_Enter_ BOY, _with the box_. BOY. My master hath forbidden me to look in this box; and, by my troth,[171] 'tis likely, if he had not warned me, I should not have had so much idle time: for we men'skind,[172] in our minority, are like women in their uncertainty; that they are most forbidden, they will soonest attempt: so I now.--By my bare honesty,[173] here's nothing but the bare empty box: were it not sin against secrecy, I would say it were a piece of gentleman-like knavery. I must go to Pedringano, and tell him his pardon is in this box; nay, I would have sworn it, had I not seen the contrary. I cannot choose but smile, to think how the villain will flout the gallows, scorn the audience, and descant on the hangman; and all presuming of his pardon from hence. Will't not be an odd jest for me to stand and grace every jest he makes, pointing my finger at this box, as who would[174] say, Mock on, here's thy warrant? Is't not a scurvy jest, that a man should jest himself to death? Alas! poor Pedringano, I am in a sort sorry for thee; but if I should be hang'd with thee, I cannot[175] weep. _Enter_ HIERONIMO _and the_ DEPUTY. HIERONIMO. Thus must we toil in other men's extremes, That know not how to remedy our own; And do them justice, when unjustly we, For all our wrongs, can compass no redress. But shall I never live to see the day, That I may come, by justice of the heav'ns, To know the cause that may my cares allay? This toils my body, this consumeth age, That only I to all men just must be, And neither gods nor men be just to me. DEPUTY. Worthy Hieronimo, your office asks A care to punish such as do transgress. HIERONIMO. So is't my duty to regard his death Who, when he liv'd, deserv'd my dearest blood. But come, for that we came for: let's begin, For here lies that, which bids me to be gone. _Enter_ OFFICERS, BOY, _and_ PEDRINGANO, _with a_ _letter in his hand, bound._ DEPUTY. Bring forth the prisoner, for the court is set. PEDRINGANO. Gramercy, boy, but it was time to come; For I had written to my lord anew A nearer matter that concerneth him, For fear his lordship had forgotten me: But sith he hath remember'd me so well-- Come, come, come on, when shall we to this gear? HIERONIMO. Stand forth, thou monster, murderer of men, And here, for satisfaction of the world, Confess thy folly, and repent thy fault; For there's thy[176] place of execution. PEDRINGANO.