--Seen nothing, sayst thou? If I see the lamb lie
bleeding, and the butcher by her with his knife drawn, and bloody, is
not that evidence sufficient of the murder? I come too late, and the
execution is already done.
_Ant._ Pray think in reason, sir; is a man to be put to death for a
similitude? No violence has been committed; none intended; the lamb's
alive: and, if I durst tell you so, no more a lamb than I am a
butcher.
_Joh._ How's that, villain, dar'st thou accuse me?
_Ant._ Be patient, madam, and speak but truth, and I'll do any thing
to serve you: I say again, and swear it too, I'll do any thing to
serve you. [_Aside._
_Joh._ [_Aside._] I understand him; but I fear it is now too late to
save him:--Pray, hear him speak, husband; perhaps he may say something
for himself; I know not.
_Muf._ Speak thou, has he not violated my bed, and thy honour?
_Joh._ I forgive him freely, for he has done nothing. What he will do
hereafter to make me satisfaction, himself best knows.
_Ant._ Any thing, any thing, sweet madam: I shall refuse no drudgery.
_Muf._ But did he mean no mischief? was he endeavouring nothing?
_Joh._ In my conscience, I begin to doubt he did not.
_Muf._ It's impossible:--then what meant all those outcries?
_Joh._ I heard music in the garden, and at an unseasonable time of
night; and I stole softly out of my bed, as imagining it might be he.
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