Part 17

Fri. Shee must never know That you know any thing of any love Sustain'd on her part: for, learne this of me, In any thing a woman does alone, If she dissemble, she thinks tis not done; 230 If not dissemble, nor a little chide, Give her her wish, she is not satisfi'd; To have a man think that she never seekes Does her more good than to have all she likes: This frailty sticks in them beyond their sex, 235 Which to reforme, reason is too perplex: Urge reason to them, it will doe no good; Humour (that is the charriot of our food In every body) must in them be fed, To carrie their affections by it bred. 240 Stand close!

Enter Tamyra with a book.

Tam. Alas, I fear my strangenesse will retire him. If he goe back, I die; I must prevent it, And cheare his onset with my sight at least, And that's the most; though every step he takes 245 Goes to my heart. Ile rather die than seeme Not to be strange to that I most esteeme.

Fri. Madam!

Tam. Ah!

Fri. You will pardon me, I hope, That so beyond your expectation, (And at a time for visitants so unfit) 250 I (with my noble friend here) visit you: You know that my accesse at any time Hath ever beene admitted; and that friend, That my care will presume to bring with me, Shall have all circumstance of worth in him 255 To merit as free welcome as myselfe.

Tam. O father, but at this suspicious houre You know how apt best men are to suspect us In any cause that makes suspicious shadow No greater than the shadow of a haire; 260 And y'are to blame. What though my lord and husband Lie forth to night, and since I cannot sleepe When he is absent I sit up to night; Though all the dores are sure, and all our servants As sure bound with their sleepes; yet there is One 265 That wakes above, whose eye no sleepe can binde: He sees through dores, and darknesse, and our thoughts; And therefore as we should avoid with feare To think amisse our selves before his search, So should we be as curious to shunne 270 All cause that other think not ill of us.

Buss. Madam, 'tis farre from that: I only heard By this my honour'd father that your conscience Made some deepe scruple with a false report That Barrisors blood should something touch your honour, 275 Since he imagin'd I was courting you When I was bold to change words with the Duchesse, And therefore made his quarrell, his long love And service, as I heare, beeing deepely vowed To your perfections; which my ready presence, 280 Presum'd on with my father at this season For the more care of your so curious honour, Can well resolve your conscience is most false.

Tam. And is it therefore that you come, good sir? Then crave I now your pardon and my fathers, 285 And sweare your presence does me so much good That all I have it bindes to your requitall. Indeed sir, 'tis most true that a report Is spread, alleadging that his love to me Was reason of your quarrell; and because 290 You shall not think I faine it for my glory That he importun'd me for his Court service, I'le shew you his own hand, set down in blood, To that vaine purpose: good sir, then come in. Father, I thank you now a thousand fold. 295 Exit Tamyra and D'Amb.

Fri. May it be worth it to you, honour'd daughter! Descendit Fryar.

Finis Actus Secundi.

LINENOTES:

1-49 He will . . . bloud. These lines and the direction, Montsur . . . Pyrha, are found in A only.

50 B, which begins the scene with this line, inserts before it: Enter Monsieur, Tamyra, and Pero with a booke.

71 joyning a lose. A, weighing a dissolute.

76 common. A, solemne.

135 honour. A, profit.

146 In . . . another. A omits.

147 wane. Emend., Dilke; Qq, wave.

158 yee. A, the.

172 which. A, that.

173 For life's . . . me. A, For love is hatefull without love againe.

The Vault opens. B places this after 173; A omits.

177-181 See . . . in. Instead of these lines, A has:--

See, see the gulfe is opening that will swallow Me and my fame forever; I will in.

with a book. A omits.

266 wakes. A, sits.

274 Made some deepe scruple. A, Was something troubled.