Volume Viii Part 94 (2/2)

Now here be they suppose Earl Lacy dead.

See how this lady grieveth for that she wisheth.

DUN. My Lord of London, by his sudden death, And all the signs before his late departure, 'Tis very probable that he is poison'd.

MAR. Do you but doubt it? credit me, my lord, I heard him say that drink should be his last: I heard my husband speak it, and he did it.

CAS. There is my old friend, she always speaks for me.

O shameless creature, was't not thy device?

MOR. Let not extremity of grief o'erwhelm thee, My dearest Honorea; for his death shall be Surely reveng'd with all severity Upon the doctor, and that suddenly.

CLIN. What fortune's this, that all these come this way To hinder me, and save thy life to-day?

HON. My gracious lord, this doleful accident Hath robb'd me of my joy: and, royal earl, Though in thy life thou didst suspect my love, My grief and tears suspicions shall remove.

MAR. Madam, to you and to your father's love I owe as much and more than my own life.

Had I ten husbands should agree to do it, My gracious lord, you presently should know it.

CAS. Ay, there's a girl! think you I did not well, To live with such a wife, to come from h.e.l.l.

MAR. Look, look, my lord, there stands the murderer!

CAS. How am I round beset on every side!

First, that same captain here stands to kill me; My dame she hath already poisoned me; Earl Morgan he doth threaten present death; The Countess Honorea, in revenge Of Lacy, is extremely incens'd 'gainst me.

All threaten--none shall do it; for my date Is now expired, and I must back to h.e.l.l.

And now, my servant, wheresoe'er thou be, Come quickly, Akerc.o.c.k, and follow me.

Lordings, adieu, and my curs'd wife, farewell, If me ye seek, come follow me to h.e.l.l.

[_The ground opens, and they both fall[480] down into it_.

MOR. The earth that opened now is clos'd again.

DUN. It is G.o.d's judgment for his grievous sins.

CLIN. Was there a quagmire, that he sank so soon?

HON. O miracle! now may we justly say, Heavens have reveng'd my husband's death this day.

MOR. Alas, poor Marian! we have wrong'd thee much To cause thee match thyself to any such.

MAR. Nay, let him go, and sink into the ground; For such as he are better lost than found.

Now, Honorea, we are freed from blame, And both enrich'd with happy widow's name[481].

_Enter_ EARL LACY, _with_ FORREST _and_ MUSGRAVE.

LACY. O, lead me quickly to that mourning train, Which weep for me, who am reviv'd again.

HON. Marian, I shed some tears of perfect grief.

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