Enter Helena and Widow. Hel. If you misdoubt me that I am not she, I know not how I shall assure you further, But I shall lose the grounds I work upon. Wid. Though my estate be fallen, I was well born, 5 Nothing acquainted with these businesses; And would not put my reputation now In any staining act. Hel. Nor would I wish you. First, give me trust, the count he is my husband, And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken 10 Is so from word to word; and then you cannot, By the good aid that I of you shall borrow, Err in bestowing it. Wid. I should believe you; For you have show'd me that which well approves You're great in fortune. Hel. Take this purse of gold, 15 And let me buy your friendly help thus far, Which I will over-pay and pay again When I have found it. The count he wooes your daughter, Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty, Resolved to carry her: let her in fine consent, 20 As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it. Now his important blood will nought deny That she'll demand: a ring the county wears, That downward hath succeeded in his house From son to son, some four or five descents 25 Since the first father wore it: this ring he holds In most rich choice; yet in his idle fire, To buy his will, it would not seem too dear, Howe'er repented after. Wid. Now I see The bottom of your purpose. 30 Hel. You see it lawful, then: it is no more, But that your daughter, ere she seems as won, Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter; In fine, delivers me to fill the time, Herself most chastely absent: after this, 35 To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns To what is past already. Wid. I have yielded: Instruct my daughter how she shall persever, That time and place with this deceit so lawful May prove coherent. Every night he comes 40 With musics of all sorts and songs composed To her unworthiness: it nothing steads us To chide him from our eaves; for he persists As if his life lay on't. Hel. Why then to-night Let us assay our plot; which, if it speed, 45 Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed, And lawful meaning in a lawful act, Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact: But let's about it. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene vii.] Scene xii. Pope.

[5] businesses] basenesses Anon. conj.

[8, 17] count he] county Edd. conj.

[8] is] his F2

[14] You're] Y'are Ff. You are Capell.

[17] he] om. Pope.

[19] Resolved] Collier (Egerton MS.). Resolve F1. Resolves F2 F3 F4.

in fine] om. Rowe (ed. 2).

[20] how 'tis] how, 'tis Warburton.

[21] his important] F1 F2. this important F3 F4. this importurate Rowe (ed. i). his importunate Rowe (ed. 2).

[22] county wears] countie weares F1. county weares F2 F3. count wears F4. count does wear Rowe. See note (xiv).

[28, 29] Now ... purpose] As in Capell. As one line in Ff. Now do I see ... purpose (as one line) Hanmer.

[34] after this] F2 F3 F4. after F1. afterwards Collier conj.

[36] past] pact Anon. conj.

[40] musics] Musickes F1 F2. Musicks F3. Musick F4.

[41] steads] F4. steeds F1 F2 F3.

[42] eaves] Hanmer. eeves Ff.

[46] And lawful] Unlawful Hanmer.

lawful act] wicked act Warburton. lawless act Anon. conj.