ALICE

Husband what mean you to get up so early. Summer nights are short, and yet the rise ere day, Had I been wake you had not rise so soon, 'Tis like I was a sleep when I named him, For being awake he comes not in my thoughts: In steed of him? why, who was there but you, And where but one is, how can I mistake. Now I remember where upon it came, Had we no talk of Mosbie yesternight. And thereof came it, and therefore blame not me But tell me do you mean to stay there long? A month aye me, sweet Arden come again Within a day or two, or else I die. Ere noon he means to take horse and away: Sweet news is this, O that some airy spirit, Would in the shape and likeness of a horse Gallop with Arden cross the Ocean, And throw him from his back into the waves. Sweet Mosbie is the man that hath my heart: And he usurps it, having nought but this, That I am tied to him by marriage. Love is a God and marriage is but words, And therefore Mosbies title is the best, Tush whither it be or no, he shall be mine, In spite of him, of Hymen and of rites. Here enters Adam of the Flourdeluce. And here comes Adam of the flourdeluce, I hope he brings me tidings of my love. Now now Adam, what is the news with you? Be not afraid my husband is now from home. Not visit him? But tell me is he angree or displeased. Were he as mad as raving Hercules, I'll see him, I and were thy house of force. These hands of mine should raze it to the ground: isles that thou would't bring me to my love. Stay Adam, stay, thou Wertenberg wont to be my fr ̄ worser Ask Mosbie how I have incurred his wrath, Bear him from me these pair of silver dice: With which we played for kisses manya to me, And when I lost, I won, and so did he: Such winning and such losing, Ieue send me, And bid him if his love do not decline, Come this morning but along my door: And as a stranger, but salute me there, This may he do without suspect or fear. Do, and one day I'll make amends for all: I know he loves me well, but dares not come, Because my husband is so Jelious: And these my marrow prying neighbours blab, Hinder our meetings when we would confer. But if I live that block shall be removed, And Mosbie, thou that comes to me by stealth shalt neither fear the biting speech of men, Nor Ardens looks, as surely shall he die, as I abhor him, and love only Thee. Here enters Michael. Now now Michael, whither are you going? I But Michael see you keep your oath, And be as secret, as you are resolute. On that condition Michael here is my hand None shall have Mosbies sister but thy self. There's no such matter Michael believe it not, What needs all this, I say that Susan's thine But Michael see you do it cunningly. Trust not to that Michael. Yonder comes Mosbie, Michael get thee gone, And let not him nor any know thy drifts. Exit Michael. Mosbie my love, A word or two sweet heart, and then I will, 'Tis yet but early days, thou needest not fear. 'Tis now high water, and he is at the key. Is this the end of all thy solemn oaths? Is this the fruit thy reconcilement buds? Have I for this given Thee so many favours. Incurd my husbands hate, and out alas, Made shipwreck of mine honour for thy sake, And dost thou say hence forward know me not? Remember when I locked the in my closet, What were thy words and mine, did we not both Decree, to murder Arden in the night. The heavens can witness, and the world can tell, Before I saw that falsehood look of thine, Before I was tangled with thy tysing speech. Arden to me was dearer then my soul, And shall be still, base peasant get Thee gone. And boast not of thy conquest over me, Got by witchcraft, and mere sorcery. For what hast thou to countenance my love, being descended of a noble house, And matched already with a gentleman, Whose servant thou mayest be, and so farewell. What needs thou try me, whom thou never found false So list the Sailer to the Marmaids song, So looks the traveler to the Bau ̄ liske, I am content for to be reconcilde, And that I know will be mine overthrow. Nay Mosbie let me still enjoy thy love, And happen what will, I am resolute, My saving husband hoards up bags of gold, To make our children rich, and now is he Gone to unload the goods that shall be thine, And he and Franklin will to London straight. Ah, would we could. I but Mosbie that is dangerous, For thou or I, or any other else, Coming into the Chamber where it hangs, may die. It may not be, for when the picture's drawn, Arden I know will come and show it me. But Mosbie I'll have no such picture I: 'Tis pity but he should, heel use her well. Ah that thou couldst be secret, Yet nothing could enforce me to the deed, But Mosbies love, might I without control, Enjoy thee still, then Arden should not die: But seeing I cannot, therefore let him die. I such as might be put into his broth, And, yet in taste not to be found at all, As I am a gentle woman Clarke, next day Thou and Susan shall be married. In good time, see where my husband comes, Master Mosbie ask him the question your self. Husband fit down, your brekfast will be could, Husband why pause you, why eat you not, I did, and thats the cause it likes not you, Then she throws down the broth on the ground. The nothing that I do can please your taste. You were best to say I would have poisoned you, I cannot speak or cast aside my eye: But he Imagines, I have stepped awry. Heres he that you cast in my teeth so oft, Now will I be convinced, or purge my self, I charge thee speak to this mistrustful man, Thou that wouldst see me hang, thou M of buy thou, What favour hast thou had more then a kiss At coming or departing from the Town? Give me a spoon, I le eat of it my self, Would it were full of poison to the brim. Then should my cares and troubles have and end, Was ever silly woman so tormented? God will revenge it Arden if thou dost. For never woman loved her husband better, the ̄ I do thee, Forbear to wound me with that bitter word, Arden shall go to London in my arms. Wilt thou to London then, and leave me here, Ah if thou love me gentle Arden stay, Yet if thy business be of great Import Go if thou wilt I'll bear it as I may. But write from London to me every week, Nay every day, and stay no longer there Then thou must needs, least that I die for sorrow. Farewell Husbaud seeing yowl have it so. And M, Franklin, seeing you take him hence, In hope yowl hasten him home I'll give you this I am glad he is gone, he was about to stay. But did you mark me then how I brake of? Was it not a goodly poison that he gave? Why he's as well now, as he was before. It should have be some fine confection, That might have given the broth some dainty tasty, This powder was to gross and populos. Why so it shall Mosbie, albeit he live, Thou shalt not need I will importune Thee. What shall and oath make thee forsake my love? As if I have not sworn as much my self, And given my hand unto him in the church, Tush Mosbie oaths are words, and words is wind, And wind is mutable: then I conclude, 'Tis childishness to stand upon and oath, I do, and spare not his time is but short, For if thou be'st as resolute as I, Weel have him murdered, as he walks the streets: In London many alehouse Ruffians keep, Which as I hear will murder men for gold, They shall be soundly fed, to pay him home: Mosbie be gone, I hope 'tis one that comes To put in practice our intended drifts, What is it master Green? If that I may Or can, with safety, I will answer you. True master Green, the lands are his in state, And whatsoever leases were before, Are void for term of Master Ardens life: He hath the grant under the Chancery seal. Alas poor gentleman, I pity you, And woe is me that any man should want, God knows 'tis not my fault, but wonder not Though he be harden to others, when to me, Ah master Green, God knows how I am used, Ah M. Green be it spoken in secret here, I never live good day with him alone: When he is at home, then have I froward looks, Hard words and blows, to mend the match withal; And though I might content as good a man, Yet does he keep in every corner trulles, And weary with his trugges at home, Then rides he straight to London, there forsooth He reuelles it among such filthy ones, As counsels him to make a way his wife: Thus live I daily in continual fear: In sorrow, so despairing of redress As every day I wish with hearty prayer, That he or I were taken forth the world. But speak you as you think? Then master Green be counseled by me Indaunger not your self, for such a Churl, But hire some Cutter for to cut him short, And here's ten pound, to wager them with all, When he is dead you shall have twenty more. And the lands whereof my husband is possessed, Shall be intytled as they were before. Or count me false and periurde, while I live, Good Fortune follow all your forward thoughts Exit Green. And whosoever does attempt the deed, A happy hand I wish and so farewell. All this goes well, Mosbie I long for Thee To let thee know all that I have contrived, Such as will content thee well sweet heart, What M. Mosbie let him woo him self, Think you that maids look not for fair words, Go to her Clarke she's all alone within, Michael my man is clean out of her books. They be so good, that I must laugh for joy, Before I can begin to tell my tale, This morning M. Green, dick green I mean, From whom my husband had the Abbey land, Came hither rattling for to know the truth, Whither my husband had the la nds by grant, I told him all, where at he stormed a main, And S over he would cry quittance with the Churl, And if he did deny his enterest Stab him, whatsoever did befall him self, When as I saw his choler thus to rise, I whetted on the gentleman with words And to conclude, Mosbie, at last we grew To composition for my husbands death, I gave him ten pound to hire knaves, By some devise to make away the Churl: When he is dead, he should have twenty more, And repossess his former lands again, On this we greed, and he is ridden straight To London, to bring his death about. I sweet heart, be they not? I did it for the best. He is. Now now Clarke, have you found me false? Did I not plead the matter hard for you? You make her blush. Leave that to us, why Clarke, is it possible That you should paint and draw it out your self, The cullours being baleful and empoisoned, And no ways prejudice your self with all? Mosbie you know whose master of my heart, He well may be the master of the house. Eeunt, It is not love, that loves to murder love. Thou knowest how dearly Arden loved me. And then conceal the rest, for 'tis too bade, Least that my words be carried with the wind. And published in the world to both our shames, I pray Thee Mosbye let our springtime wither, Our harvest else will yeald but loathsome weeds. Forget I pray Thee what hath passed betwixt us, For now I blush and tremble at the thoughts, I to my former happy life again. From title of and odious strumpets name, To honest Ardens wife, not Ardens honest wife, Would Mosbye 'tis thou hast rifled me of that, And made me slaundrous to all my kin: Even in my forehead is thy name ingraueu, Ameane Artifiecer, that low born name, I was bewitched, woe worth the hapless hour, And all the causes that enchanted me: I now I see, and too soon find it true, Which often hath been told me by my Friends: That Mosbie loves me not but for my wealth, Which too incredulus I never believed. Nay hear me speak Mosbie a word or two, I'll bite my tongue, if it speak bitterly: Look on me Mosby, or I'll kill my self, Nothing shall hide me from thy stormy look: If thou cry war, there is no peace for me I will do penance for offending thee, And burn this prayer book, where I here use, The holy word that had converted me, See Mosbie I will tear away the leaves. And all the leaves, and in this golden cover, Shall thy sweet phrases, and thy letters dwell, And thereon will I chiefly meditate, And hold no other sect, but such devotion, Wilt thou not look? is all thy love ouerwhelmde? Wilt thou not hear? what malice stopes thine ears? Why speaks thou not? what silence ties thy tongue? Thou hast be sighted, as the eagle is, And herd as quickly as the fearful hare: And spoke as smoothly as and orator. When I have bid thee hear, or see, or speak. And art thou sensible in none of these? Weigh all thy good turns, with this little fault, And I deserve not Mosbies muddy looks. A fence of trouble is not thickened still, Be clear again, I'll never more trouble Thee, How now Bradshaw, whats the news with you Ah would it were, Then comes my happy hour. Till then my bliss is mixed with bitter gall. Come let us in to shun suspicion. I to the gates of death to follow thee. Exeunt. I thought you did pretend some special hunt, That made you thus cut short the time of rest. I such kind husbands seldom want excuses, Home is a wild Cat, to a wandering wit, The time hath be, would God it were not passed, That honours title nor a Lords command, Could once have drawn you from these arms of mine, But my deserts, or your deserves decay, Or both, yet if true love may seem desert, I merit still to have thy company. No, begged favour merits little thanks, If I should go, our house would run away, Or else be stolen, therefore I'll stay behind. No no, not now. That will be seen by your quick return. I'll lay my life, this is for susans love, Stayed you behind your M. to this end? Have you no other time to brabble in But now when serious matters are in hand? Say Clarke, hast thou done the thing thou promised? Then this I hope, if all the rest do fail, Will catch M. Arden, And make him wise in death, that lived a fool. Why should he thrust his Fickle in our corn, Or what hath he to do with thee my love? Or govern me that am to rule my self, Forsooth for credit sake I must leave thee. Nay he must leave to live, to live, that we may love, May live may love for what is life but love? And love shall last as long as life remains, And life shall end, before my love depart. Here's to pay for a fire and good cheer Get you to Feuershame to the flower deluce, Andrest your selves until some other time. First tell me how you Like my new device? Soon when my husband is returning back, You and I both marching arm in arm, Like loving friends wele meet him on the way. And boldly beard and brave him to his teeth: When words grow hight, and blows begin to rise, I'll call those cutters forth your tenement, Who in a manner to take up the fray, Shall wound my husband hornesbie to the death. I with a sugared kiss, let them untwine. Ah Arden what folly blinded thee? Ah Jelious harebrain man what hast thou done, When we to welcome thy intended sport. Came lovingly to meet thee on thy way. Thou drewest thy sword enraged with Jealousy, And hur e thy Friend, Whose thoughts were free from harm. All for a worthless kiss, and joining arms. Both done but mir ely to try thy patience. And me unhappy that devised the Jest, Which though begun in sport, yet ends in blood. Could thou not see us friendly smile on Thee. When we joined arms and when I kissed his cheek. Hast thou not lately found me over kind? Didst thou not hear me cry they murder thee. Called I not help to set my husband free: No, ears and all were witched, ah me accursed, To link in liking with a frantic man, Hence forth I'll be thy slave, no more thy wife: For with that name I never shall content thee. If He merry thou straight ways thinks me light. If sad thou sattest the sullens trouble me. If well attired thou thinks I will be gadding, If homely, I seem sluttish in thine eye. Thus am I still, and shall be whill I die, Poor wench abused by thy misgovernment, The heavens can witness of our harmless thoughts Nay hadst thou loved me as thou dost pretend, Thou wouldst have marked the speeches of thy friend, Who going wounded from the palce, he said His skin was peirst only through my devise, And if sad so row taint thee for this fault, Thou wouldst have followed him, and seen him dressed, And cried him mercy whom thou hast misdone, Near shall my heart be cased till this be done. Why canst thou prove I have be disloyal. I after he had reviled him, By the iniuryous name of periurde beast, He knew no wrong could spite and Jelious man, More then the hateful naming of the horn. A fault confessed is more then half a mends, But men of such ill spirit as your self. Work crosses and debates betwixt man and wife. Ah gentle Michael art thou sure their friends Ah gentle Michael, run thou back again, And when my husband walks into the fair, Bid Mosbie steal from him, and come to me. And this night shall thou and Susan be made sure, And as thou goest, tell John cook of our guests, And bid him lay it on, spare for no coast. Exit Michael. And welcome shall you be, ah gentlemen, Now must you of your purpose yesternight? I but I wonder why you both stood still. Ah sirs had he yesternight be slain, For every drop of his detested blood, I would cranime in Angels in thy fist. And kissed thee too, and hugd thee in my arms. It is unpossible, but here comes he, That will I hope invent some surer means. Sweet Mosbie hide thy arm, it kills my heart. Ah say not so for when I saw thee hurt, I could have took the weapon thou lettest fallen, And cunne at Arden, for I have sworn, That these mine eyes offended with his sighed, Shall never close, till Ardens be shut up, This night I rose and walked about the chamber. And twice or thrice, I thought to have murdered him, That will I do, thou'st keep the key thy self. Take no care for that, send you him home. Exeunt Mosbie and Green. And if he ere go forth again, blame me, Come black Will that in mine eyes art fair, Next unto Mosbie do I honour Thee, Instead of fair words and large promises, My hands shall play you golden harmony, Now Like you this? say, will you do it sirs? A fine device, you shall have twenty pound, And when he is dead, you shall have forty more. And least you might be suspected staying here, Michael shall saddle you two lusty geldings. Ride whither you will to Scotland or to Wales. He see you shall not lack, where ere you be. Here would I stay, and still encourage you, But that I know how resolute you are. But Mosbie will be there, whose very looks, Will and unwonted courage to my thought, And make me the first that shall adventure on him, Ah, would be now were here, that it might open I shaling more be closed in Ardens arms, That like the snakes of black Tisiphone, Sting me with their enbraceings, mosbies arms Shall compass me, and were I made a star, I would have none other spheres but those. There is no nedor, but in Mosbies lypes, Had chased Diana kissed him, she Like me Would grow love sick, and from her watery bower, Fling down Endymion and snath him up: Then blame not me, that stay a silly man, Not half so lovely as Endymion. Who comes with him. Thats will Michael, fetch in the tables, And when thou hast done, stand before the countinghouse door. Black will is locked within, to do the deed. I Michael Yes for she'll be as seereete as our selves. But Michael hark to me a word or two, When my husband is come in lock the street door: He shall be murdered or the guests come in. Exit mic, Here enters Arden & Mosbie. Husband what mean you to bring mosby home? Although I wished you to be reconciled, It more for fear of you, then love of him, Black Will and Green, are his companions, And they are cutters, and may cut you short, Therefore I thought it good to make you friends. But wherefore do you bring him hither now, You have given me my supper with his sighed, I pray you be not angree or displeased I'll bid him welcome sing yowl have it so, You are welcome M. Mosbie will you fit down. And if I do not, sir think I have cause. We shall have guests enough, though you go hence Yes I pray you husband let him swear, And on that condition Mosbie pledge me here. It will by then you have played a game at tables, What, groans thou? nay then give me y weapon ̄ , Take this for hindering Mosbies love and mine. First lay the body in the countinghouse. Mosbie go thou & bear them company. Exit. M. And susan fetch water and wash away this blood, But with my nails isle scrape away the blood, The more I strive the more the blood appears: Because I blush not at my husbands death. It thou that made me murder him, Nay nothing Mosbie so it be not known. Ah but I can not, was he not stain by me, My husbands death torments me at the heart. Ah M. Green, did you see my husband lately, I do not Like this being out so late, M. Franklin where did you leave my husband. I so they shall, M. Bradshaw fit you there, I pray you be content, I'll have my will. M. Mosbie fit you in my husbands seat. My husband? Ah neighbours a sudden qualm came over my heart My husbands being forth torments my mind. I know some thing's amiss, he is not well. Or else I should have herd of him ere now. Tell not me, I know he is not well, He was not wont for to stay thus late. Good M. 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. Michael how shall I do to rid the rest away? Michael bring them to the doors, but do not stay, You know I do not love to be alone. Go Susan and bid thy brother come, But wherefore should he come? Here is nought but fear. Stay Susan stay, and help to counsel me. See Susan where thy quandam Master lies, Sweet Arden smeard in blood and filthy gore. Sweet Mosbie art thou come? Then weep that will. I have my wish in that I joy thy sighed. I but he can not prove it for his life, Wele spend this night in dalliance and in sport. Make the door fast, let them not come in, Out at the back door, over the pile of wood. And for one night lie at the flower deluce, You are deceived, it was a Londoner, I am glad it is no worse. Why M. Mayor think you I harbour any such? Ah, by whom? M. Franklin can you tell? Find out the Murderers let them be known, Wherefore? It is the pigs blood we had to supper. But wherefore stay you? find out the murderers. Ah but for thee I had never been strumpet What can not oaths and prote stations do? When men have opportunity to woe. I was too young to found thy villainies. But now I find it, and repent too late. But I will damn that fire in my breast. Till by the force thereof, my partly consume, ah Mosbie. Sweet Mosbie is as gentle as a King, And I too blind, to judge him otherwise, Flowers do some times spring in fallow lands, Weeds in gardens, Roses grow on thorns. So what so ere my Mosbies father was, Himself valued gentle by his worth. Go in Bradshaw call for a cuppe-of bear. Exit 'Tis almost suppertime, thou shalt stay with us. Then she reads the Letter. We have missed of our purpose at London, but shall perform it by the way, We thank our neighbour Bradshaw. Yours Richard Green. We have missed of our purpose at London, but shall perform it by the way, We thank our neighbour Bradshaw. How likes my love the tenor of this letter? Help help, they murder my husband. Why, how long shall he live? But what of all this? Now shall he be stain? You may enforce me to it, if you will. But I had rather die then bid him welcome, Die company hath purchest me ill friends. And therefore will I never frequent it more. I pray you meddle with that you have to do. Not yet Will, take heed he see thee not? Come susan help to lift his body forth, And let our salt tears be his obsequies. Why take that way that M. Mosbie doth, But first convey the body to the fields. Now let the indge and juries do their worst, My house is clear, and now I sear them not. Peace fool, the snow will cover them again. Hark hark, they knock, go Michael let them in. Here enters the Mayor and the Watch. Now now M. Mayor, have you brought my husband home I know none such, what mean these questions I search and spare you not, through every room, Were my husband at home, you would not offer this, Here enters Franklin. M. Franklin what mean you come so sad. It is a cup of Wine that Michael shed. Ah M. Franklin God and heaven can tell, I loved him more then all the world beside. But bring me to him let me see his body. Arden sweet husband, what shall I say? The more I found his name, the more he bleeds. This blood condemns me, and in gushing forth Speaks as it falls, and asks me why I did it, Forgive me Arden, I repent me now, And would my death save thine, thou shouldst not die, Rise up sweet Arden and enjoy thy love. And frown not on me when we meet in heaven, In heaven I love thee, though on earth I did not, What should I say? You brought me such a letter. But I dare swear thou knewest not the contents. Leave now to trouble me with wordly things. And let me meditate upon my saviour Christ, Whose blood must save me for the blood I shed, Let my death make a mends for all my sins, The doors are open sir, you may be gone. 'Tis true, & seeing it partly through my means I am content to drink to him for this once. Here M. Mosbie, and I pray you hence forth, Be you as strange to me, as I to you Your company hath purchased me ill Friends. And I for you God knows, have undeserved Been ill spoken of in every place. Therefore henceforth frequent my house no more. I well, if Arden were alive again. In vain we strive, for here his blood remains, I one of them, what mean such questions. Then with thy lips seal up this new made match