Lisa. And will, thou clear example of womens pureness.
King. Though we hold her such,
Thou hast express'd thy self a desperate fool,
To thrust thy head into the Lions jawes,
The justice of thy King.
Lisa. I came prepar'd for't,
And offer up a guilty life to clear
Her innocence; the oath she took, I swear to;
And for Cleander's death, to purge my self
From any colour malice can paint on me,
Or that she had a hand in't, I can prove
That fatal night when he in his own house fell,
And many daies before, I was distant from it
A long daies journey.
Clarin. I am caught.
Ber. If so,
How came your sword into this stewards hands? stand forth.
Mal. I have heard nothing that you spake:
I know I must dye, and what kind of death
Pray you resolve me, I shall go away else
In a qualm; I am very faint.
Enter Leon, Servants, and Guard.
King. Carry him off, his fear will kill him. [Ex. with Mal.
Dor. Sir, 'twas my ambition,
My Daughters reputation being wounded
I'th' general opinion, to have it
Cur'd by a publick trial; I had else
Forborn your Majesties trouble: I'le bring forth
Cleander's murtherer, in a wood I heard him
As I rode sadly by, unto himself
With some compunction, though this devil had none,
Lament what he had done, cursing her lust,
That drew him to that blody fact.
Le. To lessen
The foulness of it, for which I know justly
I am to suffer, and with my last breath
To free these innocents, I do confess all;
This wicked woman only guilty with me.