ENDICOTT. My son, you say?
MERRY.
Your Worship's eldest son.
ENDICOTT. Speaking against the laws?
MERRY.
Ay, worshipful sir.
ENDICOTT. And in the public market-place?
MERRY.
I saw him
With my own eyes, heard him with my own ears.
ENDICOTT. Impossible!
MERRY.
He stood there in the crowd
With Nicholas Upsall, when the laws were read
To-day against the Quakers, and I heard him
Denounce and vilipend them as unjust,
And cruel, wicked, and abominable.
ENDICOTT. Ungrateful son! O God! thou layest upon me A burden heavier than I can bear! Surely the power of Satan must be great Upon the earth, if even the elect Are thus deceived and fall away from grace!
MERRY. Worshipful sir! I meant no harm—