Old Geraldine. Yet whore you may, And that’s no breach of any vow to Heaven; Pollute the nuptial bed with mechal[3.32] sin; Asperse the honour of a noble friend; Forfeit thy reputation here below, And the interest that thy soul might claim above In yon blest city! These you may, and can, With untouched conscience. Oh that I should live To see the hopes that I have stored so long Thus in a moment ruined, and the staff On which my old decrepit age should lean Before my face thus broken; on which trusting, I thus abortively, before my time, Fall headlong to my grave. [_Falls on the ground_. Young Geraldine. It yet stands strong, Both to support you unto future life And fairer comfort. Old Geraldine. Never, never, son; For till thou canst acquit thyself of scandal, And me of my suspicion, here, even here, Where I have measured out my length of earth, I shall expire my last. Young Geraldine. Both these I can: Then rise, sir, I entreat you; and that innocency, Which poisoned by the breath of calumny Cast you thus low, shall, these few stains wiped off, With better thoughts erect you. Old Geraldine. Well, say on. [_Rises_. Young Geraldine. There’s but one fire from which this smoke may grow, Namely, the unmatched yoke of youth and age, In which, if ever I occasion was Of the smallest breach, the greatest implacable mischief Adultery can threaten fall on me! Of you may I be disavowed a son, And unto Heaven a servant! For that lady, As she is beauty’s mirror, so I hold her For chastity’s example: from her tongue Never came language that arrived my ear That even censorious Cato, lived he now, Could misinterpret; never from her lips Came unchaste kiss, or from her constant eye Look savouring of the least immodesty: Further-- Old Geraldine. Enough! One only thing remains, Which, on thy part performed, assures firm credit To these thy protestations. Young Geraldine. Name it then. Old Geraldine. Take hence the occasion of this common fame, Which hath already spread itself so far To her dishonour and thy prejudice: From this day forward to forbear the house; This do upon my blessing. Young Geraldine. As I hope it, I will not fail your charge. Old Geraldine. I am satisfied. [_Exeunt_. SCENE II.--_Before_ Old Lionel’s _House_. _Enter at one side_ Usurer _and his_ Man; _at the other_, Old Lionel _and his_ Servant; _behind_, Reignald.