Lucrece. Methinks ’twould ill become the modesty Of any Roman lady to carouse, And drown her virtues in the juice of grapes. How can I show my love unto my husband To do his wife such wrong? By too much wine I might neglect the charge of this great house Left solely to my keep; else my example Might in my servants breed encouragement So to offend, both which were pardonless; Else to your grace I might neglect my duty, And slack obeisance to so great a guest; All which being accidental unto wine, Oh, let me not so wrong my Collatine! Sextus. We excuse you. [_Aside_.] Her perfections, like a torrent With violence breaks upon me, and at once Inverts and swallows all that’s good in me. Preposterous Fates, what mischiefs you involve Upon a caitiff prince, left to the fury Of all grand mischief! hath the grandame world Yet mothered such a strange abortive wonder, That from her virtues should arise my sin? I am worse than what’s most ill, deprived all reason, My heart all fiery lust, my soul all treason. Lucrece. My lord, I fear your health, your changing brow Hath shown so much disturbance. Noble Sextus, Hath not your venturous travel from the camp, Nor the moist rawness of this humorous[5.54] night Impaired your health? Sextus. Divinest Lucrece, no. I cannot eat. Lucrece. To rest then.-- A rank of torches, there, attend the prince! Sextus. Madam, I doubt I am a guest this night Too troublesome, and I offend your rest. Lucrece. This ring speaks for me, that next Collatine You are to me most welcome; yet, my lord, Thus much presume,--without this from his hand, Sextus this night could not have entered here; No, not the king himself. My doors the daytime to my friends are free, But in the night the obdure gates are less kind; Without this ring they can no entrance find.-- Lights for the prince! Sextus. A kiss, and so good-night--nay, for your ring’s sake, deny not that. Lucrece. Jove give your highness soft and sweet repose! Sextus. And thee the like, with soft and sweet content!-- My vows are fixed, my thoughts on mischief bent. [_Exit_. Lucrece. ’Tis late; so many stars[5.55] shine in this room, By reason of this great and princely guest, The world might call our modesty in question, To revel thus, our husband at the camp. Haste, and to rest; save in the prince’s chamber, Let not a light appear.--My heart’s all sadness. Jove, unto thy protection I commit My chastity and honour; to thy keep My waking soul I give, whilst my thoughts sleep. [_Exeunt_. SCENE II.--_Another Room in the same_. _Enter_ Clown _and a_ Serving-man. Clown. Soft, soft; not too loud; imagine we were now going on the ropes with eggs at our heels; he that hath but a creaking shoe I would he had a crick in his neck; tread not too hard for disturbing[5.56] Prince Sextus.