Anselmus’ house, the bedchamber
Enter Votarius with Anselmus the husband.
VOTARIUS
You shall stand here, my lord, unseen, and hear all.
Do I deal now like a right friend with you?
ANSELMUS
Like a most faithful.
VOTARIUS
You shall have her mind e’en as it comes to me,
Though I undo her by’t. Your friendship, sir,
Is the sweet mistress that I only serve.
I prize the roughness of a man’s embrace
Before the soft lips of a hundred ladies.
ANSELMUS
And that’s an honest mind of thee.
VOTARIUS
Lock yourself, sir,
Into that closet, and be sure none see you.
Trust not a creature. We’ll have all run clear
E’en as the heart affords it.
ANSELMUS
’Tis a match, sir.
[Retires to closet.]
VOTARIUS
Troth, he says true there. ’Tis a match indeed.
He does not know the strength of his own words,
For, if he did, there were no mast’ring on him!
H’as cleft the pin in two with a blind man’s eyes.
Though I shoot wide, I’ll cozen him of the game.
Exit. Enter Leonella above in a gallery with her love Bellarius.
LEONELLA
Dost thou see thine enemy walk?
BELLARIUS
I would I did not.
LEONELLA
Prithee rest quiet, man; I have fee’d one for him:
A trusty catchpole, too, that will be sure on him.
Thou know’st this gallery well: ’tis at thy use now;
‘T’as been at mine full often. Thou mayst sit
Like a most private gallant in yon corner,
See all the play and ne’er be seen thyself.
BELLARIUS
Therefore I chose it.
LEONELLA
Thou shalt see my lady
Play her part naturally, more to the life
Than she’s aware on.
BELLARIUS
There must I be pleased.
Thou’rt one of the actors; thou’t be missed anon.
LEONELLA
Alas, a woman’s action’s always ready.
Yet I’ll down now I think on’t.
BELLARIUS
Do; ’tis time, i’faith.
Descendet Leonella.
ANSELMUS
[Aside] I know not yet where I should plant belief,
I am so strangely toss’d between two tales.
I’m told by my wife’s woman the deed’s done,
And in Votarius’ tongue ’tis yet to come:
The castle is but upon yielding yet;
’Tis not delivered up. Well, we shall find
The mystery shortly. I will entertain
The patience of a prisoner i’ th’ meantime.
Locks himself in. Enter Anselmus’ [Wife] and Leonella.
WIFE
[Aside to her] Is all set ready, wench?
LEONELLA
Push, madam, all.
WIFE
[Aloud] Tell me not so. She lives not for a lady
That has less peace than I.
LEONELLA
Nay, good sweet madam,
You would not think how much this passion alters you.
It drinks up all the beauty of your cheek;
I promise you, madam, you have lost much blood.
WIFE
Let it draw death upon me, for till then
I shall be mistress of no true content.
Who could endure hourly temptation
And bear it as I do?
LEONELLA
Nay, that’s most certain,
Unless it were myself, again. I can do’t;
I suffer the like daily. You should complain, madam.
WIFE
Which way? Were that wisdom? Prithee, wench, to whom?
LEONELLA
To him that makes all whole again, my lord,
To one that, if he be a kind, good husband,
Will let you bear no more than you are able.
WIFE
Thou know’st not what thou speak’st. Why, my lord’s he
That gives him the house-freedom, all his boldness,
Keeps him a’ purpose here to war with me.
LEONELLA
Now I hold wiser of my lord than so.
He knows the world; he would not be so idle.
WIFE
I speak sad truth to thee. I am not private
In mine own chamber, such his imprudence is.
Nay, my repenting time is scarce blessed from him;
He will offend my prayers.
LEONELLA
Out upon him!
I believe, madam, he’s of no religion.
WIFE
He serves my lord, and that’s enough for him,
And [preys] upon poor ladies like myself:
There’s all the gentleman’s devotion!
LEONELLA
Marry, the devil of hell give him his blessing!
WIFE
Pray watch the door, and suffer none to trouble us
Unless it be my lord.
LEONELLA
[Aside] ’Twas finely spoke, that;
My lord indeed is the most trouble to her.
Now must I show a piece of service here.
How do I spend my days! Life, shall I never
Get higher than a lady’s doorkeeper?
I must be married as my lady is, first,
And then my maid may do as much for me.
WIFE
Oh, miserable time! Except my lord
Do wake in honourable pity to me
And rid this vicious gamester from his house,
Whom I have checked so often, here I vow
I’ll imitate my noble sister’s fate,
Late mistress to the worthy Govianus,
And cast away my life as [she] did hers.
Enter Votarius to the door within.
LEONELLA
Back! Y’are too forward, sir. There’s no coming for you.
VOTARIUS
How, Mistress Len, my lady’s smock-woman!
Am I no farther in your duty yet?
LEONELLA
Duty! Look for’t of them you keep under, sir.
VOTARIUS
You’ll let me in?
LEONELLA
Who would you speak withal?
VOTARIUS
With the best lady you make curtsy to.
LEONELLA
She will not speak with you.
VOTARIUS
Have you her mind?
I scorn to take her answer of her broker.
LEONELLA
Madam!
WIFE
What’s there? How now, sir, what’s your business?
We see your boldness plain.
VOTARIUS
I came to see you, madam.
WIFE
Farewell, then; though ’twas impudence too much
When I was private.
VOTARIUS
Madam!
WIFE
Life, he was born
To beggar all my patience!
VOTARIUS
I’m bold
Still to prefer my love. Your woman hears me not.
WIFE
Where’s modesty and honour? Have I not thrice
Answered thy lust?
LEONELLA
[Aside] Byrlady, I think oft’ner.
WIFE
And dar’st thou yet look with temptation on us?
Since nothing will prevail, come death, come vengeance!
I will forget the weakness of my kind
And force thee from my chamber!
[Thrusts at him with the sword.]
VOTARIUS
How now, lady!
‘Ud’s life, you prick me, madam!
WIFE
[Aside to him] Prithee peace;
I will not hurt thee. — Will you yet be gone, sir?
LEONELLA
He’s upon going, I think.
VOTARIUS
Madam! Heart, you deal false with me! Oh, I feel it!
Y’are a most treacherous lady! This thy glory?
My breast is all afire! Oh!
[Dies.]
LEONELLA
Ha, ha, ha!
ANSELMUS
[Coming from the closet] Ha! I believe her constancy too late,
Confirmed e’en in the blood of my best friend!
[Seizing the sword] Take thou my vengeance, thou bold, perjurious strumpet,
That durst accuse thy virtuous lady falsely!
Kills Leonella. Enter Bellarius [descending from the gallery].
BELLARIUS
[Aside] Oh, deadly poison after a sweet banquet!
What make I here? I had forgot my heart.
I am an actor too, and never thought on’t;
The blackness of this season cannot miss me. —
[Drawing a sword] Sirrah, you, lord!
WIFE
Is he there? Welcome, ruin!
BELLARIUS
There is a life due to me in that bosom
For this poor gentlewoman.
ANSELMUS
And art thou then receiver?
I’ll pay thee largely, slave, for thy last scape!
They make a dangerous pass at one another. The Wife purposely runs between, and is killed by them both.
WIFE
I come, Votarius!
[Dies.]
ANSELMUS
[To Bellarius] Hold, if manhood guide thee!
[Kneeling beside his Wife] Oh, what has fury done?
BELLARIUS
What has it done now?
Why, killed an honourable whore, that’s all.
ANSELMUS
Villain, I’ll seal that lie upon thy heart!
A constant lady!
BELLARIUS
To the devil, as could be!
Heart, must I prick you forward? Either up
Or, sir, I’ll take my chance. Thou couldst kill her
Without repenting that deserved more pity,
And spend’st thy time and tears upon a quean —
ANSELMUS
Slave!
BELLARIUS
That was deceived once in her own deceit!
[They fight and wound each other mortally.]
As I am now. The poison I prepared
Upon that weapon for mine enemy’s bosom
Is bold to take acquaintance of my blood too,
And serves us both to make up death withal.
ANSELMUS
I ask no more of destiny but to fall
Close by the chaste side of my virtuous mistress.
If all the treasure of my weeping strength
Be left so wealthy but to purchase that,
I have the dear wish of a great man’s spirit.
[Dragging himself to her] Yet favour me, oh, yet! [Reaching her] I thank thee, fate.
I expire cheerfully and give death a smile.
Anselmus [seemingly] dies.
BELLARIUS
Oh, rage! I pity now mine enemy’s flesh.
Enter Govianus with Servants.
GOVIANUS
Where should he be?
FIRST SERVANT
My lady, sir, will tell you.
She’s in her chamber here.
SECOND SERVANT
[Seeing the bodies] Oh, my lord!
GOVIANUS
Peace!
My honourable brother, madam, all,
So many dreadful deeds, and not one tongue
Left to proclaim ‘em?
BELLARIUS
Yes, here, if a voice
Some minute long may satisfy your ear;
I’ve that time allowed it.
GOVIANUS
’Tis enough.
Bestow it quickly ere death snatch it from thee.
BELLARIUS
That lord, your brother, made his friend Votarius
To tempt his lady. She was won to lust,
The act revealed here by her serving-woman.
But that wise, close adulteress, stored with art
To prey upon the weakness of that lord,
Dissembled a great rage upon her love
And indeed killed him; which so won her husband,
He slew this right discoverer in his fury,
Who being my mistress, I was moved in heart
To take some pains with him, and h’as paid me for’t.
As for the cunning lady, I commend her.
She performed that which never woman tried:
She ran upon two weapons and so died.
Now you have all, I hope I shall sleep quiet.
Dies.
ANSELMUS
Oh, thunder that awakes me e’en from death
And makes me curse my confidence with cold lips!
I feel his words in flames about by soul;
H’as more than killed me.
GOVIANUS
Brother!
ANSELMUS
I repent the smile
That I bestowed on destiny! A whore!
[To Wife] I fling thee thus from my believing breast
With all the strength I have; my rage is great
Although my veins grow beggars. Now I sue
To die far from thee; may we never meet!
Were my soul bid to joy’s eternal banquet,
And were assured to find thee there a guest,
I’d sup with torments and refuse that feast.
Oh, thou beguiler of man’s easy trust!
“The serpent’s wisdom is in women’s lust.”
Dies.
GOVIANUS
Is death so long a-coming to mankind
It must be met halfways? ‘Las, the full time
Is to eternity but a minute, a [ .]
Was that so long to stay? Oh, cruel speed!
There’s few men pay their debts before their day;
If they be ready at their time, ’tis well,
And but a few that are so. What strange haste
Was made among these people! My heart weeps for’t.
[To Servants] Go, bear those bodies to a place more comely.
[Servants carry out the bodies.]
Brother, I came for thy advice, but I
Find thee so ill a counsellor to thyself
That I repent my pains and depart sighing.
The body of my love is still at court;
I am not well to think on’t. The poor spirit
Was with me once again about it, troth,
And I can put it off no more for shame,
Though I desire to have it haunt me still
And never give me over, ’tis so pleasing.
I must to court. I’ve plighted my faith to’t;
‘T’as opened me the way to the revenge.
Tyrant, I’ll run thee on a dangerous shelf,
Though I be forced to fly this land myself.
Exit.