I promise ye, it made me half afraid You were not well. Jane. Trust me, nor sick nor well, But troubled still with the disease I told ye. Mrs. Bla. But will no answer serve? Jane. No, mistress Blague; no answer will suffice. My husband grieves: alas! how can he choose? And when he cannot come (for him) he writes, And all to win me to his princely will. Mrs. Bla. Believe me, Mistress Shore, a dangerous case; And every way replete with doubtful fear. If you should yield, your virtuous name were soiled, And if not yield, 'tis likely that his love, Good mistress Shore, do what ye will for me. Jane. Then counsel me what I were best to do. Mrs. Bla. You know, his greatness can dispense with ill, Making the sin seem lesser by his worth; And you yourself, your children, and your friends, And this world's pomp, you know, 's a goodly thing. Yet I will not be she shall counsel ye : Good mistress Shore, do what ye will for me. Mrs. Bla. So we do say, dishonour is no shame, Whose beck disperseth ev'n the greatest harms. Good mistress Shore, do what ye will for me. Jane. Here do I live, although in mean estate, To be a goldsmith's wife is some content; Good Mistress Shore, do what ye will for me. Jane. Oh, that I knew which were the best of twain, Which for I do not, I am sick with pain! Enter her Boy. How now, sir boy, what is the news with you? Boy. The gentleman, forsooth, the other day, That would have bought the jewel at our stall, Is here to speak with ye. Jane. Oh, God! it is the King. Good mistress Blague, withdraw ye from this place : I'll come anon, so soon as he is gone. And, sirrah, get you to the shop again. [Exit Boy. Mrs. Bla. Now, mistress Shore, bethink ye what to do. Such suitors come not ev'ry day to woo. Enter the King, in his former disguise. [Exit. King. Thou may'st convict me, beauty's pride, of boldness, That I intrude like an unbidden guest; But, Love being guide, my fault will seem the less. Jane. Most welcome to your subject's homely roof! The foot, my sovereign, seldom doth offend, Unless the heart some other hurt intend. King. The most thou see'st is hurt unto myself: King. The want of thee, fair Cynthia, is the cause. Jane. I may not wander. He, that guides my car, Is an immoved, constant, fixed Star. King. But I will give that Star a Comet's name, And shield both thee and him from further blame. Jane. How if the Host of Heav'n at this abuse Repine? who can the prodigy excuse? King. It lies within the compass of my power, King. Blame not the time. joy! Thou shalt have cause to Jane, in the ev'ning I will send for thee, And thou and thine shall be advanc'd by me : [Exit. Jane. Well, I will in; and ere the time begin, Learn how to be repentant for my sin. [Exit. SCENE II.—The Mayor's House. Enter Lord Mayor, Shore, and Emebsley. Mayor. But, cousin Shore! are ye assured it was the King you saw in such disguise? Shore. Do I know you, the uncle of my wife? Know I Frank Emersley, her brother here? So surely do I know that counterfeit And that his majesty, in such disguise, Please to survey the manner of our city, Or what occasion else ma like himself: Methinks you have small reason, brother Shore, Mayor. Oh, I have found him now. Because my niece, his wife, is beautiful, I know not, cousin, how she may be chang'd, From the fair carriage of her wonted course; If now some giddy fancy in your brain. Shore. Uncle, you are too forward in your rage, As you or any that it can concern. |