I called my wife, and made cleane my rapier, because I would not bee
suspected. Uppon this was I laide in prison, should haue been hanged,
was brought to the ladder, had made a ballet for my farewell in a
readines called _Wiltons wantonnes_, and yet for all that scap'd dancing
in a hempen circle. He that hath gone through manie perils and returned
safe from them, makes but a merriment to dilate them. I had the knot
vnder my eare, there was faire playe, the hangman had one halter, and
another about my necke, which was fastned to the gallowes, the riding
deuice was almost thrust home, and his foote on my shoulder to presse
me downe, when I made my saint-like confession as you haue heard before,
that such & such men at such an houre brake into the house, slew the
Zanie, tooke my curtizan, lockt me into my chamber, rauisht _Heraclide_,
and finally how shee slew her selfe.

Present at the execution was there a banisht English Earle, who hearing
that a countreyman of his was to suffer for such a notable murder, came
to heare his confession, and see if hee knew him. He had not heard me
tell halfe of that I haue recited, but hee craued audience, and desired
the execution might be staid.

Not two dayes since it is Gentlemen and noble _Romanes_ (said he) since
going to be let bloud in a barbars shop agaynst the infection, all on
a suddaine in a great tumult and vproare was there brought in one
_Bartoll_ an _Italian_ greeuously wounded and bloudie. I seeming to
commiserate his harmes, courteously questiond him with what ill debters
he had met, or how or by what casualtie he came to be so arraid. O quoth
he long I haue liu'd sworne brothers in sensualitie with one _Esdras of
Granado_, fiue hundred rapes and murders haue wee committed betwixt vs.
When our iniquities were growen to the height, and God had determined to
counterchecke our amitie, wee came to the house of _Iohannes de Imola_
(whom this yong gentleman hath named) there did he iustifie al those
rapes in manner and forme as the prisoner here hath confest. But loe
an accident after, which neither he nor this audience is priuie too.
_Esdras of Granado_ not content to haue rauisht the matrone _Heraclide_
and robd her, after he had betooke hym from thence to his heeles, light
on his companion _Bartol_ with his curtizan: whose pleasing face hee had
scarce winkingly glaunc'd on, but hee pickt a quarrell with _Bartoll_ to
haue her from him. On this quarrell they fought _Bartoll_