Explicit Actus 2.
Act 3.
SCENE 1.
Enter the Lady de Averne with a letter in her hand readinge, and with her mayde.
Lady. And howe came you by this?
Mayde. Followinge you to th'chappell
And I protest not thinking anythinge,
Fryar Jhon o'th suddeine pluckt mee by the sleeve
And whisperd in myne eare to give that to you,
But privatly, bycause it was a thinge
Only toweard your person.
Lady. Twas well doonne; But prithee do no more so, for this tyme Tak't for a warninge.
Mayde. Madam I am skool'd.
Lady. Doo so, or ever loose me. Heeres[100] sweet stuffe!
Can this be in a vowed monastick lyfe
Or to be fownd in churchmen? 'tis a question
Whether to smyle or vex, to laughe or storme,
Bycause in this I finde the cause of boathe.
What might this sawcy fellowe spy in mee
To incorradge such a boldnes? yes this letter
Instructs mee what: he seythe my affability
And modest smiles, still gracinge his salutes,
Moovd him to wryte. Oh what a chary care then
Had womene neede have boathe of lipps and eyes
When every fayre woord's censur'd liberty,
And every kind looke meere licensiousnes!
I have bin hitherto so greate a stranger
To these unus'd temptations that in truthe
I knowe not howe to take this. Sylly fryar!
Madnes or folly, one of these't must bee.
If th'one I pity, at the other laughe,
And so no more reguard it.
Maid. Madam, if ought bee in that letter ill, Mee thinks 'tis good [that] you can tak't so well.