Florence. A Room in the Widow's House.
 Enter HELENA and WIDOW.

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

Widow	Though my estate be fall'n, I was well born,
	Nothing acquainted with these businesses,
	And would not put my reputation now
	In any staining act.

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

Widow							I should believe you,
	For you have showed me that which well approves
	You're great in fortune.

Helena								Take this purse of gold,
	And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
	Which I will overpay and pay again
	When I have found it. The count he woos your daughter,
	Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
	Resolved to carry her; let her in fine consent,
	As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it.
	Now his important blood will naught deny
	That she'll demand. A ring the County wears,
	That downward hath succeeded in his house
	From son to son some four or five descents
	Since the first father wore it. This ring he holds
	In most rich choice; yet, in his idle fire,
	To buy his will it would not seem too dear,
	Howe'er repented after.

Widow							Now I see
	The bottom of your purpose.

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

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

Helena							Why then tonight
	Let us assay our plot, which, if it speed,
	Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed,
	And lawful meaning in a lawful act,
	Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact.
	But let's about it.
												[Exeunt.
