_Rog._ O that a man had the instinct of a lion! He knows when the lioness plays false to him.[320] But these solaces, these women, they bring man to grey hairs before he be thirty; yet they cast out such mists of flattery from their breath, that a man's lost again. Sure I fell into my marriage-bed drunk, like the leopard;[321] well, with sober eyes, would I had avoided it! Come, grave, and hide me from my blasted fame. O that thou couldst as well conceal my shame! [_Exeunt ambo, with_ Officers. _Tha._ Your pardon and your favour, gracious duke, 120 [_Women kneel._ At once we do implore, that have so long Deceived your royal expectation, Assurèd that the comic knitting up Will move your spleen unto the proper use Of mirth, your natural inclination; And wipe away the watery-coloured anger From your enforcèd cheek. Fair lord, beguile Them and your saf't[322] with a pleasing smile. 130 _Duke._ Now by my life I do: fair ladies, rise; I ne'er did purpose any other end To them and these designs. I was inform'd Of some notorious error as I sat in judgment; And--do you hear?--these night works require A cat's eyes to impierce dejected darkness. Call back the prisoners. _Re-enter_ CLARIDIANA _and_ ROGERO, _with_ Officers. _Cla._ Now what other troubled news, that we must back thus? Has any senator begg'd my pardon upon my wife's prostitution to him? 140 _Rog._ What a spite's this; I had kept in my breath of purpose, thinking to go away the quieter, and must we now back? _Duke._ Since you are to die, we'll give you winding-sheets, Wherein you shall be shrouded alive, By which we wind out all these miseries. Signor Rogero, bestow a while your eye, And read here of your true wife's chastity. [_Gives him a letter._ _Rog._ Chastity? I will sooner expect a Jesuit's recantation, 150 Or the great Turk's conversion, than her chastity. Pardon, my liege; I will not trust mine eyes: Women and devils will deceive the wise! _Duke._ The like, sir, is apparent on your side. [_To_ CLARIDIANA. _Cla._ Who? my wife?--chaste? Has your grace your sense? I'll sooner believe a conjuror may say his prayers with zeal, than her honesty. Had she been an hermaphrodite, I would scarce have given credit to you. Let him that hath drunk love-drugs trust a woman. By Heaven, I think the air is not more common! 160 _Duke._ Then we impose a strict command upon you. On your allegiance read what there is writ. _Cla._ A writ of error, on my life, my liege! _Duke._ You'll find it so, I fear. _Cla._ What have we here--the Art of Brachygraphy?