ke unto his fellows and sayd, Tush you are but boyes, take mens
hearts unto you, and let us enter into every part of the house, and such
as we find asleep let us kill, and so by that meanes we shall escape
without danger. Verily ye three Judges, I confess that I drew out my
sword against those three Citizens, but I thought it was the office and
duty of one that beareth good will to this weale publique, so to doe,
especially since they put me in great fear, and assayed to rob and spoyl
my friend Milo. But when those cruell and terrible men would in no case
run away, nor feare my naked sword, but boldly resist against me, I
ran upon them and fought valiantly. One of them which was the captain
invaded me strongly, and drew me by the haire with both his hands, and
began to beat me with a great stone: but in the end I proved the hardier
man, and threw him downe at my feet and killed him. I tooke likewise the
second that clasped me about the legs and bit me, and slew him also.
And the third that came running violently against me, after that I
had strucken him under the stomacke fell downe dead. Thus when I had
delivered my selfe, the house, Myne host, and all his family from this
present danger, I thought that I should not onely escape unpunished, but
also have some great reward of the city for my paines.

Moreover, I that have always been clear and unspotted of crime, and that
have esteemed myne innocency above all the treasure of the world, can
finde no reasonable cause why upon myne accusation I should be condemned
to die, since first I was mooved to set upon the theeves by just
occasion. Secondly, because there is none that can affirm, that there
hath been at any time either grudge or hatred between us. Thirdly, we
were men meere strangers and of no acquaintance. Last of all, no man can
prove that I committed that fact for lucre or gaine.

When I had ended my words in this sort, behold, I weeped againe
pitteously, and holding up my hands I prayed all the people by the mercy
of the Commonweale and for the love of my poore infants and children, to
shew me some pitty and favour. And when my hearts were somewhat relented
and mooved by my lamentable teares, I called all the gods to witnesse
that I was unguilty of the crime, and so to their divine providence, I
committed my present estate, but turning my selfe againe, I perceived
that all the people laughed exceedingly, and especially my good friend
and host Milo. Then thought