1629Leir. Sweare not by earth; for she abhors to beare

1630Such bastards, as are murtherers of her sonnes.

1631Mes. Why then, by hell, and all the deuils I sweare.

1632Leir. Sweare not by hell; for that stands gaping wide,

1633To swallow thee, and if thou do this deed.

1635Mes. I would that word were in his belly agayne,

1636It hath frighted me euen to the very heart:

1637This old man is some strong Magician:

1638His words haue turned my mind from this exployt.

1639Then neyther heauen, earth, nor hell be witnesse;

1640But let this paper witnesse for them all.

1642Shall I relent, or shall I prosecute?

1643Shall I resolue, or were I best recant?

1644I will not crack my credit with two Queenes,

1645To whom I haue already past my word.

1646Oh, but my conscience for this act doth tell,

1647I get heauens hate, earths scorne, and paynes of hell.

1649Per. Oh iust Iehoua, whose almighty power

1650Doth gouerne all things in this spacious world,

1651How canst thou suffer such outragious acts

1652To be committed without iust reuenge?

1653O viperous generation and accurst,

1654To seeke his blood, whose blood did make them first!

1655Leir. Ah, my true friend in all extremity,

1656Let vs submit vs to the will of God:

1657Things past all sence, let vs not seeke to know;

1658It is Gods will, and therefore must be so.

1659My friend, I am prepared for the stroke:

1660Strike when thou wilt, and I forgiue thee here,

1661Euen from the very bottome of my heart.

1662Mes. But I am not prepared for to strike.

1663Leir. Farewell, Perillus, euen the truest friend,

1664That euer liued in aduersity:

1665The latest kindnesse ile request of thee,

1666Is that thou go vnto my daughter Cordella,