University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The street before Arden's door.
Mosby
alone.
The morning's dark, and horrid, as my purpose.—
Thrice have my snares been laid for Arden's life,
And thrice hath he escap'd.—I am not safe:
The living may revenge.—Oh! cou'd I win
Alicia to conspire her husband's fall,
Then might I say, security, thou'rt mine,
And laugh at all to come.—For other instruments,
There's Green: he bears him hard about this suit
For th'abbey-lands, to which the hot youth pleads
Some fancy'd right.—Michael, the trencher-fav'rite;
A bastard, bred of Arden's charity:
He has been privy to our secret joys,
And, on that trust presuming, loves my sister—
Winks at adultery, and may at murder.
Maria is his price. I've plac'd her here,
Companion of my sweet Alicia's hours,
To spread her charms for ever in his eye:
To her are all my visits. But Alicia—
She must, she shall comply: when to my arms
Her honour she resign'd, her fond reluctance whisper'd,
She cou'd deny me nothing.—This to try.

[Exit into Arden's house.