SCENE 11.-A Chamber.

Enter ALICIA.

Alic, Why, Arden, do you leave your bed thus early?

Have cold and darkness greater charms than I? There was a time when winter nights were short, [me. And Arden chid the morn that call'd him from Ard. This deep dissembling, this hypocrisy, (The last worst state of a degenerate mind) Speaks her in vice determin'd and mature.

[Aside.

Alic. What maid, that knows man's variable
nature,

Would sell her free estate for marriage bonds?
From vows and oaths, and every servile tie,
The tyrant man at pleasure is set free;
The holy nuptial bond leaves him at large;
Yet vests him with a power that makes us
slaves.-

Ard. To stop my just reproach,
Art thou the first to tax the marriage state?
Alic. Are you not jealous? do you not give
To vain surmises and malicious tongues, [ear
That hourly wound my yet untainted fame?
Ard. And wouldst thou make me author of
the shame
[longer.
Thy guilt has brought on us!-I'll bear no
The traitor, Mosby; curs'd, detested, Mosby,
Shall render an account for both your crimes.
Alic. What do I hear?

Ard. That base, mechanic slave Shall answer with his blood.

Alic. O hear me speak.

[Aside.

Ard. No, I am deaf: as thou hast ever been To fame, to virtue, and my just complaints. Alic. Thus on my knees

[heart

Ard. Adulteress! dost thou kneel, And weep, and pray, and bend thy stubborn (Stubborn to me) to sue for him?-Away, Away this instant, lest I kill thee too. [Recovers himself. No-Not the hell thou'st kindled in this bosom Shall make me shed thy blood.

Alic. I do not hope it.

Ard. For me, be as immortal as thy shame. Alic. I see your cruel purpose: I must live, To see your hand and honour stain'd with

blood.

Your ample fortune seiz'd on by the state, Your life a forfeit to the cruel laws.

O Arden, blend compassion with your rage, And kindly kill me first.

Ard. Not for my sake

Are all thy tears (then had you felt them sooner :)

Plead not the ruin you have made; but say Why have you driven me to these extremes? Why sacrific'd my peace, and your own fame, By corresponding with a menial slave?

Alic. Thou can'st not think, that I have
wrong'd thy bed?

Ard. Would, I could not!
Alic. By Heaven!
Ard. No perjuries.

But now, as you lay slumbering by my side,
I still awake, anxious, and full of thought,
(For thou hast banish'd sleep from these sad
eyes,)

With genile accents, thrilling with desire, You call'd on Mosby: love made me doubt my ears,

And question if the dark and silent night Conspir'd not with my fancy to deceive me: But soon I lost the painful, pleasing hope; Again you call'd upon your minion Mosby. Confirm'd, I strove to fly your tainted bed, But, wanting strength, sunk lifeless on my pillow.

You threw your eager arms about my neck, You press'd my bloodless cheeks with your warm lips,

Which glow'd, adulteress! with infernal heat; And call'd a third time on the villain Mosby. Alic. A dream, indeed, if I e'er call'd on him.

Ard. Thy guilty dreams betray thy waking thoughts.

Alic. I know I'm simple, thoughtless, and
unguarded;

And what is carelessness, you construe guilt.
Yet were I weak as those fantastic visions,
Sure I could never have condemn'd you, Arden,
On circumstances and an idle dream.
Ard. But such a dream.-

Alic. Yet was it but a dream,
Which, though I not remember, I abhor;
And mourn with tears, because it gives you
pain.

Arden, you do not wish me innocent,
Or on suspicions could you doom me guilty?
Ard. Not wish thee innocent! do sinking

mariners,

When struggling with the raging seas for life, Wish the assistance of some friendly plank? 'Tis that, and that alone, can bring me com

fort.

Alic. O jealousy! thou fierce, remorseless fiend,

Degenerate, most unnatural, child of love; How shall I chase thee from my Arden's bosom?

Ard. There is a way, an easy way, Alicia.— Alic. O name it-speak.

Ard. What's past may be forgotten.

Your future conduct.

Alic. You distract me, Arden.

Say, how shall I convince you of the truth? Ard. I ask but this: never see Mosby more. By Heaven, she's dumb!

Alic. O how shall I conceal

My own confusion, and elude his rage?

[Aside.

Ard. Thou'rt lost, Alicia!-lost to me-and

Heaven.

SCENE III-A Parlour in ARDEN's House.

Enter ALICIA, meeting MOSBY.

Alic. Mosby, that brow befits our wayward fate.

The evil hour, long fear'd, is fallen upon us, And we shall sink beneath it. Do not frownIf you're unkind, to whom shall I complain?

Mos. Madam, it was my sister I expectedAlic. Am I forgotten then? Ungrateful man! This only could have added to my woes. Did you but know what I have borne for you, You would not thus, unmov'd, behold my

Alic. No, he knows not yet his wrongs.
Mos. But quickly will.

Alic. That, that's my greatest fear.
Mos. Then, branded with a strumpet's hated

name.

The cause abhorr'd of shame, of blood, and ruin,

Thou'lt be exposed and hooted through the world.

Alic. O hide the dreadful image from my view!

Chaste matrons, modest maids, and virtuous wives,

Scorning a weakness which they never knew, Shall blush with indignation at my name.

Mos. My death-but that-though certainAlic. Labour not

To drive me to despair. Fain would I hope-
Mos. You may-and be deceiv'd. For me,
I know

My fate resolv'd-and thee the instrument;
The willing instrument of Mosby's ruin.
Inconstant, false Alicia!

Alic. False, indeed;

But not to thee, cruel, injurious Mosby !
Mos. Injurious!-False one! might not all
these dangers,

That threaten to involve us both in ruin,
Ere this have been prevented?

Alic. Ha!-say on.

Mos. And, not preventing, art thou not the cause?

Alic. Ah! whither, Mosby-whither wouldst thou drive me?

Mos. Nay, didst thou love, or wouldst secure thy fame,

Preserve my life, and bind me yours for ever, "Tis yet within your power.

Alic. By Arden's death!

Mean'st thou not so? speak out, and be a devil. Mos. Yes, 'tis for thee I am so-But your

looks

Declare, my death would please you better, Madam.

Alic. Exaggerating fiend! be dumb for ever. His death! I must not cast a glance that way. Mos. Is there another way?-O think, Alicia. Alic. I will, for that will make me mad:

and madness

Were some excuse. Come, kind distraction!

come,

And Arden dies-my husband dies, for Mosby. [Shrieks, and runs to MOSBY.

Enter ARDEN and FRANKLIN.

He's here! O save me! tell me, did he hear? Ard. [Starting.] Franklin, support your friend. I shake with horror. Frank. What moves you thus? Ard. See-Mosby-with my wife? Mes, But, Madam, I shall spare you farther trouble;

In happy time, behold my neighbour here. [As taking leave of ALICIA Alic. Mischief and wild confusion have begun,

And desolation waits to close the scene. [Exit. Mos. Sir, I would gladly know, whether

your grant

Of the rich abbey-lands of Feversham Be yet confirm'd or not?

Ard. What if I tear

Her faithless heart, ev'n in the traitor's sight, Who taught it falsehood.

[lion

[Aside.

Frank. He is lost in thought. But I can answer that: it is confirm'd

Ard. For my estate,

The law, and this good seal, is my security; To them I leave Green and his groundless claim.

But my just right to false Alicia's heart,
(So dearly purchas'd with a husband's name,
And sacred honour of a gentleman,)
I shall assert myself, and thus secure
From farther violation.

Mos. Her known virtue

Renders the injury, your fancy forms,
A thing of air.

[Draws.

Frank. Impossible to thought. Whence, Arden, comes this sudden madness on thee,

That your Alicia, ever dear esteem'd,
And deeply lov'd-

Ard. Out on the vile adult'ress!
But thou, demure, insinuating slave,
Shalt taste my vengeance first. Defend thyself.
Mos. I scorn to take advantage of your rage.
Ard. A coward too! O my consummate
shame!

Mos. This I can bear from you.
Ard. Or any man.

Why hangs that useless weapon by thy side,
Thou shame to manhood?-Draw.-Will no-
thing move thee?
[Strikes him.
Whither would your mad
revenge transport you?
Ard. Shall shameful cowardice protect a vil-

Frank. Hold.

lain?

Mos. You choose a proper place to show your courage!

Ard. Go on. I'll follow to the ocean's brink, Or to the edge of some dread precipice, Where terror and despair shall stop thy flight, And force thy trembling hand to guard thy life. Mos. What I endure, to save a lady's honour! [To FRANKLIN, Frank. Your longer stay will but incense him more; Pray, quit the house.

Mos. Sir, I shall take your counsel. [Exit. Ard. He hath escap'd me then.-But, for my wife

Frank. What has she done?

Ard. Done! must I tell my shame? Away, begone-lest from my prey withheld I turn, and tear th' officious hand that lets me. Soft! art thou Franklin? Pardon me, sweet

friend;

My spirits fail-I shake-I must retire.
Frank. To your Alicia.

Ard. To my lonely couch;

For I must learn to live without her, Franklin. Frank. Pray, Heaven, forbid !

Ard. To hate her, to forget her-if I can: No easy task for one who dotes like me. From what a height I'm fallen! Once, smiling love

Of all its horrors robb'd the blackest night, And gilt with gladness every ray of light; Now, tyrant-like, his conquest he maintains, And o'er his groaning slave with rods of iron reigns. [Exeunt.

To beg, or starve.

Green. By Heaven, I will do neither: I'll let the proud oppressor know

Mos. How blind his rage!

Who threats his enemy, lends him a sword
To guard himself.—

Green. Robb'd of the means of life,
What's life itself? a useless load, a curse:
Which yet I'll dearly sell to my revenge.
Mos. You mean to kill him, then? [Eagerly.
Green. I do, by Heaven.

Mos. Suppose you fail

Green. I can but lose my life.

Mos. Then where is your revenge, when he,

secure,

Riots unbounded in his ill-got wealth!
Green. What can I do?

Mos. 'Tis plain, you wish him dead.
Green. Each moment of his life is to my soul
A tedious age of pain; for, while he lives,
Contempt, and all the ills a lazar knows,
Must be my wretched lot, and lengthen out
The miserable hours. What groveling wretch
Would wish to hold his life on such conditions?
Mos. But change the scene: suppose but
Arden dead,

Your land restor'd, and fortune in your power;
That wait on wealth, shall wing the joyful
Honour, respect, and all the dear delights
hours,

And life contracted seem one happy day.
I hate this Arden, and have stronger motives
Than any you can urge to wish his death:
Nay, his fair, virtuous wife, on my account—
He has accus'd, insulted, struck me;
Green. If fame speaks true, you're to be en-

vied there.

Mos. The world will talk-But be that as it may: [friends-I want not cause, nor will, nor means, nor Green. Nor opportunity shall long be want

ing.

Mos. Enough: his fate is fix'd. See! Bradshaw's here.

Mos. A horrid character you give him, Bradshaw?

Brad. No worse than he deserves.
Mos. [Aside.] A useful hint:

He shall not want employment.-What's his

name?

Brad. Black Will. His family-name I never heard.

Mos. [To GREEN.] A word-write you a letter to Alicia:

Disguise your haud.-This honest fool may bear it.

Hint at these men.-In case her courage fail, She will be glad to shift the deed on them.

Enter BLACK WILL and SHAKEBAG.

B. Will. What, comrade Bradshaw! How fare you, man? S'blood! dost not remember honest Black Will? Why, thou'rt grown purse proud, sure.

Brad. Why, you're not easily forgotten, Will. But, pr'ythee, what brings thee to Feversham? B. Will. A soldier, you know, is at home wherever he comes. Omne solum forti patria. There's Latin-Give's a taster.

Brad. In time of peace we should apply to some honest creditable business, and not turn the name of soldier into vagabond.

B. Will. Yes, as you have done. I'm told, you keep a goldsmith's shop here in Feversham; and, like a mechanical rogue, live by cheating. I have more honour.

Brad. Would thou had'st honesty.

B. Will. Where do our honesties differ? I take a purse behind a hedge, and you behind

a counter.

Brad. Insolent slave !

B. Will. You cent. per cent. rascal! I may find a time to teach you better manners.

Brad. Go, mend thy own.

B. Will. Thou wert always a sneaking fellow, Bradshaw, and couldst never swear, nor get drunk. Come, shall I and my comrade Shakebag taste your ale?

Brad. My house entertains no such guests. Farewell, gentlemen.

Mos. Along with Bradshaw, And leave the management of these to me. [Aside to GREEN. Green. It shall be done.-Bradshaw, a word with thee. Brad. Your pardon, gentlemen. [Exeunt GREEN and BRAD. B. Will. He was a cadet in the last French like other soldiers then; but now he has war, got a nest, and feathered it a little, he pretends to reputation. S'blood! had this been a fit place, he had not 'scaped me so. You have surveyed us well. [To MOSBY.] How do you like us?

Mos. Methinks, I read truth, prudence, secrecy,

And courage, writ upon your manly brows. B. Will. What villany has this fellow in hand, that makes him fawn upon us? [Aside. Mos. I fear the world's a stranger to your merit. [ship If this may recommend me to your friend[Gives a purse. B. Will. Of what dark deed is this to be the wages?

Shake. Hast ever an elder brother's throat

fortunes.

He's jealous too of late, and threatens me. Love, int'rest, self-defence, all, ask bis death.

B. Will. This man you'd have dispatched?
Mos. I would.

B. Will. Rich, you say?
Mos. Immensely so.

B. Will. And much beloved?
Mos. By all degrees of men.

B. Will. 'George! this will be a dangerous piece of work.

Shake. Very dangerous. A man so known; and of his reputation too.

B. Will. And then the power and number of his friends must be considered.

Mos. What does your courage shrink al ready, Sirs?

Shake. No.

that sum,

And a good horse to further his escape. B. Will. Sir, will you have him murdered in a church?

Shake. Or on the altar; say the word, and it shall be done.

Mos. Some safer place, the street, highway, or fields,

Will serve my turn as well.
Shake. Just as you please.

Mos. Where may I find you, gentlemen?
B. Will. At Adam Fowl's, the Flower-de-
luce.

Mos. I have confederates in this design; When we have contriv'd the manner of his [death, I'll send you word.

B. Will. You'll find us always ready.
Mos. And determined?

B. Will. Ay, fear it not. Farewell.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A Room in ARDEN'S House.

Enter ALICIA, with a letter.

Alic. He doubts me; yet he dares not tell me so, But thus, by Green, whets my unsettled mind. [Reads. "Strike home, or not at all. In case you fail, We have found instruments, by means of Bradshaw."

He shall not find me undetermin'd now. Hark! Michael's on the watch.-If Arden sleeps, [word. (For so he seem'd dispos'd,) he'll bring me