Knight.
Endanger'd so his wife? murder'd his children?

1 Gent.
So the cry goes^{3 note}
.

Knight.
I am sorry I e'er knew him;
That ever he took life and natural being
From such an honour'd stock, and fair descent,
Till this black minute without stain or blemish^{4 note}.

1 Gent.
Here come the men. Enter Master of the College, &c. with the Prisoner.

Knight.
The serpent of his house^{5 note}! I am sorry
For this time, that I am in place of justice.

Mast.
Please you, sir—

Knight.
Do not repeat it twice; I know too much^{6 note}

:

Would it had ne'er been thought on! Sir, I bleed For you.

1 Gent.
Your father's sorrows are alive in me^{7 note}

.
What made you show such monstrous cruelty?

Hus.

In a word, sir, I have consum'd all, play'd away long-acre; and I thought it the charitablest deed I could do, to cozen beggary, and knock my house o' the head.

Knight.
O, in a cooler blood you will repent it.

Hus.
I repent now that one is left unkill'd;
My brat at nurse. I would full fain have wean'd him.

Knight.
Well, I do not think, but in to-morrow's judgment,
The terror will sit closer to your soul^{8 note}

,
When the dread thought of death remembers you^{9 note}

:
To further which, take this sad voice from me,
Never was act play'd more unnaturally.

Hus.
I thank you, sir.

Knight.
Go lead him to the gaol:
Where justice claims all, there must pity fail.

Hus.
Come, come; away with me^{1 note}
. [Exeunt Husband, &c.

Mast.
Sir, you deserve the worship of your place:
Would all did so! In you the law is grace.

Knight.
It is my wish it should be so.—Ruinous man!
The desolation of his house, the blot
Upon his predecessors' honour'd name!
That man is nearest shame, that is past shame* ^note
. [Exeunt.

Previous section

Next section