# The Lamentable and True Tragedie of M. Arden of Feversham in Kent/Act 4

Here enters Arden and his wife, Francklin and Michaell.
Ard. See how the howrs the gardeant of heauens gate Haue by their toyle remoued the darksome cloudes. That Soll may wel deserue the trampled pace, UUherein he wount to guide his golden car, The season fits, come Francklin, let's away.
Ales.
I thought you did pretend some speciall hunt, That made you thus cut shorte the time of rest.
Ard. It was no chase that made me rise so early, But as I tould thee yesternight to go to the Ile of Sheppy: There to dine with my Lord Cheiny. For so his honor late commanded me.
Ales.
I such kinde husbands seldome want excuses, Home is a wilde Cat, to a wandring wit, The time hath bene, would God it were not past, That honors tytle nor a Lords command, Could once haue drawne you from these armes of mine, But my deserts, or your deserues decay, Or both, yet if trew loue may seeme desert, I merite stil to haue thy company.
Fran. Why I pray you sir, let her go along with vs, I am sure his honor wil welcome her, And vs the more, for bringing her along.
Ard. Content, sirra saddle your mistres nagge.
Ales.
No, begde fauor merits little thankes, If I should go, our house would runne away, Or els be stolne, therefore Ile stay behind.
Ard. Nay see how mistaking you are, I pray thee goe.
Ales.
No no, not now.
Ard. Then let me leaue thee satisfied in this, That time nor place, nor persons alter me, But that I hould thee dearer then my life.
Ales.
That will be seene by your quick returne.
Ard. And that shall be ere night and if I liue. Farewell sweete Ales, we mind to sup with theeExit Al.
Fra. Come Michaell are our horses ready?
Mic. I your horse are ready, but I am not ready, For I haue lost my purse, With six and thirtie shillinges in it, With taking vp of my M. Nagge.
Fra. Why I pray you let vs go before, Whilest he stayes behind to seeke his purse.
Ard. Go too sirra, see you follow vs to the ile of sheppye, To my Lord Cheynyes where we meane to dine.
Exeunt Arden & Francklin. Manet Michaell.
Mic. So faire whether after you, For before you lyes, black Will and shakebag, In the broome close, to close for you, Theyle be your ferrymen to long home,
Here enters the Painter.
That would nedes winne M. Susan.
Clark.
How now Michael how doth my Mistresse, And all at home?
Mic. Who susan Mosbye? she is your Mistres too
Cla.
I How doth she, and all the rest?
Mic. Al's well but susan she is sicke,
Cla.
Sick, of what disease?
Mic. Of a great feare.
Cla.
A feare, of what?
Mic. A great feuer.
Cla.
A feuer God forbidde.
Mic. Yes faith, and of a lordaine too, As bigge as your selfe.
Cla.
O Michael the spleane prickles you. Go too, you carry an eye ouer mistres susan.
Mic. I faith, to keepe her from the Painter.
Cla.
Why more from a Painter, then from a seruing creature like your selfe.
Mic.
Because you Painters make but a painting fable of a pretty wench, and spoile her beauty with blotting.
Cla.
What meane you by that?
Mic. Why that you Painters, paint lambes, in the lyning of wenches peticots And we seruingmen put hornes to them, to make them become sheepe.
Cla. Such another word wil cost you a cuffe or a knock
Mic. What with a dagger made of a pensell? Faith tis too weake, And therefore thou to weak to winne susan.
Cla.
Would susans loue lay vppon this stroke.
Then he breakes Michaels head. Here enters Mosby Greene & Ales.
Ales.
Ile lay my lyfe, this is for susans loue, Stayd you behinde your M. to this end? Haue you no other time to brable in But now when serious matters are in hand? Say Clarke, hast thou done the thing thou promised?
Cla.
I heare it is, the very touch is death.
Ales.
Then this I hope, if all the rest do faile, Wil catch M. Arden, And make him wise in death, that liued a foole.
Why should he thrust his sickle in our corne, Or what hath he to do with thee my loue? Or gouerne me that am to rule my selfe, Forsooth for credit sake I must leaue thee. Nay he must leaue to liue, that we may loue, May liue, may loue, for what is lyfe but loue? And loue shall last as long as lyfe remaines, And lyfe shall end, before my loue depart.
Mos.
Why whats loue, without true constancy? Lyke to a piller built of many stones. Yet neither with good morter, well compact, Nor semell, to fasten it in the ioynts. But that it shakes with euery blast of winde, And being toucht, straight falles vnto the earth, And buries all his haughty pride in dust. No let our loue be rockes of Addamant, Which time nor place, nor tempest can a sunder.
Gre. Mosbie leaue protestations now, And let vs bethinke vs what we haue to doo: Black Will and shakebag I haue placed, In the broome close watching Ardens comming, Lets to them, and see what they haue done.Exeunt.
Here enters Ard. & Fra.
Ard. Oh ferry man, where art thou? Here enters the Ferriman.
Fer. Here here, goe before to the boat. And I will follow you.
Ard. We haue great haste, I pray thee come away.
Fer. Fy what a mist is here.
Ard. This mist my frend, is misticall, Lyke to a good companions smoaky braine, That was halfe dround with new ale ouer night.
Fer. Twere pitty but his scull were opened, To make more Chimny roome.
Fran. Freend whats thy opinion of this mist.
Fer. I think tis lyke to a curst wife in a lytle house,
That neuer leaues her husband till she haue driuen him out at doores, with a wet paire of eyes, Then lookes he as if his house were a fire, Or some of his freends dead.
Ard. speaks thou this of thine owne experience,
Fer. Perhaps I, perhaps no: For my wyfe is as other women are, that is to say, gouerned by the Moone.
Fran. By the Moone, how I pray thee?
Fer. Na thereby lyes a bargane. And you shall not haue it fresh and fasting.
Ard. Yes I pray thee good ferryman.
Fer. Then for this once, let it be midsommer Moone, But yet my wyfe as another moone.
Fran. Another Moone.
Fer. I, and it hath influences, and Eclipses.
Ard. Why then by this reconing, you somtimes Play the man in the Moone.
Fer. I but you had not best to meddle with that moone Least I scratch you by the face, with my bramble bush,
Ard. I am almost stifled with this fog, come lets away
Fran. And sirra as we go, let vs haue som more of your bolde yeomandry.
Fer. Nay by my troth sir, but flat knauery.Exeunt.
Here enters Will at one doore, and Shakbag at another.
Sha. Oh Will where art thou?
Wil.
Here shakbag, almost in hels mouth, Where I can not see my way for smoake.
Sha. I pray thee speake still, that we may mete by the sound, for I shall fall into some ditche or other, vnles my feete see better then my eies.
Wil. Didest thou euer see better weather to runne away with another mans wife, or play with a wenche at potfinger.
shak. No this were a fine world for chandlers, If this weather would last, for then a man
Should neuer dyne nor sup without candle light, But sirra Will what horses are those that past?
Wil.
Why, didst thou heare any?
Sha. I that I did.
Will. My life for thine, twas Arden and his companio And then all our labour's lost,
Sha. Nay say not so, for if it be they, they may happely loose their way as we haue done And then we may chaunce meete with them.
Wil.
Come let vs go on lyke a couple of blind pilgrims
Then Shakebag falles into a ditch.
Sha. Helpe Will help, I am almost drownd.
Here enters the ferryman.
Fer. Whose that, that calles for help?
Wil.
Twas none heere, twas thou thy selfe.
Fer. I came to help him that cald for help, Why how now? who is this thats in the ditch? You are well enough serued, to goe without a guyde, such weather as this.
Wil.
Sirra what companyes hath past your ferry this morning
Fer. None but a cupple of gentlemen, that went to dyne at my Lord cheyneis.
Wil.
Shakbag did not I tell thee asmuch?
Fer. Why sir, will you haue any letters caried to them
Wil. No sir, get you gone.
Fer. Did you euer see such a mist as this?
Wil.
No, nor such a foole as will rather be hought then get his way.
Fer. Why sir, this is no hough munday, you ar deceiud Whats his name I pray you sir?
Sha. His name is black will.
Fer. I hope to see him one day hangd vpon a hill.
Exit Ferriman.
Sha. See how the Sunne hath cleard the foggy mist, Now we haue mist the marke of our intent.
Here enters Grene Mosbye and Ales.
Mos.
Black Will and Shakbag, what make you heer What is the deed don? is Arden dead.
Wil What could a blynded man performe in armes? Saw you not how till now, the sky was darke, That neither horse nor man could be decerned, Yet did we heare their horses as they past.
Gre. Haue they escapt you then, and past the ferry?
Sha. I for a while, but here we two will stay. And at their comming back meete with them once more, Zounds I was nere so toylde in all my lyfe, In following so slight a taske as this.
Mos.
How camst thou so beraide?
Wil.
With making false footing in the dark, He needs would follow them without a guide.
Ales Here's to pay for a fire and good cheere Get you to Feuershame to the flowre deluce, And rest your selues vntil some other time.
Gre. Let me alone, it most concernes my state.
Will I mistres Arden this wil serue the turne, In case we fal into a second fog.
Exeunt. Grene Will and Shak.
Mos.
These knaues wil neuer do it, let vs giue it ouer
Ales.
First tell me how you like my new deuice? Soone when my husband is returning back, You and I both marching arme in arme, Lyke louing frends wele meete him on the way. And boldly beard and braue him to his teeth: When words grow hot, and blowes beginne to ryse, Ile call those cutters foorth your tenement, Who in a manner to take vp the fray, Shall wound my husband hornesbie to the death.
Mos.
Ah fine deuise, why this deserues a kisse. Exeunt.
Here enters Dicke Reede and a Sailer.
Sayler. Faith Dick Rede it is to lytle end. His conscience is too liberall, and he too nigardly.
To parte from any thing may doo thee good.
Rede He is comming from Shorlow as I vnderstand, Here ile intercept him, for at his house He neuer will vouchafe to speake with me: If prayers and faire intreaties will not serue, Or make no battry in his flintye breast. Here enters Fra. Ard. and Michaell. Ile cursse the carle and see what that wil doo. Se where he comes, to further my intent, M. Arden I am now bound to the sea, My comming to you was about the plat of ground, Which wrongfully you detaine from me. Although the rent of it be very small, Yet will it helpe my wife and children: Which here I leaue in Feuershame God knowes, Needy and bare, for Christs sake let them haue it.
Ard. Francklin hearest thou this fellow speake? That which he craues I dearely bought of him, Although the rent of it was euer mine. Sirra you, that aske these questions, If with thy clamarous impeaching tongue Thou raile on me, as I haue heard thou dost, Ile lay thee vp so close a twelue months day, As thou shalt neither see the Sonne nor Moone, Looke to it, for as surely as I liue, Ile banish pittie if thou vse me thus.
Rede. What wilt thou do me wrong, & threat me too? Nay then Ile tempt thee, Arden doo thy worst, God I beseech thee show some miracle, On thee or thine, in plauging thee for this. That plot of ground, which thou detaines from me, I speake it in an agony of spirite, Be ruinous and fatall vnto thee: Either there be butcherd by thy dearest freends, Or els be brought for men to wonder at. Or thou or thine miscary in that place.
Or there runne mad, and end thy cursed dayes,
Fra. Fy bitter knaue brydle thine enuious tongue, For curses are like arrowes shot vpright, Which falling doun light on the sutors head.
Rede Light where they will, were I vppon the sea, As oft I haue in many a bitter storme, And saw a dreadfull suthern flaw at hand, The Pylate quaking at the doubtfull storme, And all the saylers praying on their knees, Euen in that fearefull time would I fall down, And aske of God, what ere betide of me, Uengeance on Arden, or some misevent, To shewe the world, what wrong the carle hath done, This charge Ile leaue with wy distresfull wife. My children shall be taught such praiers as these, And thus I go but leaue my cursse with thee. Exeunt Rede & Sayler.
Ard. It is the raylingest knaue in christendome, And oftentimes the villaine will be mad, It greatly matters not what he sayes, But I assure you, I nere did him wrong.
Fra. I think so M. Arden.
Ard. Now that our horses are gone home before, My wife may hapely mete me on the way, For God knowes she is growne passing kinde of late, And greatly chaunged from the oulde humor Of her wounted frowardnes. And seekes by faire meanes to redeeme ould faults.
Fra. Happy the change, that alters for the best, But see in any case you make no speache, Of the cheare we had at my Lord Cheineis, Although most bounteous and liberall, For that will make her think her selfe more wrongd, In that we did not carry her a long, For sure she greeued that she was left behinde,
Ard. Come Francklin, let vs strain to mend our pace, And take her vnawares playing the cooke.
Here enters Ales and Mosbie.
Fran. Why thers no better creaturs in the world Then women are, when they are in good humors.
Ard. Who is that? Mosbie, what so familiare? Iniurious strumpet, and thou ribald knaue, Untwyne those armes.
Ales I with a sugred kisse, let them vntwine.
Ard. Ah Mosbie, periurde beast, beare this and all.
Mos.
And yet no horned beast, The hornes are thine.
Fran. O monstrous, Nay then tis time to draw.
Ales Helpe helpe, they murther my husband.
Here enters Will, and Shak.
Sha. Zounds who iniures M. Mosbie.
Help Wil I am hurt.
Mos.
I may thank you Mistres arden for this wound,
Exeunt Mosby Will & Shakbag.
Ales.
Ah Arden what folly blinded thee? Ah Ielious harebraine man what hast thou don, When we to welcome thy intended sport. Came louingly to mete thee on thy way. Thou drewst thy sword inraged with Ielousy, And hurte thy freende, Whose thoughts were free from harme. All for a woorthles kisse, and ioyning armes. Both don but mirrely to try thy patience And me vnhappy that deuysed the Iest, Which though begonne in sporte, yet ends in bloode.
Fran. Mary God defend me from such a Ieast.
Ales Couldst thou not see vs frendly smyle on thee? When we ioynd armes and when I kist his cheeke. Hast thou not lately found me ouer kinde? Didst thou not heare me cry they murther thee.
Cald I not helpe to set my husband free: No, eares and all were witcht, ah me accurst, To lincke in lyking with a frantick man, Hence foorth Ile be thy slaue, no more thy wife: For with that name I neuer shall content thee. If I be merry thou straight waies thinks me light. If sad thou saiest the sullens trouble me. If well attyred thou thinks I will be gadding, If homely, I seeme sluttish in thine eye. Thus am I still, and shall be whill I die, Poore wench abused by thy misgouernment,
Ard But is it for trueth, that neither thou nor he, Entendedst malice in your misdemeanor.
Ales.
The heauens can witnes of our harmles thoghts
Ard. Then pardon me sweete Ales, And forgiue this faulte: Forget but this, and neuer see the lyke. Impose me pennance, and I will performe it: For in thy discontent I finde a death, A death tormenting more then death it selfe,
Ales Nay hadst thou loued me as thou doest pretend, Thou wouldst haue markt the speaches of thy frend, Who going wounded from the place, he said His skinne was peirst only through my deuise, And if sad sorrow taint thee for this falt, Thou wouldst haue followed him, and sene him drest, And cryde him mercy whome thou hast misdone, Nere shall my hart be eased till this be done.
Arden Content thee sweet Ales thou shalt haue thy wil What ere it be, For that I iniurde thee And wrongd my frend, shame scourgeth my offence, Come thou thy selfe and go along with me, And be a mediator twixt vs two.
Fran. Why M. Arden, know you what you do, Will you follow him that hath dishonourd you,
Ales.
Why canst thou proue I haue bene disloyall.
Fran. Why Mosbie traunt you husband with the horn,
Ales I after he had reuyled him, By the iniuryous name of periurde beast, He knew no wrong could spyte an Ielious man, More then the hatefull naming of the horne.
Fran Suppose tis trew, yet is it dangerous. To follow him whome he hath lately hurt,
Ales.
A fault confessed is more then halfe a mends, But men of such ill spirite as your selfe. Worke crosses and debates twixt man and wife.
Ard. I pray the gentle Francklin holde thy peace, I know my wife counsels me for the best,
Ard Ile seeke out mosby, where his wound is drest, And salue his haples quarrell if I may.
Exeunt Arden & Ales.
Fran. He whome the diuel driues must go perforce, Poore gentleman how sone he is bewitcht, And yet because his wife is the instrument, His frends must not be lauish in their speach, Exit Fran.
Here enters Will shakabage & Greene
Wil.
Sirra Greene when was I so long in killing a man.
Gre. I think we shall neuer do it. Let vs giue it ouer.
Sha. Nay Zounds wele kill him. Though we be hangd at his dore for our labour.
Wil.
Thou knowest Greene that I haue liued in London this twelue yeers. Where I haue made some go vppon wodden legges, For taking the wall on me, Dyuers with siluer noses, for saying, There goes blackwill. I haue crackt as many blades, As thou hast done Nutes.
Gre. O monstrous lye.
Will. Faith in a maner I haue.
The bawdie houses haue paid me tribute, There durst not a whore set vp, vnlesse she haue aggreed with me first, for opning her shoppe windowes. For a crosse worde of a Tapster, I haue pearced one barrell after another, with my dager, And held him be the eares till all his beare hath run out, In Temes streete a brewers carte was lyke to haue runne ouer me, I made no more ado, but went to the clark and cut all the natches of his tales, and beat them about his head. I and my companye haue taken the Constable from his watch, And carried him about the fields on a coltstaffe. I haue broken a Sariants head with his owne mace, And baild whome I list with my sword and buckler. All the tenpenny alehouses would stand euery morning, With a quart pot in his hand, Saying will it please your worship drinke: He that had not doone so had beene sure to haue had his Singne puld down, & his latice borne a way the next night To conclude, what haue I not done? yet cannot do this, Doubtles he is preserued by Miracle.
Here enters Ales and Michaell.
Gre. Hence Will, here comes M. Arden.
Ales Ah gentle michaell art thou sure thei'r frends
Mic. Why I saw them when they both shoke hands, When Mosbie bled, he euen wept for sorrow: And raild on Francklin that was cause of all. No sooner came the Surgen in at doores, But my M. tooke to his purse, and gaue him money. And to conclude, sent me to bring you word, That Mosbie, Francklin, Bradshaw, Adam fowle, With diuers of his neighbors, and his frends, Will come and sup with you at our house this night.
Ales.
Ah gentle Michaell, runne thou bak againe, And when my husband walkes into the faire, Bid Mosbie steale from him, and come to me.
And this night shal thou and Susan be made sure,
Mic. Ile go tell him.
Ales.
And as thou goest, tell Iohn cooke of our guests, And bid him lay it on, spare for no coast.[Exit Michaell.
Wil.
Nay and there be such cheere, we wil bid our selues Mistres Arden, Dick Greene & I do meane to sup wᵗyou,
Ales.
And welcome shall you be, ah gentlemen, How mist you of your purpose yesternight?
Gre. Twas long of shakebag that vnluckye villaine.
Sha. Thou doest me wrong, I did as much as any.
Wil.
Nay then M. Ales, Ile tell you how it was, When he should haue lockt with both his hilts, He in a brauery florisht ouer his head With that comes Francklin at him lustely And hurts the slaue, with that he slinks away, Now his way had bene to haue come hand and feete, one and two round at his costerd. He lyke a foole beares his sword point halfe a yarde out of danger, I lye here for my lyfe. If the deuill come, and he haue no more strength then fence He shall neuer beat me from this warde, Ile stand to it, a buckler in a skilfull hand, Is as good as a castell. Nay tis better then a sconce, for I haue tryde it. Mosbie perceiuing this, began to faint. With that comes Arden with his arming sword, And thrust him through the shoulder in a tryce.
Ales.
I but I wonder why you both stoode still.
Wil.
Faith I was so amazed I could not strike.
Ales.
Ah sirs had he yesternight bene slaine, For euery drop of his detested bloode, I would cramme in Angels in thy fist. And kist thee too, and hugd thee in my armes.
Wil.
Patient your selfe, we can not help it now, Greene and we two, will dogge him through the faire, And stab him in the croud, and steale away,
Here enters Mosbye.
It is vnpossible, but here comes he, That will I hope inuent some surer meanes. Swete Mosbie hide thy arme, it kils my hart.
Mos.
I mistres Arden, this is your fauour,
Ales Ah say not so for when I sawe thee hurt, I could haue toke the weapon thou letst fall, And runne at Arden, for I haue sworne, That these mine eyes offended with his sight, Shall neuer close, til Ardens be shut vp, This night I rose and walkt about the chamber. And twise or thrise, I thought to haue murthred him,
Mos.
What in the night, then had we bene vndone.
Ales Why, how long shall he liue?
Mos Faith Ales no longer then this night. Black Will and shakbag, will you two Performe the complot that I haue laid.
Will. I or els think me as a villaine.
Gre. And rather then you shall want, Ile help my selfe.
Mos.
You M. Greene shal single Francklin foorth, And hould him with a long tale of strange newes: That he may not come home till suppertime. Ile fetch M. Arden home, & we like frends. Will play a game or two at tables here,
Ales But what of all this? How shall he be slaine?
Mosbie Why black Wil and shakebag lockt within the countinghouse, Shall at a certaine watchword giuen, rush foorth,
Wil.
What shall the watch word be?
Mos.
(Now I take you) that shall be the word. But come not forth before in any case.
Wil.
I warrant you, but who shall lock me in?
Ales.
That will I do, thou'st kepe the key thy selfe.
Mos.
Come M. Greene, go you along with me.
See all things ready Ales against we come.
Ales.
Take no care for that, send you him home.
Exeunt Mosbie and Greene.
Come blacke Will that in mine eies art faire, Next vnto Mosbie doe I honour thee, Instead of faire wordes and large promises, My hands shall play you goulden harmonie, How like you this? say, will you doe it sirs?
Will. I and that brauely too, marke my deuice. Place Mosbie being a stranger in a chaire, And let your husband sit vpon a stoole, That I may come behind him cunninglie, And with a towell pull him to the ground, Then stab him till his flesh be as a sine, That doone beare him behind the Abby, That those that finde him murthered, may suppose Some slaue or other kild him for his golde.
Ales.
A fine deuice, you shall haue twenty pound, And when he is dead, you shal haue forty more. And least you might be suspected staying heere, Michaell shall saddle you two lusty geldings. Ryde whether you will to Scotland or to Wales. Ile see you shall not lacke, where ere you be.
Wil Such wordes would make one kill 1000. men. Giue me the key, which is the counting house?
Ales.
Here would I stay, and still encourage you, But that I know how resolute you are.
Sha. Tush you are too faint harted, we must do it.
Ales.
But Mosbie will be there, whose very lookes, Will ad vnwounted courage to my thought, And make me the first that shall aduenture on him,
Wil.
Tush get you gone, tis we must do the deede. When this doore oppens next looke for his death
Ales.
Ah, would he now were here, that it might oppen I shall no more be closed in Ardens armes,
That lyke the snakes of blacke Tisiphone, Sting me with their enbraceings, mosbies armes Shal compasse me, and were I made a starre, I would haue none other spheres but those. There is no nector, but in Mosbies lypes, Had chast Diana kist him, she like me Would grow loue sicke, and from her watrie bower, Fling down Endimion and snath him vp: Then blame not me, that slay a silly man, Not halfe so louely as Endimion.
Here enters Michaell.
Mistres my maister is comming hard by,
Ales.
Who comes with him.
Mic. Nobody but mosbye.
Ales.
Thats well michaell, fetch in the tables, And when thou hast done, stand before the countinghouse doore.
Mic. Why so?
Ales.
Black will is lockt within, to do the deede.
Mic. What shull he die to night?
Ales.
I michaell
Mic. But shall not susan know it?
Ales.
Yes for shele be as secreete as our selues.
Mic Thats braue, Ile go fetch the tables.
Ales.
But michaell hearke to me a word or two, When my husband is come in lock the streete doore: He shalll be murthred or the guests come in.Exit mic.
Here enters Arden & Mosbie.
Althought I wisht you to be reconciled, Twas more for feare of you, then loue of him, Black Will and Greene, are his companions, And they are cutters, and may cut you shorte, Therefore I thought it good to make you frends.
But wherefore do you bring him hether now, You haue giuen me my supper with his sight,
Mos.
M. Arden me thinks your wife would haue me gone.
Arden. No good M. Mosbie, women will be prating. Ales bid him welcome, he and I are frends.
Ales You may inforce me to it, if you will. But I had rather die then bid him welcome, His company hath purchest me ill frends. And therefore wil I nere frequent it more.
Mos.
Oh how cunningly she can dissemble.
Ard. Now he is here you wil not serue me so.
Ales.
I pray you be not angree or displeased Ile bid him welcome seing youle haue it so, You are welcome M. Mosbie will you sit down.
Mos.
I know I am welcome to your louing husband, But for your selfe, you speake not from your hart.
Ales.
And if I do not, sir think I haue cause.
Mos.
Pardon me M. Arden, Ile away.
Ard. No good M. Mosbie.
Ales.
We shal haue guests enough, thogh you go hence
Mos.
I pray you M. Arden let me go.
Ard. I pray thee Mosbie let her prate her fill,
Ale. The dores are open sir, you may be gone.
Mic. Nay thats a lye, for I haue lockt the dores.
Ard. Sirra fetch me a cup of Wine. Ile make them freends. And gentle M. Ales, seeing you are so stout, You shal beginne, frowne not, Ile haue it so.
Ales I pray you meddle with that you haue to do.
Ard. Why Ales? how can I do too much for him, Whose lyfe I haue endaungered without cause.
Ale. Tis true, & seeing twas partly through my means I am content to drinke to him for this once. Here M. Mosbie, and I pray you hence forth, Be you as straunge to me, as I to you Your company hath purchased me ill freends.
And I for you God knowes, haue vndeserued Beene ill spoken of in euery place. Therefore hencefoorth frequent my house no more.
Mos.
Ile see your husband in dispight of you, Yet Arden I protest to thee by heauen, Thou nere shalt see me more, after this night. Ile go to Roome rather then be forsworne.
Ar. Tush Ile haue no such vowes made in my house.
Ales.
Yes I pray you husband let him sweare, And on that condition Mosbie pledge me here.
Mos.
I as willingly as I meane to liue.
Ard. Come Ales, is our supper ready yet?
Ales.
It wil by then you haue plaid a game at tables,
Ard. Come M. Mosbie, what shall we play for?
Mos.
Three games for a french crowne sir, And please you.
Ard. Content.
Then they play at the Tables.
Wil Can he not take him yet? what a spight is that?
Ales Not yet Will, take hede he see thee not?
Wil.
I feare he wil spy me, as I am coming,
Mic. To preuent that, creepe betwixt my legs
Mos.
One ace, or els I lose the game.
Ard. Mary sir theres two for fayling.
Mos.
Ah M. Arden (now I can take you) Then Will pulles him down with a towell
Ard. Mosbie, Michaell, Ales, what will you do?
Will Nothing but take you vp sir, nothing els.
Mos.
Thers for the pressing Iron you tould me of.
Sha. And ther's for the ten pound in my sleeue,
Ales.
What, grones thou? nay then giue me yᵉ weapon, Take this for hindring Mosbies loue and mine.
Michaell. O Mistres.
Will Ah that villaine wil betray vs all,
Mos.
Tush feare him not, he will be secrete,
Mic. Why dost thou think I will betray my selfe?
Sha. In South warke dwels a bonnie northerne lasse, The widow Chambley, ile to her house now, Ind if she will not giue me harborough, Ile make bootie of the queane euen to her smocke.
Will. Shift for your selues we two will leaue you now
Ales. First lay the bodie in the countinghouse. Then they lay the body in the Countinghouse.
Will. We haue our gould mistris Ales, adew, Mosbie farewell, and Michaell farewell too. Exeunt.
Enter Susan.
Susan. Mistres, the guests are at the doores. Hearken they knocke, what shall I let them in?
Ales. Mosbie go thou & beare them companie. Exit M. And susan fetch water and wash away this bloode,
Susan. The bloode cleaueth to the ground & will not out
Ales. But with my nailes ile scrape away the blood, The more I striue the more the blood appeares:
Susan. Whats the reason M. can you tell?
Ales. Because I blush not at my husbands death.
Here enters Mosbie.
Mos. Now now, whats the matter? is all well?
Ale. I wel, if Arden were aliue againe. In vaine we striue, for here his blood remains,
Mos. Why strew rushes on it, can you not, This wench doth nothing fall vnto the worke.
Ales. Twas thou that made me murther him,
Mos. What of that?
Ales. Nay nothing Mosbie so it be not known.
Mos. Keepe thou it close, and tis vnpossible,
Ales. Ah but I can not, was he not staine by me, My husbands death torments me at the hart.
Mos. It shall not long torment thee gentle Ales, I am thy husband, thinke no more of him.
Here enters Adam fowle and Brad,
Brad. Now now M. Arden? what ayle you wéepe?
Mos. Because her husband is abroad so late. A cupple of Ruffins threatned him yesternight, And she poore soule is affraid he should be hurt.
Adam It nothing els? tush hele be here anone.
Here enters Greene.
Gre. Now M. Arden lacke you any guests.
Ales. Ah M. Greene, did you se my husband lately,
Gre. I saw him walking behinde the Abby euen now, Here enters Francklin.
Ales. I do not like this being out so late, M. Francklin where did you leaue my husband.
Fra. Beleeue me I saw him not since Morning, Feare you not hele come anone, meane time You may do well to bid his guests sit down.
Ales. I so they shall, M. Bradshaw sit you there, I pray you be content, Ile haue my will. M. Mosbie sit you in my husbands seat.
Michaell Susan shall thou and I wait on them, Or and thou saith the word let vs sit down too.
Su. Peace we haue other matters now in hand. I feare me Michael al wilbe bewraied.
Mic. Tush so it be knowne that I shal marry thée in the Morning, I care not though I be hangde ere night. But to preuent the worst, Ile by some rats bane.
Su. Why Michael wilt thou poyson thy selfe?
Mic. No, but my mistres, for I feare shele tell.
Su. Tush Michel feare not her, she's wise enough.
Mos. Sirra Michell giues a cup of beare. M. Arden, heers to your husband.
Ales. My husband?
Fra. What ailes you woman, to crie so suddenly.
Ales. Ah neighbors a sudden qualm came ouer my hart My husbands being foorth torments my minde. I know some thing's amisse, he is not well. Or els I should haue heard of him ere now.
Mo. She will vndo vs, through her foolishnes.