_Michael._--Susan, shall thou and I wait on them? Or, an thou sayest the word, let us sit down too. _Susan._--Peace, we have other matters now in hand. I fear me, Michael, all will be bewrayed. _Michael._--Tush, so it be known that I shall marry thee in the morning, I care not though I be hanged ere night. But to prevent the worst, I’ll buy some ratsbane. 301 _Susan._--Why, Michael, wilt thou poison thyself? _Michael._--No, but my mistress, for I fear she’ll tell. _Susan._--Tush, Michael; fear not her, she’s wise enough. _Mosbie._ Sirrah Michael, give’s a cup of beer.-- Mistress Arden, here’s to your husband. _Alice._ My husband! _Franklin._ What ails you, woman, to cry so suddenly? _Alice._ Ah, neighbours, a sudden qualm came o’er my heart; My husband being forth torments my mind. 310 I know something’s amiss, he is not well; Or else I should have heard of him ere now. _Mosbie._--She will undo us through her foolishness. _Greene._ Fear not, Mistress Arden, he’s well enough. _Alice._ Tell not me; I know he is not well: He was not wont for to stay thus late. Good Master Franklin, go and seek him forth, And if you find him, send him home to me, And tell him what a fear he hath put me in. _Franklin._--I like not this; I pray God all be well. 320 I’ll seek him out, and find him if I can. [_Exeunt Franklin, Mosbie, and Greene._ _Alice._--Michael, how shall I do to rid the rest away? _Michael._--Leave that to my charge, let me alone. ’Tis very late, Master Bradshaw, And there are many false knaves abroad, And you have many narrow lanes to pass. _Bradshaw._ Faith, friend Michael, and thou sayest true. Therefore I pray thee light’s forth and lend’s a link. [_Exeunt Bradshaw, Adam, and Michael._ _Alice._ Michael, bring them to the doors, but do not stay; You know I do not love to be alone. 330 --Go, Susan, and bid thy brother come: But wherefore should he come? Here is nought but fear; Stay, Susan, stay, and help to counsel me. _Susan._ Alas. I counsel! fear frights away my wits. [_Then they open the counting-house door, and look upon Arden._ _Alice._ See, Susan, where thy quondam master lies, Sweet Arden, smeared in blood and filthy gore. _Susan._ My brother, you, and I shall rue this deed. _Alice._ Come, Susan, help to lift his body forth, And let our salt tears be his obsequies. _Here enters Mosbie and Greene._ _Mosbie._ How now, Alice, whither will you bear him? _Alice._ Sweet Mosbie, art thou come? Then weep that will: I have my wish in that I joy thy sight. 342 _Greene._ Well, it behoves us to be circumspect. _Mosbie._ Ay, for Franklin thinks that we have murdered him. _Alice._ Ay, but he cannot prove it for his life. We’ll spend this night in dalliance and in sport. _Here enters Michael._ _Michael._ O mistress, the Mayor and all the watch Are coming towards our house with glaives and bills. _Alice._ Make the door fast; let them not come in.