Page:History of the seven wise masters of Rome.pdf/20

 gave up the ghoſt: Whereupon, ſhe ſtaid mourning by his tomb. So her friend built her a houſe nigh to it to mourn in.--Now, when a malefactor was to be hanged 'twas the law of the country, that the was to watch him on the gallows the enſuing night. The Sheriff, diſcovering a light in the houſe of the above widow, came thither to warm himſelf, and, on return, found the thief ſtolen: Whereat, he concluded to go back to the widow, and there bewail his misfortune, and deſire her to put him in a way what to do. Upon this ſhe, pauſing, told him, that, at the price of his love, ſhe would put him in a way what to do, which was this: A few days ago, ſays ſhe, my Lord was buried, take and hang him up inſtead of the thief. But, ſaid the Sheriff, the thief had loſt his ears, teeth, and ſtones, as, likewiſe, in being taken, received a wound on his head. It is in your power to ſerve my Lord ſo, ſaid ſhe: Nay, ſaid he, not I. Then ſaid ſhe, for the love of you I will perform it. And, taking a ſword, ſhe accordingly did it. So they dragged him to the gallows, and hanged him up. After which, ſhe very urgently demanded of the Sheriff to fulfil his promiſe: But he replied, O thou wickedeſt of women, how couldeſt thou be ſo cruel to the dead body of thy huſband? Therefore, I will keep my word, and not marry while thou liveſt. And with that drew his ſword and