HUSBAND. My dear soul, whom I too much have wrongd, For death I die, and for this have I longd.
WIFE. Thou sholdst not (be assurde) for these faults die, I ft he law could forgive as soon as I.
HUSBAND. What sight is yonder?
[Children laid out.]
WIFE. Oh, our two bleeding boys Laid forth upon the thresholds.
HUSBAND. Here's weight enough to make a heart-string crack. Oh, were it lawful that your pretty souls Might look from heaven into your fathers eyes, Then should you see the penitent glasses melt, And both your murthers shoot upon my cheeks; But you are playing in the Angels laps, And will not look on me, Who void of grace, kild you in beggery. Oh that I might my wishes now attain, I should then wish you living were again, Though I did beg with you, which thing I feard: Oh, twas the enemy my eyes so bleard. Oh, would you could pray heaven me to forgive, That will unto my end repentant live.
WIFE. It makes me e'en forget all other sorrows And live apart with this.
OFFICER. Come will you go?
HUSBAND. I'll kiss the blood I spilt and then I go: My soul is bloodied, well may my lips be so. Farewell, dear wife, now thou and I must part, I of thy wrongs repent me with my heart.
WIFE. Oh stay, thou shalt not go.
HUSBAND. That's but in vain, you see it must be so. Farewell, ye bloody ashes of my boys! My punishments are their eternal joys. Let every father look into my deeds, And then their heirs may prosper, while mine bleeds.
WIFE. More wretched am I now in this distress,
[Exeunt Husband with holberds.]
Then former sorrows made me.
MASTER. Oh kind wife, Be comforted. One joy is yet unmurdered: You have a boy at nurse; your joy's in him.
WIFE. Dearer then all is my poor husbands life: Heaven give my body strength, which yet is faint With much expence of blood, and I will kneel, Sue for his life, number up all my friends, To plead for pardon for my dear husbands life.
MASTER. Was it in man to wound so kind a creature? I'll ever praise a woman for thy sake. I must return with grief; my answer's set: I shall bring news ways heavier then the debt.-- Two brothers: one in bond lies overthrown, This on a deadlier execution.
FINIS.