2 Work. Mass, I know not! I think 'tis thy good luck.
1 Work. Tut, I will tell thee. My parents, I thank them, bred me to the gallows: marry, then, how was it?—why, look you, I took delight in my business.—An you would be a good workman, ever, while you live, take a delight in your business. I have been an honest, pains-taking man, neighbour. No one is notorious, without taking pains for it.
2 Work. Truly, then, I fear my character is naught. I never can bring myself to take pains for it.
1 Work. Thou art the more to be pitied. I never made but one small mistake, since I entered on business.
2 Work. I pr'ythee, now, tell me that.
1 Work. 'Twas on execution day; we were much thronged, and the signal was given full soon; when, a pize on it! I whips me, in haste, the halter over the neck of an honest stander-by:—and I jerks me him up to the top of a twenty foot gibbet. Marry, the true rogue escaped by't; for 'twas a full hour ere the error was noted. But, hast heard who the six be, that will be here anon?
2 Work. Only that they be citizens. They are e'en now coming hitherward. Some of our men have seen them: they march, as 'tis reported, wondrous doleful.
1 Work. No matter; tarry till they see my work;—that's all. An that do not content them, mark them for sour knaves. An a man be not satisfied when a sets foot on my scaffold, say he is hard to please. Rot them, your condemned men, now-a-days, have no discernment. I would I had the hanging of all my fellow craft! I should then have some judges of my skill; and merit would not go praiseless.—[A Flourish.]—So!—the king is coming—stand clear, now, neighbour:—an the king like not my scaffold, I am no true man.
[They go on the Scaffold.
Enter King Edward, Queen, Harcourt, Sir Walter Manny, Arundel, Warwick, Train-bearers, Standards, &c.