_Glou._ Ah, Nell, forbear! thou aimest all awry; I must offend before I be attainted; And had I twenty times so many foes,   ·bbd060· And each of them had twenty times their power, All these could not procure me any scathe, So long as I am loyal, true and crimeless. Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach? Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away,   ·bbd065· But I in danger for the breach of law. Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell: I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience; These few days’ wonder will be quickly worn.   [bbd069] _Enter a_ Herald. _Her._ I summon your grace to his majesty’s parliament,   [bbd070] Holden at Bury the first of this next month. _Glou._ And my consent ne’er ask’d herein before! This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.   [bbd073] [_Exit Herald._ My Nell, I take my leave: and, master sheriff, Let not her penance exceed the king’s commission.   [bbd075] _Sher._ An’t please your grace, here my commission stays,   [bbd076] And Sir John Stanley is appointed now To take her with him to the Isle of Man. _Glou._ Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here?   [bbd079] _Stan._ So am I given in charge, may’t please your grace.   ·bbd080· _Glou._ Entreat her not the worse in that I pray You use her well: the world may laugh again; And I may live to do you kindness if   [bbd083] You do it her: and so, Sir John, farewell! _Duch._ What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell!   ·bbd085· _Glou._ Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak.   [bbd086] [_Exeunt Gloucester and Serving-men._ _Duch._ Art thou gone too? all comfort go with thee!   [bbd087] For none abides with me: my joy is death,-- Death, at whose name I oft have been afear’d,   [bbd089] Because I wish’d this world’s eternity.   ·bbd090· Stanley, I prithee, go, and take me hence; I care not whither, for I beg no favour, Only convey me where thou art commanded. _Stan._ Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man; There to be used according to your state.   ·bbd095· _Duch._ That’s bad enough, for I am but reproach: And shall I then be used reproachfully? _Stan._ Like to a duchess, and Duke Humphrey’s lady;   [bbd098] According to that state you shall be used. _Duch._ Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare,   ·bbd100· Although thou hast been conduct of my shame. _Sher._ It is my office; and, madam, pardon me. _Duch._ Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharged. Come, Stanley, shall we go? _Stan._ Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet,   [bbd105] And go we to attire you for our journey.   [bbd106] _Duch._ My shame will not be shifted with my sheet: No, it will hang upon my richest robes And show itself, attire me how I can. Go, lead the way; I long to see my prison. [_Exeunt._   ·bbd110· ACT III. SCENE I. _The Abbey at Bury St Edmund’s_.