[He kisses her on the ladder.]
DOLL.
The next kiss, Williamson, shall be in heaven.—
Now cheerily, lads! George Betts, a hand with thee;
And thine too, Rafe, and thine, good honest Sherwin.
Now let me tell the women of this town,
No stranger yet brought Doll to lying down:
So long as I an Englishman can see,
Nor French nor Dutch shall get a kiss of me;
And when that I am dead, for me yet say,
I died in scorn to be a stranger’s prey.
[A great shout and noise, cry within ’Pardon, pardon, pardon, pardon! Room for the Earl of Surrey, room there, room!’.]
[Enter Surrey.]
SURREY.
Save the man’s life, if it be possible.
SHERIFF.
It is too late, my lord; he’s dead already.
SURREY.
I tell ye, Master Sheriff, you are too forward,
To make such haste with men unto their death;
I think your pains will merit little thanks,
Since that his highness is so merciful
As not to spill the blood of any subject.
SHERIFF.
My noble lord, would we so much had known!
The Councils’ warrant hastened our dispatch;
It had not else been done so suddenly.
SURREY.
Sir Thomas More humbly upon his knee
Did beg the lives of all, since on his word
They did so gently yield: the king hath granted it,
And made him Lord High Chancellor of England.
According as he worthily deserves.
Since Lincoln’s life cannot be had again,
Then for the rest, from my dread sovereign’s lips,
I here pronounce free pardon for them all.
ALL.
God save the king, God save the king!
My good Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Surrey!