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I know not which way to begin to come to't.

Believe me, I shall never kill thee well;

I shall but shame myself. It were but folly,

Dear soul, to boast of more than I can perform.

I shall not have the power to do thee right in't.

Thou deserv'st death with speed, a quick dispatch,

The pain but of a twinkling, and so sleep.

If I do't, I shall make thee live too long

And so spoil all that way. I prithee excuse me.

LADY

I should not be disturbed and you did well, sir.

I have prepared myself for rest and silence

And took my leave of words. I am like one

Removing from her house, that locks up all,

And rather than she would displace her goods,

Makes shift with anything for the time she stays.

Then look not for more speech; th' extremity speaks

Enough to serve us both had we no tongues!

Knock.

Hark!

WITHIN

Lord Sophonirus!

GOVIANUS

Which hand shall I take?

LADY

Art thou yet ignorant? There is no way

But through my bosom.

GOVIANUS

Must I lose thee then?

LADY

Th'are but thine enemies that tell thee so.

His lust may part me from thee, but death, never;

Thou canst not lose me there, for, dying thine,

Thou dost enjoy me still. Kings cannot rob thee.

Knock.

WITHIN

Do you hear, my lord?

LADY

Is it yet time, or no?

Honour remember thee!

GOVIANUS

I must; come. Prepare thyself.

LADY

Never more dearly welcome.

[Govianus] runs at her [with his sword] and falls by the way in a sound.

Alas, sir!

My lord, my love! Oh, thou poor-spirited man!

He's gone before me. Did I trust to thee,

And hast thou served me so? Left all the work

Upon my hand, and stole away so smoothly?

There was not equal suffering shown in this;

And yet I cannot blame thee. Every man

Would seek his rest. Eternal peace sleep with thee!

[Taking his sword] Thou art my servant now; come, thou hast lost

A fearful master, but art now preferred

Unto the service of a resolute lady,

One that knows how to employ thee, and scorns death

As much as great men fear it. Where's hell's ministers,

The tyrant's watch and guard? 'Tis of much worth,

When with this key the prisoner can slip forth!

Kills herself. Knock.

GOVIANUS

How now! What noise is this? I heard doors beaten.

A great knocking again.

Where are my servants? Let men knock so loud

Their master cannot sleep!

Knock.

WITHIN

The time's expired,

And we'll break in, my lord!

GOVIANUS

Ha! Where's my sword?

I had forgot my business. [Sees the Lady.] Oh, 'tis done,

And never was beholding to my hand!

Was I so hard to thee, so respectless of thee,

To put all this to thee? Why, it was more

Than I was able to perform myself

With all the courage that I could take to me.

It tired me; I was fain to fall, and rest.

And hast thou, valiant woman, overcome

Thy honour's enemies with thine own white hand,

Where virgin-victory sits, all without help?

Eternal praise go with thee! Spare not now;

Make all the haste you can. I'll plant this bawd

Against the door, the fittest place for him,

That when with ungoverned weapons they rush in,

Blinded with fury, they may take his death

Into the purple number of their deeds,

And wipe it off from mine.

[Places the body of Sophonirus against the door.] Knock within.

How now, forbear!

My lord's at hand.

WITHIN

My lord, and ten lords more,

I hope the king's officers are above 'em all.

[They attempt to open the door.]

GOVIANUS

Life, what do you do? Take heed!

Enter the Fellows well weaponed [and stab Sophonirus].

Bless the old man!

My lord, All-Ass, my lord, he's gone!

FIRST [FELLOW]

Heart, farewell he, then!

We have no eyes to pierce thorough inch boards.

'Twas his own folly. The king must be served,

And shall. The best is, we shall ne'er be hanged for't,

There's such a number guilty.

GOVIANUS

Poor my lord!

He went some twice ambassador, and behaved himself

So wittily in all his actions!

SECOND [FELLOW]

My lord! What's she?

GOVIANUS

Let me see.

What should she be? Now I remember her.

Oh, she was a worthy creature