ALB. How like a poisonous doctor have I come, To inquire their welfare, knowing that myself Have given the potion[382] of their ne'er recovery; For which I will afflict myself with torture ever. And, since the earth yields not a remedy Able to salve the sores my lust hath made, I'll now take farewell of society And th' abode of men, to entertain a life Fitting my fellowship in desert woods, Where beasts like me consort; there may I live Far off from wronging virtuous Carracus. There's no Maria that shall satisfy My hateful lust: the trees shall shelter This wretched trunk of mine, upon whose barks I will engrave the story of my sin. And there this short breath of mortality I'll finish up in that repentant state, Where not th' allurements of earth's vanities Can e'er o'ertake me: there's no baits for lust, No friend to ruin; I shall then be free From practising the art of treachery: Thither then, steps, where such content abides, Where penitency, not disturb'd, may grieve, Where on each tree and springing plant I'll carve This heavy motto of my misery, _Who but a damn'd one could have done like me?_ Carracus, farewell, if e'er thou see'st me more, Shalt find me curing of a soul-sick sore. [_Exit._ FOOTNOTES: [375] A very popular book, which is still reprinted. [376] Hector is one of the Seven Worthies. He appears as such in "Love's Labour's Lost." Nothing was once more common than the portraits of these heroes; and therefore they might have found their way occasionally into shops which we know to have been anciently decorated with pictures for the amusement of some customers whilst others were served. Of the Seven Worthies, the Ten Sibyls, and the Twelve Cæsars, I have seen many complete sets in old halls and on old staircases.--_Steevens._ [377] The 4º reads _Moreover_. The alteration was made by Mr Reed.--_Collier._ [378] A designed play on the word _virginal_, a spinnet.--_Steevens._ [379] Desired or recommended. [380] This was Samuel Daniel, who was an historian as well as a poet. The work above alluded to is probably "Hymen's Triumph," a pastoral tragi-comedy, acted at the Queen's Court in the Strand, at the nuptials of Lord Roxburgh. [381] The 4º has it _all-afflicted wrath_.--_Collier._ [382] The old copy has it _portion_, which is most likely wrong.--_Collier._ ACTUS TERTIUS. _Enter_ CARRACUS, _driving his man before him_. CAR. Why, thou base villain! was my dearest Friend here, and couldst not make him stay? SER. 'Sfoot, sir, I could not force him 'gainst his will: An' he had been a woman---- CAR. Hence, thou untutor'd slave! [_Exit_ SERVANT.