The Complete Apocryphal Works of William Shakespeare - All 17 Rare Plays in One Edition. William Shakespeare
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the guests are at the doors.
Hearken, they knock: what, shall I let them in?
ALICE
Mosbie, go thou, and bear them company. (Exit MOSBIE
And, susan, fetch water and wash away this blood.
SUSAN
The blood cleaveth to the ground and will not out.
ALICE
But with my nails I’ll scrape away the blood.
The more I strive, the more the blood appears!
SUSAN
What’s the reason, mistress, can you tell?
ALICE
Because I blush not at my husband’s death. (here enters MOSBIE
MOSBIE
How now? What’s the matter? Is all well?
ALICE
Ay, well, if Arden were alive again.
In vain we strive, for here his blood remains.
MOSBIE
Why, strew rushes on it, can you not?
This wench does nothing: fall unto the work.
ALICE
‘twas thou that made me murder him.
MOSBIE
What of that?
ALICE
Nay, nothing, Mosbie, so it be not known.
MOSBIE
Keep thou it close, and ‘tis impossible.
ALICE
Ah, but I can not, was he not slain by me? my husband’s death torments me at the heart.
MOSBIE
It shall not long torment thee, gentle Alice;
I am thy husband, think no more of him.
(here enters Adam Fowl and BRADSHAW
BRADSHAW
How now, mistress Arden? What ails you, you weep?
MOSBIE
Because her husband is abroad so late.
A couple of ruffians threatened him yesternight,
And she, poor soul, is afraid he should be hurt.
ADAM
Is’t nothing else? Tush, he’ll be here anon.
(here enters GREENE
GREENE
Now, mistress Arden, lack you any guests?
ALICE
Ah, master Greene, did you see my husband lately?
GREENE
I saw him walking behind the abbey even now.
ALICE
I do not like this being out so late. -
Master Franklin, where did you leave my husband?
FRANKLIN
Believe me I saw him not since morning.
Fear you not, he’ll come anon; meantime
You may do well to bid his guests sit down.
ALICE
Ay, so they shall; master Bradshaw, sit you there;
I pray you be content, I’ll have my will.
Master Mosbie, sit you in my husband’s seat.
MICHAEL
susan, shall thou and I wait on them?
Or, and thou sayest the word, let us sit down too.
SUSAN
peace, we have other matters now in hand.
I fear me, Michael, all will be bewrayed.
MICHAEL
Tush, so it be known that I shall marry thee in the
I can not though I be hanged ere night.
But to prevent the worst, I’ll buy some rats bane.
SUSAN
why, Michael, wilt thou poison thyself?
MICHAEL
No, but my mistress, for I fear she’ll tell.
SUSAN
Tush, Michael; fear not her, she’s wise enough.
MOSBIE
Sirrah Michael, give’s a cup of beer. -
Mistress Arden, here’s to your husband.
ALICE
My husband?
FRANKLIN
What ails you woman, to cry so suddenly?
ALICE
Ah, neighbors, a sudden qualm came over my heart
My husband being forth torments my mind.
I know something’s amiss, he is not well;
Or else I should have heard of him ere now.
MOSBIE
she will undo us through her foolishness.
GREENE
Fear not, mistress Arden, he’s well enough.
ALICE
Tell not me; I know he is not well:
He was not wont for to stay thus late.
Good master Franklin, go and seek him forth,
And if you find him send him home to me,
And tell him what a fear he hath put me in.
FRANKLIN
I like not this; I pray god all be well.
I’ll seek him out, and find him if I can.
(Exeunt Franklin, Mosbie, and GREENE
ALICE
Michael, how shall I do to rid the rest away?
MICHAEL
leave that to my charge, let me alone.
‘tis very late, master Bradshaw,
And you have many narrow lanes to pass.
BRADSHAW
Faith, friend Michael, and thou sayest true,
Therefore I pray thee light’s forth and lend’s a link.
(Exeunt Bradshaw, Adam, and MICHAEL
ALICE
Michael, bring them to the doors, but do not stay,
You know I do not love to be alone.
(here enters Mosbie and GREENE
MOSBIE
How now, Alice, whither will you bear him?
ALICE
Sweet Mosbie, art thou come?
Then weep that will:
I have my wish in that I joy thy sight.
GREENE
Well it ‘hooves us to be circumspect.
MOSBIE