SCENE II.--_London. The neighbourhood of Tyburn.

_Enter ~Justice~_, SIR ARTHUR, SOMERTON, WARBECK, CARTER, _and_ KATHERINE.

_Just._ Sir Arthur, though the bench hath mildly censured your errors, yet you have indeed been the instrument that wrought all their misfortunes; I would wish you paid down your fine speedily and willingly.

_Sir Arth._ I’ll need no urging to it.

_Car._ If you should, ’twere a shame to you; for if I should speak my conscience, you are worthier to be hanged of the two, all things considered; and now make what you can of it: but I am glad these gentlemen are freed.

_War._ We knew our innocence.

_Som._ And therefore feared it not.

_Kath._ But I am glad that I have you safe. [_A noise within._

_Just._ How now! what noise is that?

_Car._ Young Frank is going the wrong way. Alas, poor youth! now I begin to pity him.

_Enter_ OLD THORNEY _and_ WINNIFRED _weeping_.

_O. Thor._ Here let our sorrows wait him; to press nearer The place of his sad death, some apprehensions May tempt our grief too much, at height already.-- Daughter be comforted.

_Win._ Comfort and I Are far too separated to be joined. But in eternity: I share too much Of him that’s going thither.

_Car._ Poor woman, ’twas not thy fault; I grieve to see thee weep for him that hath my pity too.

_Win._ My fault was lust, my punishment was shame. Yet I am happy that my soul is free Both from consent, foreknowledge, and intent Of any murder but of mine own honour, Restored again by a fair satisfaction, And since not to be wounded.

_O. Thor._ Daughter, grieve not For what necessity forceth; Rather resolve to conquer it with patience.-- Alas, she faints!

_Win._ My griefs are strong upon me; My weakness scarce can bear them.

[_Within._] Away with her! hang her, witch!

_Enter to execution_ MOTHER SAWYER; _~Officers~ with halberds, followed by a crowd of ~Country-people~_.

_Car._ The witch, that instrument of mischief! Did not she witch the devil into my son-in-law, when he killed my poor daughter? Do you hear, Mother Sawyer?

_M. Saw._ What would you have? Cannot a poor old woman have your leave To die without vexation?

_Car._ Did not you bewitch Frank to kill his wife? he could never have done’t without the devil.

_M. Saw._ Who doubts it? but is every devil mine? Would I had one now whom I might command To tear you all in pieces? Tom would have done’t Before he left me.

_Car._ Thou didst bewitch Ann Ratcliffe to kill herself.

_M. Saw._ Churl, thou liest; I never did her hurt: Would you were all as near your ends as I am, That gave evidence against me for it!

_1st Coun._ I’ll be sworn, Master Carter, she bewitched Gammer Washbowl’s sow to cast her pigs a day before she would have farrowed: yet they were sent up to London and sold for as good Westminster dog-pigs at Bartholomew fair as ever great-bellied ale-wife longed for.

_M. Saw._ These dogs will mad me: I was well resolved To die in my repentance. Though ’tis true I would live longer if I might, yet since I cannot, pray torment me not; my conscience Is settled as it shall be: all take heed How they believe the devil; at last he’ll cheat you.

_Car._ Thou’dst best confess all truly.

_M. Saw._ Yet again? Have I scarce breath enough to say my prayers, And would you force me to spend that in bawling? Bear witness, I repent all former evil; There is no damnèd conjuror like the devil.

_All._ Away with her, away! [_She is led off._

_Enter_ FRANK _to execution, ~Officers~, &c._

_O. Thor._ Here’s the sad object which I yet must meet With hope of comfort, if a repentant end Make him more happy than misfortune would Suffer him here to be.

_Frank._ Good sirs, turn from me: You will revive affliction almost killed With my continual sorrow.

_O. Thor._ O, Frank, Frank! Would I had sunk in mine own wants, or died But one bare minute ere thy fault was acted!

_Frank._ To look upon your sorrows executes me Before my execution.

_Win._ Let me pray you, sir--

_Frank._ Thou much-wronged woman, I must sigh for thee, As he that’s only loth to leave the world For that he leaves thee in it unprovided, Unfriended; and for me to beg a pity From any man to thee when I am gone Is more than I can hope; nor, to say truth, Have I deserved it: but there is a payment Belongs to goodness from the great exchequer Above; it will not fail thee, Winnifred; Be that thy comfort.

_O. Thor._ Let it be thine too, Untimely-lost young man.

_Frank._ He is not lost Who bears his peace within him: had I spun My web of life out at full length, and dreamed Away my many years in lusts, in surfeits, Murders of reputations, gallant sins Commended or approved; then, though I had Died easily, as great and rich men do, Upon my own bed, not compelled by justice, You might have mourn’d for me indeed; my miseries Had been as everlasting as remediless: But now the law hath not arraigned, condemned With greater rigour my unhappy fact Than I myself have every little sin My memory can reckon from my childhood: A court hath been kept here, where I am found Guilty; the difference is, my impartial judge Is much more gracious than my faults Are monstrous to be named; yet they are monstrous.

_O. Thor._ Here’s comfort in this penitence.

_Win._ It speaks How truly you are reconciled, and quickens My dying comfort, that was near expiring With my last breath: now this repentance makes thee As white as innocence; and my first sin with thee, Since which I knew none like it, by my sorrow Is clearly cancelled. Might our souls together Climb to the height of their eternity, And there enjoy what earth denied us, happiness! But since I must survive, and be the monument Of thy loved memory, I will preserve it With a religious care, and pay thy ashes A widow’s duty, calling that end best Which, though it stain the name, makes the soul blest.

_Frank._ Give me thy hand, poor woman; do not weep. Farewell: thou dost forgive me?

_Win._ ’Tis my part To use that language.

_Frank._ O, that my example Might teach the world hereafter what a curse Hangs on their heads who rather choose to marry A goodly portion than a dower of virtues!-- Are you there, gentlemen? there is not one Amongst you whom I have not wronged; [_to_ CARTER] you most: I robbed you of a daughter; but she is In Heaven; and I must suffer for it willingly.

_Car._ Ay, ay, she’s in Heaven, and I am so glad to see thee so well prepared to follow her. I forgive thee with all my heart; if thou hadst not had ill counsel, thou wouldst not have done as thou didst; the more shame for them.

_Som._ Spare your excuse to me, I do conceive What you would speak; I would you could as easily Make satisfaction to the law as to my wrongs. I am sorry for you.

_War._ And so am I, And heartily forgive you.

_Kath._ I will pray for you For her sake, who I’m sure did love you dearly.

_Sir Arth._ Let us part friendly too; I am ashamed Of my part in thy wrongs.

_Frank._ You are all merciful, And send me to my grave in peace. Sir Arthur, Heaven send you a new heart!--Lastly, to you, sir; And though I have deserved not to be called Your son, yet give me leave upon my knees To beg a blessing. [_Kneels._

_O. Thor._ Take it; let me wet Thy cheeks with the last tears my griefs have left me. O, Frank, Frank, Frank!

_Frank._ Let me beseech you, gentlemen, To comfort my old father, keep him with ye; Love this distressèd widow; and as often As you remember what a graceless man I was, remember likewise that these are Both free, both worthy of a better fate Than such a son or husband as I have been. All help me with your prayers.--On, on; ’tis just That law should purge the guilt of blood and lust. [_Exit, led off by the ~Officers~._

_Car._ Go thy ways; I did not think to have shed one tear for thee, but thou hast made me water my plants spite of my heart.--Master Thorney, cheer up, man; whilst I can stand by you, you shall not want help to keep you from falling: we have lost our children, both on’s, the wrong way, but we cannot help it; better or worse, ’tis now as ’tis.

_O. Thor._ I thank you, sir; you are more kind than I Have cause to hope or look for.

_Car._ Master Somerton, is Kate yours or no?

_Som._ We are agreed.

_Kath._ And but my faith is passed, I should fear to be married, husbands are so cruelly unkind. Excuse me that I am thus troubled.

_Som._ Thou shalt have no cause.

_Just._ Take comfort, Mistress Winnifred: Sir Arthur, For his abuse to you and to your husband, Is by the bench enjoined to pay you down A thousand marks.[462]

[462] The mark was worth 13_s._ 4_d._

_Sir Arth._ Which I will soon discharge.

_Win._ Sir, ’tis too great a sum to be employed Upon my funeral.

_Car._ Come, come; if luck had served, Sir Arthur, and every man had his due, somebody might have tottered ere this, without paying fines, like it as you list.--Come to me, Winnifred; shalt be welcome.--Make much of her, Kate, I charge you: I do not think but she’s a good wench, and hath had wrong as well as we. So let’s every man home to Edmonton with heavy hearts, yet as merry as we can, though not as we would.

_Just._ Join, friends, in sorrow; make of all the best: Harms past may be lamented, not redrest. [_Exeunt._

_Spoken by_ WINNIFRED.

I am a widow still, and must not sort A second choice without a good report; Which though some widows find, and few deserve, Yet I dare not presume, but will not swerve From modest hopes. All noble tongues are free; The gentle may speak one kind word for me.

PHEN.

* * * * *

Transcriber's note:

The following apparent errors have been corrected:

p. xxxiii "at best," changed to "at best."

p. 27 "Tis true" changed to "’Tis true"

p. 28 (note) "Old Fish Street." changed to "Old Fish Street.]"

p. 43 "their hands’" changed to "their hands"

p. 90 "inconsiderable" changed to "not inconsiderable"

p. 104 "news," changed to "news."

p. 105 "Tis most" changed to "’Tis most"

p. 106 "Ill create" changed to "I’ll create"

p. 107 "now-a days" changed to "now-a-days"

p. 108 "1st. Pren." changed to "1st Pren."

p. 138 "I ’faith" changed to "I’faith"

p. 153 "_Hip_ How" changed to "_Hip._ How"

p. 167 "Tis now" changed to "’Tis now"

p. 177 "question him," changed to "question him."

p. 183 "2nd. Mad." changed to "2nd Mad."

p. 217 "tis read" changed to "’tis read"

p. 224 "first blow," changed to "first blow."

p. 232 "language" changed to "language."

p. 248 "bake that," changed to "bake that."

p. 249 (note) "of money" changed to "of money."

p. 252 "_Hip_ I’ll" changed to "_Hip._ I’ll"

p. 254 "poured,," changed to "poured,"

p. 258 "Matheo’s," changed to "Matheo’s."

p. 258 (note) "string" changed to "string."

p. 262 (note) "avour" changed to "flavour"

p. 267 "with myself," changed to "with myself."

p. 268 "chalk.." changed to "chalk."

p. 272 (note) "Skeletons" changed to "Skeletons."

p. 351 "_Andel,_ Ha" changed to "_Andel._ Ha"

p. 370 "found,?" changed to "found?"

p. 385 "1st." changed to "1st"

p. 399 "canot" changed to "cannot"

p. 399 "acqainted" changed to "acquainted"

p. 409 "1st. Cl." changed to "1st Cl."

p. 410 "2nd. Cl." changed to "2nd Cl." (two instances)

p. 410 "3rd. Cl." changed to "3rd Cl." (two instances)

p. 424 "2nd. Cl." changed to "2nd Cl."

p. 438 "_House_" changed to "_House_."

p. 457 "within me," changed to "within me."

p. 457 "of thee," changed to "of thee."

p. 461 "that cur," changed to "that cur."

p. 465 anchor for note [457] added

p. 466 "’tis" changed to "’tis."

p. 466 "ch," changed to "ch."

Inconsistent formatting of stage directions has not been altered. Inconsistent hyphenation, use of apostrophes in contractions, and spacing of contractions, have been left as printed.

The following possible mistakes have been left as printed:

p. 65 know the church.

p. 106 t’were

p. 121 Ee’n

p. 159 and exit

p. 238 its base