1    If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
2    I know not how I shall assure you further,
3    But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.

4    Though my estate be fallen, I was well born,
5    Nothing acquainted with these businesses;
6    And would not put my reputation now
7    In any staining act.

8    Nor would I wish you.
9    First, give me trust, the count he is my husband,
10   And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
11   Is so from word to word; and then you cannot,
12   By the good aid that I of you shall borrow,
13   Err in bestowing it.

14   I should believe you:
15   For you have show'd me that which well approves
16   You're great in fortune.

17   Take this purse of gold,
18   And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
19   Which I will over-pay and pay again
20   When I have found it. The count he wooes your daughter,
21   Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
22   Resolved to carry her: let her in fine consent,
23   As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it.
24   Now his important blood will nought deny
25   That she'll demand: a ring the county wears,
26   That downward hath succeeded in his house
27   From son to son, some four or five descents
28   Since the first father wore it: this ring he holds
29   In most rich choice; yet in his idle fire,
30   To buy his will, it would not seem too dear,
31   Howe'er repented after.

32   Now I see
33   The bottom of your purpose.

34   You see it lawful, then: it is no more,
35   But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,
36   Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter;
37   In fine, delivers me to fill the time,
38   Herself most chastely absent: after this,
39   To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
40   To what is passed already.

41   I have yielded:
42   Instruct my daughter how she shall persever,
43   That time and place with this deceit so lawful
44   May prove coherent. Every night he comes
45   With musics of all sorts and songs composed
46   To her unworthiness: it nothing steads us
47   To chide him from our eaves; for he persists
48   As if his life lay on't.

49   Why then to-night
50   Let us assay our plot; which, if it speed,
51   Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed
52   And lawful meaning in a lawful act,
53   Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact:
54   But let's about it.