_Mer_. Indeede thou art; thy conscience is at peace, [_Goe up the lather_. And feeles no terror for such wickednesse; Mine hath beene vexed but is now at rest, For that I am assur'd my hainous sinne Shall never rise in judgement gainst my soule, But that the blood of _Jesus Christ_ hath power To make my purple sinne as white as Snowe. One thing, good people, witnesse here with me, That I doe dye in perfect charitie, And do forgive, as I would be forgiven First of my God and then of all the world. Cease publishing that I have beene a man Train'd up in murther or in crueltie, For fore this time, this time is all too soone, I never slue or did consent to kill; So helpe me God as this I speake is true! I could say something of my innocence, In fornication and adulterie, But I confesse the iustest man alive, That beares about the frailtie of a man, Cannot excuse himselfe from daily sinne In thought, in word, and deed. Such was my life. I never hated _Beech_ in all my life, Onely desire of money which he had, And the inciting of that foe of man, That greedie gulfe, that great _Leviathan_, Did halle [_sic_] me on to these callamities; For which, even now my very soule dooth bleede. God strengthen me with patience to endure This chastisement, which I confesse too small A punishment for this my hainous sinne. Oh be couragious, sister! fight it well! We shall be crown'd with immortallitie. _Rach_. I will not faint, but combat manfully; Christ is of power to helpe and strengthen me. _Officer_. I pray make hast; the hower is almost past. _Mer_. I am prepar'd; oh God, receive my soule; Forgive my sinnes, for they are numberlesse. Receive me, God, for now I come to thee! [_Turne of the Lather. Rachel shrinketh_. _Offi_. Nay shrinke not, woman; have a cheerefull hart. _Rach_. I, so I do, and yet this sinfull flesh Will be rebellious gainst my willing spirit. Come, let me clime these steps that lead to heaven, Although they seeme the staires of infamie: Let me be merror to ensuing times, And teach all sisters how they do conceale, The wicked deeds of brethren, or of friends. I not repent me of my love to him, But that thereby I have provoked God To heavie wrath and indignation; Which turne away, great God, for Christes sake. Ah, _Harry Williams_, thou wert chiefest cause, That I doe drinke of this most bitter cup, For hadst thou opened _Beeches_ death at first, The boy had liv'd and thou hadst sav'd my life. But thou art branded with a marke of shame, And I forgive thee from my very soule. Let him and me learn all that heare of this To utter brothers or their maisters misse; Conceale no murthers, lest it do beget More bloody deeds of like deformitie. Thus God forgive my sinnes, receive my soule! And though my dinner be of bitter death, I hope my soule shall sup with Jesus Christ, And see his presence everlastingly. [_Dyeth_.