University of Virginia Library

Scena quinta.

Enter Arsinoe and Thisbe.
Ars.
My old acquaintance welcome, welcome Thisbe.

This.
Thanks good Arsinoe, will you teach me now
A lesson on the Virginals?

Ars.
You jeere me,
I faine would learne of you: but prethee tell me
What businesse brought thee hither?

This.
I will tell thee,
You know Feledemus the dauncer

Ars.
Yes.

This.
We too must daunce la volta here to night,
Let's have a chamber and a bed made ready
Sweet sister, for I've promis'd him this night
He shall come first, and I will follow after,
Assoone as I to bed have brought my mistris.

Ars.
All things shall be according to thy wish,
My better halfe.

This.
But when he comes I pray you
Be out the way, for he is very shame-fac'd
As being a novice in this art.

Ars.
Is he
Not entred yet?

This.
Not yet I can assure yee,
His flower is yet to spend and strength of youth.

Ars.
That flower thou soone wilt crop, and wast the seed.

This.
In time I may, at night expect me sister.

Ars.
Ile waite you home.

This.
If this my plot doe hit
Nere was the like devis'd by womans wit.

Exeunt.
Enter Demeneta, and Thisbe againe with a candle.
Thisbe.

Come mistris, let me make you unreadie instantlie, all
that I promised you is done, I will goe fetch young Cnemon
unto you who is making merrie here by, and returne suddenlie,
lye downe, take your pleasure and say nothing.

Exit Thisbe.

Enter Thisbe followed by Aristippus.
This.
Bind the adulterer fast master.
With that she ran to the doore and made it give so great a crash as she could, crying out in this manner:

O wonderfull thing, the villaine is fled, take heed sir that you
be not againe deceived.

Arist.

Peace be of good cheere, I have this wicked and mischievous
woman which I most desired.

O thou much hated of the gods, I have thee
And all thy shame about thee, come thou shalt
With me unto the City, to receive
What punishment the lawes allot to such
As live unchast, and wrong their husbands bed,
Which is no lesse then death.

Aristippus dragges her along, but she pulling herselfe out of the old mans hands, fell suddenlie of purpose into a pit made in the stage, and so ended her life.
Aristip.
See Thisbe, is she dead?

This.
Oh yes, her necke
Is broaken sir.

Aristip.
Then hath thy punishment
Prevented what the law should have inflicted;
Ile to the people and declare this matter,
And with my friends consult what meanes to use
For to call home my sonne from banishment,
Whose truth and innocence doth open lie
By this unheard of strange discovery.

Exeunt.