an in stead of that drinke prepared a mortall and
deadly poyson, and when he had tempered it accordingly, he tooke the pot
in the presence of the family, and other neighbours and friends of the
sick yong man, and offered it to his patient. But the bold and hardy
woman, to the end she might accomplish her wicked intent, and also gaine
the money which she had promised the Physitian, staid the pot with her
hand, saying: I pray you master Physitian, minister not this drinke unto
my deare Husband, untill such time as you have drunke some part thereof
your selfe: For what know I, whether you have mingled any poyson in the
drinke or no, wherein I would have you not to be offended: For I know
that you are a man of wisedome and learning, but this I do to the intent
the conscience and love that I beare to the health and safeguard of my
husband, may be apparent. The Physitian being greatly troubled at the
wickednesse of this mischievous woman, as voyd of all counsell and
leysure to consider of the matter, and least he might give any cause
of suspition to the standers by, or shew any scruple of his guilty
conscience, by reason of long delay, tooke the pot in his hand, and
presently drunke a good draught thereof, which done, the young man
having no mistrust, drunke up the residue. The Physitian would have gone
immediately home to receive a counterpoyson, to expeth and drive out the
first poyson: But the wicked woman persevering in her mischiefe, would
not suffer him to depart a foot, untill such time as the poyson began to
worke in him, and then by much prayer and intercession she licensed him
to goe home: By the way the poyson invaded the intrailes and bowels of
the whole body of the Physitian, in such sort that with great paine he
came to his owne house, where he had scarce time to speake to his wife,
and to will her to receive the promised salitary of the death of two
persons, but he yeelded up the ghost: And the other young man lived not
long after, but likewise dyed, amongst the feined and deceitfull teares
of his cursed wife. A few dayes after, when the young man was buried and
the funerall ended, the Physitians wife demanded of her the fifty peeces
of gold which she promised her husband for the drinke, whereat the ill
disposed woman, with resemblance of honesty, answered her with gentle
words, and promised to give her the fifty peeces of gold, if she would
fetch her a little of that same drinke, to proceed and make an end of
al