thee and hates us all, And York and impious Beaufort, that false priest, Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings, And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee: But fear not thou, until thy foot be snared, Nor never seek prevention of thy foes. Ah, Nell, forbear! thou aimest all awry; I must offend before I be attainted; And had I twenty times so many foes, And each of them had twenty times their power, All these could not procure me any scathe, So long as I am loyal, true and crimeless. Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach? Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away But I in danger for the breach of law. Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell: I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience; These few days' wonder will be quickly worn. I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, Holden at Bury the first of this next month. And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before! This is close dealing. Well, I will be there. My Nell, I take my leave: and, master sheriff, Let not her penance exceed the king's commission. An't please your grace, here my commission stays, And Sir John Stanley is appointed now To take her with him to the Isle of Man. Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here? So am I given in charge, may't please your grace. Entreat her not the worse in that I pray You use her well: the world may laugh again; And I may live to do you kindness if You do it her: and so, Sir John, farewell! What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell! Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak. Art thou gone too? all comfort go with thee! For none abides with me: my joy is death; Death, at whose name I oft have been afear'd, Because I wish'd this world's eternity. Stanley, I prithee, go, and take me hence; I care not whither, for I beg no favour, Only convey me where thou art commanded. Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man; There to be used according to your state. That's bad enough, for I am but reproach: And shall I then be used reproachfully? Like to a duchess, and Duke Humphrey's lady; According to that state you shall be used. Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare, Although thou hast been conduct of my shame. It is my office; and, madam, pardon me. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharged. Come, Stanley,