sayings, and to disprove the varlet, till such time as the Officers
by the commandment of the Judges, bound his hands and brought out the
seale, wherewith he had sealed the purse which augmented suspition which
was conceived of him first. Howbeit, neither the feare of the wheele or
any other torment according to the use of the Grecians, which were ready
prepared, no, nor yet the fire could enforce him to confesse the matter,
so obstinate and grounded was he in his mischievous mind. But the
Physitian perceiving that the menaces of these torments did nothing
prevaile, gan say: I cannot suffer or abide that this young man who
is innocent, should against all law and conscience, be punished and
condemned to die, and the other which is culpable, should escape so
easily, and after mocke and flowte at your judgement: for I will give
you an evident proofe and argument of this present crime. You shall
understand, that when this caytiffe demanded of me a present and strong
poyson, considering that it was not my part to give occasion of any
others death, but rather to cure and save sicke persons by meane of
medicines: and on the other side, fearing least if I should deny his
request, I might minister a further cause of his mischiefe, either that
he would buy poyson of some other, or else returne and worke his wicked
intent, with a sword or some dangerous weapon, I gave him no poyson,
but a doling drinke of Mandragora, which is of such force, that it
will cause any man to sleepe as though he were dead. Neither is it any
marvaile if this most desperate man, who is certainly assured to be put
to death, ordained by an ancient custome, can suffer and abide these
facill and easie torments, but if it be so that the child hath received
the drinke as I tempered it with mine owne hands, he is yet alive and
doth but sleepe, and after his sleepe he shall returne to life againe,
but if he be dead indeed, then may you further enquire of the causes
of his death. The opinion of this ancient Physitian was found good, and
every man had a desire to goe to the Sepulchre where the child was layd;