The Devil’s Law Case ACT 5. SCENE 3. by John Webster Lyrics

Enter (First) Surgeon and Winifrid.

Winifrid:
You do love me sir, you say?

First Surgeon:
O most entirely.

Winifrid:
And you will marry me?

First Surgeon:
Nay, I'll do more than that.
The fashion of the world is many times
To make a woman naught, and afterwards
To marry her: but I a'th' contrary,
Will make you honest first, and afterwards
Proceed to the wedlock.

Winifrid:
Honest! What mean you by that?
First Surgeon:
I mean, that your suborning the late
law-suit
Has got you a filthy report. Now there's no way
But to do some excellent piece of honesty,
To recover your good name.

Winifrid:
How sir?

First Surgeon:
You shall straight go, and reveal to your
old mistress
For certain truth, Contarino is alive.

Winifrid:
How, living?

First Surgeon:
Yes, he is living.

Winifrid:
No, I must not tell her of it.

First Surgeon:
No? Why?
Winifrid:
For she did bind me yesterday by oath,
Never more to speak of him .

First Surgeon:
You shall reveal it then
To Ariosto the judge.

Winifrid:
By no means, he has heard me
Tell so many lies i'th' court, he'll ne'er believe me.
What if I told it to the Capuchin?

First Surgeon:
You cannot
Think of a better. As for your young mistress,
Who as you told me, has persuaded you
To run away with her: let her have her humour.
I have a suit Romelio left i'th' house,
The habit of a Jew, that I'll put on,
And pretending I am robbed, by break of day
Procure all passengers to be brought back,
And by the way reveal myself, and discover
The comical event. They say she's a little mad;
This will help to cure her. Go, go presently,
And reveal it to the Capuchin.
Winifrid:
Sir, I shall.

Exeunt.