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.
Tho' my estate be fallen, I was well born,
Nothing acquainted with these businesses,
And would not put my reputation now
In any staining act.

Hel.
Nor would I wish you.
First give me trust, the Count he is 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 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,

Which I will over-pay, and pay again
When I have found it. 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 importunate 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,
Her self most chastly absent: after this,
To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
To what is past 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 musick of all sorts, and songs compos'd
To her unworthiness: it nothing steads us
To chide him from our eeves, 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 meaning in a lawful act,
Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact.
But let's about it. [Exeunt.

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