CLOWN. Would I wear so fair on my journey! the first stretch is the worst, me thinks.
SHERIFF. Bring Williamson there forward.
DOLL. Good Master Shrieve, I have an earnest suit, And, as you are a man, deny't me not.
SHERIFF. Woman, what is it? be it in my power, Thou shalt obtain it.
DOLL. Let me die next, sir; that is all I crave: You know not what a comfort you shall bring To my poor heart, to die before my husband.
SHERIFF. Bring her to death; she shall have her desire.
CLOWN. Sir, and I have a suit for you too.
SHERIFF. What is it?
CLOWN. That, as you have hanged Lincoln first, and will hang her next, so you will not hang me at all.
SHERIFF. Nay, you set ope' the Counter gates, and you must hang for the folly.
CLOWN. Well, then, so much for it!
DOLL. Sir, your free bounty much contents my mind. Commend me to that good shrieve Master More, And tell him, had't not been for his persuasion, John Lincoln had not hung here as he does: We would first have locked us up in Leadenhall, And there been burnt to ashes with the roof.
SHERIFF. Woman, what Master More did was a subject's duty, And hath so pleased our gracious lord the king, That he is hence removed to higher place, And made of council to his majesty.
DOLL. Well is he worthy of it, by my troth, An honest, wise, well spoken gentleman; Yet would I praise his honesty much more, If he had kept his word, and saved our lives: But let that pass; men are but men, and so Words are but words, and pays not what men owe.-- You, husband, since perhaps the world may say That through my means thou comest thus to thy end, Here I begin this cup of death to thee, Because thou shalt be sure to taste no worse Than I have taken that must go before thee. What though I be a woman? that's no matter; I do owe God a death, and I must pay him. Husband, give me thy hand; be not dismayed; This chair being chaired, then all our debt is paid. Only two little babes we leave behind us, And all I can bequeath them at this time Is but the love of some good honest friend, To bring them up in charitable sort: What, masters! he goes upright that never halts, And they may live to mend their parents' faults.
WILLIAMSON. Why, well said, wife; yfaith, thou cheerest my heart: Give me thy hand; let's kiss, and so let's part.
[He kisses her on the ladder.]
DOLL. The next kiss, Williamson, shall be in heaven.-- Now cheerily, lads! George Betts, a hand with thee; And thine too, Rafe, and thine, good honest Sherwin. Now let me tell the women of this town, No stranger yet brought Doll to lying down: So long as I an Englishman can see, Nor French nor Dutch shall get a kiss of me; And when that I am dead, for me yet say, I died in scorn to be a stranger's prey.
[A great shout and noise, cry within 'Pardon, pardon, pardon, pardon! Room for the Earl of Surrey, room there, room!'.]
[Enter Surrey.]
SURREY. Save the man's life, if it be possible.
SHERIFF. It is too late, my lord; he's dead already.
SURREY. I tell ye, Master Sheriff, you are too forward, To make such haste with men unto their death; I think your pains will merit little thanks, Since that his highness is so merciful As not to spill the blood of any subject.
SHERIFF. My noble lord, would we so much had known! The Councils' warrant hastened our dispatch; It had not else been done so suddenly.
SURREY. Sir Thomas More humbly upon his knee Did beg the lives of all, since on his word They did so gently yield: the king hath granted it, And made him Lord High Chancellor of England. According as he worthily deserves. Since Lincoln's life cannot be had again, Then for the rest, from my dread sovereign's lips, I here pronounce free pardon for them all.
ALL. God save the king, God save the king! My good Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Surrey!
[Flinging up caps.]
DOLL. And Doll desires it from her very heart, More's name may live for this right noble part; And whensoere we talk of ill May day, Praise More....