Scene IV Before the Manor
Enter Sir Francis Acton, Susan, Sir Charles Mountford, Cranwell, and Malby.
Sir Francis Acton.
Brother, and now my wife, I think these troubles
Fall on my head by justice of the Heavens,
For being so strict to you in your extremities:
But we are now atoned.49 I would my sister
Could with like happiness o’ercome her griefs,
As we have ours.
Susan.
You tell us, Master Cranwell, wondrous things,
Touching the patience of that gentleman,
With what strange virtue he demeans his grief.
Cranwell.
I told you what I was a witness of;
It was my fortune to lodge there that night.
Sir Francis Acton.
O that same villain Wendoll! ’twas his tongue
That did corrupt her; she was of herself
Chaste, and devoted well. Is this the house?
Cranwell.
Yes, sir, I take it here your sister lies.
Sir Francis Acton.
My brother Frankford showed too mild a spirit
In the revenge of such a loathèd crime;
Less than he did, no man of spirit could do:
I am so far from blaming his revenge,
That I commend it. Had it been my case,
Their souls at once had from their breasts been freed:
Death to such deeds of shame is the due meed.
[They enter the house.