Escalus.
Escal.
Every Letter he hath writ hath disvouch'd other.
Ang.
In most uneven and distracted manner. His Actions
shew much like to Madness; pray Heav'n his Wisdom be
not tainted: And why meet him at the Gates, and deliver
our Authorities there?
Escal.
I guess not.
Ang.
And why should we proclaim it in an Hour before
his entring, that if any crave Redress of Injustice, they
should exhibit their Petitions in the Street?
Escal.
He shews his Reason for that; to have a Dispatch
of Complaints, and to deliver us from Devices hereafter,
which shall then have no Power to stand against us.
Ang.
Well; I beseech you let it be proclaim'd betimes
i'th' Morn; I'll call you at your House: Give Notice to such
Men of sort and suit as are to meet him.
Escal.
I shall, Sir: Fare you well.
[Exit.
Ang.
Good Night.
This Deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,
And dull to all Proceedings. A defloured Maid,
And by an eminent Body, that enforc'd
-- 254 --
The Law against it? But that her tender Shame
Will not proclaim against her Maiden loss,
How might she Tongue me? Yet Reason dares her no;
For my Authority bears off a credent Bulk,
That no particular Scandal once can touch,
But it confounds the Breather. He should have liv'd,
Save that his riotous Youth, with dangerous Sense,
Might in the Times to come, have ta'en Revenge
By so receiving a dishonour'd Life,
With Ransom of such shame: Would yet he had liv'd.
Alack, when once our Grace we have forgot,
Nothing goes right, we would; and we would not.
[Exit.
Charles Gildon [1709–1710], The works of Mr. William Shakespear; in six [seven] volumes. Adorn'd with Cuts. Revis'd and Corrected, with an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author. By N. Rowe ([Vol. 7] Printed for E. Curll... and E. Sanger [etc.], London) [word count] [S11401].