Page:The First Part of the True and Honorable Historie of the Life of Sir John Old-castle (1600).pdf/82

 Lee.This bloudy towell, and these naked kniues, Beside we found them sitting by the place, Where the dead body lay within a bush.

IudgeVVhat answer you why law should not proceed, According to this euidence giuen in, To taxe ye with the penalty of death?

Old.That we are free from murders very thought, And know not how the gentleman was slaine.

1 Iust.How came this linnen cloth so boudy then?

Lady Cob.My husband hot with trauelling my lord, His nose gusht out a bleeding, that was it.

2 Iust.But wherefore were your sharpe edgde kniues vnsheathde?

Lady Cob.To cut such simple victuall as we had.

IudgeSay we admit this answer to those articles, VVhat made ye in so priuate a darke nooke, So far remote from any common path, As was the thicke where the dead corpes was throwne?

Old.Iournying my lord from London from the terme, Downe into Lancashire where we do dwell, And what with age and trauell being faint, VVe gladly sought a place where we might rest, Free from resort of other passengers, And so we strayed into that secret corner.

IudgeThese are but ambages to driue of time, And linger Iustice from her purposde end. But who are these?

Const.Stay Iudgement, and release those innocents, For here is hee, whose hand hath done the deed, For which they stand indited at the barre, This sauage villaine, this rude Irish slaue, His tongue already hath confest the fact, And here is witnes to confirme as much.

sir IohnYes my good Lords, no sooner had he slaine His louing master for dthe wealth he had, But