JUDGE (to Iniquity). Tush, hold thy tongue, and I warrant thee[241]—
JUDGE (to Ismael). The Lord have mercy upon thee!
Thou shalt go to the place thou cam'st fro
Till to-morrow, nine of the clock, there to remain:
To the place of execution then shalt thou go,
There be hanged to death, and after again,
Being dead, for ensample to be hanged in a chain.
Take him away, and see it be done,
At your peril that may fall thereupon.
ISMAEL. Though I be judged to die, I require respite,
For the king's advantage some[242] things I can recite.
INIQUITY. Away with him, he will speak but of spite—
JUDGE. Well, we will hear you say what you can,
But see that ye wrongfully accuse no man.
ISMAEL. I will belie no man, but this I may say,
Here standeth he that brought me to this way:
INIQUITY. My lord, he lieth like a damned knave,
The fear of death doth make him rave—
ISMAEL. His naughty company and play at dice
Did me first to stealing entice:
He was with me at robberies, I say it to his face;
Yet can I say more in time and space.
INIQUITY. Thou hast said too much, I beshrew thy whoreson's face.
[Aside.
Hang him, my lord, out of the way,
The thief careth not what he doth say.
Let me be hangman, I will teach him a sleight;
For fear of talking, I will strangle him straight;
Tarry here that list, for I will go—
[He would go.
JUDGE. No, no, my friend, not so;
I thought always ye should not be good,
And now it will prove, I see, by the rood.
[They take him in a halter; he fighteth with them.
Take him, and lay him in irons strong,
We will talk with you more, ere it be long.