Act 3 — [Scene VI.][804]
Reading edition
[Scene VI.][804]
Enter Hieronimo and the Deputy.
Hier. Thus must we toil in other men’s extremes, That know not how to remedy our own; And do them justice, when unjustly we, For all our wrongs, can compass no redress. But shall I never live to see the day,5 That I may come, by justice of the heavens, To know the cause that may my cares allay? This toils my body, this consumeth age, That only I to all men just must be, And neither gods nor men be just to me.10 Dep. Worthy Hieronimo, your office asks A care to punish such as do transgress. Hier. So is ’t my duty to regard his death Who, when he liv’d, deserv’d my dearest blood. But come, for that we came for: let’s begin,15 For here lies that which bids me to be gone.
Enter Officers, Boy, and Pedringano, with a letter in his hand, bound.
Dep. Bring forth the prisoner, for the court is set. Ped. Gramercy, boy, but it was time to come; For I had written to my lord anew A nearer matter that concerneth him,20 For fear his lordship had forgotten me. But sith he hath rememb’red me so well— Come, come, come on, when shall we to this gear?[805] Hier. Stand forth, thou monster, murderer of men. And here, for satisfaction of the world,25 Confess thy folly, and repent thy fault; For there’s thy place of execution. Ped. This is short work. Well, to your marshalship First I confess—nor fear I death therefore— I am the man, ’t was I slew Serberine.30 But, sir, then you think this shall be the place, Where we shall satisfy you for this gear? Dep. Ay, Pedringano. Ped. Now I think not so. Hier. Peace, impudent; for thou shalt find it so;34 For blood with blood shall, while I sit as judge, Be satisfied, and the law discharg’d. And though myself cannot receive the like, Yet will I see that others have their right. Despatch: the fault’s approved[806] and confess’d, And by our law he is condemn’d to die.40
Hangm. Come on, sir, are you ready?
Ped. To do what, my fine, officious knave?
Hangm. To go to this gear.
Ped. O sir, you are too forward: thou wouldst fain furnish me with a halter, to 45 disfurnish me of my habit.[807] So I should go out of this gear, my raiment, into that gear, the rope. But, hangman, now I spy your knavery, I’ll not change without boot,[808] that’s flat.
Hangm. Come, sir. 50
Ped. So, then, I must up?
Hangm. No remedy.
Ped. Yes, but there shall be for my coming down.
Hangm. Indeed, here’s a remedy for that. 55
Ped. How? Be turn’d off?
Hangm. Ay, truly. Come, are you ready? I pray, sir, despatch; the day goes away.
Ped. What, do you hang by the hour? If you do, I may chance to break your old custom. 61
Hangm. Faith, you have reason; for I am like to break your young neck.
Ped. Dost thou mock me, hangman? Pray God, I be not preserved to break your knave’s pate for this. 66
Hangm. Alas, sir! you are a foot too low to reach it, and I hope you will never grow so high while I am in the office.
Ped. Sirrah, dost see yonder boy with 70 the box in his hand?
Hangm. What, he that points to it with his finger?
Ped. Ay, that companion.
Hangm. I know him not; but what of 75 him?
Ped. Dost thou think to live till his old doublet will make thee a new truss?
Hangm. Ay, and many a fair year after, to truss up many an honester man than either thou or he. 81
Ped. What hath he in his box, as thou think’st?
Hangm. Faith, I cannot tell, nor I care not greatly; methinks you should rather hearken to your soul’s health. 85
Ped. Why, sirrah, hangman, I take it that that is good for the body is likewise good for the soul: and it may be, in that box is balm for both. 90
Hangm. Well, thou art even the merriest piece of man’s flesh that e’er groan’d at my office door!
Ped. Is your roguery become an office with a knave’s name? 95
Hangm. Ay, and that shall all they witness that see you seal it with a thief’s name.
Ped. I prithee, request this good company to pray with me.
Hangm. Ay, marry, sir, this is a good motion. My masters, you see here’s a good fellow. 101
Ped. Nay, nay, now I remember me, let them alone till some other time; for now I have no great need.
Hier. I have not seen a wretch so impudent. O monstrous times, where murder’s set so light,106 And where the soul, that should be shrin’d in heaven, Solely delights in interdicted things, Still wand’ring in the thorny passages, That intercepts itself of[809] happiness.110 Murder! O bloody monster! God forbid A fault so foul should ’scape unpunished. Despatch, and see this execution done!— This makes me to remember thee, my son. Exit Hieronimo. Ped. Nay, soft, no haste.115 Dep. Why, wherefore stay you? Have you hope of life? Ped. Why, ay! Hangm. As how? Ped. Why, rascal, by my pardon from the king. Hangm. Stand you on that? Then you shall off with this. He turns him off. Dep. So, executioner;—convey him hence; But let his body be unburied:121 Let not the earth be choked or infect With that which heav’n contemns, and men neglect. Exeunt.