Grounds near the palace
Enter Castiza [with] a book, two Ladies.
CASTIZA
Methinks you live strange lives! When I see’t not,
The less it grieves me; you know how to ease me then.
If you but knew how well I lov’d your absence
You would bestow ‘t upon me without asking.
FIRST LADY
Faith, for my part, were it no more for ceremony
Than ’tis for love, you should walk long enough
For my attendance; so think all my fellows,
Though they say nothing. Books in women’s hands
They are as much against the hair, methinks,
As to see men [wear] stomachers and night-rails!
She that has the green sickness and should follow her counsel would die like an ass and go to th’ worms like a salad; not I as long as such a creature as man is made: she’s a fool that will not know what he’s good for.
Exeunt Ladies.
CASTIZA
Though amongst lives’ elections that of virgin
I speak noblest of, yet ‘t has pleas’d just heaven
To send me a contented blessedness
In this of marriage, which I ever doubted;
I see the king’s affection was a true one,
It lasts and holds out long: that[‘s] no mean virtue
In a commanding man, though in great fear
At first I was enforc’d to venture on’t.
Enter Vortiger and Horsus [disguised, to one side].
VORTIGER
All’s happy, clear and safe.
HORSUS
The rest comes gently then.
VORTIGER
Be sure you seize on her full sight at first,
For fear of my discovery.
HORSUS
I’ll not miss it.
VORTIGER
Now fortune, and I am sped.
[Horsus seizes and blindfolds Castiza.]
CASTIZA
Oh, help, treason, treason!
HORSUS
Sirrah, how stand you? Prevent noise and clamour,
Or death shall end thy service.
VORTIGER
[Aside] A sure cunning.
CASTIZA
Oh, rescue!
HORSUS
Dead her voice; away, make speed!
[Vortiger gags her.] Exeunt and enter again.