SUB. Do not wrong So fair a wife, friend, and so virtuous, Whose good name is a theme unto the world: Make not a wound with searching, where was none. Misfortune still such projects doth pursue; He makes a false wife that suspects a true. Yet since you so importune, give me leave To ruminate awhile, and I will straight Follow, and give you an answer. HUS. You must do it. [_Exit._ SUB. Assure yourself, dear coxcomb, I will do't, Or strangely be denied. All's as I wish'd; This was my aim, although I have seem'd strange. I know this fellow now to be an ass, A most unworthy husband, though in view He bear himself thus fair; she knows this too, Therefore the stronger are my hopes to gain her; And, my dear friend, that will have your wife tried, I'll try her first, then trust her, if I can; And, as you said most wisely, I hope to be Both touchstone to your wife and lapidary. [_Exit._ FOOTNOTES: [72] The Lady Honour is called _Maid_, the Lady Perfect _Wife_, and the Lady Bright _Widow_. [73] The 2d edit. reads _excellent_ for _insolent_. [74] Edits., _rest_. [75] They retire soon afterwards, but the _exit_ is not marked. [76] In his "Woman is a Weathercock," Field has already mentioned these instruments of torture in conjunction with some others, and to a similar import: what he here calls _the boiling boot_ he there terms _the Scotch boot;_ but they were probably the same thing, in the one case, hot oil or water supplying the place of wedges in the latter instance. [77] _Turnbull_ Street was sometimes spelt _Turnball_ Street, and sometimes (as Field himself gives it in another part of this play) _Turnbole_ Street. It was situated between Cow Cross and Clerkenwell Green, and is celebrated by many of our old dramatists as the residence of ruffians, thieves, and prostitutes. Its proper name was _Turnmill_ Street. See Stow's "Survey," 1599, p. 12. [78] The later copy spoils the measure by omitting the words _so far_. [79] Elsewhere in this play he is merely called _Husband_, though before this speech in the old copies _Knight_ is inserted. It afterwards appears that such is his rank. [80] The word _innocent_ was used of old sometimes as synonymous with _fool_, as in the following passage-- "Nay, God forbid ye shoulde do so, for he is but an _innocent_, lo, In manner of a _fole_." --"Int. of the Four Elements" [i. 42]. [81] _i.e._, Skylight, [See vol. viii. p. 320]. [82] That is, all but Lady Honour, Lady Perfect, the Husband, and Subtle. [83] Ought we not rather to read-- "I would bequeath _thee_ in my will to _him_?" [84] The second 4º reads _consist_. [85] [Old copies, _be_.] [86] The second 4º has this line-- "The Bristow sparkles _are as_ diamond." The meaning is evident. ACT II., SCENE 1.