Guio. Who’s that?

Rut. By the voice, This is a woman.

Guio. Stephana, Jaspe, Julia, Who waits there?

Rut. ’Tis the Lady of the house, I’le flie to her protection.

Guio. Speak, what are you?

Rut. Of all that ever breath’d, a man most wretched.

Guio. I am sure you are a man of most ill manners,
You could not with so little reverence else
Press to my private chamber.  Whither would you,
Or what do you seek for?

Rut. Gracious woman hear me;
I am a stranger, and in that I answer
All your demands, a most unfortunate stranger,
That call’d unto it by my enemies pride,
Have left him dead i’th’ streets, Justice pursues me,
And for that life I took unwillingly,
And in a fair defence, I must lose mine,
Unless you in your charity protect me. 
Your house is now my sanctuary, and the Altar,
I gladly would take hold of your sweet mercy. 
By all that’s dear unto you, by your vertues,
And by your innocence, that needs no forgiveness,
Take pity on me.

Guio. Are you a Castillian?

Rut. No Madam, Italy claims my birth.

Guio. I ask not
With purpose to betray you, if you were
Ten thousand times a Spaniard, the nation
We Portugals most hate, I yet would save you
If it lay in my power:  lift up these hangings;
Behind my Beds head there’s a hollow place,
Into which enter; so, but from this stir not
If the Officers come, as you expect they will doe,
I know they owe such reverence to my lodgings,
That they will easily give credit to me
And search no further.

Rut. The blest Saints pay for me The infinite debt I owe you.

Guio. How he quakes! 
Thus far I feel his heart beat, be of comfort,
Once more I give my promise for your safety,
All men are subject to such accidents,
Especially the valiant; and who knows not,
But that the charity I afford this stranger
My only Son else where may stand in need of?

Enter Officers, and Servants, with the body of Duarte—­Page.

1 Ser. Now Madam, if your wisedom ever could
Raise up defences against floods of sorrow
That haste to overwhelm you, make true use of
Your great discretion.

2 Ser. Your only son My Lord Duart’s slain.

1 Off. His murtherer, pursued by us
Was by a boy discovered
Entring your house, and that induced us
To press into it for his apprehension.

Guio. Oh!

1 Ser. Sure her heart is broke.

Off. Madam.