Who would believe
Such rage could be in woman?
_Viol_.
For this fellow,
He is not worth my knowledge.
_Jam_.
Let him live then,
Since you esteem him innocent.
_Viol_.
No _Jamy_,
He shall make up the mess: now strike together,
And let them fall so.
_Assist_.
Unheard of crueltie!
I can endure no longer: seise on her.
_Viol_.
Am I betrai'd?
Is this thy faith, _Jamy_?
_Jam_.
Could your desires
Challenge performance of a deed so horrid?
Or, though that you had sold your self to hell,
I should make up the bargain? Live (dear Brother)
Live long, and happy: I forgive you freely;
To have done you this service, is to me
A fair Inheritance: and how e're harsh language
(Call'd on by your rough usage) pass'd my lips,
In my heart I ever lov'd you: all my labours
Were but to shew, how much your love was cozen'd,
When it beheld it self in this false Glass,
That did abuse you; and I am so far
From envying young _Ascanio_ his good fortune,
That if your State were mine, I would adopt him,
These are the Murtherers my noble friends,
Which (to make trial of her bloudy purpose)
I won, to come disguis'd thus.
_Hen_.
I am too full
Of grief, and shame to speak: but what I'le doe,
Shall to the world proclaim my penitence;
And howsoever I have liv'd, I'le die
A much chang'd man.
_Jam_.
Were it but possible
You could make satisfaction to this woman,
Our joyes were perfect.
_Hen_.
That's my only comfort,
That it is in my power: I ne're was married
To this bad woman, though I doted on her,
But daily did defer it, still expecting
When grief would kill _Jacintha_.
_Assist_.
All is come out,
And finds a fair success: take her _Don Henrique_,
And once again embrace your Son.
_Hen_.
Most gladly.
_Assist_.
Your Brother hath deserv'd all.
_Hen_.
And shall share
The moitie of my State.
_Assist_.
I have heard, advocate,
What an ill Instrument you have been to him,
From this time strengthen him with honest counsels,
As you'le deserve my pardon.
_Bar_.
I'le change my Copy:
But I am punish'd, for I fear I have had
A smart blow, though unseen.
_Assist_.
Curate, and Sexton,
I have heard of you too, let me hear no more,
And what's past, is forgotten; For this woman,
Though her intent were bloody, yet our Law
Calls it not death: yet that her punishment
May deter others from such bad attempts,
The dowry she brought with her, shall be emploi'd
To build a Nunnery, where she shall spend
The remnant of her life.
_Viol_.
Since I have miss'd my ends,
I scorn what can fall on me.
_Assist_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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