce be seen

Amongst my miseries. I may compare

For wretched fortunes with all wives that are;

Nothing will please him, until all be nothing.

He calls it slavery to be prefer'd;

A place of credit, a base servitude.

What shall become of me, and my poor children,

Two here, and one at nurse, my pretty beggars?

I see how ruin with a palsy hand

Begins to shake the ancient [feet] to dust;

The heavy weight of sorrow draws my lids

Over my dankish eyes, I can scarce see.

Thus grief will last; it wakes and sleeps with me.

Scene iv. The Husband's house

Enter the Husband with the Master of the College.

HUSBAND

Pray you draw near, sir, y'are exceeding welcome.

MASTER

That's my doubt, I fear; I come not to be welcome.

HUSBAND

Yes, howsoever.

MASTER

'Tis not my fashion, sir, to dwell in long circumstance, but to be plain and effectual, therefore to the purpose. The cause of my setting forth was piteous and lamentable. That hopeful young gentleman, your brother, whose virtues we all love dearly through your default and unnatural negligence, lies in bond executed for your debt, a prisoner, all his studies amazed, his hope strook dead, and the pride of his youth muffled in these dark clouds of oppression.

HUSBAND

Hum, um, um.

MASTER

Oh, you have killed the towardest hope of all our university! Wherefore without repentance and amends, expect [ponderous] and sudden judgments to fall grievously upon you. Your brother, a man who profited in his divine employments, might have made ten thousand souls fit for Heaven, now by your careless courses cast in prison which you must answer for; and assure your spirit it will come home at length.

HUSBAND

Oh, God, oh.

MASTER

Wifmen think ill of you, others speak ill of you, no man loves you; nay, even those whom honesty condemns, condemn you. And take this from the virtuous affection I bear your brother, never look for prosperous hour, good thought, quiet sleeps, contented walks, nor anything that makes man perfect till you redeem him. What is your answer? How will you bestow him? Upon desperate misery, or better hopes? I suffer till I hear your answer.

HUSBAND

Sir, you have much wrought with me. I feel you in my soul; you are your arts' master. I never had sense till now; your syllables have cleft me. Both for your words and pains I thank you: I cannot but acknowledge grievous wrongs done to my brother, mighty, mighty, mighty wrongs. Within there?

Enter a serving-man.

[SERVANT]

Sir.

HUSBAND

Fill me a bowl of wine.

Exit Servant for wine.

Alas, poor brother,

Bruis'd with an execution for my sake!

MASTER

A bruise indeed makes many a mortal

Sore till the grave cure 'em.

Enter [Servant] with wine.

HUSBAND

Sir, I begin to you; y'have chid your welcome.

MASTER

I could have wish'd it better for your sake.

I pledge you, sir, to the kind man in prison.

HUSBAND

Let it be so.

Drink both.

Now, sir, if you please to spend but a few minutes in a walk about my grounds