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make no question of her love to thee;

      But, as securely, presently take horse,

      And lie with me at London all this term;

      For women, when they may, will not,

      But, being kept back, straight grow outrageous.

      ARDEN

      Though this abhors from reason, yet I’ll try it

      And call her forth and presently take leave.

      How! Alice! (here enters ALICE

      Summer nights are short, and yet you rise ere day.

      Had I been wake, you had not risen so soon.

      ARDEN

      Sweet love, thou knowest that we two ovid-like,

      Have often chid the morning when it ‘gan to peep,

      And often wished that dark night’s purblind steeds,

      Would pull her by the purple mantle back,

      And cast her in the ocean to her love.

      But this night, sweet Alice, thou hast killed my heart,

      I heard thee call on Mosbie in thy sleep.

      ALICE

      ‘tis like I was asleep when I named him,

      For being awake he comes not in my thoughts.

      ALICE

      And thereof came it, and therefore blame not me.

      ARDEN

      I know it did, and therefore let it pass.

      I must to London, sweet Alice, presently.

      ALICE

      But tell me do you mean to stay there long?

      ARDEN

      No longer there till my affairs be done.

      FRANKLIN

      He will not stay above a month at Most.

      ALICE

      A month? Ay me! Sweet Arden, come again

      Within a day or two, or else I die.

      ARDEN

      I cannot long be from thee gentle ALICE

      Whilst Michael fetch our horses from the field,

      Franklin and I will down unto the key;

      For I have certain goods there to unload.

      Meanwhile prepare our breakfast, gentle Alice;

      For yet ere noon we’ll take horse and away.

      Exeunt Arden and FRANKLIN

      ALICE

      Ere noon he means to take horse and away!

      Sweet news is this. O that some airy spirit

      Would in the shape and likeness of a horse

      Gallop with Arden ‘cross the ocean,

      And throw him from his back into the waves!

      Sweet Mosbie is the man that hath my heart:

      And he usurps it, having nought but this,

      That I am tied to him by marriage.

      Love is a god, and marriage is but words;

      And therefore Mosbie’s title is the best.

      Tush! Whether it be or no, he shall be mine,

      In spite of him, of hymen, and of rites.

      (here enters Adam of the Flower-de-Luce

      And here comes Adam of the Flower-de-Luce;

      I hope he brings me tidings of my love.

      -how now, Adam, what is the news with you?

      Be not afraid; my husband is now from home.

      ADAM

      He whom you wot of, Mosbie, mistress Alice,

      Is come to town, and sends you word by me

      In any case you may not visit him.

      ALICE

      Not visit him?

      ADAM

      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

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