Hel.
If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
I know not how I shall assure you further,
But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.

Wid.
Though my estate be fallen, I was well born,
Nothing acquainted with these businesses ^note;
And would not put my reputation now
In any staining act.

Hel.
Nor would I wish you.
First, give me trust, the count he ^note is ^note my husband,
And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
Is so from word to word; and then you cannot,

By the good aid that I of you shall borrow,
Err in bestowing it.

Wid.
I should believe you;
For you have show'd me that which well approves
You're ^note great in fortune.

Hel.
Take this purse of gold,
And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
Which I will over-pay and pay again
When I have found it. The count he ^{note note} wooes your daughter,
Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
Resolved ^note to carry her: let her in fine ^note consent,
As we'll direct her how 'tis ^note best to bear it.
Now his important ^note blood will nought deny
That she'll demand: a ring the county wears ^note,
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 ^note.

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 chastely absent: after this ^note,
To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
To what is past ^note already.

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

Hel.
Why then to-night
Let us assay our plot; which, if it speed,
Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed,
And lawful ^note meaning in a lawful act ^note,
Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact:
But let's about it. [Exeunt.

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