340

[15]

And thou and I’ll be friends, if this prove true.

As for the base terms I gave thee late,

Forget them, Mosbie: I had cause to speak,

When all the knights and gentlemen of Kent

Make common table-talk of her and thee.

Mosbie. Who lives that is not touched with slanderous tongues?

Franklin. Then, Mosbie, to eschew the speech of men,

Upon whose general bruit all honour hangs,

Forbear his house.

Arden. Forbear it! nay, rather frequent it more:            350

350

The world shall see that I distrust her not.

To warn him on the sudden from my house

Were to confirm the rumour that is grown.

Mosbie. By my faith, sir, you say true,

And therefore will I sojourn here a while,

Until our enemies have talked their fill;

And then, I hope, they’ll cease, and at last confess

 Prev. P 28/173 next