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Enter BIRON, Nurse following him.
Biron. I know enough; th' important question
Of life or death, fearful to be resolv'd,
Is clear'd to me: I see where it must end;
And need inquire no more- -Pray let me have
Pen, ink, and paper; I must write awhile,
And then I'll try to rest- -to rest for ever!
[Exit Nurse.

Poor Isabella! now I know the cause,
The cause of thy distress, and cannot wonder
That it has turn'd thy brain. If I look back
Upon thy loss, it will distract me too.
Oh, any curse but this might be remov'd!
But 'twas the rancorous malignity

Of all ill stars combin'd, of heav'n, and fate-
Hold, hold, my impious tongue-Alas! I rave:
Why do I tax the stars, or heav'n, or fate?
They are all innocent of driving us

Into despair; they have not urg'd my doom;

My father and my brother are my fates,
That drive me to my ruin. They knew well
I was alive. Too well they knew how dear
My Isabella- -Oh, my wife no more!

How dear her love was to me-Yet they stood,
With a malicious, silent joy, stood by,
And saw her give up all my happiness,
The treasure of her beauty to another;
Oh, cruel father! and unnat❜ral brother!
I have but to accuse you of my wrongs,
And then to fall forgotten-Sleep or death
Sits heavy on me, and benumbs my pains:
Either is welcome; but the hand of death
Works always sure, and best can close my eyes. [Exit.
Re-enter Nurse and SAMPSON.

Nurse. Here's strange things towards, Sampson: what will be the end of 'em, do you think?

Sam. Nay, marry, nurse, I can't see so far; but the law, I believe, is on Biron, the first husband's side. Nurse. Yes; no question, he has the law on his side. Sam. For I have heard the law says, a woman must be a widow all out seven years before she can marry again according to law.

Nurse. Ay, so it does; and our lady has not been a widow altogether seven years.

Sam. Why then, nurse, mark my words, and say I told you so: the man must have his wife again, and all will do well.

Nurse. But if our master, Villeroy, comes back again

Sam. Why if he does, he is not the first man that has had his wife taken from him.

Nurse. For fear of the worst, will you go to the old count, desire him to come as soon as he can; there may be mischief, and he is able to prevent it.

Sam. Now you say something; now I take you, nurse; that will do well indeed: mischief should be prevented a little thing will make a quarrel, when there's a woman in the way. I'll about it instantly.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. BIRON is discovered asleep on a Couch.

Enter ISABELLA.

Isa. Asleep so soon! Oh, happy! happy thou, Who thus can sleep! I never shall sleep moreIf then to sleep be to be happy, he Who sleeps the longest, is the happiest ; Death is the longest sleep-Oh, have a care! Mischief will thrive apace. Never wake more. [To Biron. If thou didst ever love thy Isabella, To-morrow must be doomsday to thy peace. -The sight of him disarms ev'n death itself; And pleasure grows again With looking on him

But is a look enough for
Sure I may take a kiss-

Help, help me, Villeroy!

-Let me look my last-
parting love?

-Where am I going!
-Mountains and seas

Divide your love, never to meet my shame.

[Throws herself upon the Floor; after a short Pause, she raises herself upon her Elbow.

What will this battle of the brain do with me?

This little ball, this ravag'd province, long

Cannot maintain

What noise was that? A knocking at the gate!

It may be Villeroy

-No matter who.

Biron. Come, Isabella, come.-—————

Isa. Hark! I'm call'd!

Biron. You stay too long from me.

Isa. A man's voice! in my bed! How came he there?

Nothing but villany in this bad world;

Here's physic for your fever.

[Rises.

[Draws a Dagger, and goes backward to the Couch.

If husbands' go to heav'n,

Where do they go that send 'em?-This to try[As she is going to stab him he rises; she knows him, and shrieks.

What do I see!

Biron. Isabella, arm'd!

Isa. Against my husband's life!
Biron. Thou didst not think it.

Isa. Madness has brought me to the gates of hell, And there has left

3.

Biron. Why dost thou fly me so?

Isa. I cannot bear his sight; distraction, come,
Possess me all, and take me to thyself!

Shake off thy chains, and hasten to my aid;-
Thou art my only cure-

[Running out. Biron. Poor Isabella, she's not in a condition To give me any comfort, if she could:

Lost to herself

-as quickly I shall be

To all the world- -Horrors come fast around me;
My mind is overcast-the gath'ring clouds
Darken the prospect-I approach the brink,
And soon must leap the precipice! Oh, heav'n!
While yet my senses are my own; thus kneeling,
Let me implore thy mercies on my wife;
Release her from her pangs; and if my reason,
O'erwhelm'd with miseries, sink before the tempest,
Pardon those crimes despair may bring upon me.

Enter Nurse.

[Rises.

[Exit Nurse.

Nurse. Sir, there's somebody at the door must needs speak with you; he won't tell his name. Biron. I'll come to him. 'Tis Belford, I suppose; he little knows Of what has happen'd here; I wanted him; I must employ his friendship, and then

SCENE III. The Street.

Enter CARLOS, with three Ruffians.

Car. A younger brother! I was one too long,
Not to prevent my being so again.

We must be sudden. Younger brothers are
But lawful bastards of another name,

Thrust out of their nobility of birth
And family, and tainted into trades.
Shall I be one of them-Bow, and retire,
To make more room for the unwieldy heir.
To play the fool in? No

[Exit.

But how shall I prevent it?-Biron comes
To take possession of my father's love-
Would that were all; there's a birthright too
That he will seize. Besides, if Biron lives,
He will unfold some practices, which I
Cannot well answer-therefore he shall die;
This night must be dispos'd of: I have means
That will not fail my purpose.-Here he comes.
Enter BIRON.

Biron. Ha! am I beset? I live but to revenge me.
[They surround him, fighting.

Enter VILLEROY, with two Servants; they rescue him; CARLOS and his Party fly.

Vil. How are you, sir? Mortally hurt, I fear. Take care, and lead him in.

Biron. I thank you for the goodness, sir; though 'tis Bestow'd upon a very wretch; and death,

Though from a villain's hand, had been to me
An act of kindness, and the height of mercy-
But I thank you, sir.

[He is led in.

SCENE IV. The Inside of the House.

Enter ISABELLA.

Isa. Murder my husband! Oh! I must not dare To think of living on: my desperate hand

In a mad rage may offer it again:

Stab me any where but there.

Here's room enough

In my own breast, to act the fury in,

The proper scene of mischief.

[Going to stab herself; Villeroy runs in and prevents her, by taking the Dagger from her.

Vil. Angels defend and save thee!

Attempt thy precious life!

Lay

violent hands upon thy innocent self!

Isa. Swear I am innocent, and I'll believe you. What would you have with me? Pray let me go. -Are you there, sir? You are the very man Have done all this-You would have made

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