is now too late to
save him:--Pray, hear him speak, husband; perhaps he may say something
for himself; I know not.

_Muf._ Speak thou, has he not violated my bed, and thy honour?

_Joh._ I forgive him freely, for he has done nothing. What he will do
hereafter to make me satisfaction, himself best knows.

_Ant._ Any thing, any thing, sweet madam: I shall refuse no drudgery.

_Muf._ But did he mean no mischief? was he endeavouring nothing?

_Joh._ In my conscience, I begin to doubt he did not.

_Muf._ It's impossible:--then what meant all those outcries?

_Joh._ I heard music in the garden, and at an unseasonable time of
night; and I stole softly out of my bed, as imagining it might be he.

_Muf._ How's that, Johayma? imagining it was he, and yet you went?

_Joh._ Why not, my lord? am not I the mistress of the family? and is
it not my place to see good order kept in it? I thought he might have
allured some of the she-slaves to him, and was resolved to prevent
what might have been betwixt him and them; when, on the sudden, he
rushed out upon me, caught me in his arms with such a fury--

_Muf._ I have heard enough.--Away with him!

_Joh._ Mistaking me, no doubt, for one of his fellow-slaves: with
that, affrighted as I was, I discovered myself, and cried aloud; but
as soon as ever he knew me, the villain let me go; and I must needs
say, he started back as if I were some serpent; and was more afraid of
me than I of him.

_Muf._ O thou corrupter of my family, that's cause enough of
death!--once again, away with him.

_Joh._ What, for an intended trespass? No harm has been done, whatever
may be. He cost you five hundred crowns, I take it.

_Muf._ Thou say'st true, a very considerable sum: he shall not die,
though he had committed folly with a slave; it is too much to lose by
him.

_Ant._ My only fault has ever been to love playing in the dark; and
the more she cried, the more I played, that it might be seen I
intended nothing to her.

_Muf._ To your kennel, sirrah; mortify your flesh, and consider in
whose family you are.

_Joh._ And one thing more,--remember from henceforth to obey better.

_Muf._ [_Aside._] For all her smoothness, I am not quite cured of my
jealousy; but I have thought of a way that will clear my doubts.
[_Exit_ MUF. _with_ JOH. _and Servants._

_Ant._ I am mortified sufficiently already, without the help of his
ghostly counsel. Fear of death has gone farth