Hel.
If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
I know not how I shall assure you further.

Wid.
I should believe you,
For you have shew'd me that, which well approves
Y'are great in fortune.

Hel.
Take this purse of gold,
And let me buy your friendly help thus far.
The count wooes your daughter,
Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
Resolves to carry her. Let her consent,
As we'll direct her how, 'tis best to bear it.

Now his important blood will nought deny,
That she'll demand: a ring, the count does wear,
That downward hath succeeded in his house,
From son to son, some four or five descents,
Since the first father wore it. This ring he holds
In most rich choice; yet in his idle fire,
To buy his will it would not seem too dear,
Howe'er repented after.

Wid.
Now I see the bottom of your purpose.

Hel.
You see it lawful then. It is no more,
But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,
Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter;
In fine, delivers me to fill the time,
Herself most chastly absent. After this,
To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns,
To what is past already.* ^note

Wid.
I have yielded.
Instruct my daughter, how she shall persevere;
That time and place, with this deceit so lawful,
May prove coherent. Every night he comes,
With music of all sorts, and songs, compos'd
To her unworthiness. It nothing steads us
To chide him from our eaves, for he persists,
As if his life lay on't.

Hel.
Why then, to night
Let us essay our plot; which, if it speed,
Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed.‡ ^note End of the Third Act.

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