_Ant._ Pray think in reason, sir; is a man to be put to death for a similitude? No violence has been committed; none intended; the lamb's alive: and, if I durst tell you so, no more a lamb than I am a butcher. _Joh._ How's that, villain, dar'st thou accuse me? _Ant._ Be patient, madam, and speak but truth, and I'll do any thing to serve you: I say again, and swear it too, I'll do any thing to serve you. [_Aside._ _Joh._ [_Aside._] I understand him; but I fear it is now too late to save him:--Pray, hear him speak, husband; perhaps he may say something for himself; I know not. _Muf._ Speak thou, has he not violated my bed, and thy honour? _Joh._ I forgive him freely, for he has done nothing. What he will do hereafter to make me satisfaction, himself best knows. _Ant._ Any thing, any thing, sweet madam: I shall refuse no drudgery. _Muf._ But did he mean no mischief? was he endeavouring nothing? _Joh._ In my conscience, I begin to doubt he did not. _Muf._ It's impossible:--then what meant all those outcries? _Joh._ I heard music in the garden, and at an unseasonable time of night; and I stole softly out of my bed, as imagining it might be he. _Muf._ How's that, Johayma? imagining it was he, and yet you went? _Joh._ Why not, my lord? am not I the mistress of the family? and is it not my place to see good order kept in it? I thought he might have allured some of the she-slaves to him, and was resolved to prevent what might have been betwixt him and them; when, on the sudden, he rushed out upon me, caught me in his arms with such a fury-- _Muf._ I have heard enough.--Away with him! _Joh._ Mistaking me, no doubt, for one of his fellow-slaves: with that, affrighted as I was, I discovered myself, and cried aloud; but as soon as ever he knew me, the villain let me go; and I must needs say, he started back as if I were some serpent; and was more afraid of me than I of him. _Muf._ O thou corrupter of my family, that's cause enough of death!--once again, away with him. _Joh._ What, for an intended trespass? No harm has been done, whatever may be. He cost you five hundred crowns, I take it. _Muf._ Thou say'st true, a very considerable sum: he shall not die, though he had committed folly with a slave; it is too much to lose by him. _Ant._ My only fault has ever been to love playing in the dark; and the more she cried, the more I played, that it might be seen I intended nothing to her. _Muf._ To your kennel, sirrah; mortify your flesh, and consider in whose family you are. _Joh._ And one thing more,--remember from henceforth to obey better. _Muf._ [_Aside._] For all her smoothness, I am not quite cured of my jealousy; but I have thought of a way that will clear my doubts. [_Exit_ MUF. _with_ JOH. _and Servants._