_Cove_. The plots are laide, the keyes of golden coine, Hath op'd the secret closets of their harts. Inter [_sic_], insult, make captive at thy will, Themselves, and friends, with deedes of damned ill: Yonder is _Truth_, she commeth to bewaile, The times and parties that we worke upon. _Hom_. Why, let her weepe, lament and morne for me, We are right bred of damn'd iniquitie, And will go make a two-folde Tragedie. [_Exeunt_. _Truth_. Goe you disturbers of a quiet soule, Sad, greedy, gaping, hungrie _Canibals_, That ioy to practise others miseries. Gentles, prepare your teare-bedecked eyes, To see two shewes of lamentation, Besprinckled every where with guiltlesse blood, Of harmlesse youth, and pretie innocents. Our Stage doth weare habilliments of woe, _Truth_ rues to tell the truth of these laments: The one was done in famous London late, Within that streete whose side the River Thames Doth strive to wash from all impuritie: But yet that silver stream can never wash, The sad remembrance of that cursed deede, Perform'd by cruell _Merry_ on iust _Beech_, And his true boye poore _Thomas Winchester_. The most here present, know this to be true: Would _Truth_ were false, so this were but a tale! The other further off, but yet too neere, To those that felt and did the crueltie: Neere _Padua_ this wicked deed was done, By a false Uncle, on his brothers sonne, Left to his carefull education By dying Parents, with as strict a charge As ever yet death-breathing brother gave. Looke for no mirth, unlesse you take delight, In mangled bodies, and in gaping wounds, Bloodily made by mercy-wanting hands. Truth will not faine, but yet doth grieve to showe, This deed of ruthe and miserable woe. [_Exit_. [ACT THE FIRST.] [SCENE I.] _Enter Merry_. I live in meane and discontented state, But wherefore should I think of discontent? I am belov'd, I have a pretty house, A loving sister, and a carefull man, That doe not thinke their dayes worke well at end, Except it bring me in some benefit: And well frequented is my little house With many guestes and honest passengers, _Enter Beech and a friend_. Which may in time advance my humble state To greater wealth and reputation. And here comes friends to drinke some beare or ale; [_Sit in his Shop_. They are my neighbours, they shall have the best. _Ne_. Come neighbour _Beech_, lets have our mornings draught And wele go drinke it at yong _Merries_ house: They say he hath the best in all this towne, Besides they say he is an honest man, And keepes good rule and orders in his house. _Beech_. He's so indeede; his conversation Is full of honest harmlesse curtesie: I dare presume, if that he be within, Hele serve us well, and keepe us company. See where he is, go in, ile follow you; [_Strive curtesies_. Nay straine no curtesie, you shall goe before.