Now his way had been to have come hand and feet, one and two round, at his costard; he like a fool bears his sword-point half a yard out of danger. I lie here for my life; if the devil come, and he have no more strength than I have fence, he shall never beat me from this ward, I’ll stand to it; a buckler in a skilful hand is as good as a castle; nay, ’tis better than a sconce, for I have tried it. 70 Mosbie, perceiving this, began to faint: With that comes Arden with his arming sword, And thrust him through the shoulder in a trice. _Alice._ Ay, but I wonder why you both stood still. _Will._ Faith, I was so amazed, I could not strike. _Alice._ Ah, sirs, had he yesternight been slain, For every drop of his detested blood I would have crammed in angels in thy fist, And kissed thee, too, and hugged thee in my arms. _Will._ Patient yourself, we cannot help it now. 80 Greene and we two will dog him through the fair, And stab him in the crowd, and steal away. _Here enters Mosbie._ _Alice._ It is unpossible; but here comes he That will, I hope, invent some surer means. Sweet Mosbie, hide thy arm, it kills my heart. _Mosbie._ Ay, Mistress Arden, this is your favour. _Alice._ Ah, say not so; for when I saw thee hurt, I could have took the weapon thou let’st fall, And run at Arden; for I have sworn That these mine eyes, offended with his sight, 90 Shall never close till Arden’s be shut up. This night I rose and walked about the chamber, And twice or thrice I thought to have murdered him. _Mosbie_. What, in the night? then had we been undone. _Alice._ Why, how long shall he live? _Mosbie._ Faith, Alice, no longer than this night.-- Black Will and Shakebag, will you two perform The complot that I have laid? _Will._ Ay, or else think me a villain. _Greene._ And rather than you shall want, I’ll help myself. _Mosbie._ You, Master Greene, shall single Franklin forth, And hold him with a long tale of strange news, 102 That he may not come home till supper-time. I’ll fetch Master Arden home, and we like friends Will play a game or two at tables here. _Alice._ But what of all this? how shall he be slain? _Mosbie._ Why, Black Will and Shakebag locked within the counting-house Shall at a certain watchword given rush forth. _Will._ What shall the watchword be? _Mosbie._ ‘Now I take you’; that shall be the word: 110 But come not forth before in any case. _Will._ I warrant you. But who shall lock me in? _Alice._ That will I do; thou’st keep the key thyself. _Mosbie._ Come, Master Greene, go you along with me. See all things ready, Alice, against we come. _Alice._ Take no care for that; send you him home. [_Exeunt Mosbie and Greene._ And if he e’er go forth again, blame me. Come, Black Will, that in mine eyes art fair; Next unto Mosbie do I honour thee; Instead of fair words and large promises 120 My hands shall play you golden harmony: How like you this? say, will you do it, sirs?