Y. LORD W. Why so; this is better than being among madmen yet. HAD. Were you so lately with any, my lord? Y. LORD W. Yes, faith; I'll tell you all in the cellar, how I was taken for an ambassador; and being no sooner in the house, but the madman carries me up into the garret for a spy, and very roundly bad me untruss; and, had not a courteous servingman conveyed me away whilst he went to fetch whips, I think in my conscience, not respecting my honour, he would have breech'd me.[386] HAD. By Lady, and 'twas to be fear'd; but come, my lord, we'll hear the rest in the cellar. And honest Peter, thou that hast been griev'd, My lord and I will see thee well-reliev'd. [_Exeunt._ FOOTNOTES: [383] Old copy, _had_. [384] _i.e._, One of those _inexplicable dumb shows_ ridiculed by "Hamlet." See edition of Shakespeare 1778, x.p. 284.--_Steevens._ [385] Alluding to the use of it in Cooke's "City Gallant," commonly called "Green's Tu quoque," printed in the present volume. [386] _i.e._, Whipped me. ACTUS QUARTUS. _Enter_ ALBERT _in the woods_. How full of sweet content had this life been, If it had been embraced but before My burthenous conscience was so fraught with sin! But now my griefs o'ersway that happiness. O, that some lecher or accurs'd betrayer Of sacred friendship might but here arrive, And read the lines repentant on each tree That I have carv'd t' express my misery! My admonitions now would sure convert The sinful'st creature; I could tell them now, How idly vain those humans spend their lives That daily grieve, not for offences pass'd, But to enjoy some wanton's company; Which when obtain'd, what is it but a blot, Which their whole life's repentance scarce can clear? I could now tell to friend-betraying man, How black a sin is hateful treachery, How heavy on their wretched souls 'twill sit, When fearful death will plant his siege but near them, How heavy and affrighted will their end Seem to approach them, as if then they knew The full beginning of their endless woe Were then appointed; which astonishment, O blest repentance, keep me Albert from! And suffer not despair to overwhelm, And make a shipwreck of my heavy soul. _Enter_ MARIA, _like a page_. Who's here? a page? what black disastrous fate Can be so cruel to his pleasing youth? MARIA. So now, Maria, here thou must forego What nature lent thee to repay to death! Famine, I thank thee, I have found thee kindest; Thou sett'st a period to my misery. [_Faints._ ALB. It is Maria, that fair innocent, Whom my abhorred lust hath brought to this; I'll go for sustenance: and, O ye powers! If ever true repentance wan acceptance, O, show it Albert now, and let him save This[387] wronged beauty from untimely grave. [_Exit_ ALBERT.