Westminster dog-pigs, at Bartholomew-fair, as ever great-belly'd ale-wife longed for.

Saw. These dogs will mad me; I was well re

solv'd

To die in my repentance.

Though 'tis true

I would live longer if I might, yet since

I cannot, pray torment me not; my conscience Is settled as it shall be: all take heed

How they believe the devil; at last he'll cheat

you.

Car. Thou'dst best confess all truly.

Saw. Yet again?

Have I scarce breath enough to say my prayers,

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, Officers, &c.

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. Good sirs, turn from me;

You will revive affliction almost kill'd

With my continual sorrow.

Thor. Oh, Frank, Frank!

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, sir

Frank. 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 deserv'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,

spun

Who bears his peace within him: had I
My web of life out at full length, and dream'd
Away my many years in lusts, in surfeits,
Murthers of reputations, gallant sins
Commended or approved; then, though 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
miseries

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 mon

strous

*** to be nam'd; yet they are monstrous.
Thor. Here's comfort in this penitence.
Win. It speaks

How truly you are reconciled, 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 loved memory, I will preserve it

With a religious care, and pay thy ashes

A widow's duty, calling that end best,

Which, though it stain the name, makes the soul

blest.

Frank. Give me thy hand, poor woman; do

not weep:

Farewell! thou dost forgive me?

Win. 'Tis my part

To use that language.

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 dower of virtues !-
Are you there, gentlemen? there is not one.
Amongst you whom I have not wrong'd; you
[TO CARTER.
I robb'd you of a daughter;-but she is
In heaven; and I must suffer for it willingly.

most,

Car. Ay, ay, she's in heaven, and I am glad to see thee so well prepared 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 excuse 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 am sorry for you.
War. And so am I,

And heartily forgive you.

Kath. I will pray for you,

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 though I have deserv'd not to be call'd

Your son, yet give me leave upon my knees,

To beg a blessing.

Thor. Take it; let me wet

[Kneels.

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

lust.

That law should purge the guilt of blood and [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.