Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/491

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NOTES.
479

Note 74.Page 274.

"Leon. Come, say your prayers speedily.
"Mar. What mean you?
"Leon. If you require a little space for prayer,
I grant it: Pray! but be not tedious,
For the gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn
To do my work with haste.
"Mar. Why will you kill me?
"Leon. To satisfy my lady.
"Mar. Why would she have me kill'd?
Now, as I can remember, by my troth,
I never did hurt her in all my life;
I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn
To any living creature: believe me, la,
I never kill'd a mouse, nor hurt a fly:
I trod upon a worm against my will,
But I wept for it. How have I offended,
Wherein my death might yield her profit, or
My life imply her danger?
"Leon. My commission
Is not to reason of the deed, but do it.
"Mar. You will not do't for all the world, I hope.
You are well-favour'd, and your looks foreshow
You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately,
When you caught hurt in parting two that fought: