Lorenzo.
But, sirrah, see that this be cleanly done.
[Exit Page.
Now stands our fortune on a tickle point,
And now or never ends Lorenzo's doubts;
One only thing is uneffected yet,
And that's to see the executioner;
But to what end? I[170] list not trust the air
With utterance of our pretence therein;
For fear the privy whispering of the wind
Convey our words amongst unfriendly ears,
That lie too open to advantages.
E quel che voglio io, nessun le sa,
Intendo io quel mi bastara. [Exit.
Enter Boy, with the box.
Boy.
My master hath forbidden me to look in this box; and, by my troth,[171] 'tis likely, if he had not warned me, I should not have had so much idle time: for we men'skind,[172] in our minority, are like women in their uncertainty; that they are most forbidden, they will soonest attempt: so I now.—By my bare honesty,[173] here's nothing but the bare empty box: were it not sin against secrecy, I would say it were a piece of gentleman-like knavery. I must go to Pedringano, and tell him his pardon is in this box; nay, I would have sworn it, had I not seen the contrary. I cannot choose but smile, to think how the villain will flout the gallows, scorn the audience, and descant on the hangman; and all presuming of his pardon from hence. Will't not be an odd jest for me to stand and grace every jest he makes, pointing my finger at this box, as who would[174] say, Mock on, here's thy warrant? Is't not a scurvy jest, that a man should jest himself to death? Alas! poor Pedringano, I am in a sort sorry for thee; but if I should be hang'd with thee, I cannot[175] weep.
Enter Hieronimo and the Deputy.
Hieronimo.
Thus must we toil in other men's extremes,
That know not how to remedy our own;
And do them justice, when unjustly we,
For all our wrongs, can compass no redress.
But shall I never live to see the day,
That I may come, by justice of the heav'ns,
To know the cause that may my cares allay?
This toils my body, this consumeth age,
That only I to all men just must be,
And neither gods nor men be just to me.
Deputy.