The repentance of Robert Greene Maister of Artes. Wherein by himselfe is laid open his loose life, with the manner of his death

The manner of the death and last end of Robert Greene Maister of Artes.

AFter that he had pend the former discourse (then lying sore sicke of a surfet which hee had taken with drinking) hee continued most patient and penitent; yea, he did with teares forsake the world, renounced swea∣ring, and desired forgiuenes of God and the worlde for all his offences: so that during all the time of his sick∣nesse (which was about a moneths space) hee was neuer heard to sweare, raue, or blaspheme the name of God as he was accustomed to do before that time, which great∣ly comforted his welwillers, to see how mightily the grace of God did worke in him.

He confessed himselfe that he was neuer heart sicke, but said that al his paine was in his belly. And although he continually scowred, yet still his belly sweld, and ne∣uer left swelling vpward, vntill it sweld him at the hart and in his face.

During the whole time of his sicknes, he continual∣ly called vpon God, and recited these sentences follow∣ing:

O Lord forgiue me my manifold offences. O Lord haue mercie vpon me. O Lord forgiue me my secret sinnes, and in thy mercie (Lord) pardon them all.

Thy mercie (O Lord) is aboue thy works.

And with such like godly sentences hee passed the time, euen till he gaue vp the Ghost.

And this is to bee noted, that his sicknesse did not so greatly weaken him, but that he walked to his chaire & backe againe the night before he departed, and then (be∣ing feeble) laying him downe on his bed, about nine of the clocke at night, a friend of his tolde him, that his Wife had sent him commendations, and that shee was in good health: whereat hee greatly reioiced, confessed that he had mightily wronged her, and wished that hee might see her before he departed. Whereupon (feeling his time was but short, hee tooke pen and inke, & wrote her a Letter to this effect.

SWeet Wife,

as euer there was any good will or friendship betweene thee and mee, see this bea∣rer (my Host) satisfied of his debt, I owe him tenne pound, and but for him I had perished in the streetes. Forget and forgiue my wronges done vnto thee, and Almighty God haue mercie on my soule. Fare∣well till we meet in heauen, for on earth thou shalt neuer see me more. This 2. of September. 1592.

VVritten by thy dying Husband Robert Greene.