SCENE III

_Arden’s House at Feversham._

_Here enters the Mayor, Mosbie, Alice, Franklin, Michael, and Susan._

_Mayor._ See, Mistress Arden, where your husband lies; Confess this foul fault and be penitent.

_Alice._ Arden, sweet husband, what shall I say? The more I sound his name, the more he bleeds; This blood condemns me, and in gushing forth Speaks as it falls, and asks me why I did it. Forgive me, Arden: I repent me now, And, would my death save thine, thou should’st not die. Rise up, sweet Arden, and enjoy thy love, And frown not on me when we meet in heaven: 10 In heaven I’ll love thee, though on earth I did not.

_Mayor._ Say, Mosbie, what made thee murder him?

_Franklin._ Study not for an answer; look not down: His purse and girdle found at thy bed’s head Witness sufficiently thou didst the deed; It bootless is to swear thou didst it not.

_Mosbie._ I hired Black Will and Shakebag, ruffians both, And they and I have done this murderous deed. But wherefore stay we? Come and bear me hence.

_Franklin._ Those ruffians shall not escape; I will up to London, 20 And get the Council’s warrant to apprehend them.

[_Exeunt._