Page:The Lamentable and True Tragedie of M. Arden of Feversham in Kent (1592).pdf/31

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of Feuershame.

I haue had ten pound to steale a dogge,
And we haue no more heere to kill a man,
But that a bargane is a bargane, and so foorth,
You should do it your selfe.

Gre.
I pray thee how came thy head broke,

Will.
Why thou seest it is broke, dost thou not.

Sha.
Stading against a staule, watching Ardens coming,
A boy let down his shop window, and broke his head.
Wherevpon arose a braul, and in the tumult
Arden escapt vs, and past by vnthought on.
But forberance is no acquittance,
Anothertime wele do it I warrant thee.

Gre.
I pray thee will make cleane thy bloodie brow,
And let vs bethink vs on some other place,
Where Arden may be met with handsomly.
Remember how deuoutly thou hast sworne,
To kill the villaine thinke vpon thyne oath.

Will.
Tush, I haue broken fiue hundred oathes,
But wouldst thou charme me to effect this dede?
Tell me of gould my resolutions fee,
Say thou seest Mosbie kneeling at my knees,
Offring me seruice for my high attempt:
And sweete Ales Arden with a lap of crownes.
Comes with a lowly cursy to the earth,
Saying take this, but for thy quarterige,
Such yeerely tribute will I answer thee.
Why this would steale soft metled cowardice,
With which black Will was neuer tainted with.
I tell thee Greene the forlorne trauailer,
Whose lips are glewed with sommers parching heat,
Nere longd so much to see a running brooke,
As I to finish Ardens Tragedy.
Seest thou this goare that cleaueth to my face?
From hence nere will I wash this bloody staine,
Til Ardens hart be panting in my hand.

Gre.
Why thats wel said, but what saith shakbag?

I cannot