OFFICER. Some of the bench, sir, think it very fit That stay be made, and give it out abroad The execution is deferred till morning, And, when the streets shall be a little cleared, To chain them up, and suddenly dispatch it. SHERIFF. Stay; in mean time me thinks they come along: See, they are coming. So, tis very well: [The prisoners are brought in, well guarded.] Bring Lincoln there the first unto the tree. CLOWN. I, for I cry lug, sir. LINCOLN. I knew the first, sir, did belong to me: This the old proverb now complete doth make, That Lincoln should be hanged for London’s sake. [He goes up.] A God’s name, let us to work. Fellow, dispatch: I was the foremost man in this rebellion, And I the foremost that must die for it. DOLL. Bravely, John Lincoln, let thy death express, That, as thou liv’dst a man, thou diest no less. LINCOLN. Doll Williamson, thine eyes shall witness it.— Then to all you that come to view mine end I must confess, I had no ill intent, But against such as wronged us over much: And now I can perceive it was not fit That private men should carve out their redress, Which way they list; no, learn it now by me,— Obedience is the best in each degree: And asking mercy meekly of my king, I patiently submit me to the law; But God forgive them that were cause of it! And, as a Christian, truly from my heart I likewise crave they would forgive me too (As freely as I do forgive their wrong) That others by example of the same Henceforth be warned to attempt the like Gainst any alien that repaireth hither. Fare ye well, all: the next time that we meet, I trust in heaven we shall each other greet. [He leaps off.] DOLL. Farewell, John Lincoln: say all what they can, Thou liv’dst a good fellow, and diedst an honest man. 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.