No, nor take no knowledge of his being here.
ALICE
But tell me, is he angry or displeased?
ADAM
Should seem so, for he is wondrous sad.
ALICE
Were he as mad as raving hercules,
I’ll see him, ay, and were thy house of force,
These hands of mine should raze it to the ground,
Unless that thou wouldst bring me to my love.
ADAM
Nay, and you be so impatient, I’ll be gone.
Ask Mosbie how I have incurred his wrath;
Bear him from me these pair of silver dice,
With which we played for kisses many a time,
And when I lost, I won, and so did he; -
Such winning and such losing jove send me,
And bid him, if his love do not decline,
Come this morning but along my door,
And as a stranger but salute me there:
This may he do without suspect or fear.
ADAM
I’ll tell him what you say, and so farewell. Exit ADAM
ALICE
Do, and one day I’ll make amends for all.
I know he loves me well, but dares not come,
Because my husband is so jealious,
And these my marrow prying neighbors blab,
Hinder our meetings when we would confer.
But, if I live, that block shall be removed,
And, Mosbie, thou that comes to me by stealth
Shalt neither fear the biting speech of men
Nor Arden’s looks; as surely shall he die
As I abhor him and love only thee.
(here enters MICHAEL
How, now Michael, whither are you going?
MICHAEL
To fetch my master’s nag.
I hope you’ll think on me.
ALICE
Ay; but, Michael, see you keep your oath,
And be secret as you are resolute.
MICHAEL
I’ll see he shall not live above a week.
ALICE
On that condition, Michael, here is my hand
None shall have Mosbie’s sister but thyself.
MICHAEL
I understand the painter here hard by
Hath made report that he and sue is sure.
ALICE
There’s no such matter, Michael; believe it not.
MICHAEL
But he hath sent a dagger sticking in a heart,
With a verse or two stolen from a painted cloth:
The which I hear the wench keeps in her chest.
MICHAEL
Why, say I should be took, I’ll ne’er confess,
That you know anything; and Susan, being a maid,
May beg me from the gallows of the sheriff.
ALICE
Trust not to that, MICHAEL
MICHAEL
You cannot tell me, I have seen it, ay,
I’ll make her more worth than twenty painters can;
For I will rid mine elder brother away,
And then the farm of bolton is mine own.
Who would not venture upon house and land,
When he may have it for a right down blow? (here enters MOSBIE
ALICE
Yonder comes MOSBIE
Michael, get thee gone,
And let not him nor any know thy drifts. (Exit MICHAEL
Mosbie, my love!
MOSBIE
Away, I say, and talk not to me now.
ALICE
A word or two, sweet heart, and then I will.
‘tis yet but early days, thou needst not fear.
MOSBIE
Where is your husband?
ALICE
‘tis now high water, and he is at the key.
MOSBIE
There let him be; hence forward know me not.
ALICE
Is this the end of all thy solemn oaths?
Is this the fruit thy reconcilement buds?
Have I for this given thee so many favors,
Incurred my husband’s hate, and, out alas,
Made shipwreck of mine honor for thy sake?
And dost thou say ‘hence forward know me not’?
Remember, when I lock’d thee in my closet,
What were thy words and mine; did we not both
Decree to murder Arden in the night?
The
