And would you force me to spend that in bawling?
Bear witness, I repent all former evil,

There is no damned conjuror like the devil.
All. Away with her, away!

[She is led off.

Enter FRANK to execution, and Officers.

Thor. Here's the sad object which I yet must

meet

With hope of comfort, if a repentant end

Make him more happy than misfortune would
Suffer him here to be.

Frank.

You will revive affliction almost kill'd

Good sirs, turn from me;

Oh, Frank, Frank!

With my continual sorrow.

Thor. 'Would I had sunk in mine own wants, or died But one bare minute ere thy fault was acted! Frank. To look upon your sorrows executes me, Before my execution.

Win.

Let me pray you, sirFrank. Thou much wrong'd woman, I must sigh for thee,

As he that's only loath to leave the world
For that he leaves thee in it unprovided,
Unfriended; and for me to beg a pity
From any man to thee when I am gone,
Is more than I can hope; nor, to say truth,
Have I déserv'd it: but there is a payment
Belongs to goodness from the great exchequer
Above: it will not fail thee, Winnifrede;
Be that thy comfort.

Thor.

Let it be thine too.

Untimely lost young man.
Frank.
He is not lost,
Who bears his peace within him: had I spun
My web of life out at full length, and dreamed
Away my many years in lusts, in surfeits,

Murthers of reputations, gallant sins
Commended or approv'd; then, tho' I had
Died easily, as great and rich men do,

Upon my own bed, not compell'd by justice,
You might have mourn'd for me indeed; my mise-

ries

Had been as everlasting, as remediless :

But now the law hath not arraign'd, condemn'd,
With greater rigour my unhappy fact,
Than I myself have every little sin

My memory can reckon from my childhood:
A court hath been kept here, where I am found
Guilty; the difference is, my impartial judge
Is much more gracious than my faults

Are monstrous to be nam'd; yes, they are mon

strous.

Thor. Here's comfort in this penitence. Win. It speaks How truly you are reconcil'd, and quickens My dying comfort, that was near expiring With my last breath: now this repentance makes

thee

As white as innocence; and my first sin with thee,
Since which I knew none like it, by my sorrow
Is clearly cancell'd. Might our souls together
Climb to the height of their eternity,

And there enjoy what earth denied us, happiness!
But since I must survive, and be the monument
Of thy lov'd memory, I will preserve it
With a religious care, and pay thy ashes
A widow's duty, calling that end best,

Which, tho' it stain the name, makes the soul blest. Frank. Give me thy hand, poor woman. Do not weep!

Farewell. Thou dost forgive me?

Win.

To use that language.

'Tis my part

Frank.

Oh! that my example

Might teach the world hereafter what a curse
Hangs on their heads, who rather choose to marry
A goodly portion than a dow'r of virtues !-
Are you there, gentlemen? there is not one
Amongst you whom I have not wrong'd; you most:
[To CARTER.
I robb'd you of a daughter; but she is
In heaven; and I must suffer for it willingly.

Car. Ay, ay, she's in heaven, and I am glad to see thee so well prepar'd to follow her. I forgive thee with all my heart. If thou hadst not had ill counsel, thou would'st not have done as thou didst: the more shame for them!

Som. Spare your excuses to me, I do conceive What you would speak. I would you could as easily

Make satisfaction to the law, as to

My wrongs: I'm sorry for you.

War.

And heartily forgive you.

And so am I,

you,

Kath. I will pray for For her sake, who, I'm sure, did love you dearly. Sir Ar. Let us part friendly too: I am asham'd Of my part in thy wrongs.

Frank.

You are all merciful,
And send me to my grave in peace. Sir Arthur,
Heaven send you a new heart.-Lastly, to you, sir;
And tho' I have deserv'd not to be call'd

Your son, yet give me leave upon my knees,
To beg a blessing.-[Kneels.]

Thor.

Take it: Let me wet

Thy cheeks with the last tears my griefs have left

me.

O Frank, Frank, Frank!

Frank,

Let me beseech you, gentlemen,

To comfort my old father, keep him with you ;

Love this distressed widow; and as often
As you remember what a graceless man
I was, remember likewise that these are
Both free, both worthy of a better fate,
Than such a son or husband as I have been.
All help me with your prayers. On, on: 'tis just
That law should purge the guilt of blood and lust.
He is led off by the officers.

Car. Go thy ways: I did not think to have shed one tear for thee, but thou hast made me water my plants 'spite of my heart. Master Thorney, cheer up man, whilst I can stand by you, you shall not want help to keep you from falling. We have lost our children both on's the wrong way, but we cannot help it better or worse, 'tis now as 'tis.

Thor. I thank you, sir, you are more kind than I
Have cause to hope or look for.

Car. Master Somerton, is Kate yours or no?
Som. We are agreed.

Kath. And, but my faith is pass'd, I should fear to be married, husbands are so cruelly unkind. Excuse me that I am troubled.

Som. Thou shalt have no cause.

Just'. Take comfort, mistress Winnifrede, Sir
Arthur,

For his abuse to you and to your husband,
Is by the bench enjoin'd to pay you down
A thousand merks.

Sir Ar.
Which I will soon discharge.
Win. Sir, 'tis too great a sum to be employ'd
Upon my funeral.

Car. Come, come: if luck had serv'd, Sir Arthur, and every man had his due, somebody might have tottered ere this, without paying fines: like it as

Just.] This speech is given to Carter in the original. It evidently belongs to the Justice.

you list. Come to me, Winnifrede, 'shalt be welcome. Make much of her, Kate, I charge you: I do not think but she's a good wench, and hath had wrong as well as we. So let's every man home to Edmonton with heavy hearts, yet as merry as we can, though not as we would.

Just. Join friends in sorrow; make of all the best:

Harms past may be lamented, not redrest.

[Exeunt.