Page 1724 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Let him be brought forth, and borne hence for help. [160]

DUKE

Long since thy husband served me in my wars,
And I to thee engaged a prince’s word,
When thou didst make him master of thy bed,
To do him all the grace and good I could.
Go, some of you, knock at the abbey gate, [165]
And bid the Lady Abbess come to me.
I will determine this before I stir.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER

O mistress, mistress, shift and save yourself!
My master and his man are both broke loose,
Beaten the maids a-row, and bound the Doctor, [170]
Whose beard they have singed off with brands of fire,
And ever as it blazed they threw on him
Great pails of puddled mire to quench the hair.
My master preaches patience to him, and the while
His man with scissors nicks him like a fool; [175]
And sure, unless you send some present help,
Between them they will kill the conjurer.

ADRIANA

Peace, fool; thy master and his man are here,
And that is false thou dost report to us.

MESSENGER Cry within.

Mistress, upon my life I tell you true. [180]
I have not breathed almost since I did see it.
He cries for you, and vows, if he can take you,
To scorch your face and to disfigure you.

Hark, hark, I hear him, mistress. Fly, be gone!

DUKE

Come, stand by me. Fear nothing. Guard with halberds! [185]