WIFE. See now, I chid thee When I least thought upon thee; thou'rt my best hand; I cannot be without thee. Thus then, sirrah: To beat away suspicion from the thoughts Of under-listening servants 'bout the house, I have advis'd Votarius at fit time Boldly to force his way into my chamber, The admittance being denied him, and the passage Kept strict by thee, my necessary woman. (La! there I should have miss'd thy help again!) At which attempt I'll take occasion To dissemble such an anger, that the world Shall ever after swear us to their thoughts As clear and free from any fleshly knowledge, As nearest kindred are, or ought to be, Or what can more express it, if that fail'd. LEO. You know I'm always at your service, madam, But why some privy armour? WIFE. Marry, sweetheart, The best is yet forgotten; thou shalt have A weapon in some corner of the chamber, Yonder, or there-- LEO. Or anywhere: why, i' faith, madam, Do you think I'm to learn how[469] to hang a weapon? As much as I'm incapable of what follows! I've all your mind without book: think it done, madam. WIFE. Thanks, my good wench, I'll never call thee worse. [_Exit_ WIFE. LEO. Faith, you're like to have't again, an' you do, madam. _Enter_ BELLARIUS. BEL. What, art alone? LEO. Curse me, what makes you here, sir? You're a bold long-nos'd fellow. BEL. How! LEO. So my lady says. Faith, she and I have had a bout for you, sir, But she got nothing by't. BEL. Did not I say still, thou wouldst be too adventurous! LEO. Ne'er a whit, sir. I made her glad to seek my friendship first. BEL. By my faith, that show'd well; if you come off So brave a conqueress, to't again, and spare not, I know not which way you should get more honour. LEO. She trusts me now to cast a mist, forsooth, Before the servants' eyes. I must remember Votarius to come once with privy armour Into her chamber, when with a feign'd fury And rapier drawn, which I must lay a-purpose Ready for her dissemblance, she will seem T' act wonders for her juggling honesty. BEL. I wish no riper vengeance! can'st conceive me? Votarius is my enemy. LEO. That's stale news, sir. BEL. Mark what I say to thee! forget of purpose That privy armour; do not bless his soul With so much warning, nor his hated body With such sure safety. Here express thy love; Lay some empoisoned weapon next her hand, That in that play he may be lost for ever; I'd have him kept no longer, away with him. One touch will set him flying: let him go. LEO. Bribe me but with a kiss; it shall be so. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II. _Enter_ TYRANT, _wondrous discontentedly_. NOBLES _afar off_. 1ST NOBLE. My lord!