33225O what excuse can my inuention make

226When thou shalt charge me with so blacke a deed?

227Wil not my tongue be mute, my fraile ioints shake?

228Mine eies forgo their light, my false hart bleede?

229The guilt beeing great, the feare doth still exceede;

230 And extreme feare can neither fight nor flie,

231 But cowardlike with trembling terror die.

34232Had COLATINVS kild my sonne or sire,

233Or laine in ambush to betray my life,

234Or were he not my deare friend, this desire

235Might haue excuse to worke vppon his wife:

236As in reuenge or quittall of such strife.

237 But as he is my kinsman, my deare friend,

238 The shame and fault finds no excuse nor end.

35239Shamefull it is: I, if the fact be knowne,

240Hatefull it is: there is no hate in louing,

241Ile beg her loue: but she is not her owne:

242The worst is but deniall and reproouing.

243My will is strong past reasons weake remoouing:

244 Who feares a sentence or an old mans saw,

245 Shall by a painted cloth be kept in awe.