Act 5 — [Scene IV.][2904]

Frank. Soft, soft! We ’ve tied our geldings to a tree, Two flight-shot[2905] off, lest by their thundering hoofs They blab our coming back. Hear’st thou no noise? Nich. Hear? I hear nothing but the owl and you. Frank. So; now my watch’s hand points upon twelve,5 And it is dead midnight. Where are my keys? Nich. Here, sir. Frank. This is the key that opes my outward gate; This, the hall-door; this, the withdrawing-chamber;9 But this, that door that’s bawd unto my shame, Fountain and spring of all my bleeding thoughts, Where the most hallowed order and true knot Of nuptial sanctity hath been profan’d. It leads to my polluted bed-chamber, Once my terrestrial heaven, now my earth’s hell,15 The place where sins in all their ripeness dwell.— But I forget myself; now to my gate! Nich. It must ope with far less noise than Cripplegate, or your plot’s dash’d. Frank. So; reach me my dark lantern to the rest!20 Tread softly, softly! Nich. I will walk on eggs this pace. Frank. A general silence hath surpris’d the house. And this is the last door. Astonishment, Fear, and amazement, beat upon my heart, Even as a madman beats upon a drum.25 Oh, keep my eyes, you Heavens, before I enter, From any sight that may transfix my soul; Or, if there be so black a spectacle, Oh, strike mine eyes stark blind; or if not so, Lend me such patience to digest my grief,30 That I may keep this white and virgin hand From any violent outrage, or red murder!— And with that prayer I enter. [Exeunt into the house.]