SHERIFF.
Bring her to death; she shall have her desire.
CLOWN.
Sir, and I have a suit for you too.
SHERIFF.
What is it?
CLOWN. That, as you have hanged Lincoln first, and will hang her next, so you will not hang me at all.
SHERIFF. Nay, you set ope’ the Counter gates, and you must hang for the folly.
CLOWN.
Well, then, so much for it!
DOLL.
Sir, your free bounty much contents my mind.
Commend me to that good shrieve Master More,
And tell him, had’t not been for his persuasion,
John Lincoln had not hung here as he does:
We would first have locked us up in Leadenhall,
And there been burnt to ashes with the roof.
SHERIFF.
Woman, what Master More did was a subject’s duty,
And hath so pleased our gracious lord the king,
That he is hence removed to higher place,
And made of council to his majesty.
DOLL.
Well is he worthy of it, by my troth,
An honest, wise, well spoken gentleman;
Yet would I praise his honesty much more,
If he had kept his word, and saved our lives:
But let that pass; men are but men, and so
Words are but words, and pays not what men owe.—
You, husband, since perhaps the world may say
That through my means thou comest thus to thy end,
Here I begin this cup of death to thee,
Because thou shalt be sure to taste no worse
Than I have taken that must go before thee.
What though I be a woman? that’s no matter;
I do owe God a death, and I must pay him.
Husband, give me thy hand; be not dismayed;
This chair being chaired, then all our debt is paid.
Only two little babes we leave behind us,
And all I can bequeath them at this time
Is but the love of some good honest friend,
To bring them up in charitable sort:
What, masters! he goes upright that never halts,
And they may live to mend their parents’ faults.
WILLIAMSON.
Why, well said, wife; yfaith, thou cheerest my heart:
Give me thy hand; let’s kiss, and so let’s part.