I Trial here to verify What Proof doth now unfold, To stand against him in his wrong, As now I dare be bold.
How likest thou this, thou caitiff vile? Canst thou the same deny?
O noble king, forgive my fact: I yield to thy mercy.
Complaint and Proof, redress will I All this your misery: Depart with speed from whence you came, And straight command by me The execution-man to come Before my grace with haste.
For to fulfil this your request, No time we mean to waste. [_Exeunt they three._
My lord, before my grace go call Otian, this judge’s son; And he shall hear, and also see, What his father hath done. The father he shall suffer death, The son his room succeed; And if that he no better prove, So likewise shall he speed.
As your grace hath commandment given, I mean for to fulfil. [_Step aside and fetch him._
Accursed judge, couldst thou consent To do this cursed ill? According unto thy demand, Thou shalt for this thy guilt Receive thy death before mine eyes: Thy blood it shall be spilt.
Behold (O king) Sisamnes’ son Before you doth appear.
Otian, this is my mind, Therefore to me come near: Thy father here for judgment wrong Procured hath his death, And thou his son shalt him succeed, When he hath lost his breath; And if that thou dost once offend, As thou seest thy father have, In like wise thou shalt suffer death, No mercy shall thee save.
O mighty king, vouchsafe your grace My father to remit; Forgive his fault, his pardon I Do ask of you as yet. Alas, although my father hath Your princely heart offended, Amends for miss he will now make, And faults shall be amended. Instead of his requested life, Pleaseth your grace take mine: This offer I as tender child, So duty doth me bind.
Do not entreat my grace no more, For he shall die the death; Where is the execution-man, Him to bereave of breath?
At hand and, if it like your grace, My duty to dispatch; In hope that I, when deed is done, A good reward shall catch.
Dispatch with sword this judge’s life, Extinguish fear and cares: So done, draw thou his cursed skin Straight over both his ears. I will see the office done, And that before mine eyes.
To do the thing my king commands, I give the enterprise.
Otian, my son, the king to death By law hath me condemned; And you in room and office mine His grace’s will hath placed: Use justice therefore in this case, And yield unto no wrong, Lest thou do purchase the like death, Ere ever it be long.