_1 Work._ There 'tis;--and finished: as pleasing a piece of work, as man could wish to turn out of hand. If King Edward, (Heaven bless him!) give me not a pension for this, let'n make the next scaffold himself. Mass! I would (with reverence be it spoken), build a scaffold, and fix a gallows, with any king in Christendom. _2 Work._ Yea, marry, if he had not served his time to the trade. _1 Work._ Yea, or if he had. I have been prime gallows maker, and principal hangman, now, nine-and-twenty years.--Thank Heaven! neighbour, I have long been notorious. _2 Work._ Thou say'st true, indeed. Thy enemies cannot deny thee that. _1 Work._ And why, I pray you? why have I been so? _2 Work._ Mass, I know not! I think 'tis thy good luck. _1 Work._ Tut, I will tell thee. My parents, I thank them, bred me to the gallows: marry, then, how was it?--why, look you, I took delight in my business.--An you would be a good workman, ever, while you live, take a delight in your business. I have been an honest, pains-taking man, neighbour. No one is notorious, without taking pains for it. _2 Work._ Truly, then, I fear my character is naught. I never can bring myself to take pains for it. _1 Work._ Thou art the more to be pitied. I never made but one small mistake, since I entered on business. _2 Work._ I pr'ythee, now, tell me that. _1 Work._ 'Twas on execution day; we were much thronged, and the signal was given full soon; when, a pize on it! I whips me, in haste, the halter over the neck of an honest stander-by:--and I jerks me him up to the top of a twenty foot gibbet. Marry, the true rogue escaped by't; for 'twas a full hour ere the error was noted. But, hast heard who the six be, that will be here anon? _2 Work._ Only that they be citizens. They are e'en now coming hitherward. Some of our men have seen them: they march, as 'tis reported, wondrous doleful. _1 Work._ No matter; tarry till they see my work;--that's all. An that do not content them, mark them for sour knaves. An a man be not satisfied when a sets foot on my scaffold, say he is hard to please. Rot them, your condemned men, now-a-days, have no discernment. I would I had the hanging of all my fellow craft! I should then have some judges of my skill; and merit would not go praiseless.--[_A Flourish._]--So!--the king is coming--stand clear, now, neighbour:--an the king like not my scaffold, I am no true man. [_They go on the Scaffold._ _Enter KING EDWARD, QUEEN, HARCOURT, SIR WALTER MANNY, ARUNDEL, WARWICK, TRAIN-BEARERS, Standards, &c._