_Arden._ No, good Master Mosbie; women will be prating. Alice, bid him welcome; he and I are friends. _Alice._ You may enforce me to it, if you will; But I had rather die than bid him welcome. His company hath purchased me ill friends, And therefore will I ne’er frequent it more. _Mosbie._--Oh, how cunningly she can dissemble! 190 _Arden._ Now he is here, you will not serve me so. _Alice._ I pray you be not angry or displeased; I’ll bid him welcome, seeing you’ll have it so. You are welcome, Master Mosbie; will you sit down? _Mosbie._ I know I am welcome to your loving husband; But for yourself, you speak not from your heart. _Alice._ And if I do not, sir, think I have cause. _Mosbie._ Pardon me, Master Arden; I’ll away. _Arden._ No, good Master Mosbie. _Alice._ We shall have guests enough, though you go hence. 200 _Mosbie._ I pray you, Master Arden, let me go. _Arden._ I pray thee, Mosbie, let her prate her fill. _Alice._ The doors are open, sir, you may be gone. _Michael._--Nay, that’s a lie, for I have locked the doors. _Arden._ Sirrah, fetch me a cup of wine, I’ll make them friends. And, gentle Mistress Alice, seeing you are so stout, You shall begin! frown not, I’ll have it so. _Alice._ I pray you meddle with that you have to do. _Arden._ Why, Alice! how can I do too much for him Whose life I have endangered without cause? 210 _Alice._ ’Tis true; and, seeing ’twas partly through my means, I am content to drink to him for this once. Here, Master Mosbie! and I pray you, henceforth Be you as strange to me as I to you. Your company hath purchased me ill friends, And I for you, God knows, have undeserved Been ill spoken of in every place; Therefore henceforth frequent my house no more. _Mosbie._ I’ll see your husband in despite of you. Yet, Arden, I protest to thee by heaven, 220 Thou ne’er shalt see me more after this night, I’ll go to Rome rather than be forsworn. _Arden._ Tush, I’ll have no such vows made in my house. _Alice._ Yes, I pray you, husband, let him swear; And, on that condition, Mosbie, pledge me here. _Mosbie._ Ay, as willingly as I mean to live. _Arden._ Come, Alice, is our supper ready yet? _Alice._ It will by then you have played a game at tables. _Arden._ Come, Master Mosbie, what shall we play for? _Mosbie._ Three games for a French crown, sir, and please you. 230 _Arden._ Content. [_Then they play at the tables. Enter Will and Shakebag._ _Will._--Can he not take him yet? what a spite is that? _Alice._--Not yet, Will; take heed he see thee not. _Will._--I fear he will spy me as I am coming. _Michael._--To prevent that, creep betwixt my legs. _Mosbie._ One ace, or else I lose the game. _Arden._ Marry, sir, there’s two for failing. _Mosbie._ Ah, Master Arden, ‘now I can take you.’ [_Then Will pulls him down with a towel._ _Arden._ Mosbie! Michael! Alice! what will you do? _Will._ Nothing but take you up, sir, nothing else. 240