I wou'd have follow'd thee thro' beggary; For that's the only bed that's left me now. [Weeping What's to be done-for something must be done. Two husbands! yet not one! by both enjoy'd That welcome all they meet, make just such wives. The virtuous pride of an uncensur'd life; Therefore no-morow: ha! a lucky thought But keep me warm-no matter what can come. BIRON meets ber. Bir. Despair! and rest for ever! Isabella! These words are far from thy condition; And be they ever so. I heard thy voice, And could not bear thy absence: Come, my love! Isa. I am contented to be miserable. But not this way: I've been too long abus'd, Let me sleep on, to be deceiv'd no more. Bir. Look up, my love, I never did deceive thee, Isa. And me to my undoing: I look round, And find no path, but leading to the grave. Bir. I cannot understand thee. Isa. My good friends above, Ithank 'em, have at last found out a way Isa. Hope is a lying, fawning flatterer, A trusted friend, who only can betray you ; Are made in heav'n, they should be happier: Bir. Has marriage made thee wretched? Isa. Why! what did I say ? Bir. That I have made thee miserable. Isa. No; you are my only earthly happiness; Bir. And yet you said, Your marriage made you miserable Isa. I know what I said: I've said too much unless I could speak all. Bir. Thy words are wild; my eyes, my ears, my heart, Were all so full of thee, so much employ'd In wonder of thy charms, I could not find it ; Now I perceive it plain Isa. You'll tell no body— Bir. Thou art not well. Isa. Indeed, I am not; I knew that before, But where's the remedy? [Distractedly, Bir. Rest will relieve thy cares: come, come; no more; I'll banish sorrow from thee. Isa. Banish first the cause. Bir. Heav'n knows how willingly. Isa You are the only cause. Bir. Am I the cause? the cause of thy misfortunes? Bir. Is this my welcome home? this the reward of Of all my miseries long labours, pains, Bir. What! canst thou leave me too? For both our sakes, permit me Bir. Rack me not with imaginations Of things impossible too soon. Thou cans't not mean What thou hast said-Yet something she must mean. Let us to bed, Isa. To bed! you've rais'd the storm As sometimes you have thought me, on my knees, Clear of all crimes, that thus can banish me From this world's comforts, in my losing you. Isa. The rugged hand of fate has got between Bir. Nothing shall ever part us. Isa. Parting's the least that is set down for me: Bir I know thee innocent: I know myself so: Be deaf to that, as heav'n has been to me! When thou shalt here how much thou hast been wrong'd, Tear Tear me from the warm bosom of thy love [Exit. What can she mean these doubtings will distract me: I cannot bear it!I must be satisfied 'Tis she, my wife, must clear this darkness to me. She shall-If the sad tale at last must come ; I She is my fate, and best can speak my doom. ACT V. SCENE I. Enter BIRON, Nurse following him. BIRON. Know enough tho' important question Is clear'd to me: I see where it must end; Of all ill stars combin'd, of heav'n, and fate- [Exit. LExit Nurse, My My Isabella-O, my wife no more! Works always sure, and best can close mine eyes. [Exit Biron. Nurse. Here's strange things towards, Sampson: what will be the end of 'em, do you think? Samp. Nay, mairy Nurse, I can't see so far; but the law, I believe, is on Biren, the first husband's side. Nurse. Yes; no question he has the law on his side. Samp. 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. Av, so it does; and our lady has not been a widow altogether seven years. Samp. Why then, Nurse, mark my words, and say I told you so the man must have his mare again, and all wilt do well. Nurse. But if our master Villeroy comes back again Samp. 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. Samp. 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, |