Volume Ix Part 116 (1/2)

BUT. Your wife's come in, sir.

SCAR. Thou li'st, I have not a wife. None can be call'd True man and wife, but those whom heaven install'd, Say--

KATH. O my dear husband!

SCAR. You are very welcome. Peace: we'll have compliment.

Who are you, gentlewoman?

KATH. Sir, your distressed wife, and these your children,

SCAR. Mine! Where, how, begot?

Prove me by certain instance that's divine, That I should call them lawful, or thee mine.

KATH. Were we not married, sir?

SCAR. No; though we heard the words of ceremony, But had hands knit, as felons that wear fetters Forc'd upon them. For tell me, woman, Did e'er my love with sighs entreat thee mine?

Did ever I in willing conference Speak words, made half with tears, that I did love thee?

Or was I ever but glad to see thee, as all lovers are?

No, no, thou know'st I was not.

KATH. O me!

BUT. The more's the pity.

SCAR. But when I came to church, I did there stand, As water, whose forc'd breach[427] had drown'd my land.

Are you my wife, or these my children?

Why, 'tis impossible; for like the skies Without the sun's light, so look all your eyes; Dark, cloudy, thick, and full of heaviness; Within my country there was hope to see Me and my issue to be like our fathers, Upholders of our country all our life, Which should have been if I had wed a wife: Where now, As dropping leaves in autumn you look all, And I, that should uphold you, like to fall.

KATH. 'Twas nor shall be my fault, heaven bear me witness.

SCAR. Thou liest, strumpet, thou liest!

BUT. O sir!

SCAR. Peace, saucy Jack! strumpet, I say thou liest, For wife of mine thou art not, and these thy b.a.s.t.a.r.ds Whom I begot of thee with this unrest, That b.a.s.t.a.r.ds born are born not to be blest.

KATH. On me pour all your wrath, but not on them.

SCAR. On thee and them, for 'tis the end of l.u.s.t To scourge itself, heaven lingering to be just: Harlot!

KATH. Husband!

SCAR. b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!

CHIL. Father!

BUT. What heart not pities this?

SCAR. Even in your cradle, you were accurs'd of heaven, Thou an adultress in my married arms.