JUS. My masters, you must leave this quarrelling, for quarrellers are never at peace; and men of peace, while they are at quiet, are never quarrelling: so you, whilst you fall into brawls, you cannot choose but jar. Here comes your son accused, and his wife the accuser; stand forth both. Hugh, be ready with your pen and ink to take their examinations and confessions. _Enter_ MISTRESS MARY, BRABO, YOUNG MASTER ARTHUR, MISTRESS SPLAY, HUGH, _and_ OFFICERS. Y. ART. It shall not need; I do confess the deed, Of which this woman here accuseth me; I poison'd my first wife, and for that deed I yield me to the mercy of the law. O. LUS. Villain! thou mean'st my only daughter, And in her death depriv'dst me of all joys. Y. ART. I mean her. I do confess the deed; And though my body taste the force of law, Like an offender, on my knee I beg Your angry soul will pardon me her death. O. LUS. Nay, if he kneeling do confess the deed, No reason but I should forgive her death. JUS. But so the law must not be satisfied; Blood must have blood, and men must have death; I think that cannot be dispens'd withal. MRS MA. If all the world else would forgive the deed, Yet would I earnestly pursue the law. Y. ART. I had a wife would not have us'd me so; The wealth of Europe could not hire her tongue To be offensive to my patient ears; But, in exchanging her, I did prefer A devil before a saint, night before day, Hell before heaven, and dross before tried gold; Never was bargain with such damage sold. BRA. If you want witness to confirm the deed, I heard him speak it; and that to his face, Before this presence, I will justify; I will not part hence, till I see him swing. MRS SPLAY. I heard him too: pity but he should die, And like a murderer be sent to hell. To poison her, and make her belly swell! MRS MA. Why stay you, then? give judgment on the slave, Whose shameless life deserves a shameful grave. Y. ART. Death's bitter pangs are not so full of grief As this unkindness: every word thou speak'st Is a sharp dagger thrust quite through my heart. As little I deserve this at thy hands, As my kind patient wife deserv'd of me: I was her torment, God hath made thee mine; Then wherefore at just plagues should I repine? JUS. Where did'st thou buy this poison? for such drugs Are felony for any man to sell. Y. ART. I had the poison of Aminadab: But, innocent man, he was not accessory To my wife's death; I clear him of the deed. JUS. No matter; fetch him, fetch him, bring him To answer to this matter at the bar. Hugh, take these officers and apprehend him. BRA. I'll aid him too; the schoolmaster, I see, Perhaps may hang with him for company. _Enter_ ANSELM _and_ FULLER. ANS. This is the day of Arthur's examination And trial for the murder of his wife; Let's hear how Justice Reason will proceed, In censuring of his strict punishment. FUL. Anselm, content; let's thrust in 'mong the throng. _Enter_ AMINADAB, _brought in with_ OFFICERS.