Alb. I'm truly glad on't: farewell, good friend.
Ser. I pray you, let's crave your name, sir; I may else have anger.
Alb. You may say one Albert, riding by this way, only inquired their health.
Ser. I will acquaint so much.
[Exit Servingman.
Alb. How like a poisonous doctor have I come,
To inquire their welfare, knowing that myself
Have given the potion[382] of their ne'er recovery;
For which I will afflict myself with torture ever.
And, since the earth yields not a remedy
Able to salve the sores my lust hath made,
I'll now take farewell of society
And th' abode of men, to entertain a life
Fitting my fellowship in desert woods,
Where beasts like me consort; there may I live
Far off from wronging virtuous Carracus.
There's no Maria that shall satisfy
My hateful lust: the trees shall shelter
This wretched trunk of mine, upon whose barks
I will engrave the story of my sin.
And there this short breath of mortality
I'll finish up in that repentant state,
Where not th' allurements of earth's vanities
Can e'er o'ertake me: there's no baits for lust,
No friend to ruin; I shall then be free
From practising the art of treachery:
Thither then, steps, where such content abides,
Where penitency, not disturb'd, may grieve,
Where on each tree and springing plant I'll carve
This heavy motto of my misery,
Who but a damn'd one could have done like me?
Carracus, farewell, if e'er thou see'st me more,
Shalt find me curing of a soul-sick sore.
[Exit.
ACTUS TERTIUS.
Enter Carracus, driving his man before him.
Car. Why, thou base villain! was my dearest
Friend here, and couldst not make him stay?
Ser. 'Sfoot, sir, I could not force him 'gainst his will:
An' he had been a woman——