Capt. Between the widow’s house and these cross neighbours;
Besides, an artificial ladder made of ropes
Was fasten’d to her window, which he confess’d
He brought to rob her of jewels and coin. 130
My knowledge yields no further circumstance.
Duke. Thou know’st too much; would I were past all knowledge,
I might forget my grief springs from my shame!
Thou monster of my blood, answer in brief
To these assertions made against thy life.
Is thy soul guilty of so base a fact?
Men. I do confess I did intend to rob her;
In the attempt I fell and hurt myself.
Law’s thunder is but death; I dread it not,
So my Lentulus’ honour be preserved 140
From black suspicion of a lustful night.
Duke. Thy head’s thy forfeit for thy heart’s offence;
Thy blood’s prerogative may claim that favour.
Thy person then to death doom’d by just laws;
Thy death is infamous, but worse the cause.
[Exeunt.
[264] Old eds. “Mizaldus.”
[265] Ed. 1631 “act.”
[266] “Lanthorn and candle-light”—the cry of the bellman. See Middleton, i. 70.
[267] So the editor of 1820.—Old eds. “sinnes.”